Ghorepani-Poonhill trek is another worldly viewpoint located in the region of Annapurna. Inhabited by the Magar and Gurung community. The authentic ethnic food, culture, and hospitality are some of the highlights of this trek. This trek offers travel enthusiasts an off-road experience and a nonchalant lifestyle away from the urban crowd. Walking in the deep oak forest, observing different floras like Nepal’s national flower Rhododendron, and enjoying the panoramic landscapes of some of the highest Himalayas in the world (Annapurnas and Dhawalagiri) are some exciting prospects that you can expect from this trip.
All in all, this trek is an undemanding trek that takes you into the heart of the Himalayas in a very short time. Excitement and insane scenery are guaranteed!
Overview
<p><b>Starting Trek point: Nayapool</b></p>
<p><b>Ending Trek point: Ghandruk</b></p>
<p><b>Highest altitude to gain: Poonhill (3,210 m)</b></p>
<p><b>Difficulty: 3 out of 5</b></p>
<p><b>Seasons to avoid trekking here: Mid-June to August (Monsoon season)</b></p>
Itinerary
Altitude information: Kathmandu (1400m)
Your arrival will be awaited by our representatives at the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA). You will be transferred to the hotel rooms in the city along with your luggage. There is no specific activity designated for this day. You will meet the rest of the trekking team and representatives and you will have all the freedom to prepare yourself for the next day.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Lunch, breakfast and dinner included
Altitude information: Kathmandu (1,400 m), Pokhara (822 m), Nayapool (1,020 m)
We leave the bustling city of Kathmandu and fly to Pokhara. The flight experience guarantees unforgettable panoramic mountain scenery and an aerial view of Pokhara also popularly known as “The city of lakes”.
From Pokhara we drive to Nayapool which will take us about one and half hour to reach. The road leading to Nayapool is partly off-road but safe. We will rest in Nayapool for tonight and prepare for tomorrow’s walk.
Overnight in Nayapool
Lunch, breakfast and dinner included
Altitude information: Nayapool (1,020 m), Hile (1,430 m), Tikhedhunga (1,555 m)
Nayapool is where we start walking. The best part about this trek is that you get to indulge yourself with nature from the very first day of this trek. The trail is all uphill. We walk side by side the serene Modi River. We follow the trail leading to Birethanti and after 3 hours of trek we will be at Hile. We acclimate for a few more hours to reach our resting destination for tonight, which is Tikhedhunga.
Overnight in Tikhedhunga
Lunch, breakfast and dinner included
Altitude information: Tikhedhunga (1,555 m), Ulleri (2,000 m), Banthanti (2,250 m) Nangethanti (2,510 m), Ghorepani (2,880 m)
Today will be tougher comparatively as we begin by trekking uphill on perfectly paved stone stairs until we reach Ulleri. The popular 3,700 steps of Ulleri is tiresome but after that, the trail gets easier. We trek through the deep oak and rhododendron forests of this region bypassing multiple settlements like Banthanti, Nangethanti with the help of suspension bridges. These settlements are mostly inhabited by the Magar and Gurung people. After about 7 hours of walking we will reach Ghorepani night stay.
Overnight in Ghorepani
Lunch, breakfast and dinner included
Altitude information: Ghorepani (2,880 m), Poonhill (3,210 m), Tadadpani (2,700 m), Ghandruk (1,980 m)
Early in the morning, we hike up 330 meters in one hour to Poonhill view point, the highest point of this trek. The main goal is to watch and capture the sunrise over the beautiful mountain range: Dhawalagiri (8,172 m) and Annapurnas (8,091 m) from Poonhill. Sunrise on the golden peaks of Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre (fishtail) is an experience you will cherish for a lifetime. We spend as much time as we want at the viewpoint and again return to the hotel in Ghorepani for breakfast and march towards Tadapani.
The trail leading towards Tadapani is uphill at the beginning but then it is all downhill through the forest alongside roaring rivers and streams. We also pass through a forest populated with the monkey family before reaching Tadapani. The view from Tadapani is equally exquisite and the trail from Tadapani to Ghandruk is a majorly downhill walk. We stay overnight in the authentic village of Ghandruk.
Overnight in Ghandruk
Lunch, breakfast and dinner included
Altitude information: Ghandruk (1,980 m), Pokhara (822 m)
Ghandruk provides trekkers with a wide range of accommodation options with national and international cuisines. We will have our breakfast and lunch here and book a ride to Pokhara city.
Pokhara city is one of the most popular tourist hubs of Nepal. There are ancient caves, historic waterfalls, temples, and numerous vibrant lakes for everyone to enjoy along with boating, paragliding, cycling, and many more.
Overnight in Pokhara
Lunch, breakfast and dinner included
Altitude information: Kathmandu (1400m), Pokhara (822m)
We can return to Kathmandu by bus, minivan, or airplane. This concludes our epic journey to Poonhill.
The Trip Cost Includes
- Pick-up or Drop-off service from and to Airport(in our own vehicle)
- Food all along the trip(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a cup of coffee or tea)
- Transportation, food, accommodation and insurance of Guide during the trip
- First Aid Medical Kit(Your guide will carry the Medical Kit but we also advise to bring yourself for your own use, as far as possible)
- All the required permits and paperwork
The Trip Cost Excludes
- International Airfare
- Visa Charges
- Your travel and medical insurance
- Personal Expenses such as shopping, bar bills, hot shower, telephone, laundry, titbits etc
- Emergency expenses such as expenses on chartered helicopters.
FAQs
Ghorepani Poonhill trek is considered to be one of the easy treks of Nepal. That does not mean the trail is not difficult but the trail is very well managed and maintained for traveler’s ease. Since we will be only acclimating to the height of 3,210m, as long as the pace is maintained there are little to no major worrying points on this trek.
Accommodation throughout the trek is very comfortable compared to other trekking destinations. You might have to pay for Wi-Fi and a hot shower in some lodges but all the hotels are equipped with basic facilities.
Although this is not rated as a difficult trek you will still be gaining some serious altitude in a short period and the stairs of Deurali can be very strenuous to some trekkers. So regular jogging and exercises are recommended but no special training is required before trekking to this destination.
April to May and September to early December is the best time to trek here. The weather is mostly clear this time providing travelers with a picturesque landscape of mountain ranges. The temperatures might drop at night but the lodges and hotels have a heater in the common dining room and thick blankets for individuals.
