Panch Pokhari and Bhairab Kunda

There are many unexplored and unidentified trekking routes in Nepal waiting to be discovered. The old trekking regions like Langtang, Annapurna, Sagarmatha have suffered a heavy impact both environmentally and socially. For instance, Ghandruk or Salleri may not attract more tourists as it used to. These routes are now filled with concrete structures and people hardly maintain their tradition and culture. But, of late, private sector has begun emphasizing and promoting new routes. However, there are only a few such trekking agencies that have taken risk to introduce new trek routes. Panch Pokhari and Bhairab Kunda are two such less explored yet potential new routes. Located in Sindhupalchwok district, Panch Pokhari and Bhairab Kunda are the two popular Hindu pilgrimage destinations of Nepal. However, lack of promotion and knowledge about the place has prevented tourism activity the area. Big festivals take place at Ix the sites every year during June/Jub wherein hundreds of Hindu devotees congregate to take holy dips in the water and pay homage to Lord Shira There is a lot of potentiality in devela ing the areas into tourism spots. The pristine nature, unspoiled culture, splendid scenes of the Himalayan ranges from the closest distance and hospitality make both ideal destinations. The areas are inhabited different ethnic people like Tamangs, Newars, Sherpas, Brahmins, Chettrii Gurungs. There are no teahouses on routes, instead camp trek is operated The routes are entirely free of humai settlement. Inns and Kharkas(small shelters for cattles) are also used duri the trek. The route also offers a pos4 ity of rafting. Organized treks were started in tho route since 1993. The route is best trekking during winter(from end September to end of December) spring (Feb-May) seasons. Stress been given on employing the local
people. Locally grown products like potato, lemon, green vegetables etc are widely used during camp treks.
Panch Pokhari Trek
Panch Pokhari is named after 5 holy ponds of great religious significance. The beautiful Himalayan view and pristine nature with distinct culture is the main attraction of the trek. Located at an altitude of 4,100 meters, Panch Pokhari offers an excellent view of Jugal Himal Range, Rolwaling Range etc. The trek starts from Chautara (1,450m). A general ltinarary Day 1 Kathmandu -Chautara Chautara is a 5-hour bus drive from Kathmandu. It is the district headquarter of Sindupalchowk district. Day 2 Chautara-Sano Okhareni(1,965m) It is about 5 hours uphill walk to Sano Okhareni from Chautara through small village settlements. Camping will be nearby the pine forest offering a perfect mountain view. Day 3 Sano Okhareni-Kami Kharka(2,810m) One hour walk from Sano Okhareni will reach you Thulo Okhareni from where it will take at least 4 hours through dense rhodo-dendron and pine forests to reach Kami Kharka, the next stop. Day 4 Kami Kharka-Pauwa Bas(3,000m) Most of the trek from Kami Kharka to Pauwa Bas will be level walking and an unending passage of rhododendron forest. I 44 TRAVEL NEPAL  NOVEMBER 2013
Day5

 Pauwa Bas-Hille Bhanjyang(3,400m) 3 hours of steep uphill walk and another one fE and a half hours of steep descent takes you to b Hille Bhanjyang. Mountain view from the campsite is terrific. Day 6 HiIle Bhanjyang-Narsim Pati(3,700m) It takes about 4 hours to reach Narsim Pati. You will have to pass through rocky hills and rhododendron forest. There is a small rest house built for pilgrims in Narsim Pati. Day 7 Narsim Pati-Panch Pokhari(4,100m) To reach Panch Pokhari, one has to walk for at least 3 hours up a rocky hill. As the name suggests, there are five holy lakes, two pilgrim houses and a temple of Lord Shiva. Day 8 Panch Pokhari- Panch Pokhari Top-Tupi Danda(2,320m) Early morning rise and walk up to the hill called Panch Pokhari Top for about one and a h half hours to see the sunrise and panoramic a view of Mt. Dorje Lakpa, Juga Himal Range, t Rolwaling Range, Langtang Range etc. It will C take 5 hours to descend down to Tupi Danda. f Day 9 Tupi Danda-Dhap(1,200m) Dhap is 5 hours walk from Tupi Danda. Majorities of the settlement in Dhap com-prises of Tamangs. One can easily come in contact with the culture and people of this village. Day 10 Rest day and explore the culture a Day 11 Dhap-Melamchi(800m) One hour steep downhill walk gets you to Melamchi. Camping at the riverside. Day 12 Melamchi-Kathmandu 5-hour scenic drive from Melamchi to Kathmandu. Bhairav Kunda Trek
Bhairav Kunda in Sanskrit mea lake named after the destructive i Lord Shiva, the Bhairav. It is loca the northeast of Kathmandu next Panch Pokhari and closer to Nepa Tibetan border. The starting poini trek at Larcha in the Arniko High The settlements on the route fa Newars, atrungs and Sherpas as ties. The top of Bhairab Kunda ofl excellent view of Rolwaling Rant Himal Range and Tibetan Himah Ranges. A general ltinarary Day 01 Kathmandu -Jalbire (1,001 Ktm-Jalbire is a scenic drive with m view. It takes about 3 hrs to get to Bal in case the road is bad, one needs to about 4 hrs to reach Jalbiri from Balep is a nice Newari village, situated at 1C place is rich in newari culture and hog Hindu temple of Lord Bishnu. Day 02 Jalbiri -Chanaute (1,200m It is a 4 hours level walk from Jalbit Chanaute. The route will pass througt Tamang village. Chanaute is a small Bs and Chettri Village. Camping arrangen available in the school of Chanaute. Ck enjoy the mountain view from the can Day 03 Chanaute -Khani Gaon (211 Six hours walk from Chanaute will re to Khani Gaon. Most of the trail is stet quite challenging. Khani Gaon is a Nei village. Khani means "sources of Mine Goan means "Village". In the middle° B.S., before Nepal was united, there w feudal between Gorkha and Bhaktapui believed that people of Bhaktapur can place to save their life and later settle One could see excellent mountain view camping site.

 Day 04 Khanio Gaon -Rest day

 Explore the culture and tradition of , Newari Village.

Day 05 Khani Goan -Forest Camp ( 3,150m)

 It is a steep up hill walk through Rix dron forest. This 6-hour route will alto is lucky to encounter wild animals and Camping in the forest.

Day 06 Forest Camp -Pati ( 3,950m)

 This is a 4-hour steep up hill walk tt pine and rhododendron forest. Rest tic been built for pilgrims at Pati.

 Day 07 Pati -Bhairav Kunda (4,150m)
 It is a one hour up hill walk followed hours walk to get to Bhairab Kunda, an altitude of 4150m. It is a big holy U there is a small temple of lord Shiva ni Once every year during June/ July, pill from different parts of Nepal visit KL.ri take holy bath and pay homage to tort
 Day 08 Bhairab Kunda -Bhairab Ki Top (4,500m) -Sherpa Gaon (2,500m)

 Early morning walk to Bhairab Kunck see the sun rise and close mountain vi Langtang, Jugal Himal Range, Rolwail and Tibetan Range. 6 hours steep desc reach you to Sherpa Village.

 Day 09 Sherpa goan -Larche (1,400m)

 It takes three and a half hours to re bank of Bhote Koshi River called Lard It is about six hours scenery drive  Kathmandu.