Pokhara and Annapurna
Lakes, sunrise viewpoints and the trailheads of the Annapurna region, beneath Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range.
55 placesPokhara: Lakes, Mountain Views and the Gateway to the Annapurnas
Pokhara, Nepal's lakeside city and tourism capital: Phewa Lake, Sarangkot sunrise, the World Peace Pagoda, paragliding, caves and waterfalls, how to get there and the bes...
Explore 02Annapurna Base Camp: Inside the Annapurna Sanctuary
Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) in the Annapurna Sanctuary: a glacial amphitheatre ringed by Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre. How to get there, be...
Explore 03Sarangkot: Sunrise over the Annapurnas and Paragliding above Pokhara
Sarangkot, the hill above Pokhara: sunrise over Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas, paragliding take-off, how to get there by road or on foot and tips.
Explore 04Phewa Lake: Boating, Tal Barahi Temple and Mountain Reflections
Phewa Lake in Pokhara: boating to Tal Barahi Temple, Machhapuchhre reflections, the World Peace Pagoda, Lakeside cafés, and tips for the best time to visit.
Explore 05Poon Hill: Nepal's Most Famous Sunrise Viewpoint
Poon Hill (3,210 m) above Ghorepani: the famous sunrise panorama of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas, how to get there on a short trek from Pokhara, rhododendron season and...
Explore 06Tilicho Lake: One of the Highest Lakes in the World
Tilicho Lake (4,919 m), one of the highest lakes of its size in the world, a side trip from Manang on the Annapurna Circuit: route, altitude, landslide section, best time...
Explore 07Bandipur: A Car-Free Newar Hill Town between Kathmandu and Pokhara
Bandipur, a preserved Newar hill town above the Prithvi Highway: car-free bazaar, Tundikhel viewpoint, Siddha Gufa cave, Thani Mai sunrise hike and how to get there from...
Explore 08Ghandruk: Gurung Village beneath Annapurna South
Ghandruk (1,940 m), a large Gurung village in the Annapurna region: views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, the Gurung Museum, homestays and how to get there from Pok...
Explore 09Manang: Acclimatisation Village on the Annapurna Circuit
Manang (about 3,540 m) on the Annapurna Circuit: acclimatisation hikes to Ice Lake and Gangapurna Lake, the altitude talk, Praken Gompa, and side trips to Tilicho Lake.
Explore 10World Peace Pagoda: Sunset over Phewa Lake and the Annapurnas
The World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) above Phewa Lake in Pokhara: how to get there by boat and hike or by road, sunset views of the Annapurnas and visiting tips.
Explore 11Begnas Lake: Pokhara's Quieter Lake
Begnas Lake, about 15 km east of Pokhara: a quiet alternative to Phewa Lake with boating, fish farms, rice terraces, nearby Rupa Lake and lakeside resorts.
Explore 12Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave: Pokhara's Underground River
Davis Falls (Patale Chhango) and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave in Pokhara: where the Pardi Khola vanishes underground, the Shiva cave shrine, entry fees and the best season to...
Explore 13Mardi Himal: Ridge Walk to the Foot of Machhapuchhre
Mardi Himal in the Annapurna region: a short trek along a forested ridge to High Camp and the Mardi Himal viewpoint beneath Machhapuchhre, with best time and tips.
Explore 14Ghorepani: The Village beneath Poon Hill
Ghorepani (2,860 m), the village at the foot of Poon Hill in the Annapurna region: the dawn climb to Poon Hill, rhododendron forest, lodges, routes from Pokhara and onwar...
Explore 15Chhomrong: The Gurung Gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary
Chhomrong (about 2,170 m), the Gurung village at the gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary: views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, famous stone steps, lodges and its pl...
Explore 16Tatopani: Hot Springs on the Kali Gandaki
Tatopani in Myagdi district: natural hot springs beside the Kali Gandaki river, a classic rest stop on the old Annapurna Circuit and the Ghorepani route, with orange grov...
Explore 17Upper Pisang: Tibetan-Style Village above the Marsyangdi
Upper Pisang (about 3,310 m) on the Annapurna Circuit: a Tibetan-style village with a monastery and views of Annapurna II, the start of the scenic upper route via Ghyaru...
Explore 18International Mountain Museum: The Story of the Himalaya in Pokhara
The International Mountain Museum in Pokhara: exhibits on the world's great mountains, the history of Himalayan mountaineering, mountain peoples and cultures, and the Man...
Explore 19Mahendra Cave and Bat Cave: Exploring Pokhara's Underground
Mahendra Cave and the Bat Cave (Chamero Gufa) near Batulechaur, north of Pokhara: limestone caves with stalactites, a Shiva shrine and thousands of bats, with tips for vi...
Explore 20Thorong La: Crossing the High Pass of the Annapurna Circuit
Thorong La (5,416 m), the high point of the Annapurna Circuit between Manang and Muktinath: how the crossing day works, altitude and acclimatisation, weather and snow, an...
Explore 21Annapurna Conservation Area: Nepal's Largest Protected Area
The Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal's largest protected area: how the community-based model works, the ACAP permit, its treks from Poon Hill to the Annapurna Circuit a...
Explore 22Rupa Lake: Quiet Waters East of Pokhara
Rupa Lake, a peaceful lake in the Pokhara Valley next to Begnas, managed by a community cooperative for fishing and conservation, with boating, birds and village walks.
Explore 23Khopra Danda: The Ridge Facing Dhaulagiri
Khopra Danda, a ridge at about 3,660 m in the Annapurna region with a community lodge facing Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South, and a side trip to the sacred Khayer Lake.
Explore 24Ghalegaun: Gurung Homestays in Lamjung
Ghalegaun, a Gurung hill village in Lamjung known for its community homestays, cultural shows and views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II and Machhapuchhre.
Explore 25Sikles: A Large Gurung Village beneath Annapurna IV
Sikles, one of the largest Gurung villages in Kaski, at about 1,980 m in the Annapurna Conservation Area, with stone houses, terraced fields and views of Annapurna II and...
Explore 26Panchase: Forest Lakes and Sunrise above Pokhara
Panchase, a forested hill at about 2,500 m between Pokhara, Syangja and Parbat, with a sacred lake, orchids and rhododendrons, and views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and D...
Explore 27Seti River Gorge: Pokhara's Hidden Canyon
The Seti River flows through Pokhara in a gorge so deep and narrow that in places it disappears from view; where to see it from KI Singh Bridge, Mahendrapul and Seti Gand...
Explore 28Landruk: Gurung Village Facing Ghandruk
Landruk, a Gurung village at about 1,565 m in the Modi Khola valley, opposite Ghandruk, on routes to Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal and Poon Hill, with views of Annapur...
Explore 29Australian Camp and Dhampus: The Easiest Annapurna Views from Pokhara
Australian Camp (about 2,060 m) and Dhampus (about 1,650 m), above Kande near Pokhara, offer close views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas on a short o...
Explore 30Jhinu Danda: Natural Hot Springs on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Jhinu Danda, a village at about 1,780 m on the Annapurna Base Camp trek, famous for natural hot springs by the Modi Khola, a favourite rest stop for tired legs.
Explore 31Braga: Ancient Monastery Village in Manang
Braga, a stone village at about 3,450 m near Manang on the Annapurna Circuit, with one of the oldest monasteries in the valley and views of Annapurna III and Gangapurna.
Explore 32Chame: Manang's District Headquarters on the Annapurna Circuit
Chame, the headquarters of Manang district at about 2,670 m on the Annapurna Circuit, with hot springs, lodges, a bank and views of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II.
Explore 33Tal: The First Village of Manang
Tal, a village at about 1,700 m on a flat valley floor at the entrance to Manang district on the Annapurna Circuit, known for its waterfall and sandy riverbanks.
Explore 34Ice Lake: Manang's Classic Acclimatisation Hike
Ice Lake (Kicho Tal), at about 4,600 m above Braga and Manang, is a demanding acclimatisation hike with views of Annapurna II, III and IV and Gangapurna.
Explore 35Bhujung: One of the Largest Gurung Villages
Bhujung, a large Gurung village in Lamjung near Ghalegaun, with stone houses on steep terraces, homestays and views of Lamjung Himal.
Explore 36Kahun Danda: Quiet Viewpoint above Pokhara
Kahun Danda, a forested hill north-east of Pokhara with a view tower and the remains of an old fort, offering a quiet sunrise hike with views of Machhapuchhre and the Ann...
Explore 37Tadapani: Forest Crossroads between Ghorepani and Ghandruk
Tadapani, a forest stop at about 2,630 m between Ghorepani and Ghandruk, with lodges, rhododendrons and views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.
Explore 38Machhapuchhre Base Camp: Gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary
Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC), at about 3,700 m in the Annapurna Sanctuary, lies beneath the sacred, unclimbed Machhapuchhre, the last stop before Annapurna Base Camp.
Explore 39Tal Barahi Temple: The Island Shrine on Phewa Lake
Tal Barahi, a two-tiered pagoda temple dedicated to the goddess Barahi on a small island in Phewa Lake, Pokhara, reached by a short boat ride from Lakeside.
Explore 40Bindhyabasini Temple: Pokhara's Hilltop Shrine
Bindhyabasini, a hilltop temple to the goddess Bhagwati in old Pokhara bazaar, a busy place of worship with views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas on clear mornings.
Explore 41Ulleri: The Stone Staircase to Poon Hill
Ulleri, a Magar village at about 2,070 m on the Poon Hill trek, famous for the thousands of stone steps that climb to it from Tikhedhunga.
Explore 42Thorong Phedi and High Camp: Before the Thorong La
Thorong Phedi (about 4,450 m) and High Camp (about 4,880 m) are the last stops before the Thorong La (5,416 m) on the Annapurna Circuit.
Explore 43Yak Kharka: High Pastures on the Annapurna Circuit
Yak Kharka, a stop at about 4,018 m above Manang on the Annapurna Circuit, with yak pastures and lodges; the usual night between Manang and Thorong Phedi.
Explore 44Ngawal: The Upper Trail of the Annapurna Circuit
Ngawal, a traditional village at about 3,660 m on the upper route between Pisang and Manang, with prayer wheels, old houses and wide views of Annapurna II and III.
Explore 45Tibetan Settlements of Pokhara: Carpets, Monasteries and Momos
Pokhara's Tibetan settlements, including Tashi Palkhel near Hemja and Tashiling near Devi's Fall, founded by refugees after 1959, with monasteries, carpet weaving and cra...
Explore 46Lakeside: Pokhara's Travellers' Quarter
Lakeside (Baidam), the travellers' quarter of Pokhara along the east shore of Phewa Lake, with hotels, cafés, boat rentals, gear shops and mountain views.
Explore 47Mohare Danda: Community Eco-Lodge with Himalayan Views
Mohare Danda, a ridge at about 3,300 m in Myagdi with a community eco-lodge and views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre; a quieter alternative to Poon Hill...
Explore 48Tilicho Base Camp: Gateway to the World's Highest Lake
Tilicho Base Camp, at about 4,150 m above Khangsar, is the lodge stop for the early-morning climb to Tilicho Lake, a side trip from the Annapurna Circuit.
Explore 49Khangsar: Last Village before Tilicho
Khangsar, a traditional stone village at about 3,734 m west of Manang, is the last village on the way to Tilicho Base Camp, with an old monastery.
Explore 50Gangapurna Lake: Glacial Lake beside Manang
Gangapurna Lake, a turquoise glacial lake below the Gangapurna glacier just outside Manang, an easy acclimatisation walk on the Annapurna Circuit.
Explore 51Pothana: Forest Village on the Mardi and ABC Trails
Pothana, a forest village at about 1,990 m between Dhampus and Deurali, with lodges and views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, on routes to Mardi Himal and ABC.
Explore 52Rupse Waterfall: Roadside Cascade in the Kali Gandaki Valley
Rupse Waterfall (Rupse Chhahara), a tall cascade beside the Beni–Jomsom road in Myagdi, a favourite stop for travellers heading to Mustang.
Explore 53Kalopani and Lete: Between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna
Kalopani (about 2,530 m) and Lete (about 2,480 m) in the Kali Gandaki valley offer some of the closest road-side views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Nilgiri.
Explore 54Ghasa: Southernmost Thakali Village
Ghasa, the southernmost Thakali village at about 2,010 m in the Kali Gandaki gorge, where the forest changes to dry country and migrating birds pass through in autumn.
Explore 55Gurkha Memorial Museum, Pokhara
The Gurkha Memorial Museum in Pokhara tells the story of Gurkha soldiers serving in British and Indian forces, with uniforms, medals, Victoria Cross stories and photograp...
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