Sarangkot- A Mountain Nestling a Pokhara Village

Sarangkot is a small mountain village located on the top of a large hill named Sarangkot on the opposite bank of the World Peace Pagoda. However, it is not the village that is the actual sight, but the viewing platform of Sarangkot mountain. Sarangkot hill, perched at an altitude of almost 1,600 meters, is the perfect spot from which you can enjoy a thrilling view of the mountains and valleys.

Sarangkot is known for its incredible view of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and the holy mountain of Machhapuchhre. The climb to the village is pleasant and offers beautiful viewpoints of Pokhara, Lake Phewa, and its surroundings. If you take your time, allow about a day round trip from Pokhara, you can also spend the night in a village guest house. It is also possible to go paragliding in the village, an activity for extreme sports fans.

Weather in Sarangkot

Sarangkot has a hot, humid subtropical climate with dry winter. The average daytime in Sarangkot is 18.5°C, and the average rainfall is 555.9 mm.

Why visit Sarangkot?

It flourishes with incredible panoramas that, like still photos, stay in your memory forever, and you can look at them repeatedly when you close your eyes. If you want to experience the phenomenal views, Sarangkot offers, try to meet the dawn. The mountains are illuminated from the side, the peaks sparkle, and everything is beautiful.

The shadow of milky white fogs, from which the surrounding hills rise like mirages, the sun’s rays breaking through the clouds, and the horizon gradually turning pink! It’s a beautiful place to clear your mind, relax and recharge your batteries.

It is also the starting point for paragliding, again because of the breathtaking views of the lake, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, and Pokhara itself.

Best time to visit

You can visit Sarangkot any time of year, but the preferable time for clear visibility and the utmost observance of sunset and sunrise would be from March to June. The second best months to visit Sarangkot would be from September to early December. These months allow you to contemplate the landscape and take advantage of the day to see the 360-degree view from the top of the Sarangkot summit. It’s best that you avoid Monsoon (late June to early August) as most of the day would be cloudy and foggy.

Entrance fee

You have to pay a small fare of NPR 60 to enter Sarangkot. The money from tourists is used for the conservation of the area and the economic development of the local people.

Trek to Sarangkot

We invite you to trek to Sarangkot Peak, whose slopes descend to the very water of Lake Phewa. It is the highest peak in the city’s vicinity and offers a magnificent view of the Annapurna mountain range and Pokhara. Climbing to the top of Sarangkot is one must-see excursion you will recall for the rest of your life.

How to reach there?

1. Using hotel service

If you are using the hotel service in Pokhara, you can also ask the management to arrange your visit. If you wish to use the chauffeur service, a hotel will provide a driver who will drive you to the first stage of the viewing platform around 4 am. Make yourself comfortable on this terrace, have a lovely hot tea, or climb further.

If you wish to go up to the top of Sarangkot Hill at almost 1,600 meters, calculate a hike of about 45 minutes. It’s entirely up to you where you want to watch the sunrise. From both viewing platforms, you have a fantastic view.

2. Hiking from Pokhara on your own

Walking from Pokhara to Sarangkot can take about three hours of walking up and another two hours down. The distance is about 5 km, but with quite a hill. Download the maps to have them offline and put on your boots. You will find one of the trails 300 meters from Sedi Bagar. The worst thing about doing the trek on your own is that you will have to leave at dawn because if you arrive behind time, you run the risk of the clouds blocking the mountains, even on sunny days.

3. Cycling from Pokhara

Going by mountain bike from Pokhara to Sarangkot will take a little less than walking. But you will have to talk to the bike rental shop to see how they will deliver it to you first thing in the morning. It may cost you around $8 to $15, depending on the condition and brand of the bike.

4. Public transport

If you want to go by public transport, a bus goes to Sarangkot. It is the cheapest option by far to reach Sarangkot.

5. By taxi

You can also hire a taxi the day before to take you to Sarangkot, but you do have to haggle. The one-way trip can cost you about 2500-3000 NPR.

6. Cable car

With the Annapurna cable car in operation, Sarangkot is now accessible 10 minutes from Lakeside Pokhara. Two points of the cable car, one located at the lakeside and the other at Sarangkot, are 2400 m far apart. Each cable car can take eight passengers at a time. Annapurna cable car charges $9 per person for foreign nationals, NPR 800 for SAARC nationals, and NPR 700 for Nepali nationals.

7. Horseback riding

Horseback riding s another popular option to reach Sarangkot. It starts from the lake shore crossing the native villages and farmland and ends at Sarangkot.

Things to do in Sarangkot

1. Sunrise in Annapurna Massif

Sarangkot has numerous sightseeing options offering panoramic views of the Pokhara Valley. Observing the Annapurna mountain range is a genuinely superb sight when the morning sun illuminates the white peaks with its rays, shading the geometry of the slopes and playing with colors on sharp peaks. The valley wakes up, rapidly flooding with the light of a new day.

Indescribable sensations and beautiful photographs are just some of the experiences you can enjoy in Sarangkot.

2. Observe the life of Locals

For this purpose, you must stay for a few days at Sarangkot. Staying up high is very relaxing, refreshing, and calm. Only a few animal bellows are noticeable! In Sarangkot, all the inhabitants know each other. They lead the life of yesteryear. Most of them are farmers; some have a Guest House in their house, and some work in Pokhara.

3. Paragliding

Sarangkot is the starting point of paragliding, which takes 20 to 30 minutes. It is a remarkably immersive experience that adventurous people will especially enjoy. The road to the launch pad takes about an hour, and the conditions for flying here are suitable, and the prospects open up, stupefying the mind.

The planet’s highest peaks are in the palm of your hand because it is with Sarangkot that you can see Annapurna, Manaslu, and Dhaulagiri in one bottle.

Tourists here offer flights in tandem, i.e., you fly not alone but with a pilot who controls the flight. And you have to enjoy or shake with fear because separation from the earth and the impossibility of controlling anything excite consciousness.

The take-off slope is slight, and the landing is done gently on a meadow on the edge of Lake Phewa. But independent athletes also come to Pokhara, bringing everything necessary for single flights.

The fare of paragliding depends on the season, but it may cost you approximately NPR 8500 for 25 minutes of paragliding. For 50 minutes, you have to pay 11,000 NPR.

4. Hiking in Sarangkot-Naudanda trail

Located about 14 km from the foothills of Sarangkot hill, this trail is an excellent destination for any tourist who prefers to do a whole-day trek. The uniqueness of this trail is the observation of Pokhara city and the view of high hills and mountains simultaneously.

The wells used during the time of Kulamandan Shah and various historical heritages are in this area, so they have a particular historical importance. From Sarangkot through places like Kaskikot, and Toripani to Naudanda, this route is an excellent destination for one-day trekking and sightseeing.

Accommodations

In the mountain village of Sarangkot, there are also many hotels far away from the tourist hotspot in Pokhara, which are ideal for relaxation and recreation.

1. Sarangkot Mountain Lodge

Situated 10 km from Lake Phewa, Sarangkot Mountain Lodge offers luxurious accommodation at an affordable price. It has a restaurant serving daily continental and buffet breakfasts. The amenities provided by the lodge include free private parking, free bikes, a swimming pool, 24-hour reception, airport transfer service, and free internet service.

The rooms are air-conditioned with a balcony, wardrobe, minibar, microwave, flat screen TV, and attached bathroom.

2. Sarangkot Sherpa Resort

This hotel is near the Barahi temple, Bindhyabasini Temple and Mahendra Cave. You will feel at home in one of the 16 rooms the hotel has to offer.

The bathroom is equipped with a shower. Conveniences include a daily cleaning service and the possibility of requesting extra beds. Services include a rooftop terrace and garden where you can relax, and amenities include wedding services. Other services at this hotel include a lobby with a fireplace, tour and ticket assistance, and a picnic area. The lodge also provides a continental breakfast daily. You will have complimentary newspapers in the lobby, dry cleaning, and a 24-hour front desk.

3. View Top Lodge and Restaurant

This lodge is 6.7 km away from Bindhyabasini temple and 8.5 km farther from Gupteswar Gupha. Free of charge, Wi-Fi internet access will keep you in touch with your loved ones.

Conveniences include complimentary newspapers and free bottled water, plus housekeeping available daily. Try delicious dishes without leaving this hotel, which offers you a restaurant and a varied room service menu with limited hours.

There is also a bar in the hotel where you can enjoy your favorite drink. This hotel also serves complimentary continental breakfast every day. You will have a business center, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk. For a smaller fee, you can take advantage of various benefits, such as airport transfer with charge and free parking.

4. Hotel Mountain Garden

Hotel Mountain Garden is located at 4.5 minutes’ distance from Bindhyabasini temple and 7.3 minutes from Mahendra Cave.

It has nine rooms with a flat-screen TV, free wireless internet access, and with attached bathroom. It serves a local cuisine breakfast from 6 am to 9 am. For guests with disabilities, the hotel is equipped with an elevator for their convenience. They also have a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, and free parking.

5. Panoramic View Guest house Sarangkot

Situated near Bindhyabasini Temple and Barahi Temple, Panoramic View Guest house makes you feel at home with its comfortable rooms equipped with wired and wireless internet service. The attached bathroom has slippers and showers with a daily housekeeping facility. The building has a rooftop terrace and a garden. They have three cafeterias for your appetite, but they have limited reception.