Off the Tourist Track: Exploring Pokhara's Spirituals Gems

Yoga Trekking in Nepal: Annapurna Ways 2022
​Part 3: Adventures in Pokhara

​Disclaimer: This is a personal account of my first visit to Nepal two years ago in 2022. I'm sharing my own experiences and memories. There are no affiliate links or sponsored content. This part covers some unexpected adventures we had with my friend Angie in Pokhara during our rest day, along with some information about the religions in Nepal. For those who reach the end, there's a short playlist with selected videos for trekking preparation.

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A day by ourselves
​We returned to Pokhara before noon and we went again in the same hotel before our trakking had started.  Now Pokhara felt like a resort, a total upgrade from the mountains. We stayed in the same hotel, enjoyed hot showers, clean beds, and explored the lakeside.
We ditched Dal Bhat for some fancy restaurants and took a short walk along the lake alley. Pokhara's landscape revolves around Phewa (or Fewa) Lake. The Lakeside area is bustling with tourists, hotels, and shops.
Across the lake, a hill with no residents boasts an impressive Japanese peace pagoda. There was an option to get a taxi, but there are also plenty of boats to choose from, and you only need to pay a small fee. You can opt for a shared boat, a lake tour, or simply cross the lake.
Once on the Hill side, we began climbing stone stairs (again!). Despite the heat and humidity, we laughed and joked our way to the top. It was amusing to encounter the same family we had met on our way to Annapurna Base Camp.

The Peace Pagoda

The Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa, a monument dedicated to peace and unity. It aims to bring together people of all backgrounds in their search for peace. Originating in Japan, there are around 70 such pagodas worldwide, maintained by Japanese Buddhist monks. The one in Pokhara represents Buddha's journey through life and enlightenment.
Although it's visually stunning, it feels somewhat sterile to me. It's too clean, too shiny, too perfect.
What actually caught my eye was a massive Shiva statue on a nearby hill. Despite my limited knowledge of Hinduism, I recognized the trident/Trishul as one of Shiva's symbols.
We quickly decided to walk there, even though we had no idea how to get there or what to expect. We were only wearing flip-flops and tank tops, but we decided to go for it!

Pumdikot
After a long hike up and down, we realized that hundreds of people were heading in the same direction. We found out it's called Pumdikot.
It was Saturday, the only day off in Nepal, and we were surprised to see so many children organized in school buses, climbing the hill for a pilgrimage.
The final ascent was a battle. Me, Angie, and hundreds of students climbed, sometimes crawling, being pushed, pulled, dragged, and even kicked off the trail. Screams, shouts, yelling, music from phones, selfies, TikToks... It was chaos.
Somehow, we reached the top and saw a huge monument of God Shiva, a place filled with spiritual energy.
It's a relatively new statue, unlike the sterile Peace Pagoda. We got the Tripundra, a Hindu mark of 3 lines on ur foreheads, and spent an hour enjoying the sunset, exploring the sacred place, meeting new friends, and touching the 108 Shiva lingam-s.​

Wrong direction
After the sunset, we realized it was getting colder and decided to take the car road back to town instead of the messy trail. All the noisy students were also heading down, and we were worried it might turn into a stampede.
Unfortunately, that wasn't our best decision. After 30 minutes of walking, we realized we were going in the wrong direction. We ended up in a tiny village where the locals spoke limited English. There were no taxis, tuk-tuks, or any public transportation options. It was dusk, cold, and we had no idea how to get back to Pokhara. Google Maps showed our hotel was 20 km away through the mountains.

An act of Kindness from Random strangers
We were wandering around a tiny local shop, buying some water and checking Google Maps for options when the Universe had our back. A friendly shop owner curiously offered to make some calls and arrange a car for us.
A young guy arrived with a car and told us his price. We immediately agreed, as we were completely lost and had no other options. After shaking hands, he mentioned he would bring a friend along. We were surprised, as we were two females alone in a remote area, dressed casually and not in a position to defend ourselves.
Fortunately, everything went well. After an hour of driving through the mountains, we were safely back in Pokhara.

Pumdikot

Gratitude
I'm incredibly impressed by the friendliness and warmth of the Nepalese people. I haven't been to many countries in South Asia, but I've never felt as safe and welcome as in Nepal. I got lost in the jungle and the mountains, but there was always a helping hand to guide me and ensure I wasn't alone.
I'm grateful for all the simple acts of kindness I encountered. They remind me that life is more than possessions or busy schedules. Our friendliness, warmth, and genuine support are what the world truly needs.
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The night in Pokhara and the long way back to Kathmandu
After our Pumdikot adventure, Angie went straight to the hotel to rest, while I indulged in some last-minute shopping. I returned to the hotel around 10 PM, where Angie was already fast asleep.
The next morning, we woke up for some yoga on the hotel terrace, quickly repacked our luggage, and took the Pokhara-Kathmandu shuttle. It was a long day of traveling, but I spent most of it sleeping on the bus.

You can read part 1 ​here and part 2 here

Stay tuned for Part 4, where I'll share more about Bhaktapur - the old capital and the amazing Nepalese culture!

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​You can find more pictures, videos and stories about this Yoga and Trekking in Nepal 2022 adventue in PolarSteps - my favorite free app to store my travel memories:

Explore nepal 2022 in polarsteps

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Some info and tips on the religions in Nepal

Most popular: Hinduism and Buddhism
Dress code for temples: Shoulders and knees should be covered. Some temples may require additional clothing like a scarf or sarong.
Shoes Off: Remove your shoes before entering a Nepalese home, temple, or monastery, as a sign of respect.
Feet Etiquette: Never touch anything with your feet, and be mindful not to step over or point your feet at another person, sacred place, or hearth, as it is considered offensive.
Temple etiquette: When walking around temples or stupas, follow the tradition of moving clockwise.
Good to know: Many Nepalese people are very religious, and it's important to respect their customs and traditions.
Respectful Interactions: Avoid touching women and holy men among Hindus, and instead, use the traditional palms-together "Namaste" greeting as a sign of respect.
Dress code in the city: Casual attire is generally acceptable. However, it's respectful to dress modestly when visiting religious sites or conservative areas.
Safety: Nepal is generally safe for tourists, but it's always a good idea to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings.
Namaste: This is a common greeting in Nepal, often accompanied by pressing palms together like a prayer. It translates to "the spirit within me salutes the spirit within you" and is a mark of respect. Use it when greeting others, similar to saying "hello."
​Thank you: "Dhanyabād" is the Nepali word for "thank you." Pronounce it as "Dan-yah-bad."

Trekking Prep: Get your body mountain ready!

Strength Training: Aim for DAILY 10+ minutes focusing on legs, core, and back/upper body. This builds the endurance needed for carrying a backpack and navigating uneven terrain.
Cardio: Add 10-30 minutes of low-impact cardio like jogging or rope jumping to your routine most days. This improves your cardiovascular health, crucial for handling higher altitudes.
Bonus: Check out this YouTube playlist for short, focused workouts, breathing exercises, and trekking-specific tips. It requires no gym or equipment, making it perfect for pre-trek prep! 

My YouTube Pre-Hike Selection

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