PanchPokhari Trek – 15 Days
The trek to PanchPokhari at the base of JungalHimal offers pristine mountain views, rich culture and genuine adventure. This area offers a combination of rich cultural heritage, unsurpassed beauty and biological diversity as you trek to a group of high altitude holy lakes, sacred to both Buddhist and Hindu people.
Trekkers first travel by bus to Chautara, 5 hours northeast of Kathmandu towards the Tibetan border. We travel through a mixture of beautiful mountain scenery and the terraced fields and characteristic houses of rural villages from different ethnic groups.
On your first night, you will experience life in the village homes of Sherpa and Tamang people and your guide will give a short talk on trekking, altitude sickness and the highlights of the trek. These include the holy Five Lakes, the incredible Himalayan scenery and the life style of nomadic people unchanged by time. The unusual climatic and geographical mix makes this area a naturalist’s dream and a mecca for those who appreciate traditional cultures.
This trek starts from 1,450m and goes up to 4,100m at PanchPokhari, a secluded pilgrimage site where the JanaiPurnima festival is held in August. Many Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimages visit this site each year. This is a very spectacular and spiritual trek.
The top of PanchPokhari (4,100m) offers an excellent view of JugalHimal Range, Rolwaling Range, Gosainkund, Kanchenjunga and Makalu.
This trek can be done all year round except during the monsoon seasons. This trek can also combine with a rafting tour.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing and Trek preparation
Day 03: Trek to Chautara (1,450m)
Day 04: Trek to Sano Okhareni (1,965m)
Day 05: Trek to Kami Kharka (2,810m)
Day 06: Trek to Pauwa Bas (3,000m)
Day 07: Trek to HilleBhanjyang (3,400m)
Day 08: Trek to NarsimPati (3,700m)
Day 09: Trek to Panchpokhari (4,100m)
Day 10: Trek toThe Top ofPanchPokhari and trek to TupiDanda (2,320m)
Day 11: Trek to Dhap (1,200m)
Day 12: Rest day to explore the culture
Day 13: Trek to Melamchi (800m)
Day 14: Melamchi to Kathmandu
Day 15: Final Departure from Kathmandu
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)
Upon our arrival in the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by a representative from our company who will drop you off at our hotel. After checking in, you can take a rest or Mystic Kailash Tours Pvt. Ltd.’s office. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by Mystic Kailash Tours Pvt. Ltd. For dinner, you will be served excellent authentic Nepalese cuisine which will introduce you to Nepalese food culture.Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Day 02: KathmanduSightseeing and Trek preparation
Today after breakfast, we start a guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) and the Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath) which is one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. The meeting will provide us an opportunity to ask any question we may have regarding our upcoming adventure. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Kathmandu to Chautara (1,450m)
This morning, we have a beautiful 5 hour drive to the little village of Chautara. There is small headquarter named Chautara Headquarter ofSindupalchok District where we will camp tonight. We get ready to commence walking tomorrow. In our campsite, you can relax and enjoy the stunning mountain views, or if you like to explore, you can gain some insight into the culture and daily life of the village.Overnight stay in Chautara.
Day 04: Trek to Sano Okhareni (1,965m)
Today, we have about 5 hours of gradual uphill walking to reach Sano Okhareni. Our path passes through small villages where we can see how the diverse ethnic groups live side by side. We camp at Sano Okhareni near a pine forest and with great views to the mountains.Overnight stay in Sano Okhareni.
Day 05: Trek to Kami Kharka (2,810m)
This morning, we can start gently with about 1 hour of gradual uphill walking to ThuloOkhareni. From here, we get into the steeper climb with about 4 hours of walking through stunning dense rhododendron and pine forest. If we are lucky and observant, we might spot some wild animals such as mountain deer or languor monkeys and Nepali birdlife like the danfe. Tonight, we camp on a summer pasture ground for nomadic cattle herders (kharka).Overnight stay in Kami Kharka.
Day 06: Trek to Pauwa Bas (3,000m)
Today’s walk is nice and gentle, being fairly level (Nepali flat) and we can enjoy our forest trails and wildlife spotting. We have about 5 to 6 hours through the lush forest of rhododendron, oak, pine and juniper and we can see some nomad’s houses for cattle on the way. In Pauwa Bas, there is a shelter for pilgrims to PanchPokhari.Overnight stay in Pauwa Bas.
Day 07: Trek to HilleBhanjyang (3,400m)
This morning, we have a steep uphill stretch for about 3 hours taking our time. We get our breath back on the steep downhill though as we descend for 1 ½ hours through the forest. We have some great mountain views on our way down into our camp at HilleBhanjyang.Overnight stay in HilleBhanjyang.
Day 08: Trek to NarsimPati (3,700m)
Today, we only have about 4 hours of walking. So, we take it easy on the steep uphill section to start the day taking about an hour. Then, we enjoy the gradual descent of about 3 hours through rocky hills and rhododendron forest into camp at NarsimPati. There is a small rest house for pilgrims on their way to the holy site of PanchPokhari and we have great mountain views from our campsite.Overnight stay in NarsimPati.
Day 09: Trek to PanchPokhari (4,100m)
Today, we arrive at PanchPokhari. We have about 3 hours of gradual ascent through rocky hills to reach our destination of PanchPokhari (panch means ‘five’ and pokhari means ‘lake’). This stunning setting is a secluded pilgrimage site where the JanaiPurnima festival is held in August every year. Many Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims visit this site each year. We can also see two pilgrim houses and the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Overnight stay in Panchpokhari
Day 10: Trek to the Top of PanchPokhari and Trek to TupiDanda (2,320m)
This morning we have an early start to catch a stunning sunrise over the mountains. We have about 1 ½ hours uphill to see the beautiful sight of the sun rising over the Himalayas and our panoramic view includes Mt.DorjeLakpa, JugalHimal Range, Rolwaling Range and Langtang Range. After this incredible start to the morning, we head back down to PanchPokhari to pack up and start heading for home. We have about 6 hours walk down, some steep trails through the rhododendron forest to TupiDanda (danda means ‘ridge’) and to our camp.Overnight stay in TupiDanda.
Day 11: Trek to Dhap (1,200m)
Today, we have about 5 hours of walking, 2 of which are quite steep downhill and the rest is quite level as we make our way through terraced fields to the beautiful village of Dhap. Dhap is home to Tamang families and is gives us a great chance to gain some insight into the lives, culture and traditional architecture of Tamang villages. Overnight stay in Dhap.
Day 12: Rest day to explore the culture
Today is our rest and we explore more into the culture and traditions of Tamang villages. Overnight stay in Dhap.
Day 13: Trek to Melamchi (800m)
Today, we have about 6 hours of walking. We walk down through terraced fields, along the Indrawati River. We pass through stunning villages and see a hydro electricity project on the way to Tipini and our re-introduction to a road.MelamchiPul Bazaar that lies at the bank of MelamchiKhola (stream) and Indrawati River is comparatively a big town for this area. There are some lodges, teashops, government offices, schools, colleges, post office and army police camp. We will camp by the riverside and if you like, you can refresh yourself with a dip in the river. Overnight stay in Melamchi.
Day 14: Melamchi to Kathmandu
Today, we get back on four wheels and enjoy our five hour scenic drive back to Kathmandu.To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have a farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Day 15: Final Departure from Kathmandu
Today, the journey comes to an end. There’s nothing to do but trade emails with your new friends, organize all your photos and finally depart from Nepal. If departing, you’ll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination. Or you can get ready for the next adventure.
T-house Trek /Camping includes accommodation in lodge/tent, guide, porters and all meals
USD …. per person on twin sharing
• Note: Single room supplement charge is applicable for Kathmandu Hotel only. During trek, as per the availability we shall provide single/double or dormitory room. In case of special requirement, we shall provide single with an additional room surcharge during trek.
• Airport Pick and Drop by private vehicle
• 3 nights’ accommodation at 3 star hotels in Kathmandu on twin/double sharing with breakfast
• Guide sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with inclusive of monuments entry fees.
• Accommodation during trek available everyday en-route (T-House and Hotel)
• All meals during trek in Local Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
• English speaking local expert guide (ratio: – 2 guide: 4/5 member, 3 guide: 10/15 member)
• Local porters during trek (ratio: – 1 porter = 2 member)
• Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit fees
• Trekkers’ Information Management System fees (TIMS)
• Ground transportation/Airport transfers with an escort by Private Vehicle/tourist bus
• Equipment clothing for porter & staffs
• Insurance for all staff & porters
• All applicable government tax
• Nepal visa – Multiple Entrée 30 days – USD 40
• International flight
• Lunch & dinner during Kathmandu Hotel stay
• Extra baggage charges (All together only 15 kg is allow for porter)
• Personal gears & clothing (available on hire in Kathmandu)
• Tips for guides, porter, any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation/road block due to any reason, table drinks, snacks while walking
• Any other tours, transfer and service other than mentioned above
• Your insurance and medical Expenses