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Start & finish
Pokhara
The trek starts at the Lakeside boat station on Phewa Lake.
Traveller tip
Our suggestion: leave early to enjoy the calm water before the afternoon breeze.
Source ↗
Trek from Pokhara
Panchase Trek
Cross Phewa Lake by boat and climb the forested Panchase hills for a sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, a quiet trek that starts at your hotel door.
3 daysModerate2,517 m
FromUS$ 300per person · based on 2 travellers
- No payment online, we confirm first
- Written quote with everything included
Boat landing
Anadu shore
The quiet southern shore of Phewa Lake, where the trail begins.
Traveller tip
Our suggestion: look back at the lake as you climb, the views grow with every step.
Source ↗Night 1 · Sleep here
Bhumdi
A hillside village above Phewa Lake with homestays and wide valley views.
Traveller tip
Our suggestion: try the home-cooked dal bhat and ask your host about village life.
Source ↗Night 2 · Sleep here
Panchase Bhanjyang
The saddle below the summit, where the trails from all sides of Panchase meet.
Sunrise summit
Panchase Danda
A forested sacred summit with a small temple and five ponds, looking at Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.
Traveller tip
Our suggestion: respect the temple area and stay a while after sunrise as the light changes.
Source ↗Road end
Ghatichhina
A village on the road on the eastern side of the Panchase hills.
Overview
Why choose the Panchase Trek?
- Sunrise from Panchase DandaAnnapurna, Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri from a 2,517 m forested summit.
- Boat across Phewa LakeThe trek starts on the water, straight from Lakeside.
- Forest and village trailsRhododendron and oak forest, terraced farms and few other trekkers.
- Homestay nightsTwo nights in village homestays and lodges, with home-cooked food.
Panchase is the green hill range on the far side of Phewa Lake. Its top, Panchase Danda (about 2,517 m), looks north over the whole Annapurna range and west to Dhaulagiri, and south over the lake and Pokhara valley. It is a sacred place with a small temple and five ponds that give the hill its name.
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The trek begins with a boat ride across Phewa Lake from Lakeside, then climbs through villages and forest to Bhumdi and on to Panchase Bhanjyang. Trails are quiet, homestays are simple and welcoming, and there is no need for a long drive to reach the mountains.
On the last morning you hike to the top for sunrise, then descend through Ghatichhina to the road, where your vehicle brings you back to Pokhara.
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 1Boat across Phewa, hike to Bhumdi
Meet your guide at Lakeside and cross Phewa Lake by wooden boat to the Anadu shore. Climb through farmland and forest, with the lake below you, to the village of Bhumdi. An easy first day with time to enjoy the views back over Pokhara.
- StayHomestay, Bhumdi
- MealsLunch · Dinner
Day 2Bhumdi to Panchase Bhanjyang
A longer day on quiet ridge trails through villages and rhododendron and oak forest, gaining height towards Panchase Bhanjyang, the saddle below the summit. Evenings are cool and peaceful, far from the city.
- StayLodge or homestay, Panchase Bhanjyang
- MealsBreakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 3Sunrise on Panchase Danda, back to Pokhara
Hike about an hour before dawn to Panchase Danda for sunrise over Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre, and visit the small temple and ponds. Return for breakfast, then descend to Ghatichhina, where your vehicle waits for the drive back to Pokhara.
- StayYour hotel in Pokhara
- MealsBreakfast · Lunch
Good to know
Details before you book
What’s included9
- Boat from Lakeside across Phewa Lake
- Private vehicle Ghatichhina → Pokhara
- Licensed, English-speaking local guide (food, lodging, insurance and salary)
- Trekking paperwork and local entry fees on the route
- 2 nights in homestays or lodges (twin-sharing rooms)
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek, with tea or coffee
- Complimentary drinking water
- First-aid kit carried by your guide
- Government taxes and service charge
Not included7
- Travel insurance (must cover trekking at this altitude and rescue)
- Hotel and meals in Pokhara before and after the trek
- Porter (optional add-on: one porter carries up to 20 kg for 2 trekkers)
- Hot showers, device charging and Wi-Fi in teahouses (paid locally)
- Drinks, snacks and personal expenses
- Tips for guide and porter (appreciated, not compulsory)
- Extra costs from weather, landslides or leaving the trek early
What to bring17
Clothing
Footwear
Gear
Personal
Before you go6
Best time
October–May for clear views; March–April for rhododendron blooms. Monsoon months are wet and cloudy.
Difficulty
Moderate. 3–6 hours of walking a day on village and forest trails with some steep stone steps.
Permits
Panchase lies outside the Annapurna Conservation Area; no trekking permit is usually needed. Your guide handles any local fees.
Accommodation
Village homestays and simple lodges with shared bathrooms. Hot water can be limited, ask your host.
Altitude
The highest point is about 2,517 m; altitude sickness is not a concern.
Phone & internet
Mobile signal on most of the route; Wi-Fi is rare.
Questions travellers ask5
Is Panchase busy?
No. It is one of the quietest treks near Pokhara, which is exactly why many travellers choose it.
Can we shorten it to two days?
Yes. Drive to Panchase Bhanjyang on day one and walk up for sunrise the next morning. Ask us for a two-day quote.
What if it is cloudy at sunrise?
Clouds can hide the peaks. Your guide will suggest the best timing; add a night if seeing the view matters most to you.
Is the boat ride safe?
Boats cross Phewa Lake every day; life jackets are available and your guide chooses the crossing time with the weather.
How do I book and pay?
Send an enquiry. We confirm availability and send a written quote on WhatsApp, including the advance needed to secure your dates and the payment terms.
Ready for Panchase Trek?
Tell us your dates and group size. We reply on WhatsApp with availability and a clear written quote.