Ghorepani Poonhill Trek From Pokhara – 5 days
Poon Hill
Ghorepani
Trip Highlights of Ghorepani Poonhill Trek From Pokhara – 5 days
- View one of the most beautiful sunrises.
- Pass by vibrant Rhododendron forests.
- Experience the traditions of the Poon people and the Gurung people.
- Encounter wildlife and birds along the way.
- Stunning view of the whole Annapurna Himalayan range.
Overview of Ghorepani Poonhill Trek From Pokhara – 5 days
Among the most visited trekking destinations of the Annapurna region, the Ghorepani Poonhill trek from Pokhara is a journey full of beauty. You will walk beautiful routes, meet beautiful local people, observe their culture, and view incredible vistas that will imprint on your mind for a long time.
Thanks to the stunning panoramic views, aesthetic snow-covered peaks, beautiful forests, lush green hills, and thriving wildlife, the Ghorepani Poonhill region has grown to become a popular tourist destination that is visited by tens of thousands of nature lovers every year. Love by both international and local visitors, Poonhill is the go-to trekking destination for an unforgettable sunrise experience.
Ghorepani and Poonhill are actually two different places; Ghorepani is a village just below Poonhill, while Poonhill is a hill that serves as a viewpoint of the entire region. The main thing that attracts individuals to the Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days is the tradition of the locals of the region and the panoramic view of the Annapurna mountain range. You can also indulge in a hot spring bath, which falls in an alternative route of the Poonhill trek from Pokhara. Nothing beats that!
Ghorepani is a small village with a lot of potential recently; the village has been receiving all the attention it deserves, which is a win-win situation for both parties as the village benefits economically from tourism and the visitors get to visit a well-facilitated village whose traditions are still intact. The majority of people in Ghorepani are Magar (Poon) and Gurung, whose traditions are just too beautiful to resist.
Another major attraction of the Ghorepani Poonhill trek from Pokhara is the abundance of Rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal. Multiple species of Rhododendron thrive in this region, which is a major player in the beauty of the Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days trail. The surrounding forests of Ghorepani are home to over a hundred mammals, including Tibetan wolf, snow leopard, Tibetan argali, musk deer, and more.
More on its nature, Ghorepani actually has the biggest Rhododendron forest in all of Asia. The whole region of Ghorepani is actually a conserved area that falls within the boundaries of the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA).
In general, Ghorepani is just the place to be; it has everything that you expect from a trekking trip, just like our complete Pokhara Poonhill trek package. This Ghorepani Poonhill trek from the Pokhara package will take you away from your city lives to the open nature of Ghorepani Poonhill.
Itinerary of Ghorepani Poonhill Trek From Pokhara – 5 days
Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Birethanti - trek to Ulleri (1940 m)
Your first day of the Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days starts from Pokhara, the gateway to Annapurna trekking region. We will be there to pick you up at the Pokhara International Airport and drop you off at the starting point of our Pokhara Poonhill trek, Birethanti.
Birethanti is a small village, 1.5 hours away from Pokhara, bordered by a river called Modi Khola. The village has multiple trekking trails, but we will be focusing on one for now.
The name Birethanti roughly translates to resting spot; many treks end here, including the Ghandruk trek, Annapurna Sanctuary trek, and even our Ghorepani Poonhill trek from Pokhara if we are to take an alternative route.
Starting our Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days from Birethanti; we will cross the Modi Khola bridge in about 25 minutes, entering the conserved area of the Annapurna Conservation Area. This trail starts with a series of stone steps that will open up to rural scenes of the region. This will be your first glimpse into the rural life of the Gurung/Magar people. Note: “Poon” is a sub-category of Magar.
Walking along a gravel road, you will pass through small villages and multiple settlements that are uninfluenced by modern architecture. The villages in this region are self-sufficient, much like most of the remote villages of Nepal. The people there do not chase modernity, but essential modern amenities and products that could make their lives much more manageable or their business much more profitable are brought from the cities below.
The villages here are not very accessible, which makes it difficult to import goods; porters carry goods on their backs and bring them into the villages, while some use donkeys to transport their goods. So do not expect much modern goods during your Pokhara Poonhill trek.
We will begin our journey from Birethanti in the morning and stop at a tea house along the way for lunch. Despite the inaccessibility, these tea houses have cold drinks and mint teas along with energizing meals that will fuel us for the rest of the day.
Continuing the journey to Ulleri, it will take us about 5 to 6 hours of trekking to reach our destination. We will spend the night at Ulleri, which concludes the 1st day of our Poonhill trek from Pokhara.
Day 2: Trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani (2860 m)
On the 2nd day of our Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days, we will be trekking to Ghorepani. After a filling and nutritious breakfast, we will start our trek walking on stone-paved trails. As we continue on, we will ascend through a forest that will save us from the bright sun. The ascent is not very steep, and the trail is not physically demanding either, so it will be a relatively trekking day compared to yesterday.
Moving on, we will be passing through a Rhododendron forest, which is one of the highlights of the Poonhill trek from Pokhara. These flowers are edible as is and are often used in medicinal and herbal goods that the locals produce. After approximately 1.5 hours of trekking, we will reach the village of Banthanti (2250 m), where we will take a little break, have our lunch, and re-energize ourselves.
It is a popular resting spot where you will find a couple of trekkers stopping by. You can share your experience, have a little chat, and make new friends. That’s what traveling is all about: the friends we make along the way.
Continuing our Pokhara Poonhill trek from Banthanti, we will trek through a forest with slight descends and ascends, eventually reaching Nangethanti. Nangethanti is another popular resting spot located at an elevation of 2,460 meters.
This village is a perfect place for a resting stop as it is located in tranquil surroundings with an aura of peace all around. One could fall asleep very easily in this village, but we are not on the Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days to sleep mid-way. We will take a quick break, but not so much that you decide to take a nap.
Moving on, our next stop will be Ghorepani. As we trek the route, the forest surrounding the trail begins to thin out, giving us a glimpse of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan range. After an hour of trekking from Nangethanti, we will reach the beautiful village of Ghorepani. In total, we will have to trek for about 4 to 5 hours to reach Ghorepani from Ulleri.
The people of Ghorepani are very welcoming, and it’s not coming from the point of making a profit off of the visitors; they are genuinely loving people and have much respect for all the visitors. You will feel the genuine welcoming vibes once you reach the village yourself.
Note: Throughout your Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days, we recommend you carry a water bottle and your preferred energy bars with you as hydration is very important during trekking, and keeping up your energy enables a more enjoyable Poonhill trek from Pokhara.
Day 3: Early morning ascent to Poonhill (3210 m) - Descent to Ghorepani - Trek to Tadapani (2600 m)
After spending the night at Ghorepani, we will wake up at 5 in the morning to reach the viewpoint of Poonhill just in time to view the sunrise. A 45-minute hike to Poonhill welcomes us with a majestic view of the sunrise. The orange-colored sun rays hit the snow-covered Himalayas of the Annapurna range, which just looks so surreal.
This is the main highlight of the 5 days Poonhill trek, a view unlike any other. After spending a while gazing at the amazing nature that Poonhill offers, we will descend to Ghorepani, where we will have a much-needed breakfast.
Our destination for the 3rd day of the Poonhill trek from Pokhara will be Tadapani. We will start our trek around 9 A.M., making our way to the first stop, Deurali Pass. This place is roughly at the same elevation as Poonhill and also offers a great view of the Himalayas.
The Deurali Pass goes along the ridge of the hillside, so you can expect a bit of chilly winds, which will frequently be covered by the Rhododendron trees on the way. From Deurali, we will descend down to Banthanti, going down a long stone steps. It should take us about 4 hours to reach Banthanti, where we will be having our lunch.
Upon reaching Banthanti, the Rhododendron forest thins out and is replaced by pines. The surrounding environment changes drastically since this region is a bit more humid than Durali Pass. Continuing our trek to Tadapani, we will descend some more, cross a river, and ascend a little to Tadapani.
After 6 to 7 hours of trekking, we will reach our destination of the day. We will be spending the night at Tadapani, which will be the end of the 3rd day of our Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days.
Day 4: Descent to Jhinu (1700 m) for hot spring
On the 4th day of your Poonhill trek from Pokhara, you will wake up and get to take in a close view of peaks such as the Fishtail (6997 m), Annapurna south (7219 m), Himchuli (6441 m), Gangapurna (7455 m), and more.
This day will require you to trek for about 6 to 7 hours, but it will all be worth it when you take a dip in the hot spring. Your tired muscles will instantly feel relaxed when the hot spring water touches your body.
As we wake up in Tadapani, a beautiful view awaits us while we order breakfast. Having breakfast with such a panoramic view of the mountains is not an everyday leisure. For our next destination, we will be heading north, descending the hill of Tadapani. This track will remind you of the Ghorepani region, as it is full of Rhododendron trees with lush green forests.
After we pass the forest, we will walk through farmlands where you will see local cattle being used to plow the farms and local farmers sowing seedlings. Following the farmland trail, we will eventually come across a bridge that will take us to Ghurnung. Passing the village of Ghurnung, we will make our way to Greenhill where we will be having our lunch.
Continuing the Pokhara Poonhill trek, we will reach the Chomrung pass, it’s a steep descent track full of stone steps. Finishing this pass brings us to Taulung, where going to the left starts your ABC trekking trip, and going to the right means descending down to Jhinu. However, we must pass through a couple of farmlands overseeing the valley before we actually make the descent.
This part of the 5 days Poonhill trek might be a little different for you as we will be passing through a place with no tea shops or lodges. It will just be farms with mostly barley growing on it. After descending the hill, we will reach Jhinu, a popular hub for trekkers to rest and enjoy the warmth of the hot water spring.
Day 5: Trek to Samrung - Jeep ride to Pokhara
On the last day of your Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days, we will descend down further to the rive of Samrung, where a Jeep awaits us to take us back to Pokhara. On the way to Samrung we will have to cross two bridges, one of which is a suspension bridge. After about an hour of trekking, we will reach our destination.
Our breakfast will be at Tadapani, and we will have lunch at Samrung. The Jeep will reach Pokhara in about 4 hours.
Includes/Excludes
What's Included?
- All ground transportation with private vehicle.
- Hotel accommodation 3-Star category hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast.
- Full board meals with tea/coffee (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trek.
- Best available Lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek.
- One highly experienced, helpful and friendly guide, porter (1 porter for 2 people) and their food.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS.
- All entrance fee.
- A comprehensive medical kit box (FIRST AID-KIT)
- All applicable government and local taxes.
What's Excluded?
- Airfare (Domestic and International) and Nepalese visa fee.
- Travel Insurance.
- Personal expenses (like telephone calls, internet, laundry, soft drinks, beers, and any alcoholic beverages.)
- Extra hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Tips for the guide, porter & driver. (tipping is expected).
- Emergency rescue.
Essential Information - Ghorepani Poonhill Trek From Pokhara – 5 days
How does our trip start?
The trip starts when you arrive at the Pokhara International Airport. We will be there to pick you up and transport you to the starting point of our trip. You will not have to pay anything for this as all land transportation the Pokhara Poonhill trek requires will be covered by the Poonhill trek from Pokhara package.
Before heading straight for the trail, we will make sure that you are introduced to our guide and porters. Our porters are very experienced at what they do, they are licensed, and they communicate well in English.
Before you begin the actual 5 days Poonhill trek, our guide will make sure that you know about the place you are traveling to by briefing you about the itinerary and necessary details. This is a part of your trip, as safety always comes first, and you should know all about the trek that you are paying for. We don’t want you to have any bad experiences at all.
On the other hand, our porters are capable of carrying two people’s luggage for the whole trek, and that’s what we suggest as well. Every two members of your group will share a porter. Along with the guide and porters, you will be starting your 5 days Poonhill trek from Birethanti.
Difficulty
Ghorepani Poonhill trek from Pokhara is one of the most accessible trekking routes in Nepal. You do not have to worry about it being difficult if you are a normal-sized person. We have sent a lot of visitors to the Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days, but we have not heard anyone telling us that they found it the Pokhara Poonhill trek challenging.
It’s a relatively easy trail with a few difficult ascent sections, which you should be able to cover with steady effort. In addition to that, our guide and porters will also be there to help you out just in case you need a hand.
Best seasons
The best season to travel the Poonhill Trek from Pokhara is the spring season. During the months of March, April, and May, the skies are usually clear, there is little to no rain, and most importantly, the Rhododendron flowers bloom.
If you do not particularly care about seeing Rhododendron flowers, you can also join this 5 days Poonhill trek in the Autumn season when the skies will generally be clear with less chance of rain. Although the Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days is open to visitors all year round, we recommend you avoid trekking during other seasons as the view can be blocked by grey clouds.
Can a beginner join this trip?
Yes, a beginner can absolutely join this trip, as the Poonhill Trek From Pokhara is an easy trekking experience. The majority of the people who have done this trek are beginners and people with no trekking experience at all. This is not a technical trek at all, so a beginner will do more than fine.
We will be trekking for 6 hours a day on average, which might be difficult for some people, but if you are physically active, you will be able to do this 5 days Poonhill trek. Also, our guide and porters are always with you to help you in case you need any kind of assistance.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude Sickness at an elevation of 3210 meters is not a common dysfunction. Most people will easily be able to adapt to the changing oxygen levels and weather conditions as these changes are minimal at the elevation of 3000 meters.
We will be stopping multiple times during this 5 days Poonhill trek to make sure that you acclimatize with the changing conditions of the atmosphere up above. This is the best way to make sure that you do not suffer altitude sickness. Also, keeping yourself well-hydrated is one of the best things you can do to avoid any altitude-related complications.
As long as you drink enough water and follow what the guide says, you should be fine. However, if you suffer from altitude sickness, the guide or porters will help you descend to a tolerable elevation so you can rest. You can continue the journey if you feel healthier afterward.
Accommodation, Food, and Drink
During the entirety of this 5 days Poonhill trek, we will be responsible for providing you with accommodation along the way. You will not have to pay anything for it as it will be covered by the Poonhill Trek From Pokhara package. We will be staying at lodges and tea shops, which is a part of the whole experience of trekking in the mountain region.
Since this region receives a high number of visitors every year, it is well-facilitated, and you can find more than the basic amenities. In most trekking destinations of Nepal, the basic facilities are hard to come by, but not in this Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days.
Eateries that we will stop at during this 5 days Poonhill trek have multiple dishes for you to choose from, along with a few modern dishes. But since you are in Nepal, why not do what the Nepalese do and have yourself some Dal Bhat (Rice and Lentils)? This dish is the national food of Nepal, often served with various veg or non-veg stews, a side of Nepalese Chutney, and some fresh salad consisting of cucumber, radish, and carrot.
During the entirety of your Poonhill Trek From Pokhara, we will be responsible for providing you with three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); you are free to choose anything you like from the menus provided by the eateries. Outside of these meals, we will not be responsible for covering your expenses.
As for drinks, our Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days does not cover any kind of drinks, including water. This falls under personal expense, which we are not liable to pay.
Transportation
From day one till the end of the trek, we will be there to provide you with all the necessary transportation that the trek requires. First of all, we will pick you up at the airport in Pokhara and escort you to Birethanti, which is the starting point of your trek.
Moving on, we will pick you up at Samrung, the ending point of your trek, and take you to Pokhara. After we are done with all the transactions and you are ready to take your flight back home, we will drop you off at the airport as well. This is as much transportation as we will provide during the entire duration of the Poonhill Trek From Pokhara.
Permit
The village of Ghorepani and the viewpoint of Poonhill both fall under the protected region of the Annapurna Conservation Area. To travel to this protected area, you are required to have a couple of travel permits.
First off, you need to have the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit, which costs NRs. 3000 and Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card which costs Nrs. 2000. These permits are necessary as the proceedings go towards the betterment of the villages and trail. Without these types of funding, the region would be even more inaccessible.
As a part of our service, we will be taking care of these permits. The expenses will be covered by your Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 day package so that you do not have to go through the hassle.
Trip preparation and fitness
You do not have to go through any special preparation for the Poonhill Trek From Pokhara, but we recommend you go through some sort of physical activity to make sure that you do not tire out that easily. Tiring out in an instant will make this Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days less enjoyable as you will struggle all the way through, which is the one thing that we do not want you to go through.
If you go to the gym frequently, you are good to go as is, but if your daily life does not include any sort of physical activity, you should probably start jogging or going to the gym for at least a couple of weeks before you hit the trail.
Alternative routes
There are a bunch of alternative routes for the Poonhill Trek From Pokhara that you can opt for. One of the most popular options is the Ghandruk Poonhill trek, where you start off from Nayapul and make your way to Ghandruk. Following that, you will trek to Tadapani and ascend to Poonhill.
The village of Ghandruk is one of the most beautiful villages in Nepal and a popular getaway for city people to escape their everyday lives. This alternative route will take a day or two longer than the original route, which we discussed in this blog post.
Another alternative route is the one where you start your Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days at Nayapul, following the same itinerary as the one we just discussed, but there is a short trek to Kimche on the last day of the trek from Ghandruk.
These alternative trekking routes can cost you a bit more or a bit less, depending on the duration of the trek.
Cost & Budget
This Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days is priced at NRs. ______, which is a fair price point considering the number of services we provide you during this 5 days Poonhill trek.
This Poonhill Trek From Pokhara package will cover all your accommodation, all the land transportation that the itinerary requires, your breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the trek, an experienced guide capable of communicating in English, porters, all the necessary trekking permits, local taxes, insurance for guides and porters.
You will also get detailed billing for everything since you deserve transparency regarding the services you pay for. If you opt for alternative routes, we will have to work out the expenses and get back to you.
Gadgets charging & Internet
The region of Ghorepani is quite popular among international and local tourists, which is why the village of Ghorepani has experienced a lot of infrastructural growth along with modern amenities like Wi-Fi. Unlike most trekking destinations of Nepal, the Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days has electricity available all the way through.
However, in some sections, you might not receive cellular network coverage. But the places that we will spend our nights in will have internet services available.
Your Extra expenses
Even though our Poonhill Trek From Pokhara package covers most of your expenses, there are some that we can not cover. Such expenses are your personal expenses, including your visa fees; upon arrival at the international airport in Kathmandu, you will have to work out your tourist visa.
Based on the duration of your stay the officials at the airport will bill you a certain amount of fee. We will not be responsible for covering this fee.
Likewise, we will not be covering your flight fare to and from Kathmandu, your airfare to and from Pokhara, travel insurance, all and any kind of drinks and tips for the porters or guides. Your personal expenses are your own, and we do not have any part in it.
What to expect
Our Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days is designed for maximum enjoyability, where we take care of all the hassle and leave you to enjoy the trek to the fullest. This trek is pretty easy, so you should not really worry about being physically unable to complete the trek. But being easy does not mean that the destination is any less beautiful than the difficult ones.
The Ghorepani Poonhill trek from Pokhara lets you in on a cultural trek as you travel through and live in multiple villages that are full of Gurung and Magar people. These people are known for their beautiful dance, their aesthetic, traditional costumes, and their long living practices. You will have a great time with the locals of this region.
Our guide will let you in on the traditions and practices of these people, explain the reasoning behind certain customs, answer your questions to the best of their abilities, and introduce you to new things all along the way.
One of the best things about this 5 days Poonhill trek is the short duration, which is perfect for people on a limited duration of stay. You can expect to make the most out of those 5-days. We will be there to support you with any assistance you might need during the trek.
Overall, you can expect to go through a short yet beautiful Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days that will lure you into Nepal for another visit.
Most Asked Questions by Travellers
The typical duration of the Ghorepani Poonhill trek from Pokhara is 5 days, and yes, it can be customized. You can choose alternative routes to visit Ghandruk, Kimche, or any other close destinations. However, you must note that 5 days is the limit; we can not lower the number of days anymore since we have to acclimate to the rising elevation well.
Yes, even though some experienced trekkers can navigate the Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days route with ease and also complete the trek without any assistance from a porter or guide, international tourists are legally required to have a licensed guide for this Pokhara Poonhill trek.
There are strict laws and regulations for the Annapurna conservation area; even the locals of the region require clearance to scoop up the dead woods of the forests.
There are no safety concerns regarding this Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days. However, you might feel a little dizzy, given that we will be ascending to a maximum elevation of 3210 meters.
You do not require any special equipment for this trek, although a hiking pole might be helpful. Other than that, you will need trekking shoes and some lightweight clothing to ensure minimum weight on your body.
No, there are no age limitations, but we recommend not bringing children under ten along with you on this trek.
Yes, for the most part, you will receive mobile phone coverage during your Ghorepani Poonhill trek 5 days, with some exceptions.
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