Day Hikes Near Pokhara

4.9(24)

|Recommended by 99% of travelers

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Destination

Nepal

Grade

Easy

Start / End Point

Pokhara

Accommodation

Lodge / Tea House

Best Season

Year-round (best Oct–May)

Meals Included

B / L / D

Activity

trek

Max. Altitude

2,500m

A hand-picked selection of day hikes in the Pokhara valley and immediate Annapurna foothills, Sarangkot sunrise, World Peace Pagoda, and more.

Highlights

Sarangkot sunrise viewpoint
World Peace Pagoda hike
Phewa Lake circuit trails
Local food and culture stops

Day Hikes Near Pokhara Overview

Pokhara is Nepal's most accessible trekking base, with day hikes that range from a gentle 2-hour forest walk to a full 6-hour mountain hike, reaching altitudes of 2,500m. Our team offers these as private guided day hikes, tailored to individual desires rather than fixed group tours with multiple strangers.

The five main options each have unique characteristics. Sarangkot at 1,600m is the most famous sunrise viewpoint, providing a stunning view of Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Machhapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri. The hike begins in the Pokhara lakeside area and is best approached by foot, arriving at the viewpoint as dawn breaks.

Peace Pagoda offers a forest walk along the southern ridge of Phewa Lake and culminates in views from the white Buddhist stupa at 1,100m. This gentler option suits both morning and afternoon hikes.

Panchase Hill, at 2,500m, presents the most demanding trek, with a climb through rhododendron and oak forests leading to a panoramic summit vantage point. Kaskikot Fort (1,780m) provides a quieter experience with fewer visitors and historical context, while Dhampus and Australian Camp (2,065m) allow for a classic Gurung village experience with comfortable dining and great mountain views.

Who this trek is for: It is suitable for travellers in Pokhara with a free day, families, individuals acclimatising between treks, and those seeking an initial taste of trekking in Nepal without a multi-day commitment.

Note

We recommend you arrive at Kathmandu by 3 PM at least one day before the trek departure date for last-minute preparations.

Day-to-Day Short Itinerary

Day 1Choose your hike: Sarangkot, Peace Pagoda, Panchase, Kaskikot, or Dhampus (1,100m-2,500m)

Day Hikes Near Pokhara Photos

Day Hikes Near Pokhara Itinerary

Day 1
Choose your hike: Sarangkot, Peace Pagoda, Panchase, Kaskikot, or Dhampus (1,100m-2,500m)

What is included in this trek package?

Accommodation

Twin-sharing accommodation in tea houses or local lodges throughout the trek
Hotel accommodation on nights before and after the trek where applicable (breakfast included)

Meals & Drinking Water

All standard meals on the trail (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with one hot drink per meal
Purified drinking water throughout the trek (filter or purification tablets)
Seasonal fruits when available

Transportation

All ground transfers by private or shared tourist vehicle as per the itinerary
Domestic flights where explicitly noted in the itinerary

Guide and Staff

Experienced, first-aid trained, government-licensed, English-speaking lead guide
Assistant guide for groups of 7 or more
One porter per two trekkers for carrying main luggage (up to 10 kg per person)
Wages, accommodation, meals, gear, and insurance for all trek staff

Permits

All required trekking permits and conservation-area fees for the route
TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card where applicable
All permit paperwork arranged before the trek starts

Safety and Support

Comprehensive first aid kit including pulse oximeter for daily altitude checks
Emergency oxygen on treks above 4,000m
24/7 operational support from our Pokhara office
Trip completion certificate

What is excluded in this trek package?

Flights & Visa

International flights and airport departure tax
Nepal entry visa (USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, USD 125 for 90 days, on arrival at Kathmandu airport)

Insurance & Personal Gear

Travel insurance with high-altitude and emergency helicopter evacuation coverage (mandatory)
Personal trekking gear, clothing and footwear

Meals Outside the Trail

Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu or Pokhara before and after the trek
Any beverages including alcoholic drinks, bottled and boiled water

Other

Tips for trekking staff and drivers (recommended but not included)
Hot showers, WiFi, and charging fees at tea houses
Any personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, or souvenirs
Any additional costs caused by natural disasters, political disturbances, or flight delays
Any items not explicitly listed in the Price Includes section

Equipment Checklist

The following is a solid starting point for most multi-day treks we run. Adjust for the season and the maximum altitude of your specific route. Shorter, lower-altitude hikes need far less than this full list. For the key insulation items (down jacket and four-season sleeping bag) we offer rental in Kathmandu or Pokhara for USD 35 each.

General

Four-season (zero degree) sleeping bag (rental available: USD 35)
Insulated down jacket (rental available: USD 35)
Daypack, 30 to 45 litres, with rain cover
Sleeping bag liner

Head & Face

Sun hat or cap
Beanie or knitted hat for colder mornings and evenings
Buff or neck gaiter
Sunglasses with full UV protection
Headlamp with spare batteries

Upper Body

Technical base layer shirts, two
Technical long-sleeve shirts, two
Fleece or synthetic mid-layer
Waterproof and windproof shell jacket

Lower Body

Hiking pants, two pairs
Technical base-layer leggings for cold mornings
Waterproof or windproof outer shell pants
Comfortable pants for evenings in the teahouse

Hands

Lightweight liner gloves
Insulated outer gloves for high altitude or winter conditions

Feet

Waterproof trekking boots with ankle support, broken in before the trip
Hiking socks, three to five pairs
Liner socks if prone to blisters
Comfortable shoes or sandals for evenings
Microspikes recommended November to March on routes above 4,000m

First Aid & Medications

Personal prescription medications
SPF 50+ sunscreen and SPF lip balm
Blister care, plasters, and antiseptic cream
Electrolyte sachets or tablets
Note: our guides carry a comprehensive group first aid kit with pulse oximeter

Other Essentials

Passport, two passport-sized photos, and photocopies of travel documents
One-litre reusable water bottle or hydration bladder
Trekking poles (strongly recommended)
Small toiletry kit, quick-dry towel, and toilet paper
High-protein snacks for the trail (bars, nuts)
Waterproof dry bag for documents and electronics

Important Information

We provide a free duffel bag at your pre-trip meeting, used for luggage carried by the porter. The duffel stays yours afterwards.
One porter is assigned per two trekkers. The duffel bag should weigh no more than 10 kg / 22 lbs per person.
Always carry your own daypack with essentials: cash, documents, water, camera, rain gear.
Non-trekking luggage can be stored securely at your hotel in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Down jacket and four-season sleeping bag are available for rent at USD 35 each. Loss or damage reimbursement is USD 100 per item.

Day Hikes Near Pokhara Package Information

Trip Information

Guide & Porter Services

Every trek is led by a government-licensed, English-speaking lead guide who is also trained in first aid and high-altitude emergency response. For groups of seven or more we add an assistant guide. Porters are assigned one per two trekkers, each carrying up to 10 kg of your main luggage so you only carry a daypack. All staff wages, accommodation, meals, gear, and insurance are fully covered in the package price.

Accommodation Bookings

We pre-book every night's accommodation before you start, so you never arrive at a full teahouse during peak season. Nights before and after the trek are in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu or Pokhara with breakfast included. On the trail you stay in tea houses or local lodges on a twin-sharing basis, with the best available rooms in each village. Private rooms and en-suite bathrooms are available where offered, usually at lower altitudes.

Transportation Arrangements

All ground transfers are arranged by private or shared tourist vehicles as specified in the itinerary. Airport pick-up and drop-off are included. Where a domestic flight is required (for example, Kathmandu to Lukla for Everest, or Jomsom to Pokhara for Mustang routes), the round-trip fare is covered in the package. We monitor flight and road conditions daily and adjust logistics proactively when weather or landslides affect the schedule.

Equipment Rental

A four-season sleeping bag and an insulated down jacket can be rented in Kathmandu or Pokhara at USD 35 per item for the duration of the trek. Trekking poles, microspikes, and additional layers are also available on request. We supply a 75-litre duffel bag for you to keep at your pre-trip briefing. A full packing checklist is sent after you book so you can pack with confidence.

Insurance Requirements

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for every trek we operate. Your policy must explicitly cover trekking at the maximum altitude of your route and include emergency helicopter evacuation, medical treatment, and trip cancellation. Please send us a copy of your policy at least two weeks before departure. We cannot start the trek without confirmation of valid coverage — this is for your safety and ours.

Difficulty & Preparation

Difficulty varies by chosen hike. Peace Pagoda is Easy, involving a 2-hour forest walk with minimal altitude gain, suitable for almost any fitness level including children and elderly visitors. Sarangkot is Easy-Moderate, with a climb manageable for most people. Kaskikot and Dhampus/Australian Camp are Easy-Moderate, featuring 4-5 hours of walking on well-maintained trails with moderate altitude gain.

Panchase Hill is Moderate and demands a 6-7 hour day with 1,000-1,200m of altitude gain from the trailhead at Naudanda. The forest trail above 2,000m requires good footwear and some fitness. At 2,500m, the altitude poses no acclimatisation risk.

For all options, wear proper hiking shoes, bring water and snacks, and use sun protection on exposed ridge sections.

Permits Required

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) at USD 30 per person is required for Panchase Hill, Dhampus/Australian Camp, and Kaskikot hikes, as these fall within the ACAP boundary. Sarangkot and Peace Pagoda do not require a trekking permit. Our team will handle all permit paperwork.

Altitude & Acclimatisation

Maximum altitude on any of these hikes is 2,500m, at Panchase Hill, which is beneath the threshold requiring acclimatisation. Healthy adults may experience slight breathlessness at the Panchase summit compared to Pokhara's elevation of 827m. No altitude medication or special precautions are necessary. It is advisable to drink water regularly and be mindful of pacing on climbs.

Food & Accommodation

All five day hikes return to Pokhara by evening. Sarangkot has tea stalls at the viewpoint serving snacks to sunrise-watchers. Peace Pagoda features a small tea shop at the summit. Panchase, Kaskikot, and Australian Camp provide lodge options for lunch; a recommended dal bhat is available at Dhampus lodges. Breakfast before departure and dinner back in Pokhara will complete the day.

What to Pack

A light daypack, water bottle (1.5-2L per person), snacks, sun protection, light fleece or jacket for cooler summit temperatures, and a camera. Hiking boots or trail runners with ankle support are recommended for Panchase, Kaskikot, and Dhampus; casual shoes suffice for Peace Pagoda. A headtorch is necessary for the pre-dawn climb to Sarangkot, and a rain jacket is advisable if clouds appear.

Why Book With 6K Nepal Treks

Licensed & Insured

Registered with Nepal Tourism Board, TAAN and NMA. Fully insured for trekking, climbing, and high-altitude emergencies.

Expert Local Guides

Every trek is led by a licensed, first-aid trained Sherpa or Gurung guide, born and raised in these mountains.

Safety First

Pulse oximeter and emergency oxygen carried on all high-altitude treks. Helicopter evacuation protocol on standby.

Small Groups

Maximum 12 trekkers per group. One porter per two guests. You are a person, not a tour number.

Fair & Transparent Pricing

No hidden fees. Permits, guides, porters and taxes are all included and itemised in your quote.

Responsible Travel

Fair wages for all staff, eco-friendly practices on the trail, and direct support for the mountain communities we work with.

Day Hikes Near Pokhara Reviews

4.9★ from 90+ Google Reviews

Trekkers guided from 30+ countries.

“Riding from Pokhara to Upper Mustang over five unforgettable days with Rohit was a true adventure in every sense of the word. As an experienced adventure motorbike rider, including demanding desert expeditions, I can say with absolute confidence that Rohit is a phenomenal rider and an exceptional tour guide. He masters the terrain, understands the mountains, and rides with calm authority and precision. I highly recommend Rohit and his company.”

Jacob Mato ★

Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour · Mar 2026

5.0

“Rohit was an excellent guide for my Khopra Ridge trek. From the very first day, he was professional, friendly, and always attentive. He knows the trail extremely well and made sure the pace was comfortable while still keeping good time each day. What I really appreciated was how caring and patient he was, especially on long uphill sections and in changing weather. I highly recommend Rohit to anyone planning the Khopra Ridge trek or any trek in Nepal.”

Birendra T Xettri ★

Khopra Ridge Trek · Mar 2026

5.0

“My first trek with Rohit, who is extremely knowledgeable. He is the mountain man of Nepal. His deep love for the mountains means he wants to give his trekkers the best experience, share his stories but above all make sure you are feeling safe, comfortable and able to complete the trek. We did Mardi Himal Trek, blessed with the weather. Do not hesitate to book with Rohit, I will be back again. Namaste”

Ange ★

Mardi Himal Trek · Jan 2026

5.0

“This was my second trek with Rohit, I first did the Manaslu Circuit with him a while ago and came back for Mardi Himal this time. Both experiences were absolutely fantastic. Rohit is professional, kind, and really knows the mountains. He always makes sure you're safe, comfortable, and enjoying yourself. He takes care of all the logistics, finds great tea houses, and adjusts the pace perfectly for everyone. Wouldn't trek in Nepal with anyone else.”

Peter Murphy ★

Manaslu Circuit + Mardi Himal · Jan 2026

5.0

“Rohit is a young, energetic, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic guide. He took us up to Annapurna Base Camp. We had bad weather, so Rohit decided to wait a day when other guides kept going up. Due to avalanche-risk, this was the obviously the best decision. Rohit always made sure that we felt comfortable and always in a good mood. We had fun, lots of laughter and great stories. Thanks to Rohit we will never forget: Dahl Baht Power 24 Hour!”

Sander Wolters ★

Annapurna Base Camp · 2025

5.0

“Without doubt the best guide in the world... Every part of our trip was a dream. From start to finish Rohit and his team had prepared everything to perfection. I cannot recommend this young man enough, so professional, so fun and so considerate. Thank you so much for making our time so special.”

Ryan Chandler ★

Himalayan Trek · Oct 2025

5.0

“Just returned from completing a 2 day trek with Rohit as our guide to Kapuche Glacier lake. It was a challenging but fantastic experience thanks to his professional skills his passion for the mountains and his outgoing and friendly personality. He was always there to guide and motivate us even up the never ending stairs!! His support and sense of humour got us safely to our destination and back again. If we return to Nepal we will definitely meet again.”

Karen Smith ★

Kapuche Glacier Lake · 2025

5.0

“We did Austrian Basecamp with Rohit. I thought it was going to be a short and predictable trek but I was surely wrong. We went up and stayed for the night and on the next day we did a long return going through some of the most stunning views I've ever seen in my 37 years of life. I don't think that would have been possible without the guidance of Rohit. Also it's really nice to share with him, he is friendly, respectful and chill. And he knows everything about Nepal, its mountains and its flora and fauna.”

Arturo Cuevillas ★

Australian Camp Trek · Jan 2026

5.0

“I recently embarked on the Dhampus-Pothana-Australia Camp trek with Rohit, and it was an experience I'll cherish forever. From the very beginning, Rohit's easygoing nature and ability to connect made the journey incredibly enjoyable. Our conversations ranged from deep discussions about spirituality, mountains, and cultures to sharing our mutual love for rock and metal music. Overall, trekking with Rohit was an incredible experience. His warmth, knowledge, and passion for the mountains truly enhanced the trip.”

Fahad Rahman ★

Dhampus-Pothana-Australian Camp · 2025

5.0

“Undertook Annapurna Base Camp Trek along with Rohit in first week of April 2025. His detailed knowledge and experience of the terrain and weather helped us having an awesome experience. He was accommodative of our needs and change in plans. Two days later we undertook a motorbike ride upto Muktinath in Mustang Valley. Again his energy, knowledge and experience in the area resulted in us having a superb n memorable time.”

Prateek Johari ★

Annapurna Base Camp + Mustang · Jul 2025

5.0

“Rohit was our guide on the 12 day Manaslu circuit trek. The trek was great, nice scenery, not too hard and Rohit took good care of making sure we had a place to sleep every night, as teahouses were filling up quickly because of high season. Rohit is a cheerful guy, social and he takes good care of his guests. With Rohit you are definitely in good company.”

Sara Coessens ★

Manaslu Circuit Trek · 2025

5.0

“Had an amazing 9 day Annapurna Base Camp Sanctuary Trek this June with Rohit and his team. His fantastic organisation, hosting, knowledge and professionalism makes Rohit a fabulous choice of guide. Visiting Nepal and especially the Himalayas is a life changing experience and I will never forget it.”

Rupert Potts ★

Annapurna Base Camp · Sep 2025

5.0

“Rohit (Haku) was one of the many blessings we received from Nepal. He is not only a great guide who knows how to make trips and expeditions fun and flowy. He is also an incredibly fun human to be around. It was delightful to spend some days riding to the temple of Muktinath with him. Jamming, and discovering a new young friend, full of kindness, values and knowledge.”

David Sanchez ★

Muktinath Motorbike Tour · 2025

5.0

“I called Rohit just before 8hrs of starting our Khumai Danda trek. Even after being tired he said let's meet in morning at 6am. He knows English, Hindi, French and Nepali. He not only guided the trek route but made the whole stretch very memorable and interesting. We told stories to each other. He became more like a friend. It was complete fun trekking with Rohit. And yes, Rohit has his own band. Quite an interesting guy.”

Shreyassh Verma ★

Khumai Danda Trek · 2024

5.0

“Had an amazing trek, Rohit is a perfect guide especially when dealing with the unpredictability of the trek, someone who's very easy going and social however extremely professional and even other guides would come to him for advice. 100/10”

Louis Anderson ★

Himalayan Trek · 2024

5.0

“Rohit is the guy to go trekking with! He knows a lot and can tell you a lot about life in the mountains but also about his amazing family. This drummer of a band can show you around, but also knows that silence in walking is good when doing a hike. Super chill and easy going.”

Rutger Dankelman ★

Himalayan Trek · 2024

5.0

“We had an amazing time with Rohit and Yuddha. Rohit was quick to reply when planning the trip and clearly explained the route options, and on the trip his enthusiasm and knowledge were very appreciated. He seems to know all the best tea houses for food too.”

Ben Ashby ★

Himalayan Trek · 2024

5.0

“What an amazing experience! Highly recommend Rohit to guide you through the Himalayas. Nothing was too much trouble for him and his team and they went out of their way to ensure we had an unforgettable trip. And most importantly. SO MUCH FUN!!!”

Richard Hilliard ★

Himalayan Trek · Sep 2025

5.0

“Just had the most fantastic trek with Rohit and his team. An incredible experience that has created amazing memories and hit the reset button for me in such a positive way. Thank you Rohit.. Namaste”

Jonathan Marriott ★

Himalayan Trek · Sep 2025

5.0

“Our experience in Nepal was nothing short of extraordinary, thanks to our incredible friend. He truly is a superman! From the very beginning, the tour was meticulously personalized to cater to our every need and interest, ensuring that we always had exciting activities to look forward to.”

Minhaj Ul Islam ★

Nepal Tour · 2025

5.0