Things to Do in Pokhara in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
April Weather in Pokhara
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
86°F (30°C)
High Temp
60°F (16°C)
Low Temp
5.6 inches (142 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is April Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + April is the last month before the monsoon, so mornings are typically clear and good for paragliding over Phewa Lake. The thermals are strong but stable, giving you 20-30 minute flights with views of the Annapurna range that disappear once clouds roll in after lunch. Book early. Bring sunglasses.
- + Rhododendron forests above 2,000 m (6,560 ft) are still in bloom on the Annapurna trekking circuits. The scarlet petals contrast against fresh spring snow on the high peaks, a visual combo you won't get once the rains start. Snap fast. Light shifts quickly.
- + Hotels along Lakeside still run shoulder-season rates through mid-April. You'll pay less for a lake-view balcony than you will in October when the same room books out months ahead. Lock it in. Prices jump overnight.
- + Local farmers bring the first wild asparagus and fiddlehead ferns to Pokhara's bazaars. You'll taste them in thukpa soups at hole-in-the-wall Tibetan canteens that rarely see tourists. Ask for seconds. Portions are generous.
Considerations
- − Afternoon thunderstorms build fast. If you're on the water after 2 pm, expect sudden whitecaps and a mad dash back to shore. Boatmen will tack on a 'rain surcharge' if you're caught. Watch the sky. Head back early.
- − The pre-monsoon haze drifts up from the Indian plains, cutting Himalayan visibility from the usual 50 km (31 miles) down to 15 km (9 miles) on bad days. Your postcard shot of Machhapuchhre might look like a ghost. Wait for dawn. Clarity returns briefly.
- − Load-shedding returns as hydro levels drop. Power cuts hit Lakeside restaurants around 8 pm, so dinners finish by candlelight and card machines go offline. Carry cash. Count change.
Best Activities in April
Top things to do during your visit
Sarangkot Sunrise Paragliding Flights
April thermals peak just after dawn. Launch from 1,600 m (5,250 ft) and spiral above mist lifting off Phewa Lake while Annapurna catches first light. Flights run 6:30-8:30 am before cumulus clouds bubble up and shut things down. Arrive early. Suit up fast.
Booking Tip: Reserve the day before. Slots fill fast when weather windows shrink. Ask operators for a 'top-to-bottom' flight. Longer airtime now before monsoon shuts the sport for four months. Don't wait. Sellouts happen fast.
Phewa Lake SUP and Kayak Circuits
Water temperature sits at a comfortable 22°C (72°F) in April. Mornings are mirror-calm, good for paddling to the tiny island temple of Barahi before jet-skis wake up. You'll share the lake only with cormorants and the occasional angler. Glide quietly. Photos blur if you rush.
Booking Tip: Rent from the east shore where locals keep fiberglass kayaks, not the tourist docks. Return gear by 1 pm. Afternoon squalls roll kayaks fast. Secure the paddle. Tip once, learn fast.
Annapurna Rhododendron Day Hikes
The ridge above Astam village, 18 km (11 miles) northeast of Pokhara, bursts with red and pink blooms at 2,000 m (6,560 ft). April trails are dry enough for trail-runners yet still quiet before the autumn trekking hordes. Breathe deep. Petals crunch underfoot.
Booking Tip: Hire a local guide at Pame Bazaar for navigation through community forests. Start at 7 am to beat afternoon cloud build-up. Trails fork often. Maps lie.
Lakeside Old Bazaar Photography Walks
Pre-monsoon light is sharp and golden before 9 am. Walk the 600-year-old stone alleys between Bindhyabasini Temple and Mahendra Pul where spice sacks spill turmeric onto wet cobbles and vendors shout prices over the clang of brass weights. Keep moving. Crowds thicken fast.
Booking Tip: Go on Tuesday or Friday when farmers market fills the square. Ask before photographing people. A nod and a smile go further than a tip. Respect earns shots.
Tibetan Refugee Settlement Cooking Classes
April is momo season. Refugees from the nearby Tashi Ling camp run informal classes teaching potato-and-cheese momo folds using spring herbs. You'll steam dumplings over wood fires while listening to stories of high-pass escapes. Eat hot. Dough stiffens fast.
Booking Tip: Arrange through community visitor center a day ahead. Classes fill up with backpackers chasing 'authentic' experiences once word spreads on hostel noticeboards. Book early. Stories run long.
Where to Stay in Pokhara in April
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for April travellers.
April Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid April
Bisket Jatra (New Year Chariot Festival)
Pokhara's Newar community hauls a 12 m (39 ft) wooden chariot from Bindhyabasini to the old bazaar, accompanied by cymbals and rice-beer drinking that spills into the streets. Tourists rarely know it happens. You'll stumble on it if you're near Mahendra Pul around midday. Follow the drums. Free show.
Late April
Phewa Lake Fishing Competition
Local fishermen cast handmade bamboo rods from dugout canoes at dawn. The weigh-in happens at 10 am on Lakeside Promenade where the biggest mahseer wins a goat and bragging rights for the year. Crowds cheer. Goat bleats.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Pokhara Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Skip the expensive sunrise taxi to Sarangkot. Local microbus leaves Lakeside at 4:45 am for a fraction of the price. Ask for 'Sarangkot bazaar' not 'view tower' to avoid tourist markup. Ride with locals. Save rupees.
Order 'chyang' (milky rice beer) at old bazaar hole-in-the-wall bars. It's brewed overnight and served at room temperature, tasting like sourdough soda. Tourists usually get offered commercial lager instead. Specify chyang. Sip slow.
The best momos aren't on restaurant menus. Look for women with aluminum steamers on bicycles around 4 pm. They sell out in 20 minutes and cost less than a bottle of water. Spot the steam. Move fast.
If you're trekking, buy your TIMS card at the tourist office before 11 am. They shut the system for 'lunch' that stretches until 2 pm, when the power's out. Queue early. Patience thins.
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking afternoon paragliding slots. April thermals collapse after 10 am when clouds cap the sky. Morning flights run, afternoon flights refund. Wake early. Fly first.
Trying to pay by card anywhere after 7 pm. Load-shedding knocks out terminals and most places won't run manual imprints anymore. Cash only. Apologies abound.
Assuming lake water is clean. Phewa drains city runoff. Don't open your mouth while swimming or you'll taste diesel and detergent. Keep lips shut. Swim quick.
Ignore altitude at 1,500 m (4,920 ft) and you'll pay. Jog uphill and the thin air bites. Pace yourself. A mild headache can crash your picnic by lunch.
Ready to plan your trip to Pokhara?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.
Book Experiences in Pokhara
Top-rated things to do in Pokhara this April
Explore More Activities in Pokhara
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Pokhara.
See All Pokhara Tours on Viator