Panch Pokhari Short Trek

Panch Pokhari Short Trek: Best Season and Time

The Panch Pokhari area is shaped by the monsoon and enjoys delightful temperate weather. The maximum heat will occur in June while the minimum heat will be in January. Likewise, the August brings in the most (123.7 mm) rain.

Thus, for the driest times to walk the Panch Pokhrai trek route will fall in September, October, November (Autumn), March, April, and May (Spring).

The spring turns the jungle into a green blanket with crimson rhododendrons while the air is filled with the delightful aroma of the fragrant wildflowers.

On the other hand, the autumn months enhance the scenery with the beautiful spectacle of the Himalayan panoramas. Moreover, the Panch Pokhari Lake remains melted with its sapphire water reflecting the shadow of the Jugal Himal range during spring and autumn.

The winter extending from December to late February can freeze the waters of Panch Pokhari while the monsoon of June, July, and August can flood the trails. However, if you like to see the Hindu celebration, then you should not hesitate to come in August.

5 Days Panch Pokhari Short Trek Difficulties

Our Panch Pokhari short trek offers a level 2 difficulty with moderate nature of trails which reaches 4300 m altitude ultimately. The trail will ascend very gradually with minimal steep and sharp sections thus making it a very secure journey near Kathmandu.

The area is still taking baby steps toward the mass tourism so the lodgings available along the way are basic. The region is also sparsely populated and the route also include some landslide areas which need careful navigation.

There will also be high suspension bridges and vertical stone steps. The section involving the ascension to the Panch Pokhari and its viewpoint can be however tough to those new to moderate trekking adventure in Nepal.

However, we Sherpa Discovery Treks have taken important measures to reduce the difficulties of the journey with gradual steps and gentle climbs.

Additionally, our 5 days Panch Pokhari trek may lack some comforts but it rewards you with the very authentic natural experience along the low traffic trail displaying the splendid Himalayan views that extend beyond Annapurna and Everest.

Who can walk our Panch Pokhari Trek Route?

Our Panch Pokhari trek route is made for everyone regardless of their hiking background or fitness level. Even if you are not very athletic and are able to walk for moderate hours, you can easily complete our Panch Pokhari short trek.

The elevation and the trail do not pose any technical challenges so the possibility of any type of injuries or accidents are also minimal in our trip.

In addition, our Panch Pokhari trek itinerary also allows you to relax in the pacific environment of Panch Pokhari area. Climbing to Panch Pokhari Viewpoint is absolutely optional thus making this trip an entirely family and children friendly adventure.

It is equally suitable for the beginner trekkers and the seniors as well. However, you must remember the daily walking distance and the duration along with the potential adverse climatic conditions.

The main concern comes from the altitude of the area with some days requiring the ascension of more than 500 m. however, there will be warm shelters to comfort you and our guide and porters will make every arrangements to make your trip enjoyable and comforting.

Altitude Sickness Threat and Its Management

The potential appearance of altitude sickness which is also known by the term Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) in our Panch Pokhari short trek is present but at very minimal degree.

It doesn’t mean that every person on the trek will suffer from AMS but some can depending on their ability to how quickly they can adapt to the high environment.

Being physically very fit or having previous high-altitude experience does not ensure protection against AMS. The minor signs of the AMS begin to appear once you cross the threshold of 2500 m altitude.

There can be dizziness, fatigue, headaches and nausea which are normal to feel at higher environment like of Panch Pokhari. Generally, if you rest or sleep and emphasize water intake, they will go completely within few hours.

However, the safest thing to do is to go down by at least 300 m until you start to feel better. In case, if the signs increase with vomiting, breathing difficulties or extreme exhaustion, then our guide will monitor you and take you further down halting your trip for a day or so.

You can also get help with the Diamox medicine but if you have any sort of Kidney ailments, please do not take this medicine as it is a diuretic drug.

To make you comfortable and adjust with the Panch Pokhari environment, we have planned a a rest day at the area and rest of the walking trip will also include gradual ascents.

What type of training and preparation is needed for our Panch Pokhari Trek Itinerary?

Our designed Panch Pokhari trek route is completely manageable however there can be sudden sharp ascension or descents which can catch you off guard.

You may feel your muscles giving up and find yourself breathing hardly if you are not properly prepared for the journey. Therefore, after you decide to take on our Panch Pokhari short trek, practice deep breathing exercises so your breathing capability increases.

For enabling the leg muscles to walk for longer duration, do some walking, running or jogging at home. For the climbing and the descending trail, stair climbing will do the trick.

When you are actually hiking to Panch pokhari, remember to shorten your stride and slow you speed. Take smaller steps with the increase in inclination.

When climbing down also apply the same trick by taking the smaller steps. Whenever you feel exertion, take break and do not try to compete with others.

We also advise you to watch some education trip videos about Panch Pokhari which are available on YouTube. This way, you will be prepared beforehand and know what you will feel during the trip.

Alternate Panch Pokhari Trek Route

Among the several routes available to reach Panch Pokhari, the easiest and shortest one is through Bhotang as we have outlined. There is one more optional long route which will take around two weeks journey to reach and return from Panch Pokhari.

This route runs through Chautara Village, the administrative center of the Sindhupalchowk District. The following two days will see you traveling to Sano Pokhran and Kami Danda.

Then continuing through Pauwabas and Hile Bhanjyang, you  will finally join the trail of Noshyampati and reach Panch Pokhari. The return travel will take place through different route running through Tuppi Danda, Dhap and Melamchi Market.

This alternate Panch Pokhari trek route will be harder and longer as compared to the one from Bhotang but more authentically natural needing camping stay sometime.

Sleeping, Meals, and Transportation

We Sherpa Discover Treks will take care of all the logistical aspects of our 5 days Panch Pokhari Trek. A spacious twin-sharing room in a quality standard three-star hotel will be your place of stay in Kathmandu where you will have an en suite bathroom with constantly running hot water and WiFi use for free.

When trekking, your place of stay will be arranged in the best possible mountain shelters called the tea houses. The setting of such a shelter can be very basic with limited facilities. You will get a single room with two single beds and a few furniture.

You may also get the hot water and WiFi at small fee on request. The toilets may be shared facilities among the tea house guests. As for the food arrangements, three main courses of breakfasts, dinners and lunches will be served in the tea houses.

Dal Vat will be omnipresent while you may also get the Momos, noodles, potato, and rice dishes as well.

A local bus will be used for your transportation between Kathmandu and Bhotang while our private transport will take you back and forth between TIA and your hotel.

Mandatory permits for the Panch Pokhari Short Trek

For hiking along the Panch Pokhari trek route, we must have the park permit for the Langtang National Park and the TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System Card) on hand.

The tourism office in Kathmandu will issue both the permits after the submission of your photos, passport copy, and insurance policy copy. The Park Permit will come at a price of NPR 3000 for each hiker and the TIMS at NPR 2000 for each hiker.

Allow Sherpa Discovery Treks to premanage the permits and their fees.

Travel Insurance

Our Panch Pokhari short trek is certainly easy but not without obstacles and some challenges. Remember, this is the rugged mountain terrain we are talking about where minor slip can tear your ligaments or fracture your leg bones.

Additionally, there are some sections along the way which are the landslide prone area where extra vigilance is a must. Here, even experienced trekkers can be the victim of sudden unthinkable incidents.

Sometimes, immediate tracking and transport by chopper may also be needed. In such cases, your travel insurance will be your loyal friend that will cover all your expenses and also support you in other ways.

For our 5 days Panch Pokhari trek, we suggest you get the policy that includes the coverage for extreme hiking activities to the altitude of 4500 m.

If your insurance also offers added protection for possible thefts, baggage loss, and damage, trip postponement or cancellation, and few lengthening stays, it is much better. Make sure your policy validity starts and remains active throughout the trip.