Nepal is a magnificent country and, above all, a paradise for mountain hiking enthusiasts. Hundreds of hiking options are available, both for beginners and experienced trekkers.
In Nepal, the Pokhara region is especially popular for hiking because it serves as the starting point for the famous Annapurna Trek, the Himalayan mountain range considered one of the most beautiful trekking routes in the world. However, completing the Annapurna circuit can take several days — or even weeks depending on the chosen route. It requires extensive preparation, as well as strong physical and mental endurance.
If you are like me and cannot live without a good shower after a day of hiking before returning comfortably to your cozy bed, many day-hiking options are available around Pokhara. The region offers countless trails that allow you to explore Nepal’s wild nature while immersing yourself in a fascinating blend of Hindu and Buddhist culture.
Last April, I had the opportunity to spend three weeks in Nepal exploring this mythical country and discovering moderate-intensity day hikes. In this article, I present my absolute favorite hike in Nepal: the Kalabang Gharedi Buddha Park daily trail hike.
Starting Point
During my stay in Pokhara, I stayed at the Dashain Hotel. I highly recommend this hotel! The rooms were beautiful, the staff was outstanding, and the restaurant — open almost 24/7 — offered a large variety of authentic Nepalese dishes.
The hotel is located near Lakeside, but away from the crowds and the constant noise of bars and nightclubs.
The hotel even has its own meditation room, where I spent several hours meditating between hiking sessions.
🚨Important tip: if you stay in Pokhara, avoid hotels directly on the main Lakeside road, as the traffic and nightlife noise can become overwhelming.
Itinerary
Crossing Phewa Lake
From Lakeside, head to “Phewa Taal Boating”. Most visitors using the boats go to the small island temple located in the middle of the lake, a famous Hindu pilgrimage site. However, even on a Tuesday morning at 7 a.m., the place was already crowded with pilgrims and tourists.
Instead, I asked for a ticket to cross directly to the other side of the lake, toward the “Dock for Phewa Boating to Stupa”. The major advantage is that very few people take this route, so I had the boat entirely to myself and was able to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and breathtaking scenery of Phewa Lake.
The crossing itself takes no more than 15 minutes, but the tranquility and beauty of the lake alone make the experience absolutely worth it. I do not remember the exact ticket price for a one-way trip, but it could not have been more than about $5 USD.
Hiking to the World Peace Pagoda
Once you arrive on the other side of the lake, you will immediately find the trail leading to the famous World Peace Pagoda, one of Pokhara’s most popular tourist attractions.
Reaching the pagoda requires about 45 minutes to one hour of hiking, but the panoramic views overlooking the lake are absolutely breathtaking. Very few people actually use this hiking trail to reach the pagoda, allowing you to avoid the large crowds of tourists.
Once I reached the pagoda, I must admit that I found the attraction slightly overrated. The pagoda itself is beautiful, but the large number of tourists somewhat ruins the atmosphere. I stayed there for about 10 minutes to rest my legs and take a few pictures before continuing toward a much less crowded section of the hike.
Hiking from the World Peace Pagoda to the Pumdikot Shiva Statue
The Pumdikot Shiva Statue is truly an architectural and spiritual masterpiece. Most tourists stop at the pagoda and turn back, even though the Shiva statue is far more impressive and spectacular.
Reaching the Pumdikot Shiva Statue from the World Peace Pagoda requires approximately one hour of hiking with a fairly significant elevation gain. Make sure to wear proper hiking shoes and enjoy a good coffee before starting this section of the trail! There is a small café near the beginning of the route where you can stock up on snacks and drinks for the journey.
Throughout the hike, you will enjoy stunning views of Phewa Lake, and if you visit early enough in April, you may witness the blooming of Nepal’s magnificent rhododendrons.
Pumdikot Shiva Statue
The Pumdikot Shiva Statue was one of the biggest highlights of my trip. Although there were still some tourists — especially Indian visitors — the monument is so massive and impressive that you almost feel alone with the statue itself. The atmosphere is incredibly mystical.
Even if you have no connection to Hinduism, you can genuinely feel a powerful spiritual energy surrounding this place.
As mentioned earlier, the statue is enormous, allowing you to step away from the crowd and peacefully contemplate both the monument and the surrounding artifacts.
Hiking from Pumdikot Shiva Statue to Pumdi Bhumdi
Once your exploration of the Shiva statue is complete, head toward the village of Pumdi Bhumdi. This is where you will be able to capture some of the most beautiful panoramic views overlooking Pokhara and the lake.
In the village of Pumdi Bhumdi, look for a lodge called “Pumdikot Mountain Lodge”. The owners welcomed me warmly with an excellent menu and, most importantly, the best masala tea I tasted during my entire trip to Nepal.
The walk from the Shiva statue to the Pumdikot Mountain Lodge takes approximately 45 minutes.
Pumdi Bhumdi to Kalabang Gharedi Buddha Park
The final section of this day hike is a 45-minute walk from the Pumdikot Mountain Lodge to Kalabang Gharedi Buddha Park.
This trail is far less marked and maintained. In fact, if I had not asked the lodge staff for directions, I would never have guessed that a trail even existed there. The path is rarely used and poorly indicated.
Fortunately, they guided me correctly, because Kalabang Gharedi Buddha Park turned out to be the absolute highlight of the entire day.
PHOTO HIKING
Kalabang Gharedi Buddha Park
Kalabang Gharedi Buddha Park is a true hidden gem in Pokhara. It barely appears in tourist guides, and you will mostly encounter locals coming to pray or enjoy picnics. No crowds. No tourists.
At the center of the site stands a massive Buddha statue. However, the true magic of this place is not the statue itself, but the breathtaking view over the valley.
You will find yourself facing a landscape so stunning that no picture or video could ever truly capture its beauty. As sunlight pierces through the clouds and the gentle wind softly moves through the trees, you may never want to leave this place.
I strongly recommend staying there for at least one full hour and simply doing nothing. Sit near the statue or under the enormous tree beside it, meditate, and fully appreciate the scenery.
Including the boat ride, hiking, and breaks along the way, expect roughly four hours to reach Kalabang Gharedi Buddha Park.
Returning to Pokhara Lakeside
Leaving Kalabang Gharedi Buddha Park turned out to be slightly more complicated than expected. The roads around the area are not really adapted for cars, and despite spending nearly 20 minutes trying to find a taxi through the InDrive app, I could not find any available drivers.
I eventually started walking in search of a more “car-friendly” road, but without success. I did not want to retrace my steps all the way back to the Shiva statue.
Fortunately, out of nowhere, a young Nepalese man on a motorcycle kindly offered me a ride. We drove for about 10 minutes until reaching a busier intersection, where I was finally able to easily call a taxi back to my hotel.
If you ever visit Pokhara and want to experience a day hike truly worth doing, this is the one I would recommend above all others.
