Pokhara Sports & Outdoors

Whether waiting for your trek to start or relaxing afterwards, paragliding in Pokhara is an amazing experience, not to be missed. There are a number of companies to choose from, with pilots from all over the world. It takes about 20 minutes to drive to the top of the local mountains and with perfect flying weather nearly all year round, soaring for hours is not a problem.

It costs from around $75 which may seem expensive compared with the price of everything else on your trip but its worth bearing in mind that this is below average cost to glide in Europe or America where conditions may be below par and I doubt you will get the curious birds of prey around you and such breathtaking views. (prices increase depending on flight length or alternative routes)

Equipment: The three largest companies in town all can be booked in Lakeside and charge similar prices for a basic flight.

Frontiers Paragliding - First paragliding company, british, runs a hawk/raptor rescue centre and the opportunity to fly with trained birds of prey - www.nepal-paragliding.com - www.parahawking.com - www.himalayanraptorrescue.org

Sunrise Paragliding - Nepali run offshoot of Frontier - www.sunrise-paragliding.com

Blue Sky Paragliding - Swiss/Nepali paragliding partnership - www.paragliding-nepal.com

Sarangkot Paragliding - a newer company, ive heard may offer discounts if you find your own way to the launch site - www.sarangkotparagliding.com

Fishing in Rupa Tal is controlled by a local cooperative, thet stocks the lake. If you go there and want to try, you will have to pay a fishing licence (50 RS) and also buy your catch at the end (small fee per kg) or donate your catch. The upside is that you will get some good advice on the way and easy boat hire, too.
Go by bike, motorcycle, jeep, taxi or local bus (ask for Tumkjaanebuskholakochaumaa!!!). Your stopping place is Kholakochau. The fishing coop is located at the end of the lake an short walk from the main settlement.

Everything is about mountains in Pokhara, the views in your eyes, the hotel names, the travel agencies advertisement, the souvenirs in the streets... all are about mountains. If you love mountains, come to Pokhara; If you don't love mountains, come to Pokhara and you will.

We had 4 or days, we wanted to do the famous trek up to Poon Hill; however, getting there mean a car trip to the starting point. Being there at a Maoist strike call period, no car dared to run. After discussing with a agency "Dawn in Nepal Adventures" the designed a trekking route Pokhara - Lumle (by car) - Chandra Kot - Laundrung - Pothana - Sarankot - Pokhara of four days.

The route is very easy for us. However, we had a wonderful chance to see the mountain, village, schools...

Equipment: Boots
water (well, you can buy it on the way. Everagely there is a village every 1 hour you walk in the mountain).
hat

You can rent a fishing rod and lure/bait in Pokhara, get a boat and go fishing. A couple of Lakeside places advertise this.
Similarily, at Begnas Tal to the east of Pokhara you can also go fishing, and lesser known, in Rupa Tal. Rupa Tal may wwell be the most beautiful, but least accessible spot for fishing.
The fish you are likely to catch are carp-style fish like roach.
Different fishing, for big game fish like masheer, can be done in the Bardia area in the Karnali river there.

Equipment: I noticed two places on Lakeside east that advertised rentals, just cannot remember any name of the places.
Myself, I brought a collapsible rod from home along with reel, line, hooks and lures.