Enjoy panoramic view of Himalaya Tops and enjoy beautiful sunrise. Yes, Poon Hill trekking is also known as Annapurna Panorama Trekking and Annapurna Sunrise This is one of the shortest treks but you can get the perfect Himalaya trekking experience. It is also considered as one of the easier trekking route.
You can experience stunning panoramic views of Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri Mountain, Lamjung Mountain, Gangapurna Mountain and Manaslu Mountain ranges.
Pooh Hill trekking days varies and done normally in 4-6 as opposed to Annapurna Circuit Trekking which is about 3 times longer trekking. You can do it solo (with a guide) or book a trekking agent. Pooh Hill trekking is about 51 kilometres in distance. The highest elevation is 3210 metres.
Poonhill 5 day itinerary
Day 1- Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul and Trek to Tikhedhunga
On the first day your trekking agent will drive you from your hotel in Pokhara to Nayapul after an early breakfast. This is where you start your actual trekking. It takes about 1-2 hours from Pokhara to Nayapul. Elevation of Pokhara is 1400 metres and Nayapul is only 1070 metres so you will be descending down by more than 300 metres.
Nayapul to Tikhedhunga distance is 7 kilometres which is 3-4 hours of trekking distance. Tikhedhunga elevation is 1570 metres. During the trekking, you will pass 2 other popular tourist areas, Birethanti and Hile; you will rest the night at one of the Tea Houses in Tikhedhunga.
Birethanti is popular start point for Annapurna Circuit Trekking. Some Poon Hill trekkers end their first day in Hile.
Day 2- Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (Ghodepani)
The trekking distance from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani is 9.5 kilometres and it takes about 4-6 hours. The elevation at Ghorepani is 2874 metres so you will gain higher altitude. You will experience some up slopes and staircases.
The scenario from Ghorepani is beautiful. You will be eating and staying in one of the Tea Houses again.
Day 3- Trek from Ghorepani to Poon Hill and to Tadapani
The trekking distance from Ghorepani to Poon Hill and to Tadapani is just over 11 kilometres. This is also the longest trekking distance. Total travel time 7- 8 hours including 2 hours rest in Poonhill. Poon Hill elevation is 3200 metres. After a couple of hours of rest and sightseeing, you will start downhill trek to Tadapani which is at the height of 2630 metres.
Day 4- Trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk
The trekking distance from Tadapani to Ghandruk is 6.5 kilometres but it will take only 2-3 hours as you will be going downhill. Ghandruk elevation is about 1940 metres so you will be descending 700 metres this day. You will be passing through beautiful forest, ridges and small streams to make your day worthwhile. Ghandruk is one of the most sought after tourist spot and a model village in Nepal. This village is primarily occupied by ethnic group Gurung.
Day 5- Trek from Ghandruk to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara
This will be your final trekking day, you will be trekking to Nayapul and catch your trekking agent organised transport back to your hotel. The distance from Ghandruk to Nayapul is 10.5 kilometres. You will be descending down from the elevation of 1940 metres to 1400 metres. It takes about 3-5 hours to reach Nayapul, then 1-2 hours to Pokhara.
You can enjoy all the food and drinks in Pokhara that you missed during your trekking or enjoy strolling around lake side.
What to expect
You can expect panoramic mountain views, the beautiful hills, rivers, people, birds, sunrises and sunsets. You can also experience eye catching terraced rice fields, forests, gorges, water streams and unique style houses. This will be the short but best trekking experience. You can see Nepal’s national flower rhododendron along the trekking route. You can have close encounters with highest mountains in the world.
Poon Hill is also popular for breathtaking sunrise views. Most people come here just to see the sunrise.
Unique cultures with breathtaking facts along with opportunity to analysis the surviving strategy of individuals throughout your trekking route.
Permits
You will need 2 types of trekking permit – TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) Card and ANCAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit). If you book trekking with a trekking agency, they will arrange the permits for you.
TIMS Card
TIMS Card is issued by jointly by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).
Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Contact
In Kathmandu
Nepal Tourism Board
Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu 44617, Nepal
Opens from 10AM – 5PM (Sun-Fri), 10AM – 2PM (Sat)
977-1-4256909
In Pokhara
Nepal Tourism Board
Lakeside Road, Pokhara 33700
Opens from 10AM – 5PM (Sun-Fri), 10AM – 2PM (Sat)
977-61-465292
Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Contact
977-1-4440920
977-1-4440921
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
More TIMS Card details from official NTB site can be found here.
More Trekking Permit details from official NTB site can be found here.
You can apply for Trekking Permits here.
*** It is recommended to have travel insurance.
Laws & Rules
You have to abide by Nepal Government’s Laws during your visit to Nepal. You can check the trekking rules and permit details here.
Climate
Although Poon Hill trekking is relatively easy and short, you will be trekking at different elevations and temperatures. It could be warm or freezing on the same day. Pokhara is the warmer place where as Ghorepani is the cooler area. It is recommended to wear few layers of comfortable clothing.
October – November
This is the most popular trekking season. Skies are normally clear. Temperature may drop below 0 degrees at night. A Day time temperature in average is 10-12 in Ghorepani.
Pokhara night temperature: 8-14 Degree Celsius
Pokhara day time temperature: 22-30 Degree Celsius
Ghorepani night temperature: – 0 – 6/7 Degree Celsius
Ghorepani day time temperature: 12-19 Degree Celsius
December – March
This is the coldest period on the Poon Hill trekking areas. Skies are partially cloudy. Temperature drops below 0 degrees at night and a day temperature is around 7-8 in some areas.
Pokhara night temperature: 5-10 Degree Celsius
Pokhara day time temperature: 16-23 Degree Celsius
Ghorepani night temperature: Below 0-6/7 Degree Celsius
Ghorepani day time temperature: 5-10 Degree Celsius
April – May
This is also a popular trekking season for Pooh Hill trekking. Skies are clear. This season is warmer.
June – September
This is the least popular season due to monsoon. Heavy rain falls, landslides and leeches make your days unfavourable. Skies are mostly cloudy.
What to wear
You will be trekking at different elevations and temperatures and it could be warm or freezing on the same day. It is recommended to wear few layers of comfortable clothing.
What to Carry
Trekking gears, first aid kit, medicines as recommended by your doctor, some dry food, maps, permits, sleeping bags, trekking shoes & slip-ons, solar charger, trekking backpack, cash
Transport
You can catch public or private road transport to your start point from Kathmandu and from your end point to Kathmandu. You can also fly to Pokhara and catch road transport to start point and catch road transport from your end to Pokhara and fly to Kathmandu.
Distance and Travel Time
Poon Hill trek varies from around 4-8 days. The trek length is about 40 kilometres but depends upon where you start or end your trek.
Generally your trekking starts from Pokhara and ends in Pokhara.
Dining
Daal/Bhaat/Tarkari – regular Nepali food, Momo, Chowmein, Thukpa, Eggs, Bread & Butter or Jam (not always), Tea & Coffee on trekking routes.
You can get all western food Pokhara. You can go to fancied restaurants, pubs or spas or just stroll around the touristic lake side.
Shopping
Nepalese handicrafts, thanka, paintings
