Ghorepani Poonhill Trekking ( 5 Days)

Introduction :

One of the world widely recognized trekking route of Nepal is Ghorepani Poonhill trek . It offers trekkers the diverse magnificent views, typical traditional culture and lifestyle as well as trekkers can experience bundle of memories with alluring mountains, diversre bio-diversity, local inhabitants and experiencing typical language and food. Being easiest and shortest trek in the Annapurna Sanctuary Region, even the inexperienced and limited time frame trekkers can plan for it.

Sunrise from Poonhill

Starting the trek all way from Nayapul after approx. two hrs drive from Pokhara, gurgling of river and brightly plumed birds adds the beauty of trek . This trek passes through beautiful villages of Ulleri, Ghorepani, Ghandruk/ Chhomrong. Trekking through the beautiful terraced paddy fields and lust greenery forest, trekkers can experience the illusion of being lost within the captive of natural affluence and allurement . Along every climb with the rise in altitude the astonishing view of mountain and hills reliefs the pain of tiredness. Lungtung Danda, popularly known as Poonhill (3210 Mt.) the main attraction of whole trek offers panaromic view of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna South, Annapurna I, II, IV, Gangapurna, Mt. Fishtail along with Nilgiri and Barashikha. Colourful rhodendron and other seasonal flowers and ubiquitious flattering of prayers flag along the trek can be seen.

Bloosom Rhododendron with mountains

Poonhill Trek Highlight :

District : Kaski/Myagdi

Duration : 5 Days

Max. Altitude : 3210 Mt.

Difficulty level : Easy / Moderate

Best Season : September to mid November, March to May

Major Attractions : Panoramic Mountain view, typical traditional villages and local culture, Dense Rhododendron forest, picturesque waterfall, suspension bridges, Hot Spring, etc.

Short Itinerary :

Day 01 : Drive to Nayapul, Trek to Tikhedhunga – Ulleri ( 1960Mt., 5-6 Hrs.) , overnight stay at Ulleri

Day 02 : Ulleri – Ghorepani (2874 Mt., 5-6 Hrs), overnight stay at Ghorepani

Day 03 : Ghorepani – Poonhill – Tadapani (2620 Mt., 5-6 Hrs), overnight stay at Tadapani

Day 04 : Tadapani – Ghandruk (2000 Mt., 2 hrs trek), overnight stay at Ghandruk

Day 05 : Trek to Nayapul and Catch jeep/bus to Pokhara

                            OR

Day 04 : Tadapani – Chhomrong – Hot Spring (2000Mt., 5-6 Hrs), overnight stay at Hot Spring

Day 05 : Hot spring – Sibai ( 1hr trek ) and catch jeep/ bus to Pokhara

Detail Itinerary :

Day 01 : Pokhara – Nayapul – Tikhedhunga - Ulleri

After Breakfast at your hotel at Pokhara, we will catch a cab/bus to Nayapul which is about 2hrs drive. On the way, we will be viewing beautiful paddy fields enjoying gurgling sound of river water. After passing through beautiful villages like Lamdali and Sudame, Tikhedhunga will be the mid point of the trek. The suspension bridges, picturesque waterfall will add the beauty of day first. Then the quietly steep stone stairs will be tiredsome some how but the lust greenery and beautiful villages on another hill drives away all the fatigue and tiredness. After ascenting the climb, plain land Ulleri will be the next destination. The amazing view of Mt. Annapurna South (7219 Mt.) and Himchuli (6441Mt.) makes trekkers to feel energetic. Ulleri will be the place for first day stay.

Day 02 : Ulleri – Ghorepani (2874 Mt., 5-6 Hrs)

After the breakfast, trek starts with sighting the  mesmerizing view of Mt. Annapurna South and Himchuli. With the rise in elevation, diverse flora and fauna on the way can be viewed . Continuous rhythmic sound from the bell of mules and their regular pace heading forward carrying stuffs to Ghorepani and Poonhill and the smiley face lovely peoples on way adds taste to the journey. The conversation with hundreds of trekkers on way makes you realize the loss of tiredness with gain in altitude. The burbling of waterfall, the number of small bridges crossed and the bloosom rhododendron flowers as seen passing through the way makes trek more memorable. After around 3 hours walk from Ulleri we can reach Nangethanti where we enjoy the lunch. After around two hours trek we arrive to entrance gate of Ghorepani. Then arrives clusters of hotels and lodges there at lower Ghorepani. After few minutes walk we arrive at upper Ghorepani where we will have our second day night stay. If the sky is clear you can enjoy breathtaking ranges of mountains with shimeering view of sunset from Ghorepani.

Welcome Gate of Ghorepani

Day 03 : Ghorepani – Poonhill – Tadapani (5-6 hrs trek )

We need to wake up quite early to enjoy sunrise view from Poonhill . Leaving all back up at hotel, we head to Poonhill as will be returning back to Ghorepani . Approx. 45mins walk from Ghorepani arrives at Poonhill, (Lungtung Danda), which is widely popular for viewing sunrise and sunset with mesmerizing snow- capped mountains.

Poonhill is named after late Major Tek Bahadur Pun who was inhabitant of the same place and he had contributed a lot for overall development of socio- economic and tourism prospective of this region. Before it was named as Lungtung Danda where Pun used to spend hours thinking for promoting tourism in this area. On his self expenditure he had made walking trail to Lungtung Danda and encouraged trekking guide for exploring this area. In few yrs this hill became one of the famous hill for viewing mountains with breath- taking sunrise and sunset. On his memory, later it was named as Poonhill.

The panoramic view of Himalayas like Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, II, IV along with Fishtail, Nilgiri and Himchuli can be seen. After enjoying the view, will be back to Ghorepani and will have our breakfast. Then while heading  to Tadapani  the slight climb of the hill along with viewing the mountain range never feels tired .Passing through dense rhododendron, oak and alpine forest and crossing over small bridges arrives at Tadapani. And we will have overnight stay at Tadapani.

Leader and the Master

Note : There are two options from Tadapani, either following way to Ghandruk & overnight stay or following way to Hot Spring via Chhomrong .

Option I :

Day 04 : Tadapani – Ghandruk (2-3 Hrs trek )

Tadapani also offers best sunrise with majestic view of mountains like Annapurna South and Mt, Fishtail. After having breakfast, then we will hike to Ghandruk via Bhaise kharka (buffalo pasture). Ghandruk is one of the famous typical Gurung village of Nepal inhabited mostly  by Gurungs. Widely rich Gurung culure, stone roofed Gurung houses, Cultural museum, Buddhist Monasstery, ACAP office etc are the main attractions of this village. Exploring around village will be the whole day task .

Beautiful Ghandruk Village

Day 05 : Ghandruk – Nayapul – Pokhara

We can either trek 3hrs to Nayapul and can catch bus to Pokhara or can directly catch jeep or bus to Pokhara from Ghandruk.

Option II :  

Day 04 : Tadapani – Chhomrong – Hot Spring ( 5-6 Hrs trek)

After breakfast at Tadapani, we will pass through dense forest and small villages like Chuile, Shurjung, etc. After crossing the Kimrong river, we will take the ascent which may be quite tiredsome. Arriving at Chhomrong , popularly known as the gate way to Annapurna Base Camp, is typical Gurung village rich with Gurung culture and food. After 1 hr of trek arrives at Hot Spring where there are dozens of hotels to stay . The main attraction of the day is Natural Hot Spring which is 15 min walk from the hotel.

Day 05 : Hot Spring – Sibai (1hr trek ),  Nayapul – Pokhara (By Jeep)

Today will be the last day of the trek . After breakfast, 1 hr of trek arrives at Sibai, where we will take  a jeep to Pokhara. It takes about 3-4 hrs by jeep to arrive Pokhara .

Note : We can extend our days according to time frame . Trekking Landruk, Deurali, Dhampus, Phedi and back to Pokhara requires extra 2 more days.

Trek charge : 380 $ per person .

Cost Included :

·       Pick up from hotel to bus/jeep station.

·       To and fro transportation, before and after trekking to Hotel.

·       Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner ) during the trek.

·       Accommodation at guest house/ lodges on the trek.

·       Annapurna Conservation Area and TIMS Permit

·       Professional English speaking trekking guide

·       Insurance of guide and porters (if porters included)

·       Seasonal fruits like orange, apple, etc.

·       Charges for Poonhill entry and Hot Spring

·       First Aid kits

·       Hot shower, Internet charges

Cost Excluded :

·       Travel insurance of guests

·       Alcoholic beverages, cold drinks, laundry, phone calls, hot water, etc.

·       Tips for guides, porters. (Not compulsory)

Useful Information :

Difficulty Rating :

It is easy to moderate trekking throughout the route. The way passes through the stone stairs, forest and suspension bridges. Light back packing is easier and suitable for whole trek. We recommend to bring suitable trekking bag, walking poles and crampons (during snow). The max. altitude gain is 3210 Mt.

Breath-taking Mt Annapurna

Safe Drinking Water :

We recommend to drink boiled water or bring chlorine tablets to purify water. Euro guard filter water and boiled water charges certain dollar at guest house. Though mineral water are available during the trek, but better to use the reuseable water bottles to minimize the waste during the trek.

Recharging Batteries and Electronic items :

Almost in every hotel and tea houses there is proper facility of electricity to recharge the electronic devices. In some hotels some charge need to paid on per hour basis.

Respect local culture and tradition :

Ghorepani Poonhill trek is inhabited mostly by Magar and Gurung caste following Hindu and Buddhism. We need to respect local culture, tradition and food. No activities which disrespect them are not allowed . Rather this trek can be platform  to gather more information about local culture, tribe and their lifestyle.

Prohibited Activities :

Being Conservation Area, illegal gathering of plants, animals or any minerals are not allowed during the trek. Any activites which harms the ecosystem and biodiversity are prohibited.

For Detail : Can mail at Diwasgurung28@gmail.com or whatsapp at +9779866056457.

Picturesque Mt.Fishtail

Tadapani at early sunrise

Friends on way 

King of Mountain - Horse

Beautiful village