1 daysEasy4,130 mAnnapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour — 1 Day
From / person
$900
TrekModerate
Panchase Trek
4 days2,500 mFrom PokharaBest: Oct–May
Photo by Nishess Shakya on Pexels
01 / 08
Duration
4 days
From
$590/person
Max Altitude
2,500 m
Difficulty
Moderate
Starts
Pokhara
Group Size
2–10 People
Stay
Tea House / Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Best Season
Oct–May
4.9 NMA-licensed guides Secure Stripe checkout Reserve now, pay later
Trip Highlights
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
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.
Day-by-Day Itinerary(4 days)
Altitude Profile
Peak: 2,500 m · Day 3After 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.
1,520 m3 hrs10 kmLunch & DinnerTea House
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.
What's Included
Included
- 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
Not Included
- 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
Pickup
Pokhara or Kathmandu: where should we pick you up?
This trip begins in Pokhara, Nepal’s lakeside trekking town. Most international flights land in Kathmandu, about 200 km away (25 minutes by plane or 6 to 8 hours by tourist bus), so you can either make your own way to Pokhara or let us collect you in Kathmandu.
Pickup in Pokhara
Trip starts hereAlready in Pokhara? We collect you from your hotel at no charge.
- Pokhara hotel pickupFrom any hotel in Pokhara, Lakeside included.Free
- Pokhara airport pickupWe quote
- Pokhara tourist bus park pickupWe quote
Pickup in Kathmandu
Landing in Kathmandu? We meet you at the airport or your hotel and get you to the start.
- Kathmandu international airport (on arrival)Includes getting you to Pokhara by tourist bus or flight. The price depends on your arrival, so we confirm it with you.We quote
- Kathmandu domestic airportWe quote
- Kathmandu hotel pickupIncludes getting you to Pokhara by tourist bus or flight. The price depends on your arrival, so we confirm it with you.We quote
- Kathmandu tourist bus park pickupWe quote
Hotel in the city
- No hotel, I will book my own$0
- Pokhara: tourist standard guest houseWe quote
- Pokhara: 3-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
- Pokhara: 4-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
- Pokhara: 5-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
Prices are per person and added to the trip price when you book. “We quote” means the price depends on your flight time and hotel, so our team confirms it with you before the trip. It is never added to your payment without asking.
Best Time to Go
Spring (Mar–May)
Rhododendrons and wild orchids in full bloom with warm days and good mountain views — one of the best times to walk the Panchase ridge.
Low: 6°C High: 20°C None at trek altitude
Summer / Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Lush and green but wet, with muddy, slippery trails, leeches and clouds often hiding the peaks. Walkable but not ideal.
Low: 14°C High: 24°C None
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
The clearest skies of the year and crisp, stable weather deliver the sharpest Himalayan panoramas — the most popular season.
Low: 4°C High: 18°C Rare
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold but often clear, with quiet trails and excellent visibility. Mornings are chilly and occasional light snow can dust the ridge.
Low: -2°C High: 12°C Occasional light dusting
Permits Required
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
NPR 3,000 (about US$23)Required for all foreign trekkers as Panchase lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area; SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,000.
TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System)
NPR 2,000 (about US$15)Commonly required and arranged through your agency; trekking with a licensed guide is now mandatory.
All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.
What to Pack
Merino or synthetic base layers — two sets, one worn one drying
Fleece or light insulated mid-layer
Waterproof shell jacket
Trekking trousers (not jeans, not cotton)
Sun hat and sunglasses — UV is fierce above the treeline
A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Frequently Asked Questions
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