The Ultimate Guide to Nepal’s Poon Hill Trekking
Also known as Ghorepani Poonhill Trek and Poonhill Sunrise Trek, Poonhill Trek takes us into the heart of Annapurna Himalayas where one can capture incredible Annapurna Massif, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, Gurja Himal and Dhaulagiri. Both Poonhill and Ghorepani are astonishing mountain viewpoint in Poon Hill Trekking. It begins from Pokhara and ends at the same point. Also, this trekking in Nepal is regarded as the perfect trip for beginners.
Why to choose Poon Hill as your trekking destination?
– Easy level adventure on the lap of Annapurna massif
– Short but rewarding trek passing through spectacular country topography
– Fit for the people of every ages
– To explore magnificent Ghorepani and Poonhill area
– Stunning sunrise and Annapurna mountain panorama
– Unspoiled local culture and civilization
– We also can explore Pokhara, the naturally blessed land
What to expect from Poon Hill trek?
– Local teahouse accommodation and organic food and cuisines
– Hospitable and friendly ethnic people and their unique culture
– Lush rhododendron and shady cool trekking trails
– Cascading natural water falls, winding rivers and diverse species of flora and fauna
– Spectacular mountain views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, Gurja Himal and Machhapuchhre ( Fishtail)
– Natural beauties of Pokhara city
How long is the Poon Hill Trek?
It takes 3 days to complete Poonhill Trek. This trek begins from Pokhara and ends at the same point. If we count the day from Kathmandu, it is 5 days in total.
The distance we cover for Poonhill Trek is 32 miles( 51km) from Pokhara to Pokhara. To get Pokhara from Kathmandu, we drive 201.5 km.
We begin this trek with an elevation of 900m from Pokhara and the maximum elevation we get in Poonhill Trek is 3210m that is Poonhill viewpoint.
Getting Pokhara from Kathmandu
There two ways of getting Pokhara from Kathmandu. One is by road and the other is by air. If we choose to go Pokhara by drive, it takes around 5-6 hours. For drive, we get private car, jeep, local bus and tourist bus. Majority of the tourist who prefer drive go with tourist bus. And some tourists also like to drive private jeep or car but tourist seldom use local bus for Pokhara from Kathmandu since it is really inconvenient.
All tourists’ bus for Pokhara leaves at 7 or 7.30. The tourist bus station is located at Kaldhara Chowk which is close to Thamel. It takes 10-15 mins walk from central Thamel to get tourist bus station. We need to make a prior reservation for the seats. The bus on the way stops for 3-4 times for toilets, snacks and lunch. Mostly, the buses are fully air-conditioned.
This drive is along the Prithvi Highway experiencing country settlements and local towns. We also see Trishuli river on the way which is very popular for river rafting in Nepal. Mugling is the place where the road divides: one for Chitwan and the other for Pokhara. We catch the road to Pokhara get there passing Anboo Khaireni, Dumre and Damauli.
Or, optionally, if we choose to fly to Pokhara from Kathmandu, it is 25 minutes short and scenic flight. Tara, Buddha, Yeti and some other airlines operate the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
How do you get to Poon Hill?
We take a short drive from Pokhara to the place called Nayapool. Nayapool is the trailhead of Poonhill Trek. But, these days, we can take a jeep up to Ulleri. However, the classical Poonhill Trek begins from Nayapool.
This easy graded trekking trail can be undertaken by anyone who has a good level of confidence and normal hiking skills.
After Nayapool, we get to the Tikhedhunga. We cross a suspension bridge and the real trek begins. We, now , will encounter with more than 3000 stone steps going all the way up. This is called the uphill of Ulleri which is sometimes challenging to the beginners. However, the climb offers us magnificent landscapes and settlements.
After Ulleri, we begin to trek via lush rhododendron which provides cool shady trail till we get Ghorepani. We first get Lower Ghorepani from where Poonhill is somehow visible. When we arrive at Ghorepani, we marvel at witnessing marvelous Annapurna massif, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, Hiunchuli and Gurja Himal .
Ghorepani is a beautiful town in the lap of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre. We get good lodges maintained by local people. Normally, people spend one more day at Ghorepani and celebrate the mountain views and sunrise.
We climb Poonhill early in the morning. Climbing Poonhill takes around 45 minutes. We need to get 400m elevation to get Poonhill from Ghorepani. We can get tea and coffee at the top. We capture the beautiful moments of magnificent sunrise and mountain panorama include Annapurna massif, Dhulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, Hiunchuli and Gurja Himal.
We trek back to Ghorepani and have our breakfast. If we want to spend one more day in Ghorepani, we can do it. But for this, we need to preplan.
Again, we continue our trek via lush rhododendron into Annapurna Conservation Area and arrive at Tadapani. Tadapani also offers us equally alluring mountain views and sunrise.
Next, we trek to Ghandruk. Ghandruk is another significant attraction of Poonhill Trek. It is the largest traditional Gurung( ethnic group) village where we explore a complete unique culture of the people. We visit Gurung people Museum, enjoy German Bakey and ACAP office and learn about the project.
From Ghandruk, we have two options: jeep ride or walk to Nayapool. If you like trekking to Nayapool, go with walk otherwise, you can take jeep to Nayapool or to Pokhara from Ghandruk.
Poon Hill Trekking Weather/When is the Best Time?
Autumn ( Sep-Nov) is the best time of the year for Poonhill trek. We have the finest weather of the year. The mountain views are astonishing. However, Spring is equally popular season for Poonhill trek. What special highlight we are gonna experience is blooming rhododendron. The combination of blooming rhododendron and snow-fed mountain peaks will be magnificent during Spring.
But, since Poonhill Trek is a short and easy trekking in Nepal, we can undertake this trek all round the year.
Poon Hill Trek Difficulty
Poonhill trek is graded as an easy trek in Annapurna region. Even the beginners can undertake this trekking. Just a good level of stamina will be enough for it. People do not need to have the technical skills of hiking and trekking. Be confident and be capable of walking 4-5 hours in the mountain gaining 400-800m elevation in average and venture on the trek. There is no any rocky and technical trail. We walk under the cool shade of rhododendron. Prepare it by doing some regular exercises, walk, hiking for 4-5 hours in the hills or mountain, gain and lose the elevation and celebrate your Poonhill Trek.
Food and Accommodations during Poon Hill Trekking
We use local guesthouse or lodges for accommodation for Poonhill Trek. These lodges and guesthouses are run by local people. Do not expect luxury accommodation during the trekking days in the mountain. Carry your own sleeping bag or the company will provide you instead. One accommodation costs between USD 10-15.
We are given a menu by the local guesthouse. Certain items of foods are mentioned in it. We can find our favorite item and order. Breads, noodles, Nepali Dal Bhat, Vegetables, Chicken items etc are the common dishes to enjoy. One item of food costs between USD 2-8.
Do you need a guide for Poon Hill Trek?
Majority of the trekkers hire guide and porter for their Poonhill Trek. But few make it independently. Hiring guide and porter benefits you a lot. They will take a good care of you along the trail and in the local lodges and guesthouse. They manage your accommodation and also tell about local culture, mountain peaks and flora and fauna. But, you need to hire professional ones.
One porter costs USD 15-20 and you need to pay USD 25-30 for a guide. While hiring guide or porter, you can make a research or ask a local company to provide. Without guide and porter, your trip seems incomplete.
Permits for Poon Hill Trekking
Every foreign trekker who wants to do Poonhill Trek requires obtaining two types of permits: Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit and TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System). These two types of permits are mandatory for every individual trekker for Poonhill Trek but for all trekking routes in Nepal.
TIMS Card
TIMS Card is required to be obtained if you are making your Poonhill Trek. We can obtain TIMS Card from Tourism Board office located at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu. Tourism Board office is 15 minutes walk from Thamel. One TIMS Card costs USD 20. If you take a taxi, it is 10 minutes drive from central Thamel. Or if you are booking Poonhill Trek via a trekking company, they will obtain it for you prior to the trek.
Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit also can be obtained from Tourism Board located in Kathmandu. If you are making your Poonhill Trek via a trekking company located in Kathmandu, the team will help you to obtain it for you. One ACAP costs USD 30.
How to obtain Poonhill Trek Permit?
Actually, it is not difficult to obtain Poonhill Trek Permit for the new trekkers. However, sometimes, it is difficult to navigate the location of Nepal Tourism Board. So, majority of the people book their Poonhill Trek with a trekking company which will assist you to obtain your Poonhill Trek Permit. For this, you have to provide copy of your passport and two passport sized photographs. Or, alternatively, you can visit Tourism Board office in Kathmandu city and collect your Poonhill Trek Permit on your own. This is not an online form.
Poon Hill Trek cost
It is really difficult task to determine the Poonhill Trek Cost. Sometimes, we spend much more that we anticipate and we save prepared budged too. Actually, it depends on how prodigal are you. However, we can calculate the approximate Poonhill Trek Cost.
Poonhill Trek cost is determined by the following indicators:
TIMS Card and Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit : TIMS card costs 10 USD for Dependent Trekkers(who takes guide) and costs 20 USD for Free Individual Trekkers(FIT). Similarly, ACAP permit costs 30 USD for a trekker.
Guide and Porter : The costs for Guide and Porter varies and highly depends upon which trekking agency you’re dealing with. On average the costs for a Guide starts from 25 USD per day and similarly, the costs for a Porter starts from 20 USD per day.
Personal Expenses : It includes your expenses other than what the Trekking Agency offer you. For eg: Soft/ Hard drinks, Wifi/ Battery charge, Souvenirs, Donations(if interested),etc. So, you need to be prepared accordingly with these expenses as per your interests. On average it starts from 30/ 40 USD.
Food and Accommodation: The costs for food and accommodations for Poon Hill Trekking depends highly on which elevations you are(costs increases on increasing elevations) and what category of lodge/ teahouse you prefer. On average it starts from 40/ 50 USD per day(including three meals and accommodations).
Tipping: Not only the western countries but Asian countries are also adopting the culture of tipping. So, generally we allocate 5 USD for our guide/ porter but not compulsory.
Now, I hope you got some idea to plan your costs for your Poonhill Trek.
Poon hill Trekking packing list
The following trekking checklist should help you with your packing for any of our trips. Please remember that you should always try to keep the weight of your clothing, equipment down to a minimum. Your packed trek bag, should weigh no more than 15 kilograms (33 pounds.) Please remember this is just a checklist and you do not necessarily need to bring everything that is listed below. Use your own experience and judgment to make your decision.
Some important packing lists:
➺Light and expedition weight thermal tops
➺Fleece jacket or pullover
➺Waterproof shell jacket (preferably breathable fabric)
➺Lightweight thermal gloves
➺Underwears
➺Shorts (2)
➺Lightweight cotton long trousers/pants
➺Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
➺Sun hat or scarf
➺Warm fleece hat or light balaclava
➺T-shirts (2)
➺Thin, lightweight (inner socks) (4)
➺Sunglasses with UV protection
➺Headlamp (e.g. Petzl) spares bulbs & batteries
➺Basic First Aid Kit (see First Aid Medicine below)
➺Plastic bags – for keeping items dry inside trek bag
➺Daypack (35-40 liters/2500-3000 cubic inches)
➺Water bottle
➺Toiletries
➺Small wash towel
➺Footwear appropriate to the trip
➺Waterproof shell trousers/pants (preferably breathable fabric)
➺Fleece or wool trousers/pants
➺Trekking/Hiking boots with spare laces
➺Thick, warm wool hiking socks
➺Footwear for around camp, e.g. running shoes and/or sandals
Extra/ Luxuries:
➺Binoculars
➺Reading book
➺Trail Map/Guide book
➺Journal & Pen
➺Walkman
➺Travel game, i.e. chess, backgammon and scrabble, etc.
This list is only a guide. While you are required to bring everything on this list, there are numerous options, brands, and versions of each piece of equipment. Use your experience and the listed features to find the best gear for you.
Putting it altogether:
Poonhill Trek is a short but probably the most rewarding trek on the lap of Annapurna Himalayan range. Every beginner can undertake this trek. This few days trek will absolutely marvel you with exquisite mountain topography and astonishing mountain panorama.
How did you find our blog “What you need to know before Poon Hill Trekking in Nepal”? Did it help you? If you’ve got any suggestions, please never hesitate to share. It always inspires us.