Pokhara is a paradise city which
is situated at an altitude of 827m from the sea level and 200km
west of Kathmandu valley. The enchanting city with several beautiful
lakes and mountains offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan
peaks. The serenity of lakes and the magnificence of the Himalayas
rising behind them create an ambience of peace and magic. So today
the city has not only become the starting point for most popular
trekking and rafting destinations but also a place to relax and
enjoy the beauty of nature.
This is the land of Magars and Gurungs, hardworking farmers and
valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers.
The Thakalis, another important ethnic group here, are known for
their entrepreneurship.
Pokhara Climate:
The climate of Pokhara is slightly warmer than Kathmandu with daytime
temperature of around 15 degrees Celsius in winter and 35 degrees
in summer. The monsoon season which lasts from mid-June to mid-September
is very wet; in fact Pokhara records the highest rainfall in the
country. Best time to visit is between October and April.
How to get Pokhara?
You can either fly (30 minutes form Kathmandu) or take a bus (6
hours from Kathmandu).
Attraction and Sight Seeing Places
of Pokhara
Phewa Lake:
The Fewa
Lake 1.5 kilometer long, second largest lake in Nepal, offers an
excellent view of the mountains and their reflections on the lake.
One can easily find a place to sit back, relax and enjoy great meal
while enjoying scenery here. You will also enjoy boating on the
lake. Most hotels and guest houses have traditional designs and
layouts which match with the surrounding views. The lake is the
home of 17 species of native fish and 4 exotic species. The forest
and lake is the habitat of 6 species of amphibians, 14 species of
reptiles, 34 species of mammals and 104 species of birds. Out of
104 species of birds, 14 are migratory species.
Barahi Temple:
This temple is the most important religious monument in Pokhara
which is situated in the middle of Phewa lake, just offshore from
the lakeside. It takes less than 10 minutes to reach there by boat.
You can relax and enjoy the view of green forest and amazing reflection
of the Annapurna and machhapuchhre (Fishtail) Mountains on the surface
of
the lake. There is a major celebration during Dashain, the biggest
Nepali festival
in the month of October.Especially in Saturdays carrying male animals
and fowl
across the lake to be sacrificed to the deity.
Annapurna Museum (Butterfly Museum):
This Museum is also known as the Natural History Museum, situated
in the east of the old bazaar. Managed by the Annapurna Conservation
Area Project (ACAP), the museum has an exceptional collection of
butterflies, insects, birds, and models of wildlife as well as samples
of various precious and semi-precious stones and volcanic rocks.
Open daily, except Saturdays and holidays, from 9 am to 4 pm.
Bindebashani Temple:
This Temple is located on the top of a small hill at the north
end of the
old bazaar. This is believed as one of the oldest temples in the
valley and it is very famous among the Hindu devotees.
Regional Museum:
Regional Museum is located between the airport and Mahendra Bridge
& reflects the ethnic mosaic of Western Nepal. The lifestyles
and history of ethnic groups such as the Gurung, Thakali and the
Tharu are attractively displayed. Opens daily, except Tuesdays and
holidays, from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance fee is Rs.5 and there
is an extra Rs. 10 for cameras.
Tibetean Refugee Camp:
Tibetan refugees have been living in Nepal Since 1959 by the name
of Tashiling Tibetan Refugee Settlement at Chhorepatan, which is
located near two popular Sightseeing sites i.e. Davi’s Fall and
Gupteshwar Mahadev Cave. One may visit Tibetan monastery, hand-made
carpet factory, schools etc. in this community
Devis Fall (Patale Chhango):
The water flowing from Phewa Lake shows a wonderful fall.
It looks really amazing scene of rainbow with sunlight when of water
falls in the deep rocky gorge and produces the water vapour especially
in summer.
Seti Gorge (K I Singh Bridge):
It is a wonder of Pokhara. Originated from the Machhapuchhre glacier,
Seti (which means white in Nepali) River runs through the main city
area. Amazingly, at certain points the river appears hardly two
meters wide. But its depth is quite beyond imagination - in about
40 meters depth. The river provides a perfect view of its dreadful
rush before it disappears at Bagar into a deep gorge. The gorge
is visible from the bridges in the city, K.I. Singh Bridge, northwest
end of the city, Mahendra pool, Ramghat, and Prithvi Chowk areas.
K I Singh Bridge is the proper view point of this wonderful and
interesting river gorge. Looking down these bridges one can see
the white turbulent flow of the Seti through an incredibly narrow
canyon about 46 m. below.
Bhadrakali Temple:
Hindu Temple and Karma Kagyu Chhonkerling Buddhist Monastery has
situated
harmoniously on nearby small hillock, surrounded by rich luscious
forests. It is 4 km away from the Pokhara airport at Matepani. The
location is superb for the Mountain View and the view of the whole
Pokhara City. It is also a proper place for bird, butterfly watching
and a half day hike.
Matepani Monastry:
There is a splendid Buddhist Monastry on the top of the small forested
hill above Matepani east of Mahendra pool. It overlooks a large
section of the Pokhara city.
International Mountaineering Museum (IMM):
The museum is situated just 5km south from the Pokhara airport.
We can enjoy the unique view of 3 massive mountain peaks; Dhaulagiri,
Annapurna and Manaslu which are above 8000 meters. It opens daily
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Chamere Cave (Bat Cave):
This cave is located a little far form the Mahendra cave in the
west . The entrance is quite narrow but the inner part of the cave
is wide enough. The images of the elephant tusk, gods and goddess
have been craved on the inner walls of the cave. This cave is 150
meter long, 25 feet high and of the shape of “U”. This cave is famous
for the bats and gives shelter to more than 15 thousand bats of
different species.
Mahandra Cave:
Mahendra Cave located at Batulechaur. It’s a 10 minute drive from
Chipledhunga the central market place of the Pokhara city. Mahendra
cave has been named as per the Late King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah
Dev. This is also one of the most demanding tourist attraction centers
here in Pokhara. It resides in the northern settlements of the valley.
This cave is a natural tunnel which is provided with artificial
lighting systems.
