This trek in the Annapurna foothills to the view point on Poon Hill offers all the best of trekking in Nepal. Enjoy trekking in the spectacular mountain scenery through charming villages inhabited by the Gurungs, Magars dense rhododendron forests full of birds and deep sub-tropical valleys, all set below the Annapurnas with the picturesque peak of Machhapuchhare (Fishtail Peak) dominating the skyline. At the climax of this trek you will climb Poon Hill at dawn to enjoy one of the most spectacular mountain escapes on Earth. As the sun touches the snow-capped summits the Himalayan giants, Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Annapurna (8,091m) along with a maze of other peaks, slowly begin to appear, like magic, before our eyes. A rewarding trek that can be enjoyed by every lover of nature and beautiful landscape.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking Trip Highlight
- Trekking duration: 05 days
- Starting from: Nayapul/Birethanti or Phedi by private vehicle from Pokhara
- Ending at: Nayapul/Birethati/Phedi by private vehicle to pokhara
- Grade: Easy Moderate
- Highest access of the trek: Poon Hill (3210m)
- Culture: Gurungs
- Mode of trekking tour: Tea-house(Lodge) or camping
- Himalayan sights: Annapurna I,II,III,IV,Annapurna south,Fishtail/Machhapuchhre,Mt. Dhaulagiri
- Splendid breathtaking place: Sunrise view from Ghorepani Poon Hill
DETAILED DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 01 Drive to Nayapul (approx 1 hr 30 mins drive). Trek to Tikhedunga- About 4 hrs walking
After breakfast, you will be picked from your hotel in Pokhara and driven in a private vehicle approx 1 hr 30 min drive to Nayapul. The road passes the Tibetan camp, where there is the carpet factory, a monastery and a few hotels, then continues to Hyangja at 1070m. In the morning, there is often a good view up the valley to Machhapuchhare (weather permitting). The road emerges into the broad Yamdi Khola valley at Suikhet .The road snakes its way into the Modi Khola valley, reaching Nayapul.
From Naya Pul you walk 30 minutes to get to Birethanti, go upstream behind a ridge on a level of trail to the Fishtail lodges and steel bridge. On the opposite bank of the Modhi Khola is Birethanti, elevation 1065 m, a large and prosperous town with a winding street paved with large stones. . Birethanti boasts many well-stocked shops, hotels, sidewalk cafes, a bakery and a police check posts.
Beyond a pasture used by pony caravans, the trail reaches Sudami , then climb steadily up the side of Valley , reaching Hille at 1495 m. Lunch will be served at Hille. After lunch, walk 30 minutes from Hille to Tikedungha for overnight.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 02 Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2860m)
Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani-About 6 hrs walking.
The trail crosses a stream on a suspension bridge near the camp site at Tikedungha, then drops at and crosses the Bhurungdi Khola itself on a large bridge at 1410m. The trail climbs very steeply on a stone staircase ; there are no tourist hotels from the bridge to Ulleri , just few bhattis that have tea and cold drinks, as you climb , the tops of Annapurna South ( 7273 m) and Himchuli ( 6441 m ) begin to emerge from behind the hills, The climb continues steeply to the large Magar village of Ulleri at 2070 m. There are hotels in the centre of village, and others above the village where the trail climbs gently through pastures and cultivated fields. The fields soon give way to deep forests as the trail climbs to Banthanti, a settlement of hotels in a forest clearing at 2250 m.
Beyond Banthanti, there are magnificent oak and rhododendron forests. The trail crosses two sparkling clear streams, a small ridge and another stream before making a short, final climb to Nangathanti, a hotel complex in a forest clearing at 2460 m. Ghorepani is about an hour past Nangathanti, at 2775m. It is worth staying at the pass to see the spectacular panorama of Dhaulagiri I, Tukuche , Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Tarke Kang ( formerly known as Glacier Dome).
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 03 Ghorepani to Tadapani (2630m)
Early morning sunrise excursion to Poon Hill (3193m) and trek to Tadapani (About 4 ½ hrs walking)
An early morning excursion to Poon Hill, about an hour’s climb, provides an even better, unobstructed view of the high Himalaya. The trails a ridge hides the mountains as makes a steep, sometimes treacherous, descent on a narrow path alongside the stream, as the descent continues. The stream has some clear pools alongside the trail and finally becomes a series water-falls over a jumble of boulders. The steep descent becomes more gentle way to reaches Banthanti.. From Banthanti, the trail follow the stream down to a bridge where the trails start climbing, leaving the moist high mountain forests and entering a field of cane, making some ups and downs past to a vantage point “Tadapani (2540 meters) that offers a brief view of the mountains. Tadapani means “far water”. The village water supply is a long distance; it takes porters more than half an hour to fetch a load of water.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 04 Tadapani to Ghandruk (1,940 m)
Trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk-About 3 hrs walking.
From Tadapani the trail descends through beautiful forests to Ghandruk, which is a stunning village of Gurung people, one of Nepal’s most famous ethnic groups, known for their distinctive dialect, culture, costume, and life style. Ghandruk is also home to many soldiers from the famous Gurkha regiments. From here we can have stunning views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Fishtail.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 05 Ghandruk to Nayapul (4 ½ hrs) and drive to Pokhara (827m)
Trek from Ghandruk to Nayapul (4 ½ hrs) and drive to Pokhara – Approx 1 hr 30 minutes drive
From Ghandrung all the way down hill through village and terraced fields to Syauli Bazaar. It takes approx: 2 hours. Along the way you can see good views Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare too. From Syauli Bazaar, the trails follow the Modi River till Nayapul, where we rejoin our vehicle for the hour and a half drive on to Pokhara, on the banks of Phewa Tal Lake. Nepal’s second largest town, Pokhara is more relaxed than Kathmandu and its beautiful lakeside setting, beneath the imposing shadow of the stunning Annapurna makes it the perfect ending for our trek, with only the foothills separating the town from the high mountain landscapes of the snow-capped Annapurna.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR GHOREPANI POON HILL TREKKING
Suggested clothing and equipment checklist for Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
The following is a list of clothing and accessories that we suggest that you take with you. This is not intended to be a comprehensive clothing and equipment list, rather it is intended to act as a reminder of those items that we feel are essential for your comfort and convenience. However we recognize that you may have your own personal preferences for clothing which may be equally as suitable. You can find variety of these gears to hire or buy in Kathmandu.
Please remember that at the start of the trek, apart from your day pack, your luggage that will be carried by porters should have weight limitation of approximately 12 kg.
Head:
Sun hat or scarf
Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
Sunglasses with UV protection
Clothing
Hiking pants
Sun hat, Some pair of shorts
Fleece Jacket / Warm Jacket
Footwear
Trekking or running comfortable shoe
Sandals (lodge)
Some pair of socks
Toiletries
1 medium sized quick drying towel
Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
Deodorants & Nail clippers
Face and body moisturizer
Feminine hygiene products
Personal Hygiene
Wet wipes (baby wipes) & Tissue
Anti bacterial hands wash
Sleeping bag ( can be hired in Kathmandu and Pokhara)
Miscellaneous
Sunscreen lotion
Sun glass, lip bam
Ear Plug
Personal medicines (Most)
Other equipments
Day bag pack
Camera /Trekking Poles
Water bottle/Head Torch
Walking Grades and Fitness
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is graded as Easy Trek and suitable for all walkers who have the capability to walk 4-5 hours a day with a light day pack. Some days, you may even need to walk more than above. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior of the trip is a good idea to improve your strength and stability. No technical skill is required for this trip. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood disease should inform Natraj Trekking before booking the trek.
Lodges/teahouses in trekking
Our accommodation whilst on trek on twin room sharing basis in a simple locally run lodges, known as teahouses and it’s a great pleasure to support these small local businesses. Rooms are simply furnished with just a bed and occasionally a small table. You will need to bring a sleeping bag. Only few lodges have attached toilet during the trek (we will try to provide attached toilets where available during trek). However, please note, normally washing and toilet facilities are shared and may be in a separate part of the teahouse or outside. It’s great to enjoy the company of your fellow travellers and share a tale with other trekkers in the evening in the dining area.
If you are a solo traveler, you will share a room with someone else of same sex of your group. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference and get single rooms on request by paying extra as indicated on cost section. But, you need to understand that in teahouses/lodges of higher elevation area single room is not always possible. We guarantee single room in Kathmandu, Pokhara and during trek in lower elevation areas but towards higher elevation single room is may not be always possible, although we try our best to provide you with single room.
Meals & drinking water
On this trek we provide standard breakfast, lunch and dinner, tea or coffee will also be included with each meal. Your guide will help with menu selection and ensure that you get the best value meals possible. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive. Most teahouses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. You can buy packaged water (bottled mineral water) from local lodge and shop en route or you can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water (extra cost to be paid) and treat with water purification pills.
Luggage while trekking
During the trek, your main luggage will be carried by porter. Please keep your luggage as light as possible around 12 kg. You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket etc. You can leave your valuable items at your hotel while trekking. Many hotels have a locker system and provide a deposit slip for the valuables kept under the hotel’s safekeeping. You may also leave your extra things at your hotel which is not required for your trek in your main luggage. Please note that we will provide complimentary kit bag for you before your trek starts so that you can pack all your necessary things.
Trekking crew
On tea house trek you will be accompanied by a team of local crew whose aim is to make the trek as comfortable and enjoyable as much possible. The crew consists of a trek guide/leader and a team of porters to carry all your gear. On average, there will be a ratio of one porter to every two trekkers.
The most important thing that makes your Trek successful, enjoyable and memorable is the skilled, experienced, courteous and helpful trek guide and the crew members with ability of operating your days in the mountain smoothly. Your trip will be led by experienced trek guide. All of our trekking guides/leaders are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and personal aptitude.
Typical day on trek
Each morning after packing our bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the day’s walk. After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon’s walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day’s adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.
Personal expenses
On this trek breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided during your trek. You only need money for table drinks (alcoholic/non alcoholic beverages), snacks while walking (a few smaller shops are available along the trail in some areas) tips, souvenirs, hot shower (available in some places).
Meeting and greeting in Kathmandu
You need to pass on your International flight details to us for a ‘meeting and greeting’ service at the Kathmandu Airport. You just pass through the Customs and come out of the Arrival Terminal Hall after collecting your baggage where you will see our representative /guide standing with a placard that states Natraj Trekking’ with your own name.
Climate & best time to go
Autumn (mid Sept to mid Dec) and Spring (March to May) are the best seasons for Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. The weather is sunny and warm, with outstanding views but the nights are cold and can fall to freezing. Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) is also good for Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, only colder (obviously). The trekking routes are crowded during spring and autumn but during winter the routes are not packed and you could enjoy rather best of nature. However, please note, there may be snowfall / avalanches during the winter.
Itinerary changes
Depending on the prevailing situation, itinerary can be modified to some extent after consulting with your trek guide. However, the date of trek completion should always coincide with the original itinerary. You should keep in mind that this is an adventure trip into the remotest region, where many unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.
Nepal Visa
All visitors except the Indian nationals must hold passport and valid visa. Visa can be obtained at the Nepalese diplomatic missions and consulates abroad. Visa is also issued at the entry points. It can be extended at the Department of Immigration, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. Children under 10 years need not pay any visa fee. People willing to get entry Visa at the air port or any of the land entry points are required to fill a visa form with passport photograph. If you are obtaining Nepal Visa upon arrival (please note that some of nationalities cannot get visa upon arrival), please be noted that Nepal Visa Application Form can be received through us by e-mail. Two passport size photo graphs are required and following visa fee to be paid at the airport as per your stay in Nepal
Visa Facility Duration Fee
Multiple Entry 15 Days US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple Entry 30 Days US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple Entry 90 Days US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency
Note: Please note that visa fees and rules are subject to change.
Rescue/evacuations
In case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we hope will not happen; you shall be rescued by a helicopter. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back in Kathmandu.
Insurance
It is recommended of joining any of our Trekking trips that be protected against comprehensive expenses potential to incur due to medical issues or accidents (to include air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs). Please be noted that we do not arrange or sell insurance. Altitude 4130m to be covered by Insurance Company
Responsible travel
The beautiful environment of the Himalayas is also an extremely fragile one. At Natraj Trekking, we are extremely conscious about the environment and aim to minimize the detrimental impact on the environment as much as possible.
Care for porters and staffs
We make sure that all porters and all other staff climbing in high altitude conditions are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. We also ensure that the porters we hire are insured. We run the trek according to the guidelines of the International Porter Protection group (IPPG- http://www.ippg.net).
Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships.
Tipping
Tipping is the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ for good service. Tips do not form part of the wages of your guides, porters and trek crew but they are very much appreciated. It is important to remember that tipping is voluntary and should be dependent on good service. Normally the tips are given at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. Most groups will give the tips with a bit of ceremony (or sometimes a party) on the last evening, to mark the end of the trip. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work.
Anil Blon 