Panch Pokhari Trek

Also known as Five Sacred Lakes Trek (Sindhupalchok).

Panch Pokhari Trek is a moderate 7-9-day teahouse/camping mix trek in the Langtang region of Nepal, reaching 4,100 m. It starts at Bhotang/Chimti (road head) and ends at Bhotang/Chimti.

Key facts

Region
Langtang (Sindhupalchok)
Duration
7-9 days, 5-7 hours walking per day
Distance
50 km
Maximum altitude
4,100 m
Difficulty
Moderate — A short but steep off-the-beaten-path trek to five sacred lakes at 4,100 m: relentless stone staircases, long 6-8 hour days, and very sparse, basic accommodation (seasonal shelters and homestays, camping often needed). No technical terrain and only moderate altitude, but the lack of infrastructure pushes it above an easy grade; many operators rate it 3-4.
Trek type
Teahouse/Camping mix, out-and-back route
Best season
Autumn (Sep-Nov) and Spring (Mar-May); August for the Janai Purnima festival
Guide
Not mandatory
Restricted area
No
Budget cost
NPR 35,000–60,000
Comfortable cost
NPR 60,000–100,000
Guided cost
NPR 84,000–160,000
Getting there
Kathmandu → Melamchi (paved/mixed, ~3h) → Bhotang → Chimti road head (rough track, ~3-4h); total 6-8h. Some itineraries drive via Chautara instead. Return by the same road, or exit via Tembathang/Chanaute on the loop variant.
Altitude sickness
Moderate: the itinerary climbs from ~1,800 m to sleeping near 4,100 m within three walking days, which is faster than standard acclimatization guidance — watch for AMS at Nasim Pati and the lakes.

Weather

The ridge route is exposed to afternoon cloud and, in monsoon, sustained rain and leeches — yet thousands of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims walk it during Janai Purnima (full moon, usually August), when temporary shelters and food stalls operate. Late autumn and winter nights at Nasim Pati and the lakes are very cold and shelters may be shut; snow can cover the upper trail Dec-Mar.

Permits

Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Chimti (via Melamchi and Bhotang), 0-1 h, 1,800 m — Drive up the Indrawati valley through Melamchi and Bhotang
  2. Day 2: Chimti to Deurali, 4-5 h, 2,650 m — Terraced fields, Tamang and Hyolmo villages, rhododendron forest
  3. Day 3: Deurali to Nasim Pati, 6-7 h, 3,700 m — Forest staircases via Tuppi Danda (2,320 m per one source; ridge profiles vary), waterfalls, first big Jugal Himal views
  4. Day 4: Nasim Pati to Panch Pokhari, 3-4 h, 4,100 m — Arrival at the five sacred lakes and the Shiva shrine; afternoon at the 4,300 m viewpoint for Jugal Himal, Dorje Lakpa and Langtang panoramas
  5. Day 5: Panch Pokhari to Nasim Pati, 3-4 h, 3,700 m — Sunrise over the lakes and Jugal Himal before descending
  6. Day 6: Nasim Pati to Deurali, 5-6 h, 2,650 m — Long staircase descent through the forest
  7. Day 7: Deurali to Chimti/Bhotang, 3-4 h, 1,750 m — Village trails back to the road head
  8. Day 8: Bhotang to Kathmandu, 0 h, 1,400 m — Drive back via Melamchi

More Langtang treks