Pokhara Valley

 is the second-largest valley in the hilly region of Nepal. It lies in the western part of the NepaThe cities ofPokhara and Lekhnath are in the valley. It is located in the Gandaki zone, 203 kilometres (126 mi) west of Kathmandu Valley.^[1]The city of Pokhara is one of the major cities of Nepal, and like Kathmandu Valley, is extremely vulnerable to earthquakes due to its clay soil and liquefaction potential.

Tourism

Pokhara is a standout amongst the most prevalent visitor destinations in Nepal. Numerous visitors visit Pokhara Valley to see the Himalayan extent and lakes. Pokhara is additionally renowned for sailing, trekking, rafting and great games like rafting ,canoying and bungee hopping. As per the Nepal Tourism Board, the quantity of universal travelers to Pokhara in 2009 was 203,527, and that year 509,956 worldwide sightseers went by Nepal and the number is expanding each year

Lakes

Among the numerous lakes in Pokhara Valley, Phewa Lake is the biggest. Phewa Lake is additionally the second biggest pool of Nepal and it incorporates the parts of Pokhara Valley, Sarangkot, and Kaskikot. The impression of Mount Macchapucchre (Fishtail) can be seen on this lake. Numerous visitors come to appreciate drifting and angling on Phewa lake. Another principle fascination of Phewa Lake is the two-storied sanctuary of Barahi Bhagwati Temple, arranged on the center of the lake, similar to an island.[3] notwithstanding Phewa Lake, Begnas lake is another acclaimed lake in Pokhara Valley, being the second biggest lake in the Valley. Begnas Lake is arranged at a rise of 650 m and it covers 3 km2.[4]

Extreme sports

Amazing games additionally assume a part in tourism. As of late, in Pokhara, the longest and speediest zip line on the planet was fabricated, which is 1850 m (6070 ft) long and it starts at the highest point of the Sarangkot slope and it closes close Yamdi waterway. The zip line can achieve a most extreme rate of 140 km/h (100 mph) and it has a vertical drop of right around 2000 feet. Riders can see perspectives of 23000-foot Machapuchare mountain, Annapurna extent and Seti river.[5] Paragliding, which is likewise done from Sarangkot, is another amazing game accessible in Pokhara Valley.[6] 

View from Annapurna Base Camp 

Annapurna Base Camp trekking, otherwise called ABC trekking, is another principle fascination of Pokhara Valley. Trekking begins from Pokhara taking after Nayapul, Ghorepani, Tadapani, Sinuwa, Deurali lastly to Annapurna Base Camp which is at the stature of 4090 m (13,418 ft). Numerous inns and hotels are accessible all through the adventure. Guests can appreciate the delightful scenes of woodlands, slopes, rhododendron (national bloom), and numerous towns along the way. One study demonstrates that ABC draws in around 25,000 guests on the short trekking season, which is very nearly five times more prominent than Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, which is the second most famous trekking destination of Nepal. ABC trekking has assumed an indispensable part in the monetary status of individuals around this territory, and in addition, it is a point of reference for the advancement of tourism industry in Nepa

Caves

Mahendra Cave is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Pokhara Valley. This cave is located in a small town called Batulechaur which is a ten-minute drive from the main city. The name Mahendra Cave is given after the Late King of Nepal Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. The cave is a natural tunnel where one can walk inside and see different kinds of rocks around the wall, such as limestone, which sparkles when light strikes it.^[8] As one of the darker sights in Nepal, Mahendra Cave gives visitors the opportunity to explore the darker territory inside the tunnel. Bat Cave, which is also known as the natural habitat of bats, is also worth of visiting, and it is located a ten-minute walk away from Mahendra Cave.^[9] Bat cave is 150 m long and 25 ft. high. The main entrance of this cave is quite narrow but the inner part is wide enough. The main specialty of this cave is that there are more than 15 thousand bats of different species. Images of elephant tusks, gods, and goddesses can be observed in the inner walls of the cave.^[10]

International Mountain Museum

Main entrance of International Mountain Museum

artificial mountain at International Mountain Museum

More than seventy thousand domestic and international tourists visit International Mountain Museum (IMM) every year. IMM records, documents and exhibits the past and present developments related to mountain and mountaineering around the world.^[11] The museum contains three main exhibition halls: Hall of Great Himalayas, Hall of Fame and Hall of World Mountains. Inside the museum, there are exhibits on famous peaks, descriptions of famous mountaineers, the culture and lifestyle of mountain people, flora and fauna including geology, in an attempt to represent the traditional culture and values of the Nepalese people.^[12]

References[edit]

1. Jump up^ "Google Maps." Google Maps. Google, n.d. Web. 28 October 2013
2. Jump up^ Sharma, LaL Prasad. "Tourist Arrivals in Pokhara Swell 20pc." Ekantipur.com. The Kathmandu Post, 30 Oct. 2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.
3. Jump up^ "Phewa Lake." Saarctourism.org. SAARC Tourism Nepal, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
4. Jump up^ "Pokharacity." Pokharacity.com, 20 November 2012. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.
5. Jump up^ Rob, Preece. "Hold on tight!....100 miles per hour", Mail Online, 11 June 2012. Web. 07 Oct. 2103.
6. Jump up^ "Pokhara Paragliding from Sarangkot." Sarangkot.com.np. n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013.
7. Jump up^ Pamela J.,Putenney. "Defining Solutions: The Annapurna Experience | Cultural Survival." Cultural Survival Inc.,2 Mar. 2010. Web. 07 Oct. 2013.
8. Jump up^ "Mahendra Cave." Xplorenepal.blogspot.com. Nepal Tourism Board, 04 Jan. 2011. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
9. Jump up^ "Catbird in South Asia." Cartbirdindia.wordpress.com.13 Jan. 2103. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
10. Jump up^ "Caves", Lake View Resort.12 Dec 2013.
11. Jump up^ "International Mountain Museum in Pokhara.". Holiday Nepal, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
12. Jump up^ "International Mountain Museum, Pokhara." Explorehimalaya.com, Explore Himalaya Tourism News, Trip Reports, Travel Guide & Photos. 13 Dec. 2010. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.