Pokhara

Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal. It is the starting point for most of the treks in the Annapurna area.

Get in

The bus from Kathmandu can be OK sometimes and straight from hell at other times. If there are landslides blocking the road you better be ready to exercise all the patience you can find. Sometimes it's taken 5-6 hours and sometimes over 10.

The plane flights are cheap and take only 1/2 hour from KTM. They have the added bonus of giving you a bird's eye view of the countryside and of the mountains themselves.

See

Phewa Lake - one of the world's most breathtaking spots, Phewa Tal is surrounded by a combination of monkey-filled forests and the high white peaks. The reflections in the mirror-like water in the early mornings are something you must see at least once before you die. Hire a boat and row yourself across the lake (or hire a local to do it for you - there are some fine and funny times to be had on this lake, even in the middle of the night!)
Begnas Lake - Out of town and away from the hustle, Begnas Tal is quiet, clean and peaceful. There are a few basic hotels to stay in and the odd refreshment shop. The walk along the road leading to Begnas Tal is facinating, the seasonal rhythms of daily life in the country make great images.
Devi Falls - Spectacular, eerie and unusual, Devi falls plunge into a cave and disappear into the earth
World Peace Stupa - Recently built atop a hill overlooking Phewa Tal, the Stupa offers a great place to see the sun set over Pokhara. It can be accessed by hiring a boat and rowing across the lake and climbing a sometimes leech-infested track, or by foot from the road that passes Devi Falls.
Sarangkot - The perfect pre-trek warm-up. Head up Sarankot in the late afternoon (be prepared, it's steep and hard work) find yourselves a warm guest house before sunset, go up the top for sunset and again for sunrise... you won't be disappointed. Great views, spectacular images and a great way to get a taste of what it's like to be trekking. Beware demented water buffaloes on the way out of town!
International Mountaineering Museum
Gurkha Museum

Do

Festivals Diwali is always a favorite
Ashrams
Parties ask around, there are sometimes full moon parties

Buy

Jewels and trinkets from the lovely Tibetan women who ply the streets with their wares in backpacks or blankets. Sit and enjoy the atmosphere, and make sure you bargain as beginning prices are often inflated.

Books

Lonely Planet Trekking in Nepal, it's hard to go past this one. Be aware there are many secondhand bookshops in both Kathmandu and in Pokhara, and that travel books make up large parts of their stock. There are travel books in many languages and many may not be available where you live.

Eat

Pushkar Guest House best budget breakfasts in town - in fact best breakfasts hands down!
Puja Bakery and Cafe - Delicious and cheap. Serve cinnamon rolls and the like but not cakes. Always fresh from that morning, even in the beginning or end of the season.
German Bakery - Great cakes, in off-season the cakes can be a few days old.
Hua-Han Chinese restaurant.
Koto luxurious Japanese restaurant.
Mike's Breakfast - Pokhara branch of the famous KTM restaurant.

Drink

Pushkar Guest house Not just Beer, but COLD Carlsburg beer. They make a pretty good lassi as well.

Sleep

Virtually all tourist accommodations are located in the Lake side and the Dam Side, near the Phewa lake.

Budget

Pushkar Guest House A relaxed and comfortable guest house where open attitudes and good humour abound. Has a variety of rooms to suit all budgets, hot showers, a rooftop restaurant (BEST breakfasts in Pokhara with great crusty brown bread!) overlooking the lake and with awesome views of sacred "Machhapuchare". Your friendly host is Krishna, who manages the hotel with his father Boom. Krishna speaks many languages and is very knowlegable about trekking. Thoroughly recommended, he is trustworthy, hard-working, a fantastic host and properly qualified trekking guide.

The Puskar Guest House has its own Carrom Board. Carrom is a national obsession and a fantastic way of meeting other travelers. You are also welcome to play your own music on the rooftop stereo. A very reasonably priced place to stay, and such good service - I meant to stay a week and stayed 3 months and I'd gladly stay again anytime. M.R. (Australia)

You can find it about 150 metres past the main Lakeside crossroads on your right hand side. (You'll notice a steep steel staircase - almost a ladder - running up to the rooftop restaurant...) The address and contact details are:

Lakeside -6, Pokhara Tel: 061-525053, 526229 Mr. Krishna Paudel

Angle Hotel, Lake Side. Quiet family run, clean rooms and hot shower for 200-300 Rs.
Greenpeace Hotel, Lake side, past town on the dirt road that circles the lake. Great terrace over the lake. 200-300 Rs.

Mid-range

Splurge

Baba Lodge Baba Lodge has fine meals in a great outdoor dining area overlooking the "Damside" end of Phewa lake. Gynendra will make you welcome.