Six Days Guide to Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek in Nepal

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a short exposure to the Annapurna Region and is an incredible way to get introduced to trekking in general. Best part about Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is that it is time friendly, mesmerizingly beautiful, rich in culture and one of the best week long trek to do in Nepal. Also, this trek is achievable by anyone accustomed to walking for a longer period of time.

Ascending up to a maximum altitude of 3210m only this trek is suitable for an average trekker. Variety of landscape, magnificent mountain views and the taste of the local culture that this Trek goes through makes Ghorepani Poon hill Trek an epic trek in it’s own right. For an average person who for the first time is trekking in the Himalayas, Ghorepani Poonhill Trek brings out the possibility of bringing alive trekking in the Himalayas but is also a luring proposition for experienced trekkers too.

Starting and Ending Point

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek starts and ends in Pokhara. Spending a night or two in Pokhara will also help in the acclimatization process. One can either drive back or fly back to Kathmandu. One can also extend the Poon Hill Trek with a wildlife safari at Chitwan or a white water rafting or a day of gliding which is popular in Pokhara.

But after having said that, like all other trekking routes in the Annapurna Region, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek also has a couple of options regarding the starting and finishing point of this trek.

But, the most popular route is to start the Poon Hill trek with a drive to Birethanti and start the trek from here and end the Trek in Ghandruk or trek further on to Pothana to end the trek in Kande, with a drive back to Pokhara.

After the Poonhill Trek, One can either drive back or fly back to Kathmandu. Tourist buses are available leaving for Pokhara from Kathmandu, and likewise from Pokhara to Kathmandu. These buses take approximately six to seven hours, depending on the traffic. It will take approximately 30minutes by flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu.

Good For ? 

Ghorepani  Poon Hill  Trek is a beginner friendly that does not require any experience in trekking & can be undertaken by first time trekkers.

It is generally altitude sickness free and presents great photo opportunities as it offers constant views of Annapurna & Dhaulagiri Range  throughout the trekking trail.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek works well for those who are short on time and also for those who find the high altitude of  Annapurna Base Camp Trek a little daunting. Moreover, this short hike can be done in under a week, with time to take in the culture and sights of  Nepal.

Ghorepani Poon hill Trek is basically an excursion to the renowned viewpoint, that is Poonhill. On a clear day the view of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri mountains are mesmerizing.

Poon Hill – Apex of the Ghorepani Hill Trek

When the world is starting to wake up, the 45minutes early morning uphill trek to Poon Hill will be greeted by the most stunning imaginable sight.

A never ending line of snow clad mountains from Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Machhapuchhare, Annapurna II to Lamjung Himal all laid out right on the horizon in front of you, illuminated by the rising sun.

A place where you could spend hours just sitting and soaking it all in. It’s the kind of moment you want to bottle up and keep forever, and we cannot be sure if life can get any better than this.

Best Season

Poonhill Trek can be done anytime of the year, though March to May are preferred as the temperature becomes mild and the valley floors and the mountain side will be filled with wildflower blooms. But, do remember during May the slowly approaching monsoon clouds may hover around the mountains and the forest. This may be a dissapointment, so do carry an umbrella or a rain coat if planning in May.

September to November is the second best season for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek when the sky is clear and the mountains and the forest are clean from the recently concluded monsoon rain. The weather also remains very mild that is very conducive for trekking.

Trek Grade 

Ghorepani Poon  hill Trek is an easy to moderate Trek that ascents  to a maximum trekking Altitude of 3210m at Poon Hill. Participants carry their day pack only with their personal Items in them. Main Baggage will be carried by Porters.

Accommodation and Food on the Trek

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is Nepal’s best tea house trek. There are lodges along the trek route, after every hour of trekking for accommodation run by local families.

Tea house are also available along the trek route that offer lunches and snacks to trekkers and hikers.

Local vegetarian food, that is Dal, Bhat and Vegetable curry is the staple diet available in all the lodges and tea houses along the trek route. Other than the local food these lodges can also prepare other food items on demand.

Combining Ghorepani Poonhill Trek with Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Combining the Poon Hill Trek with Annapurna Base Camp is is quite a popular trek. One can trek from Tadapni to Chomroong and from here the normal trek route can be followed to Dovan, Machapuchare Base Camp to Annapurna Sanctuary.

NEPAL TOURIST VISA

• Nepal visa is readily available on arrival at the International Airport in Kathmandu and all other entry points to Nepal.
• 2 passport photos will be required.
•  Single Entry visa: US$ 30 per visa (valid for 60 days).
• Multiple Entry visa: US$ 80 per visa (valid for 150 days).
• Nepal Visas are also available in all Nepalese Embassies and Consulates.
• Visa is not required for Indian Nationals to Travel inside Nepal. Indian Nationals will need to bring with them Valid Identification Card / Document. These can be the following : a). Voters ID Card (b). Passport (c). Aadhar Card.

TRIP FACTS

• Trek Grade:   Easy to Moderate
• Duration:   5Nights & 6Days
• Maximum Sleeping Altitude:   1950/ 6527ft. ( Ghandruk )
• Maximum Hiking Altitude:   3210m/10,528ft(Poon Hill)
• Best Season :   January-May & October – December
• Trek Availability:   Join a Group Dates Shown Below(Ex Kathmandu).

ITINERARY

Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Nayapul to Birethanti. Ghorepani  Poonhill Trek starts. Trek to Ulleri ( 7Km /1209m).
Driving Time Pokhara to Birethanti : 2 Hrs. Trekking Time : 3-4 Hrs. Overnight Lodge.

Day 2: Trek Ulleri to Ghorepani (2860m/8Km). Trekking Time : 5Hrs -6Hrs. Overnight Lodge.

Day 3: Early Morning Trek to Poon Hill for the mountain views. Trek Back to Ghorepani. After Breakfast Trek to Tadapani (2160m/13Km). Trekking Time : 6Hrs. Overnight Lodge.

Day 4: Trek Tadapani to Ghandruk (1940m/7Km/2Hrs). Continue trek to Landruk (1565m/4Km/4Hrs). Trekking Time – 7Hrs. Overnight Lodge.

PS. NOTE : One can also end the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek in Ghandruk and Drive Back to Pokhara.

Day 5 : Trek Landruk to Pothana (1700m/10.05Km/6Hrs). Overnight Lodge.

Day 6 : Trek Pothana to Australian Camp to Kande ( 6Km/3Hrs). End of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Drive Back to Pokhara. Overnight Hotel (B/B only).

How much does this Trek Cost

• Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Costs: US$550 per Person
• Cost for Indians : Kindly write to us for quoptes in Indian Rupee

What is included and excluded in the Cost ?

Trek Cost Includes :

• Basic accommodation at local lodges on twin sharing basis.
• Twin Share Accommodation with Breakfast at the end of the Trek.
• All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) included for the duration of the trek.
• Services of experienced English speaking local trekking guide.
• Porters to carry luggage while on trek (1 porter for 2 persons).
• Insurance for trekking staff, guides, porters etc.,

Excludes

• Departure Tax where applicable (domestic/international flights).
• Domestic Kathmandu / Pokhara/Kathmandu airfare (if requested by clients).
• Transport from Kathmandu to Pokhara at the start of the Trek.
• Transport from Pokhara to Kathmandu at the end of the Trek.
• Travel/Trekking/Medical insurance.
• Rescue operations by helicopter.
• Excess baggage charges.
• Nepal Visa Fees.
• Any services in Kathmandu/Nepal (hotels, transport, etc.).
• Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu.

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Note: The above itinerary is a sample, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, physical ability of participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of  trip participant’s safety, comfort and general well being.

(All Relevant Terms & Conditions apply).