If you want to see Pokhara wake up with a view you won’t forget, this sunrise trip to Sarangkot is worth losing some sleep over. You’ll get private transport, local insights from your guide, and front-row seats to one of Nepal’s classic mountain sunrises.
Alarm went off at 4:30am—honestly, I almost hit snooze. But the thought of seeing those mountains pulled me out of bed. Our guide met us in the lobby, still half-dark outside, and we piled into a van that smelled faintly of incense from last night’s festival. The city was quiet except for a couple of chai stalls already open near Lakeside.
The drive up to Sarangkot took about 25 minutes. It’s a winding road—sometimes you catch glimpses of Pokhara’s lights below through the trees. At the top, there were already a few locals with thermoses and cameras set up. We found a spot along the railing; it gets crowded but everyone’s friendly, sharing tips on where to stand for the best shot.
The air felt crisp—almost chilly even in June—and you could smell damp earth from last night’s rain. As dawn crept in, the Annapurna range slowly appeared out of the haze. Machhapuchhre (locals call it Fishtail) looked unreal with its sharp peak catching the first bit of gold light. Our guide pointed out Dhaulagiri too, way off to the left. You can actually see people paragliding later in the morning if you stick around long enough.
Pick-up is usually before dawn—around 4:30 or 5am depending on sunrise time. Your guide will confirm exact timing when you book.
Yes! The drive is comfortable and there’s only a short walk at Sarangkot viewpoint. Just bring something warm—it can be chilly early morning.
If weather cooperates, yes—you’ll get clear views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and more from Sarangkot.
This tour covers hotel pick-up and drop-off in Pokhara, all taxes, private vehicle transport (car/van/bus), and your own English-speaking guide who knows all the best spots at Sarangkot.
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