A newly published trail Panch Pokhari, is a combination of rich cultural heritage of Sherpa and Tamang ethnic, unsurpassed natural beauty and biological diversity. The trek goes through a mixture of beautiful mountain scenery and the terraced fields and characteristic houses of rural villages from different ethnic groups. Panch Pokhari Trekking starts five hours drive by bus or private vehicle from capital city Kathmandu to Choutara (1410 m) through the hills side paddy terraces and picturesque villages. The trip begins at 1,400m from sea level and goes up to 4,100m at Panch Pokhari, a seldom-visited pilgrimage site to Tarke Gyang in Helambu or back down to the Tibetan border Tatopani. On your first day, you will experience life in the village homes of Sherpa and Tamang people. Your guide will give a short talk about altitude sickness and the highlights of the trip destination include the holy Five Lakes, the incredible Himalayan scenery and the life style of nomadic people unchanged by time. It is an excellent trekking through beautiful forests mainly bamboo, pine and other evergreen forests with glorious views of Lenpo Gang or big white peak (6979m), Dorje Lakpa (6986m), Ganchempo (6387m), Gaurishanker, Langtang, Jugal Himal range. The snow capped mountains of Jugal Himal at sunrise and the interface with Sherpa's who live in this region makes Panch Pokhari trek meaningful.
Panch Pokhari Trekking Highlights
Gauri Shankar and Rolwaling himalaya, Magnificent mountain views of Jugal Himal, Dorjee Lhakpa (6,966m), Madiya (6,257m) and Phurbi Chhyachu (6,637m). Authentic Nepalese life style, know the production method of cheese.
Day 01
Arrival at Kathmandu:
Receive you in Kathmandu international airport and transfer to hotel in Kathmandu/Planet Bhaktapur in B&B plan. After refreshment we will talk further information about programs.
Day 02
Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Full day guided sightseeing in Kathmandu valley such as Pashupatinath temple, Boudhnath Stupa, Kapan Monastery, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swambhunath Stupa.
Day 03
Drive Kathmandu to Chautara (1450m) , 4 to 5 hours
Early morning, after breakfast drive to Chautara, takes about 5 / 6 hrs scenic driving by bus or Land cruiser (depending on group size). The scenery offers our journey; foothills, ridgeline vistas, rice terraces, streams, rivers, local settlements and high hills to the Cautara. While passing along the road you catch a glimpse of Ganesh Himal and other mountains. A small, Chautara is headquarter of Sindupalchok district and we will camp here tonight, ready to commence walking tomorrow. From our camp site 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.
Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 04
Trek Chautara to Sano Okhareni (1965m), 4 to 5 hours
Today we have about 5 hour’s gradual uphill walk to reach in Sano Okhareni. The trail goes through small villages where we can see how the diverse ethnic groups live side by side. Our camp will setting at Sano Okhareni near a pine forest and with great views to the mountains.
Day 05
Trek Sano Okharen to Kami Kharka (2810m) , 4 to 5 hours
This morning our trip start gradual uphill walk about 1 hour to Thulo Okhareni. Then 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 glimpse some wild animals such as mountain deer or langur monkeys and Nepali birdlife like the danfe. We camp on a summer pasture ground for nomadic cattle herders (Kharka) tonight.
Day 06
Trek Kami Kharka to Pauwa Bas (3000m) , 5 to 6 hours
Today is comparatively much easier walk nice and gentle; being fairly level (‘Nepali flat’) and we can enjoy our forest trails and wildlife spotting. The course of today is 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 we can see a shelter for pilgrims to Panch Pokhari during full moon of August.
Day 07
Trek Pauwa Bas to Hille Bhanjyang (3400m) , 5 hours
After breakfast the trail leads us 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 with birds chirping. It offers some great mountain views on our way down into our camp at Hille Bhanjyang. We stay overnight at camp.
Day 08
Trek Hille Bhanjyang to Narsim Pati (3700m0 -6 to 7 hours
Today is short trekking day; 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. After that we enjoy the gradual descent of about 3 hours through rocky hills and rhododendron forest into camp at Narsim Pati. There is a small rest house for pilgrims on their way to the holy site of Panch Pokhari every August full moon. We have great mountain views from our campsite.
Day 09
Trek Narsim Pati to Panch Pokhari (4100m) -3 to 4 hours
Today is shortest day during our trip. After about 3 hours of gradual ascent through rocky hills we reach our destination of Panch Pokhari (panch means ‘five’ and pokhari means ‘lake’). This stunning setting is a secluded pilgrimage site where the Janaipurnima (August full Moon) festival is held every year. Numerous of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims visit this site each year and we can see two pilgrim houses and the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Day 10
Trek Panch Pokhari- Panch Pokhari top to Tupi Danda (2320m) -6 to 7 hours
We will start our walk early in morning to catch a stunning sunrise over the mountains. It takes about 1 ½ hours uphill to see the beautiful sight of the sun rising over the Himalayas and our panoramic view includes Mt.Dorje Lakpa, Jugal Himal Range, Rolwaling Range and Langtang Range are incredible. We head back down to Panch Pokhari to pack up and start heading for our destination. We have about six hours down and some steep trails through the rhododendron forest to Tupi Danda (danda means ‘ridge’) and our camp
Day 11
Trek Tupi Danda to Dhap (1200m) -4 to 5 hours
After hot breakfast we will start our trip. 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. This 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. Stay overnight at tent.
Day 12
Rest day and explore the culture
Many days walking we are tried, so we will have late breakfast. Then our guide lead you explore around Tamang village. It might be great opportunities for nature lover and cultural interested. We can interact with local about their day to day life style amd other values. Stay overnight at camp.
Day 13
Trek Dhap to Melamchi (800m) -5 to 6 hours
This is our trekking ending of trekking walk about 6 hours to get Melamchi. The trail goes through terraced fields, along the Indrawati River and stunning villages and also sees a hydro electricity project on the way to Tipini and our re-introduction to a road! Melamchi Pul Bazaar which lies at the bank of Melamchi Khola (stream) and Indrawati River is comparatively a big town for this area. There are some lodges, tea shops, government offices, schools, colleges, post office and army police camp. Our camp will setting by the riverside and if you like you can refresh yourself with a dip in the river! We will celebrate our trekking last night singing , dancing with local people.
Day 14
Drive back Melamchi to Kathmandu (1348m) -3 to 4 hours
After having breakfast we will drive back to Kathmandu through the road passing terraces, streams, rivers, local settlements and high hills. It takes about 3/4 hours (conditional) to reach your hotel in Kathmandu by bus/ private car.
Day 15
Final departure
Drop you in Kathmandu International Airport onward your final destination and our trip ends. Wish you your wonderful journey!!!