A Complete Guide To Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Highlights of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Ghorepani- Poon Hill trek is a short and relaxing trail to explore the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range of the Himalayas. This is a sublime trail with the highest altitude of 3210M at Poon Hill, which is a majestic place to experience the sunrise view over the Himalayas.

Starting from Naya Pul, which is just an hour and a half drive from the city of Pokhara. The trek continues through the village, experiencing the local life, farmland, rural villages, hills, and diverse culture of the ethnic community.

From Tikhe Dhunga, you will hike through the forest, climbing uphill. A conservation area, this forest is blessed with diverse vegetation, flora, and fauna. Your hike continues through the forest, waterfall, and stream to reach Banthati for the lunch break.

Henceforth, you will be at Ghorepani for an overnight stay at the lodge. This is a majestic place with dozens of lodges with magnificent views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains.

The next day, early in the morning, your hike continues to Poon Hill for the sunrise view over the wide range of the Himalayas. After breakfast, continue the trek towards Tadapani, this will be through ascending and descending through the forest with views of the hills, the Himalayas, and the local village.

Now, descending all the way, you will reach Ghandruk for the last overnight camp. Ghandruk is one of the popular tourist villages of the Annapurna region. Mainly inhabited by the Gurung community. This village has a typical museum of the Gurung community.

Well preserved, Ghandruk is also the best place to witness the Annapurna Himalaya and the sunrise view over it. From Ghandruk, you will have three options to divert the trail. This includes continuing to Annapurna Base Camp, Dhampus or to Naya Pul (the starting point of the trek).

From Ghandruk, the very same day, descend towards Naya Pul and drive all the way to Pokhara to make the trek shorter. If you make the Ghorepani- Poon Hill Trek shorter, it can be accomplished within 4 days

Best Time of the Year to Trek Ghorepani- Poon Hill

Ghorepani- Poonhill is a short and sublime trekking trail to an altitude of 3210M. This is a low-altitude trek in Nepal and also to the Annapurna region, close to Pokhara.

This lower altitude makes the Ghorepani trek an easily accessible and trekkers’ choice trail due to its elevation and short time frame. However, there is the best time of the year to trek the Ghorepani- Poon Hill trail.

Due to the lower altitude, this trail experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. Sometimes, it might be for the whole day. So, better avoid trekking during the monsoon.

Mainly in Nepal, the monsoon starts in August and continues till September; however, August is regarded as Pre-Monsoon and September Post-Monsoon, but due to global climate change these days, September also experiences regular rainfall.

During rainy days, trekking to Ghorepani-Poon Hill can be the worst experience, as the trail will be slippery and muddy. Moreover, there will be an insect in the lodges and leeches in the trail. So, we don’t recommend trekking during the monsoon.

Winter receives snowfall but not much; this is the time when the sky remains clear with a magnificent view of the Himalayas and snow-covered forest, mainly in December and January.

So, the best time for the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek will definitely be the spring and Autumn season. This includes October, November, December, January, February, and March, without any rainfall, crystal clear skies, and beautiful wildflowers throughout the trail, and it's worth trekking during this time of the year.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Itinerary

The Ghorepani-Poon Hill Trekking itinerary mainly depends on the trekking point. As for this Poon Hill trek, you have to be in Pokhara.

Pokhara is just 200KM from the capital city of Kathmandu and can be reached either by domestic flight or tourist bus. If you fly from Kathmandu, it will take 30-Minute and on the same day, you will be able to drive to Naya Pul (Starting point of the trek) and start thereafter.

However, if you are planning to take a tourist bus, this will be a long 7-hour drive. So, you will need to spend one extra night in Pokhara and start the trek the very next day.

Here is the tentative Itinerary for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek from Kathmandu:

• Day 1: Flight to Pokhara and drive to Naya Pul and trek to Tikhe Dhunga
• Day 2: Trek from Tikhe Dhunga to Ghorepani
• Day 3: Morning hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani or Ghandruk
• Day 4: Trek from Tadapani or Ghandruk to Naya Pul and drive to Pokhara (Late afternoon, you can take a flight to Kathmandu)

       OR

• Day 1: Drive to Pokhara and Overnight
• Day 2: Drive to Naya Pul and trek to Tikhe Dhunga or Ulleri
• Day 3: Trek from Tikhe Dhunga or Ulleri to Ghorepani
• Day 4: Morning hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani or Ghandruk
• Day 5: Trek from Tadapani or Ghandruk to Naya Pul and drive to Pokhara, and fly to Kathmandu Or Stay overnight in Pokhara and drive the next morning to Kathmandu

Note: If you want to avoid a flight, an additional extra day will be required to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu. For more information, WhatsApp: +977-9841161593 or Email: info@discoveraltitude.com

Here is the tentative Itinerary of the Ghorepani- Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara.

Day 1: Drive to Naya Pul and trek to Tikhe Dhunga or Ulleri

Day 2: Trek from Tikhe Dhunga or Ulleri to Ghorepani

Day 3: Morning hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani or Ghandruk

Day 4: Trek from Tadapani or Ghandruk to Naya Pul and Drive to Pokhara

Ghorpani Poon Hill Trek Distance

Ghorepani- Poon Hill Trek is one of the most demanding trekking trails in the entire Annapurna region. This is a short and easy-going trail for any age group and gender.

Starting from Kathmandu (the first landing destination in Nepal for travellers), you need to reach Pokhara, the gateway to Annapurna Base Camp and Ghorepani- Poonhill Trek. This trekking itinerary can be customised according to the trekkers’ interests and time frame.

From Naya Pul to Naya Pul, making a short circuit, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek covers a distance of 56 Km (approximately)

Ghorepani Poonhill Trek from Pokhara

Ghorepani-Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara will be less time-consuming and comparatively cost-effective than from Kathmandu. This is because, for the Poon Hill trek, the main entry point is through Pokhara after an hour-and-a-half drive to Naya Pul.

Detailed Itinerary of Ghorepani-Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara

• Day 1: Drive to Naya Pul and trek to Tikhe Dhunga or Ulleri
• Day 2: Trek from Tikhe Dhunga/Ulleri to Ghorepani
• Day 3: Morning hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani or Ghandruk
• Day 4: Trek from Tadapani/Ghandruk to Naya Pul and Drive to Pokhara

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek from Kathmandu

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek from Kathmandu will be of 5/6-day trek. This is so because of the long distance; however, if you take a two-way flight, then this trek can also be completed within 4 days. Here is the Itinerary of the Ghorepani-Poon Hill Trek from Kathmandu

• Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara

     (Or take an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and drive to Naya Pul and trek to Tikhe Dhunga)

• Day 2: Drive to Naya Pul and trek to Tikhe Dhunga or Ulleri
• Day 3: Trek to Ghorepani
• Day 4: Hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani or Ghandruk
• Day 5: Trek to Naya Pul and drive to Pokhara

  Or Trek to Naya Pul and drive to Pokhara, and a late afternoon flight to Kathmandu

• Day 6: Drive or Flight to Kathmandu

The above-mentioned itinerary can be customised according to your time frame, interests, and budget. Price varies a bit due to the extra day in Pokhara and/or flight to and from Pokhara/Kathmandu.

Ghorepani Poonhill Trek Cost

Ghorepani-Poon Hill is a short, easygoing, and comfortable trek leading to the highest altitude of 3210M at Poon Hill for the magnificent view of the sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan range.

This is a cost-effective trek in Nepal; however, two different permits are required to enter the Ghorepani trail. They are the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Permit, which cost Rs 3000 and 20 USD, respectively.

The price of the Ghorepani- Poon Hill Trek solely depends upon the service you want to take, like Guide, Porter, Accommodation, and Full Board Meals, along with your starting point of the trek as well, like Kathmandu or Pokhara.

In spite of all this, the cost for the Ghorepani-Poon Hill Trek ranges between 350 USD and 500 USD. For more information about the cost-to-cost package, please contact Discover Altitude or WhatsApp: +977-9841161593

Ghorepani Poonhill Trek Route

The shortest and easiest itinerary for the Ghorepani- Poon Hill Trek is to start from Naya Pul and end at Naya Pul, making a circuit around the Annapurna Sanctuary trail.

However, you can end up in Phedi, Kade, Tatopani, or Jomsom only by adding a couple of extra days.

To make the Ghorepani Trek short and simple, it is better to start from Naya Pul, which is an hour and a half drive from the main city of Pokhara. From Naya Pul, your trek continues through Birethati, passing by villages, hills, and farmland to reach Tikhe Dhunga, but if you are restricted by time, you can take a local jeep to reach Tikhe Dhunga in an easy way.

From Tikhe Dhunga, hike uphill all the way to Ghorepani, through Ulleri village and the conserved forest. And the very next day, hike to Poon Hill for the magnificent views of the Himalayas and the first rays of the sunlight falling upon them.

Descending for breakfast, continue the trek through the hills, village, and forest to reach Tadapani for the lunch break. In Tadapani, there are two different trails, one leading toward Annapurna Base Camp and the other to Ghandruk.

Follow the one to Ghandruk all the way downhill and visit the typical Gurung village for an overnight stay.

With the magnificent sunrise view over the Annapurna massif, you will continue hiking towards Naya Pul or take a local bus to Naya Pul. This will save time if you are restricted and drive from Naya Pul to Pokhara.

Ghorepani- Poonhill Trek Difficulty

Ghorepani-Poon Hill is a moderate trek for any age group. Trekkers will have multiple options, whether to start from Naya Pul or drive up to Tikhedhunga, and whether to end the trek from Ghandruk (local bus available) or hike up to Naya Pul.

Due to recent road construction, the trail has been shortened, making it easy and short. For trekkers, there is an alternative route to skip the drivable road.

From Pokhara, you can reach Ghorepani within the same day, driving all the way to Tikhe Dhunga or to Banthati and hiking for around 4-5 hours, depending upon the starting point.

Further from Ghandruk, you can drive all the way to Naya Pul or hike for 4-5hours to reach Naya Pul and take transportation to Pokhara.

Hiking trails are well-managed and maintained in good condition. They are broad enough to hike in a comfortable way.

Can we customize Ghorepani Poonhill Trek?

Ghorepani-Poon Hill Trek is a popular short trek to Annapurna Sanctuary and is also known as Annapurna Sanctuary Circuit Trek. Through this trail, trekkers can divert into multiple areas of the Annapurna region.

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is a short trek, which can be completed in 3-4 days depending upon your fitness level. However, you can extend the same trail into different areas of the Annapurna region.

This includes Annapurna Base Camp, Dhampus, Tatopani, Jomsom-Muktinath, Upper Mustang, etc., adding a couple of more days. So, you can customise it according to your scheduled number of days.

Required Permits for Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Ghorepani-Poon Hill Trek lies in the Annapurna Region of Nepal. This is a short Annapurna Sanctuary trail below an altitude of 3000Meters.

The entire Annapurna region is a conserved area and falls under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). Thus, trekking into Ghorepani required ACAP Permits and cost Rs 3000 regardless of the number of days and area.

Trekkers can continue any part of the Annapurna region with the same single permit.

Apart from ACAP Permits, trekkers will have to have additional permits called Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Permits. The main purpose of this permit is to keep a record of the trekkers and trace down the location during the emergency rescue operation.

This helps to evacuate in times of emergency, which might occur due to unpredictable natural calamities such as landslides, avalanches, floods, etc.

TIMS Permits cost USD 10 for group trekkers through the authorised trekking agency in Nepal and USD 20 for solo individual trekkers.

For further information or booking: WhatsApp +977-9841161593 or Email: info@discoveraltitude.com