Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara

Best Time

We recommend January to June and September to December as the best times to join the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.

The weather from January to February is cool and crispy with cold but clear weather. While the temperatures can be quite low, the crisp air and clear skies provide some of the best views of the snow-capped peaks. The trails are less crowded, offering a more tranquil trekking experience and you will feel warmer as your body temperature rises, without feeling sweaty and tired like the summer seasons.

Trekkers can enjoy the beautiful snow-covered Himalayas and the cool weather which is perfect without the blistering heat or the blinding rain. March and May will be the in-spring season and is one of the best times to trek to Poon hill. The temperatures are milder, ranging from cool in the mornings and evenings to warm during the day.

And you’ll get to see the beautiful blooming rhododendron forests that carpet the trail in vibrant shades of red, pink, and white. The lush greenery and colorful blooming flowers create a picturesque setting on our beautiful trekking route.

The weather is usually stable, and the mornings start with clear skies, along with the occasional afternoon cloud floating above, making it ideal for capturing amazing photographs of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

January to June and September to December will have generally stable weather with minimal rainfall and clear skies, ensuring spectacular unobstructed mountain views and comfortable trekking conditions. Secondly, these periods avoid the monsoon season (June to August), which brings heavy rainfall, slippery trails, and the risk of landslides, making trekking more challenging and less enjoyable.

The September to November season will be full of festivities and post-monsoon clarity. After the monsoon period of July-August. After the rainy season ends late-August, we’ll have autumn season again from September to November. The post-monsoon skies will be clear with no rainy clouds blocking the view of the grand summit.

The trails will be lush green from the recent rains and the weather will be comfortably cool. Not too hot, not too cold. It will also be the time for major festivals in Nepal like the Dashain Tihar, so the atmosphere will be even more joyous.

The local villages will be full of lively colors and decorations and the locals will be in a cheery and generous mood, ready to welcome guests and indulge them in their cuisine, traditions and stories. You’ll even get to see and get into the festivities and make tons of new memories.

This is an excellent time for the Ghorepani trek with clear skies, bright colors, pleasant weather and unique cultural experiences. Winter officially begins in December. So, the air will be cooler, the days shorter and the trek will be smoother. But the weather will still be consistent and clear, giving you an unobstructed of the stunning Himalayan peaks.

Compared to autumn, the paths will be less busy and the hike will be more serene. While the higher altitudes can be quite cold, the lower sections of the trek remain relatively mild, making it a viable option for those prepared for cooler conditions.

Elevation and Distance 

The starting elevation of the trek is (1,070m) and the highest will be (3,210m) making it an easy trip for altitude-sensitive hikers. Plus, there will be tons of stops so you can get acclimated to the elevation. Such as, Tikhedhunga(1,495m/4,905ft), to Banthali (2,200m/7,217ft), to Nangthanti (2,500m/7,217ft), to Tadapani (2,630m/8,628ft), back to Ghandruk (2,010m/6,600ft) and lower. So, the gradual elevation will make it easier.

The total distance of the trek is around 50 kilometers (about 31.07 mi). We will be hiking carefully and enjoying the view completely, with adequate rest so you don’t need to worry about feeling rushed or overexhausted because we will be taking the trek a few hours a day, nothing too intense.

Difficulty and Altitude Sickness 

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is considered moderate in difficulty. This trek is for those who seek beautiful views and a thrilling experience. While it does involve some steep ascents, especially on the way to Ulleri, it is manageable for most trekkers with a reasonable level of fitness. The trek’s maximum elevation can go up to 3,210m, which does not usually cause severe altitude sickness. However, it’s important to rest well, stay hydrated and take your time to acclimatize properly.

Maximum and Minimum Walk per Day 

The average walk hours for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara would be 3-4 hours a day.

The maximum walk would be approximately 7-8 hours (Day 2: Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani) and the minimum Walk per Day would be approximately 3-4 hours (Day 4: Tadapani to Ghandruk)

Accommodation, Food, and Drink 

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara has tons of standard teahouses and lodges that provide comfortable accommodation for trekkers. Although the term “teahouse” might sound too humble, they have all the amenities of a full-fledged hotel, including cozy rooms, clean western-style toilets and bathrooms and a welcoming vibe.

The tea houses and lodges will have rooms on both a sharing basis that you can get with your trekking buddy, or get single rooms, but the price will vary accordingly. There are also rooms with attached bathrooms and those where you have to share a common bathroom, depending on your budget and preference.

Rooms typically cost NPR 300-700 (USD 2.50-6) per night. Meals (dal bhat, noodles, etc.) are priced between NPR 400-700 (USD 3.50-6) per dish. There is also a wide variety in meals all the way from Pokhara to Ghorepani, depending on the area restaurant.

You can choose from local snacks like chana-aalu (savoury sauteed chickpeas and potatoes), boiled eggs, sel-roti, toast, jam, soup, burger, and more. You can also buy packages snacks like chips, cookies, and more at almost every shop in any region.

For drinks, you can get juice, coffee, tea, water, energy drinks and much more almost everywhere. Safe drinking water is provided with your meals and are available at teahouses, and you can also buy bottled water or use water purification tablets.

Alternative Routes

The Ghorepani trek is already a beautifully breathtaking adventure but for those seeking a longer trek, thetrek can be extended to include the Annapurna Base Camp trek as the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek from Pokhara is in the Annapurna region and is considered a less intense version of the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek.

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek will have both mountain views and beautiful landscapes whereas the Annapurna Base Camp trek will have an even closer and even wider view of the mountains as it will be at a higher elevation.

This adds an additional 4-5 days to the itinerary and takes you deeper into the heart of the Annapurna region. You can see our Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary here: (link)

The Ghorepani Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp trek usually takes around 10-12 days (1 week 5 days). And this extended trek has all the diverse landscapes from rich rhododendron forests and uniqueterrace-style farming fields that look like stairs for a giant, to high-altitude mountains.

It provides an opportunity to immerse yourself deeper into the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Annapurna region. The Ghorepani-Annapurna Base Camp will be slightly more difficult and requires good fitness, stamina experience and altitude acclimatization.

The maximum walk per day for this trek would be 8-9 hours and the minimum walk per day would be 4-5 hours with the highest altitude being 4,131m/ 13,553 feet.

Can Beginners Join This Trip?

Yes, beginners can join this trek. It’s a great start to trekking in Nepal with beautiful sceneries, cultural experiences, a memorable adventure and fulfilling challenges thanks to its moderate difficulty, well-marked trails, and lots of accommodation options.

But we do recommend good physical fitness, plenty of rest and hydration and a strong determination to make the most of the trek.

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is a relatively short trek, and normally takes 4-5 days to complete. It has everything- beautiful villages, lush forests, terraced fields, all the way up to the viewpoint of the Poon Hill.

The highest point of the trek (Poon Hill) stands at an elevation of 3,210 meters and offers a spectacular sunrise view over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain ranges. The altitude will be at a gradual elevation which makes it easy to acclimatize to and doesn’t induce severe altitude sickness.

It is a great option for beginners who want a fun, beautiful and moderately challenging and unforgettable trekking experience. But it also needs good physical fitness and preparation to take on the journey.

The maximum walking in a day is 6-7 hours and the mimimum waling in a day is 3-4 hours with enough time and rest to enjoy the view which makes it a fun and doable trek for beginners compared to longer and more intense treks at higher elevations. Plus, there are both uphill trekking plains as well as downhill ones which makes it easier for beginners.

Preparation and Fitness  

Proper preparation is key to a successful trek, so we recommend building your cardiovascular fitness and leg strength through regular exercise, such as walking, jogging, or hiking a week or more before the trek starts, but without over-exhausting yourself.

We also recommend checking all your trekking equipment to make sure you have all the essentials you need, and that they are in good condition and easy to carry, store and maintain during your trek.

If you buy new trekking boots, it’s important to “break in” your trekking boots before the trip to avoid blisters. Essential gear includes comfortable trekking clothing, a warm jacket, a waterproof layer, a hat, gloves, and a good-quality sleeping bag. Trekking poles can also be helpful for managing the steep areas of the trekking trail.

Practice hiking with a backpack packed with the items you will take with you on the trek to simulate carrying your gear on the trek.

We also recommend carrying a basic first-aid kit, including medications for common ailments like headaches and upset stomachs, the medication you take, and some band aids and a small antiseptic dressing for any scrapes you might have, just in case. Travel insurance that covers trekking activities is also recommended.

Gadgets Charging and Internet  

Depending on the teahouse/lodge, you will have an electric outlet in your room to charge your phone, camera, batteries and other electric items you carry.

If not, most teahouses offer charging facilities for a small fee (NPR 100-200 per hour) for charging your devices. Internet is available in some teahouses, but the connection can be a bit slow and unreliable. During this trek, you can go on a digital detox and spend time connecting with the fresh, peaceful and blooming nature around you.

Or, you can buy a sim card at NRS110 (USD $0.9). Most new sim cards come with 1GB data for free for the first 3 days. But you can also buy data packs depending on your neccessity like an hour, a day, 30 days, etc. However, the data internet performance might depend on the network availability when you are trekking.

Some areas may not have a good network, making it difficult to access fast internet. We recommend buying the sim card right in Pokhara city on day 1 because it might be difficult to find them at all once you start the journey to the rural parts.

However, it is possible to buy recharge cards for your sim to purchase data packs. The recharge cards can be purchased for Rs.50-Rs.100 and you can buy more depending on how much you need.

Permits  

The Ghorepani Poon Hill area will require two main permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card. These permits are to maintain and conserve the natural environment and infrastructors, and keep it clean and tidy for the locals and visitors.

1)  Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card

The TIMS card is required for all trekkers in Nepal to ensure proper security and safety of the visitors and the locals. Having this permit helps officials find out how many trekkers are in the area and their identity- making it easier to locate and identify them in the case of emergency.

For foreign nationals, the permit cost is NPR 2,000 (approximately USD $18) and for trekkers with guides, the cost is NPR 1,000 (approximately USD $9).

You can get your TIMS and ACAP card from the Nepal Tourism Board Office in Pokhara or Kathmandu.

2)The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

The Annapurna permit is for all trekkers that enter or pass through the Annapurna Conservation Area. This permit is for the maintenance and conservation of the area’s natural and cultural heritage. For foreign nationals, the cost is NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 25) and for SAARC nationals, the cost is NPR 200 (approximately USD 2).

You can get it from the Nepal Tourism Board Office a week before the trek in Pokhara or Kathmandu. If you are trekking with a guide, the Trekking Agencies will often handle the permit arrangements for you after you give them the required documents.

The required documents include a your passport’s photocopy and an updated passport-sized photo with a recent picture of you.

For documents, you will require a photocopy of your passport and a recent passport-sized photo for your TIMS card, as well as a brief outline of your trek itinerary.

For the application process for your ACAP and TIMS, you will have to visit the Nepal Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. You can find the counters for trek permits at the board office. There, you can fill out the forms for both the ACAP and TIMS card. The forms will ask for basic information like your name, passport number and trek itinerary and they are easy to fill.

Then, you can submit the forms along with the required documents (passport copy and passport-sized photos, pay the respective fees for the ACAP and TIMS card. (The fees are non-refundable and can be paid in Nepalese Rupees.) And after processing, you will receive your ACAP and TIMS card. You must keep these permits safely with you throughout  the trek, as you will need to show them at the checkpoints.

The checkpoints are at entry and exits of the Annapurna Conservation Area, and along the trekking route. So, make sure you keep your permits safe. Like a bag pocket with a zipper instead of keeping them in your pocket as it might slip out unknowingly during the trek.

We also recommend getting your permits in advance (especially during peak trekking seasons) to avoid any delays. Also, make sure to carry extra passport-sized photos in case you need it for permit applications or other trekking-documents.

You can enjoy a safe and responsible trekking experience of the beautiful Ghorepani trek route by getting the permits and by following the regulations.

Transportation

Transportation is available from Pokhara to Nayapul (the trek’s starting point) after which we will start hiking on foot. The transportation and road is also straightforward.

You can hire a private vehicle for NPR 3,000-4,000 (USD 25-35) or take a local bus for NPR 200-300 (USD 2-3).

By Bus

We can take the bus early morning from Pokhara to Nayapul, and vice versa. The cost can be NPR 200-300 (USD 2-3) per person. And the drive will be about 1.5 hours.

By private Jeep

A private jeep from Pokhara to Nayapul can take around 80USD/120USD. And a private jeep from Pokhara to Ulleri Private Jeep costs can take NPR 100USD. The private jeep will have a driver and a seating capacity of 4-5 passengers along with baggage and equipment storage.

By taxi

A taxi trip from Pokhara to Nayapul can cost around Rs3000 to Rs4500 (USD 25-35).

By foot

Our itinerary starts from Nayapul so after Nayapul, we can start the trekking journey by foot, enjoying the view and adventure.

Insurance  

Travel Insurance is necessary for every trek so we highly recommend getting it. Although the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara is fairly safe and easy, the Insurance will cover any sickness or accidents that might occure. The highest altitude can reach up to 3,500m and can affect beginners who have never been at a higher altitude than the city. Ensuring your policy covers medical expenses, evacuation, and trip cancellations.

And a Travel Insurance can help you trek with a secure peace of mind.

What to Expect from the Trip

This five-day tour has breathtaking mountain views, a rich cultural experience, and a physically active schedule that will make you feel incredibly accomplished. It provides a rare chance to take in the unique cultures, scenery and lifestyle of the Annapurna region in a matter of 5 days. For beginners, this journey will be shorter and simpler than the other Annapurna trek options, but it will still be amazing adventure.