Pathibhara Temple Travel Guide: Trek Route, Best Time to Visit & How to Reach

Introduction

Pathibhara Devi Temple is one the holiest pilgrimage sites in Nepal. Every year thousands of hindu visitors come to visit annually. This temple is situated in the beautiful hills of the Taplejung District and serves the purpose of Goddess Pathibhara Devi and it is believed your wishes come true when you visit the temple with faith. The temple has many other attractions other than spiritual significance, as trekkers are particularly drawn there due to the scenic nature of their trekking path, and spectacular views of the beautiful Himalayas.

Where Is Pathibhara Temple Located?

Pathibhara Devi Temple is located in Taplejung district of Koshi province of the eastern part of Nepal. It lies in the famous Kanchenjunga region which has the largest biodiversity along with mesmerizing scenes of Himalayas. The trail of Pathivara Temple trek is full of forest and old local nepali villages. In the spring season, the trails are full of Rodhodrendren and in winter it fills up with snowfall.

Geographic Location

The temple is located at a height of 3,794 meters (12,448 feet) above sea level.Because of this elevation, the weather is very cold, foggy and windy especially in the winter season. The best part of this trek is the 360 himalayan views of snow covered Himalayan peaks.

Distance from Major Cities

Pathivara Temple distance from the major cities of Nepal:

Kathmandu: Most of the trekkers started this trek from Kathmandu. The total distance between Kathmandu to Taplejung is approximately 670km and it takes 24 to 30 Hours by road depending on the conditions of roads and traffic.
Bhadrapur: Another most popular point for travelers visiting Pathibhara Temple is Bhadrapur. The Bhadrapur to Taplejung is approximately 230-250 km by road and takes 8-10 hours by jeep.
Dharan: Dharan is another significant way to stop the traveler to Taplejung. The road distance between Dharan and Taplejung is approximately 170-200km, and the journey normally takes 7-9 hours by road depending on the road conditions and the traffic.

How to Reach Pathibhara Temple

There are multiple ways to reach Pathivara Temple. You can take a private jeep from Kathmandu to Kaflepati and hike for 4 to 5 hours or you can take a flight from Kathmandu to Suketer and take a jeep for 40 minutes to reach Kaflepeti..

Route from Kathmandu

Kathmandu → Bhadrapur (flight)
Bhadrapur → Taplejung (jeep)

Many travellers choose this route because of its convenience and easiest route. First you take a flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur which takes around 40 to 45 minutes and from Bhadrapur hire a private jeep service to Taplejung which takes 8 to 10 hours..

Route from Taplejung to Suketar

Suketar is the main point for this trek to Pathibhara Temple. It is approximately 8-10km by road and takes a 30-40 minutes jeep ride. Suketar is also home to the small Suketar Airport which however has infrequent flights that' s why people choose flight to Bhadrapur. .Suketar is the starting point of the pilgrims to the Pathibhara Temple, it takes 3-4 hours to reach the Temple at an average walking pace.

Vehicle Options for Travelers

All kinds of vehicles go to Suketar but most of the travellers prefer jeeps due to its comfortness. Here are the major vehicle options for trekkers to Pathivara temple.

Jeeps: One of the popular modes of transportation for Pathivara Temple trek is Jeeps. The way to Suketar or Kaflepati area is hilly and off road and a 4WD jeep is more stable and safe. Jeeps are perfect in the case of groups, pilgrims, and trekkers who desire to have a comfortable and reliable trip to Pathivara Temple.There is also sufficient space to carry luggage and trekking equipment.
Cars:Another form of transportation for this trek is cars, which are ideal for small groups or couples. They are more suitable when one is travelling long distances on highways either Kathmandu or Bhadrapur or Bhadrapur to Suketar. But they are not suitable on rough roads that are closer to Kaflepati as compared to jeeps.
Local transport: Local transportation is also one of the major and cheapest options. But at the same time it gives less comfort compared to Jeeps and Cars. They only run on a routine and may be busy particularly during the season.Travelers also have to switch the vehicles on the way to Suketar or Kaflepati, which might make the route more time-consuming and uncomfortable.

Pathibhara Temple Trek Guide

Pathivara Temple trek is one of the religious, easy and short treks. You can complete this trek within 2 days depending on the location you will start.

Trek Starting Point

The starting point for this trek is Suketar and Kaflepati.

Suketar: Most of the travellers fly or drive to Suketar, which is the headquarter of Taplejung. and then hire a private jeep to reach the trekking point.

Kaflepati: Kalfepati is one of the common trekking points for this trek. With hired jeep, it takes 30 to 40 minutes to reach Kaflepati from Suketar. And it takes 4 to 5 hours to reach Pathivara temple from this point.

Trek Duration

Pathivara Temple trek is famous for its religious importance and for its short trail. The trek starts from Kaflepati and an uphill hike 4 to 5 hours to reach the temple.This trek can be completed within 2 days. Many travellers return the same day but some prefer to stay overnight in the tea house near the Temple.

Trek Difficulty Level

This trek was considered moderate difficulty because of its trail and duration. The trail follows beautiful landscape along with the blooms of Rodhodendren and pine, so you almost forget the stone steps. But in winter due to the snowfall, the trek might be slightly difficult to walk and due the high altitude some trekkers may feel fatigue and find difficulty breathing. Therefore, walking slowly and at the same pace, taking some rest during walking and hydrating your body is recommended.

Accommodation on the Route

On the way to Pathivara Temple trek you will find tea houses and local lodges for accommodation.

Tea houses: Tea houses are common for this religious trek. They are run by the family and you will get shared rooms with local Nepali food. Prices are different according to the services.
Local lodges: Another accommodation option for this trek is lodges which are run by locals. Lodges are large compared to tea houses and also have private and shared rooms. They served Nepali local foods.

Trekking Gear Needed

This is a short trek so you don’t need heavy trekking gears. Here's the some essentials list for Pathivara Temple trek:

Warm jackets: The Temple is located at 3,794 meters (12,447 ft) that's why the weather is so unpredictable. A warm jacket is important to keep you safe and warm in the low temperature.
Hiking shoes: Hiking shoes are very important because they make walking comfortable and easy. Hiking shoes also gives you warmth during winter and keeps you safe from frostbite.
Thermos and water bottles: It is very important to be hydrated during trekking. A handy thermos for hot water and a normal water bottle is very important.
Spf: There's a high risk of getting sunburn while trekking. A sun protection with Spf 5 and plus is very important to get rid of sunburn while trekking.
Walking stick: For some people walking stick is also essential in Pathivara trek. Though it is a short trek, trails are stone steps and a proper stick will help you to stabilise and support the knees.
Raincoat: The weather is changeable due to the high altitude and a proper raincoat is recommended to add in the list.

Best Time to Visit Pathibhara Temple

The best time for Pathivara temple trek depends on the weather conditions and depending on what travellers want to see.

Spring Season (March–May)

This season is ideal for Pathivara Temple trek because of the weather conditions. The skies are clean and you can see rhododendrons on the trail and clear mountains.

Autumn Season (September–November)

Most of the trekkers want to visit Pathivara temple trek because of clean air and mountain views. At this time temperature is moderate and trails are clean.

Winter Season

Winter is considered the most challenging season for this trek. The temperature is low and there are huge chances of snowfall. The trail is full of snow so many trekkers avoid it this season .

Why Renting a Vehicle Makes the Trip Easier

The trip to Pathivara temple is a long and tiresome journey, especially when you are travelling from Kathmandu. Renting a private vehicle is the easiest and comfortable way to make this religious trek memorable. Here’s why you should rent a vehicle for this trip:

Ideal for remote travel: Pathibhara Temple is located in the remote place in eastern Nepal. Due to its remoteness no public vehicles are available. Therefore hiring a private vehicle can be an ideal travel option. Hiring a car/Jeep will enable tourists to access such destinations as Suketar or Kaflepati more easily and effectively.

Limited Public Transport: In the eastern part of Nepal, public buses and local vehicles are limited. Not all vehicles are allowed to go to Suketar or Kaflepati. Hiring the services of a personal jeep or a car will save time and take away the burden of handling multiple transport interconnections.

Reliable and Flexibility: Private vehicles give you full reliability and the freedom to drive at your speed, have a break or go sightseeing, and transport trekking equipment easily. It is particularly applicable to groups, families and pilgrims who want a more organized journey and find it easier.

Safe: Safety is one of the important factors that makes many travelers rent out vehicles. Because mountain roads and unpredictable weather conditions of remote places need professional and well maintained vehicles. Rented jeeps will minimize the stress of travelling and will help in having a hustle free trip to Pathivara temple.

If you are looking for a rental platform in Nepal for your next trek to Pathivara temple, Rent in Nepal can help tourists to book transportation ahead of time. Rent in Nepal also provides car hire as well as trekking gear rentals, and helps make travel itineraries for your entire trip. This will save a lot of hassles and pressure when visiting Pathibhara Temple.

SEO FAQ Section

1. Where is Pathibhara Temple located?

Pathivara Temple is located in Taplejung district in Kosi province with an altitude of 3,794 meters (12,448 ft).

2. How difficult is the Pathibhara Temple trek?

Pathibhara temple trek is considered average in difficulty because the total trek distance is around 20 Km and it takes 8 to 10 hours to reach Pathivara temple.

3. What is the best time to visit Pathibhara Temple?

All seasons are good for this trek but Spring (March – May) and in Autumn (September – November) are considered as an ideal season because at this time you can see clear skies and Rhododendron blooming in the forests. Many people avoid this trek during the winter season because of heavy snowfall.

4. How can I reach Pathibhara Temple from Kathmandu?

You can reach Pathivara temple from Kathmandu by road and by flight. Flight is the fastest way to reach where you take flight from tribhuwan airport to suketar airport and then hike for 4 to 6 hours to reach Pathivara temple.The other way is travelling by road with hiring a vehicles and it takes 24-30 hours to reach Taplejung or Kaflepati and then trek for 3 to 5 hours to reach Pathivara temple.

5. Do I need trekking gear for the Pathibhara trek?

Heavy trekking gear is not essential for this trek.You just need to have a warm jacket, raincoat,waterbottle, walking stick, light snacks and sunscreen.