Sarangkot sunrise: times, best spots and tips

Sarangkot is Pokhara's sunrise hill: a ridge rising to 1,592 m that faces the Annapurna range across the valley, with Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) only about 27 km away. On a clear morning the summits turn pink, then gold, before the sun itself clears the hills to the east.

Our lodge sits about 390 m from the viewpoint, a few minutes' walk below it, so this guide is written from the ridge.

Sunrise moves by nearly two hours over the year: from about 05:10 in mid-June to about 07:00 in January. The peaks catch the light 12–14 minutes before the sun rises over the hill, because a summit near 7,000 metres sees it first, and the sky starts to brighten about 25 minutes before.

Be at the viewpoint 30–40 minutes before the sunrise in the table. You will see the colour come into the sky, the first light on the summits and the sun itself. From Lakeside that means an early start: guides suggest leaving at 04:00–04:30 in spring, by taxi or on the cable car's first run (see our cable car guide). If you sleep up here, it is a few minutes' walk up the path.

The viewpoint at the top of the ridge has a viewing tower, and on clear autumn mornings plenty of company. Bring some small rupee notes in case there is a fee for the tower.

If you stay with us, you can also watch from the lodge: the Attic has a veranda facing the mountains and the sunrise, and Kausi East a terrace with the same view. Our sunrise from the lodge has the details.

Sunrise, most days. Cloud tends to build over the peaks in the afternoon, so evenings are more of a gamble. Sunset is still worth a look from October to February, and after dark the lights of Pokhara come on below.

From June to September the monsoon hides the range most days; views come in short gaps, often just after dawn following a night of rain. From March to May, smoke from forest fires can hide the mountains for days at a time, even under a blue sky: check a live air-quality map before you plan around the view.

The clearest months are mid-October to February. Our best time to visit Sarangkot guide goes month by month.

• Every month: a headtorch, water, and shoes with grip for the stone steps.

• November to February: a warm jacket, hat and gloves. Dawn on the ridge is about 2–8 °C, colder in wind.

• March, April and October: a fleece or a light down jacket, for dawns of about 8–13 °C.

• May to September: a light layer and rain gear.

Dawn temperatures are our estimate from Pokhara's climate normals, adjusted for height.