If you’re heading to do the Panch Pokhari trek, you’ve probably wondered where exactly to find the bus. There aren’t enough details on the internet regarding this subject either.
I was exactly in your shoes and had to figure this out myself. And today, I’ll be sharing as many details as I know regarding the Kathmandu to Panch Pokhari bus.
Just know that your Panch Pokhari trek in the Sindhupalchowk district kicks off from Chhimti or Bhotang. And yes, you can even take your motorcycle or hire a private vehicle there.
Stick with me until the end to find out everything.
Key Details About Kathmandu to Panch Pokhari Bus
| Starting Point | Shiva Chowk, Gokarneshwor (Jorpati), Kathmandu |
| Final Destination | Varies (Chhimti or Bhotang) |
| Bus Service Provider | Samyukta Ticket Counter |
| Contact | 01-5223131 |
| Bus Timing (Kathmandu to Chhimti) | 6:20 AM (recommended), 8:20 AM, 11:20 AM |
| Bus Timing (Chhimti to Kathmandu) | 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM |
| Total Distance | 70 km approx. |
| Total Duration | 5 to 6 hours (return: 6 to 7 hours) |
| Bus Fare | Rs. 520 to Rs. 600 (varies) |
| Route | Jorpati > Sankhu > Jarsing Pauwa > Jarekhola > Melamchi > Tipeni > Dhap > Manekharka > Bhotang (Chhimti) |
Where to Find Kathmandu to Panch Pokhari Bus?
To get your Kathmandu-to-Chhimti bus tickets, head to Shiva Chowk, Gokarneshwor. Go to the ‘Samyukya Ticket Counter’, which is often known as the Sindhupalchowk Buspark.
The bus services from Kathmandu to Panch Pokhari are provided by Ama Yangri Yolmo Yatayat Pvt. Ltd. and Sindhu-Helambu Pvt. Yatayat Ltd.
So, not just Panch Pokhari! If you’re also planning to reach Ama Yangri (Tarkeghyang), this is the exact spot from where you’ll get the bus.
In case you have difficulties navigating, search for Ama Hyolmo Yatayat Samiti. That’s exactly where the ticket counter and bus park are located.
One important tip for you is to get the tickets a day before your Panch Pokhari trip. Make sure you get the first bus to avoid any sort of delays.
Kathmandu to Panch Pokhari Bus Fare
The Kathmandu to Panch Pokhari bus fare is constantly changing. Personally, I had paid Rs. 600 for the bus, and it should be in a similar range.
The thing is—sometimes, the bus doesn’t reach the actual starting point of the trek (i.e., Chhimti). Instead, it may drop you a little ahead of the final bus stop, in Bhotang. This means you might need to hike for extra hours.
I was told this by the in-charge. My bus was also scheduled for the same. But I just got lucky! The bus dropped me in Chhimti itself.
As of now, it completely depends on how ‘vagyamani’ you are. Just manifest that the bus drops you at Chhimti, but don’t forget to be mentally prepared for the possible additional hike too.
Road Condition to Chhimti Panch Pokhari
You’ve probably guessed why the buses drop you earlier than Chhimti. It’s the road condition, of course!
The thing is—the road here sometimes undergoes construction, probably for further improvement. And sometimes, it’s due to landslides too (mainly during the monsoon season).
Hopefully, the road gets paved soon enough so that more Nepalese as well as tourists visit Panch Pokhari.
Do keep in mind that the road from Kathmandu to Chhimti is mostly off-road. So, if you don’t travel in buses much, make sure to take a motion sickness tablet (easily available in all pharmacies).
The road can be dusty in places, so I advise keeping the windows shut.
The bus makes only one stop at Melamchi Bazaar for lunch. It’s a short break of about 15 to 20 minutes, so make sure you grab some snacks as fast as you can.
How Far Can Private Vehicles Reach?
If you’re willing to take your motorcycle or car, the road condition can make it a little difficult. For beginners, I’d still recommend sticking with the bus, as you have to trek for three days, which adds to the tiredness.
Previously, private vehicles could only reach up to Deurali. But these days, the road has been properly constructed in such a way that your bikes, scooters, and jeeps can reach up to Dukhang Kharka.
You can park your two-wheeler or four-wheeler here and start your trek towards Rato Mato. In fact, if you’re early enough, you could even reach Nosyam Pati!
Returning From Panch Pokhari to Kathmandu
After completing the Panch Pokhari trek and reaching Chhimti, it’s hard to catch a bus back to Kathmandu on the same day. So, you can make your final hike day as relaxed as you want.
Spend the night in Chhimti and get the first bus ticket to Kathmandu for the following day. Mine was at 8 AM — yours could be earlier than that (maybe at 6 AM). As before, it totally depends on your fate.
The price dropped to Rs. 520 when I got the ticket. At that point, I felt like maybe the bus service at Kathmandu scammed me and charged extra for coming here. Still surprised, and I have no clue why that happened.
You’ll get the bus tickets from the hotel you’ll be staying in. And note that the bus will take a little longer (6 to 7 hours) when returning to Kathmandu, as it waits for locals and goes slowly up to Melamchi.
So, ensure that you have your breakfast before getting on the bus, as it only makes a stop in Melamchi Bazaar (like before).
How to Reach Panch Pokhari From Other Places?
As of writing this article, there are no bus services available to reach Chhimti from other districts. This means you have to rely on your private vehicle and drive/ride the most reliable route to get there.
Otherwise, you’ll have to come to Kathmandu to catch the same bus from Jorpati, which will extend your trekking by 1 to 2 days.
But if you’re able to find a bus service to Melamchi, that should also work. Get to Melamchi Bazaar by 8 AM to catch the first bus.
Another option is to hire a private Scorpio or Bolero (recommended, if you’re in a group). I’m pretty sure there are plenty of such services available in your area.
Final Words
That’s all you need to know about the Kathmandu to Panch Pokhari bus service. Let me know in the comments if you have any confusion.
Please keep in mind that this is how the bus services operate as of 2025. Things can change in the future, for sure.
Happy traveling to Sindhupalchowk!
Interested to hear my story? Read my solo winter trek to Panch Pokhari here
About The Author
Loved the depth of information in this article—very helpful!