If you ever visit Nepal in your lifetime, make sure you visit Pokhara, a small town set in the lap of nature with the mightly Annapurna Mountain range of the Himalayas providing a picture perfect backdrop for an idyllic vacation. Some hail it as the Switzerland of Nepal ! The town is frequented by a lot of tourists, foreign as well as local Nepalese who wish to escape from the maddening urban life in search of peace and solitude.
A beautiful scenic lake called Fewa lake and the picturesque Annapurna mountain range are pretty much the major attractions for tourists. Ofcourse, being a small town helps in the sense that you don’t get the feeling of people rushing about their day-to-day work. Life is GOOOOOOOOOD here ! I recommend you stay at the Fish Tail Lodge in Pokhara which is set on a piece of land inside the lake and is accessible by a man made raft, which adds to the whole experience. Fish Tail Lodge is the only landmark place to stay in Pokhara coz its right there where nature stays. The place has been a favourite amongst the VIPs and the Royals since a long time including Prince Charles, Prince Naruhito of Japan, President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy and many more. The Annapurna Mountain Range is visible on a clear day and is particularly marked by a unique mountain called Machhapuchhare in Nepali which means Fish Tail. The shadow that this mountain creates in the Fewa lake gives an appearance of the tail of a fish.
Once you’re in Pokhara, you must visit Sarangkot, a hill top destination to view the morning sunrise. Believe me, the view is absolutely FABULOUS !! As the sunlight makes its appearance, the snow capped peaks of the Annapurna Range become Golden in colour. This will be an experience you will never forget for the rest of your lives !! I felt the mountains calling out to me, asking me to join them and bathe in this morning sunlight. I wish I had the wings to soar above these mountains and share their joy.
You must also take a boat ride in Fewa lake while you’re admiring the beauty and the vast expanse of the lake. There is a temple in the middle of the lake dedicated to Goddess Durga and frequented by the Royal family too.
Another important place unique to Pokhara is the International Mountaineering Museum. I suggest that you must make a trip to this place even though you’re not quite enthusiastic about mountaineering or musuems in the first place. The mere location of the museum provides for some stunning pictures that you will cherish life-long !!
I fell in love with the Annapurna Mountains and I bet you will too :-)
Get to Pokhara and add everlasting memories to your life experience !!