A one- or two-day walk from Kande near Pokhara to Australian Camp, a grassy viewpoint at about 2,060 m facing the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre, returning via Dhampus and Phedi.
- Days
- 2 days
- Maximum altitude
- 2,060 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
Pokhara & Annapurna, Pokhara
Panchase Trek
A two- to three-day walk from Pokhara to Panchase (about 2,517 m), a forested hill with a temple and pond west of Phewa Tal, with views of Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre.
- Days
- 2-4
- Max altitude
- 2,517 m
- Distance
- about 24 km
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Best months
- Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Start / end
- Bhadaure (by road from Pokhara); alternatives Ghatichhina or Bhumdi / Bhumdi and Phewa Tal (boat or road to Pokhara)
- Sleep in
- Teahouses, Homestays
- Permits
- 1 required
Overview
Panchase is a forested hill on the meeting point of Kaski, Parbat and Syangja districts, west of Phewa Tal. The Panchase trek climbs from road heads near Pokhara to the saddle village of Panchase Bhanjyang (about 2,050-2,070 m), with a pre-dawn walk of about an hour to the summit at about 2,517 m for sunrise over Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas, Machhapuchhre and Manaslu.
The route stays outside the Annapurna Conservation Area, in the Panchase Protected Forest, known for its orchids and spring-fed streams. It passes Gurung and Brahmin-Chhetri villages and can finish on foot at Bhumdi and the shore of Phewa Tal, crossing the lake by boat to Lakeside.
Sunrise over Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and MachhapuchhreTemple and pond on the summitOrchid-rich protected forestFinish on the shore of Phewa Tal
Why it is rated easy
- Walks of 2-6 hours a day on village and forest trails
- A pre-dawn climb of about 450 m to the summit
- A long descent of about 1,200 m to Bhumdi
Elevation profile
About altitudeSleeping altitude for each night. The dashed lines at 3,000 m and 4,000 m mark heights where altitude illness becomes more common. General information only, not medical advice.
Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to see each day. Shaded columns are acclimatisation days.
Show the profile as a table
| Day | Overnight | Sleeping altitude | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panchase Bhanjyang | 2,070 m | - |
| 2 | Bhumdi | 1,300 m | 2,517 m |
| 3 | Pokhara | 822 m | - |
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Drive to Bhadaure, walk to Panchase Bhanjyangsleep 2,070 m2-3 habout 6 km
About 1-1.5 hours by road to Bhadaure (about 1,650 m), then a walk of about 6 km through villages and forest to the lodges at Panchase Bhanjyang. Sunset from the viewpoint near the saddle.
Teahouse or homestay at Panchase BhanjyangAbout Panchase Bhanjyang
Day 2Panchase summit at dawn, down to Bhumdisleep 1,300 m5-6 habout 16 km
Climb about an hour to the summit, the temple and the Panchase pond for sunrise, return for breakfast, then descend through forest and villages to Bhumdi above Phewa Tal.
Guesthouse or homestay in Bhumdihigh point Panchase summit, 2,517 m
Day 3Bhumdi to Phewa Tal and Pokharasleep 822 m1.5-2.5 habout 4 km
Walk down to the southern shore of Phewa Tal and cross by boat to Lakeside, or take a road back to Pokhara. Bhumdi is close to the World Peace Pagoda ridge.
Hotel in Pokhara
Stages, times and altitudes vary by operator, weather and pace. Partner agencies confirm the exact plan.
Route map
Trail geometry from OpenStreetMap.
Permits
No conservation-area permit reported for the standard routeOther
Panchase is outside the Annapurna Conservation Area and in the Panchase Protected Forest; no trekking permit is reported for Bhadaure, Panchase and Bhumdi. An ACAP permit is needed if you extend the walk to Australian Camp or Mardi Himal.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Panchase trek, Nepal: itinerary and route, Travelling Mandala. Guide rule: Nepal bans solo trekking for tourists, guides mandatory from April 1 (The National, March 2023).
Nepal trekking permits explainedWhen to go
Best months: Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- September to November: October to mid-December gives the clearest views.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February: cold nights and frost on the top, but often clear mornings.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May: rhododendrons and orchids flower in the forest; views become hazier by May.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August: wet forest trails with leeches and few views.
Weather on the route
Forecasts for start (Panchase Bhanjyang, 2,070 m), end (Pokhara, 822 m). Mountain weather changes fast; check again on the day.
Weather in Panchase Bhanjyang (start)
Forecast for 2,070 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Pokhara (end)
Forecast for 822 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Safety
This route stays below about 2,500 m, so altitude illness is unlikely, but insurance that covers trekking and evacuation is still sensible. This is general information, not medical advice.
The summit climb is in the dark; bring a headlamp and keep to the main path.
The long descent to Bhumdi is hard on knees; use poles and take it slowly.
What to pack
- Headlamp for the sunrise climb
- Warm layer for the summit
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Rain jacket outside the dry season
- Cash for lodges and the boat
Side trips and alternatives
World Peace Pagoda
On the ridge above Phewa Tal near Bhumdi; an easy detour on the last day.
Extend north-east along the ridge for a 4-day walk; ACAP permit needed.
Finish by boat across the lake to Lakeside.
Panchase questions
How many days is the Panchase trek?
Two to three days from Pokhara, or four if you continue to Australian Camp and Dhampus.
How high is Panchase?
The summit is about 2,517 m; Panchase Bhanjyang, where most people sleep, is about 2,050-2,070 m.
Do I need a permit for the Panchase trek?
No trekking permit is reported for the standard route, which is outside the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Where does the Panchase trek start?
Usually at Bhadaure, Ghatichhina or Bhumdi, all reached by road from Pokhara.
Similar treks
A short overnight walk from Phedi near Pokhara to the Gurung village of Dhampus (about 1,650 m), with homestays and sunrise views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas.
- Days
- 2 days
- Maximum altitude
- 1,650 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
A low, short village walk in the hills east of Pokhara, via Kalikasthan, Syaklung and Chisapani to Begnas Lake, named after a 1980 trek by the then Prince Charles.
- Days
- 4 days
- Maximum altitude
- 1,730 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
Editorial draft: altitudes, permits and rules are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Panchase trek, Nepal: itinerary and route, Travelling Mandala, Panchase, Saarang, The Dhampus trek in Nepal's Annapurna region, Much Better Adventures
Panchase · 3 days