Poonhill Trek

Poonhill Trek: a perfect destination for the beginner’s

If you are a beginner and have never been to any trek yet. This Poonhill trek is perfect for you. It is one of the easily accomplishable and rewarding treks.

You don’t need to be an experienced mountaineer or trekker. This is suitable for all ages. It’s an easy journey that you continue with your family & friends.

The trek has a relative distance of 40-45 kilometers. Its maximum elevation is above 3,000 meters, which makes it the ideal trek for beginners.

The short trek takes you through the elegant mountain ranges of Nepal. Further, the charming villages, lush green forests and diverse landscapes make your trip flawless.

What is the difficulty level of PoonHill trek?

The Poon Hill trek is considered as moderate and suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers. It is not strenuous like the Annapurna Circuit trek or Dhaulagiri Circuit trek. It is accomplishable in 7 days.

With reasonable fitness and proper preparation, one can easily conclude this trek.

It doesn’t involve hiking above 5,000-6000 meters. The maximum altitude of the trek is 3,000 meters or above. The trails are relatively managed, short and accessible.

Yes, you may get some moderate part during your journey. While hiking from Tikhedunga to Ghorepani, you may have some rough terrain ascends and descends and slippery trails.

If this is your first trek of your life. We consider walking slowly and passing the trails gradually to make your trip more enjoyable.

A typical day and journey of the Poonhill trek

You will have memorable, blissful, and magnificent memories during your seven-day Ghorepani Poonhill trek. It is regarded as one of the shortest treks in Nepal, and you can enjoy it with your family, children, and loved ones.

The 7 day trek of Poonhill starts in Pokhara after a beautiful drive from Kathmandu. Your journey will be wonderful by exploring hills, valleys, diverse landscapes and lush green forests.

Your trek starts after having a yummy breakfast. Further, the journey continues. After hiking for some hours, we’ll have a lunch at a tea house/hotel by relaxing in the serene atmosphere. Our leg will continue till the sun goes down.  At the end of the day, we’ll reside at a comfortable hotel, lodges or tea houses.

What is the expectation of Poonhill trek?

A 7-day Poonhill trek includes exploring mountains, witnessing beautiful sunrises, admiring valleys and beautiful settlements of Nepal.

During the 7 days of remarkable, you’ll see the several magical mountains of Nepal that include: Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Macchapuchre, Hiunchili, Mardi and Nilgiri. Furthermore, you’ll also delighted to see the hospitality of the local Gurung community.

Your trek basically begins after driving to Nayapool from Pokhara. Lately, your journey continues by following beautiful places like Ghorepani Tadapani, Ghandruk and other splendid places.

Witnessing the sunrise from Poonhill is unforgettable and everlasting. Furthermore, you’ll be pleased by the comfort, convenience and affordability of tea houses.

The trek is relatively shorter and enjoyable compared to other treks in Nepal.

Plan & Preparations for the Poonhill Trek

It’s a long, tedious and strenuous trek or any short tour. Without proper planning and preparation it is impossible to accomplish.

Yeah the Ghorepani Poonhill trek is not difficult like some other treks in Nepal. It is safer and easiest to conquer. Despite of the fact, you need further preparation to conclude the trek.

To prepare for the trek, one must focus on his/her strength and physical fitness. Further, you have proper gear and equipment. Moreover, you must have necessary permits and advanced booking of hotels are equally important during the peak season of the trek.

The hiker must be involved in cardiovascular exercise, cycling, running and jogging at least 5-6 weeks prior the trip.

If you never been to higher elevation acclimatization is significant during the trek. Here are some noteworthy points for the preparations of the trek.

• Packing all essentials: clothing, footwear, gears, water, first aid kit
• Choose the best season for the trekking
• Consult your doctor before starting the journey
• Ensure your travel insurance
• Necessary permits and booking of hotels

Altitude Sickness and Poonhill Trek

Altitude sickness is not a major issue during the Poonhill trek. However, you should aware about the potential risk that you have to hike above 3,000 meters that makes it moderate journey.

The altitude sickness is not a disease. It’s a condition that leads you for nausea, vomiting, fever and shortness of breath. There will be a high probability of attitude problems during the EBC, Annapurna Circuit, Everest Three Passes Trek, Dhaulagiri or Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek.

The Poonhill trek reaches the maximum height of 3,200 meters. There is less chances of acute mountain sickness. But it says “Prevention is better than cure”. To lessen all those potential risks, we should acquire some necessary precautions:

• Ascends your leg gradually during uphill walking
• Drink plenty of fluid, juices and water during the trek.
• Acclimatization plays a crucial role for your trip
• Avoid Alcohol and cigarettes during trekking
• Have preventive medicine like Diamox

Best season for the Poonhill trek

Nepal has four seasons: Spring, autumn, Winter & Monsoon. Throughout all the years, you may travel to Poonhill trek. However, spring and autumn are the ideal time for hiking here. Here are the details.

Spring (March to May) – The spring is the peak season for any trekking in Nepal. During this time the weather are stables and mild. Further, you’ll get the breathtaking views mountains and valleys.

During this season, you’ll also see blossoming rhododendrons everywhere. The day temperature ranges from 15-20 ° C which makes your journey pleasant & peaceful.

Autumn (Sep to November) – The monsoon has just ended. The skies become clear and the weather is elegant. The traveler’s always prefer Autumn for poonhill trek.

You’ll get dazzling views of mountains and valleys. The evenings and mornings are cool and chilling, which makes it perfect for enjoying foods in traditional hotels.

You’ll also admire the Nepalese major festivals Dashain & Tihar which falls from October to November throughout this year.

 Winter (Dec to Jan) – The Ghorepani poonhill trek is short and low elevation trek; it is also doable in winter. While trekking this time, you’ll be mesmerize by seeing the snow-covered mountains.

At this time, you’ll have breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and other mountain ranges. Aside from this, you’ll also get hotel in cheaper rate as well. There is a fewer crowd compared to autumn and spring. Therefore, your trip will be more pleasant and peaceful.

Monsoon ( June to August) – Poonhill trek is possible during monsoon but not ideal like the autumn and spring. While you can enjoy the trek if the rain stops, it is not the perfect time to adore and admire the mountains. Sometimes, due to rain, fog and storm, your plan to witness the sunrise from Poonhill is automatically cancelled.

During the trek, you’ll also found your path slippery. There is a high chance of mud flows from higher elevations. Therefore, it is less recommendable treks compared to other seasons.

Accommodations – Poonhill Trek

You will get comfortable, luxurious and convenient living facilities during the Poonhill trek. When you are in Pokhara and Kathmandu, you’ll stay in 3-4 star hotels. It will have the facilities of in-house dining, swimming pool, supportive staff, conference rooms and many more.

Even at the lower prices, you’ll get a comfortable hotel. The tea houses are the heart of the Poonhill trekking. It is run by small families and groups. The rooms of the tea houses are simple, comfortable and cheaper. You’ll get the twin beds, shared rooms and non-attached bathrooms. You’ll have communal dining. You can also take a hot shower. However, you have to pay some extra amount for it.

Food & Meals Availability – Poonhill Trek

During the Poonhill trek food & meals are easily available via hotel, resorts, lodges and tea houses. You’ll enjoy variety of cuisines and dishes when you are in Nepal. We serve three courses of meals. Here are the details.

Breakfast – A first meal in the forms of breakfast play a crucial role for the trekkers. That’s why we serve a morning dish which is full of nutrients that includes proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates and dietary fiber.

• Boiled eggs
• Sel Roti
• Roti, Chapati, Malpuwa
• Boiled Eggs
• French toast
• Milk Dessert aka Kheer
• Rice Creps.
• Fried Potatoes
• Baked Beans.

Lunch & Dinner – Lunch & Dinner is another significant meal during trekking. Usually, we serve lunch around 11-12. You will be pleased to know that lunches are easily available during the tea houses. You don’t need to carry packed foods in your bag.

• Dal, Bhat, Tarkari aka Rice, lentils, seasonal vegetables
• Chapati, Veggies & Curd
• A complete Indian Thali
• Grilled chicken
• Biryani (veg/non.veg)
• Mo: Mo (Dumplings)
• Pasta
• Noodles

Other foods –You are going for 7 days trekking gaining height of 3,000 meters above. We advised you the bring energy provider foods that includes bars, dark chocolates, nuts, cashew and other dry fruits.

Travel insurance for the Poonhill Trek

Travel insurance is not mandatory and is highly recommended during the Poonhill trek. It says “Prevention is better than care”. It would be better if you possess insurance.

Travel insurance is important; whether you are for long days trekking or short hiking.

The Poonhill routes include some narrow ridges and steeper ascents and descents. They require 4-5 hours of walking. Sometimes, the weather is conditional and unpredictable. You may also have health issues like acute mountain sickness, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath. To overcome all these hurdles, insurance seems essential.

• Save your money; if trip got cancelled
• Get an instant emergency evacuation by helicopter.
• You’ll get your money back if flight cancelled
• A complete financial solution during your traveling.

Permits for the Poonhill Trek

For the Poonhill trek, you need couple of permit. Here are the details.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) – This permit is significant for everyone who wants to enter in the Annapurna region. The collecting invested in the overall development people of the particular area.

Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS): Famously known as TIMS Card, this permit necessary to ensure the safety and security of the trekkers. It provides all the information about the travellers that includes routes, dates, personal information and many more.

You can easily obtain these permits from Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Foreigners have to pay 30-40 USD for ACAP and USD 20 for the TIMS card.