There are many unexplored and unidentified trekking routes in Nepal waiting to be discovered. Due to large concentrations and overexploitation, the old trekking regions like Langtang, Annapurna, Sagarmatha have suffered a heavy impact both environmentally and socially. For instance, Ghandruk or Salleri is no longer what it used to be- increase in the number of tourist into these regions has resulted in deforestation, degradation of environment and cultural dissipation. 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 Sindhupalchowk district, Panch Pokhari and Bhairab Kunda are two popular Hindu pilgrimage destinations of Nepal. However, lack of promotion and knowledge about the place has prevented tourism activity in the area. Big festivals take place at both the sites every year during June/July wherein hundreds of Hindu devotees congregate to take holy dips in the water and pay homage to Lord Shiva. There is a lot of potentiality in developing the areas into tourism spots. The pristine nature, unspoiled culture, splendid scenes of the Himalayan ranges from the closest distance possible and hospitality make both ideal trekking destinations. The areas are inhabited by different ethnic people like Tamangs, Newars, Sherpas, Brahmins, Chettris, and Gurungs. There are no teahouses on the routes, instead camp trek is operated. The routes are entirely free of human settlement. Inns and Kharkas (small shelters for cattles) are also used during the trek. The route also offers a possibility of rafting.

Organized trek were started in the route since 1993. the route is best for trekking during winter (from end of September to end of December) and spring (Feb-May) seasons. Stress has 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 places 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 and excellent view of Jugal Himal Range, Rolwaling Range etc. The trek starts from Chautara (1,450m).

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu International Airport,  More Than Mountain staffs meet and transfer to Hotel on BB basis.

Day 02: Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu valley.

Day 03. Kathmandu - Chautara. Chautara is a 5 hour bus drive from Kathmandu. It is the district headquarters of Sindhupalchowk district.

Day 04: Chautara-Sano Okhareni (1,965m) It is about 5 hours up hill walk to Sano Okhareni from Chautara through small village settlements. Camping will be nearby the pine forest offering a perfect mountain view.

Day 05: 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 rhododendron and pine forests to reach Kami Kharka, the next stop.

Day 06: 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.

Day 07: Pauwa Bas- Hille Bhanjyang (3,400m) 3 hours of steep uphill walk and another one and a half hours of steep descent takes you to Hille Bhanjyang. Mountain View from the campsite is terrific.

Day 08: Hille 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 09: Narsim Pati-Panch Pokhari (4,100m) To reach Panch Pokhari, one has to walk for at least 3 hours up rocky hill. As the name suggests, there are five holy lakes, two pilgrim houses and a temple of Lord Shiva.

Day 10: 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 half hours to see sunrise and panoramic view of Mt. Dorje Lakpa, Juga Himal Range, Rolwaling Range, and Langtang Range etc. It will take 5 hours to descend down to Tupi Danda.

Day 11: Tupi Danda- Dhap (1,200m) Dhap is 5 hours walk from Tupi Danda. Majorities of the settlement in Dhap comprises of Tamangs. One can easily come in contact with the culture and people of this village.

Day 12: Rest day and explore the culture

Day 13: Dhap-Melamchi (800m) One hour steep downhill walk gets you to Melamchi. Camping at the riverside.

Day 14: Melamchi-Kathmandu 5 hour scenic drive from Melamchi to Kathmandu. Arriving Kathmandu transfer to hotel on BB basis

Day 15: Free day in Kathmandu.

Day 16: International departure.....

HAIRAV KUNDA TREK
Bhairav kunda in Sanskrit means holy lake named after the destruction image of Lord Shiva, the Bhairav. It is located to the northeast of Kathmandu next to Panch Pokhari and closer to Nepal-Tibetan border. The starting point for the trek at Larcha in the Arniko Highway.
The settlements on the route form Newars, Gurungs and Sherpas as majorities. The top of Bhairab Kunda offers an excellent view of Rolwaling Range, Judal Himal Range and Tibetan Himalayan ranges.

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu International Airport,  More Than Mountain staffs meet and transfer to Hotel on BB basis.

Day 02: Kathmandu full day Tour start from Boudhhanath, Pashupatinath, Patan City and Swoyambhunath

Day 03: Kathmandu-Jalbire (1,00m). Ktm-Jalbire is a scenic drive with Mountain View. It takes about 3 hrs to get to Balephi. It in case the road is bad, one needs to walk for about 4 hrs to reach Jalbire from Balephi. Jalbire is a nice Newari village situated at 1000m. The place is rich in Newari culture and home to the Hindu temple of Lord Bishnu.

Day 04: Jalbire-Chanaute (1,200m). It is a 4 hours level walk from Jalbire to Chanaute. The route will pass through small Tamang village. Chanaute is a small Brahman and Chettri village. Camping arrangements are available in the school of Chanaute. One could enjoy the Mountain View from the campsite.

Day 05: Chanaute-Khani Gaon. Six hours walk from Chanaute will reach you to Khani Gaon. Most of the trails are steep and quite challenging. Khani Gaon is a Newari village. Khani means “sources of Mines” and Gaon means “village”. In the middle of 18th B.S., before Nepal was united, there was a feudal between Gorkha and Bhaktapur. It is believed that people of Bhaktapur came to this place to save their life and later settles down. One could see excellent Mountain View from the camping site.

Day 06: Khani Gaon-Rest day. Explore the culture and tradition of the Newari village.

Day 07: Khani Gaon-Forest Camp. It is a steep up hill walk through Rhododendron forest. This 6 hour route will allow, if one is lucky to encounter wild animals and birds. Camping in the forest.

Day 08: Forest Camp-Pati. This is a 4 hour steep up hill walk through pine and rhododendron forest. Rest houses have been built for pilgrims at Pati.

Day 09: Pati-Bhairav Kunda. It is one hour up hill walk followed by 2.5 hours walk to get to Kunda. Bhairab Kunda is situated at an altitude of 4150m. It is big holy lake and there is a small temple of Lord Shiva nearby. Once every year during June/July, pilgrims from different parts of Nepal visit Kunda to take holy bath and pay homage to lord Shiva.

Day 10: Bhairab Kunda-Bhairab Kunda Top (4,500m)-Sherpa Gaon (2,500m) Early morning walk to Bhairab Kunda Top to see the sunrise and close Mountain View of Langtang, Jugal Himal Range, Rolwaling Range and Tibetan Range. 6 hours steep descent will reach you to Sherpa Village.

Day 11: Sherpa Goan-Larche. It takes three and a half hours to reach the bank of Bhote Koshi River called Larche.

Day 12: Larche-Hotspring

Day 13: Hotspring - Kathmandu. It is about six hours scenery drive back to Kathmandu. Arriving Kathmandu transfer to hotel on BB basis.

Day 14: Free day in Kathmandu.

Day 15: International departure.....