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