Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill - 13 days

Best Time for ABC Trek with Poon Hill

The ideal seasonal span of the year, during which anyone can undertake this Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Poon Hill, is the whole year, as it is an all-season hike. 

During the Spring, the whole Annapurna region is adorned with blooming rhododendron forests and many other wildflowers such as snow lotus, primula, and oaks that bring a thriving colour of red and pink to the otherwise boring landscape. Not only that, as it is the time of the planting season in the Himalayas, the views become even more pleasant as locals are engaging in the planting of many crops, offering a unique insight into the journey. 

Speaking about Autumn, the hike during these months provides a meaningful cultural insight as the main festivals of Dashain and Tihar fall in October and November, when visitors can truly learn about how such rich festivals are celebrated in the remote areas. Besides, due to the smaller amount of snow/rainfall, the skies become pretty clear with unhindered views of towering mountains and lovely green hills. 

Meanwhile, even though this trek is doable during the monsoon and winter times, the heavy rain or snowfall makes the trail a bit slippery and hard to pass. The temperature goes below zero degrees Celsius above 4000 meters, so you must carry warm gear and equipment as well. Weather and climate conditions are unpredictable during this timeframe, so it is important to be prepared for such unfortunate conditions, like a sudden drop in humidity, cold nights, and icy terrain. 

While the Spring and Autumn seasons are suitable for every kind of trekkers, whereas, the monsoon and winter are best suited for experienced trekkers.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill Difficulty

The ABC Trek via Poon Hill falls under easy to moderately challenging trekking trails in Nepal, which covers two vantage points, one at 3210 meters, and another at the sanctuary itself, at 4130 meters. Although it is a high-altitude journey, this trip is smooth going, and it doesn't include any hazardous sections or technical terrain, making it smoothly achievable with basic fitness and prior preparation for any group, including first-timers as well. 

The first half of this combined trip visits the Ghorepani trail with the straightforward track along some stairs with several ascents and descents, of course! But it wouldn’t be a big deal. It doesn’t have uneven terrain or a leg-trembling long-duration hike; however, it can be a bit challenging on the very first day, as you have to ascend towards Ulleri with a stone staircase and a continuous uphill terrain for 3-4 hours of hiking. If you have a basic level of fitness, then the distance of 8 to 9 kilometres won't be an issue.

The second half follows the Annapurna Base Camp trail after descending to Tadapani, where the trails consist of numerous up and downhills with some rugged, steep sections along the way. However, in the case of an inclined uphill walk, it is not difficult but surely demands some preparation and a basic level of fitness. The terrain at the higher elevation passes through rough sections, whereas after hitting above 3500 meters, you might feel the rise in altitude, with thinning air, so make sure to follow the preventive measures from the very beginning of the trip.

All in all, this combined ABC Poon Hill Trek falls under a moderate adventure that can be done by beginners, families, walking with kids, with proper preparations and comprehensive packing essentials, matching all seasonal variations.

Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization

Altitude sickness, or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), can occur when you ascend above 3,000 meters. Since Annapurna Base Camp sits at 4,130 meters, it is important to take altitude seriously, even though the risk on this route is generally lower than on higher Himalayan treks.

Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill itinerary is designed with a gradual ascent, allowing your body enough time to adjust to the increasing elevation. By gaining altitude slowly and sleeping at lower elevations before continuing higher, the route supports better acclimatization and helps reduce the risk of AMS.

However, altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Walk at a steady pace, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and get enough rest throughout the trek. If you experience symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, or difficulty sleeping, inform your guide immediately. Our guides are trained to monitor trekkers and will adjust the itinerary or arrange a descent if necessary for your safety.

Here are some of the preventive measures you should follow to avoid the risk of altitude sickness from the very beginning.

• Make sure to hydrate yourself with 3 litres of water per day, if possible. If that sounds too much, then have soupy food for lunch and dinner, which would help to nourish the body and avoid mouth dryness.
• If you are quite concerned or unsure about the AMS, then carry "Diamox", which alters the blood PH and increases respiratory rate, which is most effective for inexperienced hikers.
• Do not rush things and walk at your own pace, slowly adjusting to the elevation shift. If you feel any mild symptoms such as difficulty breathing, nausea (feeling like vomiting), headache, dizziness (losing control or faintness), and most importantly, insomnia (feeling completely uneasy to sleep), then please inform the guide as soon as possible. 
• Carrying ginger food items, such as dry ginger (found in markets) or ginger soup, makes the body warm and avoids the coldness of rising elevation.

How to be prepared for the trek?

No matter how experienced or novice a hiker you are, preparations remain one of the crucial aspects for the Himalayan odyssey to make it easygoing and hassle-free, and it remains the same for this trek as well. What makes your trip successful is not only about your trekking guide or the agency arranging the requirements and logistics; it's all up to you — how well you prepare before the journey starts. Here are some of the most important considerations and ways to be prepared for this excursion:

• Discuss your experiences, pace level, and preferences with the expert teams to tailor the dates, durations, and side trips that are comfortable for you.
• Start engaging in cardiovascular exercises, such as running, walking, cycling, or completing 10,000 steps per day, to set a basic fitness level and slowly build up your strength through workouts, focusing on legs and shoulders, which helps for long hikes. You can also do short hikes nearby on Saturday or Sunday, near your home, for 4-5 hours.
• Do a full-body checkup, especially lungs and heart, ensuring that you can handle the high altitudes thinning air, and take suggestions and guidelines from your trusted doctor.
• Do proper, comprehensive research about the trip, know about the trails, tea houses, terrain conditions, and keep realistic expectations accordingly.
• While packing the gear and equipment, rather than packing all the clothes, pack lightly and only fit in what are essentials, according to the seasonal conditions.
• Before you leave for Nepal, leave your phone contact number, agency details, and itinerary with your day-to-day itinerary with your family or someone you are close to, for emergency communication.
• Get travel insurance, if possible, from your own home country, covering all essentials, such as medical expenses, injuries, theft, trip delays, cancellations, and most importantly, helicopter evacuation up to 5000 meters.
• Before departing for the trek, address your health issues, any concerns, allergies to meals or anything, or anything related to health, with the trekking guide and the agency as well.
• Estimate the budget for personal expenses, for drinks, extra meals, snacks, souvenirs, and carry the cash accordingly, estimating expenses on a day-to-day basis, and limit the cash; do not carry more than $500 (chances of theft or loss) for just personal spending on the trail. You can do the money exchange later in Pokhara, if required, after the trip concludes.

Foods and Accommodations

There's no doubt that the trail tends to serve every trekker with the best yet basic cosy lodging facilities. As the expedition is in a remote area from the beginning, the tea houses are simple but comfortable enough to accommodate.

In the lower areas, some rooms with attached washrooms and single bedrooms are quite manageable; however, moving to the upper trails crossing the Tadapan, the washrooms must be shared among all. It is impossible to manage the attached washrooms in the upper section. Every room is hygienic and well-maintained, and comfortable mattresses, blankets, and pillows will be provided. 

For the food, the meal options consist of a variety of choices from Western, Indian, and Asian to local. This region caters to all the tastes and preferences of hikers across the globe. You just have to choose it, and it'll be prepared accordingly by the locals, considering your selection.

Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill package covers all the meals — Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner — with drinks such as tea, coffee, or anything you wish to have, and the lodges along the trekking trail, including 3-star-rated hotels in Pokhara and Kathmandu at the same time.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance isn't mandatory, but you can include it on your must-do list for this expedition to secure your safety, and you can also hike along the trail without any problem, thinking about what would happen. What situations might occur? 

We are not saying that this journey is a dangerous trip, or that there is a high risk of altitude sickness, as such critical situations are quite rare, but it is suggested just for safety, as the emergency medical services might cost thousands of dollars. Having an insurance policy that covers medical bills and helicopter evacuation helps a lot for you and us as well to manage the air evacuation (rare case) as soon as possible.

Permits for Annapurna Base Camp with Poon Hill Trek

To do this combined trail, there are two permits required: firstly, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and secondly, the TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System Card), as this trail navigates through the protected area from the very beginning till the end. The permits can be obtained either from Pokhara or Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board office. Once your booking is confirmed with us, the required permits and paperwork will be arranged by us soon after.

For this trek, you'll require the following permits mentioned below:

• ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) costs approximately NPR 3000 per person, i.e., nearly $27 for internationals, whereas for SAARC nationals, the price is relatively low, costing around NPR 2000, i.e., USD 18.
• TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System) costs around NPR 2000 for all foreign nationals - $ 18.

Tips

• Credit Cards and ATM services aren't accessible except in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Ghorepani, and Tadapani, so make sure to do a money exchange in the city area. If you have Dollars, Euros, and IC (Indian Currency) then you are good to go; otherwise, carry Nepali rupees, estimating your daily personal expenses.
• Carry a waist-sized backpack that fits all the basic items, such as gadgets, chargers, cash, medicines, and snacks, even if you hire a porter for emergency purposes and quick access.
• If possible, try to bring an extra power bank to charge up the phone and camera, as some tea houses don't have electric sockets in the room. Yes! It is available in the dining area, but you have to pay $4-$5, depending on the charging time.
• Before starting the hike, create a proper diet chart in one notebook, mentioning your dietary plans and also foods that you are allergic to, so the meals are prepared accordingly.
• For the WiFi, laundry facility, hot shower, and bottled water, the extra costs are charged by the tea house, so carry some cash if you need some extra services, like $5-$10 per day, depending on your spending.
• Even though there are several tea houses along the trail, the price triples up there. Buy quick snacks to grab in between the trek, such as granola bars, protein chocolates, Snickers, and instant noodles to munch on.
• Do not miss out on bringing an oximeter (to check the oxygen level) and Aqua tabs to purify the water; although it is safe to drink, it is always better to prevent rather than cure.- will be provided by us. 

Safe Booking Procedure

Every itinerary of ours is tailored to ensure that it fits your budget and time duration. Our Ghorepani ABC Trek is surely an opportunity that you don't want to miss. Hey! If you want to customise the package according to your timeframe and, of course, budget, then feel free to talk with us.

For the booking confirmation, you just need to deposit 10% of the total cost that has been mentioned above. Send us your passport photocopy and 2 photos, and you are just a few steps away from setting your footprint on the Annapurna Himalaya. For special group discounts or any clarification, you can contact us 24/7 at the mentioned details- Whatsapp/Viber +977 9851016914 or +977 985114681,4, or email us at [email protected].