Pokhara
Nepal · Gandaki · 822 m
Description
Pokhara (पोखरा) lies on Phewa Lake with the Annapurnas standing almost directly above it, and is the country's second tourist city and the staging point for most Annapurna treks. The peak that dominates the skyline is Machhapuchhre, a sharp fishtail ridge of just under 7,000 metres that has never been climbed because it is held sacred. The lakeside strip of Baidam is a long row of guesthouses, gear shops and cafés, with rowing boats crossing to the island temple of Tal Barahi and the World Peace Pagoda on the ridge opposite. Sarangkot above the town is the classic sunrise viewpoint and the launch site that has made Pokhara one of the world's busiest paragliding centres. Away from the water there are limestone caves, the gorge of the Seti and the International Mountain Museum.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 5 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: March – April or October – November
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Phewa Lake (Phewa Tal)
- World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa)
- Sarangkot Sunrise Viewpoint
- Tal Barahi Temple
- Boating on Phewa Lake
- Davis Falls (Patale Chhango)
- Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
- Paragliding from Sarangkot
- International Mountain Museum
- Bindhyabasini Temple
- Lakeside (Baidam) Promenade
- Annapurna and Machhapuchhre Panorama
- Pumdikot Shiva Statue
- Old Bazaar (Purano Bazaar)
- Mahendra Cave
- Bat Cave (Chamere Gufa)
- Seti River Gorge
- Gurkha Memorial Museum
- Zipline Pokhara
- Ultralight Flights over the Annapurnas
- Bungee Jumping and Swing at Hemja
- Rafting on the Seti River
- Kayaking on Phewa Lake
- Begnas Lake(Day trip)
- Yoga and Meditation Retreats
- Dhampus and Australian Camp(Day trip)
- Buddha Diyo Stupa and Matepani Gumba
- Tibetan Refugee Settlements (Tashiling and Tashi Palkhel)
- Annapurna Butterfly Museum
- Regional Museum Pokhara
- Cycling around the Pokhara Valley
- Lakeside Cafés and Street Food
- Rupa Lake(Day trip)
- Astam Village Hike(Day trip)
- Panchase Hill Trek(Multi-day trip)
Getting there
- Airports:
- PKR