Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of the most demanding and relatively easier treks to the beautiful ethnic village of the Annapurna region. This wonderful trek lets you access one of Nepal’s classic viewpoints of the Annapurna range.

Witnessing the wonder of rhododendron forests, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking in Nepal will let you feel the Himalayan Panorama as well as provide you the opportunities to get close to the local Culture.

This tour is most probably the best for those who are seeking to soak in nature and natural resources.

Likewise, Poonhill offers you the striking panorama of huge Himalayas including Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, III, and IV, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, Gangapurna, and Manaslu ranges.

This trekking route lies in the Annapurna region with the highest elevation of 3210m and is a moderate trek.

This tour will not only let you witness terraced slopes, warm villages, beautiful paddy fields, but also the wonderful culture and lifestyle of ethnic people like Gurungs, and Magars.

Ghorepani and Ghandruk are two of the largest Gurung settlements in the Annapurna Region with unique and charming settlements of Gurungs and Magars communities.

Follow ancient trails that connect local communities, pass through rhododendron forests and rice paddies, and you will finally reach the desired destination at Ghorepani.

Poon Hill trek is popular as a Photographer’s paradise, where you can capture every moment of impressive Himalayan ranges as well as the natural landscape.

Similarly, there is a unique pleasure of trekking in this wonderful land with the attractive settlements of ethnic communities.

Highlights of Poon Hill Trek

• UNESCO listed cultural heritage site in Kathmandu such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, and Pashupatinath
• Best sunrise and sunset view
• The stunning view of the Himalayan range from Poon Hill at 3210m
• Explore the biggest Ghandruk village with Gurung settlement and Ulleri village with Magar settlement
• Majestic view of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Annapurna, and the other Himalayas.
• Enjoy the lively nightlife near the lakeside in Pokhara
• Visit the tourism city Pokhara
• Explore the culture and tradition of Gurung and Magar Community
• Witness the typical Nepalese rural life

How to Get to Poon Hill?

The trek to Poon Hill starts from Kathmandu to all the international trekkers. But for the national one, it starts with their respective place.

Trekking to Poon Hill is the best experience for the tourists that give you the perfect sight of the vision of different Himalayas and villages. Similarly, you have different routes to travel from Kathmandu to Poon Hill. The distance from Kathmandu to Poon Hill is around 271 km. However, you have to go to a different place that makes the distance so long giving you the best feeling along the tour. You need to travel to Pokhara to begin the journey.

Kathmandu to Pokhara

Pokhara is regarded as the metropolis and the largest city of Nepal in terms of the area holding the second largest population within Nepal. The altitude varies from 827 meters in the southern part to 1,740 meters in the north. There are mainly two ways to travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara i.e. roadways and airways. The distance from Kathmandu to Pokhara is about 204.5 km through the route of Prithvi Highway. On the other hand, you will reach much earlier if you choose to fly. The flight will take about half an hour.

Pokhara to Tikhedhunga

From Pokhara, you need to head towards Tikhedhunga the next day after proper rest. Firstly, from Pokhara, head towards Nayapul which is about 46 KM and takes about 1.5 hours to arrive. After Nayapul, begin your trek from Nayapul to Tikhedhunga. Tikhedhunga has located 7km from Nayapul in the western region of Nepal.

Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani

From Tirlhedhunga, trek towards Ghorepani. The distance from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani is 12 KM which takes nearly about 5-6 hours. Ghorepani is a beautiful village in the Myagdi district in the Dhaulagiri zone in the northern-central of Nepal. The region lies 17 KM from the district capital Beni at an elevation of 9429 feet.

Ghorepani to Poonhill

From Ghorepani, trek to the final destination Poon hill. The distance from Ghorepani to Poonhill is 1.5 KM. Likewise, Poon hill is situated at an elevation of 3,210 m. It is one of the most famous viewpoints of the world and ranked second as the most famous viewpoint after Kala Patthar in Nepal. You can observe the beautiful mountains along with the people of the different villages with different ethnic groups, cultures, and traditions.

Outline Itinerary for Poon Hill Trek

Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu
02: Kathmandu Sightseeing in
03: Fly to Pokhara and drive to Nayapul, trek to Tikhedhunga – starting off the Poonhill Ghorepani trekking.
04: Trek to Ghorepani (2855 m).
05: Climb to Poon Hill for great Himalayas views and trek to Ghandruk (2000 m).
06: Trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara.
07: Drive back to Kathmandu.
08: Final departure.

The tour starts with a 6-7 hrs drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You can stroll around the city in Pokhara in the evening. The evening in Pokhara is filled with various cultural shows, live music, and concerts.

You can enjoy various shows at the lakeside in Pokhara. Then from Pokhara, drive for one and a half hours to Nayapul and trek for about 4-5 hours to Tikhedhunga.

Likewise, from Tikhedhunga, we will hike to Ghorepani at an altitude of 2874m. Explore the village around there and get a view of the stunning natural landscapes in Ghorepani.

Trek to Poonhill and Tadapani finally trek to Ghandruk, a popular Gurung Village. After spending time in Ghandruk, trek back to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara.

Best Season for Poon Hill Trek

The trek to the wonderful village in Annapurna Ghorepani Poonhill can be done anytime throughout the year. However, as everything has its pros and cons likewise, there are several benefits as well as disadvantages in each season and you have to balance the trek yourself.

Spring- March to May

The months from March to May are one of the most remarkable seasons for the trek. As this trek is at a relatively low altitude, the days are warmer from March to May, making it suitable for the trek.

Also, the days are sunny and clear making the views panoramic and wonderful. The vegetation is at its best with full bloom in spring. Highlighting the national flower of Nepal, Rhododendron at radiant color, this trek is best and suitable for all nature lovers.

On the other hand, the temperatures range between 10 to 24 degrees celsius, with the temperature on Poon Hill itself dropping to freezing point.

That’s when they lighten the mood by serving tea and coffee during the sunrise. Similarly, there is no rain during this time and the skies will be clear represent the best of Poonhill.

Monsoon – June to August

Monsoon is always wonderful and most people out there enjoy traveling to Monsoon. There is something wonderful that we love about monsoon.

The vegetation looks clean and fresh with the stunning view of snow-capped mountains. Sometimes the mountains will disappear behind rain clouds, but that just makes it all the more special.

Temperatures are not so different from those of the springtime, perhaps a bit less cold at the higher points of this trek. The temperatures range from around 9 to 24 degrees celsius.

You might be lucky and have no rain at all but most common people can expect rain for short periods every day. Because of the rainfall, the trails will be more slippery.

If you want to trek in peace without much of a crowd then monsoon is the ideal season for you.
Drinking hot tea inside your teahouse watching the rain falling outside can be just as magical an experience.

Autumn-September to November

Autumn is one of the best seasons for the Poon Hill trek. Generally, autumn starts from September to October and is a season that attracts a lot of trekkers to Poon hill.

This season is trendy among trekkers as this season receives little or no rainfall making the trekking trail easier and more convenient.

Besides, the clear weather during this season offers a panoramic view of the majestic Himalayas, as well as the natural landscapes. Besides, the clear blue Sky and the bearable temperature make this season the best among the trekkers.

Perhaps being the best time to trek the Himalayas, the trails to Poon hill will be busier.

Autumn is the main festival season in Nepal. Apart from the natural view, you can witness the culture and festivals in Nepal during Autumn.

The temperatures in Autumn are similar to spring, getting cooler as the season gets later. But expect in the region of 10 to 24 degrees celsius, with the temperature on Poon Hill itself dropping to freezing point.

Winter- December to February

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a low-altitude trek compared to other Himalayas treks. This trek can also be carried out during the winter.

The month from December to February is the winter months in Nepal where the temperature drops at the freezing point at a higher altitude. But temperatures at Ghorepani are bearable with warm clothing and extra preparations.

The temperatures drop to freezing in the mornings and evenings where the day temperatures will still be around 15 degrees Celsius which is very comfortable for hiking.

Overall the chances of rainfall during this month are probably low. however, there may be some light snow.

Again if you want to explore nature peacefully without a crowd then yes winter is ideal for you. As there will be fewer trekkers on the trail. Also, there will be no problem getting accommodation at teahouses.

Similarly, Mountain views will be stunning in the frosty air.

Accommodation in Poon Hill Trek

The trek to Poonhill is one of the most satisfying treks in Nepal both naturally and culturally. Throughout the journey to Poon hill, accommodation varies from luxurious to basic with lots of differences in between.

As the trek will start and end in Pokhara, the type of accommodation depends on your style and budget Pokhara as well. The higher you go up in the remote area, the more simple the accommodation will be.

Fortunately, there are nice rooms available in the majority of tea houses here in the Ghorepani trek. Most rooms have twin beds. However, only a few have attached bathrooms.

On average a twin room in a teahouse on the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek will cost you $3-6 per night.
On the other hand, you are expected to eat in the tea houses where you will be staying.

They’ll generally ask you to order your food as you check-in. Furthermore, the tea houses here are charming, made from stone and wood, and a cozy place to relax at the end of a long day’s trekking.

Foods in Poon Hill Trek

The meals after a day of hiking taste even better. Many trekking trails in Nepal offer typical Nepali food including the Poon Hill trek.

Similarly, you can find familiar food such as pasta, fried potatoes, and pancakes, and perhaps the less familiar such as Dal Bhat. Dal Bhat is the staple food of Nepal and you will come to love it.

Dal, Lentil soup, rice, and a variety of vegetables made into a curry will give you stamina for the next day’s trek.

A healthy and filling meal at the end of the day will boost your energy after a long walk. Likewise, Drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic are available, as are tea and coffee.

Moreover, you also find snacks such as energy bars, nuts, chocolate, etc along the trail. However, these will be quite expensive here in Poon hill.

Therefore, you can bring some along with you from Pokhara, the starting and ending city for your tour.

Breakfast

• Bread and Chapati
• Plain toast with jam, honey, or peanut butter
• French toast, cheese toast
• Tibetan bread
• Chapati with honey, peanut butter, or jam
• Eggs
• Boiled, Scrambled, Fried eggs
• Plain, Vegetable, Cheese omelet
• Pancakes
• Pancake with jam or honey
• Apple, Chocolate pancake
• Porridge and Cereals
• Oats and porridge
• Milk
• Soups
• Potatoes

Lunch

• Dal Bhat (veg and non-veg )
• Cheese, Vegetable, Egg, Tuna and mixed fried rice
• Noodles
• Vegetable, egg, cheese, mixed fried noodles
• Pasta and Macaroni
• Spaghetti
• Momos
• Vegetable, buff, chicken, cheese, potato momos
• Chicken, Mushroom, mixed pizza

Dinner

Dinner at Poon Hill is similar to that of Lunch. At the end of an exciting day’s trekking, finally, reach the teahouse where you will stay the night.

• Dal Bhat (vegetarian, non-veg)
• Fried rice
• Fried noodles
• Pasta and Macaroni
• Spaghetti
• Momos
• Pizza
• Dessert
• Pancakes
• Apple pie
• Chocolate pudding
• Rice pudding

Useful Tips for Poon Hill Trek

Trek to Poon hill is a relatively easy trek and almost people of every age group can do this trek. However, certain things need to be considered while trekking in any place. Likewise, here are some of the useful treks for trekking to Poon Hill Trek.

Start Early

It is always the best idea to start the trek early in any place including Poon hill. Trekking early lets you witness a stunning view of the entire landscape and mountains in the morning.

You will have more time to spend with nature if you start early. Nothing can beat the sunrise view at the peak of the majestic Himalayas that starts early.

Carry extra Handcash

It is always wise to carry extra hand cash when it is for a trek. If you want to buy something you have to pay by hand cash as credit cards are not accepted in the upper part of this region.

So if you want to buy anything you need a certain amount of hand cash.

Carry comfortable backpack

A comfortable backpack can make your trip memorable and comfortable.

Although Ghorepani Poon hill is not an extreme trek like another altitude trek, you can easily trek here without any difficulties but it is always a better idea to be prepared.

Carrying a comfortable backpack will make your trek much more easier and comfortable.