Aroma Tourist Hostel

We arrived in Pokhara with no plans and had only booked a few nights, but Hari and Indra, who run the place, welcomed us like family. We had no idea how to arrange a trek, and Hari handled all the logistics and came with us on the five-day Mardi Himal trek. He also took us paragliding and cooked a nice BBQ for our last day. Indra invited us to visit his family village, where we experienced authentic village life and Nepali culture. Whenever we had a question or problem, they took care of it. I’ve never had such an amazing hotel or hostel experience, and I’ll definitely come back :)

The rooftop view at sunset was lovely, and in the morning I could watch flocks of birds from up there, which I especially appreciated as a bird watcher. The area is quiet, with lots of delicious restaurants within walking distance. The accommodations were nice, the showers were hot after a sunny day, and the price was very reasonable. I enjoyed my stay a lot. 10/10 recommend, especially for a small group.

After staying several weeks, the owner, Hari, and manager, Indra, felt like great friends. They’re passionate about welcoming travelers and helping however they can. Hari offered to guide us on the Mardi Himal trek as a certified A level guide, and to take us paragliding as an experienced pilot. Both were adventures of a lifetime. Indra welcomed us to his family’s Gurung village on the outskirts of the Pokhara area, where we had a rare, unforgettable experience with lovely people living a traditional Nepali (Gurung) lifestyle. The hostel makes a great base in Pokhara: close to Lakeside and the main places to go out, but far enough away that you can hear birds from the back window. It felt like home away from home, with family away from family.

I spent a week at this beautiful hotel. There’s a coffee table outside the room where you can sit with tea and chat while taking in the scenery. The rooftop has a nice view too, and you can hang clothes there to dry. My room was clean, the shower was hot, and the view of Pokhara and the lake was beautiful. The staff and owner were very friendly.