Pokhara is a beautiful place to visit that is also easy on the wallet. It’s the starting point for exploring Nepal’s natural beauty. Pokhara has a lot of activities and adventures that won’t break the bank, whether you’re traveling alone, on a backpacking trip, or with friends. Here’s a guide to help you plan a trip to Pokhara that won’t break the bank if you’re thinking about getting a Nepal tour package.
1. Pick the Best Time to Go
Deciding when to go to Pokhara is one of the first things you should do to plan a cheap trip there. The busiest times for tourists in Nepal are from October to December and from March to May. The weather in these months is great for hiking and touring, but places to stay and things to do cost more. You can save money by going during the off-season, like from June to September or January to early March. Things might not be as stable with the weather, but there will be fewer people and better deals.
2. Choose a Cheap Tour Package to Nepal
If you’re going with a group, booking a Nepal tour package can help you save a lot of money. Tour packages often include lodging, transportation, and guided activities, and it may be cheaper to book all of these things at once than to do them individually. The main sights in Pokhara, like Phewa Lake, Sarangkot, and the World Peace Pagoda, are included in a number of affordable tour packages.
Some packages may also include meals, entry fees, and transportation within Pokhara, which can help you save money on other things. Look at a number of packages to find one that fits your needs and your cash.
3. Options for Affordable Lodging
There are many places to stay in Pokhara, from high-end resorts to cheap guesthouses and hotels. To save money, stay at a guesthouse or a cheap hotel. The rooms are usually comfortable and the prices are low. There are a lot of great places to stay in Pokhara, and the Lakeside area is one of the most famous.
Look for hostels or homestays, which are even cheaper and give you a more authentic experience. A simple room with all the basics can often be found for as little as $10 to $15 per night thanks to deals.
4. Take the Bus or Train
You can get around Pokhara on a budget by taking the city’s public transportation, which is nice and cheap. You can get around the city on the local buses and microbuses, which are much cheaper than cabs or private cars. You might be able to save money on your trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara by taking a tourist bus or a local bus. It costs about $10 to $20 and takes about 6 to 7 hours.
For getting around Pokhara, especially if you’re staying near the lake, walking is a great and free way to get around. If you want to get there faster, tuk-tuks and rickshaws are easy to find and don’t cost much for short distances.
5. Save Money on Food: Eat Like a Local
One of the best ways to learn about a place’s culture is through its food, and Pokhara has many cheap places to eat. There are many places that cater to tourists that may be more expensive, but you can save money by eating at local restaurants and food stands.
Nepali foods like dal bhat (lentil soup with rice), momo (dumplings), and chowmein (stir-fried noodles) are tasty and not too expensive. There are many places in Pokhara where you can get a full meal for as little as $2 to $5. If you want to save money without giving up taste, street food is also a great choice.
6. Things to Do for Free or Little Money
The outdoors are beautiful in Pokhara, and many of the best things to do are free or very cheap. Here are some things that won’t break the bank that you can add to your schedule:
- Phewa Lake Boating: You can take a boat on Phewa Lake for a pretty low price, but it’s not free. These days, it costs about $5 to $10 an hour to rent a small boat.
- Sunrise from Sarangkot: If you’re in Pokhara, you have to see the sunrise from Sarangkot. It’s free, too. You can hire a car in the area for a small fee or walk up to Sarangkot.
- World Peace Pagoda: Another free thing to do is to walk up to the World Peace Pagoda, which has amazing views of Pokhara and the mountains nearby. You can also pay a small fee to ride a car to the top.
- Trekking: The Ghorepani Poon Hill walk is one of the cheap trekking routes that you can start from Pokhara. Even though you need a ticket to go trekking, the prices are still pretty low compared to other places.
7. Make a Deal and Make a Plan
When you go shopping in Pokhara’s local markets or make plans for events, keep in mind that bargaining is normal. Sellers know that tourists will bargain over prices, so don’t be afraid to get a better deal. You can save a lot of money by haggling on things like gifts and tour prices.
Planning trips and activities ahead of time can also help you save money and avoid price increases at the last minute. To get the best deals, talk to a few different tour companies. Many of them will give you discounts if you book with a group or outside of peak season.
8. Take a Trip with a Group
Taking a trip to Pokhara with a group is another great way to save money. You can split the costs of lodging, transportation, and activities on group trips, which can help you save a lot of money. Sharing costs can help you save money on your trip to Pokhara, whether you’re going by yourself or with family, friends, or other tourists.
In Conclusion
To plan a trip to Pokhara that doesn’t break the bank, you need to be smart and decide what’s most important to you. It’s possible to enjoy everything Pokhara has to offer without spending a lot of money. You can choose a cheap Nepal tour package, stay in a cheap hotel, or do free things like hiking and boating. You can have a great trip without spending a lot of money if you carefully plan your schedule.
Ready to save money while visiting Pokhara? Plan your cheap trip to Nepal right now and enjoy its amazing beauty without spending a lot of money.
Author Bio:
Isharat is an experienced technical content writer for MyQbHost, specializing in QuickBooks Enterprise hosting. His accounting background, along with a keen interest in technology, inspires his passion for writing about cloud accounting, cybersecurity, and accounting software.