A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pokhara vs. Tiger Leaping Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pokhara or Tiger Leaping Gorge?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pokhara and Tiger Leaping Gorge can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pokhara or Tiger Leaping Gorge?

Pokhara

Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

One of the deepest gorges in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge gets its name from legend, where a tiger used a great rock in the center of the gorge as a stepping stone to leap from one side to the other. It is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery on either side with the Yangtze River rushing down through its center. Visitors come to Tiger Leaping Gorge to hike and witness its natural beauty.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa.


Which place is cheaper, Tiger Leaping Gorge or Pokhara?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $19, while the average daily cost in Tiger Leaping Gorge is $41. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Pokhara and Tiger Leaping Gorge in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pokhara $3.92
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pokhara $7.84
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $26
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Tiger Leaping Gorge

Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Tiger Leaping Gorge? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Pokhara


Hotels in Tiger Leaping Gorge


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Pokhara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pokhara $7.65
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:

  • Comfortable One-Way Car Transfer from Pokhara to Lumbini: $78
  • Direct Transfers Your Private Ride Between Pokhara & Chitwan: $156
  • From Kathmandu: Luxury Sofa Seater Bus Transfer to Pokhara: $23
  • From Bungee Jumping with Hotel Transfers: $94
  • From Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with Transfers: $249
  • Kathmandu to 1-Way Car Transfer: $131
  • Kathmandu: Private Transfer From or To Pokhara: $117
  • Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
  • Pokhara Airport To Lakeside Transfer Service: $27
  • Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $170
  • Ayurvedic Spa Retreat with Transfers: $48
  • One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $78

Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Tiger Leaping Gorge?

Prices for flights to both Tiger Leaping Gorge and Pokhara change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pokhara $8.11
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $16
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:


  • Dinner for Two
    $4.51
  • Dessert (for 2)
    $3.01
  • Pastries
    $1.50
  • Dinner
    $6.39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.

  • Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
  • Nepalese Momos/ Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
  • Nepali Cooking Class Experience and Momo Making: $28
  • Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $39
  • Nepalese Kitchen in Pokhara Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $40
  • MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $41
  • 3 Hour Authentic Nepali Thakali Dish Cooking Class: $45
  • From Pokhara:3 Hour authentic fish curry cooking class: $51
  • Typical Nepali Snack set cooking class in Pokhara: $74
  • 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
  • Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River : $98
  • Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pokhara $7.28
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $15

Tours and Activities in Pokhara

Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Tourist Bus Ticket (From Kathmandu Sofa Bus ): $0.12
  • Full Day Pokhara City Sightseeing by Sharing Bus Group Tour: $6.71
  • Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $8.12
  • Sightseeing tour (Unguided) in Sharing Bus: $9.26
  • Visit Best Seven Tourist Destination by Sharing Bus: $10
  • Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Tour : 3-Hour From Pokhara: $10
  • Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $11
  • Pokhara/Baidam: Himalayas Sunrise Views from Sarangkot Tour: $12
  • Sarangkot Sunrise Spectacle: Unforgettable Tour from Pokhara: $12
  • Budget Unguided Tour By Sharing Bus: $12
  • City Tour in Sharing Bus : $12
  • Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket : $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pokhara $6.57
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $6.36


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Tiger Leaping Gorge, we can see that Tiger Leaping Gorge is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Tiger Leaping Gorge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tiger Leaping Gorge than you might in Pokhara.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pokhara Expensive? and Is Tiger Leaping Gorge Expensive?.