World Peace Pagoda and Raniban Hike

The World Peace Pagoda and Raniban hike is a half-day walk from the foot of the pagoda steps on the south side of Phewa Lake, near Damside, through Raniban forest to the white stupa on Anadu Hill and back. On our map it is about 6.1 km round trip with 340 m of climbing, nearly all on forest paths. Operators describe a hike of about one hour through the Raniban from the boat landing and allow two to three hours for the visit; a hotel-to-hotel day with boat crossings at both ends runs from 9 am to 4 pm. The pagoda stands at about 1,110 m, 330 m above the lake. You can start with a 20 minute boat crossing from Lakeside or at the Damside trailhead. None of our sources lists a permit for the walk. Carry water.

The plan follows a Windhorse Tours guide, a Third Rock Adventures day tour and an account of the walk from Damside, which agree on the Raniban forest path and the timing of about an hour up. The height is OpenStreetMap's 1,110 m viewpoint node at the pagoda.

What the hike is like

The path leaves the lake and climbs through Raniban forest, past rice paddies and small Hindu shrines, to the gates on Anadu Hill. The first half hour is well marked. A cafe stands in view of the stupa after about an hour of brisk hiking. At the top the stupa, also called the Shanti Stupa, looks over Phewa Lake, Pokhara and the Himalayan range, with sunrise and sunset views. Remove shoes before entering the stupa area.

Permits and rules

None of our sources lists a permit or fee for the hike or the stupa. Dress modestly at the stupa. One account warns of leeches in the rainy season, so wear closed shoes, and says the Damside side has had police crackdowns and occasional robberies, so walk in a group and go in daylight.

Best season

October to November and March to April, according to Windhorse Tours, with clear views of the Himalayan range. The path is wet in the monsoon, and leeches are active.

Getting there and away

Hikers take a 20 minute boat ride across Phewa Lake from Lakeside, then walk for about an hour. One account gives the boat fare as NPR 800 one way and does not say whether that is per boat or per person. You can also reach the trailhead by road. The way back is the same path, or a boat from the landing.

Difficulty and fitness

The hike is easy to moderate: 340 m of climbing in about 3 km, steep at times. Allow two and a half to three and a half hours for the round trip, with lunch at the cafe.

Budget notes

There is no permit fee. The main cost is the boat, about NPR 800 one way in one account, plus a snack at the cafe. The costs section shows the boat as a line to check.