Pokhara Valley tour takes to 200 km west of the capital. It is the adventure capital of Nepal since all the treks in the Annapurna region begin here in Pokhara. You can also do other adventure activities in Pokhara. This lake city Pokhara is beautified by massive peaks of the Annapurna Range.
The reflection of the crowning jewel Mt. Fishtail (6,993m) on the Phewa Lake is beyond description. Pokhara is also the entrance for trekkers and climbers heading into the Dhaulagiri Massif and tens of other treks in the region. Often more than not, Pokhara is called the “Lake City” due to the presence of more than seven prominent lakes and ponds.
To reach Pokhara, you have a couple of options. One is via airway by flying from the Kathmandu Airport in about 25 minutes. During the flight, you can experience the magnificent view of the Himalayas. The snowcapped peaks of Manaslu (8,163m), Annapurna (8,091m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167m) regions come into your sight.
Similarly, the amazing landscapes occupied by lush valleys, high altitude villages and green forests are other beauties. The distinct outlooks of Terai, Hilly and Mountain regions make the journey more memorable. The major rivers of this region and the cultivated lands with seasonal crops and vegetables further make trip a lifelong memory.
Alternatively, you can drive to Pokhara along the Prithvi Highway. It is one of the oldest highway of the country and moves along the banks of the Trishuli River and the Marsyangdi River. You go across the Motel Du Mugling by enjoying the distant view of the Himalayas and wonderful landscapes. If the time favours, you can also reach Bandipur, the Queen of the Hills en route.
Popular Attractions of Pokhara Valley
Lake Fewa:
Fewa is the second largest lake in Nepal and the iconic signifier of Pokhara. The eastern shore of Lakeside is the place to be with hundreds of hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and shopping centers.
Lake Begnas & Lake Rupa: Seekers of peace head out to Begnas before even entering proper Pokhara. Secluded Begnas is the perfect natural retreat for nature lovers who can take a boat out into the lake and float for hours or spend the time fishing.
Lake Temple of Barahi:
Located within Lake Fewa, the temple of Barahi cannot be missed by visitors to Pokhara. It is a two-storied Pagoda-style temple dedicated to Goddess Barahi.
Peace Pagoda:
This is yet another iconic structure that is almost always visible from the Shores of Fewa and every other hotel in Lakeside. Reaching there takes over an hour’s drive from Lakeside; and frequented specially for the views of the mountains above and the valley of Pokhara below.
Devi’s Fall:
It is a wonderful waterfall, about five minutes’ drive from Pokhara Airport. It’s a strange geographical formation in which one cannot see the water that has just fallen from a waterfall as the waterfall falls into a crevasse whose bottom is invisible. A mystery for a long time, people ultimately tracked the flow of water that seemed to appears about two kilometers away on the Seti-Gandaki River. The Fall, as popular saying goes, was named after a person whose name sounded like “David” or “Dennis” or “Devis” or simply “Devi” – that ultimately transliterated into “Devi’s Fall”, which is what it is called today.
Mahendra Cave:
Named after a visionary king of Nepal, these caves are another of nature’s wonders in Pokhara. This huge limestone cave is home to bats but people go inside with the help of light. A 30 minute drive from Lakeside, it houses some wonderful display of stalactites and stalagmites – just don’t forget to bring your flashlight.
Seti-Gandaki River:
This river has water that is as white as milk – in fact it is whiter than milk, per se. The rapid and turbulent river of Seti-Gandaki cuts through the middle of the city but at different places, it runs completely underground. At first sight, the river might appear narrow, like just two meters across but in reality it is very very deep – going over 45 meters in some places.
Sarankot:
Located around 11 kilometres away from Pokhara City, you drive along Pokhara-Baglung Highway to reach Sarangkot. It is a foothill station located at 1,600m which is the launching site for many adventure sports events. Hot air ballooning, paragliding, zip flyer are some of them. You can try one of them during this Pokhara Valley tour.
It is also popular for the sunrise and sunset view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Massifs. On a clear day, you can have the distant view of Manaslu (8,163m) and Ganesh Himal Range as well. Moreover, the view of the lakes and the Pokhara Valley makes you feel as if you were in a piece of heaven!
Museums:
Apart from different natural and touristic places, Pokhara also has a few couples of museums. These display centres have preserved different things of natural and cultural wonders in the form of models. The International Mountaineering Museum located at Rato Pairo (Red Landslides) gives you the quick view of the Himalayas and their biodiversity. The lifestyle, history, culture, geology including flora and fauna of the Himalayan regions are preserved here.
The Gurkha Museum in north of Mahendra Pul preserves the noble history of the Brave Gurkhas created in the World Wars. You can visit the Regional Museum at Naya Bazaar to see the eastern culture, tradition and lifestyle. You can get the knowledge about the ethnic communities of Magar, Gurung, Thakali, Tharu, Rai and Limbu.
The Gurung Museum of Shaktighat near the Seti River displays the traditional rites and rituals of this community. You can also observe the traditional utensils, customs and costumes of the Gurung people. The Annapurna Natural History Museum inside PN Campus is a reliable source to see a large collection of butterflies, insects, birds and models of fauna found in the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). The Fisheries Research Centre’s Fish and Environment Museum at Lakeside, Pokhara facilitates you to see nearly 28 fish species found in Nepal.
Discover these and tens of other attractions in this valley. Just spend a week in Pokhara and enjoy your time in the true cradle of Nature.
FAQs:
1. Why should I book Pokhara Valley Tour?
Pokhara Valley Tour is one of the top city tours in Nepal. It takes you around the most popular tourist destination of Nepal. Pokhara City is also called the Lake City as there are many lakes. You can visit these lakes including other natural and cultural landmarks. You can visit Devi’s Fall, Temples and museums to have the blissful environment of these sites.
You can drive or fly to Sarangkot to have the best sunrise view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Massifs. From here, you can try some adventurous activities like hot air ballooning, paragliding, zip flyer, etc. Pokhara has more than one expects to give to the national and international tourists coming here.
2. Can I customize Pokhara Valley Tour?
Yes, Sure! You can cut this itinerary into just 3 days or extend it more than a week. You can extend it to Annapurna Circuit trekking or Annapurna Sunrise View Trek. Likewise, you can drive to Chitwan National Park and Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha as well. For the customized tour package in Nepal, you can contact www.orbitalpineadventure.com.
3. What is Pokhara Valley Tour cost?
Pokhara Valley Tour cost depends upon the itinerary, customization and type of luxury you want to have. Orbit Alpine Adventure provides you the best day tour package in Nepal at the most reasonable cost. For more details, visit www.orbitalpineadventure.com.
4. How far is Pokhara from Kathmandu?
Pokhara is not much far from the Capital City Kathmandu. You can reach their by flight in about 25 minutes via a domestic flight. You will have aerial view of the Himalayas and amazing landscapes during the flight. Alternatively, you can drive along the Prithvi Highway in about 6 hours. The road goes along the banks of the Trishuli River and the Marsyangdi River. On the way, you can also have the enchanting view of the snowcapped peaks of Manaslu (8,163m), Ganesh Himal and Annapurna (8,091m) region. The trading centers and cultivated farmlands are also other attractions of this journey.
