Pokhara’s tranquil beauty has been the subject of inspiration for many travel writers.

Its pristine
air, spectacular backdrop of snowy peaks, blue lakes and surrounding greenery make it ‘the jewel
in the Himalaya’, a place of remarkable natural disposition. With the magnificent Annapurna
range forming the backdrop and the serenity of the Cluster of 9 Lakes with three major ones -
Phewa, Rupa and Begnas – Pokhara is a great destination for a weekend getaway as well as a
long relaxing holiday. Pokhara Valley, gateway to the Annapurna region where many a trekker
finds his Shangri-la, sits high on the list of ‘must visit’ places in Nepal.

Pokhara once lay on the important trade route between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains
set up camps on the city outskirts, bringing goods from remote Himalayan regions including
Mustang. Gurungs and Magars, who have earned world-wide fame as fierce Gurkha warriors, are
predominant here. Thakalis, indigenous of the Thak Khola region of Mustang, are known for
their entrepreneurship and run tea houses along the trek routes in the Annapurna region. The
Pokhara is best known for the stunning view of the Annapurna range. It is perhaps one of the few
places on earth from where mountains above 6,000 m can be seen unobstructed from an altitude
of 800 m within the distance of 28 km.