Pokhara - Nepalese resort

Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal, the main transit base for trekking in the Annapurna region and, dare I say it, the largest Nepalese resort. Unlike Kathmandu, Pokhara has a former resort image and an atmosphere of total relaxation. People come here for relaxation, colorful boats on Lake Fewa and a gorgeous view of the mountains.

Probably the main attraction and main landmark of Pokhara is Phewa Lake. On its northern shore there is the Lakeside area, where the tourist infrastructure is concentrated - hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, equipment stores and souvenir shops.

In many ways, Lakeside is reminiscent of the Thamel area of ​​Kathmandu. But unlike the capital, it’s much less noisy here, there’s no that terrible Kathmandin dust and smog, and in general it’s more fun. By the way, about the buzz. The main discoverers and popularizers of Pokhara for the broad masses of Europeans were not trekkers and climbers, but the seekers of a thrill on earth - the hippies of the 70s. They came here after long wanderings through other regions of Asia and spent a long time “stuck” in blissful inactivity on the shores of Lake Phewa. Cheap food and housing, easy availability of “weed” and the hospitality of the local population greatly contributed to this. Over the half century that has passed since then, the city has grown greatly, but thank God it has not lost its atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Things to do in Pokhara.

• Rent a boat and take a ride on Lake Phewa. If you decide to row on your own, try not to rush anywhere.
• Early morning (or sunset) climb the hill to the Peace Stupa. From there you can enjoy an unforgettable view of the snowy peaks of Machapuchare and Annapurna.
• Get an instructor and go paragliding over Sarangkot Hill. Stunning mountain scenery makes this already spectacular event fantastic.
• Go to the agency and pick up a rafting tour on nearby Nepalese rivers. There are routes for both beginners and professionals, rafts and kayaks, lasting from one to six days.
• Rent a bike and ride north towards the old town, or east to the mountaineering museum.
• If you are going on trekking to Annapurna Base Camp, then in Pokhara you can issue permits, buy additional equipment, and hire a guide.

Climate and weather in Pokhara.

Pokhara is located at an altitude of about 800 meters. This is 400 meters lower than Kathmandu. That's why the climate here is warmer. Most of the year you can easily walk around in shorts and a T-shirt. Perhaps in the summer months, during the rainy season, this gentleman's set should be supplemented with an umbrella.

Transport. How to get from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

Most tourists get to Pokhara by land - they travel by buses and minivans from Kathmandu. Some 200 kilometers separate Pokhara from the capital. But it takes an average of 8 hours to overcome them. A narrow two-lane road winds along the river, climbs wooded hills in endless serpentines, and oncoming trucks try to speed up - you can’t speed up much here. And it makes you so sick that you want to ask the driver to slow down. In general, for many, such a trip will seem like a test. However, everything is learned by comparison. After all, back in the 50s, the road to Pokhara took at least a week. And here it’s about 8 hours...

If my story scares you, consider shelling out a little money and flying to Pokhara. It costs from 70 to 100 dollars (by comparison, a bus costs 3-10 dollars) and takes only half an hour. True, the weather can easily surprise you in the form of dense clouds over Pokhara and then you will have to wait. That is why on our tour to Annapurna Base Camp we start by taking a bus to Pokhara.

Quite often, those who finish their Annapurna Circuit trek in Jomsom (the capital of the Lower Mustang region) get to Pokhara by plane. Judging by the cold and faded landscapes of Mustang (this is almost Tibet), the bright tropical Pokhara seems like paradise on earth, so don’t rush to leave here - plan at least one day for lazy relaxation before rushing again into the seething whirlpool of Kathmandu.