Pokhara lies on the shores of glacial Lake Phewa

Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna region, which boasts many of Nepal’s most popular treks including the 21-day, 300km Annapurna circuit.

Many people don’t spend much time in Pokhara, usually only one night at the end of their walk before heading back to Kathmandu, but Pokhara has a charm all of its own that’s worth checking out. 

The small town is built on the shores of glacial Lake Phewa that reflects perfectly the towering Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges. Within 30km of Pokhara the mountains rise straight up to over 8000 metres, creating an impressive spectacle behind the town, especially at sunset when their frozen peaks blush peach and pink. 

One of the best views is from the World Peace Stupa built in 1996 on a hilltop across the lake. You can hire a rowboat with a boatman if you’re feeling lazy and row to the beginning of a track that climbs 300m from the lake’s edge to the Stupa.

Other places of interest worth checking out are Mahendra and Gupteswar caves, and Devi Falls which is particularly impressive during monsoon. Lake Phewa literally thunders into a hole and disappears.

Pokhara’s lakefront is a tourist haven lined with restaurants and shops full of trinkets and more trekking gear. Make sure to check out the many barbers who offer a close shave to get rid of unruly beards grown in the mountains, and great foot and leg massages for a couple of bucks. 

People usually book the half hour flight one way from Kathmandu and catch the six-hour bus back that chugs slowly through spectacular river gorges and mountain valleys.