| Page Views: 17,369 Last Visit to Pokhara: April, 2008 | Pokhara - the best town in Nepal by Saagar - last update: Apr 29, 2008 |
Welcome to Pokhara! | Phewa Lake and Pokhara on the far side from Tamagi |
Nearing Pokhara from Kathmandu, the road becomes more crowded, you pass a couple of check points, crossing a river on a rattling bridge, and the scenery turns more and more toward an impromptu dusty market. You have entered the outskirts of Pokhara. As you do this, consider that the first wheel here came in 1950 with the first air strip, electricity came from the Phewa Dam in 1968, and the first pakka tourists were the hippies that came as the road reached the town in the early 70-ies.
If you want a description of things past, the Irish traveller Dervla Murphy came here to assist the first Tibetan refugees in camps here in 1951 and wrote vividly about it. A book of Pokhara’s history came out recently (2002) by Adhikhari & Seddon, that gives you a good insight into this town’s rocket-like speed into the 21st century. People here have made the jump from the middle ages into the computer age in less than two decades.
Tourism in Pokhara is centred on the banks and vicinity of Phewa Lake, away from the city bazaar area. It’s mainly an R&R place before and after trekking, but also harbours some repeat Lakeside bohemian travellers. “Lake Side” or “Dam Side” is probably where you will be going to inspect your hotel, get into some other clothes (it’s quite warm here though – 880 meters above sea level), and head out for a beer and dinner. You’ll be very surprised by the laidback-ness of this place. You can lift your eyes to the skies and see the Himalayan peaks, notably the Annapurnas, Machhapuchhare and Lamjung Himal high, high up.
If you arrive in darkness, head out for something to eat and drink soon, Pokhara closes early, including the Lake Side. By 10 pm it’s just about over. If you arrived here before sunset, hire a boat and see the sun touches the 8000-meter peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Himalchuli and Manaslu Himal pink. Then head for land and any food you might desire.
If you missed the sunset, or arrived tired and late, ask your hotel for you to hire a taxi and driver and take you to the Sarangkot view point for sunrise the next morning. After the car parking it’s just a short walk and many guides’ requests later up to the viewing platform. You can get a tea here and see the sun rise – and it’s magic! Well back down again, I can recommend a splash-out at Mike’s Breakfast at the far end of Lakeside. Welcome to Pokhara!
Home page of : Pokhara Tourism Council
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| Fewa Lake, Pokhara Lake Side, Annapurna Range |
|  | Why is Pokhara best? The climate, the laidbackness, the superb starting and returning place for trekking in the Mustang and Annapurna areas. Fantastic morning views as you wake up and draw your curtains, several lakes, hiking opportunities where the pavement ends, losts of "things to do" and toursim entrepreneurs who have a lot to offer. No international gourmet restaurants here, but lots of good food, anyway, and the people are proud of their lake fish and local specialities.
Pokhara is split in two, the trade centre along the roughly north-south road Mahendrapul which constitutes the main city, and the Dam Side and Lake Side enclaves of tourism activity. The bazaar areas are the nicest and cleanest of any sizeable city in Nepal, with a good choice of goods. If staying at Lakeside as most visitors, do, do not neglect to visit the city's upper town parts, Old Bogor, Chipledhunga and the other Mahendrapul areas. There are some quality restaurants up here, too. |
| | Must see, must do things in Pokhara: to be continued... |
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| Pros: | "A great place to relax and get things done" | | Cons: | "Hard to get away from" | | In A Nutshell: | "Escape to Pokhara" |
Saagar's Pokhara Travel Tips
 Saagar's Pokhara Travelogues | | | |
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 Comments for Saagar about Pokhara | | | | |
alidoll Sun Nov 16, 2008 15:38 UTC
Thanks for the useful info :) | mantru Fri Sep 5, 2008 19:09 UTC
excellent page..will require help...if I plan to go to kathmandu in october... | into-thin-air Thu Apr 24, 2008 21:11 UTC
Another excellent page with more tips that will be of genuine benefit to the visitor to Pokhara and Lakeside, Backed up again with beautiful photos. Thank you Olav | armor2353 Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:44 UTC
I have just known a Nepalese friend and i am interested to know where he came from. your site has given me lots of information to know better my friend. thanks for pictures. |
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