One Day in Pokhara: Cable Cars, Cafes, Temples & Local Eats

Going up by the cable car we were able to see a stunning view of Phewa Lake surrounded by colorful houses. The ride was 10 minutes and the higher we went up the more we were enveloped by the clouds. Because it was so cloudy we weren’t able to see the Annapurna mountains, or really much of anything. We kept our heads high and decided to explore around despite the disappointing view.

Coming down from the view tower and walking back to the main area we saw there was more to do. They have activities like sky cycling, a big swing, restaurants, and cafes. We were very behind schedule due to the weather, so we didn’t stick around. However, if the weather is good you can easily expect to spend 2-3 hours up here enjoying the view, grabbing some coffee, and possibly experiencing a thrilling swing ride.

Tal Barahi Mandir is a Hindu temple located on a small island in Phewa Lake. The only way to visit this island is by boat. There is a stand where we bought tickets for a boat ride and life vests, which was very convenient. The price was low, and they guided us to a boat we shared with a few other people. It was calming being in the middle of the huge lake surrounded by lush green hills. On a clear day it is possible to see a view of the Annapurna mountain range from the lake.

The boat ride is very short, Tal Barahi Mandir is devoted to Ajima, a group of 8 goddesses form the Newar people of Kathmandu. There is a small temple at the back of the island, however it was closed for renovation when we arrived. Although, the main reason for visiting isn’t the temple itself, but the experience of being on a sacred island in the middle of a beautiful lake. It is covered in trees with lots of little pockets with great views of the lakes, mountains, and the main shore. We especially loved seeing all the boats lined up on the mainland.

Obviously I knew Pokhara sat on a lake, but I wasn’t sure if it was very accessible. When we arrived, our taxi driver told us there is a walking path along the entire shore of the city. From our hotel at the south end, we could walk all the way from the boat ramp, past plenty of amazing restaurants and cafes, through parks, and to the north end of the city. The path is absolutely beautiful, with great views of the lake and city the whole way. It is lined with lamp posts and trees, making for a perfect and safe nighttime walk. I didn’t think the waking path would be an attraction, but it ended up being one of the most beautiful parts of the city to us.

In Kathmandu we were surprised to find Nepali grown coffee, so I was really curious about Pokhara. Searching the web, there isn’t really a good coffee guide available. I can’t search in their native language, therefore I had to trust Google reviews. Nako Cafe came up and had perfect reviews so we decided to give it a try. The shop is located on the lakeside which is easy to get to since we were staying the tourist area.

Nako Cafe is not just a specialty shop but it is also a coffee academy. The exterior was nice and chic as it has a dark paint color with lots of small square windows. The cafe is smaller on the inside but it feels very cozy with its simple wooden interior. Michael got a pour over with Nepali beans which was perfect. We’ve noticed in Nepal that they usually don’t import beans from other countries and use domestic beans. I opted for an iced matcha that was perfect with the humid temperature. Not only were the drinks amazing, the barista was really kind and sociable, giving us lots of info about the coffee.

Their acai bowl was different from what I expected as it had a runny, airy texture, but the fruit on top sold it for me. The Juicery Cafe is also a place that promotes local and international artists with their live music nights. It was a very nice environment, and that night we walked in on an acoustic guitar set. It was a great way for us to start to wind down for the night.

Also located in the lakeside area is MoM’s Cafe & Bar. This restaurant specializes in traditional Nepali food and is popular for both locals and tourists. After having a great taste of a Nepali momo, I had high hopes for the ones here. Momo is the unofficial national dish of Nepal, and dal bhat is the official dish. So, we ordered jhol buffalo momo and dal bhat. There are so many variations of momo with different fillings and cooking methods, I didn’t know what would be best. The server recommended to me to try jhol which is a savory broth containing a tomato base, and a nutty flavor.

When I took a bite of my buff momo (short for buffalo), it had a soft chewy outside and the inside was bursting with flavor. I had never tasted buffalo, but it had a familiar savory beefy taste. The dal bhat came with a variety of curries, vegetables, and pickles. It tasted exactly as you’d expect, with amazing spices and savory flavor. Each element of the dish worked together, and each bite was amazing. I was so tired, so Michael ended up eating most of the dal bhat by himself, but it was a great way to end our day. 

Before we headed to the airport to go back to Kathmandu, we had one last stop to make. Our final destination was the World Peace Pagoda, a Buddhist temple on Anadu Hill. There is no entry fee, and it’s a short taxi ride in the opposite direction of the cable car. The peace pagoda is also known as Shanti Stupa. The idea was brought by a Japanese Buddhist monk who was advocating world peace and planned on planting peace pagodas around the world. After complications during construction, it was finally completed in 1999. It’s bright white color stands out and you can see it from a distance all around Pokhara.

Overnight it rained continuously, so it was another cloudy and misty day. All we could see was the pagoda, which we had entirely to ourselves. Our hotel manger told us it is a very beautiful sunrise spot overlooking the lake, so it’s probably much busier on clear mornings. We were able to go up the stairs by removing our shoes. You must remain silent and stay out of the way, and videos with audio are not allowed. Remember, this is a sacred site, so respect locals and don’t be a noisy distraction.

Even though it was rainy, the area was beautiful in it’s own way. The mist created beautiful pockets of light through the clouds, and the water gave everything a shiny reflection. I don’t recommend coming to Pokhara during rainy season, especially if you plan on doing a lot of outdoor activities, or seeing the views. However, I don’t regret coming, even in the mist and rain, Pokhara is a magical place.

There are so many amazing hotels and stays in Pokhara that it was really difficult to choose. We decided to stay at Hotel Lake Shore because of the great reviews on Google and it a breathtaking view of Phewa Lake. As soon as we arrived the hotel manager greeted us very kindly and allowed us to choose our room. We chose the highest room because of the view. The rooftop was really nice as there aren’t many rooms on that floor so it was very quiet and peaceful. It exceed our expectations as it was very clean, with great service, and a convenient location as well.