P O K H A R A>>>>>
a paradise of Nepal>>>
Pokhara is situated at about 827 meter from sea level, and
is located 124 miles (about 200 km) west of Kathmandu and
can be reached by plane in 35 minutes or in 5 hours by bus.
Pokhara is
the next 
destination
after Kathmandu for many adventure and pleasure trips in
and around Pokhara. Pokhara is often called the enchanting
Himalayan valley with a heart of major actions and adventures.
Surrounded by beautiful snow-caped mountains, with a magnificent
lake of crystal-clear pure Himalayan water, all-year round
pleasing weather, and friendly Pokhralis will greet you
with a smile and leave you with the most unforgettable moments
in your life. So pack up your bag, load your camera, and
get ready for Pokhara experience!
For
further information regarding reservatin of hotels in Pokhara,
Lumbini, Chitwan, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur & Nagarkot and
Trekking all over NEPAL call or write us at our email address.
puspa@mos.com.np
HOTELS IN POKHARA
The climate of Pokhara is slightly warmer than Kathmandu
with daytime temperature hovering around 15 degre
es
Celsius in winter
and 35 degrees in summer. The monsoon season which lasts
from mid-June to mid-September is very wet; in fact Pokhara
records
the
highest rainfall in the country. Best time to visit is between
October and April.
The activities of foreign visitors to Pokhara focus around
two districts known as Damside and Lakeside (or Pardi and
Baidam, in Nepali, respectively). These two areas, with
their strips of hotels and restaurants, are a few kilometers
south-west of the main Pokhara bazaar.
Places to Visit
in Pokhara>>>
The Fewa (or Phewa) Lake 1.5 kilometer long, second largest
lake in Nepal, offers an excellent view of the mountains
and their reflections on the lake. Many tours and trekking
operators and hotels are located on the lakeside. One can
easily find a place to sit back, relax and enjoy great meal
while enjoying scenery here. You will also enjoy boating
on the lake. Most hotels and guest houses have traditional
designs and layouts which match with the surrounding views.
The photo on the right is of Rara Lake, another popular
lake located in Pokhara.
Fewa Lake :Top
Fewa lake, the second largest lake in the kingdom, roughly
measuring 1.5 km by 4 km, is the center of all attractions
in Pokhara. The enchanting lake is an idyllic playground.
Brightly painted wooden boats and sailboats can be rented
on reasonable cost around lakeside.
The lake is neither deep (roughly 47 meters at most) nor
particulary clean, but the water is warm and swimming is
pleasant if you don't think about the probable pollution.
The eastern shoreline of the lake, popularly known as Lakeside
or Baidam, consists of seemingly endless strip of lodges,
restaurants, bookshops and souvenir shops. One of the fascinating
parts of lakeside is the splendid view of the mountains,
especially when the still water reflects the peaks, creating
a double image.
Begnas lake and Rupa lake:
The lakes are located about 15km from Pokhara at the end
of a road that turns north from the highway to Kathmandu.
Divided by the forested hillock called Panchabhaiya Danda,
the lakes offer the perfect nature retreat because of their
relative seclusion. Splendid boating and fishing can be
done here.
Barahi temple:
This
is the most important religious monument in Pokhara. Built
almost in the middle of Phewa lake, the two storied pagoda
is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protectress
deity representing the female force Shakti. Devotees can
be seen, especially on Saturdays, carrying male animals
and fowl across the lake to be sacrificed to the deity.
World Peace Pagoda:
The pagoda is a massive Buddhist stupa and is situated
on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa lake. Besides
being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a great
vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna
range and Pokhara city. You can get there by crossing the
lake by boat and then hiking up the hill.
Seti Gandaki:Top
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! Mahendra
Pul, a small bridge near the old Mission Hospital, provides
a perfect view of the river's dreadful rush and the deep
gorge made by its powerful flow.
Devi's Fall:
Locally known as Patale Chhango (Hell's Fall), Devi's fall
(also known as Devin's or David's) is an awesome waterfall
lying about 2 km south-west of Pokhara airport on the highway
to Tansen. An interesting modern legend says that a foreigner
named David was skinnydipping in the Pardi Khola (river)
when the floodgates of the dam were opened, sweeping him
into an underground passage beneath the fall, never to be
seen again.
Gupteswar Gupha:
Gupteswar Gupha, a sacred cave, lies 2 km from Pokhara
airport on the Siddhartha Highway leading southwest from
the city. The entrance is right across from Devi's Fall
and the cave is almost 3 km long. It has some big hall-size
rooms and some passages where you have to crawl on all fours.
This cave holds special value for Hindus since a phallic
symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition
it was discovered. An entrance fee of Rs. 5 is charged and
taking pictures inside the cave is prohibited.
Mahendra Gupha:
Mahendra Gufa, locally called Chamero Odhaar ("House
of Bats"), is the large limestone cave. Shepherd boys
are said to have discovered it around 1950. A two hour walk
to the north of Pokhara, it is best to bring your own torch
to see the stalactites and stalagmites, although most of
them have been carted out by souvenir hunters.
The 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 4 km from Lakeside, the market's original
charm is alive and well.
Bindbyabasini Temple:
Bindhyabasini temple is the center of religious activity
in the old bazaar. It is dedicated to goddess Bhagwati,
yet another manifestation of shakti. Worshippers flock here
to perform sacrifices, and especially on Saturdays the parklike
grounds take on a festive fair. Top
MUSEUMS in Pokhara:
Pokhara Museum, located between the airport and Mahendra
Pul, reflects the ethnic mosaic of western Nepal. The lifestyles
and history of ethnic groups such as the Gurung, Thakali
and the Tharu are attractively displayed. Open daily, except
Tuesdays and holidays, from 10 am to 4 pm.
Annapurna Museum, also known as the Natural History Museum,
is located at Prithvi Narayan Campus east of the old bazaar.
Managed by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP),
the museum has an exceptional collection of butterflies,
insects, birds, and models of wildlife as well as samples
of various precious and semi-precious stones and volcanic
rocks. Open daily, except Saturdays and holidays, from 9
am to 4 pm. Entrance is free.
The magnificent Annapurna panorama that's visible on the
northern skyline of Pokhara is quite incredible. The main
peaks are Annapurna I to IV and the beautiful Machhapuchhare
(or Fishtail Mountaian, so named after its twin peaks).
Besides these, you can also see the Himchuli, Varahashikhar,
Gangapurna and other peaks. The
mountains will probably be hidden in the clouds between
April and September. A nice evening on the banks of Fewa
Lake with the mountain range as the backdrop is what Pokhara
is really about!
Nightlife and Entertainment :
There is not much of a nightlife in Pokhara other than dining.
The town shuts down by about 10:30 in the evening. Until
you can hang out some of the bars and pubs that are becoming
trendy in the area. Fishtail Lodge puts up an hour long
nightly Nepali cultural show with dances and such.
Around
Pokhara:Top
Pokhara is the starting and ending point for many of the
popular trekking routes in Nepal. Longer treks (one to three
week long) such as the Jomsom trek, Annapurna Circuit, and
Annapurna Sanctuary begin here. Check a book on Nepal trekking
for more details on this. Otherwise, you can also visit
this site Pilgrims Book House for information on trekking
books of Nepal.
For those with less time, Pokhara also provides shorter
(one to seven days) more leisurely treks around the neighboring
hills and villages. The popular ones are:
Ghachowk Trek: Two days, a circuit through Lhachowk to
Ghachowk and down to Batulechaur, north of Pokhara, close
up view of Fishtail mountain.
Naudanda Trek: Two days, to Naudanda from Suikhet and then
back through Kaski, west of Pokhara.
Ghorepani Circuit: Five to seven days long, upto the Gurung
village of Ghandruk village, great views of the Annapurna
range, north-west of Pokhara.
Kahun Danda: A day trip, north east of Pokhara, 1560m altitude.
Sarangkot: A day trip, great view of the mountain range
including Dhaulagiri, north of Fewa Lake, 1592m altitude.
Rupa and Begnas Lakes: A day trip, 15km south-east of Pokhara,
take a bus there and leisurely walk along the ridge that
separates the two twin lakes.
For
further information regarding reservatin of hotels in Pokhara,
Lumbini, Chitwan, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur & Nagarkot and
Trekking all over NEPAL call or write us at our email address.
puspa@mos.com.np
HOTELS IN POKHARA
Top
