NEPAL: A Country You Can Call Home Part 2 (Pokhara)

The Annapurna Range as seen from Phewa Lake

(Image from the web)

 

And God really do EXIST! The beauty of nature HE created.

 

Pokhara (Nepali: पोखरा) is the second largest city of Nepal after Kathmandu. It is the headquarters of Kaski District, Gandaki Zone and the Western Development Region. It lies 200 km west of Kathmandu; its altitude varies from 780 m to 1350 m. Three out of the ten highest mountains in the world — Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu — are within a linear distance of 50 km from the city. Due to its proximity to the Annapurna mountain range, the city is also a base for trekkers undertaking the Annapurna Circuit through the ACAP region of the Annapurna ranges in the Himalayas. (Text from Wikipedia)

Route Map from Kathmandu to Pokhara

From Kathmandu, we traveled to Pokhara by bus. We left the city at 8am. While travelling, you can see a stunning sceneries--- From  mountains, lakes, local villages, etc. We stopped by on one of the countryside's restaurant and had our buffet lunch before proceeding our journey to Pokhara. 

The countryside

 Stopped over for lunch before proceeding our journey

One of those cool cafes on the road!

We arrived in Pokhara a little before 3pm. The place was more of a tourist area. Even the side of the road reminded me of "Talipapa" in Boracay, Philippines. 

While in there, you can see the famous Phewa Lake. There are lots of hotels on the lakeside and most travellers loved it. Pokhara is also the place where The Fish Tail Mountain otherwise known as "Machhapuchhre" is located. We didn't trek to the Annapurna Base Camp. Instead, we went to Sarangkot and climbed the view point early in the morning to see the mighty Annapurna range during sunrise. Sadly, the weather wasn't very cooperative to us. We ended up seeing the range at 10am while we had our tour around the place. 

Top Places in Pokhara

*Phewa Lake*

 

Phewa Tal or Phewa Lake is the travellers’ focal point in Pokhara, and is the second largest lake in Nepal. In contrast to the gaudy tourist development of Lakeside, the steep southwestern shore is densely forested and alive with birdlife. The lush Rani Ban, or Queen’s Forest, bestows an emerald hue to the lake, and on a clear day, the Annapurna mountains are perfectly reflected on its mirror surface. (text from lonely planet)

You can either rent a boat for 600 rupees and enjoy the peaceful journey at the middle of the lake or you can just simply sit with the locals and mingle with them.
 

Spent the afternoon sitting at the lakeside with the locals

Boating Experience

The MOMO experience (The one we ate from Tibetan Restaurant was the best and only cost us 100 rupees)

*Gupteshwar Cave*

 

 It is considered as one of the most amazing and longest caves in the nation of Nepal. It is also sacred to the Hindus and a popular pilgrimage site. The presence of the statues and portraits of various Hindu gods and goddesses adds up to its sacred and religious value.

 

Inside the cave

 

*Old Bazaar*

 

Pokhara’s traditional Bazaar is colorful and so are its ethnically diverse traders. In its temples and monuments can be seen ties to the Newar architecture of the Kathmandu Valley. Located about four kilometers from Lake side, the market’s original charm is alive and well. This area strewn with shops selling commodities from edibles and cloth to cosmetics and gold is pleasant and shady spot to stroll around. The old Bazaar is also home to one of Pokhara’s most important shrines. (text from Cultural Treks)

 

 

 

*Sarangkot View Point Hiking*

 

Pokhara Sarangkot hiking situated in the western part of Nepal at an elevation of about 1700 m. Sarangkot is very popular for mountain scenery. It is one of the best hiking point and famous place to view mountain for old and weary, family with children travelers. Drive and short hiking trip from Pokhara offers a one of the best mountain view of Annapurna Himalayas & Dhaulagiri. Here you can see panoramic views of Annapurna (8091m/ 26,545ft), Manasalu (8165m/ 26,781ft), Ganesh Himal (7446m/ 24,422ft), Dhaulagiri (8167m/ 26,795ft), Machhapuchre (the sacred mountain) and 25 other mountains over 6000 meters (19,680ft) high. This area also offers you views of the Pokhara Valley with all its natural beauty and Peace Pagoda Stupa. Sarangkot is another spot renown for seeing the sunrise over the Himalayas as well as it’s a good spot for Paragliding flight those who wanted to exploring the Himalaya by Paragliding having Ultimate adventure imaginable and most unique aerial experience in Nepal. (Text from Cultural Trek)

 

 

Woke up at 4am, climbed Sarangkot viewpoint, and patiently waited for the sunrise just to see the mighty Annapurna circuit.

Sunrise above the clouds!

*International Mountain Museum*

 

International Mountain Museum- This expansive museum is devoted to the mountains of Nepal, the mountaineers who climbed them and the people who call them home. Inside, you can see original gear from many of the first Himalayan ascents, as well as displays on the history, culture, geology, and flora and fauna of the Himalaya. The museum was formally inaugurated on May 2002 by famous Everest summitters – Ms. Junko Tabei from Japan and Appa Sherpa from Nepal. Built on 12.6 acres land, with a display area of more than 4200 sq.mt, the International Mountain Museum was opened for public viewing on 5th February, 2004.

 

 

 

Temple inside the Museum

 

*Seti Gandaki River*

Flowing right through the city, the boisterous river runs completely underground at places. Amazingly, at certain points the river appears hardly two meters wide. But its depth is quite beyond imagination – over 20 meters! Mahendrapul, a small bridge near the old Mission Hospital, provides a perfect view of the river’s dreadful rush and the deep gorge make by its powerful flow.

 

 

*Tibetan Refugee Camp*

We went to Tashiling to visit the Tibetan Refugees. As what I've read, they are not allowed to work legally so what they do is, they are making handicrafts, jewelries, rugs and carpets just to have a form of income. Most travelers also donate money for them in the camps because of the outpouring of emotions.

Additional Experiences for travelers!

 

*Try to experience the Buddha Air flight or one of local air carriers in Nepal to see the view of the Himalayas from the sky. The feeling was really surreal.

Wish granted! I was able to experience Buddha Air flight just to see the Himalayan Range from above the clouds. Hihi... This was really worth every dollar!
This plane has no life vests since there was no water on our route to kathmandu or shall I say in Nepal....only lakes and rivers.. LOL! No oxygen masks too...Just put your seatbelts and yes! You're good to go!
 

*Wander the streets of Pokhara. Meet people from around the world and don't be a stranger :-)

 

If you want to go on trek or just do some touring, please visit Adventure Trekking Tour site of our Nepalese friend Jit. He can arrange everything for you from flights, transportation services, trekking guides, etc. He was our guide when we had our tour in Kathmandu. Friendly, honest and reliable. Enjoy!