Introduction: Sarangkot Day Hike
Sarangkot Day hiking in Pokhara entails climbing to Sarangkot Hill, one of Nepal's most well-known tourist locations. It is located in the lovely lake city of Pokhara, Nepal. Pokhara is well-known for its breathtaking Himalayan scenery and charming collection of Himalayan lakes. Sarangkot Hill, at an elevation of 1,592 meters (5,223.097 feet), is the closest high point for travelers to experience spectacular sunrises and sunsets across Lake City, located just 5 kilometers (3.106 miles) from the local Lakeside. The peak of Sarangkot Hill can be accessed via a 2-hour trek with an observation tower, or via a 45-minute auto trip from Pokhara's core city.
Many visitors from all over the world come to Nepal to participate in Sarangkot Day Hiking in Pokhara, hoping to see the lovely sunrises and sunsets set against the majestic Himalayan mountain ranges that nature has artfully constructed. Some visitors prefer to extend their stay to enjoy the cityscape of Pokhara, particularly the mesmerizing city lights visible from the highest point of Sarangkot Hill.
Paragliding has become a popular sport at Sarangkot Hill, with visitors able to rent a paraglide and fly like birds over the scenic Pokhara Valley.
Travelers can enjoy a variety of Himalayan peaks from Sarangkot Hill during their Sarangkot Day Hiking in Pokhara. The Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range reaches towards the far west to the north. If the weather is bright and free of clouds and mists, theAnnapurna Himalayan Ranges are a common sight. People can see a panoramic city view of Pokhara and Phewa Lake from the southern side of Sarangkot Hill, looking toward the city's northwestern outskirts.
Sarangkot Day Hiking is a premier short trek that provides visitors with spectacular views of the Annapurna Himalayan range, the Nilgiri Himalayan range, the Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range, the Tukuche Summit, Dhampus Top, Hiunchuli Himalayan Range, the Machapuchare Himalayan range, the Gangapurna Himalayan range,the Lamjung Himalayan range, and other mountains in the region. This hike is famous for its superb viewing towers, which provide panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks, as well as stunning sunrises and sunsets. It offers an unrivaled view of the mesmerizing and enchanting natural nature, as well as the stunning Pokhara Valley cityscape, set against the majestic Himalayan range.
How does Sarangkot Hike Start and End?
Sarangkot day hike starts from the accommodation area in Pokhara which is often located in and around the lakeside area of Pokhara. Normally the trail starts with a scenic morning drive from Pokhara along Archalbot leading to Shree Bindhyabasini Temple. The drive is for 4 km/2.485 miles which takes about 10 minutes depending on the traffic on that particular day. Upon reaching the temple visitors will sightsee the Hindu temple with gardens and Himalayan views, take blessings, and give offerings accordingly. After completion, this marks the end of the drive and the start of the hike. From there, visitors make their way to the trail following Sarangkot Hill which is located within a short distance. The trail is about 2-2.5 hours long depending on the pace and chosen path. The path is generally considered easy to hike and navigate as the path is predetermined.
Upon reaching Sarangkot Hill travelers will watch the panoramic views of Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters/26,795 ft), Machapuchare(6,997 meters/22,943 ft), Annapurna I (8,091 meters/26,545 ft), Annapurna II (7,937 meters/26,040 ft), Annapurna III (7,219 meters/24,787 ft), and the panoramic view of Pokhara valley which will be the primary attraction of the journey. After exploration visitors will then descend back to Pokhara along Pame which is a hike of about 9.2 km which takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Pame is a small village that aids in providing authentic Nepali experience to the hike. Visitors can savor delicious cuisines especially fish which is the main attraction of the area.
After the visit in Pame, the hike comes to an end as hikers will walk to the final accommodation destination along Lakeside Pokhara. They can witness the serene Phewa Lake and culturally blessed Pokhara nightlife.
Please note that to witness the breathtaking sunrise and sunset views from Sarangkot, you may need to adjust your schedule. You can do so by either renting a vehicle to reach the viewpoint directly or by choosing to stay overnight in accommodations near Sarangkot.
Paragliding in Pokhara.
One of the most popular sports available in Pokhara is paragliding. Similarly, the city has established itself as one of the top five paragliding destinations in the world. This distinction is due to its consistent thermals, easily accessible take-off and landing places, the safety afforded by the large lake, and the breathtaking Himalayan Mountain views. This type of paragliding is called Tandem Paragliding where the glider is kept locked with a separate harness from the pilot which ensures a carefree experience. Gliders can take photographs, chat with the pilot, and enjoy the view in a more comfortable manner.
The cost of paragliding in Pokhara might vary depending on a variety of factors. A conventional tandem flight, which typically provides 20-30 minutes of flight time, costs between NPR 7,000 and NPR 10,000, which equates to $60 to $85 USD. Those looking for a more extended and immersive paragliding experience might opt for an extended tandem flight, which can range between NPR 10,000 and NPR 15,000, or $85 to $130 USD.
The cost can vary according to the time so it is better to contact Holiday Tours Nepal for any update on price or regarding other information.
Please note that Mandre Dhunga in Pokhara is the paragliding launch site from which flights take off due to the protocol of Pokhara International Airport. It has become the new take-off point for paragliding in Pokhara, replacing Sarangkot. Mandre Dhunga's elevation for paragliding in Pokhara is 1,788 meters (5,866 feet) above sea level, which is higher than Sarangkot's elevation of 1,600 meters.