Pokhara is
the second largest city in Nepal
after its capital Kathmandu. Situated 200
kms west from Kathmandu, the Pokhara valley is as low as a 1000 m and yet only 20 km from the
mountains that reach an elevation of over 8000
m. The result is that the Pokhara valley has one of the highest rainfalls
in the country, making the valley lush. The southern part of the city borders
the Phewa Lake (827 m) while the
northern end touches the base of the Annapurna mountain ranges. This affords
the valley spectacular views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu and the
Macchapuchhre (Fishtail). Pokhara’s
proximity to Annapurna ranges makes it an ideal base for trekkers as well a
perfect vacation place for those interested in easy walks along ridges and
rivers, visit various caves and waterfalls in the valley or just to retreat to
the quiet of the mountains.
Like every destination, Pokhara too is on the
inevitable path of growth, slowly though yet one cannot miss what is happening
to Nepal and this beautiful valley. More
flights, internet, mobile connectivity, Starbucks like café and an expanding
city. But what gets to you and you stay enchanted is when manual luggage
handling is less hassle and quicker than it is at New Delhi’s swank new
airport. Simple check-in procedures manually stamped boarding slips you are
tempted to pin to your tack board back home and a hurried call for boarding
just minutes before take- off, that’s destination Pokhara for you. A 20 minutes flight by Buddha Air or Yeti Airlines from the Kathmandu Domestic
airport, Pokhara is an easy connect even if you drive the 5 hours from Kathmandu.
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge: For many
in the travel trade Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge (TMPL) needs no introduction.
Begun in 1998 under Tiger Tops Mountain Travel Group, TMPL has set lofty
standards in sustainable hospitality
and community-inclusive tourism. The
awards and accolades over the years speak as eloquently as the way the lodge is
run today to continue forth as an independent nature based mountain lodge with
the same ideals under Marcus’s private entrepreneurship which he drives with
energy and passion.
A short
drive up from Pokhara town and you quickly leave behind a rather linear real
estate development up a hill that clearly shows signs of having been preserved
from irresponsible grazing and mindless usurping of forests. TMPL is spread on a spur ridge that runs
north to south and overlooks the mountains and the Pokhara Valley. The southern
part of the ridge is dotted with quiet, sparsely populated hamlets and tiny
villages while the northern part is well wooded and includes a community
forest. These villages date back to some 200
years and depend on agriculture growing crops like millets, maize, rice,
mustard and vegetables.
Reaching TMPL is through a slopping wooded path ideally covered on foot or a four-by-four. The
short pebbled drive way which doubles up as parking space as well as landing
for vehicles for arrivals and departures, leads up a few steps past a few
cottages which are ideal for older
guests, easy to access without compromising on the views. Further up the
incline, gentler for the carefully placed stepping stones, you arrive within
view of the main lodge.
The Lodge,
Dining and Bar : A flight of stairs opens to a brief open hallway that opens out to a
courtyard which looks out to the valley below and the Himalayan skyline yonder. The hallway connect two similar buildings
made of stone and slate, a local architectural style that is sustainable as
well as suitable for local weather conditions. The building to the right
includes spacious seating areas, bar and library while the second building to
the left is the dining room with a smaller covered area for buffet lunch that
is easy to access from the courtyard. Both rooms open out through large French
windows to a sit-out right under the roof and leads to an outdoor lawn. This is
a convivial space for alfresco
meals, cocktails and conversation. When the mountains are out there won’t be
many takers for the indoors seating unless it is a cold winter night and the
fire place in the center is crackling!
Winter afternoons in TMPL are about sitting out in the
sun, drink at hand and enjoying Chef Lalu Mahato’s gently
spiced Nepalese delicacies served exactly
like it is done in Nepalese homes - an
offering of lentils, vegetables, curries, rice and bread on a traditional bronze platter. Dinner usually served in the dining room is an immaculately planned table d’hote multi-course meal
comprising of seasonal soups, farm fresh salads, various European-inspired meat
dishes and delectable puddings. Alternately, guests may opt for a Nepali Thali. Special dietary requests
and children’s favorites are welcomed.
The TMPL Cottages: The
Nineteen cottages at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge are built into the side of
the ridge, mountain views being the
deciding factor for their location. The
architecture here again is
similar to the local village’s homes you will pass by on your walks. Mud plastered lime stone bricks and
slated tiled roofs look and feel completely a part of the gardens and woodlands
that have been left to flourish naturally while keeping intrusive foreign
plantation to a minimum. Most of the cottages are a set of two cottages one on
the ground level and the second on a floor above. Each cottage has a sit-out
and opens into a bedroom cum living area, large windows with net and glass for
protection and large glass double-doors to ensure light and air; a brief
dressing room and luggage area connects to a modern bathroom. Small details
like flip-flops, dressing gowns, umbrellas, torch lights, oil heaters for winter,
a bedside flask with purified water ensure thoughtful comfort while rugs by the
bed, reading lamps, a tea service, fresh flowers, four poster beds with a net
curtain spell warmth and an undeniable charm very signature to the lodge. When
you slip into your four poster bed at night, the netting turned in – sleep in
bliss and you will wake up early only to see Macchapuchare in her morning glory!
Things to do at
TMPL
Unless you are stopping en-route to your trek in the
Himalayas or on return, the recommended minimum number of nights that people
spend in Pokhara is 3-4 nights to explore around and to enjoy the lodge.
Swimming
Pool, Massage & Yoga: As a base for trekkers heading to the higher Himalayas,
the Lodge offers a haven of luxury and indulgence after the demands of a trek.
At this time a recuperative massage
is the ultimate treat. Asian massage
techniques are offered in the privacy of your room. Local men and women have
been trained in skills that aid in relaxation by working on the body’s meridian
points. Private yoga sessions led by
a skilled master are available. A swimming pool set high to the views of the
mountains is another area to relax and enjoy the views.
The lodge offers various
walks that allow you to explore the area with skilled local guides on the
lodge staff. With emphasis on the rich local culture, birding, flora,
butterflies or just plain exercise, there is a walk as gentle or active as any
guest could wish. Short forest and village walks, the Gurung Village hike, Pokhara
Valley rim and Nandanda hike, Begnas lake walk , Himalayan trekking and seasonal
white water rafting etc are some of the things to do besides visits to
Pokhara and the Phewa Lake.
TMPL Responsible
Tourism and Community Initiatives:
The lodge has been independently
audited by RT Reporting (www.rtreporting.org)
and follows self-imposed norms like minimal use of chemicals, reduce waste
particularly non-biodegradable waste etc. The lodge also partners actively with
the local community and supports various projects including financing
local schools, community forestry projects, a forest nursery, training school
teachers and forest rangers. Much of the food needs are sourced from the nearby
villages, locally grown and purchased at fair prices. TMPL is also a member of
various ecotourism and sustainable management forums. More information on this
can be downloaded from the website.
Essential Facts
Accommodation : 18 Rooms (13 cottages)
Hotel Classification : Himalayan Lodge
Highlights : Views of the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu Ranges and Pokhara
Valley /Secluded infinity pool.
Rooms : Twins : 9 (1 double 1 single bed) 1 Twin (2 single beds)
Doubles : 6 all kingsize (3 rooms with 4 poster beds)
Triple: 1 (3 single beds)
Family: 1 (1 double and 2 single beds)
Printed Tariff : Sept 2012 – Mar 2013 : USD 250 per person (APAI)
excluding taxes and service charge
Ideal For : Perfect for Honeymooners, Long Weekend Breaks,
Family and Friends celebrating life events, Birding, forest
and village walks, Customized Retreats like Yoga,
Meditation, Art work-shops, Long stays.
Distances : Kathmandu : 190km (5 hrs drive / 25 minutes flight)
Pokhara City : 14km (30 minutes from airport)
Chitwan : 150km (4.5 hrs drive)
Itinerary Connect : Kathmandu – Pokhara / Perfect as extensions from India and a
pre-Bhutan connect via Nepal Base for Annapurna treks
Season : Closed from 15th June to 15th September
Best Months to visit : Early October, late November, March –May
Festival time : Dushera, Diwali, Christmas
Reservations : Marcus Cotton / Jhanak Chaudhary
reservations@tigermountainpokhara.com
Website : http://www.tigermountainpokhara.com
Face Book Page : http://www.facebook.com/tigermountainpokhara