Five glacial lakes of PanchPokhari at 4,100m in Sindhupalchowk, Nepal

Langtang

PanchPokhari — The Five Sacred Lakes of Sindhupalchowk

Five glacial lakes at 4,100m in Sindhupalchowk, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, and one of Nepal's best-kept trekking secrets. Quiet trails, mountain panoramas, and a silence that stays with you long after you descend.

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Typical duration

3-4 days

Difficulty

Moderate

Maximum altitude

4,100m

Best season

March-May, September-November

Find your way

Location & Map

Map showing the route from Kathmandu to Chimti, Sindhupalchowk

Plan the journey

How to Get There

The journey to PanchPokhari begins long before you reach the mountains. It starts in the noisy streets of Kathmandu and ends in Chimti — a small, weathered town in Sindhupalchowk that quietly serves as the gateway to one of Nepal's most sacred treks.

Starting Point: Shiva Chowk, Gokarneshwor (Jorpati), Kathmandu

Bus Route (Public Transport):
Kathmandu (Jorpati) → Sankhu → Jarsing Pauwa → Jarekhola → Melamchi → Tipeni → Dhap → Manekharka → Chimti

Total Distance: approximately 70–75 km

Bus Timings (Kathmandu to Chimti):
- 6:20 AM (highly recommended — gives you the full day ahead)
- 8:20 AM
- 11:20 AM

**Bus Timings (Chimti to Kathmandu):**
- 8:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM

Bus Fare: USD 5–7 / GBP 4–6 per person (NPR 600–800) — fare varies slightly by season.

By Motorbike:
For those who prefer the road over the bus seat, riding your own motorbike is a popular and affordable option for two travelers. We rode a Pulsar NS200 ourselves, and the journey took around 8 to 9 hours. The roads are smooth and scenic until Melamchi, after that, the ride becomes rough, narrow, and dusty, with limited fuel stops. Plan carefully if you ride. The freedom, however, is worth every bump.

A realistic pace

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Kathmandu to Chimti

The adventure begins at Shiva Chowk in Jorpati. Board an early morning bus (the 6:20 AM is highly recommended) and settle in for a 4–5 hour ride north through the foothills of Sindhupalchowk. The road climbs steadily past small towns and terraced fields. By the time you reach Chimti in the late afternoon, the air will be noticeably cooler. Overnight at a local teahouse in Chimti. Approximate cost: USD 20 / GBP 16 (NPR 2,400) — includes bus fare, food, and accommodation.

Day 2

Chimti to Chokar Danda

After an early breakfast, the trail begins its real climb. The route passes through Deurali and Tuppi Danda — small ridges with scattered teahouses where trekkers usually stop for dal bhat and a cup of black tea. The air thins slowly. Prayer flags begin to appear. By the time you reach Chokar Danda, the surrounding peaks have opened up around you. Overnight at a small teahouse at Chokar Danda. Approximate cost: USD 11 / GBP 9 (NPR 1,300) — includes food and stay.

Day 3

Chokar Danda to Panchpokhari and back to Noshyampati

This is the longest and most rewarding day. The trail climbs gently through alpine meadows before reaching Noshyampati, the final resting point before the sacred lakes. From here, the path becomes a slow ascent across moraine ridges, with views of Langtang Lirung and the Jugal Himal range opening up on either side. By afternoon, you arrive at PanchPokhari itself; five emerald glacial lakes scattered across a high plateau, with a small Lord Shiva temple on the shore of one of them. The silence here is profound. Take time. Sit by the water. Pray, if that is your way. After spending a few hours exploring, photographing, and absorbing the stillness, descend back to Noshyampati for the night. Walking time: approximately 6-7 hours to the lakes. Approximate cost: USD 11 / GBP 9 (NPR 1,300) — includes all food and accommodation.

Day 4

Noshyampati

Wake early for the final descent. The trail back to Chimti is mostly downhill and quicker than the climb up. You'll pass Chokar Danda, Tuppi Danda, and the small villages of the lower valley, each with its own teahouses and welcoming locals. By mid-afternoon, you reach Chimti, where you can either catch an evening bus back to Kathmandu or stay overnight and ride out the next morning. Approximate cost: USD 12–14 / GBP 10–11 (NPR 1,400–1,600) — includes food and stay.

Day 5

Chimti to Kathmandu

Board a morning bus (8:00 AM, 11:00 AM, or 1:00 PM options) for the return journey to Kathmandu. By early evening, you will be back in the capital — tired, dusty, but changed by what you have seen at altitude. Approximate cost: USD 10 / GBP 8 (NPR 1,200) — bus fare and food for the day.

Know before you go

Budget & Costs

Expense	Typical cost	Notes
Bus fare (Kathmandu ↔ Chimti)	USD 10–14 / GBP 8–11	Trip, public bus
Food (per day)	USD 8–10 / GBP 6–8	Standard teahouse meals
Teahouse accommodation (per night)	USD 3–5 / GBP 2–4	Basic but clean
TIMS card	USD 17 / GBP 14	Trekkers' Information Management System; required
Langtang National Park entry	USD 17 / GBP 14	For foreign trekkers
Total (3-4 day solo trek)	USD 110–140 / GBP 90–115	Per person, excluding gear

Where to stay

Accommodation & Food

Accommodation along the PanchPokhari route is exclusively in small family-run teahouses — modest lodges that offer a warm bed, a shared bathroom, and simple home-cooked meals. Standards are basic but clean, and the hospitality you receive is genuine in a way no hotel chain can match.

In Chimti: Several teahouses line the main road. Most have attached (though basic) bathrooms and a small menu of dal bhat, noodles, eggs, and tea. The rooms are simple but comfortable for a first-night rest.

At Chokar Danda and Tuppi Danda: Smaller family-run teahouses with shared bathroom facilities. Nights here are cold — bring your own sleeping bag or ask for extra blankets, and you will sleep soundly to the sound of mountain wind and distant prayer flags.

At PanchPokhari itself: A few small seasonal lodges operate near the lakes during peak months (April to May and September to November). In the off-season, you may need to camp or arrange accommodation in advance. Waking up beside the sacred lakes at sunrise makes any cold night worth it.

Cost: Approximately USD 3–5 / GBP 2–4 per night. Most teahouses include dinner and breakfast in their pricing if you arrive by late afternoon — a small kindness that makes the journey lighter on the wallet.

Prepare properly

Planning & Safety

Permits & Entry

TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System) — approximately USD 17 / GBP 14, available at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or at the trailhead.
Langtang National Park entry permit — approximately USD 13 / GBP 10, required because the route passes through the national park boundaries. Available at the park entrance.

What to Pack

Warm clothing — At least three layers, including a lightweight thermal base, an insulating mid-layer, and a windproof outer shell. Temperatures can drop below freezing at PanchPokhari even in spring and autumn.
Water bottle — A 1-liter insulated bottle to keep your water from freezing at altitude. Hydration is essential.
Trekking poles — Highly recommended for the descent, especially the rocky stretches between Chokar Danda and Tuppi Danda.
Sun protection — Wide-brimmed hat, UV-protection sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. The sun at 4,100m is intense.
Sturdy trekking boots — Broken in before the trek. Ankle support matters on the uneven moraine paths.
Power bank — There is no electricity above Chimti. A 10,000mAh power bank is sufficient.
Cash in NPR — No ATMs or card payments past Chimti. Carry enough Nepali rupees for the entire trek.

Safety

Acclimatize properly — Even though PanchPokhari is reachable in 3–4 days, the altitude gain is significant. Drink water, walk slowly, and tell someone if you feel symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, nausea, dizziness).
Check the weather — Post-monsoon rain can make the moraine paths slippery. The window between monsoon and winter (October–November) is generally the safest.
Travel in pairs if possible — Solo trekking is possible, but having a partner adds safety, especially on the remote stretches above Chokar Danda.
Respect the lakes — PanchPokhari is sacred. Do not swim, do not litter, and observe local customs around the temple. Photography is welcome but ask before photographing pilgrims.
Inform your hotel in Kathmandu — Leave your itinerary and expected return date with your guesthouse. This is standard practice for trekkers in Nepal.

Pro Tips

Take the 6:20 AM bus from Jorpati — It gives you the full first day to acclimatize and avoid the midday heat in the lower valleys.
Carry enough Nepali cash — There are no ATMs or card payments past Chimti. Withdraw cash in Kathmandu or Melamchi before heading up.
Pack for cold, even in October — The temperature at 4,100m can drop below freezing at night. Bring a good down jacket and thermal layers.
Do not skip the sunrise at PanchPokhari — If you can stay near the lakes overnight, the morning light on the glacial water is something you will never forget.
Try the local yak sukuti — A dried yak meat delicacy served at most teahouses along the trek. It is high in protein and a treat after a long day.
Visit during Janai Purnima (August) if you can — This is the most spiritually significant time to visit, when hundreds of Hindu pilgrims gather at the lakes for the sacred festival.

A closer look

Gallery

Solo female trekker smiling on rocky mountain slope covered in red autumn foliage, wearing a Canon camera, with misty Himalayan peaks behind

Lord Shiva temple at PanchPokhari surrounded by colorful Tibetan prayer flags, with rocky stream and misty Himalayan peaks in the background

Steep stone steps leading up through misty Himalayan terrain toward PanchPokhari, with trekkers walking ahead and prayer flags fluttering in the wind

Two trekkers walking along a stone trail with snow-capped Himalayan mountains in the background under a clear blue sky, Sindhupalchowk

Rocky mountain trail along a ridge with autumn vegetation, looking out over distant peaks and low clouds in Sindhupalchowk

From travelers

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