Panch Pokhari Trek Overview
Panch Pokhari Trek truly fascinates all visitors and trekkers as route takes you around complete wilderness on least visited area by only few groups of trekkers.
Situated on a vast valley of large meadow for cattle and Yak grazing summer pasture, falls beyond villages and human settlement, where walk takes you through dense and serene woodland lined with tall rhododendron and pine trees.
The area around makes a beautiful picture of surrounding green scenery against the white snow-capped peaks backdrop. Walk starts after a few hour drive from Kathmandu to reach the start of the trek from Chautara village and onwards.
As walk proceeds heading up with climb towards high green rolling hills and ridges following nice route through number of hill villages with typical Nepalese farm houses with nice tended crops terraces.
Adventure leads into beautiful forest with marvelous views of Langtang and Jugal Himal range of peaks as walks slowly enters a vast green valley where Panch Pokhari is located.
Panch Pokhari area falls within close range of Langtang and Jugal mountains within Nepal Central Himalaya where adventurous trekkers can also reach to Langtang valley crossing high Tilman Col / Pass at 5,041 m high.
Few trekkers and adventurer seldom dares use this tough high route. The area around Panch Pokhara is one of the few pristine and untouched regions by main flow of trekkers.
Trek to remote and hidden Panch Pokhari, a great adventure to experience within fresh cool mountain air with enchanting views of Central Himalaya range of peaks that covers Ganesh-Langtang and Jugal Himal due east direction.
After enjoying fabulous scenic walks where trekkers can return back on the same trail back to Chautara and then drive to Kathmandu or take alternative route walking around beautiful Helambu area to reach Kathmandu.
Whatever the options, it depends upon the interest and duration of your holiday to enjoy this great journey of unforgettable experience.
Panch Pokhari Trek Highlights
- Enjoy great adventure on least ventured area by trekkers to Panch Pokhari
- A country of great beauty in the shade of high Langtang and Jugal Himal range
- Explore the undisturbed pristine region around Nepal North Mid East Himalaya
- Perfect walk for people in search of complete wilderness and away from trekkers
- Grand panorama of peaks on walks to Panch Pokhari regarded as holy ponds
You may also like: Helambhu Trek, Lantang Valley Trek, Langtang Gosainkunda Trek
Panch Pokhari Trek Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Drive to Chautara (1,400 m). Then trek for 3 hrs to Sim-Bhanjyang or Syaule (1,500 m)
Day 02: Trek to Kami-Kharka Danda (2,300 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 03: Trek to Choyochyo Kharka or Danda (2,800 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Bhaise or Hille Kharka (3,700 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Nasimpatti (3,800 m) - 04 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Panch-Pokhari (4,160 m) - 04 hrs.
Day 07: Rest day at Panch-Pokhari for exploration.
Day 08: Trek back to Nasimpatti - 04 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Yarsa-Kharka (2,530 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Yangrima-Khola (1,400 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Laghang Gompa (2,600 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Tarke-Gyang (2,570 m) - 04 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Sermathang (2,693 m) - 04 hrs.
Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu via Melamche Bazaar, Dhulikhel - 05 hrs.
Detailed Itinerary
Read the day by day detailed itinerary of Panch Pokhari Trek below:
Day 01: Drive to Chautara (1,400 m). Then trek for 3 hrs. to Sim-Bhanjyang or Syaule (1,500 m)
Early morning drive east from Kathmandu towards high cooler hills past main town of Dhulikhel and Banepa. From Dhulikhel drive descends on winding road to Dolalghat near Sun-Kosi River.
After Dolalghat, drive to Chautara as route diverts from main Kodari road (Kathmandu-Tibet highway) from here few hour to Chautara. It is a large town with many nice villages around.
From here drive to Syaule or walk depending upon seasonal road situation as road follows winding path through hill villages to reach at Sim-Bhanjyang or Syaule as the air gets cooler from here onwards.
Day 02: Trek to Kami-Kharka Danda (2,300 m) - 05 hrs.
After first overnight night with camping, morning lead to small farm villages and fields and climb on leaving farm villages to Okrin Danda (ridge) within forest of oaks and rhododendron trees, on reaching Kami Kharka after a good walk overnight camp in a grassy meadow in the middle of beautiful forest.
Day 03: Trek to Choyochyo Kharka or Danda (2,800 m) - 06 hrs.
Trek from here head to a high ridge at Kami danda through beautiful rhododendron and oaks forest with grand scenery of the surrounding landscapes and of the distant snow capped peaks.
Walk slowly follows a ridge crest to a large Chorten at 3,160m where path traverse to a meadow across Choyochyo Danda. Then descend to overnight camp at 2,800 m high.
Day 04: Trek to Bhaise or Hille Kharka (3,700 m) - 05 hrs.
Morning climb to Hille-Bhanjyang a ridge walk across stone and grassy pastureland to cross over a ridge and then down-hill into cool nice forest, crossing wet gullies to reach Chang Samparphu at 3,915m.
From here downhill descend towards the overnight camp at Hill-Bhanjyang also known as Bhaise Kharka.
Day 05: Trek to Nasimpatti (3,800 m) - 04 hrs.
From this wonderful campsite, today's walk leads towards Nasimpatti which will be the lunch and overnight camp spot.
After a good walk the path climbs towards a steep uphill on the hillock and traversing towards the open ground along the prayer flags-tone trail to another crest to reach Nasimpatti which offers stunning views of Jugal Himal range.
Day 06: Trek to Panch-Pokhari (4,160 m) - 04 hrs.
Today short and average walk to overnight camp and lunch on the same spot at Panch Pokhari, the major highlight of the trip.
From the camp trail climbs on a well defined path all the way to Panch Pokhari after a good walk to Panch Pokhari which means five ponds, a holy and important pilgrimage site for Hindus.
During season of monsoon around July-August on full moon, thousands of Hindu and some Buddhist follower visit this holy spot.
Day 07: Rest day at Panch-Pokhari for exploration.
A full rest day on this beautiful and holy spot. Explore around five holy ponds in close vicinity of Lingshin and Jugal Himal range near on route of Tilman Col, the pioneer of 1950’s of the route to Langtang valley.
Day 08: Trek back to Nasimpatti - 04 hrs.
Retrace the journey back to Nasimpatti for overnight stop before heading towards another new area on route to Helambu and beyond.
Day 09: Trek to Yarsa-Kharka (2,530 m) - 06 hrs.
From here onward route diverts westward as walk leads past ravines and small stream. Walk finally leads to reach a nice camping site at Yarsa-Kharka, locals also calls Ghai-Kharka.
Day 10: Trek to Yangrima-Khola (1,400 m) - 06 hrs.
Walk lead to descend into forest of oak and rhododendrons where trail sometime can be steep and rough, cross few big rivers, and then past farm villages and then descend towards a small steep trail and to a bridge over Panch Pokhari Khola/ stream.
From here route climb to Hutanbrang, then downhill following Larke Khola downstream to a bridge below Yangri village for nice overnight stops.
Day 11: Trek to Laghang Gompa (2,600 m) - 06 hrs.
Walk continues crossing over a bridge over Larke and Yangri khola stream and pas Yangri village.
From here climb continues heading north-west through scattered hill farm villages and terrace fields and into forest to reach Gangkharka.
Then walk to next valley with climb to Laghang Gompa.
Day 12: Trek to Tarke-Gyang (2,570 m) - 04 hrs.
Trek climbs through beautiful forest, approaching nice pastures, stone houses, scrub growth and cattle path. Then steep downhill to reach Tarke Gyang for overnight stop.
Tarke Gyang is the main village of Helambu region. This beautiful village is renowned for green apples and wood carving on furniture and other household products.
Day 13: Trek to Sermathang (2,693 m) - 04 hrs.
In the morning, leave nice village of Tarke Ghyang. A short day walk into forested area past many Chorten (Buddhist prayer monuments), reaching at Gangyul a small village.
Then walk on pleasant winding path with great views of rolling hills to reach Shermathang for overnight stop. Shermathang is another attractive village of Hyalmo people the local tribe of Helambu, here with time to visit another old and interesting monastery.
Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu via Melamche Bazaar and Dhulikhel - 05 hrs.
After great time and experience around Panch Pokhari and at Tarke Gyang with Sermathang where trek ends taking a drive on downhill road to reach low warm area at Melamche Bazaar and a town, as drive continues to Kathmandu.
Heading past many farm villages to reach the main road with up to Dhulikhel town and past Banepa and Sanga area with down close to Bhaktapur city to reach Kathmandu, and then transfer to your respective hotels.
Panch Pokhari Trek Difficulty
Panch Pokhara Trekking is not that difficult where grade leads from moderate to adventurous walks with steep climb to encounter for some days, where rest of the trek on winding gradual path with long descends on the way back.
There will be safe and enjoyable walks without any problem of getting AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) which occurs around many other high areas at above 3,000 meters. On this trek, altitude gains slowly as walk progress by the time one will be fit and well acclimatized on reaching our highlight at Panch Pokhari.
Best time for Panch Pokhari Trek
Like in whole Himalayan region, it’s almost the same for Panch Pokhari trek as well. The best time is from March to May with September to early December months, except monsoon months from mid June to mid September when days are cloudy.
During March to May, most days are clear for views and walks with moderate temperature and longer sunlight hours. The wild flowers are in full bloom, especially rhododendron of various species from trees to bush of different colors. Late afternoon can be clouded sometimes with chances of rain and snow in high altitude.
September to December in autumn /fall and pre winter is best time for clear blue sky and sunny days (only for short time from morning till mid day). It can be cold and freezing during morning and night times above 1,800 m high.
Sunlight hours are short during autumn and winter seasons but most of the morning till late afternoon are clear for views and pleasant walks.
Conclusion
Panch Pokhari Trek not only rewards you with stunning views of snow capped peaks where walk is enjoyable in serene surrounding within pure wilderness away from main trekking trails, and off the villages as well.
A great and wonderful adventure of two week time frame, a marvelous country walks visiting remote villages and beyond within natural environment of green forest and valley in the shade of mighty Central Himalaya.
This will be the right choice of trekking for people and nature lovers where trek leads you on less frequented routes. Very few travelers seldom venture the wild area of Panch Pokhari which is truly a most rewarding and worth joining.
Marvel Adventure organises Panch Pokhari Trek with a very well-designed itinerary, professional trekking guides and all the necessary arrangements. We can also customize the itinerary to accomodate your special requirements. Feel free to contact us for any query regarding the trek.
