Pokhara in Nepal at the foot of the Himalayas
The city is idyllically situated at the foot of the Himalayas, it has around 180,000 inhabitants and is located in a fertile and breathtakingly beautiful valley at an altitude of 827 m. The city name Pokhara is very old and translated means small lake or pond. Compared to the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, the temperatures in Pokhara are slightly higher. In the winter months of December and January the thermometer rarely drops below 7 ° C, in June it can get very hot with up to 35 °. The main attractions include the nearby peaks of the Himalayas and Fewa Lake. Trekkers feel particularly at home in Pokhara as the central starting point for their extended tours. The so-called Annapurna Loop has also been accessible to hikers since 1977. The area is also wonderfully suitable for visitors who want to experience one or two day tours. There are plenty of scenic highlights to marvel at, the many idyllic corners in and around Pokhara can best be explored by bike. The place stretches from north to south over a total length of a little more than 11 km. Pokhara consists of the three parts city center, airport area andFewa Lake. The city center is characterized by the new Mahendra Pul business district together with the bazaar district to the north.
The picturesque Gurung villages in the mountains are worth a day trip
The airport district, located to the southwest, has some expensive hotels and is considered the city’s main tourist information center. The lake extends along the west side to the dam. Along the west side is also the main tourist center of Pokhara with numerous accommodations and restaurants for all budgets. In addition to the main lake, there are two other beautiful lakes in the valley. From October to March the air is largely free of dust and then offers a particularly wonderful and idyllic view of the Himalaya massif. The population is made up of very different castes and ethnic groups, including Tibetans and Indians. Picturesque Gurung villages can be visited in the mountains around the village, they can be easily reached on foot in a few days. A visit to Pokhara and the surrounding area will be an unforgettable experience just because of the beauty of the almost untouched nature and the Machapuchare mountain. Although Pokhara is also a wonderful place just to relax, it can also be the starting point for extensive trekking tours or to visit various sights in the area. The is located directly on the northern edge of the city, on a small hill it can also be the starting point for extensive trekking tours or to visit various sights in the area. The is located directly on the northern edge of the city, on a small hill it can also be the starting point for extensive trekking tours or to visit various sights in the area. The is located directly on the northern edge of the city, on a small hillBindya Vasini Temple, in the striking structure several statues of gods can be admired.
An uninterrupted view of the Himalaya Mountains will not be forgotten
Also worth seeing and about 2 hours north of Pokhara are the Mahendra Caves, a limestone cave complex. Although almost looted by souvenir hunters, it is still worth a visit. About 3 km southwest of the airport is Devi’s Fall, also known as the underground waterfall by the locals. In several Tibetan villages around Pokhara you can visit Buddhist monasteries and buy handcrafted souvenirs.
The World Peace Pagoda, also known as the Peace Tupa, is located on the Anadu Danda ridge and can be easily reached on a day tour. Also nice day trips can be made to the other two lakes in the Rupa and Begnas valleys, about 15 km from Pokara. The tour to Sarangkot can also be easily done in one day, from the summit at an altitude of 1592 m, visitors can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Himalayas and the Fewa Valley. If you want to stay here for a few days, you will also find simple accommodation and trekking lodges on site. Another highlight that should definitely be visited is the Karma Dubgyu monastery in Manepani, richly decorated inside and outside with Buddhist ornaments. The neighboring garden with its impressive Buddha statues invites you to linger.
