There is no other place in the world where you can sit below 1,000m and marvel at 8,000m peaks. Machhapuchhre (Nepali for ‘Fishtail’) is the most prominent peak in the Annapurnas due to its unique shape and it being only 30kms from Pokhara. Fishtail is also regarded as a holy mountain and as such it is forbidden to be climbed. Three of the world top 10 highest mountains, Dhaulagiri 1 (7th), Manaslu (8th) and Annapurna I (10th) can be seen from various parts of the Pokhara Valley and its surrounding hills, such as Sarangkot, Ananda Hill (World Peace Pagoda), Kaskikot, and the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara.
Sarangkot
Famous for its breathtaking panoramic views of the Annapurna & Dhaulagiri ranges, the Pokhara Valley, and Phewa Lake, this 1,592m mountain located on the northern side of Phewa Lake is one of the most popular tourist destinations around Pokhara. Enjoying the sunrise from this former Kaski fort is an experience not to be missed when visiting Pokhara. You can also walk around the traditional farming villages with magnificent views of Phewa Lake or watch paragliding pilots taking off and flying high above you alongside eagles and vultures.
ENTRY: RS100 TO THE VIEW TOWER
TRIP NOTES
GETTING THERE
ON FOOT: The most satisfying way to reach the summit is by hiking up the stone steps on the south side of Sarangkot. Follow the Lakeside road north out of Lakeside, cross the small bridge and continue straight for another 300m. Turn right up the side street (Suhan Kirana shop is on the corner) and follow this road for 750m (approx. 15mins). Continue past the school and 150m later there is a footpath on the left which crosses over a stone wall. Follow this path and the stone steps soon begin, leading all the way up to Sarangkot viewpoint. Hiking time: 2-4 hours.
TAXI: Taxis can take you all the way up to the village just below the summit. Driving time: 30-40 minutes Price: One way/Return= Rs1000/1500 from Lakeside
MOTORBIKE/SCOOTER: TO access the main Sarangkot road from Lakeside, at Hallan Chowk turn up Phewa St and follow it until the first major intersection, Zero Kilometer (1.8km). Turn left here, continue straight for another 3km and then turn left again where there is a sign for Sarangkot. As the road is steep, we recommend a motorbike for two people or a single person per scooter.
LOCAL BUS: Buses to
Sarangkot depart from
Baglung Bus Park every xxxx.
Time: approx. 1 hour
Cost: Rs80 one way
Devi’s falls
Devi’s Falls is a fascinating waterfall located 2km south of Pokhara Airport on the Siddhartha Highway. The river, Pardi Khola, coming from Phewa Lake disappears deep underground, travelling for 1km before gushing out at Devi’s Falls. The name “Devi’ is apparently corrupted from David, referring to a Swiss tourist in 1961 who was either swept away himself or lost his wife in the falls.
TRIP NOTES
GETTING THERE
FOOT/MOTORBIKE/BICYCLE: Ride or walk through Lakeside and Damside to Birauta Chowk (see map) and turn right. Continue for 1.3kms and Devi's Falls will be on the right hand side of the road.
TAXI: A return trip costs Rs400
from Hallan Chowk.
LOCAL BUS: Take the bus to Birauta Chowk (Rs25). You need then to take another bus from there to Devi's Falls (Rs25-30). Make sure you are going south west along the Siddhartha Highway.
QUICK FACTS
OPEN: 5am-7pm daily
ENTRY: Rs100
Mahendra Cave
There are many caves around Pokhara, the most popular of which are in Pokhara’s north in Batulechaur, approximately 10kms from Lakeside. Here is the Mahendra Cave, a large limestone cave famous for its stalagmites and stalactites and nearby is the Bat Cave, another limestone cave which is inhabited by many bats. In Chhorepatan opposite Devi’s Falls is the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. This cave is sacred for Hindus as an idol of Lord Shiva was found in there.
TRIP NOTES
GETTING THERE
MAHENDRA & BAT CAVES: By taxi a return trip from Lakeside costs Rs800
GUPTESHWOR MAHADEV CAVE: Follow the same directions as to Devi's Falls. The cave is located
on the opposite side of the road.
QUICK FACTS
OPEN: 9am-5pm/9am-6pm (Mahendra & Bat Caves/
Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave)
ENTRY: RS50/Rs100 (each for Mahendra & Bat Caves / Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave)
pokhara guide 