Panch Pokhari Trek – 15 Days
  • Duration16 Days
  • Trip DifficultyModerate
  • Best SeasonSpring / Autumn
  • Arrival CityKathmandu
  • Departure CityKathmandu
  • Altitude maximum4070m (Panch Pokhari)
  • AccomodationCamping
  • MealsFull Board
  • HighlightsCulture / Landscape

Overview

Panch Pokhari Trek is trekking to the Panch Pokhari —a group of five sacred Hindu Holy lakes, all so ravishing and resplendent in an ethereal atmosphere situated at a breathtaking altitude of 4100 m in the lap of Jugal Himal above sea level.

It is not only the 9th highest altitude wetland but also a rugged and raw mountainous and mystic region awaiting your visit to replenish you with its natures and rouse you spiritually. Yes, you hear it right! ‘Panch Pokhari’, which literally means ‘Five Pond’, is visited by Hindu and Buddhist devotees alike round the year, but especially during a festival, called Janai Purnima, the people constellate here.

It, being a distinguished feature of the Langtang National Park, lies to the North of the Kathmandu Valley. Besides, the region gives way to the spectacular view of a chain of peaks, called the Jugal Himal, which includes the Dorje Lakpa (6966 m), the Madiya (6257 m) and the Phurbi Chhyachu (6637 m).

You don’t want to miss such a wonderful site! And, we know, you don’t merely want to be picked up and dropped there—you trek, so the real thrill lies in traversing the terrain and trail during the course of which you get to see the varied flora and fauna effusing exquisite exhibition. The 16-day Panch Pokhari Trek is a perfect package to help you achieve this.

The Panch Pokhari Trek adored and admired for its divinity and delightful wilderness, commences from Chautara; it stands at an elevation of approximately 1600 m above sea level and is a five-hour drive away from Kathmandu.

The trek, setting off at Chautara, goes uphill traversing a number of delicately beautiful villages, and forests bearing luscious rhododendrons.

It leads to Sano Okhareni followed by Thulo Okhareni from where you can have a strikingly expressive view of the mountains blanketed in snow. Henceforth, the trail, wriggling across thick forests of pines and rhododendrons, meets Kami Kharka from where you may allow yourself to be bewitched by the Mt. Langtang Lirung, the Dorje Lakpa, and different other peaks.

With this, the trek gets more adventurous, since, once you reach Pauwa Bas, the trail ascends a steep hill to Hille Bhanjyang. Thereafter, it gets rocky and richer in rhododendrons, all the way to Nasim Pati.

As you keep ascending, the path gets steeper which is bound to trigger your adrenaline release, but sooner, Panch Pokhari, with its five paradisiac ponds, two pilgrim houses and a temple of Lord Shiva, will pump you with euphoria; it further greets and treats you with the view of Jugal Himal Range, Rolwaling Range, Gosainkunda, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu.

Thereupon, you can walk down to Dhap—a settlement primarily consisting of an ethnic group, called Tamang, and therefore, a lovely opportunity to learn their exotic and unique culture, and way of life.

All in all, the Panch Pokhari Trek is an amazing assemblage of colossal cultural heritage, beguiling biodiversity, gleaming glacial lakes, and mammoth mountains. We claim that if you make this trek, you have a lifetime experience and elixir to cherish forever. It is tantamount to paradise found. Do take this chance to get what you seek. We are at your service.

Detailed Itinerary

You will be met by one of our representatives and transfer you to the hotel. Welcome dinner at one of the traditional Nepali restaurants in Kathmandu.
Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m

Start our tour visiting a magnificent Buddhist stupa called Swoyambhunath which is 10 minutes drive from Thamel. Then a short drive to one of the oldest cities of Kathmandu valley which is called Patan; to witness its incredible architecture from medieval period.
Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m

Start our adventure with a scenic drive to Chautara. It is about 5 hours drive through the scenic hills, villages, and forests to Chautara.
Overnight: Camping
Driving Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 84m

Start our trek with gradual climb passing through Gaurati and Syaule. Continuing our trek with similar pace we trek to Sano Okhereni.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 592m

Relatively uphill trek as we gain about eight hundred meters today. The route goes through forests covered with oak, pine, rhododendron and other natural vegetation. We can have the view of Gaurishankar, Dorje Lakpa and Jugal Himal range.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 835m

As we continue our trek, we go through the lush forest of rhododendron, oak, pine and juniper. It is about 5 hours trek through the forest and pastures.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 – 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 470m

Following the lush forest enriched with bamboo, pine, rhododendron and alpine vegetation we climb to Hile Bhanjyang which is situated right on the ridge of a hill. It offers great view of water fall, river basin and surrounding peaks.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 405m

It is fairly easy and short day as it is gradual walk for about 5 hours to Nasimpati. The trail goes through the forest rich with flora and fauna.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 4 -5 hours
Difference in Elevation: – 20m

Climbing through the alpine forest and Laurebina Pass we trek to our final destination Panch Pokhari. Panch Pokhari is a group of 5 Hindu holy lakes in the lap of Jugal Himal. These holy lakes are decorated with the unsurpassed natural beauty, biological diversity and the cultural heritage.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 370m

We spend the day exploring the area around the lakes and the view point to catch magnificent views of the mountain peaks and surroundings of the region.
Overnight: Camping

We start our day retracing our steps back to Nasimpati then we turn to south west towards Melamchi valley. It is mostly downhill trek through the rhododendron forest all the way to Tupi Danda.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: – 1740m

As we continue our trek, we descend steeply for the first part of the day and continue our trek through the terraced fields and gorges to Dhap. It is a traditional village of Tamang; one of the major ethnic groups of Nepal.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 4 – 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: – 1070m

Following Indrawati River and walking through the terraced fields we trek down to Melamchi. It is fairly enjoyable trek going through the several small villages.
Overnight: Camping
Walking Time: 5 – 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: – 390m

A scenic drive back to Kathmandu.
Overnight: Hotel
Driving Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 464m

Transfer to the airport and departure.

Tour Price Includes

  • Transfers airport/hotel/airport
  • Hotel in Kathmandu (Based on double occupancy. If you would like a single room, or plan to travel alone, this can be arranged for an additional fee.)
  • Welcome dinner at one of the traditional Nepali restaurants
  • Transport, guided visits and entry of the monuments
  • Private vehicle Kathmandu – Chautara / Melamchi – Kathmandu
  • A professional Tour / Trekking Guide, Assist. Guides, Cooks and Porters
  • Private vehicle during sightseeing
  • Full board during trekking (AP Basis)
  • Drinks (Tea and Coffee only)
  • Accommodation in tents / camping during the trek
  • Trekking Permits: TIMS & National Park Entry Fee
  • All necessary documents and government tax.
  • Insurance for staff

Tour Price Does Not Include:

  • International Flights to and from Kathmandu
  • Nepal Tourist Visa ($30 for 15 Days, obtained upon arrival)
  • Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu (except for the welcome dinner)
  • Personal expenses such as snacks, cold drinks, water, alcoholic drinks, telephone, WiFi/internet access, charging of personal devices, hot showers, laundry service, medications or medical care, etc.
  • Travel Insurance (This is required. We strongly advise that your coverage include accidents, repatriation, helicopter evacuation and medical care.)
  • Alternative/additional transportation (flights/vehicles), food and accommodation in case of bad weather, flood, landslide, heavy rain, strike, road blockade, political unrest, flight cancellation etc.
  • Emergency evacuation rescue charge, if needed
  • Tips for Tour / Trekking staff & Drivers

Climate

Climate:
From the eternal snow of the high peaks to the extensive tropical lowlands, Nepal has a wide variety of climates.

Spring: March to late May: In this season, Kathmandu is in full bloom, lots of different types of flowers can be seen at this time of the year.  Temperature is mild, end of the cold winter and approaching warm and hot summer.  Temperatures vary between 10 ° C to 28 ° C but can rise up to 30 ° C.  Between 2000 and 3000m, temperature rarely drop below 0 ° C. However, few frosts or snowfalls are possible in March above 4000 m.

The summer/monsoon period – It interrupts the majority of trekking from late June to late August. Some of the trekking regions “trans-Himalayan”, Dolpo and Mustang, however, remain protected from monsoon prevailing rest of the country. They are the only channels available in Nepal in the summer.

Autumn: mid September – mid December – Perfect temperature and weather for trekking. Brings cooler days, but clear skies. Above 3000 m altitude, temperatures can drop to -10 ° C at night.

In winter: mid-December – mid-February – Nights are generally cold, dry climate, Above 3000m, temperature drop down to 0 ° C to – 15 ° C at night, the days are often sunny.

Equipments

  • Day back-pack
  • Gore-Tex Jacket
  • Down Jacket
  • Fleece Jacket
  • Micro Fleece
  • Trekking Trousers
  • Hiking shoes (Boots)
  • Runners (sport shoes)
  • Trekking Socks
  • Rain poncho
  • Sun-glasses
  • Water bottles
  • Thermal underwear(long)
  • T- shirts
  • Sunscreen/lotion
  • Flip flop (sandal)
  • Towel
  • Hat(Baseball cap)
  • Pristine drops (Water purifier)
  • Head light / flash light
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Gloves
  • Wind Proof Trouser(s)
  • Personal medical kid
  • Toiletries