INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Waterfront Resort. Pokhara. Located right on the bank of great Phewa Lake, where fresh water stream meets lake, provides a best habitat for aqua fauna, ducks, geese, coots, falcons, eagles and many wetland birds. This site is arguably the best to watch the vastness of serene waterbody in Pokhara. At Waterfront resort one can engross in the simmering ripples of Phewa and listen to the sound of silence and experience the wilderness of exotic Pokhara.
A true Paradise so close, yet so far from the Madding crowd. Just 15 min drive from airport and 10 min walk from heart of the city.
Waterfront Resort is operated by KGH group of hotels, resort, spa and travel which has 45 years of experience in hospitality industry. KGH group is one of the most trusted and reputed business house in nepal. It operates a chain of hotels in Pokhara, Lumbini the birth place of Lord Buddha, Chitwan National Park, Koshi Tappu, Budhanilkantha near Shivapuri National Park in Kathmandu the famous Kathmandu Guest House.
About Waterfront Resort:
Waterfront Resort is run by professionals in a friendly and homely environment. Spread in 2 acres of palm beech garden and situated right on the bank of great Phewa Lake, Waterfront resort offers 60 guest rooms and 3 suites with individual balcony.The facilities includes spacious AC rooms, mini bar, tea/coffee makers, lockers, complimentary mineral water.
Waterfront Resort provides two well equipped conference halls (Peace Pagoda Hall - Capacity 200 pax and Harpan Hall - Capacity 60 pax) with secreterial services.
Western, Chinese, Indian, Nepali and Local ethnic food are prepared by best chefs. Food is served in Aqua bird restaurant, Alfresco, Taal n Taal Noodle Bar and Glider?s deck Coffee Shop.
Waterfront has full length swimming pool, spa and health club.
Waterfront has a unique ?Nirvana Energy? spot under the canopy of 100 years old giant fig tree, from where one can watch the magnificiant lake, ducks & gees and spend endless time in fishing and angling.
Waterfront also provide boating, horse riding, mountain bike and paragliding services.
Waterfront is a premium resort in Pokhara, from where one can see a 180 degree IMAX grandeur view of panoromic Phewa lake surrounded by deep green mountain range. It is a true Nature Paradise which is so close from the city, yet so far from the madding crowd. Guests at Waterfront can engross into the vastness of simmering ripples of Phewa lake and listen to the Sound of silence to experience the Wilderness of Pokhara.
Location, Location and Location:
Waterfront Resort is situated in the prime location of Pokhara at Sedi Height, lakeside road on the way to Pame and Sarankot Hill. The resort is only 10 min drive from the airport and 15 min walk from down town.
Climatically and ecologically, Waterfront resort lies in the epicenter of aero-dynamic thermal action where warm breeze of Seti caynon meets with icy cold wind from Himalaya creating a best ?Hotspot? for Paragliding and other wind sports in South Asia. Dozens of paragliders lands everyday next to resort. Guests can watch a action pack drama of paragliding all day long from the balcony of his/her room.
Because of thermal action, this is also a wonderful place to watch magestic soaring of raptors and ?birds of prey? such as Himalayan Eurasian Griffons, Egyptian Vulture, globally endangered Slender-Billed Vulture and Cinereous Vultures. The area is also a fly-way for migrating eagles, including the Steppe and Imperial, as well as Pied and Hen Harriers and Common Buzzards.
Waterfront resort is situated in the confluence of Harpan river and upper Phewa Lake. It creates a best habitat for wetland birds such as little grebe, white breasted water-hen, Common Moorhen. Migratory duck that come for wintering includes Mallard, Common Teal, Gadwall, Ferruginous Duck, Eurasian Wigeon and Red-Crested Pocahrd.
Waterfront - a ecofriendly resort:
The chairman of KGH group of hotels is a professional forester and environmentalist. All KGH hotels are ecofriendly.
At Waterfront, all waste water including black and grey are treated in a Decentralized Waste Water Treatment system DEWATS with assistants from ENPHO & UN Habitat. This technique is the first of its kind in the region.
Water supply in all bathrooms are fully treated from filtration plant.
Water in the kitchen and drinking mineral water are treated in a RO treatment technique.
Hot water supply is powered by solar system.
We have adopted a special waste disposal system.
It adopts ecofriendly norms recommended by PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association).
Activities
Paragliding
Bird Watching Tour
Horse Riding
Boating
Angling
Mountain Biking
Kite Flying
Meditation and Yoga
Shopping
Tour of Pokhara
ParaglidingClimatically and ecologically, Waterfront resort lies in the epicenter of aerodynamic thermal action where warm breeze of the Seti canyon meets with icy cold wind from Himalaya creating one of the best ?Hotspot? for Paragliding and other wind sports in South Asia. Once upon a time, Paragliding was considered to be an extreme adventure sports but now most of the visitors in Pokhara take its joy ride in the beautiful clear blue sky in Pokhara.
You can experience the extreme scenic dignity, as your share airspace flies near the Himalayan as a lammergeyer, eagles, kites, soaring over the villages, monasteries, temples, lakes, and jungles, with a fantastic view of the magnificent Himalayas. The flying season in Nepal commences from November to February. But the best months are between November and December. The starting point for the flight is Sarangkot (1592m), which offers great views of Fewa Lake, where the sunrise and sunset rays land in. If you wan to have paragliding, you do not need to have experience, as the qualified pilots will provide you full briefing before you launch.
Bird Watching
Pokhara is the mid-point of 2500km-long Himalayan Arc. This area is the meeting point for European and Asian flora and fauna. The Kali Gandaki River Valley close to Pokhara is one of the major flyway of migratory birds, including Demoiselle Cranes, birds of prey, Black Storks and many varieties of passerines. Within 100km as the crow flies, this is a rare ecological zone that compasses the driest area of Upper Mustang to wettest area of Modi valley. The habitats found here are unique, sheltering diverse groups of bird species.
Birds move mostly in flocks, hunting insects at different levels in the forest. During quiet times, you may occasionally spot between five to twelve different species of birds. The season also determines which species are likely to be seen. Besides the passage of migrants, there are also bird species such as the cuckoo that visit during the springtime for breeding. There are diurnal, seasonal and altitudinal migrants. Nectarine, fruit and berry-eating birds are active quite early in the day. The most impressive moments are when the first rays of sun hit the forest, activating the insects. This is when the insectivores forage, including the colorful Long-tailed Minivet, Green-backed, Black-Lored and Black-Throated Tits get active. Some of the trees with berries or flowers are a magnet for multiple species, namely Whiskered, Stripe-Throated, Rufous-Naped and White-Browed Tit. The forest trail between Ghorepani and Tatopani is a good place to encounter the Great Parrotbill, Spotted Laughing Thrush, and the Velvet, Rufous-Bellied and White-Tailed Nuthatch.
The sky of Pokhara valley near Waterfront Resort is very friendly to raptors and birds of prey. Because of warm breeze from the lake meet with cold wind of the Himalaya, the aerodynamics thermal action created helping many birds of prey to glide in the air. The 3m (9ft) wingspan of the majestic Lammergeyer fly in the sky of Pokhara. Himalayan and Eurasian Griffons soar, touching the hearts and minds of the tourists as well as passing trekkers. Pokhara is home to all the vulture species of Nepal, including the Egyptian Vulture, the endangered White-rumped and the Red-Headed. Occasionally one might catch a glimpse of the globally endangered Slender-Billed Vulture. Cinereous Vultures are seen during the winter season. The valley is also a fly-way for migrating eagles, including the Steppe and Imperial, as well as small birds of prey, Pied and Hen Harriers and Common Buzzards.
Waterfront Resort is located in the upstream of Phew lake, which is the home to resident little grebe, white breasted water-hen, Common Moorhen. Migratory duck that come for wintering includes Mallard, Common Teal, Gadwall, Ferruginous Duck, Eurasian Wigeon, Red-Crested Pocahrd.
The forest habitats of Pokhara watershed are home to White-Browed and Rufous-Winged Fulvetta. Spectacular Lesser Racquet-taiels Drongo and Green Magpie live in the Phewa watershed forest. The silence of the forest is occasionally interrupted by the tapping of the Fulvous breated pied woodpeckers, Large Yelloe Naped Woodpecker.
All birdwatchers are amazed by the tiny warblers, including the Chestnut-Crowned, Whistler?s, Black-Faced, Grey-Hooded and Ashy-Throated Warblers. Smart Sunbirds found along the trail include the Black-Throated, Green-Tailed, Fire-Tailed and Purple Sunbird. They can be seen in the flowering trees. Among the flower-peckers, the most common is the Fire-Breasted Flowerpecker, which may be found near settlements in the flowering trees and also trees with mistletoe. The blue pine forest along the trail is a habitat of the Spotted Nutcracker; these are very vocal and hence difficult to miss. Orange-Bellied Leafbirds are very vocal and are occasionally found in the upper canopy layer. Similarly, Nepal Cutia is found in forests of alder wood. More treasures to observe are the tiny Nepal, Scaly-Breasted and Pygmy Wren Babbler, feeding under the ferns, with their high-pitched territorial calls. The jewel-like, tiny Chestnut-Headed Tesia is a wonderful bird to see in the moist undergrowth and ferns, its high-pitched sound dominating the area.
In the air one can observe the speedy insect-hunter White-Rumped Needletail, Nepal House Martin, Red-Rumped Swallow and Himalayan Swiftlet. Common birds along the farmland and forest trails are the Red-Vented and Black Bulbul, Great and Blue-throated Barbet and also Coppersmith Barbet in the lower reaches. The Olive-Backed Pipit, Magpie Robin and Common Tailorbird are found near the farmlands along with the Common Stonechat and the Grey, Collared, White-Tailed and Pied Bushchat.
Stream that flows into Phewa lake is teeming with these smart and frisky birds: Between Birethanti and Himalpani, along the Modi River, is a very rewarding habitat for river and stream birds. That includes White-Capped Water Redstart, Plumbeous Redstart; Little, Spotted, Black-Backed and Slaty-Backed Forktail; Brown Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Blue Whistling-Thrush. The presence of these birds in a stream indicates the good environmental health of the stream.
Horse RidingPokhara is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. And Phewa Lake is the heart of tourism activities in Pokhara. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fishtailed summit of Machhapuchhre (6,977 m) rising behind it create an ambience of peace and magic.Pokhara is a remarkable destination for both natural and cultural diversity. Thick forests, gushing rivers, emerald lakes, fascinating caves, cascading waterfalls, evergreen hills and world famous Himalaya are the attractions of Pokhara.
Historically, Pokhara was served as headquarter of SALT ROUTE to Tibet. To this day, mule trail can be seen in the outskirts of town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. Thakalis, a very important ethnic group who live here, are known for their hospitality entrepreneurship. They run many ethnic tea-houses, lodges from Pokhara to Annapurna and Jomsom.
The region of Pokhara holds vibrant cultural diversity. This is the land of the Magars and Gurungs. Hardworking farmers and valorous warriors, who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers live here.
Horse riding trip in Pokhara is a good experience for cultural and natural recreation. A trip to Sarankot and Naudada give a glimps of Pokhara?s rich cultural and natural diversity.
AnglingPhewa Lake is a rich habitat for marine life. You can enjoy fishing in the middle of lake by hiring a boat or take a pleasure of angling just by sitting and sipping chilled beer in our exclusive Nirvana spot under the giant 100 years old banyan tree.
Mountain Biking
Biking is a best way of exploring exotic beauty of Pokhara valley and mountain. Pokhara also has good facility for Cross-country Mountain biking.
Kite FlyingRoof of the Waterfront Resort is the best place for kite flying. Constant breeze flowing from the lake towards mountain give a wonderful condition for kite flying.
Meditation and YogaMany spiritual centers last only a season or two in Pokhara. One that appears to be permanent is Garden Yoga Chozin Buddhist Centre, a very peaceful facility a short walk north of Lakeside, where regular residential courses and daily teachings are designed for mainly Western participants. Inquire about three-day retreats and daily yoga, taichi and reiki sessions in high season . The centre's meditation hall and library are open to the public for free.
ShoppingShopping is still a mainly outdoor activity in Lakeside and Damside, where laid-back curio stalls make a welcome change from the hard-driving salesmen of Kathmandu, even if their prices and selection don't quite compare. Local specialties include batiks , wooden flasks , dolls in ethnic dress and fossil-bearing shaligram stones from the Kali Gandaki. Hand-stitched wall hangings in simple Tibetan designs have been produced for the tourist market, but are attractive nonetheless. Persuasive Tibetans peddle their wares in Lakeside's caf?s, but these aren't produced locally, and carpets are best purchased at the Tibetan villages. Hand-knitted woollen sweaters, socks and such aren't of very good quality here, but may fit the bill for trekking. Kashmiris have colonized Lakeside, as they have Thamel, with boutiques touting "Asian" art: mainly high-priced carpets and cheap papier-m?ch? and soapstone widgets. Other than that, you'll find the usual range of tourist bait, most of it imported from Kathmandu: ritual masks, thangka, embroidered T-shirts (wear that trek!), cloth bags and hippie clothes. Stalls along the strip opposite the palace are extremely competitive.
Popular Tourist Spots of Pokhara
Phewa Lake
Phewa Lake is the center of all attraction in Pokhara. It is the largest and most enchanting of three lakes that add to the resplendence of Pokhara. Here, one can sail or row a hired boat across the water of the lake or visit the island temple in the middle of the lake, The eastern shore, popularly know as Lakeside or Baidam, is the favorite haunt of all travelers restaurants, handicraft shops and other tourist facilities are located.
Barahi Temple
The Barahi temple is the most important monument in Pokhara. Built almost in the Center of Fewa Lake, this two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protector deity representing the female force of Shakti.
Devi?s Fall
Locally known as Patale Chango (Hell?s Falls) also know as Devins and Davids is a lovely Waterfall is about 2 km south West of Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway. Legend has it that a trekker by the name of Davy, was washed away by the Padi Khola and mysteriously disappeared down into an underground passage beneath the fall.
Mahendra CaveAnother of nature?s wonders in Pokhara is the Mahendra gufa. This large limestone cave is locally known a s the House of Bats an apt name for it. A two- hours walk to the north of Pokhara, it is best to bring our own torch to see the stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the local winged residents.
Seti Gandaki Gorge
Another of Pokhara natural wonders are the Seti Gandaki River. Flowing right through the city, the boisterous river runs underground at places. Amazingly, at certain places the river appears hardly two meters wide. However, its depth is quite beyond imagination, over 20m. Mahendra pul, a small bridge near the old mission hospital, provides a perfect view of the river?s dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by its powerful flow.
The Old Bazar + Bindyabasini TemplePokhara's traditional bazaar is colorful and so are its ethnically diverse traders. In its temples and monuments can be seen ties to the old Newar Architecture of the Kathmandu valley, Located about 4 k.m from Lakeside, the market S original charm is still evident. This area is strewn with shops selling commodities ranging from edibles to and cloth to cosmetics and gold, is a pleasant and shady spot to stroll around. The old Bazaar is also home to one of Pokhara?s most important shrines. Locally called the Bindhyabasini Mandir, this white dome- like structure dominates a spacious stone ? paved courtyard built atop a shady hillock. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhgwati, yet another manifestation of Shakti. The park ? like grounds offers a fine picnic area, and on Saturdays, and Tuesdays when devotees flock there to offer sacrifices, it takes on a festive flavor.
World peace pagoda
This Pagoda is situated on the top of a hill on the southern shore of Fewa lake. It has four images of Buddha facing in four directions. The Pagoda is an impressive sight and its hilltop location commands a grand view. It is a great vantage point, which offers spectacular view of the Annapurna range and Pokhara city.
Begnas Lake and Rupa LakeBegnas Lake is situated in the eastern part of Pokhara valley, at a distance of 15 km from Pokhara. Tourist can relax in the lodges and resorts situated alongside the lake. Yet another popular lake of Pokhara is the Rupa Lake. It is separated from Begnas Lake by a bridge known as Pachabhaiya. The lakes offer the prefect nature retreat because of their relative?s seclusion and opportunities for boating and fishing.
Mountain Views:Clearly, the most stunning of Pokhara?s sights is the spectacular panorama of the Anapurna range that forms its backdrop. Stretching from east to west, the Annapurna massif includes Annapurna I to IV and Annapurna South. Although the highest among them is Annapurna I at 8091 meters, it is Machhapuchhre, which dominates all others in this neighborhood. Standing tall, proud, and dominating the skyline, Machhapuchhre, the fishtailed pinnacle is the classic snow ? capped, needle ? pointed mountain.