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Located in the centre of Pokhara, Phewa or Fewa Lake in Nepal is a scenic freshwater lake. This calm waterbody, situated in the Pokhara Valley, is the second-largest lake in Gandaki Province. The lake is known for the crystal-clear waters that mirror the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. Tal Barahi Temple, which is located on the lake itself on an island, is one of the best-known attractions at the lake. Experience doongas, vibrant boats offering tours around the lake, as well as hiking trails leading to the World Peace Pagoda, which provides stunning views of Pokhara.
Quick Details About Fewa Lake
Location: Pokhara, Nepal
Size: Second-largest lake in Nepal, covering approximately 4.43 sq km
Depth: Maximum depth of around 24 meters
Best Time To Visit: October to April
Scenic Beauty: Surrounded by the Annapurna range, lush forests, and Pokhara Valley
Attraction: Tal Barahi Temple, a famous two-story pagoda-style temple on an island in the lake
Activities: Boating, kayaking, fishing, paragliding, and lakeside dining
Location
Photo: Ratul Raha / Wikimedia Commons
Phewa Lake is in Pokhara, Nepal, a pretty valley city some 200 km west of Kathmandu. It is located in the Kaski District of the Gandaki Line, surrounded by verdant mountains and providing stunning reflections of the Annapurna and Machapuchare mountains. Glacially fed, the lake is 5.7 square kilometres in size and 24 meters deep at its deepest point. The busy tourist town of Lakeside, where it drains on its eastern shore.
How To Reach
Photo: calflier001 / Wikimedia Commons
By Air: The closest airport is Pokhara International Airport (PKR), which is 4 km from Fewa Lake. Flights from Kathmandu (KTM), which takes approximately 30 minutes, operate daily.
By rail: There’s no complete functioning railway near the lake but the nearest railway stations to Kathmandu are Raxaul and Gorakhpur in India.
By Road: From Kathmandu, it takes 200 km (6 to 8 hours), Lumbini (5 to 6 hours) and Chitwan (4 to 5 hours). You also have the option of comfortable tourist-facing buses and private cars.
Things To Do
Explore the beautiful Fewa Lake in Nepal and take in the stunning mountain ranges, adventure sports, and the culture of Pokhara.
1. Nighttime Canoeing Under The Moonlight
Photo: Quentin Groome / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Instead of the usual daytime boating, experience fun at night in Fewa Lake. Rent a canoe and paddle under the shimmering moonlight, with the silhouetted backdrop of the Annapurna mountains. A surreal experience focused on the reflection of the stars on the surface of this calm lake. Most of the local boatmen provide guided rides at night, where you can listen to the soft sounds of nature, making the perfect moment for peace seekers and couples. Providing both an alternative view of the lake and a blissful escape from the crowds, this gem of an activity lends itself to a spellbinding immersion in the region.
2. Fishing With The Local People
Photo: Darcy Lawrey / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Immerse yourself in the traditional lifestyle of the Jalari fishing community, the first settlers of Fewa Lake. Experience fishing the local way, with its handmade bamboo nets and sustainable practices. Different from commercial tours, this hands-on experience includes catching and cooking fresh fish with locals, offering a glimpse into customs that go back centuries. It is a special early morning fishing trip as the mist covers the lake. This offbeat experience links you to Pokhara’s cultural roots, all while providing a rewarding and educational way to experience the lake.
3. Floating Meditation At Tal Barahi Temple
Photo: Shadow Ayush / Wikimedia Commons
Located on an island in the Fewa Lake, Tal Barahi Temple is a pagoda-style double-story shrine that is dedicated to Goddess Barahi. Instead of simply exploring, join the temple for a floating meditation session nearby. With local spiritual experts, you can board traditional wooden boats for guided meditations to sink into relaxation as you float on gentle waves. The boat’s rhythmic glide, temple bells echoing across the water and the mountain air combine for the ultimate setting for mindfulness. This experience is the ultimate retreat from the hasty world, leaving you feeling revived and spiritually awakened.
Places To Visit Near Fewa Lake
From sunrise views at Sarangkot to paragliding over the Annapurna range, visit the places near Fewa Lake in Nepal.
1. World Peace Pagoda
Photo: Chaudhary.creation / Wikimedia Commons
World Peace Pagoda is located on top of Anadu Hill and provides stunning panoramic views of Fewa Lake, Pokhara Valley and the Annapurna mountain range. This white stupa built by Japanese monks symbolises global harmony. The 45-minute walk up the stone path through wonderful greenery to the pagoda is well worth it. For something different, get on a boat across to Fewa Lake and hike up the hill. At the motherhouse in the nearby town of Richardton, the ambience is peaceful, ideal for meditation or tranquil contemplation.
Distance From Lake: 6 km
Nearby Attractions: Devi’s Falls, Gupteshwor Cave
2. Sarangkot Viewpoint
Sarangkot is the most popular vantage point in the proximity of Fewa Lake, known for its spectacular sunrise view across the Annapurna range. Situated at an altitude of 1,600 meters, it provides a bird’s-eye view of the Pokhara city, the lake and the surrounding hills. Adventurous people can paraglide and fly above Pokhara. The most recommended time to visit that offers an extraordinary view is during the early morning, when the first rays of sunlight hit the snow-capped peaks. It takes around 30 minutes to drive up this hill, or you can hike from Pokhara in around 2 hours.
Distance From Lake: 10 km
Nearby Attractions: Bindhyabasini Temple
3. Devi’s Falls
Photo: Nabin845 / Wikimedia Commons
Devi’s Falls, locally called Patale Chhango, is a stunning waterfall that sees the Pardi Khola River disappear underground into a tunnel. The story behind the name comes from a tragic legend of a Devi who drowned in this area. These falls are at their peak during the monsoon and you can witness the power of the water cutting ever deeper into the rockface. Across the road, you can find the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave that contains the naturally occurring Shiva Lingam and the unique underwater waterfall view.
Distance From Lake: 4 km
Entry Fee: रु. 100
Nearby Attractions: World Peace Pagoda
4. Bindhyabasini Temple
Photo: Goutam1962 / Wikimedia Commons
Situated atop a small hill, Bindhyabasini Temple is one of the oldest and most important Hindu temples in Pokhara, dedicated to Goddess Durga. The temple is a major place of worship and many locals make daily prayers here. You can see the excellent view of the Himalayas, Pokhara city, and Fewa Lake from the temple premises. Early mornings are also the ideal times to hear poojas, chantings, and prayers. It is a peaceful place and good to stop over for visitors in the midst of exploring Pokhara’s cultural and traditional aspects around Fewa Lake in Nepal.
Distance From Lake: 5 km
Nearby Attractions: Old Pokhara Bazaar
5. International Mountain Museum
Photo: Sadmadd / Wikimedia Commons
The International Mountain Museum (IMM) is a key attraction for anyone interested in the history, culture and mountaineers of the Himalayas. You can find displays about famous climbers, indigenous mountain tribes and the geological formation of the Himalayas. View the actual mountaineering gear and a replica of a Himalayan base camp, along with statues depicting climbers such as Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary. A special section focuses on Nepal’s various ethnic groups and their mountain lives.
Distance From Lake: 6 km
Entry Fee: रु. 130 onwards
Nearby Attractions: Seti River Gorge, Tibetan Refugee Camp
Where To Stay
From budget-friendly hotels to luxury resorts with stunning lakeside views, almost all of them are available in Pokhara. Choose Zostel Pokhara for budget travellers or Hotel Middle Path & Spa. You have mid-range options like Mount View Pokhara and Temple Tree Resort that offer comfort in a scenic setting. The Pavilions Himalayas and Fish Tail Lodge provide world-class service alongside breathtaking views of the mountains. It’s best to stay near Fewa Lake since most attractions, restaurants, and activities are within walking distance.
Where To Eat
Photo: Abhishek Sanwa Limbu / Unsplash
Pokhara is dotted with restaurants serving authentic Nepali, Tibetan, Indian, and international cuisine. Moondance Restaurant and OR2K are inexpensive options, with meals costing रु. 500 to 1,200. Going upwards, the middle-range restaurants like Caffe Concerto and Byanjan Restaurant serve the Italian and Nepali delicacies for रु. 1,500 to 2,500 per meal. For upscale dining, The Harbor Restaurant and The Juicery Cafe serve up exquisite plates along with breathtaking views of the lake for रु. 3,500+ per meal.
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
Average Cost Of A Trip
The approximate cost of a budget tour of Pokhara is रु. 5,000 to 6,500 per day, including food, stay and local transport. Mid-range travellers can budget around रु. 10,000 to 16,000 a day for better hotels, guided tours and adventure activities. While luxury travellers can spend रु. 25,000+ per day for the good hotels, car transfers and activities. The cost of a 4-day trip can be around रु. 20,000 to 80,000 per person, according to your preferences. If you book ahead and use local transport, you can keep costs down.
Tips For Travellers
- You need to get an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) and a TIMS card, which cost around रु. 2,500 each.
- For transport, rent a scooter for रु. 1,200 per day for a better experience or local taxis.
- Pack light clothing, trekking shoes, sunscreen, carry water, and prepare for altitude adjustments if trekking.
- Respect the local custom of Buddhist and Hindu practices at temples.
- Avoid trekking by yourself in remote regions.
Be it a nature lover, an adventure junkie, or a spiritual seeker, Fewa Lake in Nepal caters to all. Find adventure activities for thrill seekers, hiking trails for offbeat travellers, accommodations and everything else easily in Pokhara. Immerse yourself in the beautiful mountain ranges and experience the foreign air. So plan your trip with TripXL and experience the great weather for outdoor activities and sightseeing in Nepal.
Cover Photo: Kaushal Subedi / Unsplash
