Pokhara Travel Guide 2026 — Adventure Capital of Nepal

If there is one city in Nepal that does everything well, it is Pokhara. It is the launchpad for some of the world’s greatest treks, a paragliding capital with an Annapurna backdrop that defies belief, a lakeside town where you can watch the sunrise paint eight-thousand-metre peaks in gold — and still be back at a café eating wood-fired pizza by noon. This Pokhara travel guide covers everything you need to plan your visit in 2026: the top sights, the best food, where to sleep, how to get there, and the specific tips that make a real difference for travellers coming from India.

Whether you have two days or two weeks, Pokhara rewards every kind of traveller. Adventure seekers, honeymooners, solo walkers, family groups — the city bends to suit whoever shows up. That is a rare quality in a destination, and it explains why Pokhara has stayed at the top of Nepal’s travel rankings for decades without ever feeling tired or overrun.

Before you read on, check the Nepal Travel Guide for country-wide context, and the Best Time to Visit Nepal page for seasonal planning. This guide focuses specifically on Pokhara and the Annapurna region.

Why Pokhara Should Be on Every Nepal Itinerary

Most visitors come to Nepal for Kathmandu’s temples or the Everest region’s altitude. Pokhara is the one that keeps them coming back. Here is why it earns a permanent place on the list.

The Annapurna panorama. From the Lakeside promenade on a clear morning, you can see the entire Annapurna range — Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and the singular pyramid of Machapuchare (Fishtail, 6,993m) — all reflected in the dark mirror of Phewa Lake. It is one of the most extraordinary mountain views on earth, available for free, from the pavement, before breakfast.

Adventure capital without the chaos. Pokhara is where paragliding, zip-lining, white-water rafting on the Seti River, ultra-light flights, and bungee jumping all coexist. Unlike Kathmandu, where traffic and noise are part of the package, Pokhara’s Lakeside neighbourhood runs at a slower pace. The streets are manageable, the lake is immediately calming, and the scale of the town means nothing is hard to reach.

Gateway to the Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Base Camp trek, the Poon Hill trek, the Mardi Himal trail, and the full Annapurna Circuit all originate from Pokhara or from trailheads within an hour’s drive. Trek out, trek back, shower, eat gelato. The logistics are genuinely convenient by Himalayan standards.

The laid-back vibe. Pokhara has an international café culture, live music most evenings in Lakeside, a stretch of restaurants that would hold their own in any major city, and the particular energy that happens when people who have just finished a major trek arrive somewhere comfortable. Everyone is in a good mood. The town feeds off that.

Top Things to Do in Pokhara

Pokhara packs more variety into a small area than almost any other destination in South Asia. Below are the experiences that matter most, with the practical details you need to plan your days.

Phewa Lake — Pokhara’s Soul

Phewa Lake is Nepal’s second largest lake and the centrepiece of the city. At roughly 4.4 square kilometres, it stretches along the western edge of Lakeside, giving every café, hotel, and guesthouse facing it a front-row seat to the mountains. The Machapuchare reflection — the perfect symmetrical pyramid appearing upside-down in calm water — is the image most people associate with Pokhara, and seeing it in person is one of those moments that stays.

On the small island near the southern end of the lake sits Tal Barahi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Barahi. The island is reached by rowboat and the temple is one of the most active religious sites in the region, busy with devotees most mornings. Boat hire from the Lakeside ghats runs at roughly ₹300–500 per hour for a simple rowboat; you negotiate directly with the boatmen on the shore. Paddle out early, when the lake surface is flat and the mountains are sharp.

Sunset from the lake is a different experience entirely — the peaks catch alpenglow while the water turns orange. Bring a camera and do both.

Sarangkot Sunrise — The Annapurna Panorama

Sarangkot sits at 1,592 metres on a ridge above Pokhara and offers what many consider the finest accessible mountain viewpoint in Nepal. On a clear morning from the viewpoint tower, you see a 270-degree arc of Himalayan peaks: Dhaulagiri far to the west, then the full Annapurna massif, Machhapuchhre directly ahead, and the Lamjung Himal to the east. The scale of it — eight-thousanders plus multiple seven-thousanders in a single sweep — is genuinely hard to absorb.

Sarangkot is roughly 30 minutes by taxi from central Lakeside (around ₹400–600 for a hired car). The optimal window is October through March, when post-monsoon clarity and winter skies keep the peaks visible. In April the haze builds; in monsoon season (June–September) cloud usually obscures the view entirely, though some mornings still surprise you.

Start before 5am to reach the top before first light. The viewpoint gets busy during peak season — you want to be there before the coach groups arrive. Most visitors pair Sarangkot with paragliding, since the hill is also the main launch point for tandem flights.

Paragliding over Phewa Lake

Pokhara is one of the best paragliding destinations in the world. The combination of consistent thermals, the Phewa Lake landing zone, and the Annapurna backdrop makes tandem flights here genuinely special rather than just a tourist activity. Pilots launch from Sarangkot and fly the ridge line south, crossing above the lake with the full mountain panorama ahead of them throughout the flight.

Tandem flights run 20–30 minutes on average. Prices range from ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 depending on operator, flight duration, and whether video/photos are included. Book through your hotel or walk along the main Lakeside strip — operators are everywhere and the legitimate ones are registered with the Nepal Paragliding Association.

The paragliding activity page has more on what to expect and how to choose a reliable operator. Best months for smooth, long flights are October, November, March, and April, when thermals are strong and skies are reliably clear.

World Peace Pagoda

The Shanti Stupa — World Peace Pagoda — sits on a forested hilltop on the southern shore of Phewa Lake. Japanese Buddhist monks of the Nipponzan Myohoji order built it, one of a network of peace pagodas they have placed around the world. The white dome, visible from much of Lakeside, is beautiful enough on its own. What makes the visit worthwhile is the view it commands: 360 degrees of lake, city, and Himalayas simultaneously.

Getting there combines two pleasures. Row a boat across Phewa Lake to the southern shore (20 minutes, ₹300 one way), then walk the forest trail uphill for about an hour. The path is clear and well-maintained. Alternatively, take a taxi around the lake to the road trailhead and hike up in 30 minutes. Go early to beat the heat. The pagoda itself is open sunrise to sunset; entry is free, though donations support the resident monks.

Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave

Davis Falls (also called Patale Chhango — Devil’s Falls) is one of Pokhara’s more unusual natural attractions. During monsoon season the Pardi Khola river rushes down into a narrow slot canyon and vanishes underground through a hole roughly 30 metres across and 20 metres deep. Outside monsoon the flow is smaller but the geology is just as striking. The waterfall is named after a Swiss tourist who was swept away here in the 1960s; the Nepali name is more honest about what the place is.

Directly across the road is Gupteshwor Cave, a limestone cavern that runs beneath the falls. Inside, the cave opens into chambers with stalactites and natural rock formations, and the deepest chamber contains a Shiva shrine where the underground water from Davis Falls emerges. The combination of Hindu pilgrimage site and natural cave system is distinctively Nepali. Entry to Davis Falls is around ₹50; Gupteshwor Cave is ₹100. Both are within walking distance of the Mountain Museum.

International Mountain Museum

For anyone interested in the history of Himalayan mountaineering, this museum is worth two hours of your time. Housed in a purpose-built facility near the airport road, it traces the full arc of human engagement with the world’s highest peaks: early expeditions, summit attempts, first ascents, and the technical evolution of gear across a century of climbing.

Exhibits include original equipment from historic expeditions, scale models of the major peaks, information on Nepal’s indigenous mountain communities, and a model yeti that delights younger visitors. The 21-metre indoor climbing wall is the largest in Nepal and is open to visitors who want to try. Entry is roughly ₹400 for international visitors. Allow a full morning if you want to read everything properly.

Day Hikes from Pokhara

Pokhara is surrounded by hills and secondary lakes that most visitors overlook in favour of the main sights. These day hikes offer quieter trails, equally beautiful scenery, and a taste of the Nepali countryside without committing to a multi-day trek.

Australian Camp — One or Two Days

Australian Camp at 2,060 metres is one of the easiest overnight Himalayan experiences available from any city in the world. From Phedi, a 45-minute drive from Lakeside, a well-maintained trail climbs through rhododendron and oak forest to the ridge. The camp itself is a cluster of simple teahouses with unobstructed Annapurna views. Stay the night (rooms from ₹800–1,500 including dinner and breakfast) and wake to mountain views without thirty other trekkers doing the same. The hike up takes 2–3 hours; the descent to Phedi takes 1.5 hours. It is a convincing preview of the full Poon Hill trek without the multi-day commitment.

Begnas Tal and Rupa Tal — The Twin Lakes

Fifteen kilometres east of Pokhara lie two lakes that feel like a completely different country. Begnas Tal is Nepal’s third largest lake — calmer, less visited, and surrounded by terraced hillsides and fishing communities rather than tourist restaurants. Rupa Tal sits just beyond it, smaller and even quieter. Between them runs the Panchbhaiya ridge, a 3–4 hour walk with views south across the Nepali hills and north to the Lamjung Himal.

The twin lakes make an excellent full-day trip from Pokhara. Hire a taxi to Begnas Tal (₹600–800 one way), walk the ridge to Rupa Tal, have lunch at a local teahouse on the far shore, then arrange pickup or walk back. Bring your own snacks and plenty of water — facilities are basic and that is part of the appeal.

Panchbhaiya Ridge — For Quiet Mountain Views

The ridge between Begnas and Rupa Tal gives you views that rival Sarangkot for beauty but attract a fraction of the visitors. The trail passes through forest and farm terraces with the Lamjung Himal visible to the north. At under 1,400 metres, it stays accessible year-round and the round trip from Begnas Tal is comfortable in half a day. Combine it with a boat ride on Begnas Tal at the start and you have a full-day itinerary that most tourists in Pokhara never find.

Pokhara Food and Restaurant Guide

Pokhara’s food scene is better than it has any right to be for a city its size, which is largely because it has been hosting international trekkers for fifty years and the restaurants have had time to get good. The Lakeside strip runs the full length of the tourist area and covers everything from street momos to wood-fired Neapolitan pizza.

Moondance Restaurant

Moondance is the sort of restaurant that ends up in every conversation about Pokhara regardless of what you ask. The wood-fired pizza is genuinely excellent — thin, blistered base, good cheese, real toppings. The wild boar stew (when available) is the kind of thing you plan your day around. And the lemon meringue pie has its own reputation: tall, sharp, properly made, worth ordering even if you think you are too full. Evening bookings fill up; arrive by 6:30pm or put your name down early.

Caffe Concerto

An Italian-owned café on the Lakeside strip with a terrace over the lake. The pasta is made fresh, the gelato is rotated daily, and the espresso is among the best you will find between Kathmandu and the Indian border. Live jazz some evenings. It is a good place for a long lunch or a late-afternoon coffee with lake views.

Pokhara Thakali Kitchen

For an authentic Nepali meal, this is the place. The Thakali thali — rice, lentil dal, two vegetable curries, saag, pickle, and papadam — comes from the Thakali community of the Mustang district and is widely considered the finest regional cuisine in Nepal. The version here is honest and generous, served on a brass tray with refills until you stop them. The Mustang potatoes (dry-fried with Sichuan pepper and cumin) are a revelation if you have not tried them before. Order them as a side regardless of what else you get.

German Bakeries on the Lakeside Strip

Several Lakeside bakeries have been running German-style breakfast menus for long enough that the croissants are actually good. Brown bread, muesli, fresh-squeezed juice, espresso drinks, and pastries — the morning café culture here is a genuine pleasure after days on a dusty trail. Prices are low: a full breakfast with coffee rarely exceeds ₹400. Look for the smaller, older establishments slightly off the main strip — they have been there longest and show it in their cooking.

Where to Stay in Pokhara

Lakeside is where most tourists stay and it makes sense: the lake is right there, the restaurants are walking distance, and taxis and tour operators are immediately accessible. Prices have risen since 2022 but value for money is still excellent by Indian standards.

Budget — ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 per Night

Lakeside has dozens of clean, simple guesthouses in this range. Expect a double room with attached bathroom, hot water, fan or basic AC, and usually a rooftop or garden area. WiFi is almost universal. The streets one block back from the main lakefront strip offer more value — same access, less footpath noise. Always ask to see the room first and check that hot water actually works in the morning.

Mid-Range — ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 per Night

This bracket covers boutique properties with lake-view balconies, proper swimming pools, in-house restaurants, and room quality that competes with four-star hotels in Indian hill stations. Properties in this range often include breakfast. Book directly with the hotel when possible — rates on direct bookings are frequently lower than third-party platforms and you can negotiate multi-night discounts.

Luxury — Fish Tail Lodge

Fish Tail Lodge sits on a private peninsula that juts into Phewa Lake, accessible only by a rope-drawn pontoon — guests pull themselves across a narrow channel of water to reach the entrance. It is one of Nepal’s most distinctive hotel experiences: Annapurna views from every cottage, lake on three sides, a garden so quiet you can hear the birds from across the water. Service is traditional and formal. Rates start around ₹18,000–25,000 per night depending on room category and season. If you are looking for somewhere memorable for a honeymoon night or a celebration, this is it.

Luxury — Temple Tree Resort and Spa

Temple Tree is chic, modern, and earthy — locally sourced stone, timber, and textiles in a building that actually looks like it belongs in the landscape. Private balconies face the lake or the gardens, the spa uses Himalayan treatments with local ingredients, and the pool is genuinely inviting. Less dramatic than Fish Tail Lodge in terms of setting, but the interior quality and food are a step up. Good for couples and families who want contemporary luxury rather than old-Nepal atmosphere.

How to Get to Pokhara

Pokhara is easily reached from Kathmandu and from the Indian border. The new Pokhara International Airport, inaugurated in 2023, has changed the logistics significantly — though it is worth knowing the current status before booking.

By Air from Kathmandu

Flights from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to Pokhara (Pokhara International Airport, code: PKR) take 25–40 minutes. Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Shree Airlines operate multiple daily departures. Fares range from ₹5,000 to ₹9,000 one way depending on advance booking and season. The flight itself skims along the Himalayan foothills — on a clear day the views of Ganesh Himal and the Annapurna range from the right-side window are worth the ticket price alone. Book ahead during October–November and March–April when both seats and prices are tight.

By Tourist Bus from Kathmandu

The Prithvi Highway connecting Kathmandu and Pokhara is 200 kilometres of mountain road that takes 6–8 hours in good conditions. Greenline operates the most comfortable tourist bus service on this route, with reclining seats, air conditioning, a rest stop at a decent restaurant, and on-time performance that most competitors cannot match. Fares run ₹1,500–2,500 one way. Regular local buses are cheaper (₹600–900) but slower, more crowded, and stop frequently. The drive is scenic in good weather — the Trisuli River gorge section is particularly striking.

From the Indian Border at Sunauli

Travellers coming overland from Uttar Pradesh cross at the Sunauli/Belahiya border point. From Sunauli, direct tourist buses run to Pokhara (8–10 hours, ₹700–1,200). This route bypasses Kathmandu entirely and is a good option if Pokhara is your first stop in Nepal. See the Nepal visa guide for Indian citizens — Indian nationals do not need a visa for Nepal, making the crossing straightforward with just a valid ID. The Nepal trip cost guide has a full budget breakdown for this overland routing.

Getting Around Pokhara

Pokhara is a long, narrow city — roughly 8 kilometres from the northern Bagar area down to the Lakeside and Pardi zone at the south. Within Lakeside itself, almost everything is walkable. Beyond Lakeside, taxis and rentals become necessary.

Taxis are the default for most non-walking trips. Pokhara taxis do not have meters, so always agree the price before getting in. Standard trips within Lakeside should cost ₹100–200; to Sarangkot, ₹400–600 return (including waiting time); to Davis Falls and the museum, ₹400–600. Apps like Tootle (Nepal’s motorbike taxi service) work in Pokhara and are cheaper for short distances.

Motorbike rental is the most liberating option if you are comfortable riding. Rental shops cluster around the middle of the Lakeside strip. A 100cc automatic scooter costs ₹500–800 per day including helmet; manual bikes slightly less. Your Indian driving licence is sufficient. Keep fuel topped up — petrol stations are clustered near the highway, not in Lakeside.

Bicycle rental at ₹200–400 per day suits anyone doing the Lakeside loop and the flat southern road to Davis Falls and the museum. The city is not fully cycle-friendly once you leave the lake road, but for the tourist circuit it works well enough.

Electric rickshaws (e-rickshaws) have appeared in the Lakeside area in recent years and operate on short fixed routes for ₹30–60 per person. They are useful for single-stop hops without negotiating a taxi.

Pokhara as a Trekking Gateway

No travel guide to Pokhara is complete without acknowledging what makes it strategically exceptional: nearly every major trek in the Annapurna region starts and ends here. If trekking in Nepal is on your agenda, Pokhara is your base.

Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). The classic high-altitude trek ending beneath the 4,130-metre base camp amphitheatre, surrounded by eight-thousanders. 10–14 days, moderate to strenuous. The Annapurna Base Camp trek guide covers the full route, daily stages, and what to pack. Our 10-day ABC trek package includes permits, accommodation, and guide.

Poon Hill Trek. The most popular short trek in Nepal — 4–5 days, accessible to anyone who can walk 5–6 hours per day, and delivering one of the finest mountain panoramas in the Himalayas from the 3,210-metre Poon Hill viewpoint. The Poon Hill trek guide has the complete day-by-day breakdown.

Annapurna Circuit. The full circuit of the Annapurna massif — 160–230 kilometres of trail crossing the Thorong La pass at 5,416 metres. It takes 14–21 days and covers an enormous range of landscapes and cultures. Jeep roads have shortened some sections, but the core route remains one of the great long-distance walks anywhere in the world.

Mardi Himal Trek. A newer, quieter alternative to the ABC approach — 5–7 days on a less-trafficked ridge route with exceptional views of Machapuchare. Good for trekkers who want solitude and off-the-beaten-path teahouse culture without sacrificing mountain scenery.

All Annapurna region treks require an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP, NPR 3,000 / approx. ₹2,100) and a TIMS card (NPR 2,000 / approx. ₹1,400 for individual trekkers). Both are available at the TAAN office in Lakeside. See trekking activities for permit details and our Kathmandu–Pokhara Cultural Discovery tour if you want to combine the city highlights with a shorter trekking experience.

Best Time to Visit Pokhara

Pokhara’s climate is shaped by the monsoon and by its position at the foot of the Annapurna range — the wettest part of the wettest mountain system on earth. Timing matters more here than in most destinations.

October and November are the best months for almost every activity. The monsoon has cleared, the air has been washed clean, and the peaks are at their sharpest. Days are warm, nights cool, skies reliably blue. Every viewpoint delivers. This is peak season — book accommodation and flights early.

March and April are the second best window. The rhododendron forests on the trekking routes are in full bloom, temperatures are comfortable, and views are good — though April afternoons sometimes build haze that obscures the peaks. The trails are busy but less so than October–November.

December and January bring cold nights (near 0°C at altitude, 5–8°C in Lakeside) but the clearest skies of the year. The tourist crowds thin significantly after the Christmas–New Year spike. Mornings are stunning; afternoons are short and cold. Paragliding still operates on good days.

February is transitional — cold early in the month, warming by late February. Clear days alternate with overcast ones. Low season rates apply and the city is quiet.

Monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain, frequent cloud, and leeches on the trails. The landscape turns intensely green, the waterfalls run at full power, and Davis Falls is dramatic. Serious mountain views are rare. Accommodation rates drop 30–50%. Solo travellers who do not mind rain sometimes prefer it specifically for the emptiness.

For a full seasonal breakdown across Nepal, read the Best Time to Visit Nepal guide. For trip planning tied to a specific itinerary, the 5-day Nepal itinerary and 10-day Nepal itinerary both include Pokhara sections with seasonal notes.

Pokhara Travel Guide Tips for Indian Visitors

Indian travellers have specific advantages in Nepal that make Pokhara easier and cheaper to visit than almost any comparable international destination. Here is what you need to know.

No Visa Required

Indian nationals do not require a visa for Nepal. You cross on a valid Indian passport, Aadhaar card, or voter ID card. The border crossing at Sunauli (Uttar Pradesh side) / Belahiya (Nepal side) is the most used overland entry point for north and central India. See the complete Nepal visa guide for Indian citizens for all permitted documents and the latest border procedures.

Direct Bus from the Indian Border

From Sunauli/Belahiya, tourist buses run directly to Pokhara without changing in Kathmandu. The journey takes 8–10 hours depending on road conditions and border processing time. Buses depart in the morning; aim to cross the border before noon. Book through an agent in Gorakhpur or Varanasi the night before, or directly at the Sunauli bus park. Fares are ₹700–1,200.

Currency and Payments

The Nepali Rupee (NPR) is the local currency. Indian Rupees are widely accepted in Pokhara’s Lakeside area — ₹1 INR = roughly ₹1.6 NPR — but you will get slightly worse rates if paying directly in INR rather than exchanging first. ATMs are plentiful along the Lakeside strip; Himalayan Bank and Nepal Investment Bank ATMs accept Indian debit cards reliably. Withdraw larger amounts to avoid repeated transaction fees. UPI and Indian cards work in some hotels and restaurants, but do not rely on it — carry enough Nepali rupees for small purchases.

SIM Cards

Buy a Nepali SIM (Ncell or Nepal Telecom) at the border crossing or at the Pokhara airport. Cost is minimal — roughly ₹300–500 for a SIM with a 10GB data pack. Indian SIMs roam on Nepali networks but the charges are high. A local SIM is one of the best small investments you make on arrival.

Food Considerations

Vegetarian food is widely available in Pokhara — Nepal has a strong tradition of vegetarian cooking and the dal-bhat-tarkari combination served in every teahouse is filling, nutritious, and cheap. Indian visitors will find the flavour profile familiar. Most restaurants mark vegetarian items clearly, and the Thakali kitchen tradition is largely vegetarian-friendly. Halal options are available in some Lakeside restaurants catering to Pakistani and Bangladeshi tourists.

Budget Planning

Pokhara is one of the more affordable destinations available to Indian travellers in terms of comparable quality. A comfortable mid-range trip — good hotel, three meals per day, activities, local transport — runs ₹4,000–7,000 per person per day. Budget travel is viable at ₹2,000–2,500 per day. The Nepal trip cost from India guide has a full breakdown with sample day budgets. For a romantic itinerary focused on Pokhara’s lake and mountain scenery, the Nepal honeymoon guide has specific package recommendations.

For more information on Nepal tourism initiatives and officially recognized operators, refer to the Nepal Tourism Board website. The Pokhara Tourism Council (pokharatourism.org) maintains updated listings for licensed operators, hotels, and activity providers.

Frequently Asked Questions — Pokhara Travel Guide

How many days do you need in Pokhara?

Three full days covers the main sights comfortably: one day on the lake (Phewa, Tal Barahi, World Peace Pagoda), one day for Sarangkot sunrise and paragliding, and one day for Davis Falls, the Mountain Museum, and a longer Lakeside wander. If you plan a day hike to Australian Camp or Begnas Tal, add another day. Trekkers who are using Pokhara as a base will obviously stay longer on either side of the trail.

Is Pokhara safe for solo female travellers?

Pokhara is one of the safer destinations in South Asia for solo female travellers. Lakeside has a large, experienced tourism community that is used to independent women travellers of all nationalities. Standard precautions apply — use registered operators for activities, let someone know your plans for day hikes, avoid isolated paths after dark. The trekking trails to Australian Camp and Sarangkot are busy enough during daylight that solo hiking is comfortable. Most travellers report Pokhara as noticeably more relaxed than Kathmandu.

What is the best way to get from Kathmandu to Pokhara?

For most travellers, flying is the best combination of speed and experience — 30 minutes, stunning views, and no mountain road. The bus is a good option if you want to see the landscape and have 7 hours to spare. Greenline is the recommended tourist bus operator. Private car with driver (₹8,000–12,000 one way, 6–7 hours) is the right answer for families, those with heavy luggage, or travellers who want to stop along the Prithvi Highway at Manakamana cable car or Bandipur village.

Can you see Annapurna clearly from Pokhara?

Yes — on clear days, which are most days outside monsoon season. The mountain views from Lakeside and Sarangkot are among the most accessible high-Himalayan panoramas in the world. October, November, December, January, February, and March all offer regular clear mornings. The peaks are visible from the lakefront promenade; Sarangkot gives a wider, higher angle. Machapuchare (Fishtail) is often the most striking because its double-summit pyramid shape is so distinctive at close range.

Do you need permits to trek from Pokhara?

Yes. All treks in the Annapurna Conservation Area require an ACAP permit (NPR 3,000, roughly ₹2,100 for SAARC nationals including Indians — a significant discount from the standard rate) plus a TIMS card (NPR 2,000 for individual trekkers, NPR 1,000 if going through a registered agency). Both are obtained at the TAAN/TIMS office in Lakeside before your trek starts. Carry originals and photocopies — checkposts along the trails verify them.

Is altitude sickness a concern in Pokhara itself?

No. Pokhara city sits at 822 metres above sea level — roughly the same elevation as Shimla or Mussoorie. Altitude is not a concern in the city or on the day hikes around it (Sarangkot is 1,592m, Australian Camp is 2,060m). Altitude sickness becomes relevant above 3,000 metres, which is encountered only once you are several days into any of the major treks. The trekking in Nepal guide covers altitude acclimatization in detail.