Panchase, the quiet forest hill an hour from Lakeside
Five ridges meet at a 2,500 m summit above one of the richest orchid forests in Nepal, and there's a decent chance you won't meet another trekker all day.
By the Lakeshore team · 6 min read · Updated 5 October 2026
Panchase sits southwest of Phewa Lake, and very few people go there. It's a forested massif rising to about 2,500 m, close enough to Pokhara that you can see it from Lakeside, and comfortably the best walking within an hour of town.
The name means something like 'five seats', for the five ridges that meet at the summit, where there's a small temple. On a clear morning the top gives you Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas, Machhapuchhre and Manaslu in one sweep, with Phewa Lake below.
This is a big hill and it takes a full day of walking. That's why it stays empty.
The forest is why you go
Panchase is a protected forest and one of the better botanical sites in this part of Nepal. Orchids are what it's known for above all, a large number of species and several of them uncommon, and there's rhododendron, oak and a thick understorey hung with moss as well.
So few people walk it that the wildlife is more relaxed than on the busy trails. Birders come here on purpose, and the bird list is long enough that some groups ask us for Panchase by name and nothing else.
Most of the climb is inside this forest, so you don't get many views until near the top. If you need a panorama every twenty minutes, this isn't your hill. If you like walking through good woodland, it's superb.
Routes and effort
There are several ways up. You can start from Bhumdi on the Pokhara side, from Kande over toward Australian Camp, or from the Naudanda direction. Expect five to six hours of climbing, depending on where you start.
This is a hill path with junctions that aren't always obvious, and there aren't many signs. It's one of the few walks near Pokhara where we'd push you toward a guide instead of telling you you'd manage alone, and our Panchase trip includes a local guide for that reason. It also links neatly with Australian Camp and Dhampus into a two or three day loop, a lovely low-altitude trek if you haven't got time for the Annapurna routes.
Who it suits
It suits people who want to walk more than sightsee, and anyone who has done a Pokhara day hike and wants something with more substance without committing to a multi-day trek at altitude.
We also suggest it for the monsoon months. The forest is at its best in the rain, the leeches are manageable with a bit of salt and some patience, and you weren't going to see the mountains anywhere else either.
It doesn't suit you if what matters most is views per hour of walking. Australian Camp beats it easily on that and takes a fifth of the time.
Walk it with us
Private departures on your dates, guided by the people who wrote this page.
Questions we get asked
Can I do Panchase in a day?
From the closest trailheads, yes, at a push. Expect a long day of ten hours or so, and almost everyone who does it that way wishes they'd stayed the night.
Do I need a permit?
Usually not on the standard routes, though it depends where you start and finish. We check for each itinerary instead of guessing.
Are the leeches really that bad in monsoon?
They're there and they're persistent, but they're harmless. Salt, long socks and a look at your ankles at every break deal with them. No one has cut a trip short over a leech.
What is the accommodation like?
Basic teahouses and homestays at Panchase Bhanjyang, with simple rooms, dal bhat and limited electricity. Bring a sleeping bag liner and a headtorch.
Still deciding?
Tell us your dates and how much walking you've done, and we'll tell you whether Panchase Hill Overnight Hike is right for you. If it isn't, we'll say so.
Nothing to pay online. We confirm your dates first.
Or call the office +977 61-457830