Map of Pokhara City
Pokhara City lies in the Kaski district in Gandaki Province. If you start your journey from Kathmandu, you can take a 20-minute flight from Tribhuvan International Airport. You can also do a 7-hour drive via road.
Getting there is quite easy no mater from what point you start your journey. On the way, you will see stunning mountain views, lush green forests, various landscapes, and amazing village life.
Facts of Pokhara
Being one of the most famous places in Nepal, Pokhara City carries many astonishing facts.
Famous as the city of 7 lakes- Here are amazing lakes such as Phewa Lake, Begnas Lake, Rupa Lake, Khaste, Kamal Pokhari, and more.
Getaway to Annapurna- Pokhara is a getaway to Annapurna Circuit that has Annapurna Ranges. You can also enjoy close views of Dhaulagiri, Macchapuchre, Manaslu, and more. Dhaulagiri is the 7th highest peak of the world which stands at 8167 m.
Barahi Mandir- This temple sits on a small island located at the center of Phewa Lake. It is a 2 stored pagoda-style temple that you must visit for a breathtaking experience.
Tourist Point- Pokhara City is a tourist point that not only attracts International tourists but domestic tourists are also fond of this place. Thanks to its natural beauty.
Best Sunrise View- From Sarangkot (Pokhara Ward 18), you can experience the best sunrise over the mountains. You will be thrilled as a photographer.
Adventures- Pokhara City has always been a popular choice for adventures and sports. From paragliding to boating and bungee jumping, hiking and ziplining, this place is best for adventures and sports.
Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave- Opposite to Davis Falls, there lies a Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave in Pokhara. This is one of the longest caves in Nepal and appears as the mysterious one across South Asia. You can include the visit of this cave while planning the trekking from Pokhara.
History of Pokhara City
The word Pokhara comes from the Nepali word Pokhari which means pond. There were numerous lakes which led to its name after ponds. Even these days, Pokhara is famous as a city of lakes with Phewa Taal, Begnas, and Khaste being the major ones.
From the 14th century, this place started a good settlement for people being ruled by the King of Kaski. The king of Kaski used to run Pokhara as his winter capital.
Back in the 17th century, this place used to be a part of Chaubise kingdom. Further, this place was a major trade route (commercial center) during the 18th century. Still, it appears as an important trading route between two big countries, India and China.
In the early settlement era, Brahmins were asked to have permanent residents there offering them land as birta. They were asked to take care of the Bindhyabasini temple. Likewise, 16 families of Newars (from Bhaktapur) were made to settle there to develop markets.
During the 1900s, a huge number of exiles from Tibet entered Nepal and many of them started living in Pokhara. Till the 1960s the place was accessible only by foot making it a difficult destination to reach. After 1968, with the establishment of Siddhartha Highway, the city started to grow as a popular tourist destination in Nepal.
Culture of the City
Pokhara is a beautiful city famous for its natural scenery, culture, traditions, and lifestyle. You can see a blend of both traditional and Western culture in this city. Being a tourist center, you can easily get access to all the modern facilities here.
Talk about the tradition, you will be thrilled by the mesmerizing Gurung culture in this region. There is a unique blend of Gurung, Magar, and Thakali traditions. Besides Gurungs and Magars, you can easily find Xetri, Brahmans, Newars, Tamang, and other ethnic groups.
While majority of people in this city observe Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity are also followed. You can also see the Tibetan lifestyle in some parts as Tibetan refugees have been settling in this area for quite a long time.
Similarly, this city shows you various folk dances, music, and traditional dresses as per different ethnic groups and religions. Isn’t there many things to do in Pokhara?
Food in Pokhara
Thakali Thali is the most famous food in Pokhara. This thali represents the typical Nepali culture of eating staple food such as daal, rice, vegetables, and achar. You can either enjoy veg or non-veg thali, you will literally be blown away by the taste.
Besides the thakali khana set, you can also enjoy sel roti, dhindo, gundruk, chhang (traditional alcohol), momo (dumplings in Nepali style with special chutney). Along with these, you can taste other national and international dishes too.
Things to do in Pokhara
While you are in Pokhara City, you must consider some of the major things to do in Pokhara.
Pokhara Lakeside- You must visit Pokhara Lakeside also known by the name Baidam. It is a vibrant town area on the eastern shore of Phewa Lake. It is a major attraction for tourists with bars, restaurants, hotels, shops, and more.
You can enjoy boating and other water activities here. Also, it is a great place to enjoy food, and drink and for shopping. You can also enjoy the views of the mountains from this place.
World Peace Pagoda- Among, the 8 peace pagodas in the world, Nepal has 2, one in Lumbini (birthplace of Gautam Buddha) and another in Pokhara. This Shanti Stupa in Pokhara is a famous Buddhist Monument to Peace.
Luckily, you can have a peaceful moment right in front of the mountain views. So, it is a must-try thing in Pokhara for both relaxation and a unique experience.
Site Seeing in Sarangkot- You can enjoy the best sunrise views over the mountains while you are in Sarangkot. You can also do paragliding, hiking, and bird watching in this place.
Hot Air Balloon- You can also enjoy a hot air balloon ride in Pokhara. This allows you to float over the Pokhara Valley and enjoy the stunning mountain views.
Trekking- One of the major things to do in Pokhara is trekking. This city is popular for its natural scenic beauty confined within Hills and sloppy lands. You can enjoy trekking in and around this city covering Hills, forests, unusual landscapes, and more.
Exploring Mountain Museum- You will have a big opportunity to explore the International Mountain Museum in this city. Exploring this museum, you will learn the history of mountaineering and the natural beauty of this place. It is a great chance to learn about the Himalayas fro, closely.
Trekking from Pokhara
Trekking from Pokhara is definitely a great opportunity that allows you to experience some of the finest things in the world. You can either enjoy a short trek of 4-5 days, or you can make it a long journey of several weeks.
Here are some of the best short trekking from Pokhara, have a look:
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of the most popular short trekking from Pokhara. This trek completed within 3-5 days and trust me, you will have a lifetime experience from this. The major highlights of this trek are the breathtaking scenic beauty of snow-clad mountains.
After several hours of trekking, you will summit the Ghorepani Poon Hill at 3210 m. The views from the top will leave you awe-struck with undeniable beauty. You will see stunning views of the Himalayas standing in front of you. Not just that, you will also see lush forests and colorful flowers offering a heavenly pleasure to this place.
Reaching this place is quite an easy job. All you need to do is start a drive from Pokhara to Nayapul. After that, you need to start trekking crossing villages like Ulleri or Tikhedunga. Soon you will reach Ghorepani Poon Hill.
Ghandruk Trek
Ghandruk Trek is another popular trekking from Pokhara. After you have landed in Pokhara, you can simply take a drive towards Ulleri. After that, you need to trek for 2 days crossing terraced fields, forests, and traditional villages.
The Gurung and Thakali culture is the main highlight of this place. You will be thrilled by the Old Gurung Museum and their special way of living. Along with Gurung and Magar dance, you can also enjoy Tharu culture in this area.
The scenic beauty, streams, forests, local food, drinks, and music will make your trek worthwhile. Besides that, this trekking is also a getaway to the Annapurna Base Camp. You can enjoy the close views of the Annapurna Ranges along with other peaks.
Dhampus Trek
Trekking from Pokhara to Dhampus is quite a short and popular journey. To get started, you need to start a drive from Pokhara to Phedi. This takes only 35 minutes. After that, you can start trekking from Phedi to Dhampus Hill.
Walking around will not be monotonous as you will be dealing with lush forests, stunning Himalayas views, villages, and farmlands. You will also witness the Gurung culture and local life closely.
Talking about the main highlight of this trek, you will enjoy the close views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Ranges. This is a must-try trekking experience while you are in Pokhara.
