Pokhara
-- An Adventurous Paradise in Nepal
Pokhara is another iconic destination that has become the face of travel in Nepal. The gateway to the mountains, Pokhara’s paradisiacal surroundings has been the subject of intrigue for many travellers. Located between the Great Himalayan and Mahabharata Ranges, Pokhara occupies the central place in the heartland of Nepal. Outlined by the snowy Himalayas, picturesque greenery and centered on serene lakes, Pokhara is the prized treasure of Nepal. Three out of ten world’s highest peaks thrive around this valley. The three iconic lakes of Phewa, Rupa and Begnas add on to the surreal atmosphere of this enchanting location.
Contrastingly, the valley is also famous for relaxation as well as adventure of all sorts. This unique combination makes Pokhara exceptional in every right.
Mountain Views
The valley offers incredible sights of Annapurna and Machhapuchhare (Mt. Fishtail) mountains. The mountains can be seen from anywhere in Pokhara. Such is the magnificence of the valley that is the gateway to all adventure activity in Nepal. The famous mountains to look out for in entire Pokhara Annapurna massif include Annapurna I to IV and Annapurna South. The gigantic mountains like Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Manaslu (8,163m) can also be seen here from a distance.
Phewa Lake
Phewa is the center of attraction during a visit to Pokhara. The second largest lake in Nepal, Phewa is seen as an icon of the country’s surreal lakes. Along the eastern banks of this lake large tourist activity can be seen in the string of hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops where tourists can relax and enjoy the surreal surroundings around the placid waters. Boating on Phewa is another enticing attraction here.
Varahi Temple
Varahi Templeis one of the most important temples of Pokhara. The pagoda style temple is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the representative of Shakti. Located in the middle of Phewa Lake, the temple can be visited over a boat and is visited by a lot of devotees on Saturday.
Seti
Theremarkable facet of Pokhara valley, Seti is a vanishing river for which tourists look out for. It disappears at many places along its route through the region. At some points, the river has mere 2 m depth and at other points it is as deep as 20 m. It forms an interesting option to explore the variations in the course of this river. Good location where the river in its gigantic form can be seen is the Mahendra Pul at Bhimsen Chowk.
Devi’s Falls
Locally known as the Patale Chhango, Devi’s Fall is a fascinating experience to witness the gushing waterfalls. The waterfalls’ beauty is at its peak during monsoon seasons
Gupteshwar Mahadev Gupha
The natural cave, Gupteshwar Gufa is a large limestone cave famous for its stalactites and stalagmites. The cave complex also enshrines natural formations of Shiva as per Hindu mythology. Also known as the house of bats, the cave’s magical interiors can be visited with the presence of guides only.
World Peace Pagoda
Nepal has two of the eighty world peace pagodas established by Japan. One such peace pagoda is established on the southern mountain top along Phewa Lake. Like other peace pagodas worldwide, the white dome shaped structure offers greatly commanding views from the height. Being surrounded by Annapurna range, the pagoda visit surely is an incredible experience to look out for in Pokhara.
The Old Bazaar
The Old Bazaar offers the bustling side to the usually serene Pokhara. Four km away from Phewa Lake, the Old Bazaar is a traditional market and a colorful location to buy a lot of ethnic Nepali souvenirs. The temples and monuments in the marketplace are inspired by the Newari architecture of the Kathmandu Valley and lend a heritage mark to the valley.
Begnas and Rupa Tal
Besides Phewa, two other serene lakes, i.e. Begnas Tal and Rupa Tal are also seen as an icon of the city. The peaceful and relaxing setting of both the lakes makes it a perfect location for boating.
How to Reach Pokhara
Air – Regular flights from Kathmandu can be taken to reach Pokhara Directly
Road – Pokhara can be reached from India Border at Sunauli and also from Kathmandu via roads.
Best time to visit Pokhara
Oct–Mar is the ideal time to visit the valley. During this time, the mountains reveal their impeccable grandeur.
Festivals of Pokhara - Pokhara Street festival (28 Dec–1 Jan every year.) Enjoy food and cultural shows in the valley. Also, celebrate the Nepali New Year in Pokhara in April; dates vary as per Nepali calendar.