Jugal Himal & Panch Pokhari - 19 Days

Day 01: Pick up from Airport and drive to your hotel (1,300m/4,264 ft) Hotel Accommodation.

Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu will be your point of entry to Kathmandu. Representatives from Great Adventure Treks will hold a board that reads “Great Adventure Treks”. This will make it easier for you to meet them outside the airport terminal. You will go to your hotel and check in with their help. You will get all the information about the hotel you will be staying, Jugal Himal and Panch Pokhari Trek, and all other related information from the guide.

Day 02: Half day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. Hotel Accommodation.

Today is a half-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. The exploration of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, will begin after breakfast. The heritage of the ancient culture, relevant architecture, modern buildings as well as temples of the medieval age make it a fantastic place for a sightseeing tour. .

Pashupatinath Temple:

Pashupatinath Temple is a holy Hindu temple. It is perhaps the most famous Hindu pilgrimage site in the world. Lying in the bank of Bagmati river, millions of Hindu devotees come to pay their respects to Lord Shiva in this temple. On the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, the temple is especially full. The main two-stories of the temple is also surrounded by various smaller ones. .

Boudhanath Stupa:

Boudhanath stupa is a holy Buddhist site in Kathmandu. Made in the 5th century C.E, UN recognized it as a World Heritage Site in 1979 A.D. Multiculturalism is abundant in Boudhanath as people of all strifes and backgrounds visit this holy temple. Rotating the prayer wheels here while making a round of the stupa is a favorite activity of the travelers here.

Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Squares:

The residential palaces of the kings of Kathmandu and Patan respectively in the past, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square are impressive. They also have surrounding temples and museums making these places great symbols of the architectural styles of medieval Newari artists and craftsmen. Krishna Mandir and Hanuman Dhoka complex are the most visited places in Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Squares respectively. The respective museums of these places are also equally impressive.

Day 03: Drive to Chautara (1,400 m /4592 ft), trek to Sim Bhanjyang or Syaule (1,500 m /4920 ft) 2 – 3 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

From Kathmandu, you will take a scenic bus drive in the morning along the Kodari highway. As you pass Kathmandu Valley, you will reach Dolalghat where the Sun-Koshi River flows. From Dolalghat, the drive takes towards Chautara leaving the main Kodari road (Kathmandu-Tibet highway). A few hours of drive from here takes you to Chautara. This is a quite a large town-village. If the road is in good condition, you will continue to drive to Syaule. If not, you will trek from Chautata. The trail takes you along a gradual winding path through the hill villages to Sim-Bhanjyang or Syaule. The trek to Sim Bhanjyang or Syaule is 3 hours long.

Day 04: Trek to Kami – Kharka Danda (2,300 m/7544 ft) 4 – 5 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

After a wonderful night on the first camp, you will trek past small farm villages and fields in the morning. You will have to trek on a gentle uphill through oaks and rhododendron forests towards Okrin Danda (ridge). A good walk from the ridge takes you to your overnight camp in a grassy meadow in the midst of the beautiful forest. The camp lies in a place called Kami-Kharka Danda(2300 meters). Today’s trek is 4-5 hours long.

Day 05: Trek to Choyochyo Kharka or Danda (2,800 m/9184 ft ) 5 – 6 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

The trek from here continues on the ridge of Kami danda through beautiful rhododendron and oaks forest. You will get grand views of the surrounding landscapes and of the distant snow-capped peaks along the way. The walk slowly follows the ridge crest to a large Chorten at 3,160m. The path then traverses towards the meadow across the western slopes of Choyochyo Danda. Finally, you will descend towards the overnight camp at Choyochyo Kharka (2,800m). The trek from Kami Danda to Choyochyo Danda is 5-6 hours long.

Day 06: Trek to Bhaise or Hille Kharka (3,700 m /12,136 ft) 4 – 5 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

Today’s walk leads towards a steep climb of the Hille-Bhanjyang ridge. You will trek steadily across the stony and grassy pasture land along the way to the ridge. After crossing the ridge, you will take a downhill path through the cool serene forest. You will cross wet gullies before reaching Chang Samparphu(3,915m). From here, it is a good downhill descend towards the overnight camp at Hill-Bhanjyang. It is also known as Bhaise Kharka (3700 meters). Today’s journey is 4-5 hours long.

Day 07: Trek to Nasimpatti (3,800 m/ 12,464 ft) 3 – 4 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

From the wonderful campsite at Bhaise Kharka, today’s walk leads towards Nasimpatti. After a good walk, the path climbs towards a steep uphill on the hillock. After traversing towards the open ground along the prayer flagstone trail, you will trek to another crest to reach Nasimpatti (3800 meters). Nasimpatti offers stunning views of Jugal Himal range. The trek is 3-4 hours long. You will have your lunch as well as dinner in Nasimpatti.

Day 08: Trek to Panch – Pokhari. (4,160 m /13,645 ft) 3 – 4 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

Today’s trek to Panch- Pokhari will also be fairly short. It takes 3-4 hours to get to Panch Pokhari. You will walk along a steep trail that passes through Lauribinayak Pass before you get to Panch Pokhari. You can see wonderful alpine forest, diverse flora and fauna as well as idyllic villages on your way to Panch Pokhari (4160 meters). Just like yesterday, you will have your lunch as well as dinner in Panch Pokhari.

Day 09: Rest day at Panch – Pokhari for a local hiking and enjoying the lake’s beauty and its surroundings. Tented Camp Accommodation.

Today you will spend your day resting and acclimatizing in Panch Pokhari. Panch Pokhari translates as “ 5 ponds” in the English language. There are 5 ponds in this region. These ponds lie to the northeast of Kathmandu valley and to the west of Rolwaling Himal. These are holy lakes of the Hindus and Buddhists. Panch Pokhari is also an excellent point to a view of the Jugal Himal range, Rolwaling range, Gosainkunda etc.

Day 10: Trek back to Nasimpatti (3,800 m/ 12,464 ft) 3 – 4 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

From Panch Pokhari, you will retrace to Nasim Pati (3700m), The trek back to Nasimpatti takes approximately 3-4 hours. The trek back takes you along a steeply descending path crossing the Lauribinayak Pass.

Day 11: Trek to Yarsa – Kharka (2,530 m/ 8298 ft) 5 – 6 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

From here onwards, the route diverts westwards as you trek past ravines and small streams. After trekking for 5-6 hours, you will get to a good camping site at Yarsa-Kharkasome (2530 meters). Locals also refer to Yarsa-Kharka as Ghai-Kharka.

Day 12: Trek to Yangrima – Khola. (1,400 m/ 4592 ft) 5 – 6 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

The initial part of today’s trek is a descent through a forest of oaks and rhododendrons. The path sometimes can be steep and rough as you will cross a few big rivers. You will then pass through traditional farm villages before descending towards a small steep trail. This trail leads you to a bridge over Panch Pokhari Khola. From here, the route climbs to Hutanbrang. The trail then takes a downhill path to the Larke Khola downstream. You will cross two bridges below Yangri village before you reach your overnight camp after trekking for 5-6 hours.

Day 13: Trek to Laghang Gompa (2,600 m/8528 ft) 5 – 6 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

The trek today to Laghang Gompa continues after you cross a bridge over the Larke and Yangri kholas before you pass through the Yangri village. From here, the path climbs steadily and continues steeply in some places towards the north-west. You will also pass through traditional scattered mid hills farm villages and terraced fields and forests before you reach Gangkharka. From Gangkharka, you will trek uphill to Laghang Gompa(2600 meters). The trek today is 5-6 hours long.

Day 14: Trek to Tarke – Ghyang. (2,560 m /8397 ft) 5 – 6 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

Today’s trek climbs through beautiful forest, before approaching nice pastures, stone houses, scrub growth and cattle path. Finally, you will descend the steep downhill trail that leads to Tarke Ghyang for the overnight camp. The trek to Take Ghyang(2560 meters) is 5-6 hours long. Tarke Gyang is the main village of Helambu region. Tarke Ghyang is also renowned for its famed green apples and the wood carving on furniture and in other household products. This is a village with is home to many cosy houses. It will remind you of high mountain villages in western Nepal. Tarke Gyang is also home to the oldest monastery of the Helambu region. You will also go for a short, energetic hike around the top of the nearby hills. These hills are great spots for viewing the snow-capped peaks and landscapes.

Day 15: Trek to Tharepatti (3,500 m/11,480 ft) 5 – 6 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

After a wonderful time at Tharepati, the trekking route diverts for a descent towards Melamchi Kola. After crossing the river, the path climbs towards Mealmchegaon. Melamchegaon is a nice village in the mid-hills with beautiful wooden carved windows. The trekking trail from here takes you on an uphill path through the forested region for another hour or two before you reach Tharepati (3500 meters) for the overnight camp. The total duration of today’s trek is 5-6 hours. Tharepati lies in the trail for Langtang and Gosaikunda trekking. It is a lovely spot on the high ridge overlooking Jugal Himalayan range in the east and Ganesh-Manaslu in the west. You can also make out the ridge and the trail coming out of Gosainkunda.

Day 16: Trek to Pati Bhanjyang (1,700 m /5576 ft) 6 – 7 hrs, Tented Camp Accommodation.

The trek from Tharepatti to takes you along farm fields, villages and too few forest areas. After trekking for a few hours, you will reach Kutumsang village (2,470m). This village is inhabited by Sherpa and Tamang hill tribes. From Kutumsang, you will trek through a winding path with some ups and downs. You will also cross farm terraces and villages before you reach Pati Bhanjyang/ Gul Bhanjyang (1700 meters) for your overnight camp. Today’s trek is 6-7 hours long.

Day 17: Trek to Chisapani (2300 m/7544 ft) 5-6 hrs, Tented Camp/ Tea House Accommodation.

After trekking for 4-5 hours from Pati Bhanjyang/ Gul Bhanjyang through rural farm villages, you will reach Chisopani. You might encounter a few uphills and downhills along the way. Chisopani is one of the most popular short trekking destinations that is easily accessible from Kathmandu valley. It is a scenic viewpoint with 4-6 teahouses. There is also an Army Camp nearby. Chisapani offers a fantastic view of Jugal Himal range in the northeast and Ganesh Himal-Manaslu and Annapurna range in the west. Apart from the snow peaks, you will also enjoy a lovely view of the surrounding landscapes and valleys down below.

Day 18: Trek to Sundarijal (1,380m) (3-4 hrs) an hour drive to Kathmandu. Hotel Accommodation.

Today is the last day of this beautiful journey. The trail leads you through serene forests and farmlands. After a few hours of gradual walk, you will reach the top of the ridge of Burlang and Chepu Bhanjyang (2,438m). You can have great views of Kathmandu Valley, from this ridge. The trail then descends to Sundarijal ( which literally translates as “ beautiful water”). The trek to Sundarijal is 3-4 hours. It is a lovely spot with a cool patch of forest and fresh streams. Sundarijal is a great picnic spot for most of the residents of Kathmandu valley. You will board a vehicle for the drive to inner Kathmandu from its eastern suburb of Sundarijal. The drive passes through the famed monastery of Boudhanath. This monastery is renowned for its enormous Buddhist Chaitya or Stupa with the ever-present all seeing mystical eyes of Lord Buddha.

Day 19: Transfer to Airport for the International departure.

We will transfer you to the international airport for your flight back home. Approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight, our representatives from Great Adventure Treks will drop you off at the airport. Your confirmed air ticket as well as other necessary travel documents should be with you before you leave for the airport. Great Adventure Treks could also arrange another tour for you in Nepal if you want to.