Poonhill Trek - 9 Days

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ghorepani
Ghorepani Trekking Entrance
sunset view
Sunset View
Ghorepani
View from Ghorepani
Poonhill High Cammp (3210m)
Poonhill High Cammp (3210m)
Mountain view from poonhill
Mountain view from poonhill
gurung to Poonhill Trek
gurung to Poonhill Trek
Trip Details
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Easy
  • Trip Style: Trekking
  • Transport: Deluxe tourist bus & private car
  • Food: Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Hotel, lodge (tea house)
  • Group Size: 01-12 Pax
  • Max Elevation: 3,210 meters
  • Starts in: Kathmandu
  • Ends in: Kathmandu or Pokhara
  • Average Walk: 4 – 6 Hours
  • Activity: Trekking and Cultural excursion

Highlights

  • Short, easy, low-altitude trek in the Annapurna region
  • Terraced hillsides
  • Excellent viewpoint- Poon Hill (3210m)
  • Protected rhododendron forests and cascading waterfalls
  • Ethnic Magar and Gurung villages

About Poonhill Trek

The Poon Hill Trek is a famous walk located in the Annapurna region accessible to all ages and is even family-friendly. The trip culminates with a beautiful sunrise, unobstructed panoramic views of the Annapurna range, and lovely rhododendron forests.

The Poon Hill trek is a lower altitude, short trek in the Annapurna region. For those whose schedules might be a bit tight, but who want big-mountain views, the Poon Hill Trek offers one of the most appealing options around. For those who might have a bit more time but are looking to “warm” their legs up before jumping into a longer, more challenging trek, this walk offers a wonderful start to your trip. 

Our walk to Poon Hill begins from Nayapul, often considered a gateway village to a number of different Annapurna-based walks. We depart Nayapul, passing the Annapurna Conservation Area Porject (ACAP) check post to walk along an easy path among multiple ethnically Gurung villages.
Soon we find ourselves at the foot of a very steep hill, requiring that we ascend a series of knee-crunching stone steps to arrive in the village Ulleri, perched on the mountainside. Not long after we depart Ulleri, we discover we are in the protected rhododendron forests of the Annapurna Sanctuary. Depending on the season in which we walk, the hillsides come alive with pink blossoms as the rhododendrons flower.

The path continues to delight us with clear streams, waterfalls, and the occasional teasing big-mountain view. We stroll into Ghorepani, a Magar village occupying a low-altitude col and with mouth-watering views of big peaks and the base for hiking Poon Hill for sunrise.

We rise early, and head for the hills, climbing nearly 400 meters to gain the vantage point of Poon Hill (3210m). Poon Hill is famous for the unobstructed panoramic views of Annapurna I Main (8091m), Annapurna South (7219m), Machupachare (6997m), Tilicho (7134m), Nilgiri (7061m), and Dhaulagiri (8167m), and for the incredible sunrise silhouetting Machupachare, and the golden light that falls on the south face of Dhaulagiri.

If you wish to shoot photos, we need to arrive at Poon Hill early in the morning to secure a good spot for your tripod.

After taking in this incredible experience, we close our walk by briefly exploring the Ghandruk area, rich in culture and splendid forests.

Poonhill Trekking

Poonhill Trekking

Itinerary

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Arrival in Kathmandu International Airport where our representative will be waiting to welcome you at the arrival gate. For your convenience, our representative will be holding your or your company’s name card. You will then be transferred to your hotel where you can rest and freshen up before we meet at the reception area to discuss trip details and any other information as required. Overnight in hotel.

    We depart Kathmandu on the tourist bus early in the morning. The drive is along the Prithvi Highway, and offers splendid views of green, terraced hillsides and of the Trishuli and Marshyangdi River valleys. Pokhara is famous as a lakeside city in Nepal, and upon arriving, we transfer to our hotel where we stay for the night. Overnight in hotel.

      After breakfast at our hotel, we drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, a drive that takes about an hour. We begin our walking journey in Nayapul, soon after crossing the Modi River and arriving at the check post marking our entrance into the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. From here we have a largely easy stroll as we pass the Bhurungdi Khola and enter Hile. We press on toward Tikhedunga, our final destination for the day. Overnight in tea house. 

        Today we begin walking from Tikhedhunga, passing a few lodges, and crossing a suspension bridge, and arriving at the foot of a very steep hill with many, many stone steps. We gain the top of the knee-crunchers to arrive in Ulleri, a village perched on the mountainside. Passing through Banthanti, we begin to enter the protected rhododendron forests, where bird song can fill the air, and beautiful blossoms cover the countryside in spring. We walk through Nange Thanti to reach Ghorepani, a beautiful Magar village with splendid views. Ghorepani is our final destination for the day. Overnight in tea house.

          Today we rise long before the sun to hike Poon Hill in time the for famous views of Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna I Main (8,091m), Himalchuli (7,893m) and their respective massifs. As the sun rises over Machupachare, Dhaulagiri’s south face is bathed in the morning’s golden light. Poon Hill is a well-known spot for photography because of the unobstructed view of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs. We return to Ghorepani, have breakfast, and depart for Tadapani. Along the way we first pass through Deurali and Benthanti before arriving in Tadapani, our final destination for the day. Overnight in tea house.

            After breakfast in Tadapani, we beginthe day by descending through the rhododendron forest. The trail presents a relatively gradual descent at first before we descend more steeply on stone steps. We walk on to reach Bhaisikharka, a small community peppered with a few lodges. Continuing, we reach to Ghandruk, a historic ethnic Gurung villagethat maintains much of its cultural charm, and is also our final destination for the day. In the afternoon, we can visit the Gurung museum.Overnight in tea house.

              As we depart Ghandruk, we confront a steep stone staircase, but the splendors of the mountains carry us forward and we pass Khimche, Syaulibazaar and walk steadily on as the trail flattens a bit. Along the way we catch farmers working in their fields, and discover that we have arrived in Birethanti, where we check out from the ACAP check post and meet our ride back to Pokhara. Our return drive to Pokhara is about an hour, and upon arriving you are transferred to your hotel. Overnight in hotel.

                From Pokhara, we drive back to Kathmandu, enjoying the views of the river and terraced mountainsides. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in hotel.

                  Today our incredible trip together comes to a close, and we send you off at the international airport.

                    Cost Details

                    • Airport pick up & drop transport
                    • 2 night standard twin sharing hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast.
                    • 2 night standard twin sharing hotel in Pokhara with breakfast.
                    • Tourist bus transport from Kathmandu – Pokhara and Pokhara – Kathmandu
                    • Private transport from Pokhara to trek’s starting point, and from trek’s ending point to Pokhara
                    • Tea house accommodation during the trek
                    • Gov-licensed, experienced, helpful, and friendly guide and porters (1 porter per 2 people), and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and accident insurance
                    • 3 Meals a day during the trek: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
                    • Annapurna Conservation Park Permits (ACAP) fees
                    • Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) fees
                    • First-aid medical kit
                    • Government taxes & office service charge
                    • International flights
                    • Nepal Visa fee
                    • Travel and medical insurance
                    • Personal expenses (phone call, internet, laundry, bar bills, snacks, battery recharge, bottled or boiled water, hot showers, porter for single trekker etc.)

                    Useful Information

                    This itinerary isa scheduled trip reflecting an itinerary that has been very popular among many of our previous guests. The itinerary can be easily customized to accommodate your own preferred schedule and interests.

                    We are also happy to organize combination packages to explore various regions and attractions throughout the country if you have an interest to explore Nepal further. Popular destinations and activities include: the well-known Chitwan National Park and its jungle safaris, guided tours through the medieval kingdoms of ancient Nepal, trips to Lumbini (the birthplace of Lord Buddha), scenic mountain flights, world-class white-water rafting, and much more.

                    Reach out to discuss your thoughts and we will work with you to make it happen.

                     

                    Client Reviews

                    Poonhill Trekking

                    bartoszm, Poland

                    We had an adventure of our lifetime in Nepal! We were picked from Pokhara, went to Nayapul by car (the road is quite bumpy!), started the hike from there to Tikhedhungga, through Ulleri ( a LOT of steps!) to Ghorepani. On the 3rd day we arrived on Poonhill just before the dawn - with a magnificent view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna as a reward. We then went through Tadapani and Ghandruk, back to Nayapul. We were very lucky with two things: the weather and our guide Raj - he cared for us from the start to the finish line, booked great rooms in tea houses along the way and was in general a very good soul to spend those 4 days with. I recommend the trek fully to those who want to get started with Himalaya experience. Date of experience: April 2019

                    Poonhill Trek

                    Michael Wood, United Kingdom

                    “We have just finshed the Poon Hill treck during our first time visiting Nepal. Well what can I say? We have had an amazing experience and while we have shown great willing and worked extremely hard we could not have completed this adventure without our guide Bibek Bhatta. From the start Bibek showed his experience and class with knowledge of not only the Poon Hill trail, but also ABC and Everest Base camp (I would 100% be confident to contact him in the future if we looked to make one of these trails) Bibek was keen to answer our questions on religion, nepal, culture and anything else we had to ask. We certainly feel as though we have gone through both a learning and fitness experience. He gave the perfect balance between making sure we was challenged but also allowing us to move at our own pace. Bibek' s English was excellent which meant that we could have plenty of fun along the way. His connections on the mountain ensured that we stayed in the best guest houses, avoided bad weather and got to experience the best views at the best time of day (That's what we are going for right?). Bibek's hospitality didn't end on the mountain when he realised our outbound journey from Nepal wouldnt work he supported having the flight times changed and when we thought we was going to miss out on Phewa lake he continued as a guide to make sure our Pokhara experience was complete before ensureing that we made it to the airport on time. (He has just messaged to make sure we have made our journey safely). It feels as though we have made a friend. On reflection I think that the guide can make or break your trip and while I know there will be other good ones in Nepal Bibek was fantastic. Anyway a picture paints a thousand words...”

                    Poon Hill Treck

                    Diana, Iceland

                    It has been such a pleasure having Bibek as our tour guide. He made sure our trip is fun, safe, exciting and well planned. It has been absolutelly wonderful experience from the minute he picked us up at our hotel. He made sure we have some breakfast before starting the treck and gave us useful tips and guidance at all times, absolutelly spoilet with attention and care. Bibek was super friendly and understanding, ensuring that we feel comfortable with our journey and stopped at any point we felt like we have to. The treck was everything and more, incredible scenery, great tea houses, excellent food and plenty of stories from Bibek about Napalese culture and history. Anybody planning on doing Poon Hill treck should definitely consider choosing Bibek as their tour guide, excellent service from a genuine guy with a lovely heart!

                    Excellent for Poonhill Short Trek

                    NIenke Strijks, Netherlands

                    “The guides and porters were great and everything was well arranged.”

                    Mike and Diana Poon Hill Treck

                    Mike, Iceland

                    We have just finshed the Poon Hill treck during our first time visiting Nepal. Well what can I say? We have had an amazing experience and while we have shown great willing and worked extremely hard we could not have completed this adventure without our guide Bibek Bhatta. From the start Bibek showed his experience and class with knowledge of not only the Poon Hill trail, but also ABC and Everest Base camp (I would 100% be confident to contact him in the future if we looked to make one of these trails) Bibek was keen to answer our questions on religion, nepal, culture and anything else we had to ask. We certainly feel as though we have gone through both a learning and fitness experience. He gave the perfect balance between making sure we was challenged but also allowing us to move at our own pace. Bibek' s English was excellent which meant that we could have plenty of fun along the way. His connections on the mountain ensured that we stayed in the best guest houses, avoided bad weather and got to experience the best views at the best time of day (That's what we are going for right?). Bibek's hospitality didn't end on the mountain when he realised our outbound journey from Nepal wouldnt work he supported having the flight times changed and when we thought we was going to miss out on Phewa lake he continued as a guide to make sure our Pokhara experience was complete before ensureing that we made it to the airport on time. (He has just messaged to make sure we have made our journey safely). It feels as though we have made a friend. On reflection I think that the guide can make or break your trip and while I know there will be other good ones in Nepal Bibek was fantastic. Anyway a picture paints a thousand words...

                    Great team and excellent experience !

                    Thaanh b, Canada

                    My boyfriend and I were in Nepal from 19/12/18 to 25/12/18. It was the most enchanting 6 days and I am so glad to have engaged Adventure Bound for our holiday in Nepal. From the beginning, has been very efficient in answering all our enquiries and providing us with all the necessary information prior to our trip. On the day of our arrival, we were picked up promptly at the airport and everything from then on was nothing less than stellar. All our check ins and check outs at the various hotels were seamless and we never had any administration hiccups. Mr Laxman Aryal was always checking up on us through phone calls and messages to make sure that we were doing good. He met us the day after our arrival in Kathmandu and on our last day before we departed home to make sure everything was okay and that we had a pleasant time. Thank you so much to Adventure Bound for making this trip a truly memorable one for my boyfriend and me

                    Trip Advisor write a review