१३ आश्विन, २०८१
Why Visit Pokhara – the tourism capital of Nepal
By Our Correspondent
Pokhara is a major tourist destination and beautiful city based in west Nepal. It is the the provincial capital of Gandaki Province. Located 200 kilometres (120 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu, the city is on the shore of Phewa Lake (popularly known as Fewa Taal), and sits at an average elevation of approximately 822 m above sea level. The Annapurna Range, with three out of the ten highest peaks in the world— Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu —is within 15–35 mi (24–56 km) aerial range from the valley.
In 2024, Pokhara was declared as the tourism capital of Nepal. Pokhara is also a base for trekkers undertaking the Annapurna Circuit through the Annapurna Conservation Area region of the Annapurna ranges in the Himalayas.
These are the places you must visit during your trip to Pokhara.
1. Phewa or Fewa Lake
One of the places in Pokhara that you should not miss is Phewa or Fewa Lake. Fewa Lake is the second largest lake in Nepal situated in the heart of Pokhara city. It is perfect for boating, kayaking, as well as sightseeing around. It is also well known for viewing Mount Machhapuchhre, Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Dhaulagiri ranges on its water surface. To make your journey more meaningful, you can visit the Barahi Temple, a famous Hindu temple located on an island in the middle of the lake. You can also roam around the lake side and enjoy the view as well as the fast foods and culinary. Night views of the lake side are also mesmerizing to see.
2. Sarangkot
A well discussed place to visit in Pokhara among the tourists, travelers and adventure lovers is Sarangkot. Sarangkot, citing itself on the summit, offers the best sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayan Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu. Paragliding is the top spot that attracts the tourists as you can enjoy the captivating view of Pokhara and mountains with your naked eyes. To reach Sarangkot, you can choose to hike or take a cyle, car or taxi.
3. World Peace Pagoda
World Peace Pagoda, also known as Shanti Stupa, is a Buddhist monument built as a symbol of peace. Rooted on a hilltop, this stupa provides a panoramic view of Pokhara town, Phewa Lake, and the surrounding mountain ranges. You can choose to visit the World Peace Pagoda in Pokhara by hiking, cycling, car or taxi.
4. Pumdikot Shiva Statue
The Pumdikot Shiva Statue is a monumental statue of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, located in the village of Pumdikot near Pokhara, Nepal. The statue is in a meditative pose standing at a remarkable height of 108 feet (approximately 33 meters). Enabling it to be visible from various parts of the surrounding area. The Pumdikot Shiva Statue has become a famous tourist place, attracting tourists from Nepal, India, and beyond.
5. Davis Falls
Davis Falls in Pokhara is a unique waterfall that disappears into an underground tunnel. This tunnel is estimated to be around 500 feet in length and runs 100 feet below ground level. Its local name is Patale Chhango translated as Underworld's Waterfall in English. The most suitable time to visit Davis Falls is in monsoon as you can witness a dramatic waterfall during this season. It is also supplied with different monuments and statues to attract tourists.
6. Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
Fascinating cave yet a temple of Lord Shiva perches opposite Davis Falls. To reach the cave, you will need to go through the spiral stairs that are adorned with different Hindu god and goddesses sculptures making it a more fascinating place to visit in Pokhara. Cave also contains a place to worship the shivling. Hence if you are religious and caving people then you must visit this place.
Things to Do in Pokhara: Adventurous Activities
Pokhara is rich in natural beauty and culture therefore it has many things to offer to the visitors. Likewise, it has different adventurous activities that you can choose to perform. Well known activites are paragliding, mountain flight for mountain sightseeing, bungee jumping and many more are listed below:
Trekking: To see the jewels of Nepal with plain sight, trekking is one of the best adventurous activities that you must not miss while visiting Nepal. Popular trekking routes that you can get away with are Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking, ABC (Annapurna Base Camp) Trek, Dhampus village trekking, Short Mardi Himal Trekking, Upper Mustang Trekking. These trekkings can take from 2 to 15 days.
Hiking: To enjoy the hilly area, valley and the nature around Pokhara, you can choose to hike from Pokhara that takes from 3 to 8 hours. Popular hiking tracks are Kahun danda, World Peace Pagoda, and Sarangkot etc.
Paragliding: For experiencing the thrill of flying over Phewa Lake with the Himalayan ranges of Nepal as your backdrop. Sarangkot, Pokhara is one of the top paragliding destinations in the world.
White-Water Rafting: If you are enthusiastic and would like to experience the mild rafting in Pokhara then the Seti and Trishuli rivers offer exciting white-water rafting or kayaking experiences.
Mountain Biking: The trails around Pokhara are perfect for mountain biking. Therefore, if you are into biking then, it is the best activity to choose as you can visit and sightsee the beauty of Pokhara.
Zip-lining: You can experience one of the longest and steepest zip-lines in the world situated in Sarangkot. This adrenaline-pumping activity is most popular among the adventurous activities lovers.
Best Time to Visit Pokhara
Pokhara experiences different weather seasons. Accordingly, Pokhara weather is never the same all year. Hence here is the guide on how you can plan to visit Pokhara according to your desired weather.
Spring (March to May): This is the most popular time to visit Pokhara. During this season, mild temperatures and rhododendrons in full bloom awaits you. It is also perfect timing for trekking and paragliding.
Autumn (September to November): Pokhara is the best location to see the panoramic views of the Himalayas. During autumn, the skies are clear, and pleasant weather is expected, making it yet another ideal season.
Winter (December to February): During winters, Pokhara offers a quiet and peaceful retreat with fewer tourists than usual. Views of Snow-capped mountains provide a magical backdrop and enhance the beauty of Pokhara.
Monsoon (June to August): This season, Pokhara is showered with heavy rain and is often off-season for tourists. However, it brings lush greenery and quieter tourist spots. Making your trip peaceful and refreshing.
Accommodation to Choose in Pokhara
Different types of accommodation are available for staying in Pokhara according to your comfort and needs. For a lavish stay, you can choose from high-end resorts, hotels and homestays with great views and amenities. Likewise, for an affordable yet comfortable stay, you can choose from a variety of hostels and guesthouses offered by the locals.
How to reach Pokhara
By Air: One of the best ways to get to Pokhara is by air. It is the easiest and quickest way for the visitors or travelers to reach Pokhara. Domestic flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara take about 25 to 30 minutes, providing stunning aerial views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscapes of Pokhara, Nepal. For example, Buddha air offers, at least 17 flights daily for the Pokhara from Kathmandu.
By Road: Roadway journey is an interesting way as you might have a bumpy journey through the valleys connecting with nature and the different lifestyles of Nepal. You can easily get the luxury tourist buses and private cars for a comfortable journey. It takes around 6 to 8 hours by road to reach Pokhara. However, if you are a traveler who enjoys the beautiful sceneries like lakes, rivers, landscapes then road journey can be your ultimate way.
(This article is based on information available in Wikipedia, Nepal Tourism Board and Buddha Air’s official websites. Pls check with your travel agent for latest information while planning your visit. – Editor)
