Forest trails with a thrill at the end

Nature With Adventure

Explore peaceful lakes, lush forests, and diverse wildlife.

4.9 (486 reviews)
Licensed guides
Permits handled

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Overview & highlights Pokhara Nature-rich regions Safety & Certification Requirements & Eligibility Activities Beyond the Mountains Frequently asked questions What Our Travelers Say

Know before you go

Overview & highlights

Trip Length

7 - 21 Days

Group Size

Solo Trek

Group: 2 -12 trekkers

Altitude

3,210m – 5,545m

Difficulty

Moderate - Extreme

Best Time

March – May

September – November

These trips are for travellers who want more nature than a city tour but less altitude and fewer crowds than the big treks. Days are spent in forest and on ridgelines, nights in homestays and small lodges, with a chance to add something more adventurous along the way.

The Panchase eco trek is a three-to-four-day loop in the hills above Pokhara. You walk through protected forest to Panchase Danda for sunrise views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Machhapuchhre, stay with village families, and can finish with a tandem paragliding flight or kayak on Phewa Lake.

The Gosaikunda lake trek is higher and wilder. Starting from Dhunche in Langtang National Park, it climbs through red panda habitat to the sacred lake of Gosaikunda at about 4,380m, a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists that draws thousands of pilgrims during the Janai Purnima festival in August. Both trips run with a licensed guide and can be shortened or extended.

Highlights

Sunrise over the Annapurnas from Panchase Danda
Village homestays in the hills above Pokhara
The turquoise sacred lakes of Gosaikunda
Red panda habitat in the Langtang forests
An optional paragliding flight or kayak to end the trek

Wild edges of the valley

Pokhara

Pokhara is ringed by forested hills, lakes and rivers that most visitors never explore. The Panchase hills, at about 2,500m on the valley’s western rim, are a protected forest of rhododendron and oak, rich in orchids and birdlife, with views over Phewa Lake to the Annapurnas. Trails link small Gurung and Brahmin villages, and you can finish by paragliding back down to Lakeside or kayaking on Phewa.

Eco treks

One in the Pokhara hills, one to the lakes of Langtang.

Learn more about Pokhara

ORCHID & OAK FORESTS

HILLTOP HOMESTAYS

LAKE & SKY ADVENTURES

SACRED HIGH LAKES

Discover Nepal

Nature-rich regions

Langtang National Park holds the sacred Gosaikunda lakes, while the Annapurna foothills and Chitwan offer forests and wildlife at lower altitude.

All regions

Beautiful landscape of Langtang Valley with snow-capped mountains in Nepal.

1 Package

Langtang

The closest trekking region to Kathmandu, with glacier-carved valleys, Tamang villages and the sacred lakes of Gosaikunda.

14 Packages

Annapurna

Sacred monasteries, Himalayan peaks, and ancient pilgrimage routes — guided by a Nepal-based team with deep Nepal expertise. All permits...

An Indian rhinoceros foraging on grassy terrain, showcasing wildlife in their natural environment.

1 Package

Chitwan

Subtropical jungle and grassland in Nepal’s Terai lowlands, home to one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers and Tharu villages.

Before you go

Safety & Certification

Licensed guides, low-impact practices and trusted partners for any adventure add-ons.

Licensed trekking guides

Our guides hold trekking licences and wilderness first aid training, and know the plants and birds along the trail.

Low-impact travel

We carry out rubbish, use filtered water instead of plastic bottles and stay in locally owned homestays.

Trusted adventure partners

Paragliding and water add-ons run with licensed operators and certified instructors we have worked with for years.

Can I trek?

Requirements & Eligibility

Panchase suits anyone with basic walking fitness. Gosaikunda asks for more, because of its altitude.

Health & fitness

Able to walk 5–6 hours a day on forest trails with steady climbs
Gosaikunda includes a long ascent of over 1,000m in a single day
Paragliding and kayak add-ons have their own health requirements

Permits & documents

Langtang National Park permit for Gosaikunda, arranged by us
Panchase sits outside the main permit areas; any local fees are covered
Passport copy and insurance details before departure

Altitude Readiness

Panchase tops out around 2,500m — no altitude concerns
Gosaikunda reaches about 4,380m; our itinerary includes a night at Cholang Pati or Laurebina
Turn back early if headaches worsen as you climb

What to wear & bring

Waterproof trekking boots — forest trails can be muddy
Warm layers and a down jacket for Gosaikunda nights
Binoculars for birdwatching and a refillable water bottle

Want to combine a trek with paragliding or rafting? Let us know when you book and we will schedule it for a clear-weather morning.

Ask us your queries

Want nature with a dash of adventure?

Combine forest trails, lakes and a paraglide or boat ride. Tell us your pace and we will plan the rest.

Send Inquiry

Activities

Activities Beyond the Mountains

From serene takes to thrilling adventures, explore the best experiences Pokhara has to offer for every kind of travelers.

All activities

Adventure & Thrills

Soar above Phewa Lake with sweeping views of Pokhara, lush hills, and the Annapurna range....

View details

A close-up view of an Indian rhinoceros grazing on grass in its natural habitat, showcasing its unique skin texture.

Nature & Wildlife Tours

Jungle safaris in Chitwan National Park — tracking one-horned rhinos on foot and by jeep,...

View details

Breathtaking view of snow-capped mountains and moon at dawn in Nepal.

Short Treks

Two to five day walks from Pokhara through Gurung villages, rhododendron forest and ridge-top viewpoints...

View details

Your queries answered

Frequently asked questions

About our eco treks and nature-based adventures.

Ask our team

How is Panchase different from Poon Hill?

Panchase is quieter, lower and closer to Pokhara. You see a similar range of peaks with far fewer trekkers, and nights are in homestays rather than busy lodges.

Can I see red pandas on the Gosaikunda trek?

The forests around Sing Gompa and Cholang Pati are known red panda habitat, but these shy animals are rarely seen. Early mornings and a quiet group give you the best chance.

Can I add paragliding to the end of the Panchase trek?

Yes. Many guests walk down towards Sarangkot and fly back to Lakeside the next morning. We book the flight for the best weather window.

When is the Gosaikunda festival?

Janai Purnima falls on the full moon in July or August. Thousands of pilgrims walk up to bathe in the lake. It is a remarkable experience, though trails and lodges are crowded and the monsoon brings rain.

Reviews & Experiences

What Our Travelers Say

Discover what our guests have to say about their time in Pokhara Nepal, from seamless adventures to meaningful moments along the way.

Review us on GOOGLE

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Esme Fenton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have just done the Mardi Himal trek for 4 days with Asmita! It was an amazing trek with an amazing guide, who was attentive, organised and knowledgeable. It was lovely to have such an impressive female guide and I hope to be back soon!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Piper Bradshaw 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect experience or a more fantastic guide! Utsab was our guide for the Annapurna circuit trek and made the whole trip 1000% times better!
I cannot recommend both the trek and Utsab as a guide more!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Shady Abdallah 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I did the Mardi Himal trek in 4 days with Asmita as my friend and guide, she's wonderful, attentive and very caring. The trek itself was well organized and fantastic all over, great views, amazing food and good company. Thanks Asmita and see you again!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   elise hislop 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Five stars simply aren’t enough for Dipendra, our guide on the Mardi Himal Trek.

As this was my first multi-day trek in Nepal, I was absolutely not prepared! But Dipendra made sure we had all the correct gear before setting off and helped us rent anything we couldn’t buy.

Throughout the trek, we not only gained a deeper understanding of the land, culture, and history, but also felt completely safe and comfortable walking at our own pace. We could talk loudly and openly, share stories, or simply choose to be silent. Dipendra has such a natural ability to make everyone feel at ease—even when you’re exhausted from walking uphill and leeches are attacking every inch of your body… somehow, he can still make you laugh.

On top of being an incredibly knowledgeable and well-educated guide, he has a stellar personality that makes it feel less like you’ve hired a guide and more like you’ve brought a mate along for the adventure.

Thank you SO much, Dipendra, for such a life-changing experience. I can’t wait to come back next year for another one!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Savannah Cash 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Went and hiked the Nar Phu Valley with Dipin.  Amazing trail and great guide!  Would recommend Dipin as guide to anyone looking to book with Elevate Treks Nepal!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Gabzy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our guide Dipendra ‘D’ Nepali was amazing, being hilariously funny and always finding a way to have some fun, but also a keen knowledge about the mountains and the villages we stayed in. His advice of slow, and steady meant the days were easy going with none of us falling behind or feeling too tired by the end of the day. Meaning that in the evenings we could still be in high spirits, and ready for the challenges of the next day. I’d recommend to everyone to go on a trek with Elevate Trekking, and our guide ‘D’. It was an experience that I’ll never forgot, and it will stay with me forever. Thank you!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Danylo Kupnovitsky 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went to do the Annapurna circuit for 10 days as a group of four friends from England. By the end of the trek we made an amazing fifth friend for life - our guide Dipendra :) The trek itself was amazing - stunning views and diverse climates and cultures that we were very fortunate to see! That, combined with Dipendra’s excellent knowledge of the local mountains and customs, made for an absolutely unforgettable experience. Will most certainly be returning to Nepal just to go trekking with D.
Thorung-La (5416 m) done, now onto 6000m and potentially more in the future!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Noah Rendo Castro 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was an amazing trek and the gear given was top notch, guide was great and would recommend (Dipendra Nepali)
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Anuj Sindgi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had an amazing experience doing the Mardi Himal trek with Elevate. Initially, I planned on doing ABC trek, but given the weather, recent landslides and time constraints, Anish ji and my guide Tanka ji suggested Mardi Himal.

I booked a full package with Elevate that covered transport, guide fee, food, accommodation and I didn’t have to spend on anything during the trek.

Special shoutout to my wonderful guide - Mr.  Tanka Dahal who expertly guided me through the trek, chose the best routes and hotels during the stay. I would definitely recommend anyone to go with him for a wonderful trek.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Amelie Hofmann 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I went to do the mardi, they got me a female guide to feel more comfortable because i was doing it on my own. I couldn’t be any happier with Asmita. She was loving and caring. She doubled checked with me every 5m to assure that i was feeling good about everything. We talked, laughed and enjoyed every single bit together. She made sure that i felt comfortable with the pace, levitation and weather along the whole trek. In the end it didn’t feel like hiking with a guide, more like with a friend. I can promise you, if you get her, you can count yourself more than lucky.

Nature With Adventure

Overview & highlights

Pokhara