Car Hire Kathmandu to Pokhara

1 Day

Pokhara is a beautiful lake city in the western region of Nepal. It is one of the most visited tourist hubs in Nepal. Pokhara is famous for its serene lakes including majestic Phewa lake and Begnas lake. Thousands of tourists visit Pokhara to relax in its vibrant atmosphere. The various sightseeing spots in Pokhara will enchant any traveler.

Travelers can visit and seek blessings from various religious sites including Tal Barahi Temple, Bindhyabasini Temple, and others. There are exciting caves including Mahendra Gufa, Chamero Gufa, and stunning Davis fall as well. We can travel to Pokhara through various measures.

Car hire from Kathmandu to Pokhara is one of the best ways to travel to lake city. The journey starts on the Prithvi highway and passes through winding zig-zag roads of Nepal. The scenic vista along the trail is one of the best parts of the journey. The view of snow-capped mountains, lush green forests, serene waterfalls will spellbind you.

Besides that, you will also get to observe beautiful settlements along highways. Read on to know more about the car hire Kathmandu to Pokhara, and other related information in detail.

Pokhara: The Overview

Pokhara is a scenic lake city located approximately 203 kilometers west of Kathmandu. In fact, Pokhara valley is also one of the largest cities in Nepal and a prime destination for tourists arriving in Nepal for vacation. Moreover, it is quite popular as you can observe the entire Himalayan range alongside beautiful lakes.

Pokhara is also a hub for adventure sports like boating, paragliding, rafting, bungee jumping, and others. These adventure sports get conducted by thorough professionals using proper guidelines and safety measures. Some of the most popular sightseeing spots of Pokhara include Phewa lake, Davis falls, Tal Barahi Mandir, World Peace Stupa, and others.

There are other natural spots including Mahendra Gufa, Chamero Gufa, Begnas Lake, and others. You can also relax in the bustling atmosphere of the lakeside in Pokhara. It is a tourist spot with many nightclubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, and others. Also, travelers can also visit cultural museums like the International Mountain Museum that celebrates indigenous mountain people and lifestyles.

Why Visit Pokhara?

Pokhara has incredible natural landmarks. From boating adventures in serene lakes to paragliding, Pokhara is ideal for all adventurous or comfortable vacations. It is rich in both natural or cultural heritage. It has a lovely vibe with a perfect mix of modernity and tradition. Some of the major attractions in Pokhara are as follows:

Lakes

Phewa Lake located in Pokhara is the second largest lake in Nepal and it covers most parts of Pokhara valley. Macchapucchre’s reflection looks incredibly beautiful on this serene lake. Boating on this lake is quite an experience along with fishing. Phewa Lake premises also include Barahi Bhagwati Temple which is a sacred site for Hindu pilgrims.

Phewa lake and its lakeside will enchant you. Begnas lake is the second largest lake in Pokhara. Furthermore, it covers an area of 3 sq km and has an elevation of 650 m. Rupa lake is another ideal lake for fishing. You will also get a great view of the surrounding vegetation in hills around the region.

Extreme adventure sports

Extreme adventure sports is another incredible aspect of Pokhara. There are various adventure sports including paragliding, boating, rafting, bungee, zipline. These extreme activities pump your adrenaline. It also depends upon climatic conditions. White water rafting is another exciting adventure sport.

October to June is the best time to travel to Pokhara. The 1850m (6070 ft) long zipline recently built in Pokhara is also the fastest. It is located at top of the Sarangkot hill and stretches till the end of the Yamdi river. With a maximum speed of 40 km/h (100 mph), it is also the fastest and has a vertical drop of 2000 feet approximately.

Paragliding is a great adventure sport in Sarangkot, in Pokhara Valley. It allows you to observe various snow-capped mountains including Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre mountain, and Lake Phewa. Pokhara has the best short hikes destination as well. You can also observe sunrise and sunset views.

Caves

The numerous caves in Pokhara Valley are other major attractions of the city. This Mahendra Cave located in Balachaur is a natural tunnel filled with limestone that sparkles when struck with light strikes it.

Bat Cave or “Chamero Gupha” located a ten-minute from Mahendra Cave is quite exciting. Bat cave is 150 m long with a narrow entrance and wide insides. There are more than 15 thousand species of bats in the cave. Besides that, there are images of gods and goddesses in the cave.

International Mountain Museum

The International Mountain Museum (IMM) is a landmark of this city. The exhibition halls exhibit famous peaks, mountaineers, mountain culture, and lifestyle. It represents the traditional culture and values of the mountain people.

Temples and Monasteries

Temples like Bindhyabasini, Tal Barahi Temple, Bhadrakali, Sitladevi, are some of the major temples of Pokhara. There are also Guheshwari, Bhimsen temples, Gita mandir in the valley. Tal Barahi Temple is a two-story temple of Goddess Durga (Barahi) in the middle of Lake Phewa. It is a sacred site for Hindus and you can take a boat service to reach Tal Barahi temple.

World peace pagoda or Shanti Stupa, on Anadu Hill, is another important landmark of Pokhara. Standing on a hilltop, this Buddhist pagoda is quite beautiful. It also is a great sight to observe a great sunset view overlooking the entire Annapurna Himalayan range, Phewa Lake, and the city of Pokhara.

There are hiking trails and the motor road that leads you near to stupa. One option is to take a boat from Phewa Lake and then take a hiking trail that takes you around an hour to reach stupa. The motor road from Chhorepatan to the Stupa by taxi or private car takes around 25 minutes.

Itinerary

Service includes

  • Experienced driver with his salary.
  • Very comfortable and new car include air-cone.
  • Full insurance for driver and guest.
  • Minaral water.

Service excludes

  • Your personal expenses.
  • food and drinks during travel.

FAQs on Car Hire Kathmandu to Pokhara

What cars can you rent in Nepal?

There are various vehicles that you can rent in Nepal. You can rent any budget to luxury cars. It can get varied including compact, SUVs, sedans, electric, trucks, jeeps, convertibles, and others.

Are there canceling costs in these services?

Yes, there are canceling costs that average 10% of advance costs. Canceling the same day of the trip costs you around 40% of the advance costs. However, these costs depend upon hiring companies and their policies. Hence, you should read the policy before hiring a car in Nepal.

Is rental insurance available in Nepal?

Yes, there is rental insurance with damage protection in Nepal.

How to get the best car hire deals in Nepal?

You can get the best car hire deals online. You can enter your trip and the pick-up and drop-off date and time. Then, you can also select the best car type along with exclusive offers and members’ prices.

Can you hire a car for a long duration in Nepal?

Yes, you can hire a car for a long duration like a month as well.

Can you cross the international border in a rented car?

You are not allowed to cross the international border in Nepal. You can however do if it gets written in the rental contract and there are prior arrangements made.

Can you pay after the trip is complete?

Yes, you can pay later after the trip is complete. You can pay a deposit in advance and you can then pay later. Ahold of your credit card will get placed in the deposited amount. However, most rental services are prepaid and you should read all conditions before hiring a car.

Can you spot any wild animals driving in Nepal?

Yes, you can observe wild animals including sheep, moose, deers, goats, rhinos, and others. Wait for them so that they can crossroad and move to their destination. So, you can drive slowly without bothering any animals. You should be especially careful about wild animals at night.

Why hire a car in Nepal?

Hiring a car is a safe, and effective, and comfortable way of traveling around in Nepal. You can pick up any size, brand, or type of vehicle-based on your desire and travel around Nepal. It’s perfect for short as well as long duration.

How to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu?

Pokhara is around 180 km away from Kathmandu and takes around 7 hours to reach there. Kathmandu to Pokhara car hire is a great way to travel. There are tourist bus services as well but the car hire service offers you comfort and luxurious travel.

The travelers can observe the beautiful scenery of green hills, riverbanks, and terrace farmed lands. You can have a car or jeep based on your travel group size. You will drive past serpentine roads of Prithvi highway and also opt to visit Manakamana Temple, a sacred Hindu temple along the way.

Where to Rent a Car From?

There are many best rental car services in Kathmandu that are of high quality and reliable. There are 4x4s, cars, and jeeps that are available for hire. The car hire Kathmandu to Pokhara is also available with a driver and at a reasonable price. You can choose from various models like Toyota, Kia, Skoda, Ford, Mercedes Benz, and others.

It takes around 7-8 hours to complete the journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You can also get great deals whether you hire a car from Kathmandu to Pokhara for vacation, an official tour, or any other event. You can choose from any economy and luxury models.

This Kathmandu to Pokhara car hire involves professional crew members and experienced drivers. Spacious, comfortable seats allow you to observe the natural Himalayan landscape. You can stop in the middle and take breaks as you need.

Kathmandu to Pokhara Road Information

After crossing Thankot from Kathmandu, there is a checkpoint on Prithvi Highway. After showing your documents at the checkpoint, you can move ahead crossing the Dhading district. You will cross Naubise and arrive at Malekhu which is famous for its fishes.

The trip along Prithvi Highway will lead you to Kurintar that is also the base point for Manakamana (Cable Car Station) that takes you to the sacred Manakamana temple. You will then drive towards Mugling and then take the next intersection and head towards Damauli after leaving Prithvi Highway. Two hours later along the highway will lead you to the lake city of Pokhara.

Factors You Should Consider While Hiring a Car

You should ensure that the car you hire is spacious, safe, and comfortable for driving long hours. Read on to know more about various factors that you should consider before hiring a car:

Fuel Economy

A long-distance trip requires an excellent fuel economy. Hence, this way you can control fuel wastage and save costs by maintaining fuel economy. Some car rental services provide fuel while some don’t. Hence, you should learn about their refilling policy before taking the services of a car rental.

Good Drivability

An automatic car is ideal over a manually driven car which makes it more safe and comfortable. Extra features like cameras, sensors also come in quite handy. The car also needs to be well-maintained with a great engine that ensures good drivability. Hence, good drivability along with other features is quite necessary if you hire a car for a long trip.

Storage Space

The great storage space is another important factor that you should consider. This way you can keep all your luggage along with other stuff like food and camping materials. Hence, storage space is one of the important factors when it comes to car hire from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

Plenty of Legroom

Comfort is another important factor for travelers on a long drive. You should ensure that the car you hire has plenty of legroom as you will have to stay in for 5-6 hours. This allows travelers to spread their legs and stay comfortable for long hours.

Extra Safety Services

Extra Safety Features are also essential which might include a Navigation system or GPS, a Dash camera, clean seat covers, Comfortable back seats, airbags, and others. These features are especially helpful when you go on a long tour of rugged terrains and gravel roads in Nepal.

Guideline for Kathmandu to Pokhara Car Hire

Some of the guidelines for car hire from Kathmandu to Pokhara are as follows:

Book in Advance

Advance Booking of these cars at least 3-5 days ahead of the trip is essential. Inspecting a vehicle and its condition is also important and it takes time as well. This booking allows you to inspect and select the best vehicles for your trip.

Credit Card or Mobile Banking Payment

Mobile Banking or payment through Credit Card is a great option for these trips. Some credit cards will also save you time, provide insurance coverage, and have ease of use along the trail.

Inspect the Vehicle

Inspecting the Vehicle is essential so that you will not face any problem midway through the trip. The travelers should check for any breakdown in the engine or scratches. This will save you from hassles along the trip.

Final say

Car hire from Kathmandu to Pokhara is a great experience. Pokhara is a great touristic city with many lakes, temples, caves, and other sightseeing points. Kathmandu to Pokhara car hire is a scenic adventure that takes around 6-7 hours on hilly roads.

Passing through these exciting roads will spellbind you. You can also observe beautiful views of snow-capped mountains. This trip also passes through lush green forests and serene waterfalls. Various car hire services provide you with the best quality car hiring services at a reasonable price.

Travelers will require a valid driving license, a credit card, and proof of identity to get cars for hire. We hope this article helped you know more about the car hire from Kathmandu to Pokhara in detail.

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Car Hire Kathmandu to Pokhara
From $ 120
/ Adult
  • Private Car
  • 1 Pax to maximum 3 Pax
  • 1 - 4