Pokhara

About Pokhara
Pokhara is a remarkable place for natural beauty at an altitude of 827 m above mean sea level & 200 km west of Kathmandu. This city is ever known as a real paradise in Earth. The Valley is filled with swift flowing river and dotted with clear gleaming lakes. It is blessed with the back drop is the most dramatic sceneries in world. A 140km of panoramic Himalayan ranges seem close enough to be touched. But also can be felt. The magnificence of the Himalayas rising behind the lake create an ambience of peace & magic, popular for water rafting, Kayaking and trekking expeditions following the unification of Nepal in 1769. It took a shape of permanent bazaar (small town). Newar migrants from Kathmandu Valley established business and introduced new architecture design of the city. It grew as a catering place to caravan traders with limited infrastructure facilities located at the break of bulk point along the trans-Himalayan trade routes.

Designation of Pokhara as the Administrative Headquarter of Western Region No-3 during the Rana regime supported to flourish Pokhara valley. The political changes of 1951 further accelerated the development activities including linkage with Kathmandu and surroundings in 1957. In 1958, the valley was formally declared as a municipality and resumed into Town Panchayat in 1965. Establishment of Indian Pension Paying Camp in 1960 and the British Pension Paying Camp in 1966 attracted in-migrants in Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City. Hydro-Power generated from Phewa Dam provided electricity for the first time in Pokhara. Construction of two High ways Viz. the Sunauli-Pokhara Highway (1969) and the Prithivi Highway (1972) linked Nepal with Indian boarders through the terai and hills.Progress in functional establishments and growth as a center of trekking tourists contributed to its development. Designation of Pokhara as the eadquarters of the Western Development Region of Nepal in 1972 Contributed to upgrade Pokhara Municipality into the present status of Sub-Metropolitan City in 1996.

LOCATION
Between 83º 58'30" East to 80º02'30" East Longitude
And 28º 10' North to 28º 16' north latitude.
Area Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City 55.66 Km²
Pokhara Valley floor 123 Km²


TOPOGRAPHY
Tectonic Valley between main Himalayan range and Mahabharat Lekh
Gravelly surface slanting from northwest to southeast
Elevation ranges from 627 mete to 980 meter above sea level
River Seti with deep gorges and its tributaries and lake Phewa (4.43 Km') are prominent drainage


CLIMATE
Humid Sub-Tropical monsoon with hot and wet summer and cold and fairly dry winter.
Temperature: minimum 6ºc and Maximum 31ºc
Annual rainfall: 3880 mm

Main fairs & festivals

Fairs

Dhungesangu Jatra,
Sunpandeli Jatra,
Bhairab Jatra,
Bagh Jatra,
Gai Jatra,
Haribodhani Ekadasi Mela,
Teej Jatra,
Talbarahi Jatra etc.

Heritage Sites

Natural Heritage Sites
Phew Lake
Seti River Gorge
Kamal Pokhari
Mahendra Cave
Patale Chhango (Devis Falls)
Gupteshwor Cave and
Shanti Ban Batika (Peace grove forest) etc.
Bada Dashain
Deepawali
Teej, Srawune Sarkranti
Maghe Sarkranti
Buddha Purnima
Lhoshar
Janai Purnima
Fagu Purnima (Holy)
Chaite Dashain
Shree Krishna Janmastami
Shree Panchami

Cultural Heritage Sites

Bindhabasini Temple
Tal Barahi Temple
Bhadrakali Temple
Narayan Than
Shova Bhagawati
Sitala Devi
Bhimsen Than
Bhairab Than
Jalpa Devi
Saraswati Temple
Bauddha Monastries
Buddha Bihar
Ram Krishna Tole
Gandrva Tole etc.

Pokhara as Tourist Point of view.

Pokharat is one of the rare combinations of the arrays of snow clad peaks, crystal clear lakes, turbulent rivers with deep gorges and picturesque villages inhabited by various simple and friendly ethnic groups. From touristic point of view, Pokhara is known as the touristic capital of Nepal that out of the total arrivals around 25% of tourists visit Pokhara every year. Pokhara region is popularly known as the trekking paradise of Nepal that the world famous trekking destinations such as Annapurna Circuit trek, Annapuran Sentuary trek, panchase trek, Royal trek etc. begin from Pokhara. It is also the center for hill stations and cultural village tour. Beside trekking and cultural village tours, Pokhara is also a center for adventure tourism such as mountaineering and rafting. It is the only one center for hang gliding and paragliding in South Asia.. As many culturally rich villages surround Pokhara Valley, tourists have several opportunities to experience the village life of inner Nepal. Pokhara, in fact, is a nature’s paradise. The serenity of Fewa Lake and the magnificence of the fist-tail summit of Machhapuchre standing behind it and many other unique natural gifts create an ambience of peace and magic. It is truly said touristic hub of western Nepal, is the gateway to upper Mustang, Muktinath, Upper Dolpo, and the world famous Annapurna region including hill stations and cultural villages of mid-hill Nepal.

Favourite spots:

Fewa Lake Fewa Lake is the most beautiful and second biggest lake in Nepal. Its average depth is 8.6 m and maximum depth is 19m. On its southwest side there is a protected dense forest and on the Northeast side there is a beautiful built-up area “The lake side” the main tourist center of Pokhara. In the middle of the lake there is an island where a famous Barahi temple is located. Fewa Lake is famous for its flat water boating. Engine boats are not allowed in the lake. Like Fewa Lake, Begnas lake is also perfect for boating. It reflects the beautiful image of Annapurna IV The World Peace Buddhist Stupa is situated on the top of a hill above the Fewa Lake. The place where the stupa is located in famous for its spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara valley specially the Fewa Lake and the lake site area. Davi’s fall is one of the popular tourist sites in Pokhara. Opposite of the Devi’s fall, there is a beautiful cave. In the heart of Pokhara City, a historical Bazaar is located.

What's really great:

Sarangkot is the most popular viewpoint center of Pokhara. There is a view tower with powerful Binocular that one can see a close view of the whole Himalayan range from Dhaulagiri to Manaslu. It is also a viewpoint for the spectacular view of sunrise and sunset. Kahum Danda is another enchanting hill for spectacular views of the Himalayan range and Pokhara valley. A gentle climb of about two hours from Fulbari. Around the villages ethnic communities are traditionally settled and are worth visiting. Pumdikot is an appropriate place for overnight camping. Pokhara is rich in cultural diversity. There is some colorful festival organize time to time by their local people community and some of them also targeted for tourists where the tourists can enjoy and interact with them.

Sights:

Some Spot man activity of Cycling Sight seeing of heritage sites, flat water boating, paragliding and hang gliding, 0ld Bazar tour, cycling in the outskirt of the city and so on are the day time activities to enjoy.

Accommodations:

Add caption A lady at a Resort In general you'll have to spend anything between $300 to $500 to enjoy at five star hotels in Pokhara. Deluxe Hotels in Pokhara suitable for those who don't want to spend much on just for staying. The rates varies from one hotel to another. In general you'll have to spend anything between $50 to $250 to enjoy at these hotels. Pokhara is a very good place in terms of good hotels at the cheaper price. Apart from the hotels above, Pokhara has so many budget hotels and guest houses It is available at best valued rates with many new discount hotel suppliers to ensure that you get some of the cheapest rates on the Internet.

Nightlife:

Singing Pokhara has experienced the growth of a new culture, the club culture. With tourist arrivals down to a trickle, the city’s entrepreneurs are dancing to a new beat. The clubs, once an exclusive domain for tourists, are now filled with locals, mostly youngsters.

Hangouts:

While nightlife around Pokhara usually just means a second helping of pie, a good way to break the routine is to catch a culture show . The Hungry Eye and a few other tourist restaurants put on free dinner music performances by local folk troupes.

Other recommendations:

Street of Pokhara There is easily available Internet facilities at cheap price and also available STD, ISD communication facilities.

Restaurants:

Guests at a Hotel Pokhara has an excellent selection of restaurants serving Italian, Mexican, Nepali, Chinese, Indian and Continental. Often the food is the same quality in many of the places, but the atmosphere and the clientele. The main restaurant area is in the Lakeside area, but there are several good places in Damside.