Beautiful Scenic Pokhara Tour
Mountain Views
Hard to miss views of the 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 the east with worlds 8th highest
Mt. Manaslu (8,163m).Mountain views are seen in the comfort of the hotel rooms for more views one can take a mountain flight for 45 minutes to an hour, an Ultra Light flight or a more sporty adventure taking paragliding from the hills of Sarankot.
Phewa Lake 2nd the largest lake in Nepal, the main attraction in Pokhara adding another natural jewel to its beauty, morning time where you can view the reflection of 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’s drive east one can see while on the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara also.
Barahi Temple
One of the most important monuments in Pokhara is located in the center of Phewa Lake on a small island in a peaceful environment. This two-storied pagoda temple is dedicated to the boar manifestation Ajima, the protector deity of Hindu mythology representing female Shakti (power). A large number of Devotees can be seen on Saturday, with fowl and goats sacrificed to the deity.
Seti Gorge
Pokhara’s natural wonder view of Seti Gorge as the Seti River flows right through the city, the boisterous river running underground at places, is 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 center 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 attraction 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 exploring another nature wonder’ in Pokhara is the Mahindra Gufa (cave) people call a House of Bats, a 2 hr hike and a short of 45 minutes to the north of Pokhara (torch/flashlights 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 by visiting the old areas of Pokhara with traditional bazaars and ethnical diverse traders. Its temples reflect 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 hilltop with excellent views of the bazaar and the Annapurna mountains.
Buddhist Peace / Shanti Stupa:
An excellent next viewpoint is 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.
Sarankot Hill:
Highest hilltop 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 lakeside, this hilltop 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 the Mountaineering Association (NMA),
on 1st Nov 1973, initiated the establishment of the International Mountain Museum (IMM) in Pokhara. The basic objective for its establishment was 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 when 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
