INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN MUSEUM (IMM): The museum, situated 1.5 km south of Pokhara Airport at Rato Pairo, has on display historical documents, records and chronicles on mountaineering. It has three main exhibition halls: Hall of the Great Himalaya, Hall of Fame and the Hall of World Mountains. There is also a library, a prayer room and an audio-visual room. The museum, managed by the Nepal Mountaineering Association, was established with the theme “Man, Mountain and Mountain activities around the world”.
ANNAPURNA REGIONAL MUSEUM: Also known as the Natural History Museum, it is located at the Prithvi Narayan Campus, east of the Old Bazaar. Run by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the museum showcases exceptional collection of butterflies, insects, birds and models of wildlife found in the area.
POKHARA MUSEUM: Located between the bus stop and Mahendra Pul, the museum showcases ethnic mosaic of the diverse cultures that thrive in western Nepal. The lifestyles and history of the Gurungs, Thakalis and Tharus are attractively represented by models, photographs and artifacts. Of much interest and also a major attraction are the more recently discovered remains of an 8,000-year-old settlement in Mustang. GURKHA MEMORIAL MUSEUM: Situated at Pardi, Pokhara, the museum displays a collection of uniforms, medals (including the Victoria Cross), pictures of the Gurkha infantry regiments, Gurkha engineers, signals and transport regiments and Gurkha contingent of the Singapore Police Force.
Boating: Pokhara’s Phewa Lake naturally draws visitors towards it. Easily the best means of recreation, boating is a favorite pastime which one can enjoy any time of day. The other two lakes, Begnas and Rupa, are located 15 km out of Pokhara. Less visited but no less beautiful, both these lakes are excellent for boating and fishing.
Davi’s fall and Gupteshar cave: Locally known as the Patale Chhango (fall of the Netherworld), Davi’s fall is a ferocious waterfall located about 2 km southwest of Lakeside on the Siddhartha Highway. The source of the waterfall is Phewa Lake and the fall itself is named after Swiss lady who was swept away by the fall in 1961. The fall cuts through the rocks to create complex caves and tunnels on its path. Gupteshwar Mahadev cave on the other side of the fall is one such cave carved by Devi’s fall. The sacred shrine dedicated to Shiva is popular among the local residents and is seldom missed by tourists to Davi’s fall.
World peace Pagoda Stupa: The World Peace Pagoda can be seen on top of a hill on the southern fringe of phewa Lake. It has four images of the Buddha facing the four directions. The dome-shaped pagoda is an impressive sight, and its hilltop location commands a great view. It is a great vantage point which offers spectacular views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri and Manaslu. Near the Peace Pagoda are Pumdi and Bumdi, two villages above Phewa Lake's southern rim for exceptional views of the mountains. They have the old style oval-shaped, red clay houses.
Bird watching in Pokhara: With the whole valley dotted with lakes, Pokhara is a great for bird watching migratory as well as inhabitant birds. Varieties of birds ranging from wetland, woodland and birds of prey are seen in Pokhara. Pamay, Begnas and Rupa are famous for wetland birds, while Raniban and Jhihjirk-Astam areas are good for woodland birds. Similarly, Ttunga- Bachhebuduwa areas are famous for birds of prey and Amala area is unique for pheasants. Well trained bird watching guides to be available to accompany visitors on bird watching tours.
