तिम्बुङ पोखरी

Timbung Pokhari

A remote high-altitude lake near the Sikkim border in Panchthar, sacred to Limbu and Hindu pilgrims.

Altitude: -*
Best months: Apr-May, Oct-Nov
Type: Lake
District: Panchthar, Koshi
Permit: None needed

Higher seasonal exposure: snow (Dec-Mar).

Why go

Timbung Pokhari is a high mountain lake in the north-east of Panchthar district, near the long Singalila ridge that forms the border between Nepal and Sikkim. It lies above the tree line in a landscape of pasture, rock and dwarf rhododendron, and is reached only on foot after a drive to the last road heads in the hills east of Phidim.

The lake is a place of pilgrimage for Limbu and Hindu devotees, who make the climb in large numbers around a full-moon festival in the monsoon period, when temporary shelters go up along the route. Outside that time it is a quiet and little-visited place, and walkers will need to be self-sufficient or travel with a local guide and porters.

On clear days the ridges around the lake give wide views over the eastern hills and towards the Kanchenjunga massif. The area is rich in alpine flowers in summer and rhododendron in spring at lower levels, but the weather changes quickly and cloud can roll in within minutes.

History and culture

Timbung Pokhari lies within Limbuwan, and for the Limbu it is a sacred site connected with ancestral deities and with the Mundhum, their body of oral scripture. Hindus also regard the lake as holy, and the pilgrimage brings together shamans, priests and families from across the eastern hills.

Local governments in Panchthar have promoted the lake as a religious and trekking destination, and trails and shelters have been improved in places, but it remains far less visited than the lakes of the Kanchenjunga and Everest regions.

Things to do in Timbung Pokhari

Pilgrimage trek
Walk up from the road head with a local guide, camping or using seasonal shelters.
Festival walk
Join the full-moon pilgrimage for the lake's busiest and most atmospheric days, accepting crowds and wet weather.
Ridge views
Climb the ridges around the lake on a clear morning for views across the far east of Nepal.

Weather and the best time to visit Timbung Pokhari

Weather in Timbung Pokhari

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 clearest months, with cold nights near the lake.
Winter (Dec-Feb): December to February brings snow and freezing conditions; the route is generally not advisable.
Spring (Mar-May): April and May are milder, with rhododendron lower down and changeable afternoons.
Monsoon (Jun-Aug): June to September is wet and cloudy, but this is when the main pilgrimage takes place; expect leeches and slippery trails.

Where to stay

CampingHomestays

Homestays in the lower villages; higher up there are few or no permanent lodges outside the pilgrimage season, so camping is normal.

No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.

Getting there

Drive from Phidim to a road head in the eastern hills of Panchthar, then walk for several days to the lake.

Nearest hub: Phidim

roadReach Phidim on the Mechi Highway, then continue by jeep on rough rural roads to the starting point your guide recommends.
trekFrom the road head, walk up through villages, forest and pasture to the lake over several days.

Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Permits and fees

None needed

No special trekking permit is normally needed. The lake is close to the international border: carry identification and do not cross the ridge into India.

Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.

Risks and conditions

Seasonal risks around Timbung Pokhari

What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.

Snowhigh in a typical yearDec-Mar
Snow and freezing temperatures on the upper route in winter and early spring make the walk difficult and cold.
Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Nepal
Altitudemoderate in a typical yearAll year
The lake lies above 3,000 m. Ascend gradually and descend if altitude symptoms worsen.
Altitude sickness, Wikipedia
Landslidesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain from June to September brings landslides and slips on the rural roads and trails towards the lake, and journeys can be delayed for hours or days.
Panchthar District, Wikipedia

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

Go with a local guide; trails are faint and weather can close in fast.
Carry a tent, warm sleeping bag, stove and enough food for the upper section.
Do not cross the Singalila ridge into Sikkim: there is no official crossing for foreigners here.
Respect offerings and rituals at the lake.

Questions about Timbung Pokhari

Where is Timbung Pokhari?

In north-eastern Panchthar, near the Singalila ridge on the Nepal-India border.

Why do pilgrims visit Timbung Pokhari?

It is sacred to the Limbu and to Hindus, and a large full-moon pilgrimage takes place each year.

How hard is the trek?

It is a remote, high walk of several days with few facilities, best done with a guide.

Is altitude a concern?

Yes, the lake is above 3,000 m; climb gradually.

Nearby

Town or village