Overview

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek OVERVIEW:

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking package is a short and easy trek in the Annapurna Region. This hiking trip offers a view of panoramic snow-clad mountain peaks, green hills, forests, and various ethnic villages. This trekking destination is best known for the scenery and experience it has to offer in the minimum time possible.

After an hour's drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking trip follows on the bank of the Bhurungdi River. This hiking trip goes through terrace farms, stone thatch-roofed ethnic villages, stone-stepped trails to reach Ghorepani. During the hike, the trail goes through the green lush Rhododendron forest and is best during the spring season when the flowers are in full bloom. A 40 min walk at dawn to Poon Hill for sunrise offers a panoramic view of  Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Annapurna I (8091m),  Nilgiri (6940m) Hiunchuli (6441m), Fishtail(6993m), and other peaks.

The Ghorepani Poon Hill hiking trip is best suited for all kinds of trekkers including children and elderly. It does not matter if you are a beginner or a professional trekker, this hiking trail has what it means to be called one of the best trekking trips in the lower Himalayas. Ghandruk village, inhabited by a majority of the Gurung ethnic community is a major highlight of this trekking trip. For people seeking to experience trekking in the snow at lower altitudes,  November to January is the best time to plan this trip.

Ghorepani Poon Hill trek itinerary offers the best adventure holiday experience in Nepal. This trekking route can be connected with other more famous routes like Annapurna Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit, and other off-the-beaten hiking routes. For more details about the cost, map and other facts about this trip, get in touch with Vertex Holiday. 

The Best Season for Ghorepani Poonhill Trekking:

Among the four seasons, the best season for Ghorepani Poonhill Trek in the Himalayas is during the spring season, where days are mostly clear for views and a pleasant hiking experiences. In the springtime days are longer with enough sun-light hours, chances of light rainfall and snowfall above the elevation of 2,000 m high are possible.

Mornings are cooler, sunny days and chill nights during this beautiful season where wildflowers are in seasonal bloom, especially, the Rhododendron (national flower of Nepal) of various different species from tall trees to a bush with other colorful flowers.

The next best season would be time is autumn from September to November, after the post-monsoon rainy season. A bright sunny day for grand views and exciting hikes, days are much shorter due to sun-light hours. Temperature’s colder during late afternoon till morning, chances of light snowfall above 2,500 m.

This is a short moderate trek that trekkers can visit during the winter times of December to February. Most days are fine with clear blue sky, but freezing temperatures in the morning and night time around Ghorepani and Tadapani areas with bright starry nights.   

Ghorepani Poonhill Trekking Route: 

Ghorepani and Poon Hill Trekking is a short moderate adventure on the high hills of southern Annapurna Himalayas. It is one of the most popular trekking destinations in all Himalayas due to its close proximity from the road-head to Pokhara.

The main highlights of Ghorepani and Poon Hill Trekking are tremendous views of beautiful landscapes with a backdrop of Annapurna Himalayas, Where one can hike for a few days and catch closer views of the high snow-capped mountain range.

Besides grand scenery and stunning sunrise from Poon Hill, the walk leads to enchanting woods of tall rhododendron and pine trees. Ghorepani, Poon Hill Trekking also leads on historic trails following the ancient Nepal Trans Himalaya Salt Trade Route to Tibet. The famous Ghorepani name derived from “Gode-Pani” means Horse Water’. In early days till present Ghorepani is a perfect stop, for watering the mules and horses laden heavy with merchant goods.

As you can notice Ghorepani village is situated on a high pass in between uphill climb from Tirkhedhunga and Tatopani villages. The trek to Ghorepani and Poon Hill leads to a short circuit around the southern green hills of Annapurna Himalaya. A moderate grade and scenic walk through villages and lovely forest, although it leads to an uphill climb for a few days. 

Ghorepani and Poon Hill trek begins and ends at scenic Pokhara city, blessed with natural wonders, located on a sub-tropical temperature valley, surrounded by tiers of hills dotted with farm villages and a series of terraces.  A charismatic city: with a view of Dhawalagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu mountain range that reflects on its calm Phewa and Begnas Lakes.

From Pokhara a short drive to the outskirt of the valley rim reaching the starting point of trekking at Nayapul town. The walk leads to the lovely village of Bhirethati and onwards with a slow climb to Tikhedhunga, a village with beautiful waterfalls. After an overnight stop at Tikhedhunga climb leads on stone steps all the way to Ulleri village. 

Hike gets easier from Banthati with gradual up into a forested trail to Ghorepani village. Situated on a high ridge amidst rhododendron forest at the bottom of scenic Poon Hill, where all lodges are painted blue. After rising early in the morning, a side hike about an hour climbs up to Poon Hill, the sunrise viewpoint on the highest point of the adventure. 

Catch the brilliant sunrise views as it reflects over an array of snow peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu Himalayas. Panorama of 360° mountain range with majestic Machhapuchare the famous Fish-Tail peak, extending towards Ganesh Himal in the far-east horizon. The hiking trail leads into the Rhododendron forests with a climb to Deurali and then down to a stream and up to Tadapani. A small settlement with grand views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machapuchhre mountain peaks, and descends leads to a large village at Ghandruk. An interesting village, inhabited by the majority of Gurung hill tribes of Annapurna region interwoven to Buddhism and Bon religion and cultures. 

The final day of trekking takes you back to low warm farm areas at Nayapul to complete the walk. An interesting drive of a few hours brings you to Pokhara, after a marvelous experience on.

Attractive view on Ghorepani and Poon Hill Trek:

An amazing walk on the hills of Southern Annapurna, where one can enjoy views

of high snow-capped peaks. From the start to the end of walks trekkers will be

captivated with grand views of Annapurna and Manaslu Himalayas.

From Poon Hill, gorgeous sunrise views over an array of peaks, where one catch

the world’s three highest Mountain ranges. Namely, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and

Manaslu with an array of peaks, as well view of the dramatic scenery of rolling green hills and verdant valleys.

Preparation for Ghorepani and Poon Hill Trek:

This is a short moderate scenic trek, where travelers interested in this trek have to be physically fit to cope with high hill climbs and downhills. As well all trekkers should be in sound medical health, As a low altitude trekking journey, this trip doesn’t require you to be a trekking expert and is suitable for anyone including children and pensioners. However, a couple of weeks of yoga, cardio, jogging, or walking stairs will be helpful.

Warm clothes including down jackets, trekking poles, water bottles, personal medications, warm caps, sun hats, sunglasses, snow gaiters, rain gears, towels, toiletries, are recommended for the packing list.  A first aid kit including essential medicines is carried by the guide however you can carry your personal medications with you. 

The best sunrise viewpoint of Poon Hill:

Poon Hill is one of the best vantage view-points in all Himalayas for sunrise as well

one can enjoy a 360° panorama of the world's three highest mountain ranges.

The world's 7th highest Mt. Dhaulagiri, 8th highest Mt. Manaslu, and the tenth

highest Mt. Annapurna with a range of above and below 7,000 peaks.

Fitness for Ghorepani and Poon Hill Trek:

Should be in good physical shape with sound medical health, before joining the

Trek, some few exercises will be an advantage like jogging, walking, swimming,

aerobic etc. As well walking up and down the stairs, and checking with your

doctor for medical advice.

Food and accommodations:

For this short Ghorepani & Poon Hill Trek, stay in the best available local lodge

from the start to an end. In nice hotels at Pokhara, with a great range of foods as

per your choice from comprehensive food menu in lodges while on treks.

Served from famous Nepalese Dal-Bhat to Continental with some Chinese,

Tibetans and Indian foods. All meals are well cooked, hygienic, and freshly served in

a large dining hall with a warm environment. Provided safe boiled and filtered

drinking water throughout the trek.

Rooms are nice and clean in all lodges, however, some lodges can provide only

rooms with common bathing and toilets. At Ghorepani, one can find attached toilets

and bathrooms. On common bathe, one needs to pay for hot showers, as well for

charging your electronic items. Meals are served in a large dining hall. Which is

nice and warm, heated by pot-bellied stoves.

Travel and Medical Insurance:

 All travelers visiting Nepal for adventure in the Himalayas require Travel and Medical Insurance covering any unfortunate accidents and sickness during the trekking journey. As sometimes an emergency evacuation using the Helicopter Service might be needed to transport to a safe places and nearest hospitals.

Age Requirements:

For Ghorepani & Poon Hill Trek, young kids with families from infant to 70 years will

be allowed and this involves if one can get medical insurance from your home

countries.

TIMS Card and Conservation Area Entry Permit:

Necessary Permits will be obtained by Vertex Holiday, including 

TIMS (Trekking Information Management Systems) permits as well ACAP

(Annapurna Conservation Area Project) entrance fee.