The Tourist Gaze

The next morning, instead of hiking back to Nayapul, we ride a jeep instead. It takes an hour to get to where we started five days ago, and another hour to get to Pokhara. Pokhara is a lakeside city that has great views of the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges on a good day.

It’s also Nepal’s tourist paradise. As the first major city many travelers visit after Kathmandu, Pokhara is an essential part of the Nepalese travel experience. Its lakeside area, particularly around Phewa Lake, is lined with a mix of budget accommodations, luxury resorts, souvenir shops, and numerous cafes and restaurants. This district has a lively energy and serves as a perfect base for exploring the city and its surroundings.

Beyond its lakeside allure, Pokhara is a hub for trekking enthusiasts, with popular routes such as the Annapurna Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit starting here. Trekkers often stop in Pokhara for a well-deserved rest before embarking on or after completing their journeys. The city is equipped with everything a trekker could need: trekking gear shops, experienced guides, and access to beautiful mountain vistas. city and its surroundings.

Beyond its own attractions, Pokhara serves as a gateway to many popular treks in the Annapurna region, including the famous Annapurna Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit. Trekkers often use Pokhara as a starting point as it offers convenient access to trekking routes, trekking gear shops, and guides.

For many visitors, Pokhara is a great place to unwind after a strenuous trek. Compared to the bustling streets of Kathmandu, Pokhara offers a more laid-back and peaceful ambiance. You can take leisurely strolls along the lakeside, visit yoga and meditation centers, or simply relax in one of the lakeside cafes.

Once we settle into our hotel, my sister and I meet with our guide, Rawal, and our porter, Pawan, for lunch. We enjoy dal bhat (Nepal’s unofficial national dish) and chow mein at a local eatery. Afterward, we embark on a peaceful one-hour boat ride on Phewa Lake. The only sounds are the calls of the crows and the occasional shouts from soldiers conducting rescue drills. We also take the opportunity to visit the Tal Barahi Temple, a Hindu temple located on an island in the lake.

To ease our sore muscles from the trek, we indulge in a relaxing massage before heading to a restaurant where local women perform traditional dances during dinner.

Pokhara is the perfect post-trek retreat, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, spirituality, relaxation, and cultural experiences. It was exactly what we needed to recharge before heading back to Kathmandu and beyond.