Exploring Pokhara - One Peaceful Stop at a Time

🌄 Tucked beside the Annapurna range and sitting quietly along the shores of Phewa Lake 🚣, Pokhara is one of Nepal’s most loved destinations. Known for its mountain views 🏔️, calm lakes 🌊, caves 🕳️, temples 🛕, and of course, paragliding 🪂, it’s the kind of place that invites you to slow down and stay a little longer.

Most people either come here to unwind after a trek 🥾 or chase adventure in the sky.
But for us, Pokhara was about something else - small moments ✨, easy days 🌿, and peaceful discoveries 🧘.

We spent 4 nights here, and instead of rushing through guided group tours, we explored it slowly - one peaceful stop at a time 🚖.

Since Pokhara doesn’t have ride apps like Pathao, we went with the easiest option - hiring rental cabs locally by directly bargaining with drivers. And honestly, it turned out to be one of the best decisions.

Both drivers were polite, patient, and waited at every stop without rushing us. This gave us complete freedom to explore at our own pace - no strict timings, no pressure.

• 🚕 Tour 1 (Temples + Caves): ~4 hours | 3000 NPR

• 🚕 Tour 2 (Sunrise + Culture): ~7 hours | 4000 NPR

If you prefer slow travel and like to discover places on your own terms, this is the way to experience Pokhara - relaxed, flexible, and totally stress-free.

🚗 How We Explored Pokhara

Our first tour was a half-day ride around Pokhara - covering a mix of spiritual hilltops, calm viewpoints, and a bit of underground exploration. The pace was relaxed, and every stop had something different to offer.

🛕 Tour 1 - Temples, Waterfalls & Peaceful Views

One of the best viewpoints in Pokhara - the white stupa sits above Phewa Lake and offers stunning panoramic views of the lake, hills, and the city below.
A short uphill walk leads you to peaceful surroundings that are perfect for a quiet pause or some amazing photos.

Located right across from Devi’s Falls, this natural cave holds a small Shiva temple inside.
It’s dark, damp, and mysterious - and there’s a viewpoint where you can see the waterfall from below, which was pretty unique.

Stop 1 - 🕉️ Shiva Statue, Pumdikot

A peaceful hilltop with a giant statue of Lord Shiva overlooking the Pokhara valley.
The atmosphere was calm, the place was clean, and the views were absolutely worth the drive. A great way to start the day on a spiritual and scenic note.

Stop 2 - 🕊️ Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa)

Stop 4 - 💦 Devi’s Falls

This spot is famous for how the waterfall disappears into a deep underground tunnel - but honestly, it didn’t live up to the hype for us.
The area wasn’t well maintained, and there was visible garbage around, which took away from the natural charm.
If you're short on time or looking for peaceful nature spots, this one can be skipped.

Stop 3 - 🕳️ Gupteshwar Cave

This tour started early in the morning, but it was totally worth it. The day was packed with sunrise views, local temples, hidden caves, and a bit of history - all spread across town.

We covered a mix of peaceful spots and fun little challenges, and despite being a long day, it didn’t feel tiring thanks to the variety.

🌄 Tour 2 - Sunrise, Temples & Underground Adventures

This is a natural limestone cave with wide paths and soft lighting, making it easy to explore even if you’re not used to caves. As you walk in, the air gets cooler, and you’ll notice unique rock formations all around.

Inside, there’s also a small Shiva temple, adding a spiritual touch to the experience. Towards the end, there's an optional narrow exit route that’s slightly adventurous - you can either walk back the same way or squeeze through a fun little crawl-out, which makes the visit more memorable.

A small but popular local temple set on a hilltop. It’s peaceful, with good views and a very local vibe.
You don’t need much time here, but it adds a nice spiritual touch to the morning.

Stop 1 - 🌅 Sarangkot Sunrise

We left while it was still dark, reached Sarangkot just before dawn.
The morning was slightly clouded, so the sunrise took its time - but we waited patiently, and it was worth it.

Eventually, the clouds parted and we watched the sun slowly light up the Annapurna and Machapuchare peaks. A peaceful, magical start to the day - even better because it made us pause and take it all in.

Stop 3 - 🕳️ Mahendra Cave

Stop 4 - 🦇 Bat Cave (Chamera Gufa)

This one’s smaller, darker, and packed with thousands of real bats hanging from the ceiling 🦇. It feels raw, natural, and more thrilling compared to Mahendra Cave.

We strongly recommend taking a local guide here. The guide not only ensures safety but also leads you to the real highlight - a super narrow crawl-out exit between rocks, which is even more exciting than Mahendra’s.

It’s short, fun, and totally safe - and for us, it was one of the most unexpected and fun adventures in Pokhara.

Stop 2 -🛕 Bindhyabasini Temple

Stop 5 - 🪖 Gurkha Museum

Stop 6 - 🌉 Seti Gorge

A compact but powerful museum dedicated to Nepal’s brave Gurkha soldiers.
Lots of inspiring stories, medals, uniforms, and history. A great stop to cool down and learn something new.

A narrow river gorge cutting through rock right in the middle of town.
It’s a quick visit - nothing major, but good for a short stop if you’re passing by.

Apart from our two day tours, we also enjoyed a few extra experiences that added variety and depth to our time in Pokhara. These moments - from flying in the sky to floating on calm waters - turned out to be just as memorable.

🎣 Bonus Moments - Boating, Museums & a Little Casino Fun

🚣‍♂️ Boating on Phewa Lake

Boating during golden hour on Phewa Lake was one of the calmest and most peaceful moments of our trip.
The still water, soft light, and reflections of the hills around us created a postcard-perfect setting.
You can either rent a rowboat or hire someone to paddle for you - both are equally relaxing. Sunset time is definitely the best.

🪂 Paragliding - Flying Over Pokhara

Pokhara is one of the best places in Asia for paragliding - and we just couldn’t miss it.
We booked it from a local shop just a day in advance and took off the next morning from Sarangkot.
Gliding over Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range ahead was surreal - calm, scenic, and completely unforgettable.
We even opted for aerobatic stunts 🎢, which added a fun twist at the end.

We’ve shared our full paragliding experience in a separate travel diary - but trust us, it’s a must-do in Pokhara if you have never done it before!

🎰 Casino Experience - Casino by Taj

Pokhara isn’t known for its nightlife, but if you're in the mood for something different, Casino by Taj is a nice evening option. As far as we know, it's the only full-fledged casino in town.

We visited casually one evening. The entry fee was 3000 NPR per person, which included a few complimentary chips and snacks.
The space was neat, not too crowded, and felt well-managed. It’s nothing over-the-top, but a fun little detour after a long day of sightseeing - especially if you're into light gaming or just want to try something offbeat.

🏔️ International Mountain Museum

If you’re even slightly interested in the Himalayas, trekking, or Everest stories, don’t skip this.
The museum has well-curated sections featuring climbing history, Sherpa life, mountaineering gear, and more.
It’s clean, informative, and a great break from outdoor sightseeing. We spent around an hour here, and genuinely enjoyed every bit of it.

• 🚖 No ride apps – local taxis are your best option. Bargain respectfully and lock the price before starting.

• 🕘 Start early – especially for Sarangkot sunrise or temples to avoid heat and crowd.

• 📍 Group nearby spots – it’ll save time and energy across your day tours.

• 🥾 Wear proper shoes – especially for cave visits and hilltop walks.

• 🛶 Boating at golden hour is a must – peaceful and scenic.

• 🧘‍♂️ Slow down – Pokhara is not about rushing; enjoy the calm.

💡 Quick Tips for Exploring Pokhara

Pokhara isn’t just about adventure - it’s about balance.
A place where you can hike at sunrise, float at sunset, explore temples, caves, and history — all at your own pace.

For us, Pokhara was more than just a destination. It was a chance to breathe, pause, and discover one peaceful spot at a time.

✍️ Final Thoughts

If you’re planning a trip to Nepal, make time for Pokhara —
not just to see it, but to feel it. 🌿🌄🚣