Pokhara is the chill-out and hangs out place, for national and international tourists. It is worth spending some more days before and after your Himalayan adventure to the Annapurna Massif. Because there are so many significant places to visit in Pokhara while staying there. And those places are naturally and culturally very important places in Pokhara. Pokhara is a beautiful city located in western Nepal, known for its stunning natural beauty and adventure tourism activities. Here are some of the best places to visit in Pokhara
World Peace Pagoda
This Buddhist monument is located on the hilltop of Minthumki and can see from the Lakeside and surrounding areas. This beautiful white Buddhist Stupa is representing the life of Buddha, where he was born, where he got enlightened, where he gave his first teaching, and where he died. The structure of the stupa is located on the hilltop at the election of 1100m above sea level, the height of the stupa is 115ft, the diameter of the stupa is 344ft and the total area of the stupa is 215 Companies.
To go to the stupa there are two options one is hiking and one is to take a cab and drive and walk a bit. If you want to hike take a boat and cross the Phewa Lake and walk for around an hour. To cross the lake by boat there are different prices and the price differs because of the places you want to cross it will cost 550 to 850 for one way.
If you go by cab it will cost 1500 to 2000 rupees both ways and this is the easiest option to go to World Peace Pagoda. But when you drive you can not see any things like hiking from the lap of the lake to the top. While hiking there are chances to see wild animals such as Money, Deer, and many birds too. Undoughtly it is one of the most visited places in Pokhara.
Phewa Leke
Phewa Lake is the main attraction of Pokhara except for the outstanding mountain views. As already mentioned this lake is naturally and culturally very significant to Nepali travelers. The famous thing to do in Phewa Lake is boating. There are several places where you can rent a boat for one hour to the whole day package. The price will be different on your group size and only one person is not allowed to boating.
Another thing you could do in Phewa Lake is fishing, there are some places where you can do fishing and many locals do fishing every day on the bank of the lake. To do fishing you can rent a boat for the whole day or just go to one corner of the lake and enjoy the fishing. Even you can rent fishing rods nearby the shops on the lakeside and especially near Halanchowk. Phewa Lake is a place that almost everyone will visit while they stay in Pokhara.
International Mountain Museum
The International Mountain Museum is dedicated to international mountaineers who climbed world-famous mountain peaks. And all the details information about the mountains located in the world and the mountaineers who first and last climbed those snowy peaks. To visit this place is not only for the mountains and its details, but there are also displays of the culture, history, and tradition of the multi-ethnic groups of Nepal.
To be honest as a Tamang I know many things about my caste and their traditions after visiting the International Mountain Museum in 2017. Similarly, there is details information about all the different castes from Nepal such as Tamang, Gurung, Magar, Sherpa, and many more. Not only the cultural information about Nepal there is information about each continent of the world. This is one of the best places to visit in Pokhara.
David falls and Gupteswore Cave
David fall is one of the most popular waterfalls in Pokhara. It’s said that this name is after a man called David who fall from the place and died and then it’s called David fall. This waterfall is the water from Phewa Lake and it goes inside the deep gorge. David’s fall will look great during the monsoon and autumn seasons. But in winter and spring seasons the water level will be less and it is not as attractive as in monsoon and autumn.
Gupteswore Cave is another most visited place in Pokhara while traveling to Pokhara. It’s one of the prominent Hindu places in Pokhara and each year thousands of pilgrimage will worship here. Most interestingly as long as you go deep you will find the statue of the various gods and goddesses and the water from David fall too. Therefore David falls and Gupteswore cave is one of the most visited places in Pokhara.
Mahendra Gufa/ Chamero Gufa
Mahendra Gufa is the name of the late king Mahendra Bir Bikram Saha. This dark cave is also one of the most visited places in Pokhara while you are in Pokhara. It’s worth visiting there to see the internal structure of the cave. And as a belief legend, only good-hearted and good karma people can go inside the cave. Because there is a very narrow entry point and exit point of the cave.
From Mahendra Gufa just a few distances, there is another Cave called Chamero Gulf. Chamero means Bat and Gufa means Cave so this is a cave to observe the bats inside the cave. Both places will be crowded during the weekend and public holidays in Nepal.
Begnas Lake
Begnas Lake is a beautiful and serene freshwater lake located about 13 kilometers east of Pokhara. It is one of the most peaceful, beautiful, and tranquil places in the region, offering visitors a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and lost in nature’s beauty.
Begnas Lake is surrounded by lush green forests, rolling hills, and small traditional villages, making it an ideal place for hiking, cycling, and bird-watching. Visitors can also rent a boat and go for a leisurely ride on the lake, enjoying the scenic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan range and the surrounding countryside.
The lake is also a popular spot for fishing, and visitors can catch a variety of fish, including carp and trout. There are several small restaurants and cafes around the lake that serve fresh fish and other local delicacies.
The area around Begnas Lake is also famous its traditional handicrafts, such as handmade paper, pottery, and bamboo products. Visitors can buy souvenirs and gifts from the local shops and support the local people and their economy.
Sarangkot viewpoint
Sarangkot is very popular for its sunrise and sunset viewpoint as well as the mountain viewpoint too. From the top of the Sarangkot, you can enjoy the panoramic views of Machhapuchhere, Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri range, Manaslu, and other mountain ranges and the best view of Pokhara city. Located at 1600 m above sea level and has bird-eye views of the Pokhara and nearby regions.
This place is not only famous for sunrise, sunset, and mountain view this place is very popular for Paragliding as well. Every day hundreds of people enjoy the adventure sport of Paragliding from Sarangkot. To go there, there are two options by road and by cable car.
The Annapurna Butterfly Museum
The Annapurna Butterfly Museum is a small but informative museum located in Pokhara, Nepal. It is dedicated to the study and conservation of butterflies in the Annapurna region of the Himalayas. The museum was established in 2015 and is the first and only butterfly museum in Nepal.
The museum has a collection of butterflies and moths found in the Annapurna region, including some rare and endangered species. Visitors can learn about the life cycle of butterflies, their habitat, behavior, and conservation. The museum also shows the range of butterfly specimens, from tiny to large, colorful to dull, and from all stages of development.
The museum aims to raise awareness about the importance of butterflies and their role in maintaining the ecological balance. It also promotes sustainable tourism in the Annapurna region and provides employment opportunities for the local community.
Overall, the Annapurna Butterfly Museum is one of the unique and informative places to visit in Pokhara, especially for nature lovers and those interested in insect conservation. The museum is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm and charges a nominal fee for entry.
Tibetan Refugee Camp
Pokhara is home to everyone and millions of people living in this second largest city of Nepal. While you are staying in Pokhara and looking for some cultural experience then you can visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp. There are two camps where living refugees from Tibet are preserving their culture and tradition.
The Tibetan refugees sell handmade items such as bracelets, necklaces, and other many more items. Which you can buy as a souvenir for your friends and family.
Pokhara Old town
The Lakeside is the main tourist hub and most people think that the lakeside area is the only Pokhara. Pokhara is a big town and there are two different parts, the old area, and the new touristic area. In the tourist area stands mostly hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. And on the other side, in the old area live the local people of Pokhara. Visiting the old town you can encounter the real lifestyle of the local people and communities. If you want to get close to the people Old town is the most visited place in Pokhara.
Bindhyabasini Temple
Bindhyabasini Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in the heart of Pokhara, Nepal. It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Bhagwati, who is considered to be an incarnation of the goddess Durga. The temple was built in the 17th century and is one of the oldest and most important temples in Pokhara. And one of the best places to visit in Pokhara.
This temple will visit by thousands of devotees every year, especially during the Dashain festival, which is the biggest Hindu festival in Nepal. During this festival, the temple will decoration with lights and colorful banners. Visitors can also witness traditional music and dance performances during the festival.
Apart from its religious significance, Bindhyabasini Temple is also a popular tourist attraction in Pokhara. Visitors can explore the temple complex, admire the beautiful architecture, and enjoy the peaceful environment. The temple will open every day from early morning until late evening, and visitors are required to dress modestly and remove their shoes before entering the temple.
You can read this also if you need information about what to do in Pokhara.
