We drive to Patale Dhap on this day which is about 12 hour of driving from KTM. The jeep ride will be long, and bumpy, and will cause a few goosebumb sections. We leave quite early to avoid the traffic and also, we've got a long way to go. We'll have our lunch somewhere along the highway and continue our journey to Bung where we will be staying overnight.

From today, our official hiking begins. The first day of trekking will be an easy one, with just a few short kilometers climbing from 1700 m to 2400 m via a wide and gentle inclining trail, ducking in and out of the jungle. We traverse some houses along the way and after hiking for about 4 hours, we'll reach Khiraule (a picturesque hillside village with a large, prayer flag-draped stupa in its center) where we will be staying tonight. Khiraule Gumba, attires of local people, their greetings with warm smiles, etc. will be some of the things not to miss. 

The first section of today's trail to Cholem climbs the hillside directly above Khiraule Gompa before meeting up with a dirt road, which we then follow for a short section. Then we continue to climb the forested hills again. The final section of this trail is quite steep but the trail is immaculately kept. After approx. walking for 4 hours through the forested trail, we reach Jungle Camp (Cholem). 

Trek from Jungle Camp (Cholem) to Panch Pokhari; our destination at an altitude of 4460m. Today's walking will be 6 to 7 hours through a rocky step trail and traverse Hurhure Pass (4500m). From this pass, the five beautiful alpine lakes of Panch Pokhari reveal themselves beneath black, rocky peaks. After a short descent from the lake, we will see tea houses and we'll stay there for the night.

Accommodation: Panch Pokhari Hotel & Lodge

The trail from Panch Pokhari to Kothe is downhill, it begins by climbing up the side of a small ridge for roughly 200 vertical meters. Then, the trail snakes around endless bends and drops sharply back into the tree line with snow-capped giants of Kyashar (6769 m) and Kusum Kangru (6367 m) revealing more of their might around each corner. The final two hours lead trekkers through beautiful, dense forests while dropping gradually into the Hinku glacial valley before climbing another small hill further up the valley. Shortly after we arrived at Kothe (3600 m), a beautiful sunny crossroads village with plenty of options for lodging. 

Trekking to Pangom takes just 5 to 6 hours of walk. Visit the Tashi Sangag Chholing monastery.

A short trek down to Khari Khola where I meet the classic Jiri to Everest route. We catch a local jeep and drive to Phaplu Salleri. We can go for a side trip to Chiwong monastery. 

It is possible to drive to Kathmandu directly which would be a very long day jeep ride or we can halt at Phapalu and catch a jeep ride/flight the next morning. Flight available on Mon & Friday only.