World Peace Pagoda, Devi's Fall, Gupteswar Mahadev Cave & International Mountain Museum - Pokhara, Nepal

Tuesday October 21, 2025

Breakfast was good at the hotel and beautiful to sit outside in the garden setting with quite a few birds. (most were camera shy however...)

Himalayan Bulbul

Red-vented Bulbul

We drove the windy road to the World Peace Pagoda located on a narrow mountain ridge. It was built by a famous monk from Japan. There were quite a few stairs to get to it, but it yielded beautiful views of the mountain range. There were dancers at the bottom of the stairs recruiting people to dance with them. (for tips) Cathy danced with them as did I. (short video on the web albums)

Dog ready for Diwali

Where we are going tomorrow

they were selling snacks and trinkets on the walk up

more stairs - halfway there?

Peace Pagoda

we were shushed a few times when the guide was talking with us

we circled the Pagoda

If only there was Spell Check

cute lizard on the walk down

dancers at the bottom

Next, we drove to the Tibetan Refugee Camp, but it was closed. The local Tibetan people make their living by selling souvenirs or running restaurants. That was where our lunch was supposed to be. The guide said he had no idea why but maybe because it was Diwali. He did say they often just close whenever they want.

So, we went to Devi's Fall next. It swells during monsoon time, but we were here in the dry season, so it wasn't very impressive. It is believed that a Swiss lady fell down in this fall. From that time, it is known as Devi's fall. The water flowing in this fall comes from Phewa Lake. It was a nice short walk around the area.

from the window of the van

us being silly

Tom & Cathy

that's my sexy husband

Still too early to have lunch (per the guide, I think he was a loss of where to take us) we next went to Gupteswar Mahadev Cave. The cave contains a huge stalagmite worshiped as a Shiva lingam (a symbolic representation of the Hindu god Shiva). There were no photos allowed in the cave since it’s a religious site. It was a drippy wet cave which was interesting in bare feet as it was dark and slippery. Besides the Shiva we also saw a sacred cow shed, a Nandi statue, and wall carvings. We went to the bottom where the waterfall was. (it feeds into Devi's Fall) We opted not to walk behind it as it was narrow and slippery. 

walking to the cave

Tom & Cathy on the balcony - the area where the cave was located

We thought we were headed to lunch next as we thought that had been communicated to the guide and he agreed, but we drove to the International Mountain Museum which is devoted to the mountains of Nepal. It was 2 stories, and we saw original gear from many of the first Himalayan ascents and learned a lot about the different ethnic groups in Nepal. (around 142)

walking to the museum

museum entrance

there were many displays of the different ethnic groups

on the steps of the museum exit (for Diwali)

Finally, we were going to lunch, and we were surprised that he took us to a restaurant right across the street from the hotel. After that we had free time for the rest of the day.

chicken curry platter

in the restaurant

we went for a walk

views from the restaurant

chicken momo

The guide is nice but not overly chatty unless telling us about what we are seeing. His English was good but perhaps not enough to answer questions or just converse. The van was hot with little air coming out of the vents, compared to the last one that had it cooled down when he picked us up, (it also was and older vehicle)

Tomorrow, we meet the guide at 4:45 to see the sunrise.

Photo Album: World Peace Pagoda, Devi’s Fall, Gupteswar Mahadev Cave & International  Mountain Museum, Pokhara, Nepal https://photos.app.goo.gl/jWNnUTHr2ZbrawDo6