Poon Hill Trek

7 Days
  • 3,210 m/10,531 ft.
  • Easy
  • Tea House
  • 7 Days
  • 1-10
  • Autumn & Spring
  • Tourist Bus or Flight
  • ACAP & TIMS
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Pokhara to Pokhara
  • Normal

Trip Overview

The Poon Hill trek, also known as the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, is one of the most renowned treks in Nepal. Where on this short Poon Hill Trek, you can witness everything the Annapurna region has to offer (well, nearly!). Suitable for young children, older adults, or those with limited time, this is a five-day trek with relatively low altitude. Poon Hill sits at 3,200m but offers access to all the prominent mountain names.

Poon hill Trek

It is possible to learn about the Gurung people at the Gurung Museum at Ghandruk and trek through other interesting villages and rhododendron forests. Although a relatively easy trek for the Himalayas, it is still tough going up and down the hundreds of stone steps to and from Ulleri village. But it is all worth it – even getting out of bed in the cold before sunrise – when you witness the sun rising over the snow-topped mountains of the Himalayas! Often, this trek is also called a mini circuit, as it follows a circuit route, allowing hikers to complete it every day. It's a brand-new day with jaw-dropping Himalayan scenery.

The trek to Poon Hill starts from Nayapul village. It is ideal for those with limited time to spend in Nepal. The trek encompasses both the natural and cultural aspects of Nepal, offering a view of many peaks from the Poon Hill viewpoint. You won't be disappointed as you will get the opportunity to experience everything that treks to other regions include.

Trip Highlights

  • Sunrise from the top of Poon Hill
  • View and photograph the Annapurna Ranges, Dhaulagiri Ranges, Machhapuchhre Himal, Hiunchuli, Nilgiri, and Mardi Himal from this stunning viewpoint
  • Walk through colorful (in springtime) rhododendron forests
  • Visit the Gurung Museum, with its traditional Gurung tools and utensils.
  • Popular short trek of Annapurna region
  • Tour of Pokhara city
  • Excellent hospitality of the local inhabitants

Trek Itinerary

  • Day
    1

    Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (822m) by Tourist Bus.

    Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara via Tourist Bus and let us explore the countryside of Nepal. As we make our way to Pokhara, we will pass by local markets and the Trishuli Riverside. It’s a major highway connecting east to west of Nepal. There is an option to travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara by Flight, which you can customize. Let us know, and we will arrange it accordingly. Once you reach Pokhara, you will have a free afternoon to walk around Lakeside, where numerous restaurants and cafés are available. You can have dinner at one of them.

    8 hour
    Breakfast
    Hotel

    Hotel Lake Star or Similar Category

  • Day
    2

    Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul (1,070m) & trek to Ulleri (1,960m).

    Depending on the group size, either a car, jeep, or coaster will be arranged for a short drive to Nayapul, which is approximately 55 km from Pokhara, the start point of the Poon Hill Trek. After checking the necessary permit, we will trek up to Hile, from where we will continue hiking to Ulleri. Ulleri is a small area occupied mainly by tea houses and lodges, which does not make any difference in choosing a room, as there is no mountain view from Ulleri.

    5 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    3

    Trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani (2,860m).

    Stepping uphill from Ulleri can be very difficult, although the trails are paved with ladders before reaching a gentle, flat section. Trails seem a bit busy as you are walking on one of the busiest and most popular trekking trails in Nepal. The Poon Hill Trek can be undertaken throughout the entire year, regardless of the weather, with minimal impact from winter, although Poon Hill will be covered in snow. Once we reach Ghorepani, we will hike up a little to reach Upper Ghorepani, which is more scenic than Lower Ghorepani.

    5 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    4

    Early in the morning hike to Poon Hill (3,210m) then trek to Tadapani (2,630m).

    Early in the morning, we will start hiking the trail to the top of Poon Hill for one of the beautiful sunrises over the Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range, along with several other subsidiary peaks. It is a gentle and kind of steep uphill trail, but the view will get more and more beautiful. The view tower on top of Poon Hill offers an exceptional viewpoint, which one cannot imagine with such a short walk from a city like Pokhara. Although the view from Ghorepani and Poon Hill looks the same, as the ranges are similar, the viewpoint matters, as one can have a slightly different view with a short walk to Poon Hill. After sunrise, we will descend to Ghorepani and head to Tadapani, which is primarily a gentle, flat trail.

    6 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    5

    Trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk Village (1,940m).

    The Poon Hill Trek was not as easy as it is today, as it is mostly downhill and a very short trek, passing through the middle of the forest. A combination of gentle sunlight and a beautiful rhododendron forest cannot be described in words. Ghandruk will be a lunch camp as well as an overnight camp because the distance is very short. This short distance will allow you to explore the entire village of Ghandruk, which is mainly inhabited by Gurung people whose forefathers had been involved in the British Army during World War II. In the late afternoon, we will explore the Gurung Museum, where you can get dressed in traditional Gurung attire.

    4 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    6

    Trek from Ghandruk to Kimche (1,640m) & drive back to Pokhara (822m).

    Today is the last day of our trek. We will walk approximately an hour downhill to Kimche. Kimche is a small town in Ghandruk Village, where local people take a jeep or bus to Pokhara. We will also catch a local bus to Nayapul and then take a private car or taxi from there to Pokhara. Arriving earlier in Pokhara will allow us to explore some of the city's beautiful parts. We will organize two or three sightseeing places, depending on the time.

    5 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch
    Hotel

    Hotel Lake Star or Similar Category

  • Day
    7

    Drive back from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1,400m) by Tourist Bus.

    Driving back the entire way on the same highway, with the memory of the Poon Hill Trek in mind, we will reach Kathmandu and be transferred to the Hotel. A discussion meeting will be held in the late afternoon to discuss the feedback on NEST's performance, and any suggestions will be highly appreciated.

    8 hour
    Breakfast
    Hotel

    You can book the hostel or hotel in Kathmandu yourself. This is not included in the package.

The Cost Includes

  • International airport pickup and drop-off services.
  • 2 nights hotel in Pokhara with breakfast (Hotel Lake Star or Similar).
  • An English-speaking professional trekking guide for 05 days (including his salary, food, accommodation, transportation, and insurance).
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).
  • Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS).
  • Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by Sofa Tourist Bus.
  • Pokhara-Nayapul-Pokhara by private car or taxi.
  • Kimche-Nayapul by sharing jeep or local bus.
  • Hotel-Bus Station-Hotel transport by private car or taxi.
  • Three meals a day during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
  • 04 nights accommodation in mountain tea house lodge (twin-sharing basis).
  • Seasonal fruits after the dinner during the trek.
  • NEST branded water bottles with purification tablets.
  • NEST branded duffle bags for the trek.
  • NEST branded sleeping bags (-20/-25 degrees) during the trek (if required).
  • A pulse oximeter to provide a daily report (SpO2 and bpm).
  • NEST branded Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek maps.
  • NEST branded warm hats.
  • Trekking poles (if required).
  • All government tax and service fees.
  • First aid kit box.

The Cost Excludes

  • Nepal Visa Fees (15 Days- USD 30, 30 Days- USD 50, and 90 Days- USD 125).
  • Travel Insurance (must include coverage for medical expenses and emergency evacuation).
  • Food and accommodation in Kathmandu.
  • Food in Pokhara (except breakfast).
  • Any kind of drinks or bar items during the trek.
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, bar bills, battery charge, boiled water, laundry, hot shower, snacks, and Wi-Fi in the mountain).
  • Additional costs due to changes in the itinerary.
  • Porter for the trek (A porter for 05 days costs USD 125).
  • Private transportation from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu.
  • Tips for guide and porters (Expected).
  • Any additional services not listed in the included section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Poon Hill Trek?

The Poon Hill Trek lies in Annapurna region, which is the shortest trek from Pokhara. You need to go to Pokhara and drive to Nayapul to start this trek.

What is the highest elevation of Poon Hill Trek?

The highest elevation you gain is 3,210m/10,531 ft. This is the elevation of Poon Hill.

How long does it take to complete Poon Hill Trek?

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek can be completed within 4 to 6 days depending on time and walking pace.

What is the transportation to go Poon Hill Trek?

First, you need to travel to Pokhara by tourist bus or flight, and then drive again to Nayapul by local bus or private vehicle to reach the starting point of this trek.

What kind of permits are necessary for Poon Hill Trek?

You need to obtain two different permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card for the Poon Hill Trek.

Can I go to Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Poon Hill Trek permits?

Yes, you can go to ABC trek with the same Poon Hill Trek permits. The permits can be used unless you exit the check post.

Is there attached bathroom available in tea houses during Poon Hill Trek?

Yes, most guest houses on the Poon Hill trek have attached bathrooms, allowing you to choose between a standard room and an attached bathroom.

When is the best time for Poon Hill Trek?

The best times for the Poon Hill trek are autumn (September-November) and Spring (March-May). Especially, you can see the blooming of rhododendron flowers along the trail in spring.