“Crowds climb here before dawn to watch the rising sun set the Himalayan peaks glowing pink and gold above Pokhara.”
About Sarangkot Hill
Sarangkot is a ridge-top village and viewpoint above Pokhara that became renowned for its sunrise panoramas of the Annapurna range. As adventure tourism grew in Pokhara, the hill's reliable thermals and spectacular setting above Phewa Lake also made it one of the leading paragliding launch points in the world, adding airborne thrills to its dawn vistas.
What Sarangkot Hill actually is
Sarangkot is a hilltop above Pokhara famous as the region's premier sunrise viewpoint, where crowds gather before dawn to watch the first light strike the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre peaks. It is also one of the world's top paragliding launch sites, sending colourful canopies soaring out over Phewa Lake.
Sarangkot is a hilltop above Pokhara famous as the region's premier sunrise viewpoint, where crowds gather before dawn to watch the first light strike the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre peaks.
Sunrise on the Fishtail
Long before dawn, visitors drive or hike up to Sarangkot to claim a spot on the viewing terraces and wait as the sky lightens and the rising sun sets the snow peaks aglow in shades of pink and gold, with the distinctive fishtail summit of Machhapuchhre catching the first rays. By day, the same favourable winds and dramatic drop to the lake make Sarangkot a world-class spot for tandem paragliding, drifting high above Pokhara.
The Experience
You rise in the dark to reach the viewpoint and watch the sunrise ignite the peaks, the Himalaya turning from grey to gold as the sun climbs, with Pokhara and the lake below. Later, you can take a tandem paragliding flight, launching off the hillside to soar with the birds over the lake and land near the shore. Sunrise and paragliding together make Sarangkot a Pokhara highlight.
Why It Matters
Sarangkot is the classic Himalayan sunrise experience near Pokhara and a globally recognised paragliding destination. It combines the natural spectacle of dawn on the great peaks with the thrill of flight, capturing the dual appeal of Pokhara as both a scenic and an adventure capital.
Sarangkot is the classic Himalayan sunrise experience near Pokhara and a globally recognised paragliding destination.
Why Visit
The region's best Himalayan sunrise over the Annapurna peaks and one of the world's top paragliding launches, on a hilltop above Pokhara.
✦ Insider Tips
- 1
Arrive before dawn to claim a spot for the sunrise.
- 2
Consider a tandem paragliding flight over the lake.
- 3
Autumn and spring give the clearest sunrise views.
- 4
Dress warm; the pre-dawn hilltop is cold.
