✈️ Arrival Note:
- Getting to Pokhara:
- ✈️ Flight from Kathmandu: ~$100 one way (25 min)
- 🚌 Tourist bus: ~$10–$25 (6–8 hours)
- 🚕 Private car: ~$80–$120 (comfortable but costly)
🗓️ Day 1: Arrival + Lakeside Exploration
Theme: Settle in & unwind by the lake
- 🏨 Check-in to a Lakeside hotel or hostel
- Budget: $10–$20 (hostel), $25–$50 (mid-range hotel)
- 🚶♂️ Walk around Lakeside
- Visit Phewa Lake, rent a cycle or take a short paddle boat ride ($5/hour)
- Explore local cafes (try Moondance or AM/PM Café)
- 🌅 Sunset from the Lakeside or Basundhara Park
Estimated Cost:
- Hotel: $20
- Meals & café: $15–$20
- Boat or cycle: $5
➡️ Total: ~$40–45
Transport: Walk or rent a bicycle (~$5/day)
🗓️ Day 2: Peace Pagoda & Pumdikot View Point
Theme: Spiritual sites + Scenic views
- 🛶 Boat across Phewa Lake + hike to World Peace Pagoda (~30–40 mins uphill)
- 🥾 Continue to Pumdikot View Point (large Shiva statue + panoramic views)
- 🛵 Option: Rent scooter for the day (~$10–15 + fuel $2–3)
- 🍛 Enjoy Nepali lunch with a view at a local hilltop café
- 🧘♂️ Quiet afternoon or sunset at Komagane Park or lakeside
Estimated Cost:
- Boat: $6
- Lunch/view café: $8
- Scooter: $15
- Park entry/snacks: $2
➡️ Total: ~$30–35
Transport: Boat + hike OR scooter rental
🗓️ Day 3: Adventure Day (Paragliding or Ultralight) + Old Pokhara
Theme: Adrenaline + Local heritage
- ☀️ Morning paragliding from Sarangkot ($75–$90)
- Includes hotel pickup & drop-off
- Alternative: Ultralight flight ($120–$200 for 15–60 mins)
- 🍲 Lunch in Old Pokhara (try traditional Newari or Thakali set ~ $5–7)
- 🛍 Walk around Old Bazaar, visit Bindhyabasini Temple
- 📸 Evening at Sarangkot View Point or chill by Phewa Lake
Estimated Cost:
- Paragliding: $85
- Meals: $10
- Entry/snacks: $2
➡️ Total: ~$95–100
Transport: Paragliding company shuttle + local taxi or walk (~$3–5 if needed)
🗓️ Day 4: Day Trip – Begnas & Rupa Lake or Dhampus Hike
Option A: Lakeside Serenity (easier)
- 🚗 Taxi to Begnas Lake (~30–40 mins, ~$10–15 each way)
- 🍽 Lakeside fish lunch at Begnas or Old Pame
- 🥾 Optional short walk to Sudari Danda for views of Rupa Lake
- 🛶 Rowboat at Begnas (~$5)
Option B: Moderate Day Hike to Dhampus
- 🚕 Morning drive to Kande (~1 hr)
- 🥾 Hike to Australian Camp & Dhampus (3–4 hrs round trip)
- 🏞 Incredible mountain views and village culture
- 🍛 Lunch at mountain lodge (~$5–7)
- 🚗 Return via taxi or jeep from Dhampus/Kande
Estimated Cost (either option):
- Transport: ~$20
- Meals & boat/hiking fees: $10
➡️ Total: ~$30–35
Transport: Hired taxi/jeep or shared jeep (ask locals/tour desks)
🗓️ Day 5: Cultural Sites + Souvenir Shopping
Theme: History & Heritage
- 🏛 Visit International Mountain Museum ($4)
- 🦇 Explore Devi’s Fall + Gupteshwor Cave (~$3–4 combined)
- 🛕 Optional: Mahendra Cave & Bat Cave (~$3 more)
- 🛍 Buy souvenirs at Lakeside: Singing bowls, pashmina, thangka art
- 🧘 Sunset relaxation at café or massage (~$10–15)
Estimated Cost:
- Entry fees: $8
- Lunch + shopping: ~$20
- Massage (optional): $10
➡️ Total: ~$30–40
Transport: Local taxi or rent scooter ($10–15)
💰 Total Estimated Budget (for 5 Days):
| Category | Budget Estimate |
|---|---|
| 🏨 Accommodation | $100–150 total |
| 🍛 Food & Drinks | $75–100 |
| 🚌 Transport & Rentals | $40–60 |
| 🎟️ Activities & Entry | $100–150+ (if paragliding) |
| 🛍️ Shopping/Souvenirs | $20–30 |
| TOTAL | $335 – $490 |
📌 Bonus Tips for Solo Travelers:
- 🔐 Stay in Lakeside for safety & social interaction
- 🧭 Use Google Maps offline for hikes & exploring
- 📱 Buy a local SIM (NTC/Ncell) for data ($1–3)
- 🧍♀️ Join group day tours for treks or cultural visits if you’d like company