Things to Do in Pokhara in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
March Weather in Pokhara
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
80°F (27°C)
High Temp
55°F (13°C)
Low Temp
2.5 inches (64 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Perfect trekking weather - mornings start crisp at 13°C (55°F), afternoons peak at 27°C (80°F) with crystal visibility on the Annapurna range
- + Rhododendron forests explode into red and pink blooms above 1,500 m (4,900 ft), creating Nepal's most photogenic hiking backdrop
- + Paragliding season hits its sweet spot - thermals are stable, skies are clear, and Phewa Lake mirrors snow-capped peaks
- + Fewer tourists than October/November means Lakeside guesthouses still have availability and restaurant terraces aren't packed
Considerations
- − Afternoon clouds build fast - by 2 pm the Annapurnas disappear behind a wall of grey, and that perfect mountain shot becomes impossible
- − Dust from dry winter roads gets stirred up by passing jeeps - white clothes turn beige within hours of walking Lakeside Road
- − Hotel owners are still charging 'peak season' rates despite post-winter service gaps - hot water might be solar-dependent and unreliable on cloudy days
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Annapurna Viewpoint Treks
March delivers the year's clearest mountain visibility before pre-monsoon haze sets in. The ridge trail to Peace Pagoda gives you Machhapuchhre's fish-tail peak reflected in Phewa Lake, while the 1,600 m (5,250 ft) climb to Sarangkot shows the full Annapurna massif turning gold at sunrise. Afternoon clouds typically roll in by 1 pm, so start early.
Booking Tip: Book guided treks 5-7 days ahead through licensed operators. Independent hikers should catch the 5 am shared jeep to Sarangkot - it fills fast with photographers.
Phewa Lake Kayaking
March water levels are high from winter snowmelt, and morning glass-smooth conditions last until 10 am. Paddle to the hidden inlet behind Barahi Temple where lotus flowers bloom in shallow water - you can't reach this spot on the tourist boats. The lake's 4.4 km (2.7 mile) circumference takes 90 minutes to circle at leisurely pace.
Booking Tip: Rent kayaks directly from Lakeside docks before 9 am for best conditions. Check lifejackets for proper buckles - some are broken from winter storage.
Old Pokhara Bazaar Walking Tours
The 600-year-old bazaar comes alive in March's mild weather - Newar merchants lay out spices on wicker trays, and the 18th-century Bindhyabasini Temple fills with morning worshippers carrying marigold garlands. Narrow brick lanes smell of cumin and wood smoke from blacksmith forges that have worked here for generations.
Booking Tip: Start at 7:30 am when devotees ring temple bells and shop shutters roll up. Guides typically meet outside the concrete Mahendra Cave bus stop - negotiate walking tours for 2-3 hours max.
Seti River Gorge Rafting
March snowmelt creates Class II-III rapids good for beginners - water runs milky-white through limestone gorges only 10 m (33 ft) wide in places. The river stays chilly at 12°C (54°F) but wetsuits are provided. Morning trips see fewer rafters and better birdlife: kingfishers dive for fish while you bounce through Himalayan-fed rapids.
Booking Tip: Book day trips 2-3 days ahead - March isn't peak rafting season so operators combine smaller groups. Bring synthetic layers. Cotton stays cold when wet.
When afternoon clouds obscure the real mountains, this museum shows what you missed - photographs from 1950s Annapurna expeditions, actual crampons used on Everest, and a 3D topographic map that helps you identify every peak. March afternoons are good for the 2-hour indoor circuit when hiking becomes pointless in greyouts.
Booking Tip: Visit between 2-4 pm when morning tour groups have left. The museum café serves proper Nepali tea - ask for chiya with ginger, not the tourist version.
Where to Stay in Pokhara in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early March (full moon)
Holi Festival
Pokhara's version is more subdued than Kathmandu - Lakeside restaurants host color-throwing parties where tourists and locals share plates of gujiya sweets. The previous day's Holika Dahan bonfire burns on the lakeshore while musicians play traditional madal drums.
Mid March
Ghode Jatra
Horse racing at the Pokhara racecourse draws Nepal Army cavalry units and local Tharu horse breeders. Betting is technically illegal but happens openly - look for men scribbling odds in small notebooks. The military band plays while riders circle the dusty 1 km (0.6 mile) track.
Packing Checklist
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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
The best momo (Tibetan dumplings) aren't on Lakeside - walk 15 minutes north to the bus station area where Tibetan refugees run unmarked shops serving buffalo momo with sepen chili paste that clears sinuses
Hotel owners quote prices in dollars but negotiate in rupees - the exchange rate they use favors them by 3-5%, so insist on rupee prices
WiFi speeds crash every evening at 7 pm when tourists video-call home - download offline maps before dinner or use data between 2-5 pm
The 'mountain view' room you booked might face construction - new hotels are rising so fast that last year's rooftop view is this year's brick wall. Ask for third floor or higher, and confirm the view still exists
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking the 5:30 am Sarangkot sunrise tour but skipping breakfast - the viewpoint has zero food stalls and you'll be starving by 9 am when you return
Wearing shorts for temple visits - Bindhyabasini Temple requires knees and shoulders covered, and the security guard will make you rent a sarong for 50 rupees
Assuming March is 'dry season' and not packing rain gear - pre-monsoon clouds deliver surprise downpours that soak through 'water-resistant' jackets
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Top-rated things to do in Pokhara this March
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