Pokhara is another most famous tourist place in Nepal. The city of Pokhara is the natural wonder of Nepal with several freshwater lakes, Himalayan viewpoints, deep gorges and incredible Himalayan views seen almost from all locations from the city. Sightseeing in Pokhara Nepal takes you to such places as Gupteshwor cave, Mahendra cave, Seti River gorge, Tibetan refugee camp, mountain museum, Old bazaar, Bindebasini temple, World Peace Stupa as well as boating at Phewa Lake. Pokhara sightseeing itinerary includes one day to half-day Pokhara sightseeing tour. Phewa Lake is inside Pokhara City and it’s lakeside area is the most popular among tourists and locals alike. Besides, sightseeing at Pokhara one can go for adventure activities in Pokhara Nepal. Adventure things to do in Pokhara include paragliding in Pokhara, bungee jumping in Pokhara, zip-liner, mountain biking, pony treks etc. There are many interesting places to visit in Pokhara. Below are some of the places to see in Pokhara Nepal, City of Lakes. Almost all of these places can be visited during Pokhara Sightseeing tour.
1. Phewa Lake
2. Begnas lake and Rupa lake
3. Barahi temple
4. World Peace Pagoda
5. Seti Gandaki
6. Devi’s Fall
7. Gupteswar Cave
8. Mahendra Cave
9. The Old Bazaar
10. Bindbyabasini Temple
11. International Mountain Museum
12. Himalayan Vista
13. Nightlife and Entertainment
14. Buddhist Monastery
1. Phewa Lake
Phewa lake is the prime highlight of Pokhara City. The lake is the second largest lake in Nepal. Boating in Phewa lake is refreshing and one can visit the little island at the center of the lake. There is a small Hindu temple ‘Tal Barahi’ on this island. It’s a two-storied temple dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protectress deity representing the female force (Shakti). Tourists including locals and Hindu pilgrimages visit this temple. Boats can be hired at the lake’s shoreline. The lakeside area in Phewa Lake is the tourist hub, same as Thamel in Kathmandu, with many restaurants, pubs, hotels, lodges, bars etc. The only difference between lakeside Pokhara and Thamel is that lakeside is more relaxed and laid-back than Thamel with much cleaner and fresh air.
2. Begnas lake and Rupa lake
Begnas lake and Rupa lake are located outside Pokhara City at 15 km distance. Both of the lakes are closer but divided by a forested hillock called Panchabhaiya Danda. These two lakes are much quitter with a laid-back environment and less crowded if compared to Phewa lake. One can go boating or fishing as well. Both of the lakes offer the perfect natural retreat. These an easy hiking trails in and around Begnas and Rupa lakes.
3. Barahi temple
Barahi temple also known as ‘Taal Barahi temple’ is located on an island at almost the center of Phewa Lake. It’s a two-storied pagoda-styled temple and visited by locals and foreigners alike. The temple is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protectress deity representing the female force (Shakti). You need to take a boat from the shoreline of Phewa lake to reach the temple. Especially on Saturday’s devotees come here to worship the goddess with animal sacrifices.
4. World Peace Pagoda
World Peace Pagoda probably is the most popular tourist attraction in Pokhara. It is located atop a hill just to the southern shore of Phewa lake. Four faces of Lord Buddha can be seen facing all four directions in peace pagoda. Since being at a hilltop, World Peace Pagoda commands spectacular Himalayan panorama like the Annapurna range including a beautiful view of Pokhara City. One can reach the peace pagoda by a short drive from Pokhara. Alternatively and to make it more interesting, you can cross the Phewa lake by boat and hike uphill to the pagoda.
5. Seti Gandaki
One of many of Pokhara’s natural wonders is the Seti Gandaki River. It flows right through the city and at places runs completely underground. Remarkably, the river appears hardly two meters wide at certain points. But its depth is quite an beyond imagination – over 20 meters! Seti rivers’ dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by its powerful flow can be visible from Mahendra pul which is a small bridge near the old Mission Hospital.
6. Devi’s Fall
Devi’s fall (Hell’s fall) is located in Gupteshwor Cave and two kilometers south-west of Pohara airport. It is a fascinating waterfall and it’s beauty is epically seen during the monsoon season (Jun-Aug). During summer the fall drains out and you can actually go to the bottom of the waterfall via Gopetshwor cave since they are both connected to each other. The local name of Devi’s fall is ‘Patale Chhango’. Legend has it that a trekker (Devin, David.) was washed away by the Pardi Khola and mysteriously disappeared down into an underground passage beneath the fall, never to be seen again.
7. Gupteswar Cave
Gupteswar Cave is located just opposite Devi’s fall. This cave is very interesting and adventurous to visit since it has different natural forms made from limestone deposits. It has some big hall-size rooms and some passages where you have to crawl on all fours. Gupteswar cave is a sacred cave where a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered. It is suited 2 km from Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway leading southwest of the city. The entrance to Gupteswar cave is right across from Devi’s Fall.
8. Mahendra Cave
Mahendra Cave is another tourist attraction and natural wonders of Pokhara. The cave is locally called as Chamero Odhaar (“House of Bats”). Though shorter in distance, it is a large limestone cave. It was said to have been discovered around 1950 by shepherd boys. While visiting the cave you are suggested to bring your own torchlight to see the stalactites and stalagmites.
9. The Old Bazaar
The old bazaar of Pokhara is a traditional bazaar dating back a long time with its ethnically diverse traders. The typical old Pokhara bazaar is very different than the lakeside area of Pokhara and is about 4 kilometers from Phewa lake. Old bazaar has lines of shops selling commodities from edibles and cloth to cosmetics. The temples and monuments around the old bazaar bear a close resemblance to the Newari architecture of Kathmandu Valley. The bazaar still holds it’s old charm besides some cropping large concrete buildings. Pokhara’s one of the important temples ‘Bindabasini temple’ is inside the old bazaar. This white dome-like structure dominates a spacious stone-paved courtyard built atop a shady hillock.
10. Bindbyabasini Temple
Bindbyabasini Temple is the oldest temple in Pokhara and is the center of religious activity in the old bazaar. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati. Legend has it that the main deity of the temple, Goddess Durga, was brought from India when Pokhara was a part of Kaski Kingdom. Many sacrifices are performed here by the worshippers. The temple premises also offer a good view of the Himalayas on a clear day.
11. International Mountain Museum
The International Mountain Museum (IMM) was built with the objective of recording, documenting, exhibiting and chronicling the entire past up to the present day. It was established for the development of mountain and mountaineering activities in the world. many mountaineering clubs and associations as well as individual donors from around the world have big support for International Mountain Museum has received. It was established with the theme ‘Man, Mountain and Mountain activities around the world’ by Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). The whole of the display area inside the museum has been divided along the theme.
12. Himalayan Vista
Pokhara offers great Himalayan panorama where Mt. Fishtail ‘Machhapuchhre’ is seen almost from all locations of the city. Mt. Annapurna is visible from the northern skyline of Pokhara. The main peaks are Annapurna I to IV. Besides other mountains are also visible such as Himchuli, Varahashikhar, Gangapurna and other peaks. Though between April and September, the Himalayas can be hidden beneath the clouds. One of the most popular pictures of Pokhara is the view of Mt. Fishtail on the Phewa lake.
13. Nightlife and Entertainment
There are lots of places for entertainment in Pokhara at it’s trendy pubs, restaurants, bars but there’s not much nightlife in Pokhara besides dining and the town shuts down by 10.30 pm. But until you can hang out at some of the bars and pubs which are becoming trendy in the area around lakeside. A luxury lodge, Fishtail Lodge, puts up an hour-long nightly Nepali cultural show with dances and such.
14. Buddhist Monastery
The Buddhist monastery of Pokhara is located in the eastern part of Pokhara. It’s located on a hillock from where a good view of Pokhara city can be seen. The monastery was built in the 1960s. Manang is one of the most popular stopping points located Annapurna Circuit trek. Many monks reside in Manang.
