Things to Do in Pokhara in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Pokhara
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Crystal-clear mountain visibility - March gives you the tail end of peak viewing season before the pre-monsoon haze rolls in. You're looking at 90-plus percent chance of seeing the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges in full glory from Sarangkot at sunrise, which drops to maybe 40 percent by May. The air quality index typically sits around 50-80 in March versus 150-plus in the dusty months.
- Rhododendron blooms are peaking in the mid-hills - the forests around Pokhara explode with red, pink, and white flowers during March. If you're trekking anywhere between 1,500-3,000 m (4,920-9,840 ft), you're walking through natural flower tunnels. The locals call this 'lali gurans season' and it genuinely transforms the landscape.
- Comfortable trekking temperatures without the October-November crowds - daytime temps on trails sit around 15-20°C (59-68°F), which is that sweet spot where you're not freezing at dawn or overheating by midday. Plus you're visiting between the two main trekking seasons, so teahouses have availability and trails feel less like highways.
- Holi festival energy - March 2026 will likely see Holi celebrations around mid-month (exact date follows the lunar calendar, but typically falls between late February and mid-March). Pokhara's Lakeside area becomes this massive color-powder party, and unlike the sometimes aggressive celebrations in bigger cities, it's pretty relaxed here. Locals are used to tourists and will ask before dousing you.
Considerations
- Afternoon weather becomes unpredictable by late March - you'll get these sudden wind gusts off Phewa Lake around 2-4 pm, and occasional thunderstorms roll in without much warning. It's not monsoon-level rain, but enough to cut a paragliding session short or make that sunset boat ride choppy. Plan outdoor activities for mornings.
- Pollen and dust can be rough if you have allergies - all those blooming rhododendrons plus the pre-monsoon dryness means the air carries a lot of particulates. I've watched plenty of visitors surprised by scratchy throats and watery eyes. Bring antihistamines if you're even slightly sensitive.
- Temperature swings are wider than you'd expect - that 13°C (55°F) nighttime low is real, especially if you're staying anywhere with elevation or in budget guesthouses without proper heating. You'll be in shorts at lunch and reaching for a fleece by dinner. The 14-degree daily temperature range catches people off guard.
Best Activities in March
Sarangkot sunrise viewpoint treks
March is genuinely the last reliable month for that iconic Himalayan sunrise view before the pre-monsoon haze settles in. The 30-45 minute pre-dawn hike up from Lakeside (or you can hire a taxi for 800-1,200 NPR) gets you to the viewpoint by 5:30 am when the peaks catch first light. Temperature at that hour sits around 8-10°C (46-50°F), so you'll want layers, but the visibility is worth it - you're seeing an 8,000 m (26,240 ft) mountain wall stretching 200 km (124 miles) across the horizon. The UV hits hard even early morning, so bring sunscreen. Worth noting that by late March, morning clouds start appearing more frequently.
Phewa Lake kayaking and paddleboarding
The lake is at a nice level in March - not too low from dry season, not choppy from monsoon winds yet. Morning sessions between 7-10 am are ideal before those afternoon gusts kick in. The water temperature is around 18-20°C (64-68°F), which is swimmable if you're brave but most people stay in their boats. You'll paddle past the Tal Barahi temple and get unobstructed mountain reflections on calm mornings. The humidity makes it feel warmer than it is, so you'll be comfortable in light athletic wear. Afternoon sessions after 4 pm can work too, but watch the weather - those March thunderstorms appear quickly.
Annapurna Base Camp short treks
March sits in that shoulder period where trails are quieter than autumn but conditions are still excellent. The classic ABC trek takes 7-10 days, but March weather is stable enough for reliable trekking up to 4,130 m (13,550 ft). You'll encounter some snow above 3,500 m (11,480 ft) but trails are well-established. The rhododendron forests between Chomrong and Deurali are absolutely peak bloom right now. Daytime trekking temperatures range 10-20°C (50-68°F) depending on altitude, dropping to -5 to -10°C (-23 to 14°F) at ABC itself. The main advantage over October-November is teahouse availability and fewer trekkers, though you sacrifice some of the post-monsoon crystal clarity.
Paragliding over Pokhara valley
March offers solid thermal conditions for paragliding, though it's slightly less consistent than the October-November peak season. The typical launch is from Sarangkot at 1,592 m (5,223 ft) with landing at Lakeside - about 30 minutes of flight time when conditions cooperate. Those afternoon wind gusts I mentioned can shut down operations after 2 pm, so book morning slots between 9 am-12 pm for most reliable weather. The visibility in March means you're flying with the entire Annapurna range as backdrop. Temperature at launch altitude is 15-18°C (59-64°F), warming as you descend. The UV index of 8 means you'll want sunscreen on exposed skin even in the air.
Mountain biking in Seti River gorge trails
The trails around Pokhara are dry and fast in March - you're past the winter mud but before monsoon turns everything into slip-and-slide. The Seti River gorge offers technical single-track with stunning drop-offs (the gorge is 20-30 m or 65-100 ft deep in sections), while the dirt roads heading toward Begnas Lake give you easier riding with village scenery. Morning rides are ideal before the heat builds - start by 7 am and you'll finish before the midday sun gets intense. The humidity makes it feel hotter than the actual temperature, so hydration matters more than you'd think. Afternoon rides work if you don't mind potential rain showers.
Tibetan settlement cultural visits and cooking experiences
March weather is perfect for the 20-minute walk or short taxi ride to Tashiling Tibetan settlement north of town. The settlement sits at about 900 m (2,950 ft) elevation with mountain views and active monasteries. This isn't really weather-dependent, which makes it a great backup plan for those rainy afternoons. You'll find carpet weaving workshops, monastery visits where monks are often happy to chat, and small restaurants serving proper Tibetan food - the thukpa and momos here are noticeably different from the Nepali versions in Lakeside. Some families offer cooking classes where you'll learn to make traditional dishes in home kitchens. The cultural experience is more authentic than the tourist-focused operations in Lakeside.
March Events & Festivals
Holi Festival (Festival of Colors)
Holi in 2026 will likely fall around March 13-14 based on the lunar calendar. Pokhara's celebration is more relaxed than the sometimes chaotic scenes in Kathmandu or Indian cities. The Lakeside area becomes a massive color-powder party starting mid-morning, with locals and tourists throwing gulal (colored powder) and water balloons. The key thing to know: people will generally ask tourists before dousing them, unlike in some places where everyone is fair game. Wear white clothes you don't mind ruining, protect your phone and camera, and coconut oil on exposed skin helps the color wash off later. The energy peaks between 10 am-2 pm, then transitions into more relaxed gatherings with music and bhang (cannabis-infused drinks, legal during Holi).