Pokhara
Chances are that you've already heard of Pokhara. It's the "Gateway to the Annapurna" and where many treks either start or 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, there are 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 yet, rent a rowing boat and paddle across to the other side of the lake, which isn't yet overdeveloped. 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," 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 lakeshore 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 lakeshore available locally too.
Himalayan Paragliding
A tandem paragliding flight with a qualified pilot and the entire Annapurna range as your backdrop is pretty hard to beat. Flights are usually from Sarangkot in the morning 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
A truly exhilarating, 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! On request, we can arrange a microflight to see the Annapurnas from up high and up close and personal.
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 to gentler cycling, complete with a guide, mountain bike, and safety helmet, and additionally with vehicle support (if desired) upon request.
Zip Line
It claims to be the world's fastest and 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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