The Poon Hill Trek Itinerary: the ultimate guide
This post offers you the ultimate guide to the best Poon Hill trek itinerary. The Poon Hill trek, also known as the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek or the Annapurna Panorama, is one of the shortest multi-day hikes in Nepal.
Short, but sweet. Therefore it is perfect for those who don’t have the time for Everest or the whole Annapurna Circuit. The Poon Hill trek offers natural beauty, cultural diversity, rural villages and spectacular mountain views.
Why choose the Poon Hill trek?
While the Ghorepani Poon hill trek is still not a walk in the park, it is an easy hike for beginners. Perfect for families with children or those that are looking for an easygoing experience in Nepal.
The Poon hill trek goes through the lower foothills of the Annapurnas. Therefore, there is no risk of altitude sickness, yet there are plenty of views on the snow capped mountain peaks of the Annapurna’s. Most of them are well over 7000 meters high.
The highlight is seeing the sunrise at Poon Hill, the highest point of the trek. It offers the most beautiful panorama of the Annapurna’s and you can get there in only 2 days of hiking. The trail continues through terraced slopes, rice paddies, maize fields, lush forests and rural villages.
The Annapurna is a very multicultural area with different ethnic groups. Along the Poon hill trek you will mostly encounter Magar and Gurung people. Each group has their own language and cultural traditions.
The advantage of the Poon hill trek are the excellent tea houses and restaurants on the way. This means you can be very flexible in planning your Poon hill trek itinerary. It can be as short as 4 days or you can combine it with the Annapurna Circuit or the Annapurna Base Camp. It is then a great acclimatization trek before going to higher altitudes.
The Annapurna’s are one of the most popular areas for trekking in Nepal. If you are looking for a more off the beaten path short trek I can also recommend the Langtang Trek or the Jiri to Lukla trek.
The Poon Hill trek itinerary
I had a full week when I decided to do the Poon hill trek in February and therefore chose to add Chomrong to my itinerary. It adds just one extra day and Chomrong is a beautiful village located on the Annapurna Sanctuary trek. It is also possible to walk from Tadapani straight to Ghandruk and then back to Kimche/Nayapul.
In this Poon hill trek itinerary I mention every day the amount of time it took me from start to finish. I am a slow hiker though. I like to take frequent breaks to enjoy the beautiful views. If you are fit , you can probably do it in less time
Day 1: Pokhara – Nayapul – Tikhedunga
10 kilometers, 5 – 6 hours
This Poon hill trek itinerary starts at Nayapul. From Pokhara’s Baglung bus station there are frequent buses to Nayapul. The journey takes about 2 hours. From here it is a 30 minute walk or short jeep ride to Birethanti. Jeeps can now bring you all the way to Hille, but I prefered to walk.
After Birethanti it is an easy and gradual uphill walk towards Tikhedhunga. I thought it was very scenic as you walk past the Bhurungdi river through small villages and terraced farm fields. People are very friendly and always greet you with a smile. A great first day on the trail that seemed lightyears away from the hectic city of Kathmandu.
Day 3: Tikhedunga – Ghorepani
11 kilometers, 8 hours
The second day of the Poon hill trek itinerary is the most challenging day. You immediately start with a diificult 2 kilometer staircase up to Ulleri. There are more than 3000 steps. But even after Ulleri you keep climbing for the rest of the day. Sometimes rather steep, sometimes more gradual, but up it is. In total you will ascend more than 1300 meters.
The key to enjoy this day on your Poon hill trek itinerary is to start early and take it slow. Ulleri is a nice Magar village with plenty of teahouses for a break. After Ulleri you will enter lush forests with the occasional waterfall and blooming rhododendrons in spring.
I found this to be a very scenic part of the Poon hill trek, so don’t forget to look around you once in a while. It was during a small break that I spotted langur monkeys in the trees.
The gate of Ghorepani and the blue hotel roofs were a very welcome sight. That’s when I found out there is a lower and an upper Ghorepani. Although it was tempting to stay in the first lodge I came across, I pushed myself further to Upper Ghorepani to shorten the climb to Poon hill the next morning
Insider tip: Ghorepani is the highest village where you will sleep at night. Even in the warmer months of spring and summer it can be cold here, so bring warm clothes.
Day 4: Ghorepani – Poonhill – Tadapani
13 kilometers, 7 hours
The third day of the Poon hill trek itinerary is all about the sunset on Poon Hill. This means an early wake up around 3:30 AM. Even in the dark, the trail is easy to follow as there will be lots of other hikers. You can simply follow the lights of the headlamps.
I still felt my muscles from yesterday and they struggled with more climbing as well as the altitude. It took me a little bit over an hour to reach the top. Just in time for the sunrise.
Now I understood why this trek is also known as the Annapurna Panorama. Right in front of me I saw Mount Daulagiri (8167), Mount Manaslu (8156), Mount Annapurna II (7937), Machapuchre (6993) and other peaks well above 6000 meters.
Certainly the best breakfast view I ever had as I sat down with my snickers bar that I brought specially for this occasion. The incredible views continued on my hike along the mountain ridge towards Deurali.
After Deurali the trail goes downhill and enters the forests again. No Langur monkeys today, but views on Annapurna II and Machapuchare remained visible till I reach Tadapani.
Insider tips: a headlight torch and warm clothes are necessary for the early morning climb to Poonhill. There are no restaurants at poon hill itself so bring some snacks and a thermos opf tea for a breakfast picknick at the top.
Day 5: Tadapani – Chomrong
8 kilometers, 6 hours
This day is not in the original Poon hill trek itinerary. Most people head straight from Tadapani to Ghandruk and then back to Pokhara. I decided to add Chomrong to my Poon hill trek itinerary. I did not have time to include the whole Annapurna Sanctuary trek, but just wanted to have a little taste.
Did it taste like more? Yes, definitely. More views on the Annapurna mountain peaks are waiting for you in Chomrong. I would have loved to continue all the way to Annapurna Base Camp. Maybe next time?
What I also loved about this day was that the trail from Tadapani to Chomrong was less busy than the previous days. The only people I met were friendly locals that were working in the terraced fields.
Day 6: Chomrong – Ghandruk
10 kilometers, 6 hours
Today was more challenging than I thought. First there was a long descent, but after crossing the river I had to climb back up to Ghandruk. The views on Machapuchre kept me motivated till I reached Ghandruk.
Ghandruk is one of the largest Gurung villages in the Annapurna’s and gives you a wonderful insight into rural life in Nepal. The narrow alleyways are dotted with lodges and traditional farm houses. It is one of the most scenic villages on the Poon hill trek.
Day 7: Ghandruk – Nayapul
9 kilometers, 5 hours
From Ghandruk it is now a short hike of 2 kilometers to Kimche. There you can find transport to Birethanti, Nayapul and Pokhara.
Very few people still walk all the way to Nayapul, but I did not want to say goodbye to the mountains yet. Walking from Ghandruk to Nayapul is an easy gentle descent through the lush greenery of the modi khola river valley.
There is lots of nice scenery with rice paddies and villages. That said, you don’t miss out a lot if you do decide to take the bus. For me it was a bit of a culture shock to be back in a busy town like Nayapul. Within minutes I could catch a bus back to Pokhara.
The Poon Hill Trek Travel tips
The Poon Hill trek Permits
For the Poon hill trek you need two permits.
TIMS card: The Trekkers information management card is necessary for almost all treks in Nepal. You can get your TIMS card at the Tourism Board office at Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu. Bring your passport and two passport size photos. The TIMS card costs 2000 nepalese rupees.
Annapurna Conservation Area permit: For the Poon hill trek you also need a national park entrance permit. I recommend you to get it as well at the Tourism Board Office at Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu. This costs 3000 nepalese rupees.
Do I need a guide on the Poon Hill trek?
The Poon hill trek is easy to do without a guide. Unless you go off season there will be enough other hikers on the trail to keep you company. That said, the area around Poon hill has lots of different paths that cross each other, making it easy to get lost if you don’t pay attention.
I was with a friend that had done the hike before and knew the way. If you are alone and not that experienced you might want to consider joining a guided trek or hiring a guide, porter or porter guide.
In Nepal there is a clear distinction between a porter and a guide. A guide shows you the way and can tell you more about the history and the culture of the places you visit. A porter will only carry your luggage. Despite their heavy burden they often walk far in front of you and might have reached the lodge when you are only midway. A porterguide is less common, but does both.
If you prefer a female guide I can recommend the 3 sisters adventure trekking that works to empower women and trains women to become trekking guides in Nepal.
Update April 2023: The Nepal Tourism Board issued a press release that trekking without a guide is no longer permitted from 1 April 2023 onwards. Trekkers planning to hike in Nepal’s National Parks where you normally need a TIM’s card should have a government licensed guide that is registered with the official Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN). It is unclear yet how this rule will play out in practice. Everest issued a press release stating that they will not enforce it. Other areas do. However, there are no guidelines on how they are going to implement the ban on solo trekking.
Accomodation on the Poon Hill trek
Along the Poon hill trek there is plenty of accomodation and teahouses to choose from. They are basic and can’t be booked online beforehand. There is a first come first serve basis and some lodges are fully booked by big tour groups. In my experience there are enough lodges that there will always be a bed for you somewhere.
The prices of accomodation is incredibly cheap, sometimes even free, but they do expect you to order dinner and breakfast at their establishment.
Food on the Poon Hill trek
The good thing about tea house treks in Nepal is that however basic lodges might be, the food is often quite good if you stick to Nepali cuisine. Yes, many lodges try all kinds of international dishes to attract tourists, but in my opinion often not the best choice.
When trekking in Nepal I eat Dahl bath at least once a day. This national dish of rice with lentils knows a huge variety in how it is prepared. Different vegetable curries from fermented spinach (gundruk) to roasted cauliflower and different pickles (aachar) to spice it up. Not one dahl bath is the same.
Other Nepali foods to try are Tibetan bread, Thukpa and Momo’s. On the Poon hill trek you also get a chance to taste Gurung cuisine. One of my favourite side dishes with dahl baath actually comes from the Gurung people. Gundruk is a curry made of fermented leafy vegetables. Dried meats (sukuti) are also very popular among the Gurungs. Definetly try dried buffalo (buff sukuti) if you get a chance.
When to hike the Poon Hill trek
The best time to go trekking in Nepal is spring and autumn, but Poon hill is even possible in winter. Although January and February will be too cold for high altitude treks, poon hill is still a good option. I hiked in February and had clear blue skies every day. It is important to bring some warm clothes. As soon as the sun is gone it can get cold, especially at Ghorepani.
March, April and May are the warmer months before the monsoon. As the rainy season approaches it can become hot, dusty and humid. The blooming rhododendrons are a big highlight though when hiking around April.
June, July and August are the monsoon months. These are probably the worst time to hike the lower altitudes of the Annapurna’s. Not only because of the rain, but most of all because of the leeches. Annoying as they can be, they are not dangerous. These months it is better to visit Jomsom and Muktinath, because they are in the rain shadow of the Annapurna’s.
September, October and November are the most popular months for trekking. Autumn brings clear blue skies and mild temperatures before the cold sets in in December. Autumn is also a festive season with the celebration of Tihar and Dashain. Nepal’s biggest festivals and you will see families gathering together in the villages.
Altitude Sickness on the Poon Hill trek
The Poon hill trek has a very low chance of altitude sickness. The highest point is Poon Hill at 3250 meters high. Here you might experience some mild symptoms such as being tired and more easily out of breath. However, as you will descend to lower altitudes on the same day, this should not pose a problem.
Poon Hill Trek Books and Guides
Cicerone and Trailblazer both have excellent and comprehensive guides about treks in the Annapurnas including the Poon Hill trek. Another option is the Lonely Planet’s Trekking in the Nepal Himalayas guide.
Poon Hill Trek packing list
If you need to carry your own gear on a multi day trek the advice is to bring as little as possible. The Poon hill trek is not a difficult trail. There is no need to bring a tent or food. Below a few things to consider
Sun protection: no matter what time of the year you will need to bring protection against the sun. Sunscreen and a hat are a must. There are stretches with little shadow
Rain protection: there is always a risk of rain. I brought a poncho along that protected both me and my backpack from the rain.
Sturdy shoes: There is no need for proffesional hiking boots. However, there are some rocky trails so do bring sturdy shoes that fit you well. It’s important you don’t bring brand new shoes. Make sure your shoes are tested and comfortable to prevent blisters.
Hiking socks: Besides good shoes, good hiking socks are key to prevent blisters. Merino wool socks are lightweight and dry quickly. Wrightsocks are specially designed with double layers to prevent blisters. Decathlon has good merino wool socks too.
Layers: there can be a big difference in temperatures during the day and night. The best way to deal with this is to wear layers. As a base layer I bought merino wool tshirts at Decathlon. They are lightweight and dry quickly. I had a fleece vest as a midlayer and as the upper layer I had a windproof jacket.
Backpack: Your shoes and backpack are two things that will have a big influence on the comfort of your multi day trek. I recommend to go to an outdoor store to get some good advice to buy a backpack that fits your torso length and that is comfortable when you wear it. I own the Osprey Fairview trek 50 that I am very happy with.
Reusable water bottle: to prevent plastic waste I always bring a reusable water bottle with me and a water filter or steri pen.
Disclaimer
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