Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

The best time for the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is during pre-monsoon (spring) and post-monsoon (autumn).

In spring (March to May), the temperature is pleasant, the weather is stable with minimal rainfall, ensuring dry and easily navigable forest trails. The blooming rhododendrons and vibrant colors, enhancing the trail’s beauty, while the mountain vistas are absolutely stunning.

Autumn (September to November), like spring, offers pleasant weather and breathtaking mountain vistas, making it another ideal time for the trek.

Additionally, due to its shorter and lower altitude nature, the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is feasible in winter (December to February) with proper preparation using suitable trekking gears and equipment.

The total trekking distance of Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is 51 km. However, the trekking distance varies depending on the starting and ending point of the trek. In this particular package, the trek begins from Nayapul and ends at Ghandruk.

Additionally, recent road construction has further shortened this already brief trek. You have the flexibility to choose your preferred starting and ending points, allowing customization of your itinerary according to your preferences.

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is not too hard, making it great for novice trekkers. Known for its shorter duration, clear routes, favorable weather, and comfortable accommodation choices, it stands out as one of the easiest treks in Nepal. It’s a popular choice for trekkers of all ages and skill levels.

The trails are mostly well-marked, and you walk through charming villages and forests. While there are some uphill climbs, they are not too steep.

Reaching a highest point of 3,210 meters, there’s a slight risk of altitude sickness. However, this can be effectively managed by gradual ascent, proper hydration, and listening to your body. With a moderate level of fitness, this trek offers magnificent mountain views for everyone to enjoy.

Accommodations in Kathmandu and Pokhara offer luxurious hotels, providing a higher level of sophistication. But as you ascend to higher altitudes along the trek, the accommodation facilities become more basic.

On the Poon Hill hiking trail, numerous tea houses are available, offering essential services for your journey. Typically these tea houses provide twin rooms with two single beds, each equipped with clean bed sheets, soft pillows, and blankets. If you need extra blankets, the hotel staff is usually accommodating.

The cost of accommodation is low if you eat dinner and breakfast at your guesthouse. It’s important to note that food is a primary source of income for locals along the Poon Hill trail. Choosing not to eat at your guesthouse may result in paying two or three times more for your room.

Due to the limited option for accommodation, especially during peak season, it is advisable to make reservations in advance. This ensures a more secure and hassle-free experience.

Ghorepani Poon Hill trek requires following two different trekking permits:

• TIMS card (Trekking Information Management System)
• ACAP permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project).

Alongside these permits, specific local permits are also necessary. For detailed information and assistance, please feel free to reach out to us.

The tea houses along the Poon hill trekking route vary in bathroom facilities. While a few have attached bathrooms but most of them have shared bathrooms and toilets.

Some provide western-style flush toilets but most of them don’t. It’s important to note that most tea houses do not supply toilet paper; locals typically use water for cleaning, so burning your own toilet paper is recommended.

Moreover, hot showers are available in many teahouses, although they may charge you extra cost. To save costs, consider carrying wet body wipes as an alternative to taking a shower.

Along the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, both Nepali and western food is widely available.

Dal Bhat is a traditional and staple Nepali meal that consists of stemmed rice served with lentil soups, vegetables, pickles, and salad. It is a nutritious and filling meal that provides energy for trekking.

Moreover, lunch and dinner options include pasta, momo, fried rice, sandwiches, spaghetti, and noodle soup. Normally, you’ll get these food options for lunch and dinner.

For breakfast, you’ll get typically Himalayan choices like Gurung bread, boiled egg, and aloo Chana Tarkari (vegetables of potatoes and chickpeas) served with hot tea or coffee.

In terms of beverages, tea, coffee, soft drinks and sometimes even local alcoholic beverages are also  available along the Poon Hill trekking route.

Along the Poon Hill trek route, there are three drinking water options: bottled water, using water purification tablets or a portable water filter, and boiled water.

Boiled water is the recommended choice, often provided for free in most teahouses, though some may charge a minimal cost. While drinking water directly from a natural source is possible, it’s crucial to use water purification tablets to make it safe.

So, if you are planning not to waste even a single penny on water then bring a reusable bottle with built-in water filters. So you can use chlorine tablets to purify your drinking water.

While single-use plastic water bottles are readily available along the trail, it is not recommended due to environmental concerns. Additionally, as you ascend to higher altitudes, the cost of a one-liter bottle can range from $3 to 5.

Electricity is accessible along the entire Poon Hill hiking route, with some locations powered by hydroelectricity and others by solar energy.

Charging your electronic device is generally possible, but some teahouses may charge a fee for using these facilities. Usually there are electrical outlets in the common dining areas or sometimes in your room as well.

It’s important to note that solar-powered electricity can be affected by poor weather conditions. In mountainous regions, if there is an absence of sun for several days, there’s a high chance of experiencing power shortages.

Tea houses might charge you more for charging electronic devices due to limited power supply. So, it’s advisable to carry a solar power bank or solar charger for your convenience.

In city areas like Kathmandu and Pokhara, guesthouses and restaurants typically offer free Wi-Fi.

Upon arrival in Nepal, you can easily obtain a local SIM card with a valid passport and a photograph. However for the internet, you need to buy data or voice packages as per your need.

During Poon hill trek, almost every guest house on the route has Wi-Fi. Most of the time they don’t charge you extra for this service, unlike on some other trekking routes. Additionally, mobile network coverage is available along the trekking route, except in specific areas.

Luggage

When trekking with a porter, a daypack for trail essentials such as extra layers, snacks and water is sufficient. The porter will handle all trekking gear in a duffle bag.Typically, one porter is assigned for every two trekkers, carrying 10 to 12 kgs per trekker. It’s crucial to pack your luggage wisely and avoid overpacking, even if you don’t plan to carry your belongings.

Further, you can pack smart by leaving unnecessary items at your hotel. You don’t have to carry everything to the hiking trail.

Risks and Responds

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, being short and at a lower altitude in Nepal, entails lower risks compared to other popular routes.

With the highest point exceeding 3,000 meters, there is a minimal risk of altitude sickness.

While climbing Poon Hill, you may experience a mild headache. To prevent this, ascend slowly, stay hydrated by sipping water, and wear warm gears as morning temperatures can drop significantly.

While travel insurance is mandatory for trekking in Nepal, it may not be necessary for lower elevation treks like Poon Hill. However, opting insurance ensures peace of mind.

If choosing insurance, ensure coverage for medical emergencies, flight cancellations, lost baggage, and rare instances like helicopter evacuations during severe health conditions, although such situations are uncommon on the Poon Hill trek.

For better rates, it’s advisable to exchange your currency in Kathmandu. There are various legitimate counters which accept all major currencies including Pounds, dollars, and the Euro.

Along the trekking route, only Nepalese currency is valid, making it crucial to exchange here in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Keep in mind that after Pokahra, ATMs become scarce, so exchanging in Kathmandu is recommended. Additionally, note that card payments are not possible in the Poon Hill section.

In addition to the trekking package cost, there are several extra expenses to consider. Before the trek, budget for visa fees, flight costs, and required travel insurance.

During the trek, there will be an additional cost for hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging facilities at teahouses. Snacks and hot beverages will also incur some expenses.

Post-trek, allocate a budget for tipping the guide and porter, and consider purchasing souvenirs to bring back home.