Pokhara, known as the tourist capital of Nepal, is a beautiful city located on the lap of the Annapurna Region. With a rich cultural background and countless attractions and activities to explore, Pokhara is one of the most visited places by tourists in Nepal. From treks, day hikes, cultural explorations, cave visits, and adventure activities, you can do it all in Pokhara.
Mainly known among the trekkers as the gateway to the Annapurna Region, this city also has a wonderful market and food culture. From beautiful landscapes to an abundance of activities, this article features everything you can do in Pokhara. Moreover, we've tried to cover the true essence of this wonderful and vibrant city in the lap of the Himalayas.
Best Hidden Places To Visit In and Around Pokhara
Let's start with something out of the box. Various hidden attractions in Pokhara are lesser known to people. Let's look at some of such attractions in Pokhara:
Rupa and Begnas Lake
Located far away from the city's bustle, Rupa and Begnas are two beautiful freshwater lakes. Both are situated in the Kaski district, about 20 kilometers from Pokhara and are perfect for a weekend retreat. Unlike the busier Phewa Lake, they are more quiet and peaceful, offering visitors a tranquil environment. As both of the lakes are located close to each other, you can visit both at once.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Nirmal Pokhari
It is an underrated viewpoint close to Pokhara. It offers a 360-degree view of the city, Phewa Lake, and the surrounding hills of Pokhara. It is a perfect photography spot, offering beautiful sunrise and sunset views. It is around 8 km away from Pokhara city.
Sikles Village
This is one of the largest and most beautiful Gurung villages near Pokhara. At an elevation of 1981 meters, this village offers breathtaking views of Lamjung and Annapurna Ranges. It is about 40 km northeast of Pokhara. Spring and autumn would be the perfect time to visit Sikles.
KahunDanda
Also known as Kahun Danda, it is an underrated hilltop offering beautiful views of the snowcapped peaks. Unlike Sarangkot, which is almost always crowded, this is a perfect alternative for a similar experience. Kahun Danda is around 8 km from Pokhara.
Non-Touristy Things to Do In Pokhara
While Pokhara is an ideal tourist destination, there are still many “non-touristic” activities that you can try while in Pokhara. You can hike to one of the lesser-known destinations, like Methlang. While most tourists choose popular spots like the World Peace Pagoda, you can step outside of the box. Methlang provides similar views to World Peace Pagoda and usually has fewer people on the trails.
Enjoy a fishing experience at Rupa or Begnas Lakes. If you want to try something different, skip the boat rides at Phewa Lake and instead head to Rupa or Begnas Lake, where you can see lots of locals fishing. You can join them for a unique experience.
Another non-touristy thing to do while in Pokhara is to take a cooking class with a local family. As an outsider, you can learn how to make their signature dishes like momo, dal bhat, or Newari cuisines.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Unique Experiences In Pokhara
Pokhara is a place that's more than just paragliding or boating. If you're looking for lesser-known or unique experiences, here are some amazing things you might want to try:
- Visit a local tea garden and try an organic tea: One of the best tea gardens around Pokhara is in Lwang Village, about 1.5 hours from Pokhara. This village offers organic teas sourced directly from the tea gardens. You can also learn their way of making tea.
- Spending a night at a treehouse: This might sound unusual, but that's the fun in it. Skip the regular hotel or resort stay in Pokhara, instead stay in a treehouse in the middle of the forest. The Happy Treehouse and Eco Resort near Pumdikot offers this unique experience, which you might want to try.
- Explore hidden waterfalls and caves: Instead of visiting the stereotypical Devi's Falls or Mahendra Cave, explore the Bhujung Waterfall near Sikles for a unique experience. You will also find multiple unexplored caves near Mahendra Cave, like the Crazy Cave, which is a deep cave.
Best Local Foods To Try In Pokhara
Pokhara is a food lover's paradise, with various restaurants and cafes offering authentic Nepali and local foods. You can try the traditional Thakali Khana Set at any one of the popular restaurants for a fulfilling experience. It usually contains rice, lentils, spinach, chicken/mutton gravy, fried potatoes, and pickles.
Another popular Nepali dish is sekuwa, which you can find in the streets of Pokhara. It is a marinated and grilled skewer of buff, chicken, or mutton, served with spicy achar.
Momo and Tibetan-thenthuk are other popular foods you must try in Pokhara. These foods are popular all over Nepal and are influenced mainly by Tibetan culture and traditions. Additionally, you can try fish from one of the lakes around Pokhara, which are very tasty.
Budget-Friendly Activities in Pokhara
Pokhara is an expensive destination with luxury hotels and resorts and expensive adventure activities like bungee jumping and paragliding. However, you don't have to spend a fortune to explore this wonderful city. Here are some affordable and even free activities you can do in Pokhara:
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