‘a city of warm climate on the laps of Annapurna Himalaya’
Pokhara Scenic Tour, covers two days or more within its beautiful location of mountains, green hills, valley and serene lakes in the comfort of nice hotels and resorts facing immense views of Annapurna Himal and majestic Machhapuchare the Fish Tail peak.
Introduction:
Pokhara scenic Tour located Mid West Nepal, one of the few leading and renowned touristic spot of Nepal and probably in the whole world, where nothing can beat the scenery and views like from Pokhara city and its beautiful valley.
Pokhara a mere distance of 220 k.m. driving distance west of Kathmandu, with air travel of just 30 minutes flights with sweeping views of Himalayan during air-borne.
Pokhara a charming place full of exciting scenery of rolling green hills situated on the laps of massive Annapurna Himalaya peaks with majestic Machhapuchare Himal ’Fish Tail’ peak that reflects on its calm Phewa and Begnas lakes.
Certainly a great scenic place different from busy Kathmandu city life, a peaceful and serene place offering fabulous views of peaks and unique green landscapes, while in Pokhara where you can spend your time around interesting places around Pokhara.
Pokhara with places of great interest:
Mountain Views:
Hard to miss views of massive Annapurna range which is the backdrop of scenic Pokhara. Where one can face views of Annapurna I
(worlds tenth highest at 8,091m / 26,545ft) Annapurna South (7,219m-23,693ft), Gangapurna (7,455m-24,457ft) and Annapurna III (7,555m-24,787ft) dominated by Mt. Machhapuchare ‘Fish-Tail’ (6,997 m) and extends towards east with worlds 8th highest Mt. Manaslu
(8,163m). Mountain views seen in the comfort of the hotel rooms for more views one can take a mountain flight for 45 mins to an hour,
Ultra Light flight or more sporty adventure taking a paragliding from the hills of Sarankot.
Phewa Lake:
Phewa Lake 2nd largest lakes of Nepal, the main attraction in Pokhara adding another natural jewels to its beauty, morning time where
you can view the reflection on the lakes, an hour of boating will serenade you with amazing scenery and visit the nearby island Barahi
Temple or visit the shoreline and enjoy the green Raniban (forest) surrounding with exotic birdlife. Other lakes within Pokhara valley are
Begnas and Rupa Tal an hour drive east one can see while on flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara also.
Barahi Temple:
One of the most important monument in Pokhara, located in the centre of Phewa Lake on a small island in a peaceful environment 2
storied pagoda temple dedicated to the boar manifestation Ajima, the protector deity of Hindu mythology representing female Shakti
(power) large number of Devotees can be seen on Saturday with fowl and goats sacrifice to the deity.
Seti Gorge:
Pokhara’ natural wonder view of Seti gorge as Seti River flowing right through the city, the boisterous river running underground at places,
amazing to watch as it hides in some areas with just 2 meters wide, with 20 m depth which beyond imagination, there are two areas one
can see the depth of Seti Gorge, just from the centre of local bazaar at Mahendra Pul (bridge) and just little further at KN Sing Pul (bridge)
with lovely park and garden.
Devi’s Fall:
Another attractions of Pokhara is the cascading beautiful waterfalls popularly known as Devi’s Fall, locally called as Patale Chhago (Hell’s
Fall) located just 2 k.m. south west of the city on the Siddhartha Highway a nice pleasant area with views of tremendous waterfalls,
monsoon and mid September time raging volumes of waters makes this place more interesting and impressive.
Caves of Pokhara:
There are two main caves for visiting or explore another nature wonders’ in Pokhara is the Mahindra Gufa (cave) people calls it a House
of Bats, a 2 hr hike and short of 45 minutes to the north of Pokhara (torch / flash lights recommended while visiting caves) enter for some
time and view the large limestone, stalactites and stalagmites as well the bats hanging. Another cave in Pokhara is Gufteswor Gufa just
walking distance from Devis’ fall across the street the entrance is wide with down steps with a shrine of Shiva one can head further down
to view the raging Seti River entering a channel into the cave.
The Old Bazaar:
It will be wonderful to observe the local life visiting the old areas of Pokhara with traditional bazaar and ethnical diverse traders. In its
temples reflects the Newari architecture of Kathmandu valley, although Pokhara majority are of hill people the Gurung and some Magar,
Tamang with Hindu Brahmins, Chettries and Dalits. The local bazaar has important and interesting shrines called Bindhayabasini Mandir
(temple), this white dome shaped dominates a spacious stone paved courtyard on a shady hill top with excellent views of the bazaar and
the Annapurna mountains.
Buddhist Peace / Shanti Stupa:
An excellent next view point a short hike a drive near to the top ridge of Pokhara at Shanti or Peace Stupa, located south of Phewa Lake
on a ridge top. Peace / Shanti Stupa, a Buddhist pagoda monument on a hilltop, also known as Ananda hill. Built by a Japanese monk
Nipponzan - Myōhōji Morioka Sonin with local supporters under guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii, a Buddhist head monk founder of
Nipponzan-Myōhōji. Shanti means Peace in Sanskrit, s scenic hill top facing super views of Pokhara valley and snowcapped peaks
towards north.
Sarankot Hill:
Highest hill top within Pokhara Valley offers grand panorama of Annapurna range of peaks with Mt. Machhapuchare, Mt. Manaslu, and
Lamjung Himal as far to Dhaulagiri peaks towards west, includes views of beautiful valley and its unique landscapes with Lake Phewa, a
short drive from the hotel in Pokhara lake side, this hill top offers striking sunrise and a platform for Paragliding also.
International Mountain Museum:
Another recently added in Pokhara is the Mountain Museum the first of its kind in Nepal, established and built by Mountaineering
Association (NMA), on 1st Nov 1973, initiated the establishment of International Mountain Museum (IMM) in Pokhara. The basic objective
for its establishment was made to record, document and chronicle the past and present development of mountaineering activities in the
world in general and to preserve the saga of the momentous feats in the history of mountaineering in the Himalayan peaks in particular.
The foundation stone of IMM was laid on 1 Dec, 1995. The soft opening of IMM took place on 29 May, 2002 where it was officially opened
on 5 Feb, 2004. An interesting place to gather knowledge of the mountains, expeditions, flora / fauna, geography, history of Nepal
mountaineering and more, located just near the main local area of Pokhara.
Other activities of great interest:
Besides sightseeing tour one can enjoy exciting thrill while in Pokhara joining in various adventure sports activities from Para-Gliding, Zip-
Flyer, Boating / Kayaking, a day white-water and scenic float rafting and leisure Ultra-Light flight of short times.
