Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek – 4 Days

Ghorepani Poon Hill is a journey through the combination of natural beauty and cultural diversity. Besides, travelers can experience numerous things during the trek, including:

Sunrise Viewpoint from Poon Hill

Doubtlessly, the viewpoint of Poon Hill is the highlight of the trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill. The spectacular sunrise view over the tip of the mountain in the time of the rising sun is jaw-dropping from the viewpoint. Watching the first ray of the sun illuminating the mountain peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges will stay in anyone’s heart and eye for a lifetime.

Panoramic Views of the Annapurna Ranges

Get ready to witness and be surrounded by some of the world’s renowned mountains throughout the trekking journey to Ghorepani. Among various peaks, the panorama of the Annapurna ranges is impressive. The view of the peak is almost visible throughout the route, but it is more pretty from Poon Hill. Located at 3200m, the viewpoint is well-renowned and reachable within 2 hours of hike from Ghorepani village. Poon Hill offers breathtaking views of Annapurna massifs, including Annapurna South(7,219m), Annapurna IV (7,525m), and Annapurna II (7,937m).

Warm Hospitality & Unique culture

The journey to Ghorepani Poon Hill is known for a trip through the unique culture and warm hospitality of Gurung and Magar communities. Experience warm hospitality in the villages you’ll pass through and tea houses where you’ll stay overnight. Trekkers can learn about the traditional Nepalese lifestyle and enjoy cultural exchange with locals.

Ghorepani Village

Located at 2,874 meters (9,429 feet) in Gandaki province, Ghorepani is a picturesque village surrounded by lush forests, rhododendron groves, and terraced fields. The town is primarily famous as a base camp of Poon Hill and offers stunning mountain views. Magar ethnic groups are predominant in the Ghorepani village and have their own distinct cultures and traditions. Moreover, a visit to Ghorepani is a remarkable experience.

Exquisite flora and fauna of Annapurna Conservation Area Project

The trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill takes place within the Annapurna conservation area, so trekkers can expect to witness exquisite flora and fauna. Trekkers pass through lush forests where they can witness wildlife, including langurs, musk deer, and various bird species.

We start our trek to Poon Hill early, at 6 or 7 am, after having a morning meal. We’ll order breakfast the night before so the teahouse owner can prepare it on time. If you hire a porter, he will carry your duffel bag and set off at his own pace. After a hearty meal, carry your day backpack and start hiking. You’ll continue walking, taking short breaks, and stopping for a while at your lunch point. After lunch, continue the trail until reaching the overnight point.

Each day, trekkers walk for 5-6 hours via varied terrain. Tea houses are the common accommodation point, offering basic facilities like twin-sharing beds and rooms with minimal amenities. The area’s locals run the tea house and offer authentic food that provides a real taste of Nepalese cuisine.

Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is located in the Annapurna region in the Myagdi District in the Dhaulagiri Zone of Nepal. The trek is one of the finest vacation options due to its easiness and shorter duration. 3,200m above sea level is the highest elevation of the trek, which is generally safe and has minimal risk of altitude-related issues. The trek is ideal for trekkers with each age group and fitness level, requiring no previous trekking experience and a high fitness level.

Trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill can be completed within 4 days, making it a top choice among trekkers with limited time. Likewise, the trek takes through numerous local villages where trekkers can learn about their culture and way of life, making the trek worthwhile while adding authenticity to the journey. Although the trek is short and easy, it offers an unparalleled close-up view of the mountain ranges.

The package covers all meals, including Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, throughout the trekking journey. Likewise, we provide a choice among Western and Nepali foods for your meal. Yet, we suggest trying Nepalese cuisine, which is healthy and affordable. In addition, we also manage secure and comfortable accommodations during the trip. The accommodation points offer twin-sharing beds with limited amenities but provide sound sleep after walking for a long day.

Spring and Autumn are the best time to do the Poon Hill trek. Spring is a pre-monsoon season that starts in March and lasts till May. One of the beautiful aspects of trekking during that time is the chance to witness the blossom of the rhododendron flower all over the trial. The weather is mild during this time, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 5°C. Similarly, Autumn is post-monsoon, spanning from September to November. The weather is pleasant, with an average temperature of 9.6°C. The skies are clear, and the visibility of the mountains is stunning at this time.

However, Monsoons and Winter are not favorable times for Poon Hill trek due to the challenges it bring. June, July, and early August are monsoon seasons in Nepal; the time brings heavy rainfall, making the trail slippery and unsuitable for trek. The temperature during the monsoon is quite warm, and the summer season ranges from  5°C to 25°C. Correspondingly, Winter starts in December and lasts till late February. Weather is harsh during this time, with temperatures ranging from 2.2 to -3.5°C. The chilly weather and snowy trail make it unsuitable to trek in Poon Hill during Winter.

Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is one of the leisurely treks in Nepal, suitable for first-time trekkers. The trek is easy-going as trekkers with minimum training or preparation can complete the trek smoothly. The highest elevation on this journey is 3,200m at sea level, which is manageable, and risk related to altitude sickness is minimal. Thus, the trek fits every age group and fitness level.

Furthermore, there are some factors to consider while trekking to Poon Hill. For sedentary people, the trek can be quite difficult as it involves walking uphill through varied terrains. Likewise, if you trek during the off-season, you’ll likely face more challenges; the accommodation along the trail is basic, making it uncomfortable for those living in high-standard facilities. Yet, with general preparation, trekkers can complete the trek without hassle.

Trekking to Ghorepani Poon Hill requires one mandatory permit, including the Annapurna Conservation Area permit (ACAP). As the trek to Poon Hill takes place within the conservation area of Annapurna, obtaining a permit is crucial to have a successful trek. The cost of the ACAP is NPR. 3000 for foreigners and NPR 1000 for SAARC, and children below 10 years are free to enter. Yet, don’t worry about obtaining the permit, as Nepal Alternative Treks will manage it on your behalf.

• ACAP: NPR. Three thousand for foreigners and NPR 1000 for SAARC.

Note: Children below 10 years are free

Reaching Pokhara from Kathmandu is straightforward as both cities are popular and are developed with good facilities, roads, and transportation. Ground transportation and airways are two options to get to Pokhara from Kathmandu. Ground transportation options like cars, buses, and jeeps are available. Among the choices, the bus costs $ 15 to $25, the private car costs $110 and the jeep costs $150. Likewise, the flight cost from Kathmandu to Pokhara ranges from USD 102 to USD 105. It is 201km from Kathmandu to Pokhara via road and 88.54 mi (142.50 km) via airway.

The journey to Ghorepani Poon Hill begins from Hile. However, the option from Kathmandu to Pokhara is one of the easiest and most accessible. Once after getting to Pokhara, travelers must drive from the city to Nayapul to start trekking. Jeep is the best option to get to Nayapul from Pokhara, costing USD 80. The distance from Pokhara to Nayapul is 44km, taking 2 hours of scenic drive.

From Nayapul, the trek starts via Tikhedhunga, Banthanti, and reaches Ghorepani. After spending a pleasant time at Poon Hill, the journey returns via  Tadapani and Gandruk village. Moreover, the panorama of the Annapurna ranges, Manaslu ranges, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Machhapuchhre, Tharpachuli, Hiuchuli, and Tukuche Peak will accompany you.

One of the specialties of the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is that it offers a vast range of alternatives and trip extension options.  The trek can be extended to Annapurna Base Camp, which can be continued from Tadapani or Chhomrong. Likewise, trekkers can combine the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek with Khopra Ridge. Moreover, a trek to Mardi Himal is another best alternative.

You must have your travel insurance with you. So, make sure your travel insurance company has covered all your safety measures. Make sure that the insurance company provides you with every facility. Because it has a lot of benefits during the trek. Therefore, make sure your travel insurance covers your injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, rescue mission, loss of property, etc. But, most importantly make sure your travel insurance is not expired.  Furthermore, make sure that your Insurance policy has covered your 4000m trekking and adventure policy.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a moderate-level trek. But, it can get a little difficult for new trekkers. And, we make sure our people are safe during the trek. So, the safety and security of the trekkers are important factors for our company. Similarly, we take full care of our consumer and their property. Similarly, our trip constantly operates monitoring every area of our travel. So, you should not worry about your belongings when you are traveling with us. Likewise, the accommodation facility we provide is also very safe and secure for your stay during the trek.

While trekking through high altitudes you must be physically and mentally fit. Most importantly, you should also not have any blood-related diseases. Furthermore, you should have experience climbing small peaks. Similarly, being confident and passionate about the trek is also important. Furthermore, make sure that you have some knowledge about the conditions of the trek.

Gears required for the trek vary upon destination and season. A comprehensive list of gear for all activities is listed on our dedicated page of Trekking Gear List