Pokhara sits under a wall of mountains with nothing in between — the Annapurna range rises from under 1,000 m to over 8,000 m in about 30 km, which is why the view here is so absurd. These are the places to see it from, ranked by whether they are worth the effort.
At a glance
- Best month
- Oct–Nov
- Sunrise
- Sarangkot
- Sunset
- Peace Pagoda
- Quiet
- Kahun Danda
- Cable car
- Sedi → Sarangkot
Sarangkot: the sunrise, and how to do it well
The Annapurna panorama from Sarangkot, labelled: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna II, Lamjung
The ridge north-west of the lake, topped by a village and a viewpoint at about 1,592 m. From the top you see, left to right: Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) far west, the Annapurna range with Annapurna South and Hiunchuli close and huge, Machhapuchhre at 6,993 m in the middle, then Annapurna II, IV and Lamjung Himal, and on very clear mornings Manaslu (8,163 m) far to the east.
Getting up. Three ways:
- Taxi. The standard: 30–45 minutes from Lakeside by the road via Sedi. Leave around 4:45 in October–November, later in winter when sunrise is closer to 7. TODO: confirm typical return fare.
- Annapurna Cable Car. Runs from Sedi Bagar on the lake road up to the ridge. Fast and pleasant; TODO: confirm first-departure time and whether it works for sunrise, plus fares.
- Walk. Two to three hours up from the lakeshore, steep steps most of the way. Better as a descent after sunrise: walk down to Pame or Sedi and taxi back.
At the top. There's a viewing tower with a small entry fee (TODO: confirm). The crowd at dawn is large in season; the terrace of any café along the ridge road gives you the same mountains with a cup of tea. Stay for the paragliders launching from about 9.
World Peace Pagoda: the sunset
Across the lake on Anadu hill, the white stupa built by the Japanese Nipponzan-Myōhōji Buddhist order looks back at Pokhara with the Annapurnas behind. It's the best late-afternoon view in the city, and the boat-and-hike approach is half the pleasure — described in the lake guide. You can also drive to within a ten-minute walk from the south side, via the Davis Falls road.
Please take your shoes off on the stupa's upper platform, keep quiet — it's a place of worship — and give the monks their space.
Pumdikot: the big Shiva
On the ridge above the Peace Pagoda is a newer viewpoint around a very large statue of Shiva, with a Shivalinga and a wide terrace. It's higher than the pagoda and the lake view is broader. Reached by road (taxi or scooter) or as an extension of the pagoda walk. TODO: confirm statue height, entry fee if any, and the walking time from the pagoda.
Kahun Danda: the one without the crowd
A hill on the north-east edge of the city with a viewing tower on top, reachable by a walking trail or road from the Batulechaur side. The panorama is comparable to Sarangkot's; the number of people is not. It's a good half-day walk with the caves on the way back. TODO: confirm current trail condition and access.
The lakeshore itself
On a clear morning the Fishtail reflection from the Lakeside shore — anywhere between Barahi ghat and Khahare — is the photograph everyone wants, and it costs nothing but getting up. The dam end at Damside gives a longer, more open view down the lake.
When the view works
| Months | Mornings | Afternoons |
|---|---|---|
| Oct–Nov | Clear almost daily | Usually clear |
| Dec–Feb | Clear, cold, sometimes fog on the lake | Clear |
| Mar–Apr | Clear early, haze builds by mid-morning | Hazy |
| May | Hazy, pre-monsoon storms | Poor |
| Jun–Sep | Cloud, rare breaks after rain | Poor |
In pictures
Crowd at the Sarangkot railing at first light
Peace Pagoda stupa with a monk and the lake below
Machhapuchhre reflected in still water at the Lakeside shore
Questions I get asked
Is Sarangkot worth it in the afternoon?
For the paragliding and the lake view, yes; for the mountains, usually not — haze and cloud build during the day outside deep winter.
Can I see Everest from Pokhara?
No. Everest is far to the east. From Pokhara you see the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri and, on clear days, Manaslu.
Do I need a guide for these viewpoints?
No. All are reachable by taxi or by well-used paths.