Panch Pokhari is one of the main features of Langtang National park
Panch Pokhari is a group of five holy lakes situated at the base of Jugal Himal in the Sindhupalchok district of Nepal. It is situated at an elevation of 4100 m above sea level. The most sought-after way to reach Panch Pokhari is a five-day trek. The trail is adventurous and presents beautiful mountain panoramas, pristine natural beauty, and sceneries.
Panch Pokhari trek is a new addition to a short and easy yet equally rewarding trek in the Himalayas. If you have some spare days in Kathmandu and want to do something easy going adventurous, then Panch Pokhari trekking is a good option. The breathtaking sceneries of the settlement and the lake system of Sindhupalchok are the most beautiful things to explore. Many people travel to Panch Pokhari during Janai Purnima, held every year in August. People of the Brahmin caste come here for the ritual of changing the Janai.
The trek takes you through Sherpa and Tamang villages, something like cultural trekking. The region has notable cultural and ecological values. You will be passing by terraced fields, mountain farms, and attractive remote villages. The Panch Pokhari walk trail travels beside rolling hills covered with greenery and through dense rhododendron forests.
This (five lakes) trek provides stunning Himalayan views, including the Gauri Shanker, Dorje Lakpa, Langtang Himalayan range, Jugal Himalayan range, Rolwaling Himalayan range, Tibetan Himalayan range, and others. This remote alpine region of Nepal is a must-visit due to the magnificent mountain scenery, exceptionally unspoiled natural beauty, amazing wetland features, and diverse flora and wildlife.
The best time to visit Panch Pokhari is in the season of spring and autumn. During this season, the weather is pleasant and stable. The mountain views are equally stunning. Panch Pokhari can also be finished in the winter (December, January, and February). To survive the snow and ice of this season, you must have the right equipment. With the right equipment and preparation, you may also finish Panch Pokhari in the summer (June, July, and August).
Way to Panch Pokhari
Day 1: Drive to Chhimti from Kathmandu and hike to Tuppi Danda, also known as Brongdogyang (2,019 m) (trek 4 hrs)
Day 2: Tuppi Danda - Choker Yang - Nosyampaati (3700 m) (trek 7-8 hrs)
Day3: Nosyampati - Lauri Bina- Panch Pokhari (400 m) ( trek 4 hrs)
Day 4: Panch Pokhari - Viewpoint (trek 30 mins to an hour) - back to Tuppi Danda (trek 7 hrs)
Day 5: Tuppi Danda - Chimti (trek 2 hrs), Chimti - Kathmandu (drive 6 hrs)
Hotels and Lodges
Nosyampati Homestay and Lodge
Panch Pokhari Bhim Arjun Shankar Hotel and Lodge
Panch Pokhari Bhim Arjun Shankar Hotel and Lodge Bhim Tamang
(photo credit: ALTITUDE Himalaya)
Compiled by: Nikita Gautam
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