According to wholevehicles, Pokhara is a city in central Nepal, located 200 km west of Kathmandu (seven to eight hours drive). This is the second most popular city in the country, it attracts tourists with picturesque landscapes and the proximity of the main peaks of Nepal – Daulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu and others. The city is located on the very beautiful Phewa Lake, here several major Nepalese treks begin, including the three-week Annapurna detour.

Only in Pokhara live unique eared Himalayan hedgehogs.

Infrastructure

Along the entire coast of the lake stretches the area of ​​​​countless hotels, restaurants and shops – Lakeside. The Damside area, similar to Likeside (or Pardi and Baidam, in Nepali, respectively), receives close attention from tourists, thanks to the busy streets with hotels and restaurants. And miniature confectionery shops will make you linger near unusual local delicacies for a long time.

Almost all interesting places in Pokhara are concentrated around Lake Phewa, where you can rent nice wooden boats and sailboats, and fishing is common on Lakes Begnas and Rupa.

The most famous place in Pokhara is the bazaar, which stretches for almost seven kilometers: literally everything is sold there.

5 things to do in Pokhara

1. To test a new sport that is gaining popularity – “para-hawk” (para-hawk), thanks to which a paraglider flies in tandem with a trained hawk, which at that moment acts as a determinant of ascending air currents.
2. Meet the sunrise at Sarangkot. To do this, you need to overcome on foot 2 hours of travel. You can take a taxi (the cost from Lake side is about 200 NPR) or come to Sarangkot the day before and spend the night here, and in the morning you can climb to the coveted mountain top in 5 minutes.
3. Take a session of “Nepalese massage” offered by charming local boys.
4. Take flights from Sarangkot Mountain. You can go with an instructor in tandem, or you can rent a paraglider or fly on your own.
5. Take part in a festive Saturday fair near the Temple of Bindbyabasini, dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati. It is easy to find him along the line of believers in the area of ​​the old bazaar.

Entertainment and attractions

The main attraction of Pokhara is undoubtedly the amazing view of the Himalayas, or rather the panorama of the Annapurna range with the five peaks of Annapurna and the southern peak.

Temple Barahi. So we got to the brightest religious pearl of Pokhara. The temple comfortably embraced an island right in the middle of Lake Phewa. Hundreds of believers come here every day to receive a blessing. To join the pilgrims, you need to rent a boat or use a public boat. The fare is 50 NPR.

Mountain Museum

There is also the only museum of mountains in the world, opened three years ago, from which a view of 3 “eight-thousanders” opens at once. The exposition of the museum is so saturated that the whole day will fly by unnoticed in its halls, and this is not surprising: Nepalese household items, clothes, tools of labor of the inhabitants of different nationalities of Nepal, a photo exhibition about the life of modern Nepal, samples of stones and fossils from the bowels of the Himalayan mountains, photographs of plants, alcoholized frogs and snakes, climbing equipment, the results of an ecological expedition that took place at the Everest base camp, and much more. Entrance to the museum costs 500 NPR, entrance to the garden – 30 NPR.

World Peace Pagoda

The World Peace Pagoda is a powerful Buddhist stupa located on a hilltop on the southern shore of Lake Phewa. The way here runs first by boat on the lake, and then through the mountain. The easiest way to get there is by bus. But the rest of the way will have to be overcome through crowds of screaming and annoying local kids who demand either a coin or a sweet. The second option is to take a boat across to the other side of the lake and climb the path through the forest. Quite a risky path, as robbers are often found in the forest. The third option is from the Dam Side area (which is located near Lake Side) through the jungle, however, to find it, you will need the help of local residents.

Dakshinkali Temple

The splendid Dakshinkali Temple is located near Pokhara at the southern end of the Kathmandu Valley. Despite the fact that the shrine hid in a dark, somewhat ghostly place, it is worth overcoming fears and personally seeing the six-armed goddess Kali, the wife of Shiva in her most bloody incarnation, to whom the temple is dedicated. Twice a week, the Nepalese make a trip here to satisfy her lust for blood, sacrificing bison, chickens, ducks, goats, sheep to the goddess on Saturday and during the Dasain festival in October.

Other attractions

The high-water, noisy Seti Gandaki River crosses the entire city. Great shots can be taken on Mahendra Puli, a small bridge near the old hospital. Gaze at Devi’s Fall, known locally as Patale Chhango (Hell’s Fall), Devi’s Fall (also known as Devin or David), two kilometers southwest of Pokhara Airport, right on the highway to Tansen. And if you drive two kilometers from the airport along the Siddhartha highway, you will inevitably find yourself in the sacred cave of Gupteswar Gupha, the place where the phallic symbol of Shiva is kept. Entrance to the cave costs 100 NPR, and by the way, filming inside the cave is strictly prohibited.

An interesting journey can be made from a trip to Mahendra Gupha, locally called Chamero Odhaar (“House of the Bat”), to a large limestone cave, the interior of which is cut by bizarre stalactites and stalagmites. The journey will take about two hours north of Pokhara. You need to take a flashlight with you.

Twice a week, the Nepalese make a trip to the Dakshinkali temple to satisfy the lust for the blood of the goddess Kali, sacrificing bison, chickens, ducks, goats, sheep on Saturday and during the Dasain festival in October.

Leisure

It would be an unforgivable omission to visit the shores of this colorful lake Fewa and not take a boat ride. Throw in another dollar and a rower will be assigned to help you. Another way to diversify your leisure time is horseback riding. The cost is about 1000 NPR for 3 hours. For bike lovers, bike rentals are available near many of the lake side hotels.

Tired of hiking, you can rent a bike to look into the village of Tashiling, where you can buy a real Tibetan carpet.

Museums

The most entertaining are the Pokhara Museum and the Annapurna Museum. The first one is located between the airport and Mahendra Puli, in its halls the expositions are imbued with the ethnic spirit of the country. The unique mosaic of western Nepal is mesmerizing. The museum is open daily, except Tuesdays and holidays, from 10:00 to 17:00. Entrance fee – 100 NPR, if you plan to shoot and photograph, you will have to pay extra.

The Annapurna Museum, known as the Museum of Natural History, located at Prithvi Narayan Campus, east of the old bazaar, is famous for its unique collection of butterflies, insects, birds and wild animals, samples of various precious and semi-precious stones and volcanic rocks. Visitors are welcome here every day, except weekends and holidays. Entrance to the museum is free.

Weather in Pokhara

The climate of Pokhara is slightly warmer than in Kathmandu. Daytime temperatures range from 15 degrees in winter to 35 degrees in summer. It is better to refrain from visiting during the rainy season, which lasts from mid-June to mid-September. The most comfortable time to enjoy the local beauties is from October to April.