- Length
- 4 days
- Highest point
- 2,500 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best months
- Oct–May
- Starts
- Pokhara
- Group size
- 2–10 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House / Camp
A short, scenic 4-day forest-and-ridge trek from Pokhara to Panchase Hill (2,500 m) with Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre and Manaslu views — ideal for beginners.
- Boat ride across serene Phewa Lake and visit to the World Peace Pagoda
- Sunrise panorama of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Manaslu from Panchase Hill (2,500 m)
- Lush rhododendron and orchid forest rich in birdlife
- Sacred Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage shrines at the summit
- Authentic Gurung and Magar village culture
- Easy, low-altitude trail ideal for beginners and families
- One of Nepal's most affordable guided short treks
- Quiet, uncrowded alternative to the busier Annapurna routes
The climb, day by day
Day 1Pokhara to Bumdi (1,520 m)1,520 m
After a short boat ride across the tranquil Phewa Lake, the trek begins with a forest climb to the World Peace Pagoda for panoramic views over Pokhara and the Annapurna range. Continuing through shaded oak and rhododendron forest, the trail reaches the quiet hillside village of Bumdi, your base for the first night.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 3 hrs
- Meals
- Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House
Day 2Bumdi to Panchase Bhanjyang (2,030 m)2,030 m
A steady, scenic ascent leads through dense rhododendron and orchid-rich forest alive with birdsong. As the trees thin, the first big mountain views open up across Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna massif, Machhapuchhre and Manaslu. The day ends at Panchase Bhanjyang, a small saddle-village of teahouses below the summit ridge.
- Distance
- 10.5 km
- Walking
- 4 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Panchase Peak (2,500 m) to Bhadaure2,500 m
An early climb to Panchase Hill (2,500 m), the highest point of the trek and a sacred pilgrimage site, rewards you with a sweeping sunrise panorama over the central Himalaya. After exploring the hilltop shrines and sacred pond, descend through forest and farmland to the cultural village of Bhadaure for the night.
- Distance
- 7.5 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4Bhadaure to Naudanda to Pokhara1,430 m
A gentle final morning descends through terraced fields and villages to Naudanda, where a private vehicle meets you for the short scenic drive back to Pokhara, arriving in time for lunch. The trek can also be walked in full to Pokhara for those wanting more trail time.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- 2–3 hrs + drive
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Night
- –
The price includes
- ACAP permit and TIMS card
- Licensed, experienced English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter to carry your main luggage (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- All teahouse/lodge accommodation during the trek
- All meals on trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Phewa Lake boat ride and private vehicle transfer from Naudanda to Pokhara
- Guide and porter wages, insurance, meals and accommodation
- First-aid medical kit
- All applicable government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International airfare and Nepal visa fees
- Accommodation and meals in Pokhara before and after the trek
- Transport between Kathmandu and Pokhara (flight or drive)
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Drinks, snacks, hot showers and Wi-Fi charges at teahouses
- Tips for guide and porter
- Any costs arising from circumstances beyond our control
The Panchase Trek is one of the most rewarding short walks in the Annapurna region, rising gently from the lakeside town of Pokhara into the lush forested ridge of Panchase Hill at 2,500 metres. In just four days you trade the bustle of Phewa Lake for orchid-draped rhododendron forest, terraced Gurung and Magar farming villages, and a sweeping Himalayan skyline that takes in Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna massif, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and distant Manaslu.
Because it never crosses 2,500 metres and follows well-graded trails and jeep tracks, Panchase is perfect for first-time trekkers, families and travellers short on time — yet it still delivers a genuine teahouse-trail experience away from the crowds of the busier Annapurna routes. The hilltop is also a revered Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site, dotted with small shrines and a sacred pond near the summit.
Why trek Panchase?
Panchase packs an outsized variety of landscapes into a compact loop: a boat crossing of Phewa Lake, the World Peace Pagoda, dense biodiversity (Panchase is famous for wild orchids and rich birdlife), and one of the finest sunrise viewpoints near Pokhara. It is also one of Nepal's most affordable guided treks, with no high-altitude acclimatisation required.
Best time to go
Spring (March to May) brings blooming rhododendrons and orchids, while autumn (September to November) offers the clearest mountain views and crisp, stable weather. The trek is walkable year-round, though monsoon trails can be slippery and leech-prone.