Highlights
- Breathtaking sunrise and sunset views from one of the best Annapurna view points, Poon Hill at 3210 meters
- Walk through the thriving woodland, blooming with red rhododendrons, pines, and oaks, and encounter diverse wildlife
- Savour in delicious local foods, and experience remote tea houses, hosted by ethnic communities of Magar, Gurung, Tamang, and many more
- Ascend uphill via stone stairs in Ulleri
- Impeccable panoramic vista of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massif, the world's 7th and 10th tallest peaks
- Befriend other himalayan giants such as Macchapucahre (Mt Fishtail), Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, throughout
- Explore the famous Ghandruk village, known for Gurung's lively remote huge settlements, museum, and traditional way of livelihood, amid the mountains
The Poon Hill Trek is a short, quick, and easy trail in the Annapurna region that is gaining huge popularity, as it offers a mini mountain-climbing experience without much physical effort or a long time commitment. If you are someone who wants to unravel the beauty of the himalayas, however, setting yourself back, thinking, it is demanding or costs you thousands of dollars, then, considering Poon Hill Trekking shall be your perfect choice. The trails are well maintained, straightforward, and the lodges (accommodations) are the best that you can find in such mountain areas, where you do not need to panic, where to stay, finding amenities, or the wide variations of meals as well.
The route can be commenced by beginners, who have zero himalayan experience, and can also be safely done by kids or senior citizens, as the navigation trailhead is not isolated or ruggedly remote, where you'll meet many trekkers and locals along the way. The Poon Hill Trek can be completed in 6 days, starting from Kathmandu, the capital city; however, if you've already arrived in Pokhara, the gateway to Annapurna hikes, then you can choose the 4-day Ghorepani Trek from Pokhara, as well. The maximum altitude this trip reaches is 3210 meters, with a gradual rise; thus, the risk of altitude sickness is low, making it ideal for family treks, student groups, and first-timers as well.
Our 6-day hike to Ghorepani and Poon Hill begins in Kathmandu, with a 7-8 hour drive to Pokhara, experiencing another side of the land of himalayas, Nepal, via bustling towns, green hills, huge landscapes, roaring rivers, and small towns. Then, on the next day, from Pokhara we will take a 2-hour jeep drive towards Birethanti, the starting point of the walking trail, as we march our way to Ulleri through a stone uphill walk.
On the 4th day, the trail leads us to Ghorepani, exploring the deeper route of the Annapurna Conservation Area, and takes a 45-minute morning ascent to the iconic Poon Hill View Point, with the breathtaking sunrise over the snowcapped himalayan peaks, including Dhaulagiri, Macchapuchare, Annapurna, Manaslu, and many more under the golden hues and fresh mountain air. The route then takes a descent to Tadapani and Ghandruk village on the consecutive days, and concludes with a drive back to Pokhara.
Throughout, you get to explore remote traditional villages, unique cultures and traditions, with a meander along the woodland through river streams, waterfalls, suspension bridges, winding off through lush green forest, where the journey is filled with laughter, joy, and unforgettable memories. The Poon Hill Trek 6 days, stands out as a cultural trek, a hassle-free Himalayan odyssey, and a budget-friendly mountain excursion that showcases the 360-degree views of mountains, and an accomplishment of reaching a certain height, as a reward, making your days spent on the trail worth it.
Poon Hill
Poon Hill, perched at an altitude of 3210 m, is one of the best vantage points within the Annapurna region, where almost eight peaks above 7000 meters are visible along with Annapurna I (8091 m), Dhaulagiri I (8167 m), Fishtail (6993 m), Nilgiri, and the famous Mardi Himal, on its fish lense panorama angle. While other viewpoint treks, such as high mountain passes or the base camps, demand a good time frame and prior high altitude experience, the Poon Hill viewpoint stands out from all, as it is a beginner-friendly trek, and can be achieved safely just within 3 to 5 days from Pokhara. It is also a popular destination in the himalayas, which you can either do solely or combine as a side trip, along the way to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) as well, depending on your preference.
Ghorepani
The Ghorepani village is basically popularized as a base for Poonhill, or the key overnight stop, within the Annapurna Conservation Area, which lies amid the green hills and mountains, with the blooming rhododendrons, and sweeping snowcapped, alluring peaks. It is a remote traditional village, hosted by Gurung and Magar families, which requires two permits, an ACAP and a TIMS Card, to get access to this territory, as it lies within the protected area. In ancient times, it used to be a watering stop for horses and traders, as it was an ancient Tibetan salt route, so the name came from ghora pani, which means horse water in English terms. While staying here overnight, it gives you time to relish and prepare yourself for the morning climb to the Poonhill on the next day.
Ghandruk Village
Ghandruk is one of the stunningly beautiful villages in Nepal, that is situated at 2012 meters, surrounded by lovely hills, slate-roofed traditional villages, and stone houses, just under the huge mountains such as Annapurna South, I-IV, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, and Macchapuchare, which makes the settlement more intriguing. It is also one of the most-loved trekking destinations for tourists, and a popular stop on social media. where you get to visit the Gurung Cultural Museum, wear traditional dresses, attires, jewels, and explore the vantage point, with a short 20-minute walk, enjoying the upfront mountain views.
Mountain Views
Throughout the journey, several legendary mountains, almost 18 countable himalayan peaks, reward you, rising high at the height of 6000 meters to 8000 meters, including Dhaulagiri I (8167 m), Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna South (7219 m), Annapurna II, III, Gangapurna (7455 m), Machapuchre (6993 m), Hiunchuli (6441 m), Nilgiri (7061 m), Dhampus Peak (6012 m), Lamjung Himal (6983 m), Mt. Manaslu, world's 8th tallest peak, Bharha Chuli (7647m), and the newly famous peak, Mardi Himal (5553 m). The panoramic vista becomes more lively, with the colorful prayer flags fluttering in the heavy winds, and just behind the rhododendrons, and pink, golden hues, creating a completely unique insight into the giants.
