Trip Details

  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trip Style: Trekking
  • Transport: Public Vehicle
  • Food: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge
  • Group Size: 16
  • Max Elevation: Ponker Lake (4100m)

Highlights

  • Ponker Lake (4100m), one of the most beautiful lake in Nepal 
  • View of Mt. Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world and other breathtaking mountain scenery
  • Less Crowded Trekking Route
  • People and their culture
  • The Natural beauty and Biological diversity

Description

Mention Trekking in Nepal and the first thing your head hits is Everest Base Camp. In that scenario, even Annapurna makes the way to your mind. All thanks to their widespread popularity amongst tourists, the challenges, of course, create the most fuss. 

Knocking the likes of these trekking spots, the one to spring up and command notability is Ponker Lake Trek. This small-scale lake in the Bimthang, has a glorious sight to offer to travelers along with the adventure.  

Yet, the most thrilling trek of Nepal, Ponker Lake Trek also happens to be the most underrated trekking destination known so far. This beautifully conserved lake has till now seen the least of the crowd with little applause from the global platform. 

The place still stuns the trekkers with its astonishing view, differing topography, and wildland. Only the lake celebrates its belle with the pillowy mountains embracing its every visitor. Now you can imagine how grand welcome one will receive while walking the Manaslu area through Bimthang. 

Up until now, Ponker Lake Trek hasn’t had sole victory bringing a swirl of domestic and international tourists. Even so, the place has had a guest every so often being a part of the Manaslu Conservation Area Project.

Itinerary

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Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, our officials will place you at the hotel. Not to surprise but first, you’ll get a warm welcome and a drive to your dwelling place.

For relief to such an exhausting flight, we’ll let you have your space but it has to be miniature. You can relax and even take a quick nap before getting refreshed and have lunch.

After scooping the much-needed energy, we’ll drive to Besisahar which’s 175.8 km away from Kathmandu. The drive carries on for about 5 hours before you reach this small village.

Besisahar is the point from where the Annapurna circuit trek begins in the first place. Till the time we find the bus to Nagdi, you can dash to a teahouse nearby and get something to eat.

On the far side of Besisahar, you get a mesmerizing view of the Himalayas with local wildlife and vegetation. By the time you’ll reach Nagdi, you’ll have already learned so much about the culture and values there.

Since it’s impossible to continue the journey ahead, we’ll leave it for the day. You’ll feel less drowsiness today having skim over 6 hours of walk. 

  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Nagdi
  • Altitude: 930m

What would be a great way to start your trek to Ponker Lake other than Chyamje, a classic trek route. Starting from the early morning, you’ll walk the trails leaping over Dumre through the dense forest.

The route will see you scrambling overhead on terraced land, crossing rivers, and beautiful waterfalls. Arriving at Dumre, you’ll whirl north to the Marsyangdi Nadi Valley and take a rough road from there.

Soon you’ll roll up a hydroelectric project after which ascends to Syange that lies at an elevation of 1080m. From here, you’ll take a trail to Jagat which goes across the river to a ridge.

After 6-7 hours of walk from Nagdi, you’ll finally reach Chyamje. Stay overnight at the village and pull up as you still have a journey to make ahead. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Chyamje
  • Altitude: 1700m

Pull up your socks as it’s going to be a long day today. After a reposeful night at Chyamje, you’ll have a tedious day today, having to walk up to Dharapani to reach the Ponker Lake.

However, before continuing the journey, you’ll at the least have a morning meal at your lodge. It will keep you energetic and you won’t get tired before the start of the excursion.

Walking to Dharapani, you’ll witness lots of high hills and deep forest that illuminates with flowers in spring. Going ahead the trail, you’ll find a tranquil river flowing across the edge and passing rural villages.

On the way to the Marsyangdi Valley that can be discerned underneath the trail, you’ll find rhododendron gracing the entire forest. It won’t take long from here before you reach Dharapani.

Make a quick run to one of the lodges in the village to stay the night. Upper Dharapani has an ACAP checkpoint where you’ll have your Annapurna permit inspected. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Dharapani
  • Altitude: 1963m

Time to wake up and have breakfast at the lodge as you don’t want to run late from the start of the trek. Today, you’ll be ascending till to an altitude of 2510m to Gowa, a historical and rural cultural village.

From the early morning, you’ll start tracking the route to Gowa through a rocky path. The trip ahead will have you ascend the hill and forest rich with wildlife and unique vegetation.

You’ll be scrambling the rough trail for nearly 6 hours to arrive at Gowa, your endpoint for the day. No way you can continue the journey ahead as it gets too late by the time you reach the village. Hence, it’s best you find a dwelling place in Gowa and spend the night there. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Gowa
  • Altitude: 2510m

One more village to get across before reaching Bimthang. But the day is going to be a lot exciting far from any other having to come across the lush green forest.

Travelers are usually fond of the place as it acquaints them with beautiful landscapes, diverse topography, and wilderness. Traveling highland across the bushes and rocks, you’ll eventually run into primordial villages of the region.

Along the route to Yak Kharka, you’ll have the panoramic view of Annapurna II and Annapurna. This truly will ease your journey until the time you reach the village. With this, you call it for the day and stay the night at a lodge in Yak Kharka. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Yak Kharka
  • Altitude: 3020m

Unlike Samdo, Bimthang lies on the next side of the pass. It rests in a majestic valley encompassed by the dazzling mountains that work perfectly. On your stop here, there’s a good chance you get to spot the other side of Manaslu.

Hence, to come across such a scenic view, you need to start trekking from the very early morning. Have breakfast at the lodge in Yak Kharka and stick to the trail that you had been walking the previous day.

Soon you’ll be ascending the hills along the forest, rushing streams and lakes. As you walk further, you’ll find green pastures that bound over the forest trail and the sterile land. With this, you’ll arrive at Bimthang which is also your dwelling place for the night. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Bimthang
  • Altitude: 3590m

It’s really amazing how far you’ve come but there’s still a long way to go. To be candid, it’s the mighty Ponker Lake that you’ve to make it on the Day 07 of the trek.

Ponker Lake is one celestial place with sublime beauty and pastoral mountains. It’s a part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek route and to reach you’ve to get through Bimthang.

The trail will see you making way to the lake through the mustard field and meadows graze by yak. You’ll then cross the Larke Pass from Arughat and uphill for about 1.5 hours before arriving at the lake. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Bimthang
  • Altitude: 3590m

From now on, you’ll retrace your step and return to the point where the trek started from. Of course, you’ll start the day with a full spirit but downtime is a must for physical stability.

And what better could be other than a tea break to endure the challenges. Hence, you’ll have breakfast at the lodge and start descending the hills.

With the delightful picture of wildlands, green pastures, and snowy peaks ahead, you’ll have an awesome expedition. After reaching Gowa, you’ll be resettled at a lodge so that you get a good sleep. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Gowa
  • Altitude: 2510m

Your trek to Ponker Lake is about to get over with just a village to pass by. Starting from the early morning of the 9th day of Ponker Lake trek, you’ll walk to Chyamje from Gowa.

Strolling down from 2510m altitude will clearly offer you an incredible sight, never to forget. It will have you a natural majesty to relish to with a heart-melting view of the valley and forest.

As you continue walking the trail, Chyamje will be right in front of you. Spend the night at a lodge in the village and get a much-needed rest. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Chyamje
  • Altitude: 1700m

It’s hard to accept but your trek to Ponker Lake is nearly at its finish line. Today you’ll bid farewell to the region and get ready to return to Kathmandu.

Till the time you catch your bus, it’s better that you sightsee the valley, and even interact with the locals. After having breakfast at the lodge in Chyamje, you’ll take a drive to Kathmandu Valley.

On your way home, you’ll spot the mountains and green hills for one last time. As soon as you get into the valley, we’ll drive you to your hotel.

You can relax there for a minute and get yourself a delicious meal. That being so, pack your stuff and get ready as we’ll drop you to the airport before your flight takes off.

Keeping everything in order, we’ll receive you a few hours before the time of the flight. Don’t worry, we’ll even assist you throughout your time at the airport. We hope you enjoyed your time in Nepal and with that expect to see you soon. 

  • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1320m
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What to Expect

  • Airport Pickup and Drop
  • Teahouse accommodation during the trek
  • Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during the trek
  • Round Trip Local Bus Ticket (Kathmandu to Chaymje)
  • English Speaking Trekking Guide with Insurance, Transportation, Food and Accommodation
  • All Trekking Permits (ACAP, MCAP, Tsum Valley Permit and Manaslu Special Permit)
  • Daily seasonal fresh fruits after dinner 
  • A first aid kit carried by the guide (Oximeter to measure your oxygen and pulse in high altitude) 
  • All Government and Local taxes
  • International Flight Ticket and Nepalese Visa Fee
  • Hotel & Meals in Kathmandu
  • Extra night accommodation in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the trek (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Personal expenses (WiFi, Phone calls, Laundry, Bar bills, Battery Recharge, Water, Shower, and Tea / Coffee)
  • Other costs not mentioned in 'Cost Includes' section
  • Travel and Rescue Insurance
  • Tips for Guides, Porters, and Drivers

Useful Information

Best Time for Ponker Lake Trek

Given the elegance and natural wonder of the Manaslu, trek to Ponker Lake is admissible any day. You can travel to this magnificent lake throughout the year in view of its difficulty level. 

Still, it’s best if you visit the lake in Autumn as it rules all seasons in Nepal. With the start of September, travelers start rolling to the region, hat tip to its mesmeric view. 

There’s a lovely atmosphere throughout the avenue which relaxes the trekkers. Place forward is the show of wildflower sprouted all over the dense forest. Speeding up to the lake, you’ll find greenery everywhere with the gust of cold wind blowing all through the place. 

For those who’ve missed out Autumn, better book the trip for Ponker Lake in Spring. The season is the other most liked time of the year and has a soft spot in every trekkers’ heart. 

It’s one of the most magical times when the entire Manaslu appears paradise. Nearly everyone in and away from the region enjoys Spring for its fresh air and sweet-scented flowers. 

With the blue sky atop, you get the famously picturesque view of the lake and mountains nearby. Nothing compared, Spring has warm weather in the day with a chilly night and morning. 

Winter in Nepal also has a decent number of tourists passing by the Ponker Lake. The experience is decidedly unusual traveling this time with freezing weather. 

Still, it’s a much better place to be than Monsoon with the rain drizzling all day long. Travelers are put to the test with the temperature getting as low as -8.8 Degree Celsius. 

Nothing to take away but Monsoon is the least favorite season among tourists visiting Nepal. It’s a few of those times when travelers have little to do as the rain pours all day. Following the damp trails, you’ll skid all the time and can’t scramble to the lake. 

Ponker Lake Trek Difficulty  

As vast as the region is, the small is the lake with only just challenges to overcome from Bimthang. Compared to other trek spots in Manaslu, Ponker Lake trek might be the least challenging of all with most thrill and fun.

Even if it sees the traveler making way to the lake for about 10 days, the strain is not even a bit. One can easily trace the step in the trail and make it to the top with a little help from the guide. 

You don’t need extra counseling or else be supervised by your guide right through the way. As it happens, the trek is pretty accomplishable for the starters as well who’ve no early experience of trekking. 

Saying so, the travelers who’ve already conquered a much difficult trail will find the Ponker Lake Trek a piece of cake. They will have a much easier time, walking the lumpy routes. 

To fill your day with elation, there’s the epic natural splendor of the lake with gleaming mountains. For a treat, you get to discern the cultural diversity with the cordial relationships among different ethnic groups living here. 

Just in case the weather gets awful and starts acting harshly, it’s better you come prepared. You need to be very cautious in winter as it gets too cold while you approach the lake.