Sarangkot Tourism, Nepal: How To Reach, Best Time and Tips.

What The Sarangkot Offers

It situated 1592 meter above the sea level, offers one of the best mountain views of the world. You can enjoy the breath-taking view of the Mount Dhaulagiri (8167m), Mount Annapurna I (8091m), Machhapuchhre (6997m, a native name for Mount Fishtail), Mount Manaslu (8163m) and more than 20 other mountains over 6000 meters high.

From Sarangkot, sunrise on these snow-capped is another incredible thing not to miss.If you are planning an escape from the busy city life, go back to nature and relax. Hiking is the right answer to that. Walking shortly or even for a couple of days in the hilly region or mountain areas can offer you great exercise as well as relaxation.

Your mind drifts back to landscape, forests, rivers- all the natural scenery, enjoy while walking. There are also other variations of hiking known as Trekking, Bush-walking, and Mountaineering. One of the most incredible such hiking place is Sarangkot, Nepal.

Not only foreigners, but it has also become the hotspot for domestic tourists as well.In Sarangkot, another very entertaining activities now a day’s tourists are enjoying is paragliding. Paragliding is a type of competitive sport where one has to fly paragliders for recreation.

Paragliders are lightweight, free-flying and foot-launched glider aircraft but it has no motor. The pilot has to start the glider by running on foot off hills or mountains. This device is made in such a way that flying depends on the flow of the wind.

How Long To Stay Sarangkot

A village atop of Pokhara, Sarangkot is often regarded as the one night stand because of people mostly stopover for a single night, enjoy the sun bathed stunning view of the mountain ranges in the morning and left. But many times, it so happens that people overstay chilling out hiking, paragliding, viewing the lakeside.

The friendly, hospitable people of this peaceful village of Sarangkot, Nepal, is another reason people stick around more than their initial plan. After a while, the contagious tranquility of this place transforms the tiring life of the tourist into serene and stress-free.

How To Reach Sarangkot

You need to arrive at Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal to start for your destination. From Kathmandu, travel east to reach Pokhara city, the most beautiful city of Nepal. Tourists choose from the variety of mode of transportation available to come to Pokhara. As the village is situated very close to this city, within hours, you can reach Sarangkot, Pokhara.

Either walk up the staircase to get to the mountain top or majority can be done in a taxi too. Usually, a car ride takes about 45 minutes from Pokhara and another 45 minutes hike up the mountain to reach the top. One thing to remember is to get going early in the morning if you do not want to miss the sunrise. Because of the clouds flocking together will block the view as day breaks.

Taxi is the most popular mode of transportation to reach the hill. The same taxi can bring you back to your hotel after waiting till you complete your hiking up and return. The cost comes between 600-1200 Nepali rupees, but there is always an option for bargaining. If you are planning to ride a motorcycle, there are two options. Hire one to ride yourself or take one with a driver.

Of course, if you are driving, hiring the vehicle will cost around USD 35-50. But if you hire a driver also it will come to 300-600 Nepali Rupees. Many people do enjoy walking, but it is wise to tag along with a group and to hike during dawn.

Again, there can be group tour that is usually operated by agencies of arranged by hotels. The cost is around 800 Nepali Rupees per head but make sure to check with different parties before settling with one.

Top Things To Do In Sarangkot

There are different arrangements available to choose from for the tourists. You can customize your day hiking trip. It is good for the tourist to stay and enjoy the surrounding beauty of natural and city life even for a single day rather than rushing the tour.

That is to come for the Sarangkot sunrise view and go back after few hours.You can choose a three-hour long day hike of 4 km distance. You start early morning, hire a private car to drive you to Sarangkot hill within an hour or less.

Then walk for another half an hour to reach the hilltop for Sarangkot sunrise. Enjoy together both the breakfast and the wonderful sight of Annapurna Himalaya range. The if you are feeling for it go for a three-hour hiking to Naudada village.

There you will certainly get homely feeling spending time with the local people and their way of living. Then get back to your ride and back to Pokhara. It will cost you more if you are alone but for a group of 2-4 people, you can make a good bargain.

Single person trip can cost around USD 160 whereas the same may cost USD 90 per person for a group. The great thing is that for that money you will get an English-speaking driver who is also a Government Licensed Trek guide. No need to worry about food because the money includes lunch and breakfast.

You can rent a motorbike for under NPR700 and take yourself to the top.  Go north riding through Lakeside for about 5 km to the Sarangkot road junction, then turn left. Start climbing for 50 meters or so till you reach a small village.

It will take you 40 minutes from the bottom to reach there. Then you follow the ridge trail continuing west along the jeep road, pass the parasail jump-off and mounting to Kalapani village to reach the sarangkot village.

Then head down the steep but good pavement down to reach the valley bottom passing the Hemja village and head back to Pokhara. It is also possible to take a parasail ride or take a taxi. The descent will take about 40 minutes, and the ascent is 50 minutes or so.Interestingly, you can combine your tour of Sarangkot with paragliding.

Those who are looking for some adventure, Paragliding in Sarangkot can be a truly enjoyable. During the trip Himalayan griffin vultures, eagles will share the sky with you while you enjoy some of the best scenery on earth.

In Nepal, there are other places where paragliding is organized, but among all Sarangkot, Pokhara is the best. This flight of your lifetime lasts for 30 to minutes floating over villages, temples, lakes, forests and splendid view of the Himalayas.

You do not know how to paraglide, no need to worry. The expert pilot will explain the whole thing in such simple way that you will be able to control the glide yourself.

Best Hotel & Resorts List In Sarangkot

To make your journey comfortable there are a good number of hotels in Sarangkot to stay. Below are names of some Sarangkot hotels-

Mountain View Lodge & Restaurant– this hotel is located only 1.5 km from the popular hill station of Sarangkot and offers spectacular sunrises and sunsets view.

Super view Lodge and Restaurant: Besides offering a high standard of service, pets are allowed in this restaurant. Himalayan Front Hotel: This hotel offers a spectacular view of the Annapurna range and is located 4.3 km from the Phewa lake.

Also, there is Sarangkot Sherpa Resort, Bhanjyang Village Lodge, etc. Some of the budget Sarangkot hotels near Pokhara are Bishnu Homestay, Vardan Resort n’ Apartment, Hotel Bishram, Tourist Residency, Hotel Crystal Palace.

Best Restaurant & Food Item

Different tasty food items like samosas, dumplings (locally known as Momo), fried noodles are easily available at street shops. The price ranges from Nepali rupees (NPR) 8-50. Tasty desserts like chocolate croissants, cinnamon rolls, and other cakes are available early in the morning, which cost about NPR15.

There are some restaurants to enjoy different cuisine along with music and dance. Among them are Asian tea house, The China Town, El Sol Spanish Restaurant, Everest Steak House, Busy Bee Café, Emon Cafe, Clay Oven. Places to enjoy drinks are Coffee Culture Cafe, Tushita Sushi Bar, Cafe Fusion Restaurant & Bar, Gorkha Bar, Pema Tibetan Restaurant, Oxygen Lounge Bar, Di Di’s Cafe, etc.

Tips For Tourists

First, think of the right time to make your trip to Sarangkot, Pokhara. But if you are going during the monsoon, do bring along the rain gear. As Sarangkot is 5 degrees cooler than Pokhara you also need to think about the appropriate clothing.

When you are also planning for paragliding, remember that October to April is the best period to do that. Bring along a torch and some ready to eat foods.

Last but not the least:

Sarangkot is very close to Pokhara. Come along and enjoy a breathtaking view of glorious Annapurna range as well as the spectacular Pokhara valley landscape view. And if you are up to it, glide over the lake, jungle, rivers and settlements on board a paraglider.

Do not forget to bring your camera along; you do not want to miss out on this opportunity to capture and take home all the beautiful memories of Sarangkot, Nepal.