Pokhara, a city of Nepal that bounds itself with its breathtaking nature, vibrant culture, and many adventurous activities sits in Gandaki Province. Pokhara is well-known as a tourist city in Nepal. Chances are very small that travelers or tourists have not heard about Pokhara. Places in Pokhara never fails to catch the eye of every traveler and nature lover with its spellbinding beauty to make it their destination place to visit. To make your Pokhara visit an unforgettable experience, here are the things that you must know in 2024.
By Air: One of the best ways to get to Pokhara is by air. It is the easiest and quickest way for the visitors or travelers to reach Pokhara. Domestic flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara take about 25 to 30 minutes, providing stunning aerial views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscapes of Pokhara, Nepal. Buddha air offers, at least 17 flights daily for the Pokhara from Kathmandu.
By Road: Roadway journey is an interesting way as you might have a bumpy journey through the valleys connecting with nature and the different lifestyles of Nepal. You can easily get the luxury tourist buses and private cars for a comfortable journey. It takes around 6 to 8 hours by road to reach Pokhara. However, if you are a traveler that enjoys the beautiful sceneries like lakes, rivers, landscapes then road journey can be your ultimate way.
Pokhara is a touristic place, attacting many tourist. Different places have their own charm and reason for their existence. List of top attraction places in Pokhara is listed below that you must take a tour in 2024 to bind yourself with the natural beauty in Nepal.
One of the places in Pokhara that you should not miss is Phewa or Few Lake. Fewa or Phewa Lake is the second largest lake in Nepal situated in the heart of Pokhara city. It is perfect for boating, kayaking, as well as sightseeing around. It is also well known for mirroring Mount Machhapuchhre, Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Dhaulagiri ranges on its water surface. To make your journey more meaningful, you can visit the Barahi Temple, a hindu temple located on an island in the middle of the lake. You can also roam around the lake side and enjoy the view as well as the fast foods and culinary. Night views of the lake side are also mesmerizing to see.
A well discussed place to visit in Pokhara among the tourists, travelers and adventure lovers is Sarangkot. Sarangkot, citing itself on the summit, offers the best sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayan Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu. Paragliding is the top spot that attracts the tourists as you can enjoy the captivating view of Pokhara and mountains with your naked eyes. To reach Sarangkot, you can choose to hike or take a cyle, car or taxi.
World Peace Pagoda, Shanti Stupa is a Buddhist monument built as a symbol of peace. Rooted on a hilltop, this stupa provides a panoramic view of Pokhara town, Phewa Lake, and the surrounding mountain ranges. You can choose to visit the World Peace Pagoda in Pokhara by hiking, cycling, car or taxi.
The Pumdikot Shiva Statue is a monumental statue of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, located in the village of Pumdikot near Pokhara, Nepal. The statue is in a meditative pose standing at a remarkable height of 108 feet (approximately 33 meters). Enabling it to be visible from various parts of the surrounding area. The Pumdikot Shiva Statue has become a famous tourist place, attracting tourists from Nepal and beyond.
Davis Falls in Pokhara is a unique waterfall that disappears into an underground tunnel. This tunnel is estimated to be around 500 feet in length and runs 100 feet below ground level. Its local name is Patale Chhango meaning Paatal Ko Chhango translated as Underworld's Waterfall in English. The most suitable time to visit Davis fall is in monsoon as you can witness a dramatic waterfall during this season. It is also supplied with different monuments and statues to attract tourists.
Fascinating cave yet a temple of Lord Shiva perches opposite Davis Falls. To reach the cave, you will need to go through the spiral stairs that are adorned with different Hindu god and goddesses sculptures making it a more fascinating place to visit in Pokhara. Cave also contains a place to worship the shivling. Hence if you are religious and caving people then you must visit this place.
Pokhara is rich in natural beauty and culture therefore it has many things to offer to the visitors. Likewise, it has different adventurous activities that you can choose to perform. Well known activites are paragliding, mountain flight for mountain sightseeing, bungee jumping and many more are listed below:
Trekking: To see the jewels of Nepal with plain sight, trekking is one of the best adventurous activities that you must not miss while visiting Nepal. Popular trekking routes that you can get away with are Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking, ABC (Annapurna Base Camp) Trek, Dhampus village trekking, Short Mardi Himal Trekking, Upper Mustang Trekking. These trekkings can take from 2 to 15 days.
Hiking: To enjoy the hilly area, valley and the nature around Pokhara, you can choose to hike from Pokhara that takes from 3 to 8 hours. Popular hiking tracks are Kahun danda, World Peace Pagoda, and Sarangkot etc.
Paragliding: For experiencing the thrill of flying over Phewa Lake with the Himalayan ranges of Nepal as your backdrop. Sarangkot, Pokhara is one of the top paragliding destinations in the world.
White-Water Rafting: If you are enthusiastic and would like to experience the mild rafting in Pokhara then the Seti and Trishuli rivers offer exciting white-water rafting or kayaking experiences.
Mountain Biking: The trails around Pokhara are perfect for mountain biking. Therefore, if you are into biking then, it is the best activity to choose as you can visit and sightsee the beauty of Pokhara.
Zip-lining: You can experience one of the longest and steepest zip-lines in the world situated in Sarangkot. This adrenaline-pumping activity is most popular among the adventurous activities lovers.
Pokhara experiences different weather seasons. Accordingly, Pokhara weather is never the same all year. Hence here is the guide on how you can plan to visit Pokhara according to your desired weather.
Spring (March to May): This is the most popular time to visit Pokhara. During this season, mild temperatures and rhododendrons in full bloom awaits you. It is also perfect timing for trekking and paragliding.
Autumn (September to November): Pokhara is the best location to see the panoramic views of the Himalayas. During autumn, the skies are clear, and pleasant weather is expected, making it yet another ideal season.
Winter (December to February): During winters, Pokhara offers a quiet and peaceful retreat with fewer tourists than usual. Views of Snow-capped mountains provide a magical backdrop and enhance the beauty of Pokhara.
Monsoon (June to August): This season, Pokhara is showered with heavy rain and is often off-season for tourists. However, it brings lush greenery and quieter tourist spots. Making your trip peaceful and refreshing.
Different types of accommodation are available for staying in Pokhara according to your comfort and needs. For a lavish stay, you can choose from high-end resorts, hotels and homestays with great views and amenities. Likewise, for an affordable yet comfortable stay, you can choose from a variety of hostels and guesthouses offered by the locals.
Read full Guide: Why is Pokhara famous? Flights to Pokhara, Things to Do 2024
To conclude, Pokhara is a touristic city of Nepal, as the name it has gained, it is a true to the beauty of nature, the adventure and cultural richness. Whether sightseeing or performing adventurous activities, Pokhara can be your best destination for your holiday. Alongside seeing the beauty of himalayas, you can have a taste of different ethnic foods to make your visit worth it. As you plan your visit to Pokhara in 2024, keep this guide handy to make the most of your journey.
Pokhara, Nepal, is famous for beautiful Phewa Lake, majestic Annapurna mountain range, and adventure sports such as paragliding, bungee jumping, rafting and trekking. It is also famous for its serene ambiance, rich cultural heritage. It is also a gateway to the Annapurna Circuit trek and other Himalayan tracks.
Both the cities have unique charm and attractions. Pokhara is more visually captivating due to its natural landscapes, lakes, and mountain views. On the other hand, Kathmandu is enriched with historical and cultural landmarks, bustling markets, and vibrant city life.
Pokhara's special attractions are Phewa Lake, Sarangkot, Davis Falls, World Peace Pagoda, trekking, hiking, paragliding, and bungee jumping etc.
The primary language spoken in Pokhara is Nepali. However, English is widely understood and spoken in tourist areas, along with other regional languages such as Gurung and Magar.
Pokhara, Nepal is located in central Nepal, approximately 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu.
To reach Pokhara from Gorakhpur you can follow the steps:
There are daily flights from Bhairahawa to Pokhara. However, you can also choose to take a bus or car from the Border to Pokhara directly that may take around 10 - 12 hours.
To reach Pokhara from Delhi you can take direct flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to Pokhara Airport.
Alternatively, Take a train or bus from Delhi to Gorakhpur, then follow the bus route from Gorakhpur to Pokhara or else take a domestic flights from Bhairahawa to Pokhara.