Pokhara
Chances are that you've already heard of Pokhara. It's the "Gateway to the Annapurnas" and where many treks either start and finish, or both!
Pokhara has always had a "laid back" reputation and that's certainly true when compared to Kathmandu.
The main city of Pokhara holds little, if any, interest to the visitor and so Pokhara is really all about "the lake", Phewa Tal and the numerous hotels, cafes, restaurants and bars that are found and increasingly becoming crammed into the "Lakeside" and "Damside" areas. Pokhara itself is basically "touristy".
From Pokhara Airport it's a mere 15 minutes or so by vehicle "into town".
There's a couple of museums including the International Mountain Museum
Pokhara is also renowned for its extensive views from Dhaulagiri to Manaslu, with Fishtail, the Annapurnas, Gangapurna and Mardi Himal in between. There are no 'middle hills' to obscure the Himalayas here. Then there's the pleasing, sub-tropical climate and at only 900m above sea-level, no altitude issues either! The popularity of Pokhara just seems to increase and perhaps isn't as "laid back" as it once was. But, it's still a lot calmer and less frenetic than Kathmandu, and at least you can breathe! You should still be able to find some peace and quiet in one of the many cafes on the lake shore, or better still rent a rowing boat and paddle across to the other side of the lake, which isn't yet over-developed. The views across the lake and to the Himalayas are nothing short of mesmerising.
In recent years Pokhara has also become the "adventure capital of Nepal" too, with various "adrenalin activities available to give you a thrill.
Day hikes
Two of the most scenic day walks include the popular sun rise view point of Sarangkot (1592m), as well as the World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) located on top of a hill on the "other" side of the lake. Of course you can always enjoy an easy stroll along the lake shore too. You can of course get a taxi to either location and avoid most of the rather stiff ascents then just have a short walk to the viewpoints and hike back down. We can arrange a day hike to Sarangkot, or to the Shanti Stupa with a guide upon request.
Another alternative is the viewpoint of Kahun Danda (1443m). Although lower than Sarangkot it's not as busy for sunrise and is a slightly easier hike too.
If walking isn't your thing, then there are pony treks along the lake shore available locally too.
Himalayan Paragliding
A tandem paragliding flight, with a qualified pilot and with the entire Annapurna range as your backdrop is pretty hard to beat. Flights are usually from Sarangkot in the mornings to catch the rising thermals. We can arrange this on request including pick up and drop off from your Pokhara hotel. Dependent upon the prevailing weather, the flight duration is around 40 minutes and soaring effortlessly like a bird with the lake beneath you and the Himalayas behind you is a truly memorable experience.
Microlight flight
Truly exhilarating, a thoroughly exciting and dramatic way to get outlandishly close-up views of the mighty peaks of the Annapurnas is to take a microlight flight. Not for the feint hearted, but if you've got the nerve a flight affords you Himalayan scenery on an epic scale! We can arrange a microflight to see the Annapurnas from on high and up close and personal on request.
Mountain Biking and Cycling
The Annapurna foothills and the countryside around Pokhara afford many, varied opportunities from saucy singletrack and technical mountain biking to more moderate cycling on the various dirt roads that link a multitude of villages in the Pokhara area. We can arrange a day or half day of anything from full on mountain biking or gentler cycling complete with a guide, mountain bike and safety helmet and additionally with vehicle support (if desirable) upon request.
Zip Line
It claims to be the world's fastest, longest zip line and it's said that speeds of up to 90mph can be achieved as you plummet down the side of Sarangkot with the Himalayan peaks whizzing by. We can arrange this activity, including hotel pick up and drop off upon request.
See our hand-picked Pokhara Accommodation for suggestions as to where to stay.
Read our Nepal Travel Guide
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