Pokhara Weather in May

May weather in Pokhara

May feels hot and increasingly damp in Pokhara. Daytime highs reach 30°C, while rain falls on 17 days and clouds often cover the hills. Showers can interrupt plans, and the Annapurna views from Sarangkot may be hidden.

You can still enjoy a calm boat ride on Phewa Lake or explore the shops and cafés around Lakeside. Keep long hikes and all-day mountain-view plans flexible; wet trails and cloudy skies can spoil both.

Festivals and local days

Buddha Jayanti, which marks the Buddha's birth, may fall in May. The date changes each year, but you may see visits to Buddhist sites and local observances around Pokhara. It's a meaningful time to visit a monastery, though celebrations are usually less grand than those in Kathmandu.

For families, a short lakeside outing is easier to adjust around showers than a full day on a trail. If rain sets in, the International Mountain Museum offers an indoor look at Himalayan climbing and culture.

Crowds and practical tips

May is quieter than Pokhara's busy autumn and winter travel season. With November to April the best months overall, visitor numbers and room rates are often softer by May, before heavier monsoon rain arrives in June.

At Phewa Lake, keep your boat trip close to the Lakeside shore if clouds are building. You'll be able to get back quickly when a shower rolls in, and save the longer ride toward Tal Barahi Temple for a clearer spell. Don't count on a clear view from Sarangkot every morning.