The 4 Best Museums in Pokhara, Nepal
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Are you looking for the best museums in Pokhara?
I live in Nepal and Pokhara is such a nice place for holidays. I have visited Pokhara many times and if you have run out of things to do in Pokhara, here are some of the best museums to visit!
Pokhara is known for its chill vibes and as the starting point for many trekking routes into the Annapurna Region. However, Pokhara is a big city and there are many activities you can do while visiting.
Whether you are not sure what to do on a rainy day or once you have covered all the main attractions in Pokhara, make sure to check out these museums.
The museums in Pokhara are a great place to learn more about the history, culture and traditions of Nepal.
The 4 Best Museums in Pokhara
1. International Mountain Museum
- International Mountain Museum Ticket Price: Foreigners: Rs. 750, Nepali: Rs. 150, SAARC: Rs. 350
- International Mountain Museum Opening Times: Everyday: 9 am – 5 pm
- Location: on google maps here
- How to get there: Book a taxi through InDrive (download InDrive from Apple, Google Play), or take a local bus from Lakeside to Damside (Rs. 30) and walk from there.
The International Mountain Museum in Pokhara is the biggest and one of the most impressive museums in Pokhara. If you only have time to visit one museum Pokhara, it should be this one.
It was opened in 2004 and displays mountaineering activities in Nepal and around the world. It was founded to record and preserve mountaineering activities.
The museum also displays information about the different Nepali ethnic groups that live in the Himalayan region, along with traditional clothes, kitchenware and other household items.
In addition, there are also photos and information about all the 14 mountains around the world that are over 8,000 metres. There is a short also a short documentary that is played every hour, so you can also catch that.
2. Annapurna Museum
- Annapurna Museum Ticket Price: free
- Annapurna Museum Opening Times: Sunday-Friday: 10 am – 6 pm, Saturdays: closed
- Location: Inside the Prithvi Narayan Campus
- How to Get There: By Taxi: take a taxi through InDrive. Local bus: take a bus from Lakeside to 0 Km, then change to another bus to go to Hari Chowk, it’s 5 minutes’ walk from Hari Chowk.
When you first arrive to the Annapurna Museum, it seems quite small and old. When I first entered, I thought that I would not enjoy the museum so much but in the end I think it was one of my favourites. The information is also displayed both in English and Nepali.
Inside the museum you will find various sections on the natural history of Nepal. The display includes a small butterfly section, which the museum is famous for.
It also displays the wildlife habitat and different ethnic groups in the Annapurna region. What I enjoyed a lot is that there are a lot of visuals with the information so you can see for example the type of wildlife present in the Annapurna region at different altitudes.
3. Gurkha Memorial Museum
- Gurkha Memorial Museum Ticket Price: Rs. 250 for foreigners, Rs. 50 for Nepali, Rs. 100 for SAARC nationals
- Gurkha Memorial Museum Opening Times: Everyday: 8 am – 4:30 pm
- Location: on google maps here
- How to get there: By Taxi: take a taxi through InDrive. Local bus: take a bus from Lakeside to 0 Km, then change to another bus to go to Hari Chowk, walk from there.
The Gurkha Memorial Museum displays the history of Gurkha soldiers and their incorporation into the British Army.
The Gurkha soldiers originate from the Gorkha region of Nepal. King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who unified Nepal, ruled from his seat in Gorkha and his army were the Gorkha soldiers.
The museum displays the history and formation of Gurkha soldiers into the British Army. It also goes through the 200 years of service of Gurkha soldiers with highlighting specific wars where the Gurkhas fought alongside Britain. They also have some videos, uniforms and some old military equipment on display.
💡 Did you know? The Gorkha Army first faced British soldiers during the Anglo-Nepal War in the early 1800s. The British were impressed by the fighting skills of the Gorkha Army and there was a mutual respect between the two warring parties. This mutual respect led to the incorporation of Gurkha soldiers into the British Army. Since then, the Gurkhas have served in the British Army for almost 200 years.
4. Regional Museum (Pokhara Provincial Museum)
- Regional Museum Ticket Price: Rs. 100 for foreigners
- Regional Museum Opening times: Everyday: 10 am – 5 pm
- Location: on google maps here
- How to get there: By taxi: InDrive. Local bus: Take a bus from Lakeside to Prithvi Chowk and walk from there.
The Regional Museum in Pokhara is also referred to as the Provincial Museum. When you check on the map it will say Regional Museum, but once you get there, it’s named Provincial Museum.
The museum buildings are spread out over a big land but only the front garden is kept nicely. If you visit at a time which is not busy, the front garden of the museum is a nice place to chill a bit.
Inside the museum, the displays present the various ethnic groups that you can find in the Gandaki Province of Nepal (where Pokhara and the Annapurna Range are located). It is a great place to learn about the different ethnic groups, customs, traditional wear and jewellery.
The museum is split into 3-4 buildings and each building presents different themes. At the end, there is also a photo exhibition that shows old photos of Nepal, which is really great.
Best Things to Do in Pokhara
Visiting the museums can be a great activity if you are not sure what to do on a rainy day or if you have already visited the main attractions in Pokhara.
If you are looking for some inspiration for things to do, I have compiled here the best activities in Pokhara:
- Boating on Fewa Lake + Hiking to the World Peace Pagoda
- Annapurna Cable Car for the Sarangkot Sunrise
- Paragliding
- Visiting Begnas Lake (+hiking)
- Visiting the top 3 caves
- Movie Garden
- Cooking classes
- Trekking routes from Pokhara: Annapurna Base Camp (7-8 days), Poon Hill (4-5 days), Mardi Himal (5-7 days), Australian Camp (2 days)
Need more info? Check my travel guide to Pokhara here!
Where to Stay in Pokhara
Looking for accommodation in Pokhara? Here are our top recommendations for hotels in Pokhara for every budget:
📍 Best Budget Hotel: Pokhara Backpackers Hostel
📍 Best Mid-Range Hotel: Hotel Middle Path and Spa
📍 Best High-End Hotel: Dorje’s Resort and Spa
FAQs: Museums in Pokhara
Which is the largest museum in Nepal?
The largest museum in Nepal is the National Museum of Nepal. It is located in Kathmandu and offers an insight into the history, art and culture of Nepal.
Why is Pokhara so famous?
Pokhara is a city in Nepal mostly famous as a holiday town and as the starting point to many trekking routes to the Annapurna region.
Many Nepalese and foreigners like to visit Pokhara and spend some time here. It is more relaxed than Kathmandu and there are many activities and options for hiking.
Is Pokhara bigger than Kathmandu?
No, Pokhara is not bigger than Kathmandu. Kathmandu is the biggest city in Nepal and Pokhara is the second biggest city.
What is Pokhara famous for?
Pokhara is one of the most popular holiday towns in Nepal. Pokhara is most famous for the Fewa Lake, hiking to the World Peace Pagoda, Begnas Lake, view of the Himalayas and day trips.
Many trekking routes also start from Pokhara into the Annapurna Region (including the Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal and Poon Hill Trek) and there are also many shorter hiking routes around the city.
How much is the ticket to the Gurkha Memorial Museum?
The price of ticket to the Gurkha Memorial Museum depends on your nationality. As of 2024, the following prices apply to the Gurkha Memorial Museum in Pokhara: Rs. 250 for foreigners, Rs. 50 for Nepali, Rs. 100 for SAARC nationals
What is the entrance fee to the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara?
As of 2024, the entrance fee to the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara is: Rs. 750 (foreigners), Rs. 150 (Nepali), and Rs. 350 (SAARC).
Conclusion
Pokhara is a great place for a holiday in Nepal and there are many activities you can do. It is mostly famous for its trekking routes, boating on the Fewa Lake or hiking to the World Peace Pagoda.
Apart from the major tourist attractions, Pokhara also have some great museums that can help you to learn more about Nepali culture and history.
If you have discovered the main attractions in Pokhara make sure to check out the International Mountain Museum, Annapurna Museum, Gurkha Memorial Museum or the Regional Museum.
