Pokhara has hundreds of hotels. What it has far fewer of is family homestays where the host cooks breakfast, knows which trail is clear that week, and charges NPR 1,200 to NPR 2,000 a night. This guide covers the best options and what to expect.
Most people who come to Pokhara stay in Lakeside. The guesthouses are fine, the restaurants face the water, and Annapurna sits on the horizon every clear morning. But Pokhara is also a city of 400,000 people with residential neighborhoods that most visitors never see: quieter streets, family homes, kitchen gardens, and a pace that has nothing to do with the paragliding companies on the main strip.
A homestay in Pokhara puts you inside that version of the city. You eat breakfast made in the family kitchen, the host arranges your day trip without a commission in mind, and the NPR 1,200 to NPR 2,000 you pay per night goes directly to the household. It is also significantly cheaper than a mid-range Lakeside hotel for the same or better quality of room.
TL;DR
Pokhara homestays run NPR 1,200 to NPR 2,500 per night, significantly cheaper than Lakeside hotels for comparable quality
Best areas are Lakeside, near Phewa Lake, and quieter residential neighborhoods like Tanchok and Pame
Four verified listings on Nepal Homestays cover different parts of the city and different budgets
Homestay hosts in Pokhara typically arrange day trips, treks, and transport without the tourist-area markup
Best time is October to April, though Pokhara homestays are open year-round
Quick Overview: Homestay in Pokhara
Why Stay in a Homestay in Pokhara
Pokhara is Nepal's second largest tourist city. The Lakeside strip has everything a traveler needs and nothing that feels local. The guesthouses are run like businesses, the restaurants have laminated menus in six languages, and the paragliding touts know exactly how much you are willing to pay before you do.
A family homestay puts you on the other side of that. The Nepal Tourism Board recognises Pokhara as one of Nepal's primary homestay destinations, with registered family stays spread across Lakeside, Sarangkot, Begnas Lake, and the surrounding hill villages. If you are still planning what to do while you are here, the Pokhara travel guide covers the full picture.
The practical advantages are specific. Your host knows which Sarangkot trail is clearest for sunrise on a given morning. They know the microbus timing to Begnas Lake. They know which dal bhat restaurant in the old bazaar is worth eating at. That knowledge is not available at a hotel front desk and it does not appear in any travel blog.
Travelers who want to go further into the hills from Pokhara will find the Kaskikot homestay guide useful, a ridge village 30 minutes from the city with direct Annapurna views.
The Best Homestays in Pokhara
Browse the full list of verified Pokhara homestays on Nepal Homestays. Four properties worth knowing specifically:
Mangal Homestay (Lakeside-6)
Mangal Homestay is in Lakeside-6, the closest residential part of Lakeside to Phewa Lake and the main Pokhara strip. Double rooms at NPR 2,000 per night with mountain views. This is the right option if you want to be within walking distance of the lake, restaurants, and the paragliding booking offices, but sleeping in a family home rather than a guesthouse block. Contact: +9779860531090.
Sunny Peace Home (Near Phewa Lake)
Sunny Peace Home is 1.3 kilometres from Phewa Lake with rooms that face either the lake or the Annapurna range depending on which side you book. Deluxe rooms at NPR 1,800 per night. The property has an on-site restaurant, live music some evenings, a shared kitchen, tour desk, and shuttle service. Family-friendly and pet-friendly. Contact: 9856037814. The shuttle is particularly useful if you are doing day trips to Sarangkot or Begnas and do not want to negotiate transport every morning.
Tanchok Kot Homestay (Tanchok, Kotgaun)
Tanchok Kot Homestay is in Tanchok, Kotgaun, a residential neighborhood away from the tourist strip. Deluxe rooms at NPR 1,200 per night with AC, free WiFi, and parking. This is the quietest option of the four. If you are in Pokhara for a few days between treks and want to sleep properly without the Lakeside noise, this is the right pick. The neighborhood is calm, the price is the lowest of the four, and the host knows the city from the local side rather than the tourist side. Contact: 9856035550.
Little Mustang Homestay (Pokhara)
Little Mustang Homestay is a family-run property in Pokhara with deluxe rooms at NPR 1,700 per night. WiFi, parking, and geyser included. The name comes from the family's connection to the Mustang region of Nepal. Traditional meals are part of the stay. Contact: 9869143568. Worth choosing if you want Pokhara as a base and a host family with roots in a different part of Nepal, the conversation tends to go further than it does at a Lakeside guesthouse.
What to Expect at a Pokhara Homestay
Pokhara homestays vary more than village homestays do. The city is large and the properties are spread across different neighborhoods with different characters. Most verified listings on Nepal Homestays include:
AC rooms with private bathroom
Free WiFi
Hot shower (geyser)
Breakfast on request, typically eggs, roti, and tea
Free parking for those arriving by vehicle
Host available for day trip and transport arrangements
Some hosts serve dal bhat for dinner if you arrange it the night before. The cost difference between a homestay and a mid-range Lakeside hotel is significant, often NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000 per night for comparable or better room quality.
The main practical difference from a hotel is the host. In a Lakeside guesthouse, the staff changes and the answers are scripted. In a homestay, the person at breakfast is the same person who owns the property, knows the neighborhood, and will tell you honestly whether the weather is likely to clear for Sarangkot tomorrow or not.
Pokhara Homestay vs Hotel: The Real Difference
The honest answer is that Pokhara has good options in both categories. The question is what you are optimising for.
The Pokhara paragliding guide covers the main activity most visitors come for. The top 10 places to visit in Pokhara covers everything else worth doing across the city.
Prices
How to Get to Pokhara
By road from Kathmandu: 200 kilometres via the Prithvi Highway, 6 to 7 hours by tourist bus. Buses leave from Sorhakhutte in Kathmandu early morning. The drive follows the Trisuli and Marsyangdi rivers for most of the route. Scenic but long. Many travelers use Pokhara as a base for the Pokhara to Ghandruk trek, the most popular short village trek from the city, before continuing west or returning to Kathmandu.
By air from Kathmandu: Pokhara International Airport handles domestic flights from Kathmandu (25 to 30 minutes, from NPR 6,000). The airport is 3 kilometres from Lakeside.
From Chitwan: 150 kilometres east along the Prithvi Highway, 4 to 5 hours by bus. A natural next stop if you are doing a Chitwan safari before or after Pokhara.
From Lumbini: 190 kilometres north, 6 to 7 hours by road. The route passes through Butwal and Waling. Pokhara works as a natural end point for a southern Nepal loop that includes Lumbini and Chitwan.
Best Time to Visit Pokhara
October to December gives the clearest Annapurna views. The air is cold and dry after monsoon, mountain reflections on Phewa Lake are sharpest in the early morning, and the city is at its most alive with trekkers passing through for the Annapurna Circuit. This is also the best window for day trips to the Gurung hill villages north of Pokhara, including Sikles, which is at its clearest in October and November.
March to May is the second best window. Rhododendrons bloom on the lower Annapurna foothills visible from the lake. Warmer days and slightly more haze than autumn but the mornings are still good for Sarangkot.
June to September is monsoon. Phewa Lake fills and turns green. Paragliding stops on rainy days. The surrounding hills are lush but mountain views disappear for days at a time behind cloud. Homestays are open and cheaper during this period.
December to February is cold. Lakeside slows down. Annapurna gets snow and the views on clear days are dramatic. Worth coming if you want Pokhara without the crowds.
Final Thought
Pokhara is easy to spend a week in without ever leaving the Lakeside bubble. The food is good, the lake is there every morning, and the mountains show up when the weather cooperates. A homestay does not change any of that. It just adds a host who knows the city from the inside, a breakfast that is not from a laminated menu, and a few hundred rupees back in your pocket each night.
Browse all verified Pokhara homestays on Nepal Homestays and book directly with the family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area for a homestay in Pokhara?
Lakeside-6 is the most convenient for lake access and the tourist strip. Tanchok and Kotgaun are quieter residential neighborhoods better for sleeping and local life. Near Phewa Lake options give you lake views without being on the main street.
How much does a homestay in Pokhara cost?
Verified homestays on Nepal Homestays range from NPR 1,200 to NPR 2,000 per night for a deluxe double room. Most include WiFi, AC, and a geyser. Meals are usually arranged separately with the host.
How is a Pokhara homestay different from a Lakeside guesthouse?
A homestay is a family home where the owner lives on site. A guesthouse is a commercial property with staff. The price difference is significant, often NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000 per night less at a homestay, and the host's local knowledge is more useful than a hotel front desk.
Can I book a day trip or trek through my homestay host in Pokhara?
Yes. Most homestay hosts in Pokhara can arrange Sarangkot sunrise trips, Phewa Lake boat rides, day trips to Begnas Lake, and trekking permits for the Annapurna region. Booking through your host is usually cheaper than through a Lakeside travel agency.
What is the best time to visit Pokhara?
October to December for the clearest Annapurna views and best paragliding weather. March to May for rhododendrons and warmer temperatures. Avoid peak monsoon in July and August if mountain views are a priority.
Is Pokhara safe for solo travelers staying in homestays?
Yes. Pokhara is one of Nepal's safest cities and homestay families are registered with local tourism bodies. Solo travelers, including women traveling alone, regularly stay in Pokhara homestays without issues.
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