Poon Hill view Point

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek - 3 to 4 days

182 reviews in TripAdvisor
5 reviews in Google Reviews
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Trip GradeEasy
Maximum Altitude3210 meters
ActivitiesTrekking
Group Size1-30
StartsPokhara
EndsPokhara
Best TimeAll season

Willing to watch the stunning sunrise views while sipping a cup of tea from the top with a feeling of mini mountaineering in Nepal? Just imagine walking in the blooming rhododendron forest, hot springs, and heart-warming villages of Gurung and Magar and witnessing the golden hues over the mountain range of Annapurna and many other glorious peaks. This is Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking in Nepal, a short trek that makes every step worth it in the land of Himalayas.

Highlights of Poon Hill Hike

  • A short trek in the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) that rewards you with a stunning sunrise view
  • Immerse to the heart-wrenching culture and tradition of Gurung and Magar communities
  • Dive into the culture of Gurung village in Ghandruk and Ghorepani
  • Experience the livelihood of local people residing in the Himalayas
  • Walk through the blooming dense rhododendron forests including other wildflowers
  • Cross the long suspension bridge of the Modi Khola River
  • Panoramic views of mountain ranges like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Machhapucchare, and several others
  • Ascend and descend through the beautiful stone staircase

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Comprehensive Overview

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek leads you on a mirthful walk along the heart of the Annapurna region. This is a relatively short trek and can easily completed without any hassle. Although, it doesn’t exceed a week and doesn’t demand any prior trekking experience the views along the route to the vantage point of Poon Hill truly unveil the rich diversity of the Himalayas. 

Right from the start, the trail winds off through ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project), a trekking route that leads to many other fascinating destinations here in Nepal. Meandering through the dense forest, terraced fields, and enchanting valley adds a soothing realm to the trek. But the genuine spring reveals itself, as soon as we enter the blooming forests of pink and red rhododendrons. 

Dwelling in the famous villages of Ghandruk, Ghorepani, and Tadapani with the backdrop of heavenly peaks such as Dhaulagiri andAnnapurna ranges rising highly just above the traditionally built villages with the multi-cultural authenticity of locals transports us back to their past lives. 

While we may think that this is the end! A magical hike to the Poon Hill View Point (3210 m) awaits us. Immerse yourself in the glorious 19 countable peaks where the sunrise paints those white mountains with golden hues. 

As much as the clear sky can be mesmerizing with exhilarating landscapes. The windy air coming out straight of the epic Himalayas and the colorful prayer flags slowly flagging just in front of the mountains leave you speechless. 

If you are looking for something fresh, and unique and want to explore the best out of the Himalayas. Don’t miss out on commencing this truly incredible voyage to the Ghorepani Poon Hill. 

Note: We have another 3 days Poon Hill Trek  itinerary as well customized for you. Please slide down to know more about this trip.

4 days Poon Hill Trek Route

Our journey of this 4-day Ghorepani poon hill Trek from Pokhara begins with a short drive to Nayapul via Phedi and Kande. Upon reaching Birethati Nayalpul, the hike starts toward Ulleri village. The trails wind off passing by dense forests with several charming along the flowing sounds of the Modi Khola River.

On the second day, the astonishing views of Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Fishtail magically awaken us with their sunrise views. As we traverse the villages of Nangethanti and Banthanti, the trail leads us to the Ghorepani village where the heavenly mountains and landscapes accompany us.

The magical sunrise view awaits us from the viewpoint of Poonhill, where several mountains can be seen. Rising highly in the sky, the golden sunray touching the tip of the mountains and the sunrise coming out of the cascading hills create a heartwrenching moment for our trek.

After being mesmerized by these captivating peaks, we descend towards Tadapani (Faraway water) unveiling the pristine view of Annapurna South and Mt. Machhapuchhare. Staying overnight here, this trek concludes after reaching the city of Lake, Pokhara.

Heavenly Sunrise View from Poon Hill 

This vantage point of Poonhill- 3210 meters is the maximum altitude that we reach during our 4 days Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Early in the morning, trekkers set off for the hike through the steep stairs from the village Ghorepani just to catch a sunrise glimpse kissing the tip of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs. This golden hour with the backdrop views of several other peaks like Tukuche Peak, Hiunchuli, Lamjung Himal, and not to forget the famous, Machhapuchhare (6997) in the shape of the fishtail provides a heavenly experience straight out of a fairytale. Here, immerse yourself in the slow windy fresh air with the mesmerizing backdrop views of the Himalayas. 

Ghorepani village

Nestled at the heart of the Annapurna region, Ghorepani promises to offer a rich diversity of cultural immersion, as the lodges or tea houses are run by the warm and welcoming Gurung and Magar communities. Many trekkers visit this village simply to experience their unique livelihood and way of life. Here, don't miss out on visiting the famous Gurung Museum, where we can see the past of the brave Gurkhas and old pictures. Looking at these photos, with little details on them, transports you to their past lives. Today, the tea houses are mostly run by none other than the Gurkha after their retirement life who are globally renowned for their bravery. While staying here, you can hear their brave stories and get to know their lives in the Himalayas. The mountain vista in the background of the tiny houses of locals, made out of clay and painted in all white and brick colors with traditional roofs makes your one-day stay here truly unforgettable.

Mountain Views during the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Right from the start, we trail along the Poonhill trek route through the dense forest. The backdrop views of alluring mountains such as Dhaulagiri (8167m), Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, Tukuche Peak (6920 m), Tilicho Peak (7130m), Dhampus Peak (5244m), with Annapurna Ranges, accompany us throughout the trail. As we navigate along the snowy peak views, the blooming rhododendrons in the colors of red and pink just add a vibrant touch to the trek. While climbing higher, a mountain range of Machhapuchare (6993m) reveals its beauty in the shape of a fishtail. 

Enchanting flora and wildlife of Poon Hill

The lower region of Ghorepani is widely surrounded by dense forests of oaks, pines, and rhododendrons. It adds a perfect shade of white and red to the green surroundings. Moving to the upper sections, the maple trees and oaks with the chirping sounds of birds coming through these trees create a peaceful vibe to our trek. As soon as we reach the village of Ghorepani, the oak trees surround the village providing a home to the diverse wildlife. 

As we navigate through the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) from the beginning point, expect to catch a glimpse of wild creatures like mountain goats, Himalayan tahr, and elusive Red pandas. At higher elevations, rare animals like Snow leopards and Himalayan black bears can be seen from far away. This diversity and variety of flora and fauna make this Poon Hill Trek truly a rewarding voyage. 

Ghandruk village: A paradise in the Himalayas

Without visiting Ghandruk village, we believe trekking to Ghorepani Poonhill is incomplete. It is also known as a Gurung village as the majority community of Gurung families reside here. We have included this route in our itinerary to ensure you get an amazing opportunity without exceeding more days. This village perfectly resembles the diverse cultural mosaic of the Gurung community residing here for more than a century. This tiny settlement charming village is located at the foot of the Himalayas where every house of locals is made up of clays showcasing the ancient era of living life. 

Here, we could see the sunrise views of Machapuchare (6993 meters) and Annapurna ranges providing a golden hour to these alluring peaks. Sounds heavenly experience, right? But, there’s more to come out of this. We can visit Gurung museums and wear their traditional attire, and jewels and live their past life for a moment. On top of that, the stairs here are engraved with stones, and every step here feels like a magical dream turning into reality. 

Route Overview 3 Days Ghorepani Poonhill Trek (if you have only 3 days)

Willing to do Poon Hill Trek, but only have a limited timespare? Well, we got you! We can trek to the Poonhill within just 3 days from Pokhara. This trek can be completed by commencing on a direct jeep drive from Pokhara to Ghandruk from where we can ascend to the village of Tadapani on the very first day. From here, we can hike up to the Ghorepani and conclude the trek on the last day by hiking up early in the morning to Poon Hill View Point. After savoring the rewarding views, we start descending and depart to Pokhara by sharing a jeep via Ulleri village.

Although the time may seem limited and not enough, this 3-day Short Poon Hill trek promises to reward you with diverse landscapes, astonishing mountain views, and, last but not least, a rich tapestry of culture each day. This makes our trek not just a hike, but a meaningful journey to the Himalayas.

Transportation Facility (if you are in Kathmandu)

If you haven’t arrived yet in Pokhara, then we can start our journey to Poon Hill from Kathmandu. While we mention about starting point from the capital city, Kathmandu that doesn’t mean exceeding one more day in this trip by adding cost. We can arrange tickets for you by deluxe tourist bus. However, the bus ride may be quite hectic as it is a long bus drive of 6-7 hours. So, it is better if you take a flight from Kathmandu - Pokhara that only takes 20-25 minutes. For flight tickets, you must add extra cost just for flight tickets. Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition will arrange these transportation facilities for you. So, you can complete this Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek without any fuss.

Possible Treks along the Poon Hill Trek Route

If you have ample time and think that this 3 or 4-day Gorepani Poon Hill Trek in Nepal is too short for you then, you can simply extend your trip to other famous destinations along the Annapurna region. Our pro expert team can also tailor your package according to your preference anytime. Many trekkers prefer to extend their trip for more days. By keeping these things in mind, we have many other popular packages along this trail that can be completed within just a week. 

  • 5 days Mardi Himal Trek
  • 7 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek
  • Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill Trek 

Benefits Booking of Booking Poon Hill Hike with Destination Himalaya and Expedition 

  • Free airport pick up and drop off in a private transportation
  • Experienced professional registered trekking guides and porters
  • Customized itinerary according to your preference
  • Expert advice before the trek
  • Free excess luggage at our office during the trek 
  • Online Trip Briefing for International clients before reservation and In-person briefing after the arrival
  • Basic First Aid Kits
  • Multichannel communication like Viber, Instagram, WhatsApp, IMO, E-mail, Zoom, and Telegram are available
  • 24/7 communication: 977 9851016814 and +977 9851146816 for local and international calls
  • 100% fixed Departure guaranteed
  • Easy payment system

 

 

Itinerary
Trip PlanExpand all

After having breakfast, we begin our journey by taking a 2 hours private jeep drive towards Birethati. We will have our lunch at Birethati and head towards the village of Ulleri where we will be staying tonight. By passing through dense forests, terraced fields, green hills, and several tiny villages such as Sonari, Birethati, and Tikhedhunga by Modi Khola River side by side we reach Ulleri, the gateway to the Ghorepani. Along the way, the astonishing views of Annapurna and Machhapuchhare accompany us through the trail. This Ulleri village is home to diverse communities of Gurung and Magar communities. Here, you can enjoy the livelihood of these heartwarming locals that just makes your first day of the trip truly incredible. 

 

Max Altitude: 2070m/6800 ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Tea house

Leaving Ulleri village, after a heartwarming breakfast. We set off to our next destination, Ghandruk village. As ascending to the top of the village of Ulleri we climb through the stone stairs. Reaching the top, we can see this huge authentic village where the houses are made out of clays, painted whitely with the traditional style roofs. Today, we get to cross a huge suspension bridge as well. 

Passing through the dense blooming forests of rhododendrons, and pine, we finally reach the Ghorepani Village. A charming village just at the lap of the mountains where the community of Gurung people resides.

 

Max Altitude: 2850m/9350ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Guest house

Today, in the early morning we ascend to the Poon Hill View Point. The magical vantage point of the Annapurna region. Upon reaching here, the mesmerizing views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs along with several other gigantic peaks reward us. The flippering sound of prayer flags gently winding off the fresh air adds an experience like in heaven. After relishing these astonishing views, we descend back to the village of Ulleri and hike through some steep ascends and descents until we reach Tadapani where we’ll be staying tonight.

 

Max Altitude: 3210m/ 10531ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Tea house

While we may think that this is the end of this captivating journey! The massive beautiful village of Gurung, Ghandruk awaits us. Leaving Tadapani behind, we start descending. The trail is quite easy today. Traversing through the small tea spots, forests, cascading waterfalls, and tiny settlements of Bhaisikharka. 

We reach the Ghandruk village, a massive village of the Gurung community. Here, we pay our visit to the famous Gurung museum, where we can see the past lives of their community. The old glimpse of this stunning village with small details graved on. Don’t miss out on trying their traditional dress with their golden jewels on. After spending some time here, we catch our private or local jeep from Ghandruk and head on a 2-3-hour drive towards Pokhara. 

 

Max Altitude: 1940m/ 6365 ft Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Tea house
Cost Details
Includes
  • All 3 full course meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
  • All Accommodation during the trek
  • Transportation trip from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by tourist standard deluxe bus
  • Private jeep (Pokhara - Birethati and Tadapani - Pokhara)
  • Free Ghorepani Poon Hill Map
  • Free safe luggage storage at Destination Himalaya Trek and Expedition office
  • Trekking Cap and Tshirt as a souvenir 
  • One professional English fluency guide, and assistant guide (for a group of more than 12 trekkers)
  • Seasonal fruits along the trip
  • 1 strong porter for 2 trekkers 
  • All guides and porters expenses including meals, salary, equipment, transportation
  • Emergency evacuation service if needed (funded by your travel insurance)
  • Successful trek completion certificate from our office
  • Farewell dinner with all team members at Kathmandu or Pokhara
Excludes
  • International flight tickets
  •  All the Beverage bills and personal expenses (Hot water, Hot shower, Wifi charge, battery recharge, bottled water,
  • Laundry charge, etc)
  • Personal trekking gear and equipment
Essential Information

Best time for Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Every season is possible to commence this incredible voyage! However, if you want to get the best sunrise view then, the best ideal time for the Poon Hill Trek in Nepal are Spring and Autumn. While we mention these two incredible seasons, trekking during the winter and summer has its unique features. Moreover, due to the incredible access and drastic infrastructure facilities upgrade in this area, it has become an all-season trekking trail where visitors can enjoy this trek all year.

What to expect in Spring (March to May)?

Spring, one of the most preferable treks offers a favorable temperature and weather with the captivating views of blooming wildflowers throughout the trail. Due to the best weather conditions, visitors can plan this trek without worrying anything about the heavy rainfall and high humidity. Throughout, the trail you can enjoy the rich vegetation, terraced fields, and landscapes surrounded by blooming flowers and not to forget, the mountain views rising highly up close just behind the red and pink rhododendrons add an aesthetically pleasing vibe to your Goon Poon Hill Trekking.

What to expect in Autumn (September to November)?

Autumn is supposedly the best ideal time to embark on this journey to Ghorepani Poon Hill. This season falls under the big festive seasons of Nepal, Dashain, and Tihar. While staying at the lodges/teahouses along the route, you can have a lively experience of these two festive. On top of that, unlike the spring, the trails are less crowded and peaceful allowing you to enjoy the best views of mountains and rich diversity of flora and fauna in serene surroundings. Just like the spring season, the temperatures are mild which makes the views of several peaks like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Ranges even more crystal clear.

What to expect in Winter (December to February)?

If it were any other trek, trekking during this season would be highly discouraged. However, this issue doesn’t apply to the Poon Hill Trek. You only need to ascend to a maximum altitude of 3,210 meters, so there won’t be any problems regarding cold weather and freezing temperatures. Meanwhile, you should pack all the warm essential clothes required for this trek. Meanwhile, there’s a high possibility of snowfall during this time, allowing you to enjoy the snowy mountain views and even play in the snow by building a snowman.

What to expect in Monsoon (June to August)?

Summer (Monsoon) falls under the rainy season of Nepal, so heavy continuous rainfall is quite expected during this time. Due to this, the trails are slippery and the terrains are messily muddy. If you are planning to do this trek to Poon Hill then you must be extra careful while walking by these slippery paths. In addition, this route follows the trail of dense forest from the very beginning. The leeches and rainy bugs can be a little irritating. However, with the right trekking gear this trek can be completed. 

Poon Hill Trek Difficulty

This trek to the Poon Hill is easy to navigate and doesn't demand any prior experience. However, there are some uphill ascends and descents so you must be careful while hiking. In Ulleri and Ghorepani, some stone staircases can be quite challenging but overall this trek is a beginner-friendly route. While going downhill, the hike can be strenuous. The continuous descent through the staircase can lead to leg muscle if a proper hiking plan is not followed. However, this trek is an easily accessible route for families and can be done by diverse age groups.

Altitude Sickness 

The best part about this short trek to Poon Hill is there is a bare minimum chance of getting altitude sickness. This trek only takes you to an elevation of 3210 meters so that wouldn't be a problem. Just listen to every safety instruction of the guide and hydrate yourself properly that is enough to prevent you from the problem of altitude sickness. 

Meals and Accommodation

During this Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking, you get cozy lodges/teahouses managed by the local people of this region itself. So, the guest houses they offer are quite basic and simple but have a pleasureful aura to the surroundings. As you move and lodge in several tea houses dotted in villages you can enjoy wooden rooms with attached bathrooms in Tadapani, and Ghorepani. The rooms are comfortable enough to stay in, you will get a foamed mattress, pillow, and a cozy thick blanket. Meanwhile, for the hot water shower and laundry facilities, you must pay an extra $2-$4 to the tea house you are staying in. 

While trekking to Poon Hill you can always look forward to diverse food options from Western cuisines to local ones, this route promises to offer a variety of meals. As the lodges are being handled by none other than Gurung and Magar communities, the local foods that you get here are incredibly unmatchable. 

In the morning time, you are offered a menu to choose from like Pancakes, Tibetan Breads, oatmeals, porridge, chapati (roti) served with curry, soups, muesli, and many others with coffee, tea, and even hot chocolates. Meanwhile, in the lunch and dinner, the food is even more delightful. These diverse sections of the menu consist of Spaghetti, momo, Sandwiches, Spring rolls, noodles, french fries, traditional local foods, and the ultimate Dal Bhat (served with lentil soup, tomato pickles, Spanish, and green vegetables) that can be refilled without any additional costs. While having these foods, don’t forget to dine in the kitchen area, where there is a traditional heater used to warm the lodges. These wide varieties of foods and comfortable lodges make your trip truly easy to complete without any fuss. 

Communication Services along the Poon Hill Trek Route

As compared to other trekking trails in remote areas, the access to communication facilities here is quite decent. Over the years, the infrastructure has been slowly developing. In the lower regions, 4G cellular data can be accessed. However, as you ascend to the higher regions and the vantage point of Poon Hill, it can be problematic to connect to the network. Nevertheless, every teahouse has a telephone or satellite phone from which you can connect back to your home. So, there’s no need to panic!

Permits for Poon Hill Trek

These two following permits must be issued for the trek to the Poon hill. You can simply issue this permit either in Pokhara or Kathmandu.

ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project ) Permit Fees:

  • Foreigners must pay $28 (Approximately NRS 3000/-)
  • SAARC nationals must pay $8 (Approximately NRS 1000/-)

TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System) Fees:

  • For foreigners: $15 (Approx: NRS 2000/-)
  • For SAARC nationals: $8 (Approx: NRS 1000/-)

Note: Upon your arrival, we will arrange all these necessary permits for you.

Booking Procedure:

For the confirmation of your trip, we require 10% advance payment after the reservation is made, please send us your necessary documents such as a copy of your passport, passport-sized photos, and arrival flight information (if made) within a few days. You can send booking amounts through bank transfer and online from our websites. After your booking is done we’ll arrange everything for you that are necessary for the trip. After you arrive in Nepal, you can make payments through Credit card, Cash, or bank transfer for more detailed information please mail at  info(a)destinationhimalayatreks.com or WhatsApp +977 9851016814, +977 9851146814.

FAQs

For your safety, travel insurance is highly recommended. As we know, navigating along the route of dense forest and hill areas isn’t a daily task. Even though this trek is a short duration hike of 3-5 days and only reaches the altitude of 3210 m. But unexpected accidents can happen at times. So, Travel insurance helps us to manage the emergency evacuation immediately.

Trekking to the Poon Hill is an easy and short-duration hike. In some sections, the paths have some ascents, and descents and contain some rough trails. Climbing up from Ulleri and Ghorepani can be a little strenuous due to the stone stairs. But, if planned well you won’t have any difficulty throughout the journey. Moreover, it is an easy trek that can be completed successfully by anyone.

Yes, anyone without any prior trekking experience can complete this trek. This trek is mostly done by beginners to adapt to the environment of mountain areas before doing any other high-altitude treks like ABC Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek. If you are a beginner, then this trek suits perfectly for you. 

Yes, hiring a guide is the first thing any trekkers must do through a local authorized trekking agency for safety purposes. Trekking to mountain areas by passing through dense forests means the possibilities of unseen challenges. If you hire a professional guide then, he will not only show you the trekking route but also accompany you ensuring safety and comfort throughout your trek in this Annapurna region.

 

While reaching the vantage point of Poon Hill 19 countable peaks including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs reward you. On top of that, the soothing windy air here adds a freshness and heavenly experience making your 3 days trip truly special. 

 

Drinking water is easily available everywhere at the teahouse/lodges You can buy a mineral water bottle but you should do proper disposal of plastic
bottles. You can also fill boiled water at teahouses paying extra charges. Always carry a water bottle and water purification medicine to prevent
unwanted health issues.

The starting point of this Poon Hill Trekking is from Birethanti and ends in Tadapani. Short outline: Pokhara- Birethanti- Ulleri- Ghorepani- Tadapani. 

 

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