Dhaulagiri Trek

A circuit trek of this gigantic mountain Dhaulagiri (8167m) is the strenuous trek around Annapurna region. After several hours of drive from Pokhara, this trek starts from Beni, the district headquarter of Myagdi. The worlds deepest George-kali gandaki George (1100m),the strenuous French pass (5360m),and the dhampus pass (5250m) are the great significant of this thrilling trek. Besides these, passing through Myagdi River and the Magar village gives a lifelong picture of the mountain life. The combination of the culture, nature and the adventure is no doubt the most attraction of this astonishing trek.

pokhara Thakali Community

Thakalis are the original inhabitant of Thak Khola, a high valley of Kali Gandaki in Mustang district northeast of Pokhara. The traditional areas of the true Thakali is known as Thak-Satsaya or seven hundred Thak but nowadays they have increased in number and have spread much further. Thakalis have regular feature of Mongolian with round face, flat nose, high cheekbones, narrow eyes and yellow skin pigments. They speak their own language which belongs to the Tibeto-Burmese family.

Previously the profession of the Thakali was salt trade form tibet. But nowadays they are involved in different business in the major cities of Nepal and have proved themselves to be successful entrepreneurs.

Thakali marriage custom is distinctive. They practice cross-cousin marriage of both maternal and parental lineage. The traditional marriage system is very interesting. The friends and close relatives of the boy set out for evening walk and capture the girl to be married. Then she is kept under the strict guardianship until her parents agree. But their traditions are rapidly changing and many Thakalis do not prefer traditional marriage.

The most significant festival is "Ihafeva" which is observed in November of every monkey year of the twelve year cycle according the Tibetan calendar. Many Thak people are attracted By Pokhara but Thak Khola is still considered the homeland of Thakalis. There are fewer Thakalis in Pokhara in comparison to others but their influence in trade and business is high.

pokhara Gurung Community

Gurungs are hard working mongolian hill people inhabiting southern part of Annapurna region in between 5,000 to 7,000 feet. Their main villages around Pokhara include Ghandruk, Dhampus, Ghachok, Armala, Tanting, Chhomorng and Sikles. Gurung people are considered honest, brave and laborious. Most of the Gurungs prefer to join the British and Indian army.

They have their own language and their cultural practices are still existing. The Gurungs live in small round, oval or rectangular houses which are clustered to form a single village. The upper section of their house is white washed and the lower part is red plastered.

The traditional costume for the women is maroon velvet blouse and large cloth which is fastened over their one shoulder, a wrap-round skirt and many yards of narrower cloth wrapped around their waist. Their ornaments include gold and coral necklaces which represent the prosperity of their family. Gold ear and nose rings are given to woman at the time of marriage. Money, keys and various useful things are wrapped into the waist cloth. A cotton cloth is usually tied round the head.

In Gurung community, boys and girls are free to make self choice of marriage partners. However, traditionally, cross-counsin marriage both of paternal and maternal lineage is widely practiced. The Gurungs have a very interesting dance tradtion. Two dances namely Ghatu and Shorathi are most popular. Rodi is another interesting Gurung institution. This is a club for boys and girls, of more or less of the same age-usually ten or eleven, under the supervision of an adult. Rodi also serves as a work association where various activities are planned for co-operative working. The most important festival of Gurung is Lhosar which is observed in the end of December.
Both cremation and burial practice of disposing dead bodies are prevalent in Gurung communities. Sometimes in the memory of dead person resting places (Chautara) are constructed.

Culture and Tradition

Most of the people of Pokhara valley are Hindus and Buddhists. However, different castes and ethnic groups have their own culture and tradition. There are nearly 20 castes and communities in the Valley.

People of Pokhara

Pokhara is rich in cultural diversity. The population of the valley comprises Brahmins, Kshetris, Newars, Gurung, Magar, Thakalis and other occupational castes like Damai (tailor), Kami (blacksmith), Sunar (goldsmith) and Pode (sweeper). There is a small Muslim community as well.

pokhara at forest BIRDS

Diverse floral composition of Pokhara valley has made it one of the most suitable places for birds. Habitat combination of Seti canyon and marshy lakes with dense forests and flat plains provide proper habitat for a diverse range of birds. Several species of birds including kingfishers, barbets, drongos, woodpeckers, babblers, flowerpeckers, flycatchers, egrets and bulbuls are found. The birds are residential as well as migratory. Following is a list of some very common birds of Pokhara.


S.No. Common Name Scientific Name Family
1. Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis Ardidae
2. Dark kite Milvus migrans Accipitridae
3. Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus Accipitridae
4. Black patridge Fancolinus francolinus Phasianidae
5. Rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri Psittacidae
6. Eurasian cuckoo Cuculus canorus Cuculidae
7. Blue throated barbet Megalaima asiatica Captionidae
8. Blacknaped woodpecker Picus canus Picidae
9. House swift Apus affinis Apodidae
10. House crow Corvus splendens Corvidae
11. Himalayan tree pie Dendrocitta formosae Corvidae
12. Ashy drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus Dicruridae
13. Black headed shrike Lanius schach Laniidae
14. Whistling thrush Myiophoneus caeruleus Muscicapidae
15. Beautiful nitava Muscicapa sundara Muscicapidae
16. Black headed oriole Oriolus chinensis Oriolidae
17. Golden oriole Oriolus oriolus Oriolidae
18. Red vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Pycnotidae
19. Grey tit Parus major Paridae
20. Pond heron Ardeola grayii Ardidae

pokhara at forest Mammals

Nearly 35 species of mammals are found in Pokhara valley. The mammals are commonly found in the forests around Pokhara but occasionally seen due to lower population and their shy nature as compared to avifauna. Hence patience is required to watch these mammals. The best places to observe these mammals are the forests near Fewa lake, Begnas lake, Rupa lake and Banpale Hill (Forest of Insitute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus). Some major species are:


S.No. Name Zoological Name Family
1. Common leopard Panthera pardus Felidae
2. Jungle cat Felis chaus Felidae
3. Crab-eating Mongoose Herpestus urva Herpestidae
4. Masked palm civet Paguma larvata Viverridae
5. Indian crested porcupine Hystrix indica Hystricidae
6. Golden jackal Canis aureus Canidae
7. Barking deer Muntiacus muntjak Cervidae
8. Common otter Lutra lutra Mustelidae
9. Asiatic lack bear Selenarctos thbetanus Ursidae
10. Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata Manidae
11. Assamese monkey Macaca assamensis Cercopithecidae
12. Bengal fox Vulpus bengalensis Canidae
13. Leopard cat Felis bengalensis Felidae
14. Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa Felidae
15. Small Asian mongoose Herpestus javanicus Herpestidae
16. Indian grey mongoose Herpestus edwardissii Herpestidae
17. Indian hare Lepus nigricollis Leporidae
18 Bush rat Golunda ellioti Muridae
19. Himalayan yellow throated marten Martex flavigula Mustelidae
20. Greater woolly Horseshoe bat Rhinoloplus luctus Rhonilophidae