Pokhara, Nepal

• Pokhara is a lakeside town at 2,700 feet with the Annapurna range as backdrop. The main tourist area runs along Phewa Lake - hostels, restaurants, tour agencies, the usual setup. You'll see paragliders landing on the shore most afternoons and kayaks for rent at the docks.
• Eating alone is normal since most people here are trekkers taking rest days or digital nomads camping out in cafes. Lakeside and Damside have plenty of English speakers, but you'll struggle outside the tourist zones without basic Nepali.
• Tourist Police (061-462761) handle visitor issues and speak English. Crime rates are lower than most South Asian cities, but watch your stuff in crowds. Streets empty out after dark pretty fast, so don't wander alone late.
• Lakeside keeps some life until 10pm - families walking around, restaurants still serving. After that, use Pathao or InDrive for rides instead of walking. The tourist zones feel safe because there are always other travelers around.

Nepali is the main language. Tourist areas (Lakeside, Damside) have widespread English among staff, especially younger workers. Tourist Police (061-462761 or 1144) speak English and handle foreign visitor issues. Most restaurants, hotels, and tour companies in tourist zones operate in English.

• Cover shoulders and knees outside tourist areas. Lakeside tolerates shorts and tank tops, but elsewhere in Nepal that clothing can read as sexual - you'll get more staring and potential harassment.
• Eat and pass things with your right hand (left is for bathroom). Shoes come off before temples and homes. Namaste greeting is palms together at chest.
• Lakeside staff speak functional English. Pick up a few Nepali phrases anyway - basic courtesy matters. Younger people learned English in school, older folks less so. Keep it simple when there's a language gap.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Police: 100. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• You can walk Lakeside during the day - the main street is about 2km and takes 25 minutes end to end. Most restaurants and shops are right there.
• Pathao or InDrive apps give you fixed-price rides without haggling. Airport to Lakeside runs NPR 500-700. Both apps do cars and motorbikes.
• Local buses between Lakeside and Damside cost NPR 30-40. Scooter rentals go for NPR 1,500/day plus fuel - traffic is way calmer than Kathmandu. Regular taxis have meters but never use them, so settle on a price before you get in.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Pokhara with local guides and curated experiences.