Sarangkot
Sarangkot is the highest peak in Pokhara and the closest mountain to Nepal’s iconic fishtail peak. It is well-known as the best place to view snow-capped mountains. Standing on the observation deck, you can enjoy the continuous and magnificent scenery of the Himalayas, Fishtail Peak, and Annapurna Mountains. At sunrise, dawn and sunset every day, the changing light and shadow decorate the snow-capped mountains in a beautiful way. The lakeside area to Salangcot is a classic hiking route. During the climb, you can see the layers of terraced fields. As the mountain road turns, the majestic mountain scenery will appear in front of you, giving you endless aftertaste of joy. Sarangcot is also a great place for paragliding, with a large number of tourists gliding down every day.
What's so interesting about Nepal Salangkot?
Sarlahi in Nepal is a region in south-central Nepal, between Biratnagar and Kathmandu, close to the Indian border. Sarangkot may not be as well-known as other popular tourist cities in Nepal (such as Kathmandu and Pokhara), but it still has some unique natural attractions and cultural activities, suitable for travelers looking for a more peaceful and traditional Nepali style.
1.Natural attractions and outdoor activities
The southern plain (Tele) area where Sarangco is located has relatively flat scenery and rich vegetation. It is a representative of tropical and subtropical climates. Although Sarangkot does not have majestic mountains like the Himalayas, it still has unique natural beauty.
Visit the Terai Plain Ecological Environment: The Sarangko region belongs to the Terai region of Nepal. There are large areas of wetlands, forests and farmland, suitable for tourists who like nature and rural scenery. Here you can see a rich variety of flora and fauna, especially birds.
Wetlands and nature reserves: Although Sarangko itself does not have a large protected area like Chitwan National Park, there are some wetland ecosystems near Sarangko where you can experience close contact with nature.
2. Cultural experience
Although Sarangko does not have as rich cultural heritage as Kathmandu, Pokhara and other places, it still retains some unique Nepali traditional culture and is suitable for tourists who want to understand Nepal's rural life.
Local traditional villages: The Sarangko region is a concentration of traditional Nepalese villages, where tourists can experience authentic Nepalese rural life. You can visit local farmlands, markets, temples, and even participate in some traditional festivals.
Festivals: The Terai region of Nepal is rich in cultural festivals. Festivals such as Tihar, Buddha Jayanti and Dashain will all have grand celebrations in the Salangkore area. Tourists can participate in them and learn about the folk customs and traditions of Nepal.
3. Visit historical and religious sites
Although Sarangco itself has no notable historical sites, the surrounding area has some religious sites that can be visited.
Temples and Monasteries: In the Salangkore area, you will find some traditional Hindu temples and Buddhist temples, which are an important part of the local culture and a good place for tourists to learn about Nepali religious beliefs and customs.
4. Agricultural experience
Sarangco is a typical agricultural area with very rich farmland. Tourists traveling in Sarangko have the opportunity to participate in or visit local agricultural production and understand the agricultural life in rural Nepal.
Farmland visit: Farmers in Salangco mainly grow rice, sugar cane, corn, fruit trees, etc. Tourists can visit these agricultural bases and learn about the farming techniques and lifestyle of southern Nepal.
Interact with local farmers: If you are interested, you can even volunteer in a local village to help participate in farm work and experience the most authentic Nepalese rural life.
5. Shopping and handicrafts
Although Sarangko is not a shopping mall in Nepal, you can still find some unique Nepalese handicrafts in the local market, such as handmade fabrics, carpets, bamboo products, etc. These products have strong local characteristics and are suitable as souvenirs.
6. Food experience
In Sarangko, you can taste traditional Nepalese food, especially the local specialties from the Terai region.
Traditional Nepalese dishes: such as Dal Bhat (a traditional dish based on rice and bean soup), as well as a variety of local snacks and desserts.
Food in the Terai region: The Terai region is mainly agricultural, and many fresh vegetables and fruits are available here. If you come to Sarangco, you can taste authentic food directly supplied from the farm.
When is the best time to go to Salancot？
For most tourists, summer (June-August) and autumn (September-October) are the ideal times because these two seasons have pleasant weather, abundant activities, and especially the charming autumn foliage landscape in autumn. .
Winter (December-February) is suitable for tourists who like skiing and snow activities, and the Adirondack ski resorts are most active at this time.
Spring (March-May) is a great time for hiking and fishing. Although the weather changes somewhat, the natural scenery gradually comes back to life.
How to get to Salancot?
The road condition of Sarangko is in good condition. If you are hiking, you can go up the Pokhara lakeside path, which takes 3-4 hours. Or you can take a taxi from Lakeside area for about 700 rupees, which takes about 20 minutes one way, and then walk to the top. You can also rent a taxi or a motorcycle to go there.
What to wear to Salancot？
Sarangko is located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal. The weather is usually warm and humid, so you will need to wear breathable and comfortable clothing, preferably summer clothing.
During the day: short-sleeved T-shirts, shorts, lightweight trousers. Make sure to wear lightweight clothing especially in hot weather.
At night: The temperature may drop slightly, so bring a light jacket or two or long-sleeved clothing in case the nights get cooler.
Recommendations for traveling to Sarangcot
Going to Sarangco to watch the sunrise usually requires departure at 5 a.m., so please make a reservation for the chartered driver the day before. Take a car from the Pokhara Lakeside area to the parking lot of Sarangko. After getting off the car, you have to walk for about 40 minutes to reach the observation deck on the top of the mountain, where you can have a better view of the snow-capped mountains. However, you don’t have to go to the top of the mountain to watch the sunrise. There are also many good hotels and restaurants along the path up the ridge from the parking lot. Almost every one of them has a good viewing platform, where you can order a hot drink and sit down and wait sunrise.
