For travellers wanting an authentic Himalayan trekking experience with incredible views without the time (or stamina) required for a long trek, the Panchase trek is perfect. It starts close to the popular town of Pokhara, takes just four days, and can be done in autumn, winter, or spring.
Highlights
- Enjoy one of Nepal’s easier treks, great for families or those with moderate fitness.
- Gain views of peaks such as Dhaulagiri, Lamjung, Machhapuchhre and Manaslu.
- Summit Panchase Hill (2,500m) for one of the best views of the Annapurna Himal.
- Witness rural Nepali life in the villages, inhabited mainly by Gurung and Brahman people.
Overview
This four-day trek is one of Nepal’s easier treks, making it ideal for families, the elderly, or travelers looking to relax and enjoy nature at a slower pace. Each day of trekking is only three or four hours long, which means there is plenty of time to stop and enjoy the scenery, take photographs, and relax in the villages at the end of the day to observe—or even participate in—local village life.
The beautiful forest through which you trek and the expansive mountain views are major highlights of this trek. The forests in the Panchase area are rich in biodiversity, with much of it designated as protected forests. It is home to over 100 orchid species, so keep an eye out for the lovely flowers. Three 8000-metre-plus mountains (Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, and Manaslu) can be seen from several points along the trail, as can a number of lower (but still impressive!) mountains such as Machhapuchhare, Lamjung, and Gangapurna.
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Trip Itinerary Brief
| Day | Description | Altitude | Duration |
| Day 1 | Welcome to Kathmandu! | ||
| Day 2 | Explore Kathmandu | ||
| Day 3 | Boat across Lake Phewa, trek to Bumdi | 1,520 m./ 4,986 ft. | 3 hours |
| Day 4 | Trek to Panchase Bhanjyang | 2,065 m./ 6,774 ft. | 4 hours |
| Day 5 | Trek to Bhadaure | 1,670 m./ 5,479 ft. | 3 hours |
| Day 6 | Trek to Naudanda, Short drive to Pokhara | 1,515 m./ 4,970 ft. | 2 hours |
| Day 7 | Depart Kathmandu |
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu
As you fly into Kathmandu, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the valley, the Himalayas, and the terraced fields below. After clearing customs, a representative will be waiting to help you navigate the narrow, winding streets of Kathmandu and get you settled into your hotel. After you’ve settled in, go see one of Kathmandu’s cultural highlights. In the evening, the tourist district of Thamel is a good place to get your first meal, with a variety of restaurants serving both Western and Nepali cuisine.
Day 2: Discover and Explore to Kathmandu
Kathmandu has a unique atmosphere in the early morning hours, when the city is slowly awakening but not becoming too chaotic. It’s a great time to go for a walk and explore the streets, or to enjoy a chai while looking out over one of the local courtyards or durbar squares. Given the many incredible sights in the Kathmandu Valley, there are numerous ways to spend the day. Later in the evening, go out to one of the city’s great restaurants for dinner, or your specialist can arrange a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
Day 3: Boat across Phewa Tal, hike to Shanti Stupa, continue to Bumdi
Begin with a boat ride across Phewa Lake to the trek’s starting point. The trail ascends briefly to the Shanti Stupa (also known as the World Peace Pagoda), which was built in 1973 by a group of Japanese Buddhists. It is a popular tourist attraction in Pokhara, but the crowds will thin out as you continue on the trekking trail.
Continuing on from the Shanti Stupa, the trail descends through the forest before ascending steeply and passing through the village of Lukum Swara. The majority of the people who live in this area are Gurung and Brahman, and you will have plenty of opportunities to observe their rural lifestyles while on this trek. The hike today concludes in Bumdi village.
Day 4: Trek to Panchase Bhanjyang
Today’s walk will take us through the forest, with occasional glimpses of the mountains. The following peaks should be avoided: Lamjung, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, and Manaslu. Your guide should be able to tell you the difference. The forests you’ll be passing through are particularly interesting for the variety of flora and fauna they contain, including an abundance of birdlife, monkeys, orchids, and numerous plants. In the spring, you might be able to see the Rhododendron, Nepal’s national flower, in full bloom. The day concludes with a leisurely ascent to Panchase Bhanjyang.
Day 5: Early morning summit of Panchase peak (2,500 m./ 8,202 ft.) and trek to Bhadaure
Climb the 500-meter-high stone steps to Panchase Peak early this morning (the earlier the better if you want to see the sunrise). This is the highest point on the trek, and from here you should be able to see an incredible panorama of the mountains that have only been peeking out at you thus far. Breakfast at the summit, then spend the rest of the day gently descending to your overnight destination, Bhadaure.
Day 6: Trek to Naudanda, drive to Pokhara
Today’s walk descends gently, mostly along a jeep trail, and passes through several villages. The trekking trail meets the road at Naudanda, where you will be picked up and driven back to Pokhara. Alternatively, you can extend the trek by one or more days by following one of the suggested variations listed below.
Day 7: Drive back to Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu by car. It’s time to say good-by to Nepal. Spend your final days in Kathmandu with a café lunch, a city stroll, and/or souvenir shopping. A representative will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport to catch your flight back home. It’s a good idea to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight.
Dissimilarity
Continue on from Bhadaure to Sarangkot to add another day to the Panchase trek. This takes approximately five hours. You can walk back to Pokhara Lakeside from Sarangkot, eliminating the need for a transport pickup at the end. Sarangkot is a popular day hike from Pokhara, as well as a paragliding launch site. There are spectacular views of Phewa Tal and the town of Pokhara.
Combine this trek with the Ghandruk trek to make it a longer and more difficult expedition. This extends the trip to eight days. Continue on from Bhadaure to Birethanti, Ghandruk, the Australian Camp, and Kande.
Best season to Trek
The peak trekking seasons in Nepal are autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May). The Panchase trek, on the other hand, is a good winter trek because it does not ascend too high, and the mountain views in December and January can be especially good around Pokhara.
Getting there and back
The Panchase trek starts and ends in Pokhara. The simple itinerary requires a vehicle pick-up at the end, but some variations would allow you to walk all the way back to Pokhara.
Map
