Some Places to Visit in Pokhara

Pokhara is a remarkable place of natural beauty. Situated at an altitude of 827m from the sea level and 200km west of Kathmandu (Capital of Nepal) valley, the city is known as a centre of adventure. This enchanting city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. The serenity of lakes and the magnificence of the Himalayas rising behind them create an ambience of peace and magic. So today the city has not only become the starting point for most popular trekking and rafting destinations but also a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Pokhara is part of a once vibrant trade route extending between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the outskirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. This is the land of Gurungs and Magars, hardworking farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. The Bramans, Chetries, Newars, Thakalis are another important ethnic group here, are known for their entrepreneurship.

Climate:
The climate of Pokhara is slightly warmer than Kathmandu with daytime temperature hovering around 17 degrees Celsius in winter and 32 degrees in summer. The monsoon season which lasts from mid-June to mid-September is very wet; in fact Pokhara records the highest rainfall in the country. Best time to visit is between October and April.

The activities of foreign visitors to Pokhara focus around two districts known as Damside and Lakeside (or Pardi and Baidam, in Nepali, respectively). These two areas, with their strips of hotels and restaurants, are a few Kilometers south-west of the main Pokhara Bazaar.

Fewa Lake Begnas lake and Rupa lake, Barahi temple, World Peace Pagoda Seti Gandaki, Devi's Fall, Gupteswar Gupha (cave), Mahendra Gupha(cave), Chameri Gupha (Bats Cave), The Old Bazaar, Bindbyabasini Temple Matepani Gumbha (Buddhist Monastery) Bhadrakali Mandir, Regional Museum, International Mountain Museum, Gorkha Memorial Museum, Annapurna Museum, Himalayan View Nightlife and Entertainment Around Pokhara.

Fewa Tal (Lake):

Fewa Lake, the second largest lake in the kingdom, roughly measuring 1.5 km by 4 km, is the centre of all attractions in Pokhara. The enchanting lake is an idyllic playground. Brightly painted wooden boats and sailboats can be rented on reasonable cost around lakeside. The lake is neither deep (roughly 47 meters at most), the water is warm and swimming is pleasant. The eastern shoreline of the lake, popularly known as Lakeside or Baidam, consists of seemingly endless strip of lodges, restaurants, bookshops and souvenir shops. One of the fascinating parts of lakeside is the splendid view of the mountains, especially when the still water reflects the peaks, creating a double image.

Barahi temple:

This is the most important religious monument in Pokhara. Built almost in the middle of Fewa lake, the two storied pagoda representing the female force of Hindu (Shakti). Devotees can be seen, especially on Saturdays, carrying male animals and fowl across the lake to be sacrificed to the deity.


Begnas Lake and Rupa Lake:

The lakes are located about 15km from Pokhara at the end of a road that turns north from the highway to Kathmandu. Divided by the forested hillock called Panchabhaiya Danda, the lakes offer the perfect nature retreat because of their relative seclusion. Splendid boating and fishing can be done here.


World Peace Pagoda:

The pagoda is a massive Buddhist stupa and is situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of Fewa lake. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a great vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara city. You can get there by crossing the lake by boat and then hiking up the hill.

Seti Gandaki (River Gorge):

Flowing right through the city, the boisterous river runs completely underground at places. Amazingly, at certain points the river appears hardly two meters wide. But its depth is quite beyond imagination - over 20 meters! Mahendra Pul (bridge) provides a perfect view of the river's dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by its powerful flow.

Devi's fall:

Locally known as Patale Chhango (Hell's fall), Devi's fall (also known as Devin's or David's) is an awesome waterfall lying about 2 km south-west of Pokhara airport on the highway to Tansen, Butwal. An interesting modern legend says that a foreigner named David was skinny-dipping in the Pardi Khola (river) when the floodgates of the dam were opened, sweeping him into an underground passage beneath the fall, never to be seen again.

Gupteswar Gupha (Cave):

Gupteswar Gupha, a sacred cave, lies 2 km from Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway leading southwest from the city. The entrance is right across from Devi's Fall and the cave is almost 3 km long. It has some big hall-size rooms and some passages where you have to crawl on all fours. This cave holds special value for Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered. An entrance fee of NRs. 50.00 is charged and taking pictures inside the cave is prohibited.

Mahendra Gupha (cave) and Chameri Gupha:

Mahendra Gupha is the large limestone cave. Shepherd boys are said to have discovered it around 1950. A two hour walk to the north of Pokhara, it is best to bring your own torch to see the stalactites and stalagmites, although most of them have been carted out by souvenir hunters. Chamero Gupha locally called Chamero Odhaar ("House of Bats") located near by Mahendra Gufa

The Old Bazaar (Ganesh Tole and Ram Krishna Tole):

Pokhara's traditional bazaar is colorful and so are its ethnically diverse traders. In its temples and monuments can be seen ties to the Newar architecture of the Kathmandu Valley. Located about 4 km from Lakeside, the market's original charm is alive and well.

Bindbyabasini Temple:

Bindhyabasini temple is the centre of religious activity in the old bazaar. It is dedicated to goddess Bindbyabasini, yet another manifestation of shakti (Power) of Hindu.

Matepani Gumba (Buddhist Monastery):

There is a splendid Buddhist Monastery on the top of the small forested hill above Matepani east of Mahendra pul. It overlooks a large section of the Pokhara city and once there on find oneself lost in time amid the chanting Ramas, there colossal guardian images of the Buddha accompanying two other gurus and a prayer house with exquisitely carved columns and friezes.

Bhadrakali Temple:

To the south of the Buddhist Monastery there is another small but very beautiful hill and in this pleasant sylvan setting lies Bhadrakali temple which also merits a visit.

Museums:

Pokhara Regional Museum, located in Nayabazar, reflects the ethnic mosaic of western Nepal. The lifestyles and history of ethnic groups such as the Gurung, Thakali and the Tharu are attractively displayed. Open daily, except Tuesdays and holidays, from 10 am to 4 pm. Entrance fee is Rs. 5 and there is an extra Rs. 10 for cameras (Tel: 061-520413).

Annapurna Museum, also known as the Natural History Museum, is located at Prithvi Narayan Campus east of the old bazaar named Bagar. Managed by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the museum has an exceptional collection of butterflies, insects, birds, and models of wildlife as well as samples of various precious and semi-precious stones and volcanic rocks. Open daily, except Saturdays and holidays, from 9 am to 4 pm. Entrance is free.

International Mountain Museum: The theme of this museum is to cover the information and exhibits related with the Man, Mountain and Mountain activities around the world. Open daily (365 days in a year) from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Entrance: Foreigner : Nrs: 300.00, SAARC Citizen Nrs: 100.00, Nepalese Nrs: 50.00, Student(Nepalese) Nrs: 25.00 (Tel: 061-460742)
another museum is Gorkha Memorial Museum: In 1815 Nepalese soldiers clashed with the British troops in the northern border of India. After a fierce battle they showed respect to those “… Brave Goorkhas…” by erecting a stone with engravings. Soon they become close friends and the Gurkha regiments were formed. To this day, Gurkha solders still serve in the British Army. Entrance fee is Nepalese Nrs. 20.00, SAARC Citizen Nrs.80.00 and Foreigner Nrs. 150.00 (Tel 061-541966).

Himalayan View:

The magnificent Annapurna panorama that's visible on the northern skyline of Pokhara is quite incredible. The main peaks are Annapurna I to IV and the beautiful Machhapuchhare (or Fishtail Mountain, so named after its twin peaks). Besides these, you can also see the Manaslu range, Dhaulagiri range and other peaks.

The mountains will probably be hidden in the clouds between April and September. A nice evening on the banks of Fewa Lake with the mountain range as the backdrop is what Pokhara is really about!

Nightlife and Entertainment There is not much of nightlife in Pokhara other than dining. The town shuts down by about 10:30 in the evening. Until you can hang out some of the bars and pubs that are becoming trendy in the area.

Around Pokhara:

Pokhara is the starting and ending point for many of the popular trekking routes in Nepal. Longer treks (one to three week long) such as the Jomsom trek, Annapurna Circuit, and Annapurna Sanctuary begin here. If Kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, Pokhara is its center of adventure. An enchanting city nestled in a tranquil valley; it is the starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting destinations. The atmosphere on the Shore of Fewa Lake is one of excited vitality as hipster backpackers crowd the many bars and restaurants exchanging recommendations on guest houses and viewpoints, both by the lake and above the clouds.

Pokhara is a place of remarkable natural beauty. The serenity of Fewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-tailed summit of Machhapuchhre (6,993m) rising behind it create an ambience of peace and magic. At an elevation lower than Kathmandu, it has a much more tropical feel to it, a fact well appreciated by the beautiful diversity of flowers which prosper in its environs. Indeed, the valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forests, gushing rivers, emerald lakes, and of course, the world famous views of the Himalaya.

Pokhara is part of a once vibrant trade route extending between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the out-skirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. This is the land of the many ethnic groups, hardworking farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. The Thakalis, another important ethnic group here, are known for their entrepreneurship.

Getting Pokhara:

Pokhara is located roughly 200 km west of Kathmandu (Capital City of Nepal).The journey between these two famed cities is certainly part of the Pokhara experience. Flying over the snow-capped Himalaya to the north and green Mahabharat range to the south is thrilling; while the overland journey past sparse rural settlements nested along the Trisuli River provides a view of life particular to Nepal's middle hills. There are daily flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara. About Pokhara is situated at about 827 meter from sea level, and is located 124 miles (about 200 km) west of Kathmandu and can be reached by plane in 35 minutes or in 5 hours by bus. Pokhara is the next destination after Kathmandu for many adventure and pleasure trips in and around Pokhara. Pokhara is often called the enchanting Himalayan valley with a heart of major actions and adventures.

Surrounded by beautiful snow-caped mountains, with a magnificent lake of crystal-clear pure Himalayan water, all-year round pleasing weather, and friendly Pokhralis will greet you with a smile and leave you with the most unforgettable moments in your life. So pack up your bag, load your camera, and get ready for Pokhara experience!

Places to Visit the Fewa Lake 1.5 Kilometer long, second largest lake in Nepal, offers an excellent view of the mountains and their reflections on the lake. Many tours and trekking operators and hotels are located on the lakeside. One can easily find a place to sit back, relax and enjoy great meal while enjoying scenery here. You will also enjoy boating on the lake.

Know Tourism and Economy of Pokhara

After the annexation of Tibet by China the trading route to India became defunct.

Pokhara has become a major tourist hub of Nepal, more than making up for the loss of its trading importance. The city offers a combination of nature and culture with a distinct tourist district in the southern subdivisions of Baidam, Lakeside and Damside. Pokhara mostly known as starting and ending point for Annapurna treks.

Pokhara is quite a modern city with attractions in the town itself. Most interesting is the old centre in the north of the city (Purano bazar) where still many old shops and warehouses in the Newari style can be found.

On a hill overlooking Phewa Tal from the south is the World Peace Stupa (at 1,113 m) built in 1996 with a view of the lake, across the city and of the snow peaked mountain range consisting of namely, Fishtail, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manslu Himals (mountains).

Temples worth visiting in the older part of town are Bindhyabasini Mandir, Bhimsen Mandir and Bhadrakali Mandir the latter with erotic carvings; another temple, Barahi Mandir, is located on a tiny island on Phewa Tal. Not accessible and only visible from the lake is the royal summer residence (called Ratna Mandir) at the lake in Lakeside.

The best viewpoint of Pokhara is Sarangkot (1,591m) and Thulakot (in Lekhnath a part of famous Royal Trek from where four lakes Phewa, Begnas, Khaste and Dipang and whole Annapurna range is seen) to the west of the city. Paths and a road lead to the top from where one can enjoy spectacular views of the Annapurna range, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and the city itself.

The modern commercial city centre at Chiple Dhunga and Mahendrapul (now called Bhimsen Chowk, named after a Shahid (Martyr) in Jana-aandolan II, April, 2006) is halfway between the lake and Purano Bazar, the old centre. Apart from this there are several subcentres in other parts of town: in the north in Bagar, in the south between Prithvi Chowk and Srijana Chowk (mainly hardware stores), and in the east, on the other side of the Seti Gandaki river, in Ram Bazar.

The shortage of touristic sites in Pokhara is made up by its scenic views in and around town. Most of them are not mentioned in any guide or map. The Seti (White) Gandaki River and its tributaries have created spectacular gorges in and around the whole city. The Seti gorge runs through the whole city from north to south. At places it is only a few meters wide, but 100 m deep with a water depth of 20m in rainy season.

In the middle of the city, the gorge widens to a canyon looking like a crater. In the north and south, just outside town, there are awesome canyons, in some places 100 m deep. These canyons extend through the whole Pokhara Valley. Impressive views are possible from the Prithvi Narayan Campus and from the other side at the foot of Kahu Danda (conjunction of several rivers and canyons). Behind the INF-Compound (Bagar) one can see the Seti River disappear into a slit in an almost 100 m wall, especially impressive in monsoon.

Another place worth visiting is the Patale Chhango (Hell's Falls), more commonly called "Devi's or David's Falls" for the tourists with some melodramatic story behind it. The water of these falls comes from the Phewa Lake flowing to the Seti. The falls plunge into a hole and disappear. In monsoon this sight is most spectacular. Nearby, across the street is a little cave (Gupteshwor Cave). A more exciting cave is at the opposite end of the city in Batulechaur (Mahendra Cave) and Bats Cave. Betulechaur is known for the musicians caste.

Pokhara Airport is situated in the middle of town serving flights to Kathmandu, Jomsom, Manang, Bhairahawa and Bharatpur. Helicopters to Manang and Jomsom are also available for charter.

An interesting institution of Pokhara is the British Gurkha Camp in the north of the city. It has been established as a recruitment camp for Nepalis as Gurkha soldiers. About 300 are selected annually in December out of a pool of over 20,000 applicants. About 100 eventually join the Gurkha Contingent in Singapore while the rest join the British Army.

Know History of Pokhara

Pokhara lies on an important old trading route between Tibet and India. In the 17 Century it was part of the influential Kingdom of Kaski which again was one of the Chaubise Rajaya (24 Kingdoms of Nepal) ruled by a branch of the Shah Dynasty. Many of the mountains around Pokhara still have medieval ruins from this time. In 1752 the King of Kaski invited Newars from Bhaktapur to Pokhara to promote trade. Their heritage can still be seen in the architecture along the streets in Bagar (Old Pokhara). Hindus, again, brought their culture and customs from Kathmandu and settled in the whole Pokhara valley. In 1786 Prithvi Narayan Shah added Pokhara into his kingdom. It had by then become an important trading place on the routes from Kathmandu to Jumla and from India to Tibet.

From 1959 to 1962 some 30,000 refugees came to Nepal from neighboring Tibet, which had been annexed by China. Four refugee camps were established in the Pokhara valley: Tashipalkhel, Tashiling, Paljorling and Jambling. These camps have evolved into settlements. Because of their different architecture, prayer flags, Gompas and Chorten, these can easily be distinguished from the other settlements.

Until the end of the 1960s the town could only be reached by foot and it was considered even more a mystical place than Kathmandu. The first road was finished in 1968 after which tourism set in and the city grew rapidly. The area long the Phewa Lake developed into one of the major tourism hubs of Nepal.

Know Structure of Pokhara

Pokhara spans 8 km from north to south and 6 km from east to west but, unlike Kathmandu, it is quite loosely built up and still has much green space. The Seti Gandaki flowing through the city from north to south divides the city roughly in two halves with the down-town area of Chipledunga in the middle, the old town centre of Bagar in the north and the tourist district of Lakeside (Baidam) in the south all lying on the western side of the river. The gorge through which the river flows is crossed at five points; the major ones are (from north to south): K.I. Singh Pul, Mahendra Pul and Prithvi Highway Pul. The eastern side of town is mainly residential.
About half of all tourists visiting Pokhara are there for the start or end of a trek to the Annapurna Base Camp and Mustang. For Nepalese, Pokhara has become the most favorite place to live in the country.

Phewa Lake was slightly enlarged by damming. It is in danger of silting up because of the inflow during the monsoon. The outflowing water is partially used for hydro power. The dam collapsed in the late 1970s and it was rebuilt by the Chinese. The power plant is located about 100 m below at the bottom of the Phusre Khola gorge. Water is also diverted for irrigation into the southern Pokhara valley.

The eastern Pokhara Valley receives irrigation water through a canal running from a reservoir by the Seti in the north of the city. Phewa Lake is also used for commercial fishing. The tourist area is along the north shore of the lake (Lake Side and Dam Side). It is mainly made up of little shops, little hotels, restaurants and bars. The larger hotels can be found on the southern and south-eastern fringes of the city, from where the view of the mountains, mainly Mt. Fishtail is seen well. To the east of the valley are few smaller and few bigger lakes, the largest being Begnas Tal and Rupakot Tal. Begnas Tal is also known for its fishery projects. There are no beaches in the valley, but one can rent boats Phewa and Begnas Tal.

Know Lakes of Pokhara Valley

Lake Phewa

Size * 2 sq. Miles

Place N-W-of Pokhara

Orientation NW-SE

Location Harpan Khola

* Phewa Lake is nearly 2 miles long and 1 mile wide. The deepest section is 150 feet.

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Lake Begnas

Size 1 Sq. miles

Place N-E-of Pokhara

Orientation NW-SE

Location Khundi Khola

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Lake Rupa

Size 1 Sq. miles

Place N-E-of Pokhara

Orientation NW-SE

Location Dobhan Khola

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Lake Maidi tal

Size 1/4 Sq. miles

Place N-E-of Pokhara

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Lake Dipan tal

Size 1/4 Sq. miles

Place N-E-of Pokhara

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Lake Khalte tal (Upper)

Size 1/8 Sq. miles

Place N-E-of Pokhara

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Lake Khalte tal (Lower)

Size 1/8 Sq. miles

Place N-E-of Pokhara

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Lake Chapa Pani

Size 1/8 Sq. miles

Place N-E-of Pokhara

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1 Mile = 5,280 ft or 1,760 yd or 1.6 km

Mile: a unit of linear measurement on land, used in English-speaking countries

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Know Pokhara

LOCATION
Pokhara valley extends, in the 'Oriental Realm', between the north parallels of 25°7’ and 28°10' and east meridians of 83°50' and 84°50'. Situated in the mountainous region of the southern Himalayas and trapped between the higher Himalayas in the north and Mahabharat range in the south, it occupies central position in the country. It valley spreads mainly over Kaski district and covers small portions of Tanahun and Syangja district from Pokhara, Tibetan border to the north is 72 kilometers and Indian border to the south is 78 kilometers. Within a small area the elevation ranges nearly from 500 meters to 2,500 meters in the Pokhara valley.

Based on the administrative division on hierarchical order Pokhara lies in Western Development Region, Gandaki Zone and Kaski District. The valley includes Pokhara Sub Metropolitan City', Lekhnath Municipality, and some other Village Development Committees. The city is located in the central part of the valley.

ORIGIN OF POKHARA
The development of Pokhara valley and the origin of Annapurna range including the majestic peak Macchapuchhre is ascribed to Geological faulting in the 'Tertiary Period! (Between 65 25 million years ago from now). The convergence of Indian peninsula with Tibetan plate resulted into upsurge of Himalayas from the Tethys sea. After the upsurge of Annapurna range, due to the action of climatic components, glaciers started eroding mountains. The eroded materials limestone, gneiss and quartzite were transported downwards depositing larger and coarser debris first and smaller as well as smoother debris later. Therefore the northern region of Pokhara has thicker layer of coarser and larger boulders but this thickness decreases southward and smoothness and size reduction occurs gradually. In this way, the tectonic valley was developed due to the hauling of debris as moraine and subsequent deposition as lake deposit.

GETTING INSIDE POKHARA
Pokhara, now a days, is linked to the major cities of Nepal by air and road transportation. Aeroplanes of different airlines fly several times a day from Kathmandu to Pokhara and many times a week from other major cities of the country. All the cities of Nepal where motoring has been possible so far, are linked to Pokhara by roads and regular bus services are available.
Mountain flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara is the best option. View Himalayas including the Annapurna range which lies right next to flight path. So sit back, turn your head to the right, and enjoy the flight. Be careful though, this will blow your mind away, don't hurt your neck, do not push the passenger on the right out through the window!!

Riding a public bus or a taxi to Pokhara is also a good option. Public buses run daily from Kathmandu. It takes about 5 to 6 hours by bus. Buses are crowded, but that's' how Nepalese travel all life long, so what the heck, go ahead experience it, for you, it's only for a day! Remember, public buses do not have A/C, Heaters and have frequent stops on the way. Bus will stop at Highways site for Lunch or Dinner. Have some Nepail food there, if you can digest spicy foods, or you can pick restaurants which specifically cater to foreigners. Taxis are expensive, probably will cost you as much as the Air-fare. When you ride by land, you get to see more places; you get to enjoy the scenery that you would not be able to see from the air.
Pokhara is the only city in Nepal which is famous for the Himalayan Peaks and the Annapurna Himalayan Range. Some of the Famous Mountains that can be seen from Pokhara are Mt. Machhapuchree (6,997m), Mt. Annapurna I (8,091m), Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Manaslu (8,163) , Mt. Hinchuli etc. it is the only City in Nepal that consist of seven beautiful lakes. Some of the famous lakes are Fewa Lake, Begnas Lake and Rupa Lake. It is the only City in Nepal that has excellent and breath taking caves. There are more then 5 caves within this city. Some of the most popular caves are Mahendra cave, Bat cave, Gupteshower Mahadev cave, Kali khola cave etc.

Pokhara is the only City that has several rivers flowing within itself. Some of the major rivers that flow within this beautiful city are Seti, Yamdi, Mardi, Kali Khola, Madi etc. This City must be God's idea of heaven. Pokhara is so rich in Natural vegetation and excellent climatic conditions. It is neither too hot nor too cold. It seems to be a paradise.

This breath taking view is from Sarangkot. This hill is famous for the panoramic view of the annapurna himalayan range. Pokhara is beautiful but it still depends upon how we take and feel it, but to be sure Pokhara is god's gift and is rich in natural beauty in all the ways. Sarangkot is also famous for paragliding purposes. It has the bird's eye view of the seti river, fewa lake, and the valley itself. This hill station is a 20 minute uphill drive from Aarchalbot. This route is also one of the short day trek route within the Pokhara Valley. Local peoples have kept powerful binoculars for the viewing purpose of the valley and the mountains.

Pokhara is famous for mountains. The most beautiful and demanding mountain is Mount Fishtail., this mountain has a peak that looks like a fish tail. In Nepali this mountain is called Machhapuchre Himal which means Mount Fishtail. Seeing the beauty of this mountain, tourist says that this mountain has been crafted by god for the Pokhreli people.

Fishtail base camp is three days trek from the Pokhara valley. We walk through dense forest, Gurung villages and beautiful hills to reach this place. This base camp has some hotels under the supervision of ACAP (Annapurna conservation area project)

CLIMATE
Pokhara experiences humid sub tropical to warm temperate climate. The climate of Pokhara valley is basically the influence of topography. Yearly mean temperature of the city (827m) is 20.80C whereas monthly averages are maximum 25.50C (During July and August) and minimum 13.20C (during January). The deviation of temperature from mean value is also interesting: absolute maximum temperature is 37.40C and absolute minimum temperature 2.40C. Average annual rainfall recorded in Pokhara city is 3,755mm while 5,337mm is recorded in Lumle (a village nearby Pokhara city). Pokhara receives both monsoon and winter rains. It is important to note that profound effect of micro climatic elements on climatic parameters is clearly observable around Pokhara. A sunshine hour in Pokhara is estimated to be nearly seven hours a day on an annual average. From June to August, monsoon clouds may create problems to view and photograph the mountains. Rests of the months are almost cloud free but November to March is the best time to avoid this problem. The annual average high wind speed recorded at Pokhara is 4 km per hour from February to June. The air is generally humid throughout the year with 80.16% relative humidity on yearly average. The relative humidity is found to be low in March and high in April. To know daily weather of Pokhara please visit http://www.mfd.gov.np

The climate 'is neither too cold nor too hot hence, from climatic point of view, Pokhara is enjoyable all year round. However, to visit higher Himalayas northern of Pokhara, especially for trekkers the best period is October to April.

Some facts on Pokhara City
These facts are based on Data from HMG Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, and Websites of Municipalities. Population about 200,000 . It is believed that Pokhara was the city of Mallas, the rulers of Nepal about 250 years ago. The Newar community of Kathmandu Valley migrated to Pokhara, built houses like those of Mallas, and started developing settlements which lead to the development of this city. Today, Pokhara is developed by tourism, import and export business of both domestic as well as foreign products to various towns and villages in Kaski and other districts of Nepal

What does Pokhara mean for Nepal?
It is a main center for the import and distribution of the domestic and imported foreign goods for various districts that are linked to Pokhara. Pokhara is the main entry point for goods going to the Kaski district of Nepal. Pokhara's population is growing more than ever, as the city has become the immediate choice for those who are leaving Kathmandu because of pollution or congestion factors, and it is also the number one choice for Nepalese living abroad for buying lands or houses in Nepal. Population of vehicles in Pokhara is also increasing. Pokhara will eventually develop the nearby villages and towns both by tourism industry as well as by local business.

The earliest reference

Pokhara is a place worth visiting and ruminating. Its natural beauty has made it one of the most frequented localities outside Kathmandu Valley. In the past, if Kathmandu seemed the heart of forbidden Nepal, Pokhara was even more mysterious owing to its secluded location. Early accounts gave it a mythical air, a situation well exploited in Han Suyin's the mountain is young wherein 'Bongsor Valley' It reminiscent of Pokhara.

The earliest reference to Pokhara was made by William Kir kpatrick who visited Kathmandu in 1793; "To Pokhara; at 3 coss, cross by wooden bridge the river Seti, a very deep, but narrow (Gorge)" while describing the main route from Kathmandu to Beni. Soon after, Francis Buchanan Hamilton wrote of Pokhara as "a considerable town ... which is a mart frequented by merchants from Nepal (Kathmandu), Palpa, Malebum & C. and afforded duties that is so poor a country where reckoned considerable." Brian Hodgson, that pioneer of Himalayan research and a profile writer, mentions Pokhara casually while discussing lakes in Hamalays, "lakes are small and very infrequent. Three of four in Kumaon and two of three in western Nepal (Pokra)" Henry Ambrose Old-field also referred to Pokhara vally as being "much larger than the valley of Nepal (Kathmandu) … the largest of these lakes (in Pokhara) is said to be two days' journey by D.J.F. Newall thus: " pokra (2600 feet), whose horizontal distance is only 15 miles, with a direct altitude of 20,400 feet above it. These facts tend to suggest the astonishing scenery that must here be presented."

The first foreigner to visit Pokhara on record was the Japanese Buddhist scholar Ekai Kawaguchi during his clandestine trip to Tibet from Kathmandu in 1899. He reflected nostalgically that "Pokhara looked like a town of villas at home, the site being chosen for the beauty of its natural scenery. Bamboo-covered ravines, flower-roofed heights, rich in green foliage, picturesque because of rushing and winding streams, itself set in the midst of high mountains. Such were the characteristic features of Pokhara." Kawagushi went on to assert "that in all my travels in the Himalayas I saw no scenery so enchanting as that which enraptured me at Pokhara." The significance of Pokhara was no lost to Perceval London which he referred to as the second city of Nepal outside the Kathmandu group and estimated its inhabitants at 10,000. He went on to emphasize that "it is not a place of wealth of political importance, but its size, its fertile soil and its position on the central east-west road of Nepal combines with its official character to make it a town that is destined to play no small part in the future industrial development of Nepal."

One might turn to Charles Bruce for whom Pokhara held a particulate fascination, "There is too almost underlying, this great centre of mountain, a town and a mart which always attracted my curiosity almost beyond any other town in Nepal. No one has been there, no one has seen it, but we know that its climates almost tropical, that it can not be more than 2500 feet in altitude, that it is on the bank of great lake, and that it is an open an open valley and lies immediately at the foot of these magnificent giants Annapurna Himal. Phewa Tal is the name of the lake and Pokhara that of the town. Some day and from somewhere someone will arise who will do adequate justice to what must be one of the most impressive and beautiful sights to be found in any mountain country." The above statement may sound rhapsodic rather than realistic but the scenic grandeur enhanced by Machhapuchhre (6,997m) could alone lead a mountain lover like Bruce to muse subjectively. Even Wilfred Noyce, Another mountaineer and poet who visited Pokhara in 1957 and thought Bruce might not have been disappointed, described the view of Machhapuchre from Pokhara as the most unbelievable and the mountain itself as one of the most beautiful mountains: " Compared to that vision the Matterhorn would have looked crude, the peerless Weisshorn a flattened lump."

The myth of Pokhara must have overcome Tom Longstaff who after all his global rambling still envied, Mysterious Pokhara, tropical, low-lying by a lake and closely backed by the immense peaks of Annapurna is still beyond our ken." ((T.G. Longstaff, This My Voyage, London, 1950)) Tibor Sekeji was more fortunate and noted after his visit Pokhara that "although it lies at the foot of mountains covered with eternal snow, we, on our way, kept seeing banana and orange tree full of golden fruit." Finally turn to Toni Hagan, Whose observations deserve on foot in Nepal and as scientist: "Pokhara area shows the greatest contrasts in landscape, nowhere in the world, can the highest mountain reaching 8,000 meters level be without any intermediate mountain ranges. Pokhara is certainly one of the most extraordinary and most beautiful places in the whole world."

Pokhara valley occupied the most central location in Nepal. The country extends between the longitudes 80⁰ East and 88⁰ and Pokhara lies at 84⁰ East and while the Tibetan border is 72 Kilometers north, the Indian border is 78 kilometers south of Pokhara. The plain of Pokhara at the base of Annapurna Himal makes a striking contrast with the rugged relief of the surrounding mountain country. About 124 square kilometers area of longitudinal valley floor of the Seti River is filled with gravel, sand pebbles and boulders and this diversity in content and morphology suggest a rapid deposition under diluvia conditions. The plain slopes gently downstream to the south-east and the gradient also on the edge of the tributary streams by the overflow of superficial gravels along the main Seti valley. The smaller lakes are diminishing in size due to silting whereas Phewa Tal has been enlarged by damming for irrigation and power. The hills encompassing the plain very in height from 1,200 meters in the south and east to 2,400 meters in the west and north.

The prevailing climate is humid subtropical with mean temperature above13.3⁰ c. and summer maximum exceeding 32.8⁰ C. Snow fall above 2,400 meters during the winter with frosts lower down. The annual rainfall average 2,581 mm and 82 percentage of precipitation occur during the summer monsoon. Local conservation causes hailstorms in autumn and strong winds during the spring are usual. The agriculture activity conforms to the seasonal rhythm and vagaries of monsoon affect farmer's prosperity of poverty.

After, establishment of Indian and British pension paying camp have given much impetus to the business activity in town. Native industries differ between the highlands and the plain according to the availability of raw materials. Apart from weaving industry, the highlanders engage in basket-making work and extracting forest products. On the plain, occupational castes specialize in primary industries such as metal works, fishing, pottery-making, and brick-making. Newly introduced industries include furniture works, rice mills, textiles and fruit-processing. Tourism that developed late has immense potential for expansion. The northern view from the airport commands a majestic panorama of Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna south (7,273 m), Annapurna I (8,091 m), Machhapuchre (6,997m) Annapurna III (7,577m), Annapurna IV (7,524m), Annapurna II (7,937m), Manaslu (8,125m) Himalchuli (7893m) etc mountains…