Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Actual Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek starts today after an hour's drive to Naya Pul (42 km drive) in a public car/jeep through the prosperous village of Lumle. We start walking and we reach a large and flourishing town of Birethanti situated on the confluence of the Modi and Burundi Khola. We follow the main street going through bamboo forests and pass through a large waterfall and swimming fissure. Further we trek ahead, the path climbs gradually up the side of the valley taking us to Tikhedhunga. Walking Time: 4-5 hrs, Accommodation: Local lodge, Included Meal: B, L, D.

Today is a demanding day as you have to conquer 3300 stone stairs. First, the trail crosses a stream on a suspension bridge. We climb through the steep stone staircase to Ulleri, a prosperous village at 2080m inhabited mostly by Magar ethnicity. Past the village of Ulleri, the trail climbs gently through meadows, cultivated fields and rhododendron forests. Further, after one hour’s gradual walk from Ulleri we come across two beautiful streams. If you are a keen birdwatcher, there is good chance of spotting different kinds of redstarts, varieties of kingfishers, dippers, forktails along the river, and magpies, treepies, parakeets, tits, many kinds of warblers, barbets, etc., around the cultivated areas. We further make a short climb to Nangethanti where we have our lunch. From Nangethanti we will climb to Ghorepani at 2850m. From Ghorepani we can see the magnificent panorama of Dhaulagiri I (8,167m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Tukuche, Nilgiri (6,940m), Hiunchuli (6,441m) and Tarke Kang (7,193m). Walking Time: 5-6 hrs, Accommodation: Local lodge, Included Meal: B, L, D.

We get up early before sunrise today as we have to reach Poon Hill before sunrise so that we do not miss the magical moment. It is a wonderful experience watching first ray of sun over the mountains. This is one of the best mountain vistas and is well worth the effort taken to climb to Poon Hill (45 minutes climb). Himalayan view from Poon Hill is indescribable when the rising sun’s rays gradually strikes the Himalayan giants including Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Annapurna I (8,091m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,040m), Annapurna south (7219m),Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Hunchuli (6441m), fishtail or Machapuchare (6,997m), Lamjung Himal (6,986m), Tukuche peak (6,920m), Dhampus peak (6,012m) among others. We spend some time picturing at Poon Hill and return to Ghorepani, have a hot breakfast, and continue our trek to Tadapani through rhododendron forest. Specialty of this forest is that it hosts more than 15 species of rhododendron and if you are trekking in springtime the blooming colorful rhododendrons will fascinate you. We have our lunch at Banthanti and again continue through rhododendron forest. We have about thirty minutes climb before reaching Tadapani. From here we have great views of Annapurna South (7,219m), Huinchuli and Machapuchare (Fishtail 6,993m). Walking Time: 6-7 hrs, Accommodation: Local lodge, Included Meal: B, L, D.

The trail starts descending steeply off from Tadapani. The first part of the trek today will be through a thick forest of old rhododendron trees. When the rhododendron trees are in bloom, these forests actually turn into gardens of dazzlingly beautiful flowers, mostly red and pink. By afternoon, depending upon the season of travel, we will be pleasantly surprised by the sight of some cherry blossoms in bloom on the slopes on the other side of the gorge. After trekking some more time, we enter the village of Ghandruk, an undulated settlement with stone houses mostly inhabited by the Gurung people. Along with enjoying the stunningly close-up towering views of Fishtail, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli mountains, we also walk through the village and also visit the Gurung Museum in Ghandruk to acquaint ourselves with the simple but rich cultural traditions of the Gurung people. Walking Time: 3-4 hrs, Accommodation: Local lodge, Included Meal: B, L, D.

Today, we trek from Ghandruk to Naya Pul then drive back to Pokhara. The trek will be downhill all the way to Birethanti. We step onto a staircase paved with stone slabs, curving in and out of the village and then terraced farms. It keeps on going down almost without breaks from Ghandruk until Modi Khola river valley. By the time, we arrive at Birethanti, some of us would feel like having made a downhill marathon. But our marathon is not over yet. From Birethanti, a half-an-hour’s walk takes us into Nayapul. The journey on foot comes to an end at Nayapul. Then, we drive from Nayapul to Pokhara. We can hang around Pokhara lakeside at the evening time. Overnight at hotel. Walking Time: 4-5 hrs, Driving Time: 1 hr, Accommodation: Hotel, Included: B, L, D.

Your Ghorepani Poon Hill Hike is complete today. If you have some time left before your departure flight home, you can shop around Thamel for souvenirs for your friends and relatives. Our airport representative will drop you at the international airport in Kathmandu for your departure flight from Nepal. We hope beautiful Nepal, the awesome Himalayan sceneries, the cultural experience you got along your Poon Hill hike will stay in your memory lifelong and you will go back home with a sense of conquest. Included Meal: Breakfast

Walking at Ghorepani Poon Hill is for all those travelers who are looking forward to have an excellent short and easy holiday at beautiful Annapurna region of Nepal. For first timer trekking in Nepal, to avid travelers, regardless your age, fitness level, time availability and interest, this trip is recommended for all including you. Therefore, yes, this trek is for you. Join solo/ with friends, family and/or your loved ones.

Just imagine you arrived at beautiful lake city of Pokhara after sightseeing world heritage sites at Kathmandu, initiated trekking activity walking through culturally rich Gurung villages and in just couple of days, very early in the morning you get to witness the magical sunrise views over the Himalayas. If you want to turn this imagination into reality then let us know your travel plans. Let’s see how we can help.

Even though its considered easy, its not as simple as walk in the park. Therefore preparations are essential and it is recommended that you get involve in cardio exercises like swimming, cycling, skipping, treadmill and similar others. The highest altitude gain during Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is 3210m at Poonhill viewpoint. Getting at this altitude is not considered as risky, therefore there is no or negligible chances of AMS during this trek.

For this short and easy trek, pack less enjoy more. Don’t forget to pack your down jacket, sleeping bag, sunscream, strong shoes and others. All of these gears are also easily available for hire and sale at stores in Kathmandu and Pokhara.  Also read our extensive packing list for trekking in Nepal.

Getting an travel insurance is very essential if you think you will be suffering from AMS or getting injured during the trek and mandatory for high altitude treks in Nepal. However, for this walk to Ghorepani Poonhill, its short, easy and very less risky; therefore even if you don’t get insured, you can join in.

You will need Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit and Trekkers Information Management Service (TIMS) card for this trek which can be arranged at Kathmandu and Pokhara. Trekking company will arrange these permits for you.

Autumn months of September, October, November and the Spring months of April, May,June are regarded as the best time for trekking in Nepal and same with Poonhill trek. During the peak season, weather are mostly fine with less chances of rainfall and high chances of viewing clear views of Himalayas. Being a short and comparatively easy adventure, this trek can be joined during any time of the year. Which time suite you? Let us know.

Ghorepani Trek is a tea house trek; therefore you will be staying at different lodges while hiking on village to village. The rooms of most of the tea houses are clean, comfortable on twin sharing basis. There are plenty of basic to standard lodges available.

Full board meals, which mean breakfast, lunch and dinner is offered during al trekking days by the company. Meals are deliciously cooked rice,lentil,veggies (dal bhat tarkari), soups, noodles, omletes, bread, pasta, porridge are common on the menu in trails along with tea, coffee and other drinks being available. It is recommended to pack a packet of peanuts, cashew nuts, raisin, choco bars and can fish for quick energy boost and candies, chips as extras.

Safe drinking water is available at tea houses at extra costs, you have also an option to purify the tap water yourself by tablets, steripen etc. Never drink water from local source without purifying.

Yes, you can easily, free at hotels in cities. However you may need to pay extra on the trails. If you have spare batteries bring them along.

There are plenty of options available for this Ghorepani Poonhill trek like Royal Trek, Annapurna Panorama Trek, Short ABC Trek, Jomsom Muktinath Pilgrimage Trek and Annapurna mini Circuit Trek. Ghorepani Poonhill is also visited during most of other long Annapurna region treks. Therefore, there are many options and excursions available. We just want to know which trip suits you the best and make it happen.

Quickest and easiest way to book any of our trips is to book it online. For booking online, click on the book now button at top right side of this page and fill out the form.

If you are still unsure about this trip, then ask any related questions to our experts. You can also book your seat on our fixed departure dates. Departures are guaranteed on those dates.