Taking the Local Bus to Sarangkot, Pokhara

Looming Machhapuchhre

Although Pokhara is by far the most famous city in Nepal, second only to Kathmandu. Not many people can truly put their finger on what makes the town so famous. Located on the banks of Fewa Lake, the muddy waters are not anything to write home about. With commercial bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops lining Lakeside, Pokhara is the perfect place to take a load off before heading out on a trek. But other than the cheap beer and knickknacks, what really makes Pokhara special?

Usually, tourists will be busy window shopping and poking their heads into stores while walking through Lakeside. But when the stars aline and the clouds recede, the jagged peaks of Macchapuchhre and the Annapurna mountains will have every passerby staring up in awe. Framed by the drab buildings and dangling wires, one will be unsatisfied with the view from Lakeside. To truly take in the beauty of the mountains from Pokhara, you will have to reach the summit of Sarangkot.

Looking for other hikes in Pokhara? Check out how to hike to the World Peace Pagoda here!

Baglung Bus Park

There are several ways that you can make it up to the Sarangkot viewpoint and look over the Annapurna Mountains and Lakeside. From Lakeside you can hike up to the summit. This light trek will take about 1.5 hours. Many people choose this option if they are looking to catch the sunrise over Pokhara. You could also take a taxi up to Sarangkot, but this would cost at least 1,000 NPR (8.81 USD) one way.

The fastest and cheapest way to get to Sarangkot is to take the local bus from Baglung Bus Park. From Lakeside you can take one of the green buses (15 NPR) running along Baidam Road to an intersection called Zero. You will then hop into one of the small white mini-vans (20 NPR) which will take you up Pokhara-Baglung Rajmarg to Baglung Bus Park.

Want to check out more of the religious side of Pokhara? You can find my guide to Buddhist monasteries here!

The Local Bus To Sarangkot

The bus from Baglung Bus Park to Saragkot typically leaves every 2 hours and costs 50 NPR (0.40 USD). The buses to Saragkot run from 9:00 am-5:30 pm. You will want to be sure to grab a seat early because these rickety gas guzzlers are known to get packed. Even after securing yourself a seat, the 30-minute ride will have you rocking back and forth before you finally make it to the last stop at the top of Sarangkot Hill.

No matter what side of the bus you are sitting on, as long as you have a window seat, you will begin to see the stunning views of Pokhara below. With Macchapuchhre peaking out above the trees to the right and the sprawling city of Pokhara on your left, the views only continue to get better as you climb your way to the top of Sarangkot. The only thing that will damper the experience is the occasional elbow in the face and the winding mountain roads.

If you are wanting a short trip outside of Kathmandu, be sure to visit Namo Buddha!

Arriving At Sarangkot

After 30 minutes of leaning back in your seat on the bus as if you were being launched off into space, you will finally reach the Sarangkot Bus Stand. Even from Lakeside, you will notice dozens of colorful paragliders floating in front of the face of Macchapuchhre and hovering over the Sarangkot Tower. From the bus stand, you will find the launching off point for these thrill seekers just a few minutes walk up the road. Many locals make the trek up to Sarangkot just to view the thrillseekers taking off into the air.

Regardless if you are looking to check out the paragliders or head directly to the viewpoint at Sarangkot Tower, as long as you are heading up the hill, you will end up in the right place. With several trails and streets leading off of the main highway, it is difficult to get lost at this part of the journey.

You won’t want to miss traveling to Matepani, one of the most famous monasteries in all of Pokhara!

Climbing to the Tower

As you begin to approach the summit of Sarangkot Hill you will begin to notice all of the touristy souvenir shops and hotels that have made at home at its base. For those looking to catch the sunrise or sunset over the Annapurna Mountains, checking into one of these guest houses and staying overnight is the best way to avoid stumbling in the dark at 4 in the morning.

Compared to other places in Nepal, the hawkers are a little pushier in Sarangkot. Fortunately, just a quick smile and a nod is enough to avoid any awkward exchanges in front of their stalls. If you are looking to take a load off, you will find several cafes and restaurants in the area.

One of the most underrated cities in Nepal is Tansen. Read about getting off the beaten track in Tansen here!

Welcome To Sarangkot Tower

After forking over the 60 NPR (0.50 USD) at the ticket counter you will be allowed entrance to the summit of Saragkot Hill. You will find a small temple, an elevated pavilion, and the tower on this flat plateau. Many large groups and families can be found laying out blankets on the grass, enjoying both the views and weather from atop Saragkot.

While you will find loads of tourists wandering around Sarangkot taking selfies and gazing out over Lakeside the Annapurna Mountains, the viewpoint is never unbearable. The pavilion always is crowded with swarming tourists, but there is more than enough room to wander at the summit to just take in the view and listen to the hush in the air.

Wanting to find more monasteries in Pokhara? Be sure to travel to Pema Ts’al Sakya!

Underrated Destinations

Busloads of tourists in Nepal all decide to visit Pokhara, but many don’t have much of an idea on what to do once they get there. These travelers are usually left twiddling their thumbs in cafes, waiting to embark on months-long treks or get caught up in the bar scene and lose track of time.

Little do these travelers know, there is so much more to be explored in Pokhara other than the tourist shops and clubs in Lakeside. With temples, monasteries, and hikes all found within the city, you could spend weeks in Pokhara and barely scratch the surface of all the places hidden in plain sight.

While travelers are often caught gazing up at the top of Sarangkot Hill, few actually decide to make the hike to the peak. For better or worse, this is a spot most frequented by local tourists and picnic goers. But for those wanting to really put the beauty and size of the massive Himilayas into perspective, nothing can beat the views from Sarangkot Hill.