A quick and simple trek may be found in the Annapurna Region called Ghorepani Poonhill Trekking. For those who are considering trekking for the first time, the Ghorepani Poonhill Trip is a beginner’s trek. This trek is suitable for people with limited time because most trekking takes more than a week. This can be completed within 5-6 days. You get glimpses of Mt Macchapuchre, Mt Annapurna south I, II, III, IV, Gangapurna Mt Dhaulagiri, Mt Tukuche, Mt Nilgiri, and the brilliant villages of Gurung and Magar. Ghorepani Poonhill Trekking in the Annapurna region is famous for its viewpoint and cultural heritage. The village is within the boundary of the Myagdi District of the Dhaulagiri Zone of central Nepal.
Trips Highlights
- Ghandruk Gurung village and Ulleri Magar village.
- Villages like Tikhedhunga, Birethati, Tadapani, and Ghorepani
- It is easy and short in Annapurna Region
- Best sunrise from Poonhill, 3210m
- You will ascend/descend of stone stairs of Ulleri
Starting and finishing point.
Like other trekking in the Annapurna region, there are many starting and ending points on the trek. The most popular way is to start from Nayapul and finish in Ghandruk. You can also start the trek another way from Ghandruk and finish in Nayapul.
Different routes of the Poonhill trek
Nayapul to in Ghandruk
Ghandruk to Nayapul
Nayapul to Kimche
Kimche to Nayapul
Best time to trek Ghorepani Poonhill
The best Ghorepani Poonhill trekking is September-November and March-May. The Spring season in Nepal falls from mid-March to May. The best is the spring season for trekkers as the forest starts to spread its greenery; it is the best time to visit for nature lovers. Mardi Trek offers a colorful experience in spring with flowering rhododendron and other wildflowers. In spring you can get a view of the snow-capped mountain.
As the monsoon season gradually ends in September, you will get a clear and spectacular view of the sky and mountains, and you will be able to enjoy the greenery. October is a month when Nepal receives high numbers of trekkers. Besides favorable weather, if you choose to trek in September, you will get an opportunity to get close to Nepalese culture through festivals like Dashain and Tihar.
Permit required for this trek
Before you leave for the trek to Poonhill, it costs 30$, excluding 13% VAT. For the citizen of SAARC countries, you can get a permit for $15, excluding VAT. If the children are under the age of 10, children do not need to pay charges for a permit. The Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu sells permits for Annapurna trekking.
The Difficulty of Poonhill Trek
Tea houses and their facilities are basic. You will walk for 7 hours in very steep terrain. The Poonhill weather is unpredictable, so you must be prepared, and ATMs are not available except in city areas. The high-altitude tea house remains closed in winter because heavy snowfall might cause trouble in high altitudes. In October, there are many trekkers, which creates traffic jams. The common problem trekkers face is altitude sickness; you must get proper rest and acclimatization.
Basic routes for the PoonHill trek
Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara
Take a bus early in the morning to Kalanki, and then a microbus from Kalanki. The travel time to get to Pokhara is roughly 6-7 hours, and the distance to get there are 206 kilometers.
Day 2: Pokhara to Hile
After breakfast, take a jeep or bus from Pokhara to Nayapul; if you are a lone traveler, it will be cost-effective to take a local bus or get a jeep. It will be best if you are in a group. From Nayapul, the hike starts, and it will take 3 hours to reach Hile.
Day 3: Hile to Ghorepani
On the way to Ghorepani, you will pass through many villages like Tikhedhunga, Ulleri, and Banthanti through oak and rhododendron forests. After a 6-7 hours hike, you will reach Ghorepani, and there are many stone steps on the way.
Day 4: Ghorepani to Poonhill and back to Ghandruk
It might take around 45 minutes to one hour to reach Poonhill, and you can see the spectacular sunrise view from around 5:15 am to 6 am. There is a small shop for tea and coffee at Poonhill.
You will see the spectacular view of Mt Annapurna South, Macchapurchre, Tuckuche, and Dhaulagiri.
You can have breakfast at Ghorepani and head towards Ghandruk. It takes 7-8 hours downhill through the forest to reach Ghandruk. It is worth spending time at Ghandruk, and the Gurung village houses a museum dedicated to Gurung culture.
Day 5: Trek to Nayapul and drive back to Pokhara
Trek back to Nayapul takes around 4-5 hours, and driving back to Pokhara takes 1.5 hours. From Nayapul takes a local bus or jeep back to Pokhara.
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