Annapurna Panchase Trekking

Trip Overview

Annapurna Panchase Trekking is an off-the-beaten-track trekking destination in the Annapurna Region. The total length of this trip is merely 12 days long. The altitude gains in this trek are quite mild. This makes Annapurna Panchase a remote trek which is also quite easy to complete.

This trek from The Great Adventure Treks takes you will get to some classic villages in the Annapurna Region like Ghandruk, Landruk, Thu, Kharka etc. These wonderful villages are beautifully placed in low altitudes. You can also get staggering views of the Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri from these villages.

Annapurna Panchase trek starts after a cultural tour of Kathmandu valley. Here you can as you visit some UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, and Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Squares.

Your first glimpses of the mountains in the Annapurna Region will be during a 25-minute scenic flight to Pokhara from Kathmandu. You will start your trek from Pokhara itself.

From there, you will trek along a variety of climatic conditions, vegetation, and cultures. You will encounter a variety of vegetation during this trek ranging from temperate forests, the terraced rice fields and to the alpine region offering.

The walk through these villages in the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) region will especially be delightful in the spring season. This is because the rhododendron forests glow with a reddish hue in the spring season.

One of the best parts of the trek is the hike from Landruk village to the Australian Camp. Australian Camp is a picturesque spot on a large meadow. From here, you can experience panoramic views of the Himalayan range of mountains from Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri to Manaslu.

The views of sunrise amidst these mountains from Australian Camp is quite mesmerizing.

Panchase Danda is the most beautiful point for mountain viewing in this trek. You can see panoramic views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu and Mt.Machhapuchhre (the Fish Tail) from Panchase Danda.

Panchase is also a pilgrimage place for the local of all Annapurna area. During the festival of Tamu-Lhosar Bhadaure Panchase, people all around gather to Panchase. The locals pray and pay respects to their deceased ancestors by making offerings to the local deities and mountain spirits.

Interactions with these locals of Gurung villages like Ghandruk and Landruk will also give you a very good understanding of the Gurung culture of this region.

You can also get to enjoy the great touristic vibe in Pokhara after the completion of the trek. You will also get to walk in the cool periphery of Phewa lake or experience some boating the lakes of Pokhara. You will also get some taste of the exhilarating caves in Pokhara.

Annapurna Panchase Trek by The Great Adventure Treks is for trekkers of different types of experience and almost all age groups. The towering mountains, lush forests, ancient culture, flora and fauna of this region away from the busy hum of other treks in this region makes it a cool experience.

Best Time for Annapurna Panchase Trek

The best time to complete the Annapurna Panchase Trek Autumn (September, October, and November), Spring (March, April, and May), and Winter (December, January, and February).

Annapurna Panchase Trek sees the maximum number of trekkers in autumn and spring. You can enjoy wonderful views of mountains as well as the beauty of the picturesque villages in these two seasons.

As the trek is in low altitude villages of the Annapurna Region, winter (December, January, and February) is also a very good time to come to this trek. Clear mountain views and low rainfall makes winter trek to Annapurna Panchase wonderful.

Good trekking equipment like trekking boots with form grip, raincoats, and umbrellas will help you to enjoy the Annapurna Panchase in the summer season as well. With some chances of rainfall in the summers, you must be flexible in your timings of the trek.

Main Attractions of Annapurna Panchase Trek

Trek through lush rhododendron and orchid forests in the Annapurna Sanctuary.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu
25-minute scenic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
Quaint villages like Panchase, Ghandruk, Landruk, Thulo Kharka etc.
Learn the Gurung culture in these villages.
Mesmerizing views of mountains like Mount Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre during this trek.
A chance to see exotic birds and animals within the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).
Astonishing views of sunrise from Australian Camp.

Annapurna Panchase Trek Difficulty

As the Annapurna Panchase Trek is a relatively short and low altitude trek, it is one of the easier treks in the Annapurna region.

The total length of the Annapurna Panchase Trek is 11 days long. The highest point during this trek is merely 2509 meters in Panchase Hill. So you won’t have to worry at all about altitude sickness.

All the other places and villages during this trek are around or less than 2000 meters in altitude. The number of uphills and downhills during this trek are also lower in comparison to other treks like Annapurna Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Circuit Trek.

So you can complete this trek even without any trekking experience. But preparing by running, jogging, swimming, cycling etc. for a few months will help you complete this trek quite easily.

Outline Itinerary

Detail Itinerary

Cost Included

Cost Excluded

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu1,300m via respective airlines.

Day 02: Half Day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu.

Day 03: Drive to Pokhara 812m 6 - 7hrs

Day 04: Trek to Bhumdi village 1500m

Day 05: Trek to Panchase Bhanjyang 2,200m 5 - 6-hrs walk.

Day 06: Hike to Panchase hill 2,509m and trek to Bhadaure village 1670m,

Day 07: Trek to Bhirethati or Syauli Bazaar 1,200m 5 hours walk.

Day 08: Trek to Ghandruk 1,950m approx 3 - 4 hours walk.

Day 09: Morning free after lunch trek to Landruk 1,500m 2 - 3 hrs.

Day 10: Trek to Australian Camp ( Thulo Kharka) 2,050m approx 4 - 5 hours.

Day 11: Trek to Kande and drive to Pokhara.

Day 12: Drive back to Kathmandu.

Day 13: Transfer to Airport for the International departure.

If you want to extend your trip, please feel free to choose from our DAY TOURS, NEPAL TOURS or Jungle Safaris. here are some trip extensions that might interest you.

Extended Trips

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.

You will arrive at only international airport in Nepal- the Tribhuvan Airport in kathmandu. Our representatives from The Great Adventure Treks will meet you outside the airport terminal. They will transfer you to your hotel and help you check in. Our guide will give you all the relevant information about the hotel you will be staying. He will also brief you about the Annapurnaa Panchase Trek. He will also give you other related information and answer your other quries.

Day 02: Half day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu

Today is the beginning of your exploration of this beautiful country of Nepal. After a sumptuous breakfast in your hotel in the morning, you will go for a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. A fairly modern city- Kathmandu- has a great assimilation of the religious and cultural heritage of its ancient past

Pashupatinath Temple:

Pashupatinath is the largest as well as the most popular Hindu temple in the world. It is thought to be an abode of Lord Shiva. Legends have it that Lord Shiva took the form of a deer in the past and took refuge in the jungle that surrounds this temple. The main temple of Pashupatinath is an impressive square that has a great collection of numerous other temples around it.

Boudhanath Stupa:

Boudhanath is an impressive Buddhist site that lies at the heart of Kathmandu city. This temple was made in the 5th century C.E. This Buddhist site is also known as the Little Tibet as it mirrors the great Tibetan culture. Making rounds of this stupa is one of the most popular activity that people are engaged in inside the premises of this temple.

Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Squares:

Durbar Squares are also some of the most impressive places inside the Kathmandu valley. These two squares- Patan and Kathmandu- were the palaces of the kings of Kathmandu and Patan respectively. The most famous temples inside these squares include Krishna Mandir in Patan and Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu.

Our staff from Great Adventure Treks will transfer you to the airport for a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara this day. This flight will give you the first glimpses of the mountains in the Annapurna region.

On arrival at Pokhara, our staff will receive you at the airport. From there, you will go out for short drive on the outskirt of Pokhara to begin this trekking. A 2-hour walk uphill walk will take you through rice terraces before reaching a ridge. A pleasant hike for another hour so so through Gurung villages with few small uphills and downhills brings you for your overnight stop at Bhumdi village (1500 meters). The hike from Pokhara to Bhumdi village takes about 3 hours.

After breakfast, you will trek through a gradual uphill along the temperate forest of oaks and rhododendron. On your way, you will leave the farm villages behind. Occasionally, you will trek through cool shades of the and meadows with views of the Annapurna ranges. The walk is fairly moderate for few hours. You will have your lunch on the open grass meadows after a 3-4 hr walk.

After lunch, you will embark upon a gradual uphill trek through the woods. Another two hours’ trek through a few uphills and downhills bring you to a small settlement of Panchase Bhanjyang at approx 2,200m altitude. Today’s trek from Panchase to Bhanjyang is 5-6 hours long. Panchase Bhanjyang lies at the base of Panchase hill. The campsite here has a magnificent view of the snow-capped range and of the surrounding landscapes.

Day 05: Hike to Panchase hill 2,509m and to Bhadaure village 1,670m,

After hiking for one - one and a half hour, you will reach Panchase-hilltop (2,509m). This hilltop is perfect for a superb panorama of Mt.Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Mt. Manaslu range. Many pilgrims from nearby villages come to this hill to celebrate the Tamu-Lhosar Bhadaure Panchase festival. You can also see the religious shrine around this spot.

After a wonderful time here, you will continue your journey to Bhadaure village. You will walk through the pristine rainforest till you reach the camp above the village. From this spot, you can have a view of Mt.Dhaulagiri, Mt Annapurna south and Mt Machhapuchhre. You can also stroll around the Gurung village at Bhadaure(1670 meters).

Day 06: Trek to Bhirethati or Syauli Bazar 1,200m 5 hours walk.

Today you will hike to Birethanti or Syauli Bazar (1200 meters) on a 5-hour journey. The trek today is an easy walk that overlooks the views of the snow-capped mountain, terraced farm fields, and fertile valleys passing through several paddy fields. As you come to areas of lower altitudes, the landscapes and climate change into sub-tropical and to more rice paddy field.

After 3 hours walk the trail joins at Nayapul, where most of the Annapurna and Kali Gandaki trek begins. The walk from Nayapul is very gradual as it takes you along a winding trail following the glacial river Modi upstream to camp at Syauli Bazar. Syauli Bazar is a small village at the bottom of Ghandrung village by the Modi River.

Day 07: Trek to Ghandruk village 1,950m.

From Syauli Bazar, the route heads north following the Modi river for a while through several farm villages and waterfalls. After you reach Kimche, you will trek an uphill through stone steps all the way to Ghandruk village(1950 meters). The length of the trek is approx. 3-4 hours walk.

Ghandruk is a large Gurung village in the mid-hills of Annapurna region. Gurungs are an ethnic hill tribe of Tibetan Buddhism sect. Unlike the Tibetan Buddhists of high altitude areas, Gurungs serve as gallant soldiers in Nepal, Indian and British Army.

Day 08: Trek to Landrung / Landruk. 1,640m. 5 / 6 hrs walk.

After breakfast in the morning, you will trek to Landruk (1640 meters). Today’s 5-6 hour trek gives you wonderful views of various waterfalls and mountains like Annapurna South, Himchuli, Fishtail, and other mountains. You will also visit the Annapurna conservation office and museum along the way. Your trek takes you through a steep downhill till you reach Modi Khola. From there, you will climb up steeply about an hour more before you reach Landruk. You will spend your night in this beautiful village of Landruk.

Day 09: Trek to Thulo-Kharka / Australian Camp 2,050m, 5 hours.

The trail from Landrung takes you through villages and terraced fields along windy roads. After trekking for two hours, the trail leads you to a small pass at Deurali ridge 2,150m. From Deurali, you will trek downhill through forests of ACAP with a magnificent view of the Annapurna and Mt.Manaslu range. These mountains will be by your side all the way to the small village of Pothana. This village lies in the midst of the woods overlooking magnificent view of snow-capped mountain range, valleys and Phewa lake in Pokhara.

50 minutes of good walk from Pothana through the cool shades of forests brings you at Thulo Kharka, which is also known as Australian Camp (2230 meters). Overall, the trek to Australian Camp from Landrung is 5-6 hours long. Australian Camp is a wonderful spot with large meadows overlooking magnificent views of the Himalayan range of mountains from Annapurna to Manaslu.

Day 10: Trek to Kande and drive to Pokhara 1 hr walk with 1 hr drive.

After enjoying some fabulous views of the Himalayas from Australian Camp, you will head out to Kande. Today’s trek is the shortest of your journey. It only takes 1 hour to get to Kande(1770 meters) from the Australian Camp. You will trek through an easy downhill will lead to the village of Kande. It lies by the Baglung-Pokhara highway. An hour’s drive from Kande will lead you to your hotel located near Phewa Lake.

Day 11: Drive back to Kathmandu 180 km 5 hrs journey.

On this day, you will drive back to Kathmandu from Pokhara. The route of the bus takes you along the beautiful, scenic hills along with sights of Trisuli and Marsyangdi River. It is also possible for you to catch views of Ganesh Himal and the Manaslu peak during this bus ride. After a ride of 6-7 hours from Pokhara, you will reach Kathmandu.

You can go for some last minute shopping in Thamel to buy some souvenirs or other items you might need. We will also organize a farewell dinner for you for successful completion of your trek.

Day 12: Transfer to Airport for International departure.

Representatives from The Great Adventure Treks will transfer you to the international airport. They will drop you off at the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. Before checking out of the hotel, you need to ensure that you have your confirmed air ticket with you. Don’t forget to keep other necessary travel documents with you as well. We hope that you give us another chance to serve you in the future in case you decide to come to Nepal.

Annapurna – Panchase Trekking - 13 Days

Annapurna Panchase Trekking

Trip Overview

Best Time for Annapurna Panchase Trek

Main Attractions of Annapurna Panchase Trek