Places To See In Nepal

Pokhara Valley

The Pokhara Valley stands one of the most picturesque sites of Nepal. Some believe it to be the Nepalese Paradise in the ecological sense. The perpetual beauty of the valley is enhanced by its three renowned lakes including Fewa, Begnas and Rupa which own their natural resource in the glacial sector of the Annapurna Range of the Supreme Himalayas. The Annapurna Range is virtually the abode of five major peaks, namely Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV and Annapurna South. The scenic beauty of the tall water-fall also makes our trip more enchanting; it is called Devis Fall. The mighty deep gorge of the Seti River, the Mahendra Cave, the K.I. Singh Bridge, The Mahendra Bridge, the Tibetan Settlement are too seeing worthwhile. Pokhara Valley owns the second biggest woolen industry of Nepal; most of the rugs are woven in Tibetan design. The valley is also abound of Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples. One interesting shrine is the 'Barahai' belonging to a blood-thirsty Hindu Goddess. It is located in a solitary island within the Fewa Lake where animal slaughters are not uncommon scenes as part of the religious ritual called 'Puja.' Pokhara is a major point which forks out to many different trekking destinations. A fabulos mountain flight in viewing the western Himalayan Ranges of Nepal also starts from here and ends here; it is an hourly air trip handled by the domestic airlines. The striking landmark is none other than Mt. Machhapuchhre (the metaphorical usage of Fish-Tail) though located at a far distance direct to the magnetic north. Pokhara is situated a little over 200 kilometers west of the capital city and is connected by air as well as by surface route. It also proves a via-point in plying to Baglung, Shyangja and Tansen. There are many panoramic and interesting places to pay decent visits outside the Kathmandu Valley. Most of them can easily be reached from Kathmandu by surface-route or air-route. Others we are afraid you must follow up the trek-route which is often lead through sloppy rough trail.

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Fewa Tal (Lake)

The lake in the immediate vicinity of the city is the Fewa Tal with an island temple dedicated to Goddess Barahi in the middle. With its serene water reflecting the Annapurna Range and nicely reserved woods on the adjoining southern slope, this legendary second largest lake of the kingdom is indeed a source of attraction for the visiting tourist. This lake can also be enjoyed by swimming and boating.

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Begnas Tal & Rupa Tal (Lake)

These twin lakes lie to the north-east of Pokhara Valley about 15 kilometers away from the airport. The road to Beganas follows Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway (the Prithbi Highway to some) as far as Sisuwa near the police check post and branches off the road towards north. It is possible to fetch a bus-ride to the damside of Begnas from the city. A small hill called Pachbhaiya which separates the two lakes can be reached in 30 minutes on foot from the Begnas bus stop. From a convenient point on this hill one can overlook the twin lakes on either side. These two lakes provide an opportunity for angling, canoeing, sun-bathing and bird-watching.

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Mountains

The moment you step into any part of Pokhara the first thing that takes you to a spontaneous delight is the gorgeous view of the gigantic mountains.

Pokhara is, in fact, the first and foremost convenient point for mountain-oriented sightseeing. Mt. Annapurna, literally meaning the Goddess of Abundant Harvest, lies at a horizontal distance of 40 kilometers from the valley of Pokhara which remains at an elevation of just 900 meters above the mean sea-level. Here is a clear clue for the identification of mountain peaks visible from Pokhara. At the extreme left isolated from the massif is visible the peak of Mt. Dhoulagiri (8,167 m.). In order to have a clearer view of this peak, however, it is advised to proceed to the south-east direction of the valley past the airport. On the extreme left of the massif, the bumpy peak in the foreground is Annapurna South (7,219 m.). A little beyond the South Peak in the background lies Annapurna I (8,091 m.). The most imposing pyramidal peak in almost central fore-ground is Mt. Machhapuchhre (Fish-Tail 6,997 m.). Slightly east and back of this peak lies Annapurna III which almost looks like the back of a camel.

Between Annapurna III (7,556 m.) and the nest mountain with a characteristic rocky right flank which is Annapurna II (7,937 m.) lies Annapurna IV (7,535 m.). Separated from the main massif of the Annapurna, one mighty mountain appears on the right; Lamjung Himal (6,983 m.). Finally in the east Manaslu and Himalchuli can be well spotted. For a long panoramic view of the mountains from Dhoulagiri in the west to Ganesh Himal in the distant east, you can drive as far as Titunga behind the Institute of Forestry, Ram Bazaar in the south-eastern part of the Pokhara Valley. This view point can also be approached from Pokhara airport by heading south-east parallel to the narrow gorge of the Seti River and finally crossing the river over a natural stone bridge called Dhungesanghu on the left side of the Mahat Gaunda village

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Mahendra Cave

It is another interesting natural site across the Seti River past Batulechour village in the north of Pokhara Valley. It is one of the few stalagmite-stalactite caves found in Nepal. The cave has not yet been fully explored and it conceals more than the present first galleries. A flashlight is worthwhile to explore the interior.

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Sarangkot

Bindabasini Temple along a ridge road to Sarangkot. Annapurna range and overlook the valley of Pokhara to enjoy the eye fast of the east. A view tower has been built on the top of Sarangkot hill at an elevation of 1,600 meters.