The clearest mountain views come in the dry seasons: October and November (peak, with crisp air and the post-monsoon green still on the hills) and March to April (warm, with rhododendrons blooming on the trekking trails). These are also the busiest and priciest months, so book ahead. December and January are quiet and cold at altitude but often crystal clear over the lake. The monsoon (June to mid-September) brings warm rain, lush valleys, leeches on the trails, and clouds that hide the peaks for days, though prices drop sharply. Time a visit to October for Dashain and Tihar, Nepal's biggest festivals.

Most travelers reach Pokhara from Kathmandu, either on a 25-minute domestic flight or a 6-to-8-hour drive by tourist bus (around $10-30) along the winding Prithvi Highway. Pokhara International Airport handles flights, though scheduling for international routes remains limited; the older domestic airport is closer to Lakeside. Once here, Lakeside is flat and walkable end to end. For Sarangkot, the World Peace Pagoda, or Devi's Fall, use a metered taxi, ride-hail apps like Pathao and inDrive (much cheaper than negotiating with taxis), or rent a scooter for around $10-15 a day. Cross Phewa Lake by paddling a colorful wooden doonga boat.