Pokhara is a popular tourist destination where, every year, a large number of tourists come and visit. The popularity of the city is due to its natural beauty, beautiful lakes, and peaceful atmosphere. It is the metropolitan area and the second-most-populated city in Nepal.
Pokhara (Pokhara Valley) is a valley like Kathmandu valley surrounded by beautiful landscapes. It has a peaceful atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and cultural attractions. Due to the peaceful atmosphere, more than 200,000 people reside in it.
Located in the Kaski district of the western region, this city has a name called the "City of Lakes". It is because there are numerous lakes and rivers in Pokhara city. There are other natural places as well, including caves and waterfalls.
Recently, Pokhara city got a unique title called “Tourism Capital of Nepal.” In a ceremony at Barahighat near Phewa Lake on March 17, 2024, prime minister Puspa Kamal Dahal officially declared Pokhara the tourism capital of Nepal.
Importance of Pokhara in Nepal's tourism industry
There is a huge importance of pokhara in Nepal's tourism industry. Pokhara is one of the important places for tourism in Nepal. This place is the starting point for the treks into the annapurna himalaya. In addition, the stunning beauty, natural caves, waterfalls, and lakes make Pokhara city one of the most prominent places in the nation.
Pokhara is the city where adventure enthusiasts can enjoy a wide range of thrilling activities, including paragliding, ziplining, whitewater rafting, boating, and other water sports. These sports are one of the reasons behind the success of the tourism industry and its contribution to Nepal's tourism industry.
This city is also home to a diverse range of cultural attractions. Some of the notable cultural attractions are World Peace Pagoda, Mahendra Cave, and the old Pokhara Bazaar. In addition, the international mountain museum and the gurkha museum are also important parts of the city’s history and culture.
In addition, the peaceful atmosphere, pristine air, and jaw-dropping views of the mountains make the city one of the tourist’s most loved destinations. The Sarangkot hill or viewpoint in the Pokhara Valley adds allure to the beauty of the city and its surroundings.
Natural Attractions
Pokhara is a city where you can find various natural places and attractions. Some of the renowned places are Phewa Lake, Devi's fall, Seti Gandaki river gorge, Mahendra cave, Rupa Lake, and so on. These attractions attract tourists from all over the world.
- Phewa Lake
Phewa Lake is a freshwater lake located in the heart of the Pokhara valley. The stunning Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges surrounds the lake. The views become more beautiful when seen in the clear water reflections.
The average depth of the lake is 8.6 meters and the maximum depth of the lake is 24 meters. During warmer months, the water temperature ranges from 20 degree celsius to 25 degree celsius. It is refreshing to go boating during the summer season.
The lake holds cultural and religious importance too. The renowned temple, Tal Barahi, stands on an island in the center of the lake. Every year, a large number of visitors visit to worship the goddess Barahi. According to hindu mythology, the goddess Barahi is the avatar of the goddess Durga.
Besides that, Phewa Lake is also popular for boating, gliding, fishing, kayaking, and so on. These activities give thrills to adventure lovers. Visitors enjoy these activities looking in the reflections of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges on the lake's surface.
- Annapurna Range
Annapurna Range is the mountain range in the Annapurna region that can be enjoyed from the various points of Pokhara city. The Phewa Lake perfectly reflects the snowcapped Annapurna peaks, including Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), Annapurna III (7,555 m) and Annapurna IV (7,525 m).
You can also see the stunning views from the Hilltop of Sarangkot. From there, views of the Pokhara valley and the Dhaulagiri ranges can also be seen. The other location to see the vistas of the Annapurna ranges are World peace Pagoda and Kahun Hill.
The presence of the Annapurna range near Pokhara city makes Pokhara one of the prime locations for trekking. From the city, you can drive to the trekking point for a number of well-known treks, like the Annapurna base camp trek and the Ghorepani poon hill trek.
- Waterfalls
There are several waterfalls in Pokhara city. Some of the notable waterfalls are Devi’s fall, Seti Gandaki Waterfall, Sarangkot waterfall, Lumre waterfall, Yamdi waterfall and Jaljala waterfall. These waterfalls are known for their natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Each waterfall has a unique charm and contributes to the beauty of Pokhara city.
Adventure Tourism
Pokhara is a popular city for adventure tourism, with stable weather conditions and stunning Himalayan vistas. Every year, a large number of tourists visit Pokhara to do various adventurous activities, including paragliding, zip-lining, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, and so on.
- Paragliding
Paragliding in Pokhara is an adventurous activity that includes flying with the paraglider and experiencing the thrill of flying in the sky with birds. The primary takeoff point of the Paragliding activity is Sarangkot hill. Beginners can go for the activity, as there will be pilot with you while flying.
- Zip lining
Zip lining is a thrilling activity in which riders use zip line to experience the rapid speeds from the soaring heights. Some of the notable thrilling zip lining routes in Pokhara are the High Ground Zip-Flyer and the Superman Zip-Line. Both routes are equally popular and give you a thrilling experience with the rapid speed from the impressive heights.
- White Water Rafting
Whitewater rafting is thrilling activity in which a group navigates a raft through fast-flowing, turbulent rivers with white water rapids. The prime location for white water rafting from Pokhara is upper Seti River. Seti River is the river that has class III/IV rapids. Some of the reputable rafting operators in Pokhara are Paddle Nepal, Rapid runner Expeditions, and White water Nepal.
- Bungee jumping
Bungee jumping is a popular adventurous activity in which a person jumps from a great height while connected to a large elastic cord. This activity is very popular in Pokhara and gives you the best adrenaline rush along with the breathtaking vistas of the snowcapped peaks. The top bungee jumping operators are High Ground Adventures Nepal, Bungy Nepal Adventure, Nepal Eco Adventure and so on.
Cultural and Spiritual Sites
Pokhara city is popular not only for adventurous tourism but also for cultural and spiritual sites. Some of the popular sites are Bindhya Basini Temple, Pokhara Peace Pagoda, Barahi Temple, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, Bat Cave (Chamero Gufa), and so on.
- Bindhya Basini Temple
Located in the Hillock of the Pokhara valley, Bindhya Basini Temple is the temple of Goddess Bindhyabasini. It is believed that the goddess Bindhyabasini was an incarnation of the goddess kali. You can see the other temples, including Saraswati Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, Shiva Mandir, Vishnu Mandir, and Ganesh Mandir, in the temple complex.
- Pokhara Peace Pagoda
Pokhara peace pagoda is the symbol of world peace. It was built in 1973 and features a large white dome-shaped Buddhist stupa. From the pagoda, you can see the stunning views of the Annapurna mountain range.
- Barahi temple
As mentioned earlier, the Barahi temple is a sacred site located in the middle of the Phewa Lake. It was built as a representation of the female force and a symbol of the manifestation of the Ajima.
- Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
Gupteshwor Mahadev cave is a religious site that features shrines, Hindu artwork, and a Shiva temple. It was discovered in the 16th century. The cave features two chambers. The sound of Davis falls can be heard from the cave.
- Bat Cave (Chamero Gufa)
The bat cave is home to a large colony of living bats on the cave’s ceiling and walls. The presence of the bat hanging in the ceiling and walls gives a unique and fascinating glimpse into the natural world.
Accommodation and Dining
There are various accommodation and dining options available in the city of the lakes, Pokhara. The top-rated five-star hotels with amenities like spas and pools are enough to fulfil the luxurious desires of any person. It seems little costly but the services and the food items are just awesome. Some of the top-rated five-star hotels are Hotel Barahi Pokhara, Bar Peepal Resort, and Temple Tree Resort & Spa.
For those who are looking for budget-friendly options, you have options like Hotel Himalayan Inn, Hotel Orchid Pokhara, and Hotel City Inn @ Fewa Lake. Hostel options like Zostel Pokhara also provide affordable shared accommodations.
In contrast, the various restaurants like Caffe Concerto, Roadhouse Café, Open House Restro and Lounge Bar, Rosemary Kitchen, LW Bar and Restaurant, and so on offer various national as well as international dish items. The Caffe Concerto is popular for its Italian dishes. If you want to enjoy everything from juicy burgers and crispy pizzas to classic Nepali dal bhat, then you can go to Roadhouse Café.
Seasonal Considerations
The best time to visit Pokhara is during the autumn and spring seasons. These seasons come with mild temperatures, stable weather conditions, less rainfall, and clear skies. The spring and autumn seasons are also called the peak trekking seasons.
In addition, the major festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Holi, and Maha Shivaratri also fall in these two seasons. During the autumn and spring seasons, you can try sports like paragliding, whitewater rafting, and activities like trekking and hiking.
The winter season and monsoon season are also good times to visit, but these seasons come with drawbacks. The winter season in Pokhara is characterized by the temperature dropping below 5 degrees Celsius. And during the monsoon season in Pokhara, there is the problem of frequent rainfall.
The major festivals that you will get to celebrate during the winter season are Christmas Day, the foreign New Year, Maghe Sakranti, and so on. The monsoon season has festivals like Dhan Diwas, Haritalika Teej, and so on.
Conclusion
Pokhara is the tourism capital of Nepal, known for its stunning natural landscapes. It is home to several lakes, waterfalls, caves, temples, and many spiritual and sacred sites. This city is also known for several activities like boating, fishing, sightseeing, trekking, paragliding, bungee jumping, and white-water rafting.
If you are a foodie and want to taste the different food items, then you can find the various restaurants and hotels that serve national as well as international dishes. So, the title, tourism capital of Nepal, is given to Pokhara city for a reason. What are you waiting for now? Pack your bags and visit Pokhara once. Trust me, you will love the city.
