Town or village
Bhojpur Bazaar
The hill-top headquarters of Bhojpur district, known across Nepal for its blacksmiths and khukuri knives.
साल्पा पोखरी
Salpa Pokhari
A high sacred lake in the forested hills of northern Bhojpur, revered by the Kirat Rai and reached on foot.
- Altitude
- 3,414 m*
- Best months
- Apr-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Lake
- District
- Bhojpur, Koshi
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Salpa Pokhari is a small high-altitude lake in the north of Bhojpur district, set in forest and pasture close to the ridge that divides the Arun basin from the hills of Solukhumbu. It is one of the most important sacred sites for the Kirat Rai, and also visited by Hindu pilgrims, while trekkers know the area from the old Salpa pass route between the Arun valley and the Solu region.
Reaching the lake means walking, usually for several days through Rai villages, terraced slopes and then dense rhododendron, oak and fir forest. Above the last villages there are few permanent settlements, so groups either use the basic lodges that open seasonally or carry tents and food. The reward is a quiet lake in a ring of forest, with mountain views from nearby ridges on clear days.
Because of its height, nights at Salpa are cold for much of the year, and snow can lie in winter. This is a trip for people who are comfortable on rough trails and with simple conditions, and it is best done with a local guide who knows the paths.
History and culture
For the Kirat Rai, Salpa is closely tied to origin stories and to ancestral figures in their oral tradition, the Mundhum, and many Rai consider it a place of pilgrimage. Shamans and devotees come to make offerings, and a large gathering takes place at a full-moon festival, when the trails fill with pilgrims.
The Salpa pass, or Salpa Bhanjyang, has long been a link for porters and traders between the Arun valley and the Solu Khumbu region, and older expedition and trekking routes towards Everest from the east crossed it. Road building has reduced that traffic, but the pass is still walked.
Things to do in Salpa Pokhari
Pilgrimage trek
Walk up through villages and forest over several days, staying in homestays and seasonal lodges or camping.
Festival visit
Time a visit with the full-moon pilgrimage to see Rai and Hindu devotees at the lake, accepting crowds and busy lodges.
Cross the Salpa pass
Combine the lake with the old walking route between the Arun valley and Solu, with a guide.
Weather and the best time to visit Salpa Pokhari
Weather in Salpa Pokhari
Forecast for 3,414 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Apr-May, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are the most settled months for walking, with clear skies and cold nights.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February can bring snow and freezing nights at the lake; lodges may close.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- April and May have flowering rhododendrons and milder nights, though afternoon cloud is common.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is very wet, with leeches, slippery trails and landslides on the approach.
Where to stay
HomestaysTeahousesCamping
Homestays in the lower villages and a few basic seasonal lodges higher up; many groups camp.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Drive to Bhojpur or to a road head further north in the district, then walk for several days to the lake.
Nearest hub: Bhojpur
- roadReach Bhojpur bazaar by road via the Koshi Highway corridor, then continue by jeep to the furthest road head your guide recommends.
- trekFrom the road head, walk through Rai villages and forest to the lake, usually over several days.
- trekThe Salpa pass trail links the area with the Solu region to the west for longer through-routes.
Permits and fees
None needed
No special permit is normally required for Salpa Pokhari; check locally whether a conservation or municipal fee applies.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Salpa Pokhari
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Altitudemoderate in a typical yearAll year
The lake is above 3,000 m. Ascend gradually, watch for headache and nausea, and descend if symptoms worsen.
Landslidesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain from June to September brings landslides and slips on the access roads and the forest trails to the lake, and journeys can be delayed for hours or days.
Snowmoderate in a typical yearDec-Feb
Winter snowfall can cover the upper trail and the pass, making route-finding hard and nights very cold.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Hire a local guide: trails branch often in the forest and signage is sparse.
- Carry a warm sleeping bag; nights near the lake are cold in every season.
- Treat water and carry purification tablets or a filter.
- Respect offerings and shrines at the lake; do not swim or wash in it.
Questions about Salpa Pokhari
Why is Salpa Pokhari sacred?
It is a major pilgrimage site for the Kirat Rai, linked to ancestral stories in their oral tradition, and is also visited by Hindu devotees.
How long does it take to reach Salpa Pokhari?
Several days of walking from the road head, depending on where you start and the state of the roads.
Is altitude sickness a risk?
Yes, mild altitude symptoms are possible because the lake is above 3,000 m; climb gradually.
Can I trek there without a guide?
Possible for experienced trekkers, but a local guide is strongly advised because trails are confusing and facilities are few.
Nearby
Viewpoint
Tyamke Danda
A forested ridge top above Bhojpur used for sunrise views of the eastern Himalaya and for local pilgrimage.
Trek stop · 2,413 m
Phaplu
A small airstrip town near Salleri, the road head and end point for Pikey Peak and lower Solukhumbu treks.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 1,346 m
Halesi-Maratika Caves
A limestone cave temple in Khotang held sacred by Hindus as Halesi Mahadev, by Buddhists as Maratika, and by the Kirat Rai as an ancestral place.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Bhojpur District, Wikipedia, Kirati people, Wikipedia, Nepal Tourism Board