Panch Pokhari
In Nepali: पाँचपोखरी
Panch Pokhari ('five lakes') lie in a high basin under the Jugal Himal in northern Sindhupalchok. Like Gosaikunda, they are sacred to Shiva and draw pilgrims at the August full moon; the rest of the year they are nearly empty.
The trek from Chautara or Melamchi takes about a week through Tamang and Sherpa villages, rhododendron forest and high pastures. Facilities are limited, so many groups camp. The area is a Ramsar wetland.
What to see and do
Visit the five lakes and their small shrines, climb nearby ridges for close views of Jugal Himal and Dorje Lakpa, and walk through Tamang and Sherpa villages with monasteries on the way. The festival at Janai Purnima brings pilgrims and jhankri shamans.
Good to know
Facilities are basic; a guide and camping support are recommended. The weather is unsettled in the monsoon, and there is snow at the lakes from December to March.
Quick answers
- Where is Panch Pokhari?
- Panch Pokhari is in Sindhupalchok district, Bagmati Province, in the Himal belt of Nepal.
- What is the altitude of Panch Pokhari?
- About 4,100 m (13,452 ft) above sea level.
- How much does it cost to visit Panch Pokhari?
- For a 10-day trip from Kathmandu, about NPR 58,500 (≈ US$435) per person on a budget, or NPR 79,500 (≈ US$590) with standard hotels and private transport — for two foreign visitors sharing, including transport, stay, food, entry fees, a guide and porter. Nepali visitors on a budget: about NPR 29,000 per person. These are estimates; adjust them in the trip planner.
- How many days do I need for Panch Pokhari?
- Plan 8 nights there for the trek; with travel from Kathmandu and back, about 10 days in all.
- Do I need a permit or ticket for Panch Pokhari?
- Foreign visitors pay about NPR 3,000 / US$22 to enter Langtang National Park (SAARC visitors about half, Nepali citizens a small fee).
- Do I need a guide for Panch Pokhari?
- Yes, for foreign trekkers: since 2023 a licensed guide is required in Nepal’s national parks and conservation areas. Nepali trekkers may go on their own.
- When is the best time to visit Panch Pokhari?
- Janai Purnima (August); October–November; April–May
- How do I get to Panch Pokhari?
- About a week's trek from Chautara or Melamchi. It is about 53 km (straight line) from Kathmandu.
- What is Panch Pokhari called in Nepali?
- पाँचपोखरी
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