One of the best decisions we made in Pokhara was renting a scooter and exploring the mountains on our own.
We had already spent some time around Lakeside and Phewa Lake, but we wanted to see Pokhara from a completely different angle.
That’s when we decided to ride towards Sarangkot.
There wasn’t a complicated plan behind it. We simply rented a scooter, filled some petrol, checked the location and started riding.
And that simple scooter ride became one of the most memorable parts of our Pokhara experience.
Renting a Scooter in Pokhara
We rented a scooter for the day for around ₹800.
After completing the rental formalities, we took the scooter and started our journey.
After travelling through Nepal by buses and other forms of public transport, having our own scooter felt like a completely different experience.
We could stop whenever we wanted.
We didn’t have to depend on a driver.
And if something caught our attention, we could simply pull over and enjoy the view.
The Ride Towards Sarangkot
Sarangkot is only a short distance from Pokhara, but the journey doesn’t feel like an ordinary city ride.
As we moved away from the main city, the roads gradually became more mountainous.
There were turns, climbs and stretches of road where we had to ride carefully.
The surroundings kept changing as we went higher.
And then the views started opening up.
This was the point where the scooter ride itself became part of the attraction.
The Mountain Views Along the Way
The higher we went, the more beautiful the landscape became.
We could see the valley below and the mountains surrounding Pokhara.
From some points, the city looked incredibly small.
The combination of mountain roads, greenery and the valley made the entire journey feel completely different from travelling through Kathmandu.
We stopped whenever we found a good view and took photos and videos.
There was no reason to rush.
We were there to enjoy the ride.
Reaching Sarangkot
When we reached Sarangkot, the first thing that caught our attention was the view.
You could look down towards Pokhara and see the valley spreading out below.
The mountains formed a huge backdrop.
And because we had ridden there ourselves, reaching the viewpoint felt even more satisfying.
It wasn’t just:
“We reached Sarangkot.”
It was:
“We actually rode this scooter all the way up here.”
That made the experience more personal.
Sarangkot and Paragliding
Another thing Sarangkot is known for is paragliding.
While we were there, we could see people taking part in the activity.
Watching the paragliders from the mountain was exciting.
For a moment, we thought about trying it ourselves.
But my travel partner wasn’t comfortable with the idea, and we also had other places we wanted to explore.
So we decided not to do it this time.
Still, seeing people flying over the valley made us realize how popular Sarangkot is for adventure activities.
The Weather Wasn’t on Our Side
One problem during our visit was the weather.
The weather around the mountains wasn’t very clear.
Clouds were coming in and visibility wasn’t always good.
That was disappointing because we had hoped to get clearer mountain views.
But mountain weather can change quickly, and there wasn’t much we could do about it.
We enjoyed whatever views we could get and continued exploring.
A Temple and More Climbing
While exploring the Sarangkot area, we also came across a temple.
There was a staircase leading upward, so we decided to climb.
Before going up, we stopped to eat something.
We had chana and some snacks.
And then we started climbing.
Honestly, eating before climbing wasn’t our best decision.
After walking uphill, we were already feeling the effort.
But eventually we reached the upper area.
The Temple at the Top
Once we reached the top, the atmosphere became much more peaceful.
There was a traditional temple structure and a place where people were visiting and praying.
We spent some time there and looked around.
After the climb, sitting down for a while felt great.
The surrounding mountain scenery made the whole experience even better.
The Beauty of Exploring Without a Fixed Plan
This was one of the things I liked most about our Nepal trip.
We didn’t have a guide telling us exactly what to do.
We weren’t following a strict timetable.
We could stop somewhere because it looked interesting.
We could ask people for directions.
We could change our plan.
And that’s exactly what happened in Sarangkot.
We had gone there mainly for the mountain views, but along the way we ended up exploring other places too.
The Reality of Mountain Roads
The ride also gave us a better understanding of what mountain travel is actually like.
From photos, mountain roads can look beautiful and exciting.
And they are.
But riding them requires attention.
There are steep sections, sharp turns and changing weather.
You can’t ride as casually as you might on a normal city road.
We had to take our time and ride carefully.
For us, that was part of the adventure.
Seeing Mountain Life From the Road
While riding around the hills, we also saw how people live outside the main tourist areas.
The landscape is beautiful, but daily life in the mountains isn’t necessarily easy.
The roads themselves can make travelling difficult.
Basic supplies have to be transported through these areas, and people living there have to deal with the terrain every day.
As tourists, we saw the mountain roads as an adventure.
For the people living there, those roads are simply part of everyday life.
That was something I kept thinking about throughout our journey.
Why Sarangkot Stood Out to Me
For me, Sarangkot wasn’t just about reaching a viewpoint.
It was the entire journey.
The scooter ride.
The mountain roads.
The changing weather.
The valley views.
The temple.
The possibility of paragliding.
And the feeling of being above Pokhara.
All of these things together made Sarangkot memorable.
Would I Try Paragliding Next Time?
Definitely something I’d consider.
We didn’t do it during this trip because my travel partner wasn’t comfortable with it and we had limited time.
But watching the paragliders flying over the valley definitely made me curious.
If we return to Pokhara with better weather and enough time, paragliding would be one of the experiences I’d seriously consider.
| Place | Our Experience | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Phewa Lake | Relaxing around the lake and enjoying the Lakeside atmosphere | Lake views, relaxing, photos |
| Pokhara Lakeside | Cafés, live music, evening walks and nightlife | Food, cafés, nightlife |
| Sarangkot | Scooter ride through the hills, mountain views and exploring the temple area | Mountain views, road trip, paragliding |
| Pumdikot | Visited the huge Shiva statue and explored the surrounding mountain area | Shiva statue, views, photography |
| Paatal Lok Cave | One of our most adventurous experiences with narrow caves, dripping water and underground passages | Adventure, caves, religious experience |
| Devi Falls Area | Experienced the powerful water flow while exploring the cave area | Waterfall, nature |
| Catwalk Club | Experienced Pokhara’s nightlife, music and dance floor | Nightlife, music |
| Local Markets | Explored Nepali products and looked around for souvenirs and memories | Shopping, souvenirs |
My Final Thoughts on Sarangkot
Our Sarangkot visit was another example of how our Nepal trip kept turning into unexpected adventures.
We rented a scooter without knowing exactly how the day would go.
We rode into the mountains.
We stopped for views.
We watched paragliders.
We climbed to a temple.
We dealt with changing weather.
And eventually, we continued towards our next destination.
The biggest thing I remember isn’t one particular photograph.
It’s the feeling of riding through the mountains with no fixed plan and wondering what we’d find around the next turn.
That is what made Sarangkot special for me.
Sometimes, the best way to experience Pokhara isn’t from a taxi window. It’s on a scooter, with the mountain road right in front of you.
Also See related Article Paatal Lok Nepal Travel Experience (2026): My Adventurous Cave & Waterfall Experience, India to Nepal by Bus (2026): My Completely Unplanned 7-Day Trip from Delhi to Kathmandu & Pokhara, Pokhara Lakeside at Night: My Real Experience of Phewa Lake, Cafés, Evening Vibes & Nightlife, Pokhara Lakeside at Night: My Real Experience of Phewa Lake, Cafés, Evening Vibes & Nightlife, Best Places to Visit in North Goa (2026): My 3-Day Itinerary & Hidden Gems
