Annapurna Ghorepani “Poonhill” Trek

Annapurna Ghorepani “Poonhill” Trek

Trip Overview

Annapurna Ghorepani Poonhill trek is a colorful and challenging short trek into the Annapurna region. The trail winds through patchwork valleys, dense mossy forests, and past icy waterfalls where you can stop to cool your face. There is a tantalizing glimpse of the high mountains in and around every corner. The whole horizon of mountains will be revealed to you as you reach the high points of your trek.
 
This trek in the Annapurna foothills to the astounding viewpoint on Poon Hill offers the best of trekking in Nepal. You can enjoy trekking with the spectacular mountain scenery. With that the trek pass through charming villages of the Gurungs, and Magars. There are dense rhododendron forests full of birds and deep sub-tropical valleys. And, they are all set below the Annapurna with the picturesque peak of Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail Peak) dominating the skyline.
 
At the climax of this trek, you will climb Poon Hill at dawn to enjoy one of the most spectacular mountain views on Earth. As the sun touches Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and Annapurna (8,091 m) along with a maze of other peaks, it begins to appear like magic, before our eyes. It is a rewarding trek that can be enjoyed by every nature enthusiast.

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Trip Itinerary

  • Day 01

    Arrival in Kathmandu

    Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu or Bhaktapur. A short briefing will follow concerning the necessary formalities and your trekking itinerary. Depending upon your arrival time, you may spend your free time visiting nearby sanctuaries or resting.

  • Day 02

    Sightseeing / Cultural Day in Kathmandu Valley

    Half-day sightseeing tour of UNESCO Bhaktapur and Kathmandu, including Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions. There is time to explore the city’s many places of interest on your own or take a rest while trekking permits are finalized. In the evening, sample a delicious traditional Nepali dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu

  • Day 03

    Kathmandu to Pokhara

    Fly or drive to Pokhara, from where you will depart on your trek. Overnight in Pokhara

  • Day 04

    Pokhara to Tikhe Dhunga(1491m)

    Your trekking guide will meet you at your hotel at 06:30 a.m. to escort you to the airport, from where we take a plane to Pokhara, which takes about 25 minutes of flight time. Drive by car via the large village of Lumle and walk for about 20 minutes to Birethanti, a large and prosperous town. The trail follows the main street of Birethanti, going through bamboo forests and past a large waterfall and swimming hole. Beyond a pasture used by pony caravans, the trail reaches Sudami where you will have your lunch. After lunch, climb steadily up the side of the valley, reaching Hile at 1,495 m near Tikhe Dhunga (4 hrs).

  • Day 05

    Tikhe Dungha Trek to Ghorepani (2850m)

    Breakfast is served at 7:00 a.m. From Tikhe Dhunga the trail crosses a stream on a suspension bridge near the camp site at Tikhe Dhunga. The trail ascends a steep stone staircase (which has about 3,300 steps) to the large Magar village of Ulleri at 2,080 m. Above the village, the trail climbs gently through pastures and cultivated fields. There is a camp site for a rest and water stop one hour’s walk above Ulleri. The trail crosses two sparkling streams before making a short, final climb to Nangethanti, where we will stop for lunch. Thanti is a Nepali word meaning “rest house." In the winter, the trail can be covered with snow. From Nangethanti, we will climb to Ghorepani at 2,750 m. From here, we can see the spectacular panorama of Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m), Tukuche Nilgiri (6,940 m), Annapurna South (8,091 m), Himchuli (6,441 m), and Tarke Kang (7,189 m). Overnight in Ghorepani (4-6 hrs).

  • Day 06

    Ghorepani to Poon Hill to Tadapani (2520m)

    An early start and a 60-minute hike to Poon Hill (3,195 m) leads to a brilliant spectacle: an unobstructed view of sunrise over the high Himalayas. After about 40 minutes, we will descend to Ghorepani for breakfast before beginning our climb to Tadapani. The trail leads along ridges and through pine and rhododendron forests to Deurali (2,960 m). Then start the descend to Banthanti, leading to Tadapani (6 hrs).

  • Day 07

    Tadapani to Ghandruk (1950m)

    The Ghandruk trail descends steeply through forests to the village of Ghandruk, where we will arrive around noon. We will overnight here, so we will have the afternoon to visit the Annapurna Conservation Office and museum, as well as take time to explore this maze-like village (3 hrs).

  • Day 08

    Ghandruk to Tolka (1790m)

    Today we'll make our way down from Ghandruk to the Modi Khola river, which we'll cross via a suspension bridge. Our trail then climbs up a stone staircase to the village of Landruk, a Gurung village at 1620 meters. We will pass some oval-shaped houses before ascending to the village of Tolka on a long stone staircase (3 hours).

  • Day 09

    Tolka to Phedi and Pokhara

    Today we will have the option of returning directly to Nayapul along a more leisurely downhill trail or taking a steep ascent to another small settlement called Deurali atop a hill at 2,150 m. This is a different village than the one we passed on Day 4, although they both have the same name. From here, we descend on a stone-paved trail to the village of Pothana (1,990 m) before reaching Phedi (950 m). We arrive in Phedi mid-afternoon and take our private transport back to Pokhara (4 hours).

  • Day 10

    Fly or drive back to Kathmandu.

    Fly or drive back to Kathmandu.

  • Day 11

    Kathmandu

    Depart from Kathmandu.

Whats Includes

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Four nights hotel accommodations with breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Licensed and trained trekking guides
  • Porters for carrying goods and supplies
  • All accommodation during trek
  • All meals and hot beverages whilst trekking
  • Transportation to and from trail head
  • All necessary documents and permits for trekking (where applicable)
  • National Park/Conservation Area entry permit
  • Equipment such as sleeping bag, tents, mattresses
  • Cooking equipment (if required)
  • Camp-site charges (if required)
  • Insurance, medication, and equipment for staff
  • Coordination of Quick Rescue service (costs covered by your insurance plan)

Not Included

  • International airfares
  • Travel/trekking insurance
  • Excess baggage charges more than 16kg and hand bag more than 5kg in domestic flights
  • Visa fees
  • Airport departure tax
  • Rescue charge
  • Drinks (cold and alcoholic)
  • Expenses of personal nature
  • Permit and liaison officer fee (where applicable)
  • Lunches and dinners whilst not trekking
Total Cost in (USD) USD 1,195
Total Price: USD 1,195

Trek Details

Trek dates

Daily

Season

September to December and February to late June

Duration

11 days

Trekking grade

Medium

Maximum altitude

3195m

Starting point of trek

Nayapul

Finishing point of trek

Phedi

Trek code

A4

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