Pokhara City Travel Guide -
Nepal
General Information Of
Pokhara
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Population 95,000
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Altitude 915 m above sea
level
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Languages Nepali, Newari
and English
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Best Time to Visit
October-March
STD Code 061
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Introduction to city Pokhara - In
Nepal
The biggest tourist destination in Nepal after Kathmandu,
Pokhara is a subtropical valley surrounded by lofty Himalayan
peaks. The name Pokhara has been derived from pokhri, a word in
Nepali signifying pond. In earlier times the place was a big
lake. Today in addition to the town, there are three major lakes
namely, Phewa, Rupa, and Begnas here. Due to its nearness to the
Himalayan peaks, Pokhara is home to some of the most beautiful
vistas in the world. The abrupt changes in the altitude makes
the place even more exciting.
Pokhara does not have a long history. It was founded in the 16th
century by Gurungs. The construction of two national highways in
1970’s marked the phase of modern development here and in no
time it became a well-known hippie hideout. Today, Pokhara is
the centre of river rafting industry and starting point of some
of the most exciting treks besides being an important
administrative and commercial centre in Nepal. The town
landscape has changed a lot in the last few decades and a
concrete jungle has came up to satisfy needs of ever increasing
number of visitors. But Pokhara has still maintained its small
town image that is best experienced during the off season.
Sightseeing : Places to visit in destination - Pokhara
There is no better place in Nepal that can give you exciting
sights of lofty Himalayan ranges and that too in the relative
comfort of subtropical climate. Pokhara is the most exciting
view point in Nepal giving you the magnificent sights of major
Himalayan ranges such as Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri,
Machhapuchhare and Lamjung. The centre of all tourist activities
in the town is Lakeside, on the shores of Phewa Lake. The town
has many more natural as well as man-made attractions such as
Begnas Tal and Rupa Tal,
Bindyabasini Temple, Mahendra Fall, Deep Gorges, Devi’s Fall,
World Peace Pagoda and Tibetan Refugee Camp.
Pokhara Sightseeing :
Places to visit in destination Pokhara
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Places to visit in the city Pokhara |
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PHEWA LAKE - Pokhara
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The second-largest lake in Nepal, the Phewa Lake is also
the most important landmark of Pokhara. The Lakeside here
is the centre of the activity. It covers almost half of
the eastern shores of Phewa Lake. Most of the hotels,
restaurants, shopping and souvenir stores and recreational
centres are located here. Take a stroll along the shores
of the lake to get yourself acquainted with the main
tourist district of Pokhara. You can also enjoy boating,
fishing and swimming in this beautiful lake. |
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VIEW POINT (POKHARA) -
Pokhara
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Pokhara is an excellent place to view the beauty of
majestic Himalayan peaks. Annapurna (7129 m), the 10th
highest peak in the world is situated just 24 km away from
here. You can spend hours just appreciating its splendour.
However Annapurna is not the only range to appreciate from
Pokhara. The northern skyline is full of major peaks like
Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Machhapuchhare (6997 m), and Lamjung
(6983 m). These peaks coupled with Annapurna make Pokhara
a unique place in that from here you can enjoy such
magnificent views in the comforts of sub-tropical
surroundings. |
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BEGNAS TAL AND RUPA TAL -
Pokhara
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Phewa is not the only lake in Pokhara but one of the seven
lakes in the valley though not all are as large as Phewa.
Rupa and Begnas Lakes are among the larger lakes situated
approximately 15-km east of Pokhara. Both of the lakes are
twin bodies of water separated by a low ridge and worthy
of half-day visit. |
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TEMPLE OF
TAL VARAHI - Pokhara
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In the middle of the Phewa Lake, on an island, is located
Tal Varahi Temple. You can take any of the colourful boats
available from Varahi Ghat to reach the temple.
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BINDYABASINI TEMPLE -
Pokhara
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The temple is oldest structure in Pokhara built by Newari
traders in the 16th century. You will have to negotiate a
long flight of steps to reach the temple, whose main
shrine is dedicated to Goddess Durga. There is a new Shiva
Temple and a small Buddhist monastery at the base of the
temple. |
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MAHENDRA CAVE - Pokhara
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A limestone cave with stalagmites and stalactites,
Mahendra Cave is an important religious as well as natural
attraction. You can see images of many Hindu gods and
goddesses on the walls. The images are said to have been
formed naturally. |
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DEEP GORGES - Pokhara
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Seti river flowing across Pokhara has created many gorges,
most important being the Seti gorge. The fascinating
vistas of these deep and narrow gorges can be best viewed
from Mahendra Pool. |
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DEVI’S FALL - Pokhara
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Known locally as Patale Chhango or Hell’s Fall, this fall
has many other names including David or David’s Fall. The
fall derives its source from the Phewa lake’s water that
flows out at the south end into the Pardi Khola, a stream
which shoots down suddenly into a hole. Situated one
kilometre from Pokhara, the fall has some good pre-monsoon
swimming places to its left and behind. |
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WORLD PEACE PAGODA -
Pokhara
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The pagoda is situated across the Phewa lake on top of the
hill. To reach the Pagoda you will have to row to Hotel
Fewa and then take the trail behind it to the top.
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TIBETAN REFUGEE CAMP -
Pokhara
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Situated across the road from Devi\’s Fall, the Tashling
Tibetan Village has been set up by the Tibetan refugees,
whose primary occupation is selling jewellery and
souvenirs. There is a shed where wool is dyed and spun for
carpets and a Tibetan Children\’s Village for orphaned
Tibetan children in Nepal. |
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Excursions : Places nearby city -
Pokhara
The Pokhara Valley is home to splendid viewpoints, rivers and
trekking routes that delve deep inside the Himalayan ranges. It
is also a heaven for river rafters who flock the river Seti,
which flows across Pokhara Valley, to indulge in this
adventurous sport. This milky white river also forms many gorges
that present the fascinating views to the visitors. Situated to
the north of Phewa Tal is Sarangkot, a peak from where
you get splendid view of the valley and mountains surrounding
Pokhara.
Pokhara Excursion : Places
nearby Pokhara - Nepal
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Places to visit nearby destination - Pokhara |
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Sarangkot
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Sarangkot is one of the highest viewpoints in Pokhara,
presenting magnificent sights of the valley and Himalayan
peaks. The 1592-metre summit is crowned by ruins of a kot
or stone fortress of Kaski Kingdom. From here you can get
the stunning sights of Phewa Tal, Dhaulagiri, the
Annapurna range, and Machhapuchhare. For a clear view, get
up pretty early or stay overnight in any of the lodges
just below the summit. |
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Seti River
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Seti in the local language means white and this river
couldn’t have a better name. The milky waters of Seti
River flowing across Pokhara make it a sight of attraction
here. The reason behind the river being white is the
limestone rich soil which after mixing with the water
changes its colour. |
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