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Pokhara - Nepal
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Pokhara: This mountain city is the main trek
starting and ending points for Mt. Annapurna Region and
situated 200 kilometers away from Kathmandu. The Pokhara
valley stands one of the most picturesque sites of
Nepal. Some believe it to be the Nepalese Paradise in
the ecological sense. The perpetual beauty of the valley
is enhanced by its three renowned lakes including Phewa,
Begnas and Rupa, which own their natural resource in the
glacial sector of the Annapurna Range of the Supreme
Himalayas. The Annapurna Range is virtually the abode of
five major peaks namely Annapurna I, Annapurna II ,
Annapurna III, Annapurna IV and Annapurna South. The
scenic beauty of the tall deep waterfall also makes our
trip more enchanting. The striking landmark is none
other than Mt. Machhapuchhare (the metaphorical usage of
Fish-Tail). |
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Places of interest in and around Pokhara |
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Mountains. The moment you step into any part of
Pokhara the first thing that takes you to a spontaneous
delight is the gorgeous view of the gigantic mountains.
Pokhara is, in fact, the first and foremost convenient
point for mountain-oriented sightseeing. Mt. Annapurna.
Literally meaning the goddess of abundant harvest, lies
at a horizontal distance of 40 kilometers from the
valley of Pokhara, which remains at an elevation of just
900 meters above the mean sea level. Here is clear clue
for the identification of mountain peaks visible from
Pokhara. At the extreme left isolated from the massif is
visible the peak of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167). |
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Phewa
Tal. The lake in the immediate vicinity of the city
is the Phewa Tal with an island temple dedicated to
Goddess Barahi in the middle. With its serene water
reflecting the Annapurna Range and nicely reserved woods
in the adjoining southern slope, this legendary second
largest lake of the kingdom is indeed a source of
attraction for the visiting tourist. Swimming and
boating can also enjoy on this lake. |
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Sarangkot. Above the Bindabasini Temple, a ridge
road leads to Sarangkot along with panoramic view of
northern mountains as well as Pokhra Valley. Annapurna
range and overlook the valley of Pokhara to enjoy the
eye fast of the east. A view tower has been built in the
top of Sarangkot hill at an elevation of 1,600 meters.
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Tibetan Village. There are two Tibetan villages in
the vicinity of Pokhara. One of them called Tamshiling
is in the south past Patellae Chhango. The other village
by the name of Tashi Palkhel id in the north of Pokhara
at the place called Hyangja in Pokhara- Baglung Highway.
The Tibetan people living in these villages keep
themselves bust by producing and trading in woolen
carpets and other handicraft items. |
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Patale Chhango. This sightseeing spot is popularly
known as Devi's Fall in the southern flank of the
Pokhara Valley, and left of the Siddhartha Highway
carves another amazing course. At this point the stream
overflowing Phewa lake suddenly collapses surges down
the rocks into a deep gorge, leaping through several
potholes before taking a final long plunge. |
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Begnas and Rupa Lakes. These twin lakes lie to the
north-east of Pokhara Valley about 15 kilometers away
form the airport. The road to Begnas follows Kathmandu-Pokhara
Highway ( the Prithvi Highway to some) as far as Sisuwa
near the police check post and branches off the road
towards north. It is possible to fetch a bus-ride to the
dam side of Begnas from the city. A small hill called
Pachbhaiya, which separates the two lakes cab, be
reached in 30 minutes on foot from the Begnas bus stop.
From a convenient point on this hill one can overlook
the twin lakes in either side. These two lakes provide
an opportunity for angling, canoeing. Sunbathing and
bird watching. |
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Mahendra Cave. It is another interesting natural
site across the Seti River past Batulechour village in
the north of Pokhara Valley. It is one of the few
stalagmite-stalactite caves found in Nepal. The cave has
not yet been fully explored and it conceals more than
the present first galleries. A flashlight is worthwhile
to explore the interior. |
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River
Gorges. The Seti River carves a deep course through
the city area of Pokhara from Bagar in the north to Sita
Paila in the South. The Deep gorge can be viewed from
any bridge over the Seti River K. I. Singh Bridge at
Bagar, Mahendra Bridge at downtown and Prithivi Highway
Bridge near the bus park. Looking down these bridges one
can see the white turbulent flow of the Seti through an
incredibly narrow canyon about 26 meters below.
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