Best Season: May, September, October (best in terms of view), November
Ghorepani Poonhill trek is a short and sweet trek in Annapurna Region. Relatively shorter than other treks, this trail gives you stunning views of many mountains ranges. Providing the best sunrise and sunset view, the poonhill trek is one of the popular treks in the Annapurna region. Your actual trek starts from Nayapul. Nayapul is 1-hour jeep ride from Pokhara. Along the trail, you will pass through beautiful rhododendron forests and spectacular landscapes before you reach beautiful poonhill.
Major Highlights of Ghorepani and Poonhill Trek.
Our trek starts with a 6-7 hour ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara early in the morning. We will be on a hillside road for our whole journey. We will enjoy the beautiful view of villages and winding roads along the way. We will stop for lunch on our way to Pokhara. On our first day, we will stay on the lakeside and enjoy the beautiful lake city of Pokhara with amazing mountain views.
Early morning, we will take a jeep from Pokhara to Nayapul. The wending jeep ride from Pokhara to Naya pul is very scenic. After reaching Nyapul, we will start hiking up to Tikhedhunga through beautiful rice, maize and millet farmland. Our lunch stop for that day will be Sudami. After lunch, we will follow the same trail through rhododendron and pine forests slowly. A climb up to Tikhedhunga is quite scenic. Today, you will stay in Teahouse at Tikhedhuga.
We will start our day early with a nice breakfast. Today we are hiking uphill and gaining some elevation. The climb up to Ulleri is quite tough because you are climbing almost 3800 stone stairs. After completing the stairs, the route gets very scenic and beautiful. You will see blooming rhododendron everywhere if you hike this trail in season.
We will keep hiking up until we reach Nangethantti. Nangethanti is a good place to rest and have lunch. After lunch, we will buckle up and start climbing up until we reach Ghorepani. Ghorepani is a very famous spot on this trail. We will stay in a tea house surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
Today is a very important day of our trek. We will start our hike to poonhill very early today because we are catching up on a sunrise. An hour’s hike -up to Poonhill is worth anything. Poonhill is a very beautiful place where you can see the Golden mountains. Upon your reach, you can enjoy beautiful sunrise on snow-capped mountains with Nepali tea or coffee in your hands. Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Annapurna range, and Himchuli are famous mountains among many others.
After an amazing moment at Poonhill, we will descend back to Ghorepani for a hearty breakfast. We will continue our hike to a village called Tadapani. Our hike today is mostly downhill with a few uphill too. We will hike through a wet forest with a scenic view until we reach Tadapani.
Today, we will wake up early in the morning. After breakfast, we will hike to a place called Jhinu. Jhinu is very famous for its hot spring. We will relax in a hot spring for an hour, eat our lunch and head toward a beautiful village called Ghandruk.
Ghandruk is a beautiful Gurung village surrounded by beautiful views and landscapes in the lap of Annapurna Mountain. The very famous village of Ghandruk is rich in its hospitality, Gurung culture and tradition. We will enjoy our pleasant stay here tonight.
Sadly, today is our last day among beautiful mountains, landscapes and people. Greeting with goodbye we will continue our hike down to Nayapul. We will pass a village called Tatopani on our way to Nayapul. After hiking for 3-4 hours we will finally arrive at Nayapul from where we can take a ride to Pokhara and check in at the hotel. Today we will stay and enjoy the beautiful view of the lakeside.
Today is the final day of our great adventure together. We will enjoy a bit of the beauty of Pokhara city and drive back to Kathmandu. We will drop you off at your destination in Kathmandu with a goodbye. You can explore the historic city of Kathmandu and enjoy your pleasant stay in Nepal until you return.
Insurance
Trekking in the Himalayas is not always fun. Our government has designed many protocols to make sure on safety of our tourists but sometimes it is really hard to prevent risk. Due to few transportation options in Nepal, the only fastest way to rescue anyone from the mountain is a Helicopter which could be very expensive. Therefore, we would like you to get insured through a trustworthy insurance company just to be safe. Make sure you are insured with helicopter rescue, medical injuries and any other emergency issues. We would highly recommend you carry a copy of your insurance and send one to us just in case of any emergencies.
Permit Requirements:
TIMS Trekkers Permit
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
Gears needed:
Shoe: Pair of exceptionally good hiking boots and sandals
Clothes: Thermals, down jacket, wind and rainproof jackets, trekking pants, sports t-shirt, fleece, warm gloves, towels, winter hat, Inner garments, shorts, and a few pairs of good socks.
Accessories: Good trekking bag backpack, sunglasses, water bottle, water purifier, sunscreen, lip balm, Swiss pocket knife.
Equipment: Sleeping bags upto - 20 degrees celsius, duffel bag, hiking poles
Medicine: First-Aid Kit, Altitude sickness medicines (eg. diamox), bug spray.
Bring all these essential gear with you about the checklist. If you want to buy it in Kathmandu, there are multiple places here as well. Ask us if you want a better place to buy or rent gear.
Physical fitness: Trekking to Ghorepani/Poonhill is physically less demanding than other treks in Nepal, and it requires a minimum level of physical fitness. Exercises such as hiking, and cycling training will help prepare the body for the rigors of trekking.
Adequate acclimatization: Acclimatization is the process of adapting to high altitudes. As you trek higher, the air becomes thinner, and the body needs time to adjust. Adequate acclimatization is essential to prevent altitude sickness, a potentially fatal condition. It is recommended to spend a few days at lower altitudes to allow the body to acclimatize before climbing higher.
A knowledgeable guide: Trekking to Ghorepani/Poonhill is a challenging activity, and having a knowledgeable guide is essential for success. A guide will help navigate the route, provide information about the local culture, and assist in case of any emergencies. It is important to choose a guide who is experienced and knowledgeable about the trek.
Proper nutrition and hydration: Proper nutrition and hydration are crucial for maintaining energy levels and preventing altitude sickness. It is recommended to consume a high carbohydrate and protein-rich diet to provide the necessary fuel for the body. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. It is recommended to carry a water purification system or tablets to ensure access to clean water.
Basic first aid knowledge: Basic first aid knowledge is essential for trekking to Ghorepani/Poonhill. It is important to know how to treat common injuries and illnesses, such as blisters, altitude sickness, and hypothermia. It is recommended to carry a basic first aid kit with essential items such as bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers.
Respect for the environment and local culture: Trekking to Ghorepani/Poonhill is an opportunity to experience the local culture and environment. It is important to show respect for the local culture and customs and to minimize the impact on the environment.