Highlights
Annapurna Conservation Area trails, enchanting and panoramic views of the Annapurna & Dhaulagiri Mountains from Poonhill at Sunrise, and experiencing the diverse cultures of ethnic groups of Gurung.
Classic Ghorepani Poon Hill
GRADE Easy
TRIP DURATION 10 Days
BEST SEASON All Season
Maximum Altitude 3210 Meters
The Trek
Annapurna Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek which is also known as the Mini Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the shortest trekking trails in the Annapurna Region. However, very few other treks take you through such a diverse experience, as this trek does.
September to January and March to May are the best seasons for the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. Not only does Poon hill offers the best sunrise vantage point in Annapurna but this scenic hill station which is located at 3210 metres, offers panoramic views of majestic mountains including the Annapurna Mountain Range, Dhaulagiri Mountain, Fish Tail Mountain, Manaslu Mountain and other exceptional peaks in the area. Poon Hill is the highest point you will conquer on this trek. There is no risk of altitude sickness and you need not, previous trekking experience enjoy this trek, which makes Ghorepani Poon Hill a great package.
The awe-inspiring sunrise view from Poon Hill, panoramic views of glistening Dhaulagiri Mountain (8167m), Annapurna I Mountain (8091m), Annapurna II Mountain (7939m), Annapurna III Mountain (7555m), Annapurna South Mountain (7219m), Nilgiri Mountain ( 7041m) and Machhapuchhre Mountain (also known as the Fishtail Mountain) (6998m), traversing colourful rhododendron, orchid and oak forest. There are also plenty of opportunities to witness rare and endangered wildlife, visiting the largest Gurung village of Ghandruk and passing through culturally rich villages of Gurung and Magar with their ethic population.
Accommodation:
You will arrive in Kathmandu where you will be greeted and 3* hotel accommodation will be provided. On the trek, the accommodation will Lodges or what is known as a teahouse (Mountain hut). All accommodation is on a twin-shared basis. A single supplement will be served on request and at an additional cost. Lodges in most places only have shared washing and toilet facilities. Also, please note that single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevations but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations. Regarding the budget, the hotel accommodation can be upgraded and downgraded in Kathmandu.
Food:
On your trek, you will experience authentic Nepalese cuisine as well as more common international food (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.) Breakfast and dinner will be served in the Lodge where we spend the night and lunch will be served on the way to the next destination. All meals will be provided while trekking while only breakfast in Kathmandu.
Electricity facilities in trekking lodge:
Some villages will have hydropower lines but most commonly there will be a solar power system. There are likely to be battery charging facilities in most of the Lodges but for these facilities, there may be a separate charge (a cost of about 1USD for 1hour of charge).
Outline itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m)
Once you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and have cleared customs, you will be met by our representative waiting with a placard displaying your name. You will be transferred to a three-star category hotel in a private vehicle.
Day 02: Full Day Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour
The next day will be to complete documentation. You will meet your guide and fellow trekkers. You will be given a briefing regarding the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary. And enjoy a Full Day Guided tour of Kathmandu. You will visit Nepal’s holiest Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and Nepal’s largest Buddhist Stupa at Bouddhanath. You will also visit Nepal’s oldest Swayambhunath Stupa. Our day concludes with a visit to Durbar Square.
Day 03: Drive or fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara (900m) 5 hrs
The distance from Kathmandu to Pokhara is 200 km. These two popular cities are linked together by Prithvi Highway. Early in the morning, We will follow the meandering path that offers exquisite views of green hills, the Trishuli River, and the forest. We will reach Pokhara in 5 hours. You will be able to go boating on Phewa Lake in the evening, with an opportunity to land on the Island Temple of Tal Barahi that exists in the middle of Phewa Lake. You will stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 04: Drive to Nayapul (40min), Trek to Tikhedhunga (1540m) 4 hrs
Taking breakfast early in the morning, we will take an hour-long drive and pass through Lumle village with a scenic view of Annapurna to reach Nayapul. Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek begins at Nayapul. We will follow Modi River and pass through the settlements of Ramgai and Sudame. From there we will proceed to TikheDhunga where we stay overnight.
Day 05: Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2860m) 5 hrs
We will cross the Bhurungdi River and climb stone staircases to the Magar village of Ulleri. We will cross the rhododendron and oak forest and choose the ascending path to Nangethati. Climbing further through oak and spruce forest that is rich in wildlife and bird views, we will reach Ghorepani, where we will stay overnight.
Day 06: Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3210m) (1.5 hr) to Tadapani (2630m) 5 hrs
There then will be an early start and a one-hour hike up Poon Hill (3210m). We will enjoy the best sunrise view in Pokhara from Poon hill. We will also be rewarded with panoramic views of mountains including Dhaulagiri (8167m), Annapurna I (8091m), Nilgiri (7040m), Annapurna South (7219m),Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Hunchuli (6441m), Machhapuchhare (6998m), Tukuche peak (6920m), Dhampus Peak (6012m) and other surrounding peaks and mountains. We will return to Ghorepani and pass through the pine and juniper forest to Deurali and then we will lower down to Banthati from where we will head towards Tadapani for an overnight stay.
Day 07: Tadapani to Ghandruk (1940m) 4 hrs
Leaving Tadapani early in the morning, we will drop down through a forest area that offers exquisite views of mountains. We will follow the descending trail all the way to Ghandruk. Ghandruk is the largest Gurung village in the region. We will visit Ghandruk Museum and enjoy the cultural show in the evening. Homestay is available in Ghandruk.
Day 08: Trek to Nayapul 3 hrs, Drive to Pokhara (900m) 40 min
Walking past the terraced fields of Ghandruk, we will lower down through Birethanti village to Nayapul. We will catch a vehicle and return back to Pokhara. You may want to explore the nearby marketplaces for souvenirs. There is an overnight stay in a hotel in Pokhara.
Day 09: Drive or fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu 5 hrs
We will return to Kathmandu on this day. Follow the meandering Prithvi Highway for 5 hours to arrive at Kathmandu. You will be transferred to the hotel for a luxurious stay.
Day 10: International Departure
As this is the end of Ghorepani Poon hill trekking, you will be transferred to the airport three hours before your scheduled flight for a safe journey home.