Pokhara is the second most important town in Nepal, and Kathmandu is significantly different from it. The air is clearer, the mountains are nearer and the peace here generally relaxes. The water sparkles more than it does in Kathmandu when you are ready in and around the city for one of the many outdoor adventure activities. Some reasons for visiting Pokhara during your stay in Nepal, are as follows:
List of 10 Best Reasons to Visit Pokhara, Nepal:
1. It is the door to the region of Annapurna
Pokhara is a tourist hub, despite its charm because it is the gateway to the western part of the Annapurna area of Nepal. In general, it refers to the Annapurna, the Dhaulagiri, and the Kaligandaki River Valleys regions.
It has been popular with travellers for a long time as it houses a variety of landscapes, cultures, and walking paths. The mountain view is one of Nepal’s best, but travel is usually straightforward. Trekking in the Annapurna means usually starting and finishing in Pokhara, and this is a convenient way to Trek.
2. Fewa Tal Paddling
Fewa Tal, bordered by forest hills with the sharp fishtail of Macchapucchare on one side, is the watery gem of Pokhara. You can reach here in various ways, rent a larger boat, hire a small boat, and take a few passengers, or take a kayak or other boat out alone. A favorite activity is paddling in the lake in Pokhara.
You can either paddle across the lakeside from the Lakeside Promenade area or just float down in the center and enjoy the smooth water views. In hot seasons it is possible to swim from your boat, but you should paddle offshore before that because the water has weeds (and is not clean) near the shores. It is also recommended that you paddle offshore.
3. Sarangkot Day Walk
If you can’t go for a long hike in the Annapurna Himalayas due to a shortage of time or otherwise, a day walk to Sarangkot is a good alternative. There are several routes to this point, but the southern trail that starts on the lake is the most popular.
The trail is mostly forested and rather steep, but it is worthwhile to see Pokhara and the snow-covered highlands. During sunrise and sunset, Sarangkot is especially busy. You’ll have to drive rather than walk if you want to see the sunrise.
Also Read:
4. Paragliding
The paragliding point in Pokhara is Sarangkot. If you are interested in gliding gracefully above mountains and lakes, try paragliding. Because of the spectacular views of the lake and mountains and the stable air currents, Pokhara is known to be one of the world’s best paragliding destinations. Pokhara is also the world’s only place you can try to paraglide!
This less-known sport of adventure combines paragliding with falconry and conservation since flights earn revenue in projects for the protection of vultures. Rescued and refurbished prey birds are accompanied by the aircraft. They can guide gliders to the best air thermal systems since they naturally conserve energy when they fly.
Also Read: 10 Popular UNESCO Heritage Sites in Nepal
5. The lookout for Shanti Stupa
Head towards Shanti Stupa (also called the Peace Pagoda) for a short, easy alternative to walking in the Sarangkot view. This one isn’t ancient, unlike most stupas in Nepal.
It was established in 1973 by Nipponzan-Myohoji, the Japanese Buddhist sect. Similar stupas have been created all over the world symbolizing peace in the world. As it sits on the top of a hill, the views of Pokhara down to the Himalayas from the stupa are spectacular.
Also Read: 10 Popular Festivals of Nepal
6. Visit the International Museum
It was opened in 2004 and is a short drive from central Pokhara, under the leadership of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. The museum contains historical, cultural, and geologically, plants, fauna, wildlife, and the people who live and have climbed the Himalayas.
Externally, there is a ten m high climbable model of Mount Manaslu, which is one of the highest peaks in the area, as well as a wall of 21 m if you can’t climb a mega-peak of the Himalayas!
Also Read: 20 Best Places to Visit in Nepal 2022
7. Relieval
Although in Pokhara there are plenty of outdoor activities and excursions, there are many indoor activities as well that you can do here.
There are numerous excellent spas, yoga, and meditation studios, and swimming pools for all budgets. In Pokhara, all you can do is simply relax or combine relaxation with more active activities.
Also Read: 10 Popular Reasons to Visit Kathmandu
8. Excellent nightlife and food
The Pokhara region of Lakeside offers some of Nepal’s best international food (as well as plenty of Nepali options, of course). Pizza, Vietnamese, Italian, Indian, Spanish, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, nearly every food you might want is available here.
The bars and cafes on the lakefront, which offer a fantastic view over the water and mountains, are particularly good to visit. There are many places to enjoy great Happy Hour drinks, so you can relax while watching the sunset, sky, and lakes.
Also Read: Top 10 Reasons to Visit Nepal
9. Hot Winter Weather
In contrast to the 1400 meters of Kathmandu, Pokhara is 827 meters high. For much of the year, it is therefore considerably warmer. Although Kathmandu is never really cold, it could be quite chilly in December and January.
These are the perfect months to go to Pokhara which is warmer, and sunny all day long. Although a rather small city, it’s a must-visit location while in Nepal – in a beautiful environment – in the shadow of the Himalayas and next to a lake.
Thus, we have seen in detail, why you should visit Pokhra. So next time you are in Nepal, don’t miss going to this place.
See more information about Nepal:
- How to Spend 5 Days in Nepal
- 10 Famous Places in Nepal to Visit in December
- 10 Delicious Food in Nepal
- Nepal’s 10 Popular Tourist Places to See in Winter
- 10 Best Offbeat Destinations in Nepal
- Best Time to Visit Nepal
- 20 Most Popular Destinations to See in Nepal
- 10 Famous Reasons to Visit Kathmandu
- Complete Travel Guide to Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal
