Trekking: Panchpokhari – Gancherpo Base Camp

• Words and pictures: Sanjeev Gurung

Hardly can there be anyone, who has not heard about Panchapokhari of Sindhupalchowk. The number of tourists visiting the Panchpokhari included in the 100 major destinations by the government is on the rise.

A fair is usually held every year, on the day of Janai Purnima at this Panchpokhari, and visitors throng to this site almost throughout the year.

But this time we visited the beautiful tourist areas above the Panchpokhari (five pounds). After walking for three days from Panchapokhari (five ponds) at an altitude of 4065 meters, we reached Gancherpo Base Camp at an altitude of 4900 meters.

We understood the potential of trekking tourism in that area. Here we bring you a wonderful journey from Kathmandu to Panch Pokhari and from Panch Pokhari to Gancherpo Base Camp. We here introduce you to the high mountain and mountain biodiversity seen during the trek, the unique natural beauty, not only the Jugal mountain range that comes across Nakai, but also the beauty of Langsing Valley which can be compared with the Dolomites mountain valley of Italy.

First day

Kathmandu – Bhotang

Today is the first day of our journey. We are going to join the Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality to search for trekking trails to Panch Pokhari-Amayangri and Gancherpo Himal base camp. Excited, we left Kathmandu with a team of five youths working in the tourism sector.

Our first day stay was at Nima Hasina Homestay in BhotangBhotang village is located in ward- 3. Located at an altitude of 1842 meters, this village offers local delicious food as well as Tamang lifestyle.

Second day

Bhotang – Nosyangpati

After the first stop at Bhotang Homestay, the trek starts today, the second day of the trek. Our stay today will be at Nosyangpati. The road to Deurali has not been reached yet.

The trek started from Bhotang. The road is good. After walking for some time, we reached Chimti. This is Tamang village. A man-made waterfall is being built on the hill between Chimti and Deurali. The waterfall will be made on a big cliff by bringing water from the Larke river.

Locals say that there is a plan to build five ponds and a park there. We reached Maijangbu Kharka through the forest. This is also Yak grazing meadow. Then we reached Tupi hill. There are hotels here. After the meal, the heat subsided and we reached Nosyangpati.

There are hotels for accommodation in Nosyangpati. Located at an altitude of 3657 meters, Nosyangpati is suitable for sightseeing. Jugal Himal Range, Dorje Lakpa, Ganchepo Himal can be seen. Below is a panoramic view of the green hills.

Third day

Nosyangpati – Panchpokhari (five ponds)

After walking for about four hours from Nosyangpati, you reach five pounds. From the Panchpokhari, one reaches a place made of large boulders to the south called Dhaeka.

Before reaching the five ponds, you have to make seven turns. The seven turns are the turns made by making a path that allows you to walk uphill. After the ascent, we reach Laurie Vinayak.

In particular, the place where the stick is put at rest is called Laurie Binayak. The five ponds or Panchpokhari is located at a height of 4065 meters. A big fair is held in this place on the day of Janai Purnima. Temples, lodges, hotels, public toilets have been built here. This place is located in ward no-3. There are five ponds in panchapokhari.

It is a sacred religious site for Buddhists and Hindus. The source of the river Indravati is Panchpokhari. The pond is called Bhairav ​​Kund, Saraswati Kund, Surya Kund, Ganesh Kund and Nag Kund. This area is mentioned in Skandha Purana (Hindu religious epic).

On the days of Thuli Ekadashi and Janapurnima, a grand fair is held at Panch Pokhari site in which hundreds of devotees throng. Buddhists consider this place to be the land of asceticism by Mahaguru Padmasambhava, Mahayogi Milarepa, Ama Yangri and the eternal incarnation of Lama Guru.

Fourth day

Panchpokhari-Chhayaksal (4473 m)

The trekkers usually reach  Panchpokhari (five ponds) and return. But our destination is not five ponds, but move further for two days more to reach Langsing Valley. The day we walked through the five ponds we reached Chaksal.

At an altitude of 4473 meters, Chaksal is a sheep herd ground. The road to get here is fine. You have to go up and down. You can reach this place by crossing small passes and ravines. From the road, you can see the range of Jugal Himal all day long.

You reach here by crossing small streams holding on to the bushes. Chaksal is also the first camping site on this trail. There is also a small pond here.

Fifth day

Chyaksal-Langsing Valley (4055 m)

Today is the fifth day we reach our destination Langsheng Valley. After crossing 4590 meters pass from Chyaksal, we reached Langsing Valley. The pass offers views of Ganchepo Himal, Jugal Himal Range and Langsing Valley.

There are waterfalls in Langsing Valley. It can be understood that it is called Jor Jharna because it is close to it There are also other small waterfalls. It is a wide, picturesque valley.

This is exactly the pastureland of the sheep. Seating in the lap of Ganchhorpo Himal, all the fatigue of reaching this valley is forgotten. When we reach here, we experience the most beautiful place in Europe, Dolimiti in Italy.

We stayed in Langsing Valley for two days. Our aim was to find a trail to reach the base camp of Gancherpo Himal. Since we have been climbing this mountain through Langtang area till now, we tried to find the climbing route through Panchpokhari -five ponds.

According to the same plan, we managed to set up a ‘Gancherpo Base Camp’ near the southern snow river of Gancherpo Himal. On the sixth day, we headed southwest and reached the height of 4900. On the seventh day, we reached the base camp at an altitude of 4900 meters to the south.

Seventh day

Langsing Valley-Semthang Sidi (4503 m)

After passing the base camp of Ganchepo Himal and returning to Langsing Valley, we traveled for two hours and reached Semthang Sidi. Semthang Sidi at an altitude of 4503 meters is also a sheep pasture. From here, panoramic views of Ganchepo Himal and Jugal Himal range can be seen. It is a pleasure to see the green hills below.

Eighth day

Semthang Sidi – Pedale Dhunga (4082 m)

On the eighth day, we started from Semthang Sidi towards Peda. The road is full of fun. The journey is enjoyable by observing the wide meadows, Chauleni ponds, and mountain groves. There is a cave in Pedale. Trekkers can also take shelter in the same cave. The scarecrow was seen in abundance.

Ninth day

Pedale Dhunga-Dragon Cave – Pedale Dhunga

Today, on the ninth day of our journey, we walked from Pedale to Dragon Cave. The trip also provided an opportunity to visit another place to visit – Dragon Rock and Dragon Cave.  Dragon Sheila and Dragon Cave are other attractions of this trekking trail.

Tenth day

Pedale Dhunga – Gildangfu (4270 m)

The road from Peda to Gildangfu is very difficult. The forest road was also a problem because of the cliffs. Gildangphu is a regular trekking route from Ganjala Pass. This is also a large space. Here too we have to stay in the camp.

Gildangphu was very tiring after walking continuously for 10 hours on the 10th day. It was very difficult to walk through bamboo groves.

Eleventh day

Gildangfu – Ama Yangri – Chomathang (3126 m)

The last stop of this trek is Chomathang. From Gildangphu, one reaches Chomathang via Dupu, Ama Yangri. There is a Guru Rimpoche cave in Dupu. This is important for Buddhists. Kathmandu can be reached in 7 hours directly from Chomathang.

Another attraction of this trek is Ama Yangri. Ama  Yangri is a three thousand seven hundred and seventy-one-meter high hill. From here, there are more than two dozen mountains are seen including Dorje Lakpa, Ganesh Himal, Langtang Snow Range, Gaurishankar Snow Range, Bhairav ​​Takura, Galgen Peak, Yangri Himal, Kimsung, Bhemdang Himal, Urkuma Himal, and Yansa Chenji Himal. It is believed that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and Miley Reppa stepped on Ama Yangri and went to Tibet.

Buddhists and Hindus believe that salvation can be attained by stepping on this hot land where Guru Padma Sambhav had performed penance. Thus, entering the Panchpokhari- five ponds- of Sindhupalchowk from the village, passing through the famous five ponds, and the beautiful Langsing Valley, we reached Shermathang of Helambu on the 11th day from Ama Yangri.

On the 12th day, we reached Kathmandu again. This trekking is a short journey from Kathmandu to the lap of the mountains. Another thing is that this trekking trail is suitable for religious and sightseeing purposes too.