Best Places to Visit Near Pokhara

Pokhara is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Asia and the most beautiful city in Nepal. The title is not given wholly to the city itself but to the views that it offers, the natural setting of the city, and the easily accessible scenic places to visit near Pokhara. Pokhara, which is 200 km west of the capital of Nepal, is a popular tourist destination both domestically and internationally. The area’s immediate access to gorgeous natural surroundings draws most visitors.

In contrast to the bustling and hectic capital city, Pokhara is the best place for visitors to experience a laid-back and chill vacation or you can also go on an adventure. Pokhara also serves as the gateway to the well-known Annapurna trekking region, which brings you right next door to some of the amazing Himalayan peaks, including Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Annapurna, and Gangapurna.

There are lots of things in Pokhara for those who are not as attracted to adventure tourism. For those who appreciate leisure and being near natural surroundings, Pokhara’s easygoing atmosphere has made it the ideal getaway.

However, Pokhara neighbors a bunch of equally attractive places including names like Ghandruk, Dhampus, Sikles, Lwang Ghale, Pothana, Panchase, and a bunch of trekking destinations such as Annapurna circuit trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Ghandruk Trek, Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, Khopra Danda Trek, and more. Let’s get to know a little about each of the places to visit near Pokhara.

Major Attractions

As previously stated Pokhara is the most beautiful city of Nepal and boasts unforgettable natural scenery all around. There are a bunch of scenic destinations within Pokhara that will make you fall in love with the city. Viewpoints like Sarangkot, Kahundada, and Kristy, offer expansive views of the city whereas lakes like Phewa Lake, Rupa Lake, and Begnas Lake offer a chill lake shores vibe with amazing food.

If you are not a fan of either of those kinds of places to visit near Pokhara you can visit attractions like World Peace Stupa, Bindabasini Temple, Barahi Temple, etc. Pokhara caters to everyone’s preferences which is why it is the tourism capital of Nepal.

The nightlife in Pokhara is also enjoyable, the Lakeside area is the main area for a night out with friends. You will find a bunch of pubs, clubs, and restaurants, along the shore of the lake. A night out with your friends after you are done trekking one of the Annapurna region treks is the perfect ending to a beautiful journey to Nepal. Let’s learn briefly about a few other places to visit near Pokhara.

International Mountain Museum

This amazing establishment does not receive as much love as it should, being one of the best places to visit near Pokhara. This museum houses traditional costumes of the mountain tribes such as Sherpa, Tamang, Magar, Gurung, and more. In addition, tools used during early mountain expeditions in Nepal are also on display. The establishment is huge with plenty of greens and long tracks to stretch your legs.

Overall, you will get to see some fascinating things including a life-sized figure of the mythic Yeti. This is one of those places that you should not miss out on.

Buddhist Monasteries

There are a bunch of monasteries in and near Pokhara but the top two you should visit are the Matepani Gumba in Matepani and the Jangchub Choeling Monastery in Hemja. These monasteries are not only aesthetic with intricately designed exteriors but a significant to the Tibetan refugees living around Pokhara. Built by the Tibetan refugees, these monasteries are a sign of Tibetan Buddhism in Pokhara and should definitely be on your list of places to visit near Pokhara.

Barahi Temple

Barahi Temple is one of the most visited, if not, the most visited temple in Pokhara. This mesmerizing temple sits on an island in the middle of Phewa Lake and the only way to get there is via a boat ride. Dedicated to Goddess Barahi, a reincarnation of Goddess Durga, this temple sees thousands of visitors every month,  however, most of them are local visitors offering prayers to the goddesses.

Begnas Lake and Rupa Lake

Phewa Lake is the go-to lakeside for every tourist who visits Pokhara. It’s a great place to chill, have a few drinks, and eat some great food, have fun with friends, but it’s over-visited and has lost its appeal over time. People still visit Phewa Lake and it’s still a fun site to visit, but Begnas and Rupa Lakes are far more close to nature. These lakes make up the best night-out places to visit near Pokhara.

You will definitely notice the immediate difference, Phewa Lake is a commercialized hub while the other lakes are small towns in tune with nature. If you are someone who prefers nature to the city center, you should probably visit either Begnas or Rupa Lake. Swimming is allowed in both lakes but Rupa Lake is not suitable for swimming as the lakebed is muddy and swamp-like.

Pothana

Pothana is a beautiful Gurung village located within the Annapurna Conservation Area and falls en route to the Mardi Himal trek itinerary. People first began to inhabit this village back in the 70s, in the 2010s it became a popular camping site for visitors visiting the Annapurna region. At present, Pothana offers a range of accommodations for travelers going to visit the Mardi Himal.

You can get a rental car or a public jeep transport and get on the Pokhara-Baglung highway from Pokhara. It is a well-maintained highway because a lot of people who are going to the Annapurna region use it. After traveling on the highway for around 1.5 hours, you will arrive at the Dhampus.

It will take about 4.5 hours to trek to Pothana from Dhampus, passing the Australian Base Camp. If the conditions are just right, you will get to enjoy a scenic trek to Pothana. Moreover, Pothana can be visited year-round so it’s one of the evergreen places to visit near Pokhara.

Best Trekking Routes Near Pokhara

Ghandruk Trip | Ghandruk Trek

The picturesque village of Ghandruk is a Village Development Committee in the Kaski District in north-central Nepal’s Gandaki zone. Ghandruk is one of the most beautiful and well-known treks that can be undertaken from the city of Pokhara. The village offers a magnificent sunset and sunrise as well as a grand sight of the Annapurna Peak.

The Ghandruk trek is well-known for its attractive Gurung culture, charming settlement, geographical variety, and gorgeous views of the Machhapuchhare, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna mountains, making it one of the best places to visit near Pokhara.

In the local dialect, the Ghandruk community is also known as Stone Village or Konda. As the Ghandruk trek is comparatively simple, and the highest point is just 2000 meters, there is no reason to be concerned about altitude sickness. You will pass through beautiful forests and a set of stone stairs to reach your destination.

The village of Ghandurk is easily accessible unlike most of the highland villages in Nepal and it can be reached on a bus as well as on foot which is the Ghandruk trek. If you want to go on a Ghandruk trek, you should work it out with a trek agency or at least hire a guide. Since you are setting foot on a relatively unknown territory, it’s to your benefit that you hire a guide.

Your Ghandruk trek starts with an hour-long drive to Nayapul or Phedi, and from there, you officially begin your trek to Ghandurk. The trek to Ghandruk only lasts about 5 hours and the next day you will have plenty of time to explore the village.

Panchase Trek

The Panchase Trek ranks among the best places to visit near Pokhara and takes hikers into remote villages and lush nature, away from the popular trekking path. With a peak elevation of 2500 meters, this fairly challenging hike does not require previous trekking experience. Lovely views along the way and from Panchase, and a genuine homestay experience among the locals are the main feature of this trek.

The Panchase trek is a fantastic warmup activity prior to embarking on more strenuous hikes in the area, such as the Mardi Himal Trek, or the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Permits are not required for this trek, even though Kande is situated within the Annapurna Conservation Area. Panchase is also accessible by vehicle, making it a suitable destination for both trekkers and non-trekkers.

Sikles

Situated within the Kaski District, Sikles is an aesthetic Gurung settlement. At almost 2000 meters of elevation, Sikles is situated above the Modi Khola. This lovely village serves as a wonderful introduction to the cultural heritage and tradition of the Gurung people, as well as the scenic masterpiece of the Annapurna highlands. Being one of the biggest Gurung villages of Nepal, Sikles is one of the great places to visit near Pokhara to get to know about the Gurung’s traditional way of life.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and the local Gurungs monitor and maintain the path in order to welcome visitors. The road to Sikles was not ideal a couple of years ago but at present the transportation experience has dramatically improved. The village offers views of the Annapurna peaks, along with the Lamjung Himal. From Pokhara, the bus travel takes about five hours.

Sikles is also a popular destination for trekkers since it lies on the itinerary of the standard Kapuche Lake Trek. This trek is only 4 days long and can be done in 3 days if you are physically fit enough to travel long distances at once.

Annapurna Circuit Trek

If you have even the slightest interest in trekking, chances are, you have heard of this amazing trek, undoubtedly one of the best places to visit near Pokhara. The Annapurna Circuit is a physically demanding trek that takes you to the remote highlands of Nepal, starting from the Gurung town of Besisahar. There are other starting points as well but Besisahar is the most ideal and the standard one.

The 17-day itinerary is the standard itinerary that most people opt for since it offers the best scenes and the perfect trail for experiencing the Annapurna region. You will visit a bunch of remote countryside villages throughout the trek and you will also spend your nights at tea houses operated by the locals of the village.

Energized by the local food, you will spend your days traveling through a well-marked and well-maintained trekking route ultimately reaching Muktinath and descending to Nayapul which marks the end of your trekking days.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a tea house, meaning you will have to stay at tea houses along the way. You might find fancy hotels at lower elevations but for the majority of the trek is just tea houses and small guest houses or homestays. These accommodations are a part of the Annapurna trek experience and you will get a chance to connect to the locals and fellow trekkers as tea houses have a communal dining hall.

Food during the Annapurna trek is not particularly something that will excite you. Do not expect luxury and comforting food while you are visiting remote villages. The best things to eat here are Dal Bhat, Roti, Dhindo, Momo, Chowmein, Thukpa, etc. You have the rest of your life to eat modern fast food, while you are in the hills, enjoy the local food as much as possible.

When it comes to the actual bedrooms in teahouses, they are typically made to be shared by two people, you are very unlikely to find a single-person bedroom, especially during the peak trek season. Moreover, the attached bathroom is also a rare facility in this region. This is true for most of the trekking destinations in Nepal.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of the shorter treks in the Annapurna region. This trek typically lasts for 7 days, starting and ending at Kathmandu. If you are already in Pokhara, the trek will last 5 days (standard itinerary) or you can opt for a 4-day trek as well.

Ghorepani is a beautiful Magar village situated at an altitude of 2874 meters above sea level. This village serves as the base of the Poon Hill viewpoint. You will reach Ghorepani on the 3rd day of the trek from where the viewpoint of Poon Hill is 45-minutes-ascend away. From the top of Poon Hill, you will get to see the Annapurna Himalayan range along with the Dhaulagiri peak.

You will hike up to the viewpoint before the break of dawn to experience the amazing sunrise. It’s a surreal scene as the sun rises above the hills on the eastern side of the valley, radiating the snow-covered slopes of the peaks nearby. This alone makes it one of the most scenic places to visit near Pokhara.

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is a 5 to 7-day trip considering the actual length of the trek depends on the hiking schedule and fitness level of each trekker. There are eleven major villages from the starting point to the ending point of the trek.

If you are trekking solo, you can choose how to divide up the trek because lodgings are available throughout the route and in all of the villages. When planning the itinerary, make sure that you include a night stay at Ghorepani in order to experience the fascinating sunrise views from Poonhill.

Since the teahouses are typically hotel-restaurant combinations, you will get to choose numerous dining alternatives. It is true that food costs are greater here compared to they are other places in Nepal, however, remember that getting supplies up into the hills is more difficult, especially in inaccessible villages.

Dal Bhat, a typical meal that consists of rice, veggies, lentils, chutney, and other ingredients, is a particularly common meal for trekkers. It is the single most economical and hearty option available on treks anywhere in Nepal, and you can also ask for seconds for free but meat dishes will cost you extra if you want to have more.

Basic guestrooms with a common restroom or a separate, attached restroom are the norm for accommodations. Hot showers, WiFi, and gadget charging are not included in the accommodation price.

Dhampus

Dhampus is yet another beautiful Gurung village situated within the Annapurna Conservation Area. The tiny town of Dhampus town is roughly 25 kilometers from Pokhara and sits at a height of 1,650 meters. Dhampus is regarded as one of the region’s most well-known and accessible hiking destinations, providing a wide range of options and experiences, making it one of the most popular places to visit near Pokhara.

Beautiful scenes of amazing mountains, such as Fishtail, Annapurna, Mardi Himal, and Dhaulagiri, can be seen during this hike. It also offers incredible sunrise scenes from the top of gorgeous lush hills, as well as an opportunity to learn about ancient cultural traditions and hill people’s daily lives. During this tour, you will travel via Naudanda, and Sarangkot, which are among the best viewpoints of the region.

Those looking for a quick and simple hike with lots of points of interest would find this hike ideal. The trip to Dhampus Village often begins in Phedi, a town only a short ride from Pokhara; roughly thirty minutes. To get to Dhampus from Phedi, you must ascend a trail crossing a forest for around three hours.

Dhampus offers hikers an up-close look at the great Annapurna range, which is an unforgettable view, to say the least. Similarly, aesthetic scenes of the Annapurna range at sunrise are another unforgettable view you will get to enjoy. The lodging in Dhampus Village is decent, with a basic bedroom and decent Western and local cuisine.

Dhampus is a popular destination among the locals of Pokhara since it is one of the best places to visit near Pokhara. You will often find locals from Pokhara enjoying their weekend away from the city or simply trekking to Australian Base Camp via Dhampus.

Things To Know About Trekking The Annapurna Region

To put it simply, going on a trek in the Annapurna region is a fascinating and memorable experience. Words can’t really explain all the experiences one feels during the Annapurna trek. From the amazing views to the interesting culture of the locals, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and such an adventure calls for good preparation.

To prepare for your Annapurna region trek, you should pack your clothes according to the season you are traveling in but there are some essentials that every season demands. These things include:

• Trekking trousers
• Sunglasses
• Trekking poles
• Gaiters
• Trekking boots
• Light trekking full-sleeve t-shirts
• Gloves

Note: Gaiters and gloves are mostly worn in winter time but since you will be trekking closer to the Himalayas, it can get cold really quickly during the night time.

Now, let’s get over how to prepare for these treks. Physical preparation for short treks such as the Ghandruk trek, Dhampus trek, and Ghorepani Poonhill trek is not much of a deciding factor. If you are someone with an average build and endurance, you can easily do these treks without prior physical preparation. However, you might get sore muscles after the trek is over.

To prepare for bigger and more demanding treks like the Mardi Himal trek, Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, and more, it is absolutely necessary that you prepare yourself physically. For this kind of trek, you should train for at least 6 to 8 weeks prior to the start of the trek.

Your physical training does not only assist you in traversing the Himalayan routes with ease but it also facilitates a better experience overall as you can focus on the scenic trails instead of worrying about covering the daily distance.