Perched on a spectacular ridge a thousand feet above the Pokhara Valley in central Nepal, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge is the ultimate “Essence of Tranquillity” in the Himalayas.
This award-winning regenerative tourism lodge occupies seven acres of biodiverse gardens and woodland. Its elevated setting offers panoramic Himalayan views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu, three peaks exceeding 8,000 meters.
Accommodations consist of beautifully crafted hand-cut stone bungalows designed to mirror a traditional Nepalese village, offering an intimate and secluded retreat. Ideal for travelers seeking both pre- and post-trek relaxation, the lodge provides an authentic farm-to-table dining experience, exceptional guided nature walks, and rejuvenating yoga and massage therapies. It is a peaceful sanctuary where conscious luxury meets deep, transformative community and environmental harmony.
Their story
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge was established in 1998 by two pioneers of tourism in Nepal. Its founders previously created Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge and Mountain Travel Nepal.
Since then, the lodge has developed from an ecotourism retreat into a leader in regenerative tourism. Its approach draws on the Nepalese hospitality principle “Atithi Deva Bhava,” meaning “Guests are Gods.” Rather than operating as a conventional hotel, the property aims to offer the atmosphere of a private Nepalese home.
Its regenerative tourism model seeks to restore nature while strengthening communities surrounding the lodge. Guest experiences also encourage deeper engagement with the landscapes, traditions and daily life of Nepal’s middle hills. Read more about them.
Sustainability actions
Lowest impact construction and operation
- The lodge was built in just over a year using manual labor to maximize local employment.
- It features guest rooms housed in hand-cut stone bungalows crafted from local limestone sourced from a community quarry 500 meters away.
- Sustainably sourced timber (primarily Shorea robusta and Pinus roxburgii) was obtained with government approval, while slate for the roofs was sourced from 50 miles away.
- External walls are plastered using a traditional mixture of local red earth, cowling, and chopped hay.
- Interiors showcase local carpentry, slate and parquet flooring, traditional hand-knotted wool rugs, and custom handmade wooden furniture.
Highest level of energy efficiency
- The lodge utilizes grid electricity, which in Nepal is 95% hydropower.
- Energy-saving measures include LED lightbulbs throughout, energy-efficient appliances, and automatic power-saving settings on office equipment.
- Staff kitchens reduce liquid petroleum gas consumption through a dedicated biogas plant powered by kitchen waste and manure.
- Minimal winter heating is provided via electricity and open fireplaces fueled by sustainably sourced wood trimmings from the property.
- Solar water heaters provide hot water for staff facilities and 25% of guest rooms, with the remainder heated using hydro-powered electricity.
- Showers are fitted with flow restrictors, and backup generators are strictly metered and used only during grid outages.
- Guest transport is transitioning to electric vehicles.
Pioneer in waste management
- The lodge weighs and monitors all waste. It sends biodegradable waste to its biogas plant, local livestock or garden compost. Staff sort and recycle dry materials.
- As a signatory to the UNWTO Say No to Plastic Campaign, the property generates no single-use plastic waste on-site.
- A dedicated, metered community borehole supplies water without affecting local users.
Using organic and chemical-free products
- The lodge prioritizes organic, farm-to-table dining with Nepalese and Western dishes, including vegan and vegetarian options.
- Its gardens produce organic salads, herbs and selected vegetables while serving as experimental plots for local crops.
- The kitchen sources remaining ingredients locally from producers across the Pokhara Valley.
Actively protects nature and community
- The lodge protects a traditional Khar Bari meadow and local woodland to support biodiversity. It has conducted monthly butterfly surveys since 2004 and participates in the annual Asian Waterfowl Census.
- More than half of its staff come from the nearby village. Its Community Support Partnership Programme also funds healthcare, education and local schools.
- A staff-led Regenerative Action Advisory Group (RAAG) monitors the lodge’s regenerative tourism impacts, recommends improvements and helps ensure its commitments translate into action. The lodge also plans to invite local community representatives to join the group.
- The property supports the Shillinge Community Forestry Project by funding a forest ranger to help prevent illegal logging and poaching.
Most Popular Activities Near Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge
- Guided day walks and hikes
- Gurung Village Walk to Thuloswara
- Walk to Begnas Lake
- Birdwatching
- Exploring local communities and rural villages
- Private yoga sessions
- Meditation
- Ayurvedic, Shiatsu, and Reiki massage
- Swimming and relaxing at the saltwater swimming pool
- Reading and relaxing in Colonel Jimmy’s Library
- Sightseeing trips and museum visits in Pokhara
- Shopping at Pokhara’s Lakeside Bazaar
- Micro-light mountain flights
- Tandem paragliding
- Golf at the Himalayan Golf Club
- Mountain biking
- Tennis
- Fishing, sailing, and boating on Fewa Lake
- White-water rafting and trekking
Best Time To Visit Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge
- The lodge is open from mid-September to mid-June each year, which avoids the heavy monsoon rains of summer. The absolute best time to visit is during the dry autumn (October to November) and spring (March to May) seasons, when the weather is pleasant, skies are clear for spectacular Himalayan views, and conditions are ideal for trekking, birdwatching, and outdoor activities.