Poon Hill Trek

Poon Hill Trek perfectly suited for all trekkers is a circular trek via Nepal’s one of the gentler routes and is best for families and beginners willing to experience the stunning 360-degree Himalayan Vista observation of astounding mountains including awesome accommodations and food during the trip in the lower elevation. April is considered the excellent time month for this trek when the rhododendrons are fully blooming, but this trek can be done any time of the year.

The trekking activities around Ghorepani Poon Hill are a circuit in the down section of the Annapurna Himalayan Range. The vantage point of Poon Hill offers gorgeous views of sunrise and mountain panorama of the familiar Annapurna region like Annapurna South (7,219m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna I, III and IV, Dhaulagiri (8,169m), Lamjung Himal, Gangapurna, Machhapuchre (Fishtail) and Manaslu (8,163m).

Travelers will enjoy hiking inside the deep rhododendrons and alpine woods, terraced sloppy land, rice fields, and lured nature with lush vegetation. The friendly hospitality of the local Gurung and Magar villages is equally wonderful and Ghorepani itself is also a beautiful place with extraordinary mountain sceneries located in central Nepal at a lower altitude of approximately 2874 meters (9,429ft) in the lap of Annapurna Conservation Area.
Poon Hill Trek also known as the Annapurna Sunrise Trek and includes the famous ascending challenge at Ulleri but nowadays it has facility of transportation too so, you can choose either trek from Nayapul to Tikhedhunga then hike up to Ulleri or directly drive to Ulleri and there are 3,332 stone steps to ascend.

There is also the vibration of beautiful nature and typical villages in Ghandruk that offer great sceneries of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Fishtail, the colorful night market of Lakeside City Pokhara, just 7 hour’s drive and 25 minutes flights from Kathmandu.

Comprehensive Guide to Poon Hill Trek

Poon Hill Trek is about 6 days treks in the Annapurna foothills which offers enjoyable trekking through outstanding Himalayan panoramas, attractive Poon and Gurung villages, dense rhododendron forests, and alpine woods with subtropical valleys that set towards the Annapurna conservation area along the gorgeous Fishtail ( Machhapuchre) under the domination of blue skyline.

From the best vantage point, Poon Hill (3,510m/10531ft) located above Ghorepani provides breathtaking views of Annapurna massif, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchre crown with golden sunrise. The trek allows you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and attractive culture with unique customs and traditions in the significant region of the mighty Himalayas.

The trekking generally begins hiking from Nayapul but nowadays people also take transportation up to Ulleri and you can have both options. Our company is flexible, so we can go under our client’s choice as even there is a choice of flight or drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

On your way to trekking routes can explore the typical villages and have a chance to interact with the friendly local people to study about their lifestyles and cultures by interacting with them. The adventure also awarded you offering the mesmerizing views of the Annapurna, Machhapuchre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Dhaulagiri as numerous neighboring towering peaks of snow glistering high mountains and continue our trekking until we reach Ghorepani for today’s journey.

Furthermore, the next day early in the morning we make our way to Poon Hill, the best vantage point to behold 360 degrees numerous mountain views with the crown golden sun at the top. We will step 2,324 stone steps to reach the top of Poon Hill and will watch the silver shine glistering renowned snowcapped mountains. From the top, you can observe the wonderful views of glaciers and numbers of Himalaya series like Dhaulagiri (80169m) Annapurna South (7,219m) Hiunchuli (6,441m) Annapurna I (8091m), Gangapurna (7,4455m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Machhapuchre (6,993m) as the views are such an awesome and this is the favorite spot for taking photographs for photographers from the world.

We will spend our time studying such gigantic mountains on the horizon and set the pictures in our hearts and minds also keep them in our camera memory. After back from Poon Hill, we will eat our breakfast at our tea house and further proceed towards the trek to Tadapani. The trails lead us through the rhododendron forests and alpine woods like a natural tunnel way of different hills by ascending and descending and provide the beautiful sceneries of different mountain vistas and you will realize the humongous Annapurna Mountains at Tadapani.

On our third day, we commence our journey to Ghandruk, a beautiful Gurung traditional village located at the lap of the Annapurna region passing through the rhododendron forests in the peaceful natural environment and descending the trail. When we arrive at Ghandruk we will see the best view of the Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Fishtail and spend our night in this beautiful village. The next day we eat our delicious breakfast and drive back to Adventure City, Pokhara observing a bee hive against the rocks below Landruk village with picturesque villages. The following morning we will back to Kathmandu after exploring the beautiful Pokhara city your trekking adventure has been completed and we hope you enjoyed the adventure and made fun memories in your lifetime.

LENGTH AND TERRAIN OF THE POON HILL TREK

This is the best short trek in comparison with other regions trekking about 45 kilometers circuit in a clockwise route ultimate elevation of 3210 m at Poon Hill. The treks provide the awesome sceneries of deep valleys and majestic Himalayan vistas and the perfect trekking in Nepal.

The trek can have changeable weather but it is in the lower part so, will not affect your journey sometimes might be closed if the clouds cover the mountains, and with a good kit you will keep yourself warm and the hike going on well – established paths and not too high so altitude sickness will not be an issue.

The trek offers scenery and cultural diversity of different ethnic groups and mountain geography passing through the lush green fields and ancient villages and trekking inside the subtropical forests to explore the various natural aspects with peaceful days trekking.

Changes for hiking the Poon Hill since 2023

From 1st April 2023, all international travelers must hire a government-licensed holder guide for trekking in Nepal apart from the Everest region.

Independent trekking does not exist anymore so there are two options for your trekking either hire a guide or join a tour with a valid trekking agency. When you rent a guide make sure the guide has the trekking experience, reliable, and with legal trekking guide license. We suggest, booking your trip with a reliable legal agency beforehand, in this case, your trip booking company will arrange everything that is needed for trekking so you can freely hike to your targeted destination with a reliable guide another advantage of booking with a legal company, they will be responsible for everything during your trek so it is the best idea for safety.

How difficult is the Poon Hill Trek?

The Poon Hill Trek is a moderate-level trek which is not offering any kind of technical climb and mountaineering experience. The trek is the easiest one for multi-day trekking in the Annapurna region. However, the trek still demands physical stamina because of the 3000-meter ascent passing through by 2 days. The trail is best for acclimatizing hiking before owning the challenging trek in the other part of Nepal.

ACCOMMODATION ON THE POON HILL TREK

Accommodation is well facilitated and available in the comfortable tea houses run by locals. Every lodge has a central communal place with a large wood fire oven that lets the trekker heat and cozy ambiance. The bedrooms are unheated and normally two beds per room with blankets, mattresses, and pillows. It is better to bring your sleeping bag but you will also provide blankets in the peak season there might be a lack of blankets because of the overflow of the trekkers and clothes needed for porters and guides.

Similarly, all tea houses have hot showers which are powered by gas and available western-type flush toilets (some lodges have squat toilets). Cuisine in the tea houses is fresh and you will have different choices like western foods items with mixed Nepal foods Dal Bhat is Nepal’ traditional food which you can try. Alcoholic and soft drinks are also available on your choice but you need to pay yourself which is not included in your trekking packages shops are also available for buying snacks and drinks, chocolate bars, and better we suggest buying snacks in Kathmandu because is costly in the mountains.

PACKING LISTS FOR POON HILL TREK
Warm trekking clothes with a 3 season sleeping bag and lightweight hiking shoes ankle supportive are suggested for Poon Hill Trek to defend you against possibly going to an ankle twist, weighty boots will hot and inconvenient. Sun hats and gloves, some pairs of comfortable socks, walking sticks for hiking, and also a waterproof jacket as well as an umbrella to stay safe from rain showers. In the spring, especially in May so, you need to wear shorts and T–shirt, and it is important to protect against the direct sunlight.
Following are the basic packing lists for Poon Hill Trek
BAGS – Duffle bag for a porter to carry your stuff
OUTER – Waterproofs to jackets to keep off winds
LAYERS – Shirts, shorts, trousers, T-shirt, hats and gloves
FEET – Convenient shoes with a comfortable sole and ankle support, and sandals to change in the evening
SLEEPING – 3-season warm sleeping bag but tea houses also have blankets
DRINKING – Good, hard plastic water bottle and should be environment friendly
WASHING & MEDICAL KITS – small first aid kit, towel and wash kit
SUN CARE – Sunglasses, sunhat
Hiking – hiking poles, umbrella, dry bags
PERSONNEL ITEMS – Books, cameras and music
Note: You will get mobile networks in most of the places and you will be charged for charging electric devices and will find WIFI in most of the places.