Pokhara, Nepal's lake city and gateway to the Annapurna range, has been one of the more straightforward destinations to reassure travellers about since the August 2026 floods - it was never near the disaster corridor. That said, there is one practical, flood-related travel detail worth knowing before you book, so here's the complete, current picture.
Sarangkot and Nearby Viewpoints
The One Real Issue: The Road From Kathmandu
Pokhara sits in Kaski district, well outside the Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Tanahun districts affected by the August 26 flood. Phewa Lake, the lakeside restaurant and shopping strip, hotels, and the domestic airport have continued operating without interruption throughout the disaster and its aftermath. See our Pokhara Valley guide.
The Sarangkot sunrise viewpoint above the city, along with Dhampus and other short hikes in the immediate Pokhara area, are fully accessible and delivering the same clear autumn Annapurna and Machhapuchhre views as any other year. None of these sit anywhere near the flood-affected districts.
The single genuine flood-related complication for Pokhara travel isn't in Pokhara at all - it's on the Prithvi Highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara, at a landslide-prone section called Krishnabhir in Dhading district. Floodwater from the Trishuli river, swollen by the same event that struck Rasuwa, eroded the road base there, and roughly 70 metres of highway collapsed into the river in early September.
This does not affect Pokhara itself, but it does affect how reliably you can currently drive there from Kathmandu. Authorities have diverted traffic onto alternative routes and are constructing a temporary bypass track, with longer-term options including a tunnel under study.
Fly. Kathmandu-Pokhara flights are running on their normal schedule and are currently the more predictable way to make the connection, taking around 25 minutes compared to a drive that can now run longer than the usual 6 to 7 hours due to the highway diversion.
Drive via an alternative route, if you prefer overland travel. Authorities have opened routes such as Galchhi-Dhadingbesi-Salyantar-Gorkha and Benighat-Arughat-Gorkha as workarounds, though these add time compared to the standard Prithvi Highway. Ask your operator which route they're currently using and how much extra time to budget.
Beyond the road situation, Pokhara this autumn looks exactly like any other good trekking season: clear lake reflections of the Annapurna range on calm mornings, a full calendar of paragliding and boating, and Annapurna trailheads a short drive away, all running normally. The city remains an excellent, unaffected base for a Nepal trip that also includes Kathmandu, Chitwan, or an Annapurna trek.
Is Pokhara safe to travel in 2026 after the floods?
Yes. Pokhara sits well outside the districts affected by the August 2026 floods and has continued operating normally throughout, including Phewa Lake, the lakeside strip, and the Sarangkot sunrise viewpoint.
Can I still drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
Driving is currently less predictable than usual because the Prithvi Highway has a landslide closure at Krishnabhir, caused by the same flood-swollen river system. Authorities are running alternative routes and building a bypass. Kathmandu-Pokhara flights are unaffected and are the more reliable option right now.
Getaway Nepal Adventure books Pokhara stays, Annapurna treks, and Kathmandu-Pokhara transfers, and we track road and flight conditions daily to route you the smart way. Tell us your travel dates, and we'll reply within 24 hours with current conditions and the best way to get there. Visit www.getawaynepal.com to get started.
Getaway Nepal Adventure (P.) Ltd.
Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 98510 38 908
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