30/12/2016
Pokhara’s bewitching beauty has been the
subject of many travel writers. Its pristine
air, spectacular backdrop of snowy peaks,
serene lakes and surrounding greenery
make it ‘the jewel in the Himalaya’, a
place of remarkable natural beauty. With
the magnificent Annapurna range forming
the backdrop and the serenity of three
major lakes – Phewa, Rupa and Begnas –
Pokhara is the ultimate destination for
relaxation. Pokhara Valley, gateway to the
Annapurna region where many a trekker
finds his Shangri-la, sits high on the list
of ‘must visit’ places in Nepal.
Pokhara once lay on the important trade
route between India and Tibet. To this
day, mule trains set up camps on the city
outskirts, bringing goods from remote
Himalayan regions including Mustang.
Gurungs and Magars, who have earned
world-wide fame as fierce Gurkha
warriors, are predominant here. Thakalis,
indigenous of the Thak Khola region of
Mustang, are known for their
entrepreneurship and run tea houses
along the trek routes in the Annapurna
region.
Mountain Views:
Pokhara is blessed with stunning
panoramic views of the Annapurna range
which forms its backdrop. The
mesmerizing Machhapuchhre also called
Mt. Fishtail dominates the scenery
because of its proximity to the valley and
can be seen from anywhere in Pokhara.
Stretching from east to west, the
Annapurna massif includes Annapurna 1
to IV and Annapurna South. Further away
are seen the giants, Dhaulagiri (8,167m)
and Manaslu (8,163m).
Phewa Lake:
Pokhara owes its popularity to the
enchanting Phewa Lake, and along its
eastern shore has grown the Lakeside or
Baidam, a thriving resort town of hotels,
restaurants, bars and souvenir shops that
allow travelers to relax and enjoy. Phewa
Lake is the largest and most beautiful of
the three lakes, attracting a large number
of visitors who enjoy boating on its placid
waters. Boats can be hired, and many
visit the island temple of Barahi in the
middle of the lake.
Barahi Temple:
Located in the middle of Phewa Lake,
Barahi Temple is one the most important
monuments in Pokhara. The two-storied
pagoda is dedicated to the boar
manifestation of Ajima who represents
the female force, Shakti. Sacrifices take
place here, and the largest crowds of
devotees are seen on Saturdays.
Seti:
An amazing aspect of Pokhara is the
vanishing river, Seti, which goes
underground and disappears in many
places along its route through the city. At
various points Seti is barely 2 m wide but
its depth reaches an astonishing 20 m! A
good spot for watching the river is
Mahendra Pul at Bhimsen Chowk, a
bridge near the old Mission Hospital. Here
the river can be seen in all its ferocity
gushing down the deep gorge that it has
carved over millennia.
Devi’s Fall:
Locally known as the Patale Chhango
(Nether Fall), Devi’s Fall is a fascinating
waterfall located about 2 km south-west
of Pokhara Airport on the Siddhartha
Highway.
Mahendra Gupha:
This is a large limestone cave at a two-
hour walk to the north of Pokhara. Locally
known as the House of Bats, it is famous
for its stalactites and stalagmites.
World Peace Pagoda:
The World Peace Pagoda can be seen on
top of a hill on the southern fringe of
Phewa Lake. It has four images of the
Buddha facing the four directions. The
dome-shaped pagoda is an impressive
sight, and its hilltop location commands a
great view. It is a great vantage point
which offers spectacular views of the
Annapurna.
The Old Bazaar:
A stark contrast to Lakeside Pokhara, the
old Pokhara Bazaar, 4 km away from
Phewa Lake, is a traditional bazaar and a
colorful gathering place for an ethnically
diverse group of traders. The temples and
monuments bear a close resemblance to
the Newari architecture of the Kathmandu
Valley. The old bazaar is also home to
one of Pokhara’s most important shrines,
the Bindhyabasini Mandir, a white dome-
like structure atop a hill.
Things To Do
Museums
Climate
Access / Accommodation
Pokhara Valley has in recent years grown
as a destination for adventure sports such
as paragliding and ultra-light aircraft
flights. And with boating, bird watching,
trekking and mountain biking as other
attractions, Pokhara has it all.
MOTOR BIKING:
Nothing quite compares to the thrill of
exploring the valley on a motorbike. With
natural beauty abounding around
Pokhara, the ride is adventure packed
with thrills and excitement. The friendly
locals make the trip delightful and one
can venture anywhere in the unrestricted
valley. All you need for a great time is a
good bike and a reliable map.
BOATING:
Pokhara’s Phewa Lake naturally draws
visitors towards it. Easily the best means
of recreation, boating is a favorite pastime
which one can enjoy any time of day. The
other two lakes, Begnas and Rupa, are
located 15 km out of Pokhara. Less
visited but no less beautiful, both these
lakes are excellent for boating and fishing.
ULTRA-LIGHT AIRCRAFT:
Go up in an ultra-light aircraft and get a
sweeping bird’s eye view of the entire
Pokhara Valley. It is an exhilarating ride
that allows unhindered views of the
mountains and the scenic lakes far below.
Ultra-light flights are operated from
Pokhara Airport beginning September
through June.
PARAGLIDING:
Paragliding is perhaps the most rewarding
of short duration adventure sports given
the fact that there is nothing between you
and the scenery unfolding before you. In
the distance lie the majestic Himalayas
and down below are the villages,
monasteries, temples, lakes and jungles, a
truly bird’s eye view and a fascinating one
at that.
GOLF:
Pokhara has the space and climate
suitable for golf, and the sport was
introduced here many years ago. There
are two world-class golf courses in
Pokhara.
PONY RIDING:
It is a delightful way of getting around
Pokhara. Rides are organized by
operators for valley and the surrounding
hills.
RAFTING:
Nepal’s rivers rank high in the world of
white-water rafting, and Pokhara is
ideally situated for raft trips along its
rivers. The most popular river for rafting
is the Trishuli River, which flows along
the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway. Equally
good with plenty of exciting rapids are the
Kali Gandaki and Seti rivers.
MOUNTAIN BIKING:
Take to the countryside where you can
ride through lush green fields, delightful
little hamlets, up and down the hills,
along river banks, around temples, over
suspension bridges and along the
highway. Mountain bikes can be easily
rented from any of the numerous bicycle
rental shops in and around the city.
HIKING AROUND POKHARA:
There are hiking destinations around
Pokhara for those constrained by time to
go on longer popular treks to the
Annapurna Circuit.
SARANGKOT :
It (1,592 m) is a former Kaski fort atop a
hill 5 km west of the old bazaar.
Overnight visit to Sarangkot offers a
grandstand view of sunset and sunrise
over the Annapurnas.
KASKIKOT/NAUDANDA :
It (1,500 m) lies about three hours from
Sarangkot or 15 km west from Pokhara. It
is a soft walk through green hills and
ancient ruins with good views of Phewa
Lake, Pokhara Valley and the mountains.
KAHUNDANDA (1,520 m):
To the northeast of Pokhara, is a ruined
fort on the summit with a view tower that
offers spectacular scenery. It is an
opportunity to walk though deciduous
forests and savor rural life. Spectacular
views of the Seti River and sunrise and
sunset are the high points.
GHALCHOWK:
A five-hour walk to the north of Pokhara,
is a typical Gurung village and is one of
the region’s oldest settlements.
SIRUBARI:
It is a small village nestled on the
southern slopes of a ridge at 1,700 m.
The village is a 5-hour walk from
Pokhara, about 20 km to the northeast.
The village inhabited by the Gurungs is
small and compact with neat and clean
trails connecting the mainly stone and
slate-built houses. Sirubari won the PATA
Gold Award in 2001 for its initiative to
preserve heritage and culture.
