Brief Description
The Ghorepani to Poon Hill Trek is one of the shortest and easiest treks from Pokhara located in the Annapurna Conservation Area. The trail deviates from the crowded Annapurna Base Camp trek and takes you to a hidden wonder at 3210 M height that gives you impressive views of mighty Himalayan peaks such as Annapurna, Machapucchre, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, Mt.Manaslu and many more. The trail is easy and well marked taking you across classic Nepalese villages thus making it ideal for beginners, experienced trekkers and families as well. This 4 day short trek is perfect for those who wish to get a taste of the trekking culture of Nepal. The stunning sunrise over the peaks as seen from the Poon Hill top will leave you speechless and in awe. The best time to do this trek is in the months of March - May and September to late December. Stay on this page for more information on the Poon Hill Trek.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Arrive at Pokhara
Reach Pokhara today and check into your accommodation. Spend the day exploring the bustling city and various cafes and bars around. Buy any last minute necessities.
Drive from Pokhara to Hile (4922 ft) - 52 km. Trek from Hile to Ulleri (6578 ft) - 2.5 km / 1.5 hours
Today is the first day of the Poon Hill Trek and our destination is Ulleri, a beautiful village. The hike from Hile to Ulleri is perfect for day one since the plan is to take it easy and let your body rest well and acclimatize for the upcoming days. The trek from Hile will take you to the hamlet of Thikedunga in an hour followed by crossing two small suspension bridges and then hiking over stairs till you reach Ulleri. The trail to Ulleri is a strenuous hike of over 3500 stairs. This is a pretty good warmup as it gives you a decent head start for the upcoming days. You will get glimpses of small yet pretty Nepali Villages throughout the way, also a chance to interact with some of the villagers. This particular stretch can get little crowded as it is also the starting point of other Major treks like Annapurna base camp and Khopra Ridge but it will last for a couple of days till Ghorepani, our next halt. Have dinner and retire for the night. Overnight in teahouse.
Ulleri to Ghorepani (9318 ft) - 7.5km / 5 hours
As you leave Ulleri behind after a gradual ascend of around 200 meters you will enter a pretty thick forestry trail with huge varieties of trees all around. This stretch will be a gradual ascend till you reach Nangethanti Hamlet which is around 5 km from Ulleri followed by a continuous gradual ascend till you reach Ghorepani. Blessed with deep thick rhododendron forest all the way, if the season is right you will be walking through endless pink rhododendron trees. Ghorepani is a big Hamlet in the lap of a slope, so the whole village is in an ascending order throughout thus there are two sections named as lower Ghorepani and upper Ghorepani. We will stay in teahouses at upper Ghorepani as you need to wake up early and approach Poon hill the next morning. Sleep early than usual as we must wake up early to get the amazing views from Poon Hill which awaits the next day.
Ghorepani to Poon Hill Top (10,532 ft) to Ghandruk (6726 ft) - 19 km, 8 - 9 hrs. Ghandruk to Pokhara - 2 hrs Drive.
Today we wake up before sunrise and make our way to reach Poon Hill Top from Ghorepani. There is an ascent of 300 meters. The sunrise view from this particular point is stunning. You can spot several major Greater Himalayan ranges, Mt Dhaulagiri 8167 m, Mt Annapurna south 7129 m, Mt. Himchuli 6221 m and last but not the least Mt. Machhapuchre 6993 m, which is arguably the most beautiful mountain in the world. Spend some time at the Poon Hill Top and start your way back to Ghorepani for breakfast from where you will be continuing to descend down all the way to Ghandruk. And we will drive from Ghandruk to Pokhara which will take about 2 hours.
Depart from Pokhara
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The base for the trek is Pokhara, which is well connected from Delhi by air and land.
By Air: There are multiple daily flights from Delhi to Kathmandu.
By Rail:You can take a train from Delhi to Raxaul Junction in Bihar on the Indo - Nepal border. From Raxaul, take a 5 km bus/taxi to the border, from where Kathmandu is a 10 hour road journey. Buses and taxis are easily available at the border.
By Road: The road distance from Delhi to Kathmandu is 1,145 km. There is a Delhi Government luxury bus service from Delhi Gate for Kathmandu that takes around 36 hours. This is the most time consuming but budget-friendly option at INR 2300 for the bus journey.
From Kathmandu, you can opt to fly to Pokhara, or take one of several shared cabs that ply on the route daily.
Since the trek starts from Pokhara you can take regular buses and taxis that ply from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Pokhara is also accessible from Delhi by road or rail.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
Over the last few years, the mobile/ cell phone network has improved significantly in more remote areas of Nepal. The best network above Nayapul on Khopra Ridge Trek is Nepal Telecom (NTC) or NCell. It is easy to buy an NTC SIM card from Kathmandu or Pokhara. You will need to provide your passport, so don't forget to bring it along.
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, is a vibrant, noisy city. Packed full of history, palaces and temples, it is also within touching distance of Nepal's premier attraction: the Himalaya.
Kathmandu is home to places to visit like Durbar Square (with temples dating back to the 12th century), Boudhanath Stupa (a world heritage site), and Pashupatinath Temple (the country's most important Hindu temple, on the banks of the Bagmati river).
Another must-see attraction is the Royal Palace, the site of the infamous 2001 massacre of the Royal Family by the then Crown Prince, and now converted into the Narayanhiti Palace Museum.
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the expedition?
Please do carry either your passport or Voter ID card, along with a few passport size photographs.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
You will have to arrive at Pokhara on your own. We will pick you from your hotel in Pokhara and drive till the trailhead and drop you off at the same location.
Transport: What time will we reach the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Pokhara by evening.
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
You can offload your backpack (up to 10 kgs) on this trek. The portage fee is included in the trek cost.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of participants will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by the directions of the leader. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain a 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
It is not mandatory but it is more convenient with the pole. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
You can buy your trekking necessities from Pokhara.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for a solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing a room with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate room depending on availability.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
Mid-September to October – partially Clear, Day – 10 deg. To 15 deg. Centigrade / Night – 5 deg. To -3 Deg.
November to January – generally clear skies, moderate chances of fresh snowfalls, Day – 8 to 10 deg. / Night – 3 Deg. To -5 Deg.
February to April – Chances of heavy snowfall in the month of February to March and the temperature will be below freezing most of the time during the evenings and night, however, during the day time the temperature will be pleasant.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
There may be fresh snowfall in the region depending on the weather. There will be permanent snow accumulation at higher altitudes, though not necessarily on the trail itself.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
Since this is not a camping trek, tents and sleeping bags are not required. However, if it is too cold then, sleeping bags do come in handy. Rental options are available in Pokhara.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
There are adequate, hygienic facilities throughout the trail and at all accommodations.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
Gaiters and microspikes will not be provided by us. If needed, then you can rent the same from Pokhara. However, these are not needed for Nepal treks.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Meals are not included on this trek. The lodges / guest houses on this trek have ample eating options.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent following items from Pokhara - Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack, gaiters, microspikes, sleeping bags.
Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
You will be provided shared accommodation in a hostel in Pokhara. On the trail, you will be provided twin or triple sharing accommodation in lodges / tea houses / guest houses.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
Mardi Himal Trek best time:
Pre-monsoon - March to May
Post monsoon - September to December
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Poon Hill Trek
Being a short and easy trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area, the Poon Hill Trek is ideal for beginners who would like a taste of trekking in Nepal. Falling on the popular Annapurna Base Camp trail, Poon Hill offers stunning views of Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri and Mt. Machapucchre. The trail is blessed with rhododendron bushes, extoci birds and stunning scenery.Eligibility: Is this trek good for me?
Poon Hill Trek is an easy trek taking you to a maximum altitude of 3200 M thus making it ideal for both beginners and experienced trekkers alike. For novice trekkers this might be a bit rigorous especially if you haven't trekked before. So, a good physical fitness and mental endurance is highly recommended. The Poon Hill difficulty level on Bikat's scale is 3. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale
Eligibility: Experience required
No prior experience is required, but it is recommended to be physically fit and have a good mental and physical endurance.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
- Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins or Walk continuously for 10 kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) - You would be required to produce a screenshot from a fitness app testifying the same
- Hold your breath for 30-35 seconds
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
Eligibility: Requisite skills
One should be familiar with the following:
- Know campsite basics like how to use a sleeping bag, sleeping tent, toilet tent
- Ascending & Descending technique for mountain trails
- Basic mountain mannerisms
- Ascending & Descending on snow
- Basics of Mountain Sickness
- Basics of Mountain Hazards
- How to cross small water streams
Why Bikat
Why Bikat
Learning Experience
- We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
- We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
- To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
- These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
- Currently we have three levels:
- Basic Membership
- Summiteer Membership
- Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
- Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
- Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
- On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
- Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
- Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
- Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
- Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
- We follow a rolling campsite model.
- We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
- To ensure this:
- Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
- The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
- Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
- Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.
Reviews
What's Included
Whats Included
- Accommodation in Pokhara
- Accommodation in guesthouse/lodge on all trek days
- Permits (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- Safety Equipment includes static rescue rope, seat harness, carabiners, pulleys
- Experienced guide
- Transport from Pokhara to road head and return
- Portage of personal backpack - 10 kg
Whats Not Included?
- Any Expense of personal nature.
- Any Expense not specified in the inclusions list.
- Any meals during the trek/road journey/hotel accommodation
- Travel Insurance and Rescue Evacuation in case of emergency
- Backpack Offloading of more than 10 kg
- Gaiters, microspikes and sleeping bags (wherever necessary) are not included and thus have to rented from Pokhara by you.
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
Blog Posts
How to Choose the perfect pair of Trekking Shoes?
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<p><span style="color: #000000;">Your choice of trekking shoes can make your trek a blissful or blister-full experience based on how well it fits you. A good pair of trekking shoes is the most essential piece of equipment you will use while hiking.&n
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