Best Time to visit Panch Pokhari

Panch Pokhari is a beautiful high-altitude religious shrine in Nepal’s Sindhupalchowk district, which is not as famous as other trekking regions. Yet, anyone who dares to explore this isolated and untouched corner of the planet witnesses extraordinary beauty, encounters things believed to have spiritual meaning, and experiences unexplainable tranquility. In this blog, you can discover the best time to visit Panch Pokhari for a memorable trek.

Panch Pokhari which means Five Lakes in Nepali is a group of five glacial lakes at a high altitude of 4,100 meters or 13,500 feet above sea level in the lap of the Himalayas. This place is good for lovers of beautiful sceneries and those with a religious belief, and there is also an adventure. Panch Pokhari and its significance is based on the religion of Hinduism and its gods and goddesses. 

This means that Panch Pokhari is not only a trekking place of tourist importance but also a religious place for the Hindus and Buddhists. These saints and thousands of pilgrims take baths in these icy waters at the time of the Janai Purnima festival which is annually celebrated.

These places are believed to be the residing spot of Lord Shiva, and people visit them to worship and offer prayers. Panch Pokhari remains a place of worship with a calm, soothing environment, enhanced by views of the Langtang Himal and other Himalayan ranges.

The Trek to Panch Pokhari

It would indeed be a trek for the gods, except that we are not gods, and the trail is not exactly for gods alone. 

The trek to Panch Pokhari is as enjoyable as the trekking destination is colorful and beautiful. This trek begins from the Chautara, a village that is about 5 hours apart from Kathmandu. From there the trail passes through small settlements, forests, and meadows where trekkers get more opportunity to feel the village and rural life of Nepal. 

It is less tourist-oriented than other treks, such as Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit, which means that those who are going to embark on the Poon Hill trek are going to be able to see nature in its most pristine state. 

It is classified as a moderate trail mainly due to steep drop-offs and rises but the beauty of the location and the fact that the area is very quiet makes it worthy to be hiked. During the trek, travelers cross several typical Tamang & Sherpa villages and meet with the warm hearts of the people and discover their traditions.

The last few days of the trek involves crossing through the forests of rhododendrons followed by steep climb to the Panch Pokhari which comprises of chain of five holy lakes. 

The best time to visit Panch Pokhari 

It is between March and April or between October and December because the weather during the two seasons is comparatively mild. 

Hence, the best time to visit Panch Pokhari is during the spring season, which occurs from March to May or the autumn which is from September to November. It is relatively cold during these times and the skies are normally clear which makes it easy to have a sight of the mountain. Whereas, spring presents the beauty of rhododendron, autumn gives the post monsoon puritanical qualities to the air. 

But for those who are interested in visiting Panch Pokhari with a religious intention the best time would be the Janai Purnima festival that falls in August. This area has a cold climate more so than areas that are at the high altitude and one should expect to dress accordingly. 

Given all the above facts why Panch Pokhari Should be on your Bucket List 

Thus, if you want to find a place that offers stunning natural view, religious landmarks, and cultural experience, the Panch Pokhari trek is ideal for. The trek is beautiful as it allows one to avoid the large crowd which is common on other trek trails and get a feel of the solitude whereby they can enjoy the natural diction of the Himalayas. 

Depending on the motive of visiting the area, be it the sacred lakes, the beautiful mountain ranges or the chance to trek through unknown villages; Panch Pokhari will not disappoint. 

In the last few years, the area is kind of popular among thrill-seeking backpackers, however, for the most part, it is relatively unexplored. Panch Pokhari is still an unknown destination for those people, who want to find something special or just want to spend their time in a quiet atmosphere while trekking. 

The best time to visit Panch Pokhari in Nepal

Panch Pokhari also five glacial lakes which is found in the Sindhupalchowk district of Nepal is gaining popularity among trekkers as well as pilgrimage sites. Located at 4,100 meters above sea level or 13,450 feet above sea level, Panch Pokhari provides majestic views of mountains, religious fervor, and a pristine environment.

For this destination, it is possible to travel at any time of the year, although the time of travel will determine the experience to be had. The following are important tips that would be useful when planning to visit Panch Pokhari: Knowing the good times or seasons will be very useful when planning to visit this beautiful yet sacred place. 

Spring (March to May): 

Without realizing what you are getting into, if you ever come across a place that is called ” A Blooming Paradise ”, it is one of the most beautiful places on the Internet. 

Panch Pokhari is very beautiful during spring and that is why Spring is a good season for trekking. Due to the elevation, the dry season between March to May has a perfect environment with comfortable high-altitude treks though it is cold in the morning and evening.

What makes spring even more unique is the fact that during this period the hills surrounding the trekking path are covered with Rhododendrons flowers. 

The trail provides the trekkers with a chance to ‘paint’ the trail avenue with pink, red and white flowers if they wish to stick to the nature’s color tone. The absence of clouds on the sky as well as fresh and purified mountain air also offers the best shots of the Langtang range and other snowy mountains. 

Besides, the flowers, which you will see in all seasons, are most abundant in spring; the birds are also more active and you may come across different types of birds and mountain animals on the way. Spring is also the time when the locals start their farming activities, and it offers the tourists an insight to the existence of the Tamang and Sherpa community. 

For those seeking a more intensive connection with nature and comfortable temperatures, starting the Panch Pokhari trek in the spring is recommended.

Autumn (September to November): Only Clear Perspective and Sharp Air 

Another good time to visit Panch Pokhari is during autumn that is the between September and November. It is also cold for some weeks after the monsoon rains and skies are often clear therefore the best time to get very good looks at the mountains. . The climate is moderate throughout the day and the post monsoon feels and colors are an added beauty of this place. Trekking in Nepal is most enjoyable during this season because the weather is good and clear unlike during rainy season. 

Autumn is an ideal time of year when local communities celebrate festivals like Dashain and Tihar, offering trekkers the opportunity to experience the country’s culture and traditions. While walking through the different pre-historic villages themselves, people can be invited to the houses and feel Nepali hospitality. 

Autumn is a photographers’ dream as one will be privileged to see the mighty Himalayas in the background of the clear blue sky. It is neither too cold during this period nor too hot for the trek and therefore the challenge is well rewarded. 

Janai Purnima Festival (August): A Spiritual Experience 

Although not considered as trekking season, August also comes with a spiritual angle to any visitor to Panch Pokhari. Every year during the Janai Purnima festival in August, thousands of devotees from both Hindu and Buddhist communities undertake a long trek to the sacred lakes. They demonstrate their devotion by plunging into the icy waters as a purification ritual. This festival is one of the most significant religious events in Nepal.

It is probable to visit Panch Pokhari during Janai Purnima and one can see a strong belief that thousands of people from different part of Nepal do come to the lakes to show their respect to God Shiva. Yes, the festival is spirited with chant rituals and offerings that are tantamount to a spiritually charged engagement. 

However, trekkers should best be prepared for the rainy season, during which the weather is even rather unstable and it can rain. However, tending the call of feasting your eyes in an event like Janai Purnima should be a part of a hospice wish list.

Winter and Monsoon: 

This was a time for the adventurous – Ramping up the speed of change 

Although, like other parts of Nepal, spring and autumn are the two main seasons for tourism in Panch Pokhari, this area is also suitable for winter tourism (December February) and rainy tourism (June August). But again, these periods have other problems affiliated with them. 

• Winter: The temperatures can drop considerably which are expected if you are hiking at higher altitudes and the trails can be covered by heavy snow making them tougher to traverse. This is recommended for veterans who should be ready to expect some very freezing weather during the trekking season.  
• Monsoon: From June to August, the rainy season makes the trails slippery, with leeches and potential landslides also present. Yet, the monsoon season also brings increased greenery and fewer visitors, making the trek more challenging but also more private.

Conclusion 

When to go depends more on you; if hiking in warm air and favorable weather is what you fancy, then the best time to go to Panch Pokhari is anytime from November to February. For those who are interested in natural sceneries and trekking with a better climate and clear sky, there is nothing better than the spring season and autumn season i. e. March to May and September to November respectively.

These seasons are the best suited for the trek as there is flowering of rhododendrons in the springtime and clear and cool weather in the fall. For those wishing to see cultural and religious events, one can watch Janai Purnima held in August, however, the weather can be problematic because of monsoon. 

In conclusion, Panch Pokhari is a beautiful and tranquil place suitable to visit all seasons though it deserves more care and planning concerning the seasons of Nepal to maximize the experience from the journey to this religious and beautiful gem.