Poon Hill TrekPoon Hill Trek

Poon Hill Trek

Trip Summary
  • Trip Duration9 Days
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
Highlights
  • Land in the home of Mt Everest, Mt Annapurna, and many other sky-towering peaks.
  • Start the excursion with an exciting highway tour to Pokhara, the ultimate destination.
  • Trek on the famous trail of Poon Hill Trek that touches the famous Annapurna Circuit Trek.
  • Experience the limitless natural beauty of the Annapurna Region.
  • Have a serene walk inside Annapurna Conservation Area and come across its exuberance.
  • Watch a breathtaking sunrise view amid peaks such as Annapurna, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, Mardi, and more from Pooonhill(3,210m).
  • Explore the rich cum unique culture and lifestyle of Gurungs in their traditional villages.
  • Get a memorable experience of trekking in the Himalayas that perches in the Annapurna Region.
  • And stroll the heritage sites in the Kathmandu valley to end the trip in style.

Sunrises are always lovely to watch from any part of the world. But the sunrise from Poonhill is something out of this world. Not explainable here, Poon Hill is one of the best places in the world to watch a sunrise.

Yes, that is true. That is why many people do Poon Hill Trek, a trek that makes you experience that and many other things.

Poon Hill Trek is a nine-day trek in the well-known Annapurna Region of Nepal. Leaving all the works of life, you experience the beauty and more beauty on this trek. The walk begins from the foothills of the region and directs towards Poonhill.

On this trek, you proceed through the blessed Annapurna Region. It is a region home to the most beautiful peaks, such as Mt Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Mardi Himal, and others.

Likewise, the region has the Annapurna Conservation Area, a rich protected site of flora and fauna. The Poon Hill Trek also progresses via the conservation area. Embarking on this trek, you will have many memorable walks in the woods.

Annapurna Region is an abode of Gurungs, one of Nepal’s ethnic groups. The iconic remote villages of Gurungs are all over the trail. You will pass them by experiencing their lifestyle and culture. So this trek is worth it for the cultural exploration as well.

But above all, Poon Hill Trek is most memorable for the sunrise view from Poon Hill(3,210m). To watch the yellow ball rising above the silhouette of iconic Annapurna Region peaks is just incredible. The first light of the day with the mountains and vast stretch of the region is mind-blowing. As the sun rises, you will have a precise panoramic watch of the entire area.

Overall, Poon Hill Trek is a worthwhile trek. The trek, which suits all sorts of trekkers, is about the famous sunrise and mountain panorama. But it is also about the Annapurna region's people, nature, and diversity.

Let’s experience this wholesome!

Itinerary
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Welcome abroad! We will meet and greet you on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu. Once you get the luggage and document work done, we will be off to the hotel. After a long flight, your body requires some good rest. So we will leave you there.

In the evening, we will meet again. As a beckon to welcome, our team will host a welcome dinner. It will allow us to see and communicate with one another. We will also talk about the itinerary of the Poon Hill Trek. Overnight in Kathmandu.

    The journey outsets. We will leave Kathmandu’s boisterous crowd in the morning by taking a road to Pokhara. It will be a scenic drive. We will see vivid things about Nepal on this winding ride to Pokhara. The route offers scenery of villages, rivers, vegetation, hills, and even mountains. We will spend the next 6-7 hours on the road.

    Later, Mt Fishtail and Mt Annapurna will welcome us to Pokhara, a tourist stop in Nepal. We will head straight to our hotel for some rest. The winding ride of 6-7 hours must end with some break. When we freshen again, we will stroll out in the streets of Pokhara. The Lakeside area is a great place to start in Pokhara. You can picture the mountains and their reflections in the Fewa lake. Overnight in Pokhara.

      We will leave our beds early this morning to leave for Nayapool. Through Pokhara’s beautiful streets, we will drive towards Nayapul, the beginning point of the Poon Hill Trek. It will be a 2-hour long drive. Upon reaching Nayapul, we will begin our trek. Shortly, we will reach Birethanti, the TIMS card checkpoint, and the ACAP checkpoint.

      For the first few hours, we will walk on dusty roads. But later, the trail will run through terraced fields. We will also come across Bhurung Khola. An uphill walk will also come along to bring us in Hile. We will have a pause at the stop. We will have a bit demanding part of the day when we begin again. It will take us around 2 hours of an uphill walk to reach Ulleri finally. Overnight in Ulleri.    

        The day is short, only 4 hours of walking. So with no rush, we will take some time to leave Ulleri for Ghodepani. We will explore Ulleri and its places and people a bit more. Then taking our breakfast, slowly, we will go to Ulleri. This short walk progresses via the forest, waterfall, tiny rivers, and villages. Along the route, we will also have many guesthouses.

        First, we will take a walk uphill. When we reach the top, we will have astonishing views of Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, Annapurna, and Machhapuchhre. The top’s name is Nanghthani, which sits at 2,460m. Ghodepani is about two more hours uphill from Nanghthani. Without rushing much, we will complete the ascending hike to Ghodepani. A fantastic mountain panorama of the vicinity will welcome us in Ghodepani.    

          Today, we have to do a sunrise hike to Poonhill that rewards us with a memorable sight. We will aim to reach Poonhill(3,210m) before the day breaks because the sunrise is a view to experience. To make it count, we will do a 45-minute morning hike to Poonhill.

          From the Poonhill viewpoint, the sun rises amidst breathtaking snowy peaks. Peaks like the Annapurna series, Dhaulagiri, Machapuchhre, Tukuche, Hiunchuli, and others are visible there. The majestic sunrise will undoubtedly take a breath for a while.

          Following this fantastic experience, we will return to our hotel for breakfast and the journey ahead. The goal for the day is Tadapani (2,500m), which is about a 6-hour walk from Ghodepani. We'll eat breakfast and then set sail through a forest. The road is steep until we reach Deurali hill(2,960m). The mountain is the connecting point of the famous Annapurna Circuit Trek and Ghorepani.

          After the hill, we will have a comfortable stroll up to Banthanti via a jungle. By walking yet another steep uphill for around 20 minutes, we reach Tadapani. 

            The path now directs toward Ghandruk from Tadapani. It is a short trekking day, so there is no need to hurry. We will have a gradual walk through terraced fields and the traditional villages of Gurungs, the locals. The villages we pass today are the homes of many Indian and British Gurkha soldiers, one of the bravest armies in the world.

            Passing these classical villages, we will have a good exploration of the local lifestyle along the walk. Ahead, we will also cross the lush forests of Rhododendron, a good treat for nature lovers. On this hike to Ghandruk, the gorges of rivers also come about. This whole day is short and easy to finish. We will have an enticing evening in Ghandruk, a famous Gurung village. Overnight in Ghandruk.       

              In the dawn, we will leave Ghandruk for Nayapool. The walk will lead us to Birthanti at first. We will have a downhill walk where we also leave Annapurna Conservation Area behind. The mountains will not appear now like before. But we will have good sights as we pass several traditional villages. Also, a small river will guide us ahead to Nayapool. When we reach Nayapool to Birethanti, our trek finishes.

              Now we will have a 2-hour drive to Pokhara from Nayapul. The motor drive will take place on some bumpy roads. After finishing a rough but scenic ride, we will head to our hotel in Pokhara to call it a day. Overnight in Pokhara.   

                The following day, we’ll prepare for a tour of Kathmandu. We will catch a morning flight to Pokhara. It will be a panoramic flight full of mountains and landscape views. Shortly, we will land in Kathmandu.

                Upon reaching Kathmandu, we will have a brief rest at the hotel. Following that, we will head out for some sightseeing. Kathmandu sightseeing is an excellent way to end a trip. We will do heritage walking around major cultural heritages in the city like Pashupatinath, Monkey Temple, and others. Overnight in Kathmandu.     

                  And the day to depart from Nepal comes. We will help you with your transfer to Kathmandu Airport. Our team will offer a warm farewell! Thank you, and have a safe return!

                    Essential Information

                    Best Time for Poon Hill Trek

                    Poon Hill Trek is an easy and low-altitude trek. Compared to other treks in Nepal, the weather only bothers this trek a little. Precisely, you can do this walk all year round. However, if you just want the weather perfect, Autumn(September-November) and Spring(March-May) are the best.

                    Autumn and Spring are the two best seasons for treks in Nepal and Poon Hill area. The weather stays warm, stable, and welcoming during these two windows. As a result, the trekkers enjoy the trail and the place best. Also, we know Nepal’s treks are known for breathtaking mountain views. In both seasons, you get unlimited mountain sights for sure.

                    But if you choose Monsoon(June-August) or Winter(December-February), the mountains may not be as visible as in the former ones. In Monsoon, the clouds come up and block the view. The precipitation level is also high. In sum, the Monsoon can bring you some troubles. Likewise, Winter can be a bit hard for Poon Hill Trek if you do not like shivering.

                    all the seasons, Autumn and Spring are the two best times, weather-wise, for the trek. You will meet many trekkers, as many trekkers pick these seasons as well. If not, you can try Monsoon or Winter Poon Hill Trek. You will have a much more tranquil experience.

                    Permits Required for Poon Hill Trek

                    Like many Nepal treks, you need a TIMS card and a Conservation Area Permit for Poon Hill Trek.

                    A TIMS card is a requisite permit for any treks in Nepal. It is no exception for Poon Hill Trekkers, either. To obtain it, you can visit Tourism Information Centers in Kathmandu or Pokhara with two photos and a valid passport. The price of the permit is NRS 2000.

                    Likewise, Poon Hill Trek happens via Annapurna Conservation Area, a protected site. You will need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit(ACAP) permit to pass through the natural buffer zone. A valid passport, two photos, and NRS 3000 are required to obtain the ACAP permit. You can get this permit from Nepal Tourism Board’s office in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

                    your trek manager, we will manage these permits for you. You do not have to worry much about the permits when we are there.

                    Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization

                    Altitude sickness is real in the mountains. When a non-acclimatized body gains high altitudes, it becomes difficult for the body to take in needed oxygen. And the body faces terrible or even worse health conditions. It is what altitude sickness is.

                    In the case of the Poon Hill Trek, we do not have to worry much about Altitude sickness. The trek is an easy and low-altitude trek. Poonhill viewpoint(3,210m) is the highest point of the outing. Typically, altitude sickness is more prevalent in walks higher than 3,500m+.

                    we still need to take precautions because we never know. You can prevent it by doing several things like not walking quickly, hydrating the body, avoiding alcohol or smoking, and not gaining more than 1000m daily. Take an acclimatization day if needed while trekking. Also, have a high-calorie diet every day and carry some altitude sickness medications for necessity.

                    you do these several things right and acclimate well while trekking, altitude sickness is a legend you’ll never feel. Correspondingly, our experienced guide will help you avoid the sickness. So no need to panic.

                    Drinking Water

                    Poon Hill Trek is one of the most developed trekking trails in Nepal. The route is not remote at all. Along the path, we have a lot of lodges, teahouses, and restaurants. If we need water, we can buy water bottles from there. The drinkable water bottle costs just NRS 25 to 30.

                    you can refill your water from teahouses, water taps, or even water springs. Ask for boiled or purified water from teahouses or lodges. Or use purifying tablets for drinking water from local water taps or rivers. In general, drinking water is not a problem during Poon Hill Trek.

                    Food

                    Poon Hill Trek has teahouses, lodges, and restaurants along the way. So there is no need to worry about food on the trek. You can consume various foods such as bread, cornflakes, oatmeal, cheese, porridge, Dal Bhat, sandwiches, momos, macaroni pasta, and additional options. The teahouses serve popular meals from local, Indian, western, and continental cuisines.

                    Likewise, you can also comfortably get cold and hot beverages on the trek. There are teahouses of all kinds along the road. However, you must look for a place that offers fresh, hygienic, and tasty food & drinks. If you are with us on this journey, we will ensure you eat in the right place.

                    Accommodation

                    Poon Hill Trek has numerous teahouses. Indeed, it is one of the most developed trekking trails. Thus, you can expect accommodation of all types on the trail, from basic to luxurious.

                    will get clean beds, cozy bedsheets, pillows, and blankets in these teahouses or lodges. Facilities like WIFI, hot shower, charging, and electricity are also available there. Unlike on other trails, the teahouses do not charge extra fees for these services. Also, If you eat at the same teahouse, you will get discounts on accommodation fees. Overall, accommodation is also not a problem on the Poon Hill Trek.

                    Internet

                    Internet is available on the trail of Poon Hill Trek. The teahouses provide the service. However, not every teahouse will have this service. Also, the quality of the internet in teahouses can be slow and inferior. If you are expecting high-speed internet, you might not get that. The internet is not fast because the Poon hill area’s topography is not easy for such infrastructure. But we guess it will work fine for low-speed works like calling a friend.

                    you can get a Nepalese sim card to access the Internet on your phone. The route of Poon Hill Trek does have good network coverage. Ncell and Namaste offer speedy packages which you can enjoy on the trek. When you have the Internet in your pocket, you can just surf it at your convenience. No need to ask for WIFI passwords from anyone.

                    Travel Insurance

                    Poon Hill Trek is a comfortable and short trek. However, you still need travel insurance. Travel insurance is necessary every time you are on a journey. We never know what can happen and when.

                    making a journey, we may encounter unprecedented situations like trip cancellations, accidents, natural disasters, etc. If we have travel insurance, we are insured at least. We can claim the cost of the troubles. Therefore, buy travel insurance that covers all the emergency costs. Remember to look for trip cancellations and helicopter rescues covering insurance.

                    A day on Poon Hill Trek

                    A typical day on Poon Hill Trek is not typical, though. The day brings you so many experiences. From waking up to going to bed, you will walk, see, feel, talk, realize, explore, learn, and many more.

                    Each morning, we will start by having breakfast at our teahouse. Then we outcast on the trail around 7 to 8 AM. We will set off a bit late if the day’s trekking distance is less. Otherwise, we must start early to catch everything. The morning walk is so heartwarming.

                    Around noon, we will pause for rest and lunch at a teahouse. We will have a tight lunch because we need that while trekking. After lunch, we will be off again. This part of the day will offer more sightseeing. And it will also bring us to our day’s destination.

                    Upon reaching our destination, we will settle in a teahouse in the evening. We will talk with locals and travelers around this time. Then we will have dinner between 7-8 pm. It is the relaxing part of the day because you unwind after a long day. And by stretching on a bed, we call it a day.

                    this way, we live a day on Poon Hill Trek. Each of the trek’s days has something new and vivid to experience.

                    FAQS

                    Is Poon Hill worth it?

                    Poon Hill Trek is one of the best walks for easy and short trek searchers. This nine-day outing offers beautiful experiences from mountains, villages, and woods to indigenous people and more. Poon Hill, in itself, is the best highlight of the trek. The sunrise view from the viewpoint is unworldly. In one sentence, a tour to Poon Hill is entirely worth it.

                    What is Poon Hill famous for?

                    Hill(3,210m) is famous for its awe-inspiring mountain panorama and sunrise view. You can watch sunrise amidst the long stretch of snowy, tall, and iconic peaks of the Himalayas.

                    Which season is best for Poon Hill Trek?

                    to November(Autumn) and March to May(Spring) are two superb seasons for the trek. The weather is bright, stable, clear, and warm. You will have the sunrise and mountain views, most probably during these seasons than others.

                    What peaks can we see from Poon Hill?

                    On this trek, you will stride to Poon Hill's viewpoint. When you reach, you will have Mt Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, Dhaulagiri II, Dhampus Peak, and many other peaks right in front of you.

                    How difficult is Poon Hill Trek?

                    Poon Hill Trek is one accessible name in Nepal's treks list. It does not involve high-altitude walking. The maximum altitude gain of the trek is 3,210m. There are steep ups and downs. However, people with no trekking experience can also complete this walk. Hence, Poon Hill Trek is not that hard.

                    How fit do I need to be for Poon Hill Trek?

                    It is an easy expedition. You are ready for the trek if you can walk around 6-7 hours daily. You do not have to do strict training for this walk. Just be in a position to walk for about 6-7 hours. That is it.

                    Is there any chance of altitude sickness?

                    The chances of altitude sickness on Poon Hill Trek are mere. As you know, the trek is a moderately high-elevation trek. It only goes up to 3,210m. Generally, altitude sickness is more prevailing on tours above 3,500m. So yeah, chances are low. But we still have to be careful.

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