Panch Pokhari & Helambu Trek

Detail Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrival at Kathmandu, 1300m, transfer to hotel
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, a representative from Romantic Trek will warmly welcome you and assist in transferring you to your hotel. Later in the evening, BG Travel and Trek will host a welcome dinner featuring delicious authentic Nepalese cuisine. This dinner provides an opportunity to experience and appreciate the local food culture. Rest and spend the night in Kathmandu.

Day 02 : Sight seen around Kathmandu valley. Over night at hotel
Today, after breakfast, we embark on a guided tour to visit several historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. This day is also dedicated to finalizing official procedures and making necessary arrangements for the upcoming trek. During the tour, we will visit the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhu Nath), and the Buddhist shrine (Bouddha Nath). In the afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where you can meet your trek leader and other team members. Additionally, it’s an opportunity for any last-minute purchases of personal items before heading to the Himalayas tomorrow.

Day 03 : Kathmandu–Chautara- Syaule, 1418m, 4hrs drives and 2 hrs trek
We will drive for approximately 4 hours to reach Chautara along the Araniko Highway, which is the road to Tibet. From Chautara, we will embark on a 2-hour trek to Syaule. We will spend the night at the camp.

Day 04 : Syaule – Kamikharka Danda, 2300m, 6 hours walk
The trail ascends steadily to OKRIN DANDA at 2300m and continues steeply up towards the forested Kamikharka Danda ridge. One hour beyond Okrin Danda, there is an unusual double mani wall, and there are excellent camp sites. However, there may be water only in the autumn, and no water is available during the spring. From this point, the route ascends steeply through forests frequented by woodcutters until reaching the ridge crest. Camp can be set up in a grassy area surrounded by forest. The water supply is located approximately 30 minutes walk down the western slopes of the ridge.

Day 05 : Kamikharka Danda – Chyochyo Danda, 3160m, 5hours walk
The route along the Kamikharka Danda offers an excellent trail through beautiful oak and rhododendron forests with magnificent views. Water sources are scarce for much of the way. The trail follows the ridge crest, ascending to a large chorten at 3160m. It then traverses pastures across the western slopes of Chyochyo Danda, where many summer pasture shelters are located. After another descent, the trail passes a ruined stone house and a well-used campsite with a good spring a short distance down the western slope. This marks the first free water on the ridge, and the site is excellent, set in pleasant forest surroundings.

Day 06 : Chyochyo Danda– Hile Bhanjyang, 3800m, 6hours walk
The trail ascends steeply and steadily across stony, grassy pastures, reaching the ridge near some cairns at 3750m. From the ridge, the route descends through the forest, crossing gullies with water, and reaches another crest at Chang Samarphu (3913m). The final descent to Hille Bhanjyang is steep. In spring, there may be deep snow with challenging icy sections in the gullies. At Hile Bhanjyang, there is a campsite with water at 3800m.

Day 07 : Hile Bhanjyang-Nasem Pati, 3862m, 6 hours walk
The trail climbs steeply to a hillock at 3980m, then traverses open ground along a flagstone trail to another crest. The views are wonderful in clear weather. There is a stone house above Nasem Pati (3800m), and well-trodden trails lead off the ridge crest to both the east and west. There is no running water here in the spring. Under favorable walking conditions, days 4 and 5 could be combined into one day of approximately six hours of walking.

Day 08 : Nasem Pati-Panch Pokhari, 4462m, 5hours walk
The ascent to Pach Pokhari takes about four hours on a well-defined trail. Pach Pokhari consists of five holy lakes at an altitude of 4050m. At the site, there are two metal-roofed huts, a sheet metal-enclosed shrine to Shiva, and a pile of cast-iron tridents. During the June/July full moon, thousands of Nepalese come to worship. It is advised not to wash in the holy stream near the temples. The ridge often has snow, which can make the trek more challenging. A day trip to Panch Pokhari from Nasem Pati is possible to avoid camping in the snow.

Day 09 : Panch Pokhari, Excursion of the panch Pokhari Lake, camp.

Day 10 : Panch Pokhari- Gai kharka, 2200m, 6 hours walk
Return to Nasem Pati and descend west on a good trail, passing several ravines with water but no camping, until you reach a good campsite at Gai Kharka (2530m).

Day 11 : Gai Kharka- Yangri, 13600m, 5hours walk
The descent continues through the forest on a track that is sometimes steep and rough, crossing two major watercourses. Pass through a few substantial villages, including Yarsa, and then descend on a small and very steep trail directly to the bridge over the Pach Pokhari Khola. Climb to Hutanbrang, then descend and follow the Larke Khola downstream to the first of the two bridges below Yangri village, where there is a pleasant campsite on the east bank at 1360m.

Day12 : Yangri- Laghang gompa, 2800m, 8 hours walk
The trail crosses bridges over the Larke and Yangri kholas, passing through Yangri village and climbing rapidly to the west and north. There are lateral trails everywhere. At the stream crossing below and southwest of Dalegaon, there is a beautiful lunch or camping site with fine water and big shade trees. The trail continues, often steeply, up through the country dotted with villages, fields, scrub hillside, and pleasant forest. The large village between Dalegaon and Gangkharka is called Gangdwang. From Gangkharka, a large trail leads into the next side valley, where camping is possible. Then the trail climbs relentlessly for 900m to Laghang Gompa. This is a beautiful forested area and a lovely, quiet campsite at an elevation of 2800m.

Day 13 : Laghang Gompa – Tarkheghyang, 2560m, 3 hours walk
It takes just over three hours from Laghang Gompa to Tarke Gyang. The trail climbs through beautiful forest, then enters an area of small pastures, stone houses, scrub growth, and cow trails. Be sure to backtrack if you find yourself headed south on the ridge trail to Sermathang. The trail down to Tarke Gyang is very steep, rough, and eroded.

Day 14 : Tarkheghyang – Melamchi Goan, 3597m, 4 hours walk.

Day 15 : Melamchi Goan- Tharepati, 2470m, 5 hours walk
Now the trek will be mostly on the ridge, offering views on both sides to the east and west while walking downhill. During March and April, the area is adorned with beautiful Rhododendron flowers before reaching Kutumsang.

Day 16 : Tharepati- Kutumsang, 2190m, 6 hours walk
Enjoy a day with good views of the Helambu valley, walking up and down along the ridge. Climb up to Chisapani for a stunning sunset view.

Day17 : Kutumsang- Chisapani
A pleasant walk down to Pathi Bhanyjyang goes through forests. Although it’s a shorter day, there will be descents and climbs to Chisopani, where the view of the entire central Himalayas is breathtaking. From Manaslu to Everest, you can witness the panoramic Himalayan range. The landscapes will be particularly reflective during the evening and early morning hours.

Day 18: Chisapani to Sundarijal then drive to Kathmandu: 6 hrs walking
We begin the day by ascending to the last pass of the trek at Borlang Bhanjyang, situated at 2240m. Following the pass, we descend steeply through deeply eroded chasms toward the Tamang settlement of Mulkharka (1800m). Enjoying superb views, the descent takes us through oak and rhododendron forests, with some pine at lower altitudes. A short trek from Mulkharka brings us to Sundarijal, passing by the local water supply system and following the water pipe to the village. From Sundarijal, we can either take local transportation or use our private transport waiting to bring us back to Kathmandu.

Days 19: Kathmandu free day
Today is a free day in Kathmandu, giving you the opportunity for some last-minute shopping or to explore the city further. In the evening, you will be treated to a farewell dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant, where you can enjoy a variety of cultural programs. It’s a great way to conclude your trekking adventure in Nepal.

Day 20: Final Departure
As your journey in Nepal comes to an end, our representative will kindly drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport. As a gesture of good luck, you will also receive a traditional Khada. We hope you had a wonderful and memorable experience in Nepal, and we wish you safe travels on your onward journey. If you ever decide to return or explore more, Nepal will always welcome you with open arms. Safe travels!