Panch Pokhari Trek

Highlights

  • Named after 5 holy ponds of Hindus and Buddhists.
  • Combination of unique culture, and mountain scenery.
  • Visit the most popular Viewpoint Panch Pokhari
  • The unique culture and live hood.
  • Maximum elevation at Panch Pokhari (4100m).
  • Homestay Trek in the Holy site. 

Panch Pokhari is named after 5 holy ponds revered by Buddhists and Hindus alike who rest serenely in the lap of the Himalayas. Now a day, Panch Pokhari Trek can do as a tea house or home stay basic, so you do not need to carry all camping gear. This saves a huge amount of cost for your journey. It takes place to the northeast of Kathmandu toward the great snow wall. The beautiful mountain views, pristine nature, genuine adventure, and typical culture offer a rich experience all the way up to the base of Jugal Himal by “Panch Pokhari Trekking”.

As an off-the-beaten trail trek, this combines the rich cultural heritage of the Tamang ethnic groups, unsurpassed natural beauty, and biological diversity. The journey goes through a mixture of beautiful mountain scenery and terraced fields with characteristic houses in rural villages. Panch Pokhari trek starts from Kathmandu to Chhimti 10 to 11 hours’ drive by bus or private jeep through the Malamchi Bazaar. The drive goes through the hillside paddy terraces and picturesque villages. The trip begins at 1,400m above 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 the Sherpa and Tamang people. Your guide will give a short talk about altitude sickness and the highlights of the trip destination including the holy Five Lakes, the incredible Himalayan scenery, and the lifestyles of nomadic people unchanged by time. It is an excellent trek through beautiful forests, mainly bamboo, pine, and other evergreens, 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 together with the Sherpas who live in this region make Panch Pokhari trek a meaningful once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Trekkers visit often even in monsoon and winter not daily but fifty to hundred a month. According to the local tale; about 2325 years ago, a famous hunter named Bumba Ruwa Baiba came to this place and have seen a farmer cultivating rice paddy at such high elevation. He was suddenly surprised, how is it possible to rice in this snowing area? The hunter Baiba came towards him, and the rice farmer and his farmer's fellow disappeared to the place where the temple is now. It is said that man was none other than Mahadev, Lord Shiva, himself to cultivate it. The hunter Baiba comes to the conclusion, that the cultivated farmer is Mahadev, and at the same time, he removed the bell tied around the neck of the hunting dog and hung it at the place where disappeared Mahadev and established the temple. The temple that we see today, is located at the same spot where the bell rang by hunters in 2325 years ago. Today also the Hindu pilgrims are looking for the paddy field around the place of the temple was established.  It is believed that, if anyone is able to find the grain from the paddy, that person will become wealthy and prosperous life. Thousands of pilgrims from different parts of Nepal and neighboring countries come to this secret place on the full moon of the August Janai Purnima and worship the God Mahadev and take bath in the theses five lakes to purify the body. Visit the Panch Pokhari and worship Lord Shiva earning great merit and making sole pure. It is said that anyone both theist and atheist should visit Panch Pokhari at least one time in their lifetime and Hindus must. The wishes are fulfilled by those who worship from a pure heart. Panch Pokhari Mahadev gives us blessing and power. There is a viewpoint nearby Panch Pokharai, where you will get in 30 minutes walk for the breathtaking view of mountains, landscape, and Panch Pokhari aerial view.

This trip gives you the experience of various features of terrain including glaciers, forested or cultivated areas, and a network of rivers, streams, lakes, etc. The unusual climatic and geographical mix makes this area a naturalist's dream and magic for those who appreciate traditional cultures. We at Nepal Mother House Treks and Expedition arrange Panch Pokhari Tea house for 6 days throughout the year according to your holiday schedules and requirements. But as our honesty demands, we recommend you arrange the Panch Pokhari trek in the best season (September, October, November, March, April, and May). We will guarantee your full satisfaction throughout our long-range export trekking guide and staff and well camping types of equipment.

 

Itinerary

Our Guide and Potter come to your hotel in the morning. Then we head north out of Kathmandu to Chhimti for 10/11 hours of scenic driving by bus or Land cruiser (depending on group size) through the Dhulikhel at Zerokilo (72km),  Bahunepati, cross the Indrāvati river bridge and get in Melamchi Bazaar, where more than 60 houses damaged by devastating flood on Jun 15-2021, Tuesday (Asar 1st-2078). The drive goes through the rough road after crossing the Melamchi, and following the river bank then ascend through the villages, rice traces and get in a small village at Raithane Pokhari a small pound, where it can see the temple of goddess Raithaneswari Mahadev (98km), she is a small daughter of the Gosaikunda (Shiva) and Panch Pokhari (Parbati). It will take another one hour more to drive to Chhimti. The scenery offers our journey; foothills, ridgeline vistas, rice terraces, streams, rivers, local settlements, and high hills the Chhimti. There is a tea house available in the village, artificial waterfall (Dragon Jharna started on 17-July-2022/Saune Sakranti) adds more charm to your trip. While passing along the road you catch a glimpse of Ganesh Himal and other mountains. Stay overnight at the tea house. A small settlement, Chhimti beautiful village in Sindupalchok district, and we stay overnight at Bhim Arjun Shankar Homestay (contact no: 9840669066, 9863548196, 9848933271), ready to commence walking tomorrow. 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.

  • Guest House
  • 10 to 11 hours
  • 107 km

Today, at first we walked about four to five hours gradually steeply uphill to the Tupi Danda (2770m) through the Jungle and enjoyed a beautiful waterfall. We get to Bhotang Deurali (2105m) and half hour walk from Chhimti, where Buddhist Chorten can be seen next to the resting place. Here is a tea shop (Tungana Organic Farm and Homestay, Contact No: 9866285760, 9863553215, and 9848755335). The trail goes through small villages where we can see how the diverse ethnic groups live side by side. We are having Lunch at Tuppidanda at Tuppidanda Homestay (contact no: 9741337039, 9863548829, and 9860563345). Trekkers who are not physically fit to get in Nasempati, this is the best place to stay overnight. The trail goes through the jungle uphill and crosses the suspension bridge after 3 hours walk and another one-hour steep uphill to get you to Chokar Danda and two and half hours for Nasempati. In choker Danda, only one homestay is available. For locals take, 5 to 7 hours, and trekkers need 10 to 12 hours to get in here. If you are walking in the monsoon season then, you need to bring some salt or any other home remedy to replace the leaches. 
 

  • Tee House
  • 8 to 9 hours
  • 3300m

This morning our trip starts with a gradual uphill through the ridge of a rocky hill and rhododendron forest and keep continues on the stone steps trail for about 1 and 1 ½ hours to get in Nosampati on the top of the ridge. There is a Chhorten before Nosempati (3700m), often you can see heard of the sheep and amazing landscape view. There are 7 to 8 tea houses in the Nosempati (Homestay contact no: 9840660841, 9846661901). Now the trail continues through the ridge of the hill and passes the Chhortens and gets in signboard of Panchpokharai nearby resting place (Dharmashala) after walk 3 hours, it takes another one more hours several ups and down for the Panch Pokhari (panch means ‘five’ and Pokhari means ‘lake’). From the Nosempati, you don’t have any more fun with leeches due to the high elevation. After about five to six hours of walking, we get to the destination at Panch Pokharai (4100m) and explore the remaining of the day around the holy lakes Panch Pokhari (five Lakes). Staying overnight at tea house (Contact Number: 9863548196, 9848921436). Panch Pokhara is originated point of the Indrāvati River, which we have walked along the side. There is a viewpoint at Panch Pokhari, from where you have a mesmerizing view of mountains and five lakes. It is real; heaven is a myth but Nepal is real. During the Janai Purnima (full moon of August), thousands of pilgrims come here and worship in this temple Panch Pokhari Mahadev and take bath in the holy lake. There is a small rest house for pilgrims on their way to the holy site of Panch Pokhari. We have great mountain views from our tea house.

  • Home Stay
  • 5 to 6 hours
  • 4100m

We will start our walk early in the morning to catch a stunning sunrise over the mountains. It takes about 1 ½ hour 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. 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 campsite.

  • Homestay
  • 6 to 7 hours
  • 2320m

After a hot breakfast, we will start our trip again. Today we have about 5 hours of walking, 2 of which are quite steep downhill but the rest is quite level as we make our way through terraced fields to the beautiful village of Chhimti. This area is home to Tamang families and gives us a great chance to gain some insight into the lives, culture, and traditional architecture of Tamang villages. Stay overnight in the tea house.  

  • Tented Camp
  • 4 to 5 hours
  • 1450m

After having breakfast we will drive back to Kathmandu on the road passing terraces, streams, rivers, local settlements, and high hills. It takes about 10 to 11 hours (conditional) to reach your hotel in Kathmandu by bus/ private Jeep. On this pleasant day, you have a full day at your leisure to either relax at your hotel or explore around Thamel. Today is the end of your journey, so we would like to offer you farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant and present you with a Trip Certificate, Trekking Permit, and TIMS Card as a memory of your trip.

  • Tented Camp
  • 10 - 11 hours
  • 1350m
  • 107km

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Cost Details

Inclusions

  • Arrival and Departure all transportation (airport to Hotel to airport).
  • Welcome and farewell Dinner with Nepali Culture Restaurant.
  • All ground transportation by private vehicles or Comfort Tourist bus (Kathmandu to trekking begging point at Chhimti and  Trekking ending point at Chhimti to Kathmandu.)
  • Warm down Jacket and Sleeping Bag for the trek.
  • English Speaking friendly Guide with the government license holder, a cook and required number of Potters their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, medicine.
  • Trekking Permit and TIMS Cards.
  • Medical Kit Bag for the trek.
  • All government and local taxes if necessary.
  • Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing by City Tour Guide with an entry fee.
  • Full board meal and Tea, coffee during camping, prepared by our cook.
  • Tented accommodation and equipment during the camping trek. (We will provide fully waterproof two men tents, dining tents, kitchen gears, dining table, chairs, toilet tents, shower tents, etc.)
  • Boiled and purify drinking water during the trek.
  •  Tourist service charge, vat and Governments Tax.
  • Official expanse.

Exclusions

  • Cold drinks; cola, Fanta, sprite, and mineral water, Phone calls, laundry, beer, and bar bills.
  • Tips for guides and potters.
  • Travel and Rescue Insurance (compulsory).
  • Shopping, souvenirs or gift.
  • Hotel accommodation and meals in Kathmandu before the trip and after a trip.
  • Personal mountaineering gears.
  • Optional trips and sightseeing if extend.  
  • International airfare and airport departure tax.
  • Visa fee (US$ 30 per person) you obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu for 15 days from the date of issue. You will require 2 passport size photos.