Ultimate Guide To Nepal Best Short Trek : Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking

The ultimate, all year round trek in Nepal! The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is popular with all ages and ability for a number of reasons. It’s one of the shortest and easiest treks in the country. It’s easy to reach from the lake town of Pokhara, which is a great place to relax after the trek. No high altitudes involved the maximum elevation is 3200 m. It’s possible to do with children.

What’s more the views of more than sixteen Himalayan mountains from Ghorepani are astounding and unmatched anywhere. From the top of Poon Hill itself, particularly at sunrise and sunset, the views will simply take your breath away. The Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche, Varah Shikhar and Lamjung Himal simply glow in the soft light of sunrise or sunset.

On the way you hike through rhododendron forests and interesting villages. With this being a very popular trek, accommodation is very comfortable, with a good range of food on the menu. Being low altitude, it is possible trek here year round, with the most popular times being spring and autumn.

Getting There

ghorepani to poon hill

It is very easy to get to the starting point of this trek, which simply adds to its appeal.

First off, you need to get to Pokhara. A great place to explore before or after your trek. Although if you want to fully enjoy its great nightlife, better to do it after your trek! If bars and clubs are not for you, there are great sightseeing places to visit in and around Pokhara too.

Pokhara is only 210 km from Kathmandu, but it takes considerable time to get there. Mileage wise you might think it’s close but it will take you seven hours by road to reach there! You can fly, which takes only 20 minutes, but obviously the cost is much higher.

From Pokhara it’s then a short ride to the start of the trek.

Getting to Pokhara

lake side pokhara

By Road

Depending on whether you take a tourist bus or a private car the cost will vary from USD 8 per person to around USD 140 for a car. The time is the same, approximately seven hours including a lunch stop.

By Air

There are several airlines that fly Kathmandu to Pokhara. It will cost around USD 110 per person and take 20 minutes. Morning flights are best and it’s like getting a free mountain flight!

More information about Kathmandu and Pokhara and how to get the best from these very different but both fascinating cities as well as and to travel between them can be found here.

Getting To The Start Of The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

pokhara to naya pool

You can start the trek from either Naya Pool or Phedi.

Take a local bus from the Zero Kilometer or Baglung Bus Park or a taxi from anywhere in Lakeside to reach Naya Pool or Phedi.

It takes around 60 minutes to reach Naya Pool and 30 minutes to reach Phedi.

Ghorepani Trekking Map

annapurna trek map

Although this trek is very well signposted it’s good to carry a map and have one before you come so you can plan your trip. The online map covers all the trekking routes in the Annapurna region and will help you plan well.

Trekking Permits Required For The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

ghorepani poon hill trek permit

You need a permit for all the treks in Nepal. So obviously you need one for this trek!

It’s very simple if you are trekking through an agency they will handle the permits for you. Just give them two photos!

If you are doing the trek independently you will need to obtain your own permits. You can do this in Kathmandu at the NTNC Office at the Nepal Tourism Board on Exhibition Road (20 minutes walk from Thamel), or in Pokhara at the NTNC Office at Dam Side (30 minutes walk from Lakeside). Ask for the form, complete it, and hand over your money and four photographs!

For the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek you need two permits:-

  • TIMS Card at USD 20 per person
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit at USD 30 per person

Note: TIMS Card is USD 10 per person if you are trekking through an agency.

Should You Go With Or Without A Guide?

ghorepani poon hill guide

Some treks in Nepal, such as treks in the Manaslu and Kanchenjunga regions, make it compulsory to take a guide mostly for your own safety in remote areas. But you are not required to take a guide for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.

Although well signposted and probably the trails will be quite busy, be sensible, carry a map and take information from the guest houses along the trails. In this way you could probably manage very well independently. But I never suggest travelling alone in the Himalayas. Take a trekking buddy!

Here are the pros and cons of taking a guide:

Pros Of Having A Guide

It can be more fun than trekking alone! For sure it’s always great to be able to share the experience as its happens. If you are travelling in the off-season, there may be no other trekkers to swap stories with in the evenings.

Your guide can pre-book your accommodation. In the busy seasons it’s not unusual to see trekkers sleeping in the dining room or having to double up their room with others. You don’t want to have to walk extra kilometers to look for another lodge at the end of a long day do you? Your guide can do this for you.

You guide will be there to support you. Either through encouragement or in those times when the trail is not clear or a bit tricky. If you are injured, your guide is there to arrange for help.

You guide is a source of information! Local culture? Mountain names? Local festivals happening nearby? Your guide will know them all!

Giving back to the local community. If you hire a local guide or a porter (who will carry your bag – bonus!) you will be helping a local family financially.

Cons Of Having A Guide

Often buying a package trek is more expensive than doing it alone. But package prices do vary a lot so do your research!

You can be more independent and flexible. Such as staying longer in one village if you want to. Meet an interesting person on the trail and want to pair up? You can if you don’t have a guide!

You are free to choose where you eat and sleep. Like the rest of us, guides have favourite spots and guesthouses. If you are on your own you can chose where you want to stay. Keeping in mind accommodation is scares during peak trekking seasons!

Best Time To Trek To Ghorepani Poon Hill

ghorepani sunrise

As most treks in Nepal, the best time to go is autumn and spring, September to November and March to May. While the trails will be at their busiest and teahouses will be full, you will also have company in the evenings and will meet other trekkers on the trail to pass a few minutes with.

annapurna south poon hill

Although there is no fear of avalanches there will be snow in the winter. And in the monsoon (June to September) trails will be muddy. But it is totally doable at these times of year also. You just need to be prepared with some extra and water proof clothing. You will probably have the trails to yourself also, if you like solitude.

Overall this is a year round trek.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trip Itinerary

ulleri to ghorepani

This is a seven day trip from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. Which includes a day’s travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara and a day’s return travel from Pokhara to Kathmandu. But you can chose to stay longer in Pokhara or, if travelling independently, at any point on the trek.

So, calculating Pokhara to Pokhara, this is a five day trek. If you are short of time, or are adding this onto another trek, it is possible to do this trek in three days also.

Below are the itineraries for the five day and three day Ghorepani Poon Trek.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Five Days Itinerary

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Ghorepani Poon Hill Three Days Itinerary

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Food And Accommodation On The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

ghorepani poon hill accommodation

Except for Tadapani, where there are a limited number of teahouses, the accommodation on this trek is excellent, with the choice too of attached bathrooms (with hot showers).

ghorepani poon hill trek food

Food is also wonderful, probably because the lodge owners are not so far from Pokhara with regards to shopping and now there is even a road that can transport goods.

Drinking Water

In this area mineral water is banned in order to reduce the number of plastic bottles which are left along the trails. Bring your own sterilizing method (drops, tablets, filters) or buy safe drinking water from the teahouses. Collect tap water for free. But remember to sterilize it.

How Much Does It Cost To Trek To Ghorepani Poon Hill?

ghorepani poon hill trekking

If you chose to trek independently to Ghorepani Poon Hill, the cost will depend on how many beers and extras you have! Some things are fixed expenditures, like food and accommodation. Basically you should calculate USD 25 to USD 30 per day, plus an additional USD 50 for permits, and money for transport. Accommodation in Pokhara will be slightly higher and the transport cost will depend on whether you are taking the bus, private vehicle or flying.

Guided treks vary in price for the same area depending on the number of days and the services you choose. But on average it will cost you around USD 300 for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.

Conclusion

A great, all year round trek suitable for experienced or first time trekkers. All the mountains you want, with comfortable accommodation and no high altitude risks!

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