Pokhara Things to Do

The Riverside Springs Resort is located half way between Kathmandu and Pokhara. The total distance is 200 km and Spring Resort is at the 100 km mark so plan your journey to stop here.

Having lunch here and going down to the Trisuli river beach is an amazing experience. The swimming pool is famous too.

In March and April 2009 there was much fog and haze in Pokhara, and we couldn't see the Himalayas/Annapurna Range when we first arrived. The local told us to wait for the morning after a rainfall evening. So the morning after a rainfall we went for the Peace Pagoda at 5 am and the view of Annapurna Range in sunrise at 5:30-6 am. So we where happy everytime it was a downpour in the evening, because we knew it was a chance that the rain got the haze down so we could see peaks the next day. We did the trip to the Peace Pagoda 5 times and we had nice view of Annapurna Range in 4 of them. This is where the photo above is taken from.

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You've come a long and costly way to get to Nepal but you don't have the time or energy to see the Himalayas up close? Well, there's a faster and easier way to do it. Book and fly on an ultra-light plane ride at any Pokhara travel office as late as the day before you wish to fly. The flights are operated by the Avia Club Nepal and the planes are piloted by Europeans (mine was Russian). I took the 30-min. ride which cost me about USD 161 (as of April 2011).

The cost was worth it! For a rig that's as small as a compact car that seats only 2 people (the pilot and you), with wings similar to those of hang-gliders and a single prop-engine, you're suited up, helmeted, and buckled to your seat very well. And for a guy like me who has a fear of heights, I think the ride was therapeutic.

Pokhara is supposed to be one of the best places for paragliding in the world – and it’s spectacular. Because of this, there are a couple of paragliding outfits here, offering everything from half hour tandem for first-timers, to multi-day cross country trips, to parahawking. Several of the companies also offer training, all the way to instructor.

I went with Blue Sky Paragliding for a first-timer tandem ride. It was set up really fast: we raced up to Sarangkot during a break in the weather, and within 10 minutes of getting to the field we were running off a cliff. Falling off a cliff used to be my most vivid nightmare – now I can’t wait to do it again.

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If you are wondering what you can really do at Pokhara...well,be sure you don't miss this. Sunrise over at Sarangkot. Nearly a 20 mins drive from Fishtail, you will be amaze to know that Sunrise over the mountain can be spectacular. We had an awesome time down there...together with other tourists and having waited for about 15minutes, when the sun finally came out, it was..........great!

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Walk down to the south of Phewa Tal, and you'll find plenty of places offering boats to rent. It should be about 200NPR per hour. It's a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon!

Take the boat over the lake to the island in the middle and visit the temple there - there's also a cafe.

On your way up to the view point, don't ignore Sarangkot Village. There are some pretty houses and terraced fields, and lots of friendly locals to sell you food and drink, and trinkets should you want any - there are lots of local handicrafts to choose from, the yak's wool blankets in particular are lovely (we didn't buy one from here, but did get one from Lakeside later!).

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At an altitude of 1592m (5500ft), this mountainside village lies to the north-west of Pokhara, a 2hour trek or a 45 min taxi/scooter ride away. It is best known for its panoramic views of the Annapurna range, which many people come to see at sunrise. Sadly it was very cloudy the day we went up to the top of Sarangkot, but the views were stunning nonetheless - we just caught only glimpses of Machhapuchhare through the clouds!

The best viewpoint is from the hill fort right at the top - you'll have to leave your transportation just below the village if you've come by car or scooter, and walk up through the houses and paddy fields of the village to get to it. Entry fee is 25NPR (which goes to conservation of the area according to the ticket) - the tower is a still occupied by the military, but walk around and you'll see a viewing platform. On the way out there is a small temple too (3rd photo).