Phewa Circuit Trek: Trekking around Pokhara

Either it is about the snow-capped mountains, the beautiful lakes or a perfect leisure spending place, Pokhara never disappoints the tourists. Pokhara offers a variety of choices for the visitors. This may include trekking, sightseeing, experiencing the culture, shopping in the local market, mountain biking and many ways to chill.

Pokhara offers a number of trekking possibilities for the tourists. The Poonhill trek, Ghandruk Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Khopra Danda Trek, and Upper Mustang Trek are some of the beautiful trekking routes in Nepal that can be started from Pokhara. Pokhara is also very popular as the starting point of the famous Annapurna Circuit Trek. However, Pokhara also offers with the beautiful trek inside the valley. The Phewa Circuit Trek is one of such trek one should not miss.

About Phewa Circuit Trek

The Phewa Circuit Trek offers wonderful views of the mountains from a gentle height and not very far from the city area. The beautiful countryside view and friendly locals make the trek more worthy. The short Phewa Circuit Trek will lead you through the tropical forest with the highest elevation of 2,760 meters at Panchase. The beautiful Rhododendron, orchid, fern and the chipping of the birds give the untouched feeling of the countryside.

Phewa Circuit Trek Highlights

  • Experience the settlement, lifestyle and culture of the local villages
  • The glorious mountain peaks: Annapurna, Machhapuchhare, Dhaulagiri, and other peaks.
  • Easy trail, low altitude without the fear of the altitude sickness
  • Beautiful sunrise and sunset view

Major attractions of the Phewa Circuit Trek

Phewa Lake

Phewa Lake is not only the attraction of the Phewa Circuit Trek but is a preferred destination in whole Pokhara itself. The lake lies at the altitude of 742 meters and extends over an area of 4.43 sq km. The Phewa Lake has a beautiful and peaceful environment. The crystal clear reflection of the Machhapuchhare Himal and other mountains of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges on the surface of the lake is a major factor that makes the Lake enchanting.

Multicolored boats add an extra light to the lake. You can take a boat tour around the lake. The boats are available anytime at the bank of the lake. The Barahi temple at the middle of the pond is another attraction. You can hire a boat and make a tour to the Barahi temple. Floating on the surface of the beautiful lake with the panorama of the snowcapped mountains overhead is one of the best nature experience you will ever get. The temple is two-storied, pagoda style temple and is the representation of Ajima; the female force. A number of devotees visit the temple particularly in Saturday.

The Phewa Lake is more like a piece of heaven on earth. The evening walk around the lake or evening boating is accompanied by the beautiful sunset. The colorful sunset over the sky is worth watching from the Fewa Lake.

phewa_lake

World Peace Pagoda Trek

The southern bank of the Phewa Lake offers the way towards the World Peace Pagoda. The trail is straight uphill climb following the stone steps. Only 7 km away from Pokhara, the world peace pagoda is mostly popular as the viewpoint of the sunrise and sunset. The interesting trip to the pagoda starts from the Pardi Khola Bridge. Crossing the bridge, passing through the paddy fields and greenery, the trail will lead you to a small temple. You will also see a poultry farm on the way on your left.

Again walking about 2 km through the beautiful forest, the main trail continues in the west. There also exists an alternative trail which is about 600 m from the gate that will lead you up to the main ridge. Both the trails meet uphill and you will now reach the restaurant where the trail from Devi’s fall joins. With the beautiful view of the surrounding you will finally reach the peace pagoda.

For an even shorter route, trekkers can also hire a taxi or get a local bus that can drop you by the bus park at the south of the stupa. The steep trail for less than an hour leads to the entrance of the pagoda. If you are really looking for a hot, sweaty, workout type of hike, then hike from the Devis Falls is a good idea.

World_peace_pagoda

Panchase Deurali Trek

Panchase is 28 kilometers from Pokhara. Resting on the foothills of the Himalayas, Panchase is one of the attractive trekking destinations in Nepal. The trek is simple, low altitude trek and thus is suitable for any age group without any special requirements. Along with the beautiful mountains along the trail, the Panchase trek offers the trekkers with the historical, cultural and religious experience.

The trail passes through the subtropical to temperate forest which is home to a number of endangered bird species. You might also encounter some monkeys. The Panchase Peak is 500 meters up which can be conquered by the stone trail. The peak is also called Pancha Dham because of its religious importance.

The Panchase peak is the highest peak around the Phewa Circuit Trek. The early morning in the Panchase peak is wonderful to experience the beautiful sunrise. The red sun rays spreading over the mountain peaks of the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal makes the horizon look like heaven.

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Sarangkot Trek

At the altitude of 1600 meters, Sarangkot is the viewpoint and is particularly famous for the sunrise and sunset. A short trek to the top of the hill will be perfect in the morning or the evening.

The trek is little but challenging and starts from the north of the Lakeside through the Kahare. Following the road from Kahare, the trail will lead to the Sedi Bogar village. Right from the Caravan Restaurant and continuing through the stone road, you will reach the forested slopes of the Sarangkot. The road ends there at the right side (east) of the school and thus you now need to follow the next trail. After walking for about 100 meters, the trail breaks to the left and then the stone steps begin again.

Walking along the stone steps through the long jungle and passing through the small villages, trekkers can catch a sight of paved roads with some restaurants nearby. There also stands a school. You are now almost done but this is not the end of the trail though. From here, a 200 meters walk down the road and a 100-meter on the left will lead to the steps from where the top is visible. Sarangkot village lies at the top with many restaurants, cafes, and shops.

The top of the hill offers majestic views of the glorious mountains namely Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) in the west, Pyramids of Machhapuchhare (6,997 m), and Annapurna II (7,937 m) in the east. Take a long, satisfied breathe and get lost in the magical views of the mountains.

Sarangkot_trek

Begnaskot Hiking

The third largest lake of Nepal; the Begnas lake lies in the southeast of Pokhara and 35 km east of the tourist center at Phewa Lake. Begnas Lake is a quiet and peaceful place to spend some quality time in. The Begnas Lake provides an opportunity to have some time close to the nature on the lap of the Annapurna range. You can also hire a boat and paddle around the lake during the beautiful evening enjoying the sunset.

Begnaskot is a ridge towards the northeast of the Begnas Lake. The hike to the Begnaskot is a firsthand experience to the countryside lifestyle and mountain culture. The Sundari Danda village that occurs in the trail while climbing for the Begnaskot is a beautiful instance of the agricultural tourism in Nepal. The village is composed of different groups where the people are involved in agriculture, fishing and coffee production. There is also an organic fresh coffee farm that offers fresh coffee.

At the top of the Begnaskot, there is a temple. The temple is called the Begnaskot temple and is especially important for the Hindus. The hill top provides the view of the beautiful Pokhara valley, the lush green forest and different mountain ranges. This trekking route is less explored and is rarely visited by the tourists. Thus, the trail is quiet and peaceful.

Pokhara: The City of Lakes

Pokhara is the second largest city and number one adventure and Leisure City in Nepal. Nepal is a beautiful country blessed with the varied topography, natural resources, mesmerizing mountains and culture, and traditions. Among various places, Nepal provides a sense of pleasure, fun, and adventure at the same time; Pokhara is one of the places that strikes everyone’s mind. Together with the adventure activities, Pokhara provides the visitors with a variety of the foods to taste.

Whether you are returning from weeks long trekking or traveled a long, tiring bus journey, Pokhara is the best place for revitalize your mind and body. With all the natural beauties like lakes, mountains and various adventure activities, Pokhara receives tourists every year from all around the world that it is also called the Capital of tourism in Nepal.

Pokhara Nepal

About Pokhara

Pokhara is a metropolitan city in Kaski district Nepal, around 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. The altitude of Pokhara varies from 827 meters in the south to 1,740 meters in the north. The Annapurna Range which consists of three of the highest mountains in the world; Mt Dhaulagiri, Mt Annapurna -I and Mt Manaslu, lies in the Pokhara Valley and thus being a base for the Annapurna Circuit.

Looking back to the history of Pokhara, it was one of the parts of the kingdom Kaski (one of the 24 kingdoms of Nepal). King of Kaski established Pokhara as a commercial center in mid 18th century. The Brahmin, Chhetries, Thakuri, and Dalits settled in the most of Pokhara during the ancient time. However, the majority of Pokhara at present is inhabited by Khas (Brahmin, Chhetries, and Thakuri), Gurungs and Magar.

In recent days, Pokhara is a world famous tourist destination. Old Newari houses and many medieval era temples stand reflecting the architecture of the ancient time. On the other hand, the heart-melting natural beauty of the place and the thrilling adventures Pokhara provides is a perfect combination to relax you.

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Where to visit in Pokhara?

The beautiful and charming city has much more offerings than that a visitor is expecting. The beautiful lakes, the caves, and the viewpoints are something one should never miss during the Pokhara trip. Pokhara is also known as the ‘City of Lakes’ for the beautiful lakes it has. The beautiful lakes are enough to calm one’s heart and feel the peace. Also, the caves and the temples are other major attractions of Pokhara. Here are the places one should not miss during their Pokhara trip.

Phewa/ Fewa Lake

The Phewa Lake is the center of attraction in Pokhara. The lake lies at the altitude of 742 meters and occupies 4.43 km2 of area. The average depth of the lake is about 8.6 meters. The lake is famous for boating on the bank of the lake which provides the visitors with the tour of the lake. One can hire a boat and visit around the floating on the surface of the beautiful lake.

Fawa Lake

Barahi Temple

The Barahi temple is another attraction of the Lake. The temple is built in the center of the Phewa Lake. Visitors can hire a boat and enjoy their ride up to the temple. The temple is two-storied and in pagoda style. The Barahi temple is a representation of Ajima, which is the reflection of the female force. A large number of devotees visit the temple, especially on Saturdays. There is also a tradition of scarifying the animals in the temple.

The lake is also famous for the reflection of the Mt. Machhapuchhare and other mountains of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The breathtaking view of the mountains from the lake and their beautiful reflection in the water of the lake make the lake as if it is a piece of heaven landed on earth.

Taal Barahi

Begnas Lake

Begnas Lake lies in the south-east of Pokhara valley and is the third largest lake of Nepal. The water in the lake is not constant and is used for irrigation. Begnas Lake is a quiet place with the beautiful mountains and a perfect place to be in the evening. One can also hire a canoe boat and paddle themselves on the lake. Begnas Lake is a perfect place to relax in the lap of Annapurna Range, and with the view of the beautiful sunset.

Begnas Taal

Rupa Lake

Rupa Lake lies at an altitude of 600 meters and covers an area of 1.35 km2. Cage culture and pen culture can be seen in Rupa Lake to promote fishing. Also, this lake is rich in floral and faunal diversity. Among the 193 species of wetland-dependent birds found in Nepal, 36 species of them are recorded in the Rupa Lake which alone contributes up to 19% of the total species.

Davi’s falls

The Davis fall is 2 km southeast from the center of the Pokhara city. The fall is also called Patale Chhango (Hells Fall) in Nepali. The water from the falls runs through an underground tunnel of about 150 m long and 30 m below the ground. It is said that in 1961, a woman slipped and got drowned by the water while swimming with her husband and was killed. The name of the fall hence was kept in her remembrance. The water in the Davis falls comes with much force during the monsoon season. However, always keep in mind to be careful about accidents.

David's Fall

Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

The Gupteshwor Cave is close to the Davis falls. The cave is believed to have discovered in the 16thcentury and has two chambers. The inside of the cave is dark. Although, some lightning is available, carrying a hand torch will be a good idea. The first chamber of the cave consists of various shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Proceeding inside the cave, visitors can find the water from the Davis fall run through the end of the cave. This is why the second chamber of the cave is almost closed during the monsoon.

Mahendra Cave

Mahendra Cave is an ancient cave below a mountain in the northeast of Pokhara. The cave is formed by young limestone and is of religious importance. Inside of the cave is complete darkness with water dripping from the top. The first 100 meters corridor is properly accessible while it narrows as moving further.

Bindabasini temple

The Bindabasini temple is the Guardian Deity of Pokhara. The temple stands at the top of a hill at an altitude of 3000 feet and is dedicated to goddess Durga. Founded in 1845 BS, the temple receives a large number of devotees during the Dashain festival. The temple is colored in white, and a dome-like structure dominates the courtyard and surrounded by a park-like landscape. The scarifying of the animals is doneon the Saturdays and the Tuesdays. Beautiful mountains ranges and the view of the old Bazaar are also the attractions of the temple.

Bindabasini Temple Pokhara

Sarangkot

Sarangkot is a viewpoint at an altitude of 1600 meters and is famous for the mountain views, sunrise, and sunset. From here, one can view the panorama of the glorious mountains that includes Dhaulagiri (8167 m) in the west, Pyramid of Machhapuchhare (6997 m), and Annapurna II (7937 m) in the east. A short trek to the hilltop in the early morning or the evening will be a perfect time to get lost in nature with the sunrise or the sunset.

Peace Stupa

Located at the southeast of Pokhara at the altitude of almost 1,000 meters, the Peace Stupa is a holy place for the Buddhist. The white colored monument is 115 feet tall and 344 feet in diameter. The stupa is a good choice for a short hike, sunrise view, and sight seeing. The stupa provides a clear view of the Himalayan Range, Phewa Lake, and the Pokhara city.

It can be accessed by hiring a mountain bike and paddle up the rocky path. One can also hire a boat across the lake and walking along the uphill trail through the beautiful forest.

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Activities to do in Pokhara

If you are looking for something real adventure and fun part from the natural scenario and pleasing mountains in Pokhara, then you have got many options. Pokhara is all ready to provide you with the wonderful life experiences of various adventure activities:

Paragliding

Paragliding in Pokhara is an amazing experience. The take-off spot is Sarangkot. The flight swings over the Sarangkot for a while and then heads over Pokhara sharing the sky with the birds. Most people go for a tandem flight (with a pilot). Flying on the sky, below lies the beautiful valley, the green hills and the pleasing Phewa Lake, the experience is amazing. The closer view of the Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail) and the Annapurna Range will make all the fear during the flight escape in a second.

Paragliding Pokhara

Zip Flying

Zip flying is an activity that has been attracting tourists in Nepal. The Zip Flying starts from 1625 m in Sarangkot and ends at 960 m in Hemmja. It consists of a trolley what is mounted ona steel cable, 1.8 km long. You will descend 2000 vertical feet at an angle of 56% and speed over 90 miles per hour. The flight will amaze you with the Annapurna range, Machhapuchhare, Dhaulagiri range, Lamjung Himal range and beautiful Pokhara valley. Wait no more and make our dream to fly come true.

Hand Gliding

Hand Gliding is an amazing experience to ride a plane by own. Hand Gliding is also done from Sarangkot and you are the pilot of your own plane. You can enjoy the ride freely like a bird and look at the beautiful mountains, lakes and monasteries. Weather is an important element for Hand Gliding.

Sky Diving

Sky diving ads thrill to the beauty of Pokhara. Now fly above the clouds and witness the enchanting city. The skydive in Pokhara are traditional jumps and made from the altitude of 11,000 t0 13,000 meters at Pame Danda Drop zone, west of Phewa Lake.

Para motor

Paramotor is a power unit a pilot wears in his back. It is almost similar to Paragliding but a little risky and requires minimal training.

Bungy Jumping

Bungee Jumping in Pokhara is the highest water touch jump in the world. This thrilling experience is something you would like to do once in a lifetime. The jump is made from the top of the tower which is 80 m high and dive in a pond which is 18-20 meters deep.

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Trekking

Trekking is always the best option for adventure and exploration. Pokhara is a gateway for the trek to Annapurna Base Camp, Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, Mardi Himal trek, Jomsom Muktinath trek, and Upper Mustang trek. Also, you can go for a short one day trek around Pokhara like a trek to Dhampus village, Sarangkot- Naudanda hike, Peace Stupa Hike, a day hike to Australian Camp and others.

Mountain biking

A mountain bike ride will be a wonderful experience in Pokhara. Mountain biking is a chance to explore Pokhara little more riding through trials rarely followed by the tourists. You can bike up to the Peace stupa or roam around the Phewa Lake in the evening along the lakeside.

Seti river rafting

The warm and beautiful Seti River provides the adventure of rafting. The Damauli is the entry point and ends at Gaighat. It is also a destination for bird watchers. The Seti River is a gentle river and thus provides the experience of rafting without major challenges. However the flow may be wild during the monsoon.

rafting

Stand up Paddling

Stand up Paddling is another activity to challenge you in Pokhara. Paddling is done either in Phewa or in Begnas Lake. The choice of lake is yours. Although, you might find it difficult initially to balance the paddle, but as soon as you balance the paddle the activity is amazing that drives you lost in the nature of the lake.

Para-Hawking

Such an interesting name, isn’t it? Para-Hawking is a new, extraordinary sport and may be of special concern for someone who is interested in birds of prey. Before the activity, the pilot or the passenger takes a fragment of meat in their hand. During the flight, the bird will approach you and may also quietly land on the hand with meat. It takes the meat and then fly way to find the next flyer with another piece of meat. This real experience is something you cannot afford to miss.

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