Panch Pokhari Ama Yangri Trekking Trail Exploration 2021
Panch Pokhari is a very well known destination in the tourism sector in Nepal. In the Nepali language, Panchpokhari means Five Ponds. Moreover, Paanch Pokhari is a very holy and famous place for the Buddhist & Hindu pilgrimage trip in the Sindhupalchok district. In this place, every year a fair is usually held on the day of Janai Purnima, and visitors throng to this site almost throughout the year. The number of tourists visiting the Panchpokhari included in the hundred major destinations by the government is on the rise.
However, this time we visited the beautiful tourist areas above the Panchpokhari. After walking for three days from Panch Pokhari at an altitude of 4065 meters, we reached Gangchenpo 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 Panchpokhari and from Panchpokhari to Gangchenpo Base Camp. We here introduce you to the high mountain and mountain’s biodiversity seen during the trek, the incredible beauty of nature, and the beauty of Langsen Valley, which can be compared with the Dolomites mountain valley of Italy.
Day -01
Kathmandu – Bhotang (1842m)
The first day of our journey starts from Kathmandu to Panch Pokhari Thangpal rural municipality to explore the trekking route to Panch Pokhari-Ama Yangri and Gangchenpo Himal base camp. We headed to Paanchpokhari with our team, after a 6 /7 hrs drive we finally reached Bhotang village. The driving route halfway is very fine and halfway is off road. The route goes along the Melamchi river, Indravati river and Larke river. We stay at Nima Hasina Homestay in Bhotang, which is located in ward- 3, the altitude of this village is 1842 meters from sea level. In this village, people are very rich in their culture and traditions. We get the chance to experience the Tamang culture, language and local food as well. The people of this village are very helpful and friendly.
Day-02
Bhotang – Nosyampati (3657m)
Today we were heading to Nosyampati from Bhotang through Chimti and Durali village. Ward number-3 of Panch Pokhari Thangpal Rural municipality, is going to build a man-made waterfall on the hill between Chimti and Deurali. The Source of the water for that waterfall is the River Larke. Locals share that ‘‘there is also a plan to build Panch Pokhari park over there as a sample of Panchpokhari’’. The park will be one of the most attractive tourist spots. The day was a very long and hard day for me. Due to Covid (almost 2 year) I was not Physically fit to trek, so it was hard for me. Deurali is the last village of this trek. However, the trekking trail is good to Nosyampati. We continued our trek and we reached Maijangbu Kharka through the dense forest. It is also a Yak grazing meadow. After a couple of hours continue climbing up, we reached Tupi Dada. There are few local lodges in Tupi Dada. We had lunch over there, after the meal, we again started the trek and through the Taapkharka we reached Nosyampati. There are few local lodges for accommodation in Nosyampati. From the top of the Nosyampati, we can see Mt. Dorje Lakpa, Jugal Himal Range, Rolwaling Range and Lang tang Himal Range. Trek to Nosyampati is very amazing, and the panoramic view of the green hills is outstanding. Trail to Noyasmpati continuously goes up through the jungle, streams & Yak shed. It is such a wonderful place. It took me around 9 hours to reach Nyosampati.
Day-03
Nosyampati – Panch pokhari (five ponds) 4065m
Third day of the trek starts from Nosyampati, around four hours trek from Nosyampati to Panchpokhari. The trail condition is quite good, most of the trail is made by stone steps. On the trail we cross South Gate, the entrance of Panch pokhari which is made of huge bouldering rock, Saat ghumti and Laurie Binayak. Laurie Binayak is the place where the people put their sticks to rest is called Laurie Binayak. The Panch pokhari is located at the height of 4065 meters. Every year, a pilgrimes fair is held in this place on the day of Janai Purnima. Temples, lodges, hotels, and public toilets have been built there for pilgrimmers. This place is located in ward no-3. It is a sacred religious site for Buddhists and Hindus. The source of the river Indravati is the pond of Panchpokhari. Paanch Pokhari have five pond which is called Bhairav Kund, Saraswati Kund, Surya Kund, Ganesh Kund and Nag Kund. This area is mentioned in Skandha Purana (Hindu religious epic). Buddhists consider this place as the land of asceticism by Mahaguru Padmasambhava, Mahayogi Milarepa, Ama Yangri and the eternal incarnation of Lama Guru.
Day-04
Panch Pokhari-Chhayaksal (4473 m)
The trekkers/pilgrims usually reach Panchpokhari and return from there. But our destination is not Paanch Pokhari, our destination is to explore Gangchenpo base camp, and we move further for two days more to reach Lingsen Valley. The day we walked through the Panch Pokhari we reached Chhaksal 4473 meters. Chhaksal is a sheep herd ground. Chhaksal is also the first camping site on this trail. You can reach this place by crossing many small passes through the alpine zone.The trail is good for adventure trekkers. Through this trek, we experience a tremendous scenic view of the Jugal Himal range, Langtang himal range and Gauri Shankar himal range as well.
Day-05
Chhaksal-Lingsen Valley (4055 m)
Fifth day of our exploration, we crossed the 4590 meters Chhaksal pass and we reached Lingsen Valley.This valley is huge, wide and full of fauna and flora. There are many more waterfalls in Lingsen Valley. But the twin’s waterfalls are absolutely breathtaking. It is an amazing and beautiful valley, which is situated in the lap of Gangchenpo Himal. All our fatigue was forgotten when we reached the Lingsen valley. It has the tremedous scenic views of Gangchenpo Himal, Jugal Himal Range. We experience it is the same as the most beautiful place in Europe, Dolomite in Italy. We set up camp in Lingsen Valley for two days to explore the beautiful valley and in these two days we explored Ganchenpo Base Camp as well. Lingsen valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in Panch Pokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality.
Day -06
Explore Basecamp
According to our plan, we explored Gangchenpo Base Camp near the south west snow river of Gangchenpo Himal. Weather was not so good, snowfall and a foggy day but we navigated and found a trail to Ganchenpo BC altitude of 4900m. It can be a suitable place for basecamp for Gangchenpo peak. There is another route which goes to connect Langtang valley by crossing a pass which is not yet named.
Day -07
Langsen Valley- Semthang Sidi (4503 m)
Early Morning, we also explored another base camp at an altitude of 4900 meters on the south side of Ganchenpo peak. Personally I would like to refer to this camp as a Gangchenpo basecamp, because it has easy access and a good trail. And it is also at a good altitude.
After exploring the base camp of Gangchenpo Himal, we returned to Langsen Valley, and we trekked around two hours and reached Semthang Sidi. It is situated on an altitude of 4503 meters and is also a sheep pasture. Panoramic views of Gangchenpo Himal and Jugal Himal range can be seen by Semthang sidi. It is a great pleasure to see the green hills below.
Day-08
Semthang Sidi – Pedale Dhunga (4082 m)
On the eighth day, we started from Semthang Sidi towards Pedale. The trail to Pedale is very easy and beautiful. The trek is very enjoyable by observing the wide meadows, Chauleni Pokhari, and mountain groves. There is also a huge cave in Pedale. Trekkers can also take shelter easily in that cave. While shepherds go to the mountain with their animals they used to take shelter over that cave.
Day-09
Pedale Dhunga-Dragon Cave – Pedale Dhunga
Today, on the ninth day of our journey, we visited Dragon Cave. It is situated in Panch pokhari ward no-3. It is a huge rock which looks like a dragon, and there are also many narrow caves. That’s why it’s called dragon cave. According to locals it is a holy place, they used to go with the Shaman( jhankri) “ who believe in the spirit world” for worship and they offer the Lungta over the cave. It took us 7/8 hours to reach the dragon cave & we went back to Pedale Dhunga. We get the opportunity to visit another tremendous place – Dragon Rock and Dragon Cave. Dragon Sheila and Dragon Cave are other attractions of this trekking trail.
Day-10
Pedale Dhunga – Gildangphu (4270 m)
The trekking trail from Pedale to Gildangphu is very difficult. We didn’t find the right trail and we went to the wrong trail. The trail is almost missing in the huge jungle and the dangerous cliff, walking through bamboo groves. Which makes our trekking very difficult. If it’s the very first time I suggest you should go with the people who know the trail,because Pedale Dhunga to Gildangphu trail is not so recognised and maintained yet. But Gildangphu to Helambu or Ganjala pass trail is in very good condition. It is a regular trekking route from Helambu to Langtang through Ganjala Pass. It is a yak Kharka, and we can see many yak shelters over there in Gildangphu. That day we set up the camp in Gildangphu.
Day-11
Gildangphu – Ama Yangri – Chyomothang (3126 m)
The last stop of this trek is Chyomothang. From Gildangphu, we reach Chomathang via Dukpu and Ama Yangri. There is a Guru Rinpoche cave in Dukpu. It is a very sacred place for Buddhists. Many Buddhist monks go for meditation over there. Another major attraction of this trek is Ama Yangri. It is 3771 m above sea level. It is also a view point of Helambu and panch pokhari. Locals believe that Aama Yangri is a Protractor Goddess, who protects all the human beings from bad omen. They believe Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and Mela Reppa also stepped on Helambu and Panch pokhari 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 of Sindhupalchok from the village, passing through the famous five ponds, and the beautiful Lansing Valley, we reached Sermathang of Helambu on the 11th day from Ama Yangri. We can see more than two dozen mountains from ama yangri including Dorje Lakpa, Ganesh Himal, Lang tang Snow Range, Gaurishankar Snow Range, Bhairav Takura, Gyalgen Peak, Yangri Himal, Kim sung, Ama Bangrima Himal, Urkima Himal, and Yansa Chenji Himal.
Day-12
Today we trek to Kakani via Sermathang and ride a jeep to Kathmandu. 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.
