Pokhara mean city of lake in Nepal languange, which is one of the popular tourist destination in Nepal.
Most of the tourist went to Pokhara for trekking, but as John and I, we went for the lake and Peace Pagoda, we just want to find a place to rest ourselves after 5 days trek in EBC.
Before i start Pokhara, let me answer some questions before you ask.
1. Where is Pokhara?
Western region of Nepal, a city by lake and surrounding by mountain, one of the most popular destination for tourist.
2. What can you do in Pokhara?
a. Trekking - more than 10 treks of different level of difficulties available in Pokhara, from 2d1n to more than 10 days for you to choose.
b. Extreme activiti - say like sky diving or paragliding.
c. Relax - One of our favorite activity in our 4d3n in Pokhara was sitting in the cafe and look out the lake.
3. How to go Pokhara from Kathmandu.
a. Airplane - a few local airlines operates flight to Pokhara from Kathmandu everyday, if not mistaken, its cost USD100 to 200 for return ticket. Each way cost you an hour +.
b. Local bus - which was our choice to Pokhara because the fares is lots cheaper than tourist bus. 500rs / person / way. One way is 7 hours.
c. Tourist bus - which was our choice from Pokhara to Kathmandu, because we wanted to see what is the different between local one and what caused the fares so huge different. USD20 / person / way. Buffet lunch in resort is included (but nothing impress though hahahah).
4. Accommodation choice?
Hotel, resort, inn, guesthouse, backpacker, B&B, you name it, Pokhara have it all.
5. What are the must-visit?
a. Peace Pagoda - well the pagoda itself is nothing special but i love the scenery view on the top of the mountain.
b. Temple in the middle of the lake - small island in the middle of the lake.
c. Lake tour - rent a boat and take all the time you want to enjoy, or rent a boatman so you can free your hand for some great photograph.
d. Extreme activity - sky diving or paragliding were something i wanted to do but we skip it coz John was fallen sick.
Alright, if you want to take bus but you don't know which you should go for (either local or tourist), i list out some pro and con for both.
Local (we choose the most popular, Blue Sky):
Pro: cheaper fare (rs 500 = RM 15) for 7 hours ride.
Con: lunch is not including, bus condition is bit scary too.
Tourist (We choose the best name, Greenline):
Pro: lunch is included, bus conditions is great.
Con: expensive fare (USD20 = RM 70) for 7 hours ride.
If you thought tourist bus driver has better driving skill, you are wrong.
Its ain't bout driving skill from Kathmandu to Pokhara, its all about destiny.
The road condition from Kathmandu to Pokhara is SCARY, almost the worst condition road that i had ever come across.
I didn't take down any video clip, because from the minutes that the bus entered to "highway" (which is only 2 lanes), i decided put my life to God, i closed my eye and sleep.
BECAUSE IT WAS FREAKING SCARY!
I found a video from youtube, its not exactly like this, but similar, i should feel lucky because the road is just enough for 2 cars passing by. But hell, on that 7 hours ride, the bus driver was speeding on the cliff almost all the time.
Photos below are from John, he took it when our bus driver is flying on the road, and i fallen asleep.
He show me afterward and he said this is not the only 2 accidents he saw along the bus ride...
Ok, perhaps you think its better to take flight.
But that was an unforgettable experience though. hahahahha.
and yea, of course, despite the scary road condition, you will see amazing glacier and river along the ride, which you could never seen from the plane.
Hope i will get back soon la kbyethanks!
20140405, 0323pm
Rach in hungry mood.
