Exploring Ghorepani Poon Hill: A Journey of a Lifetime

The year 2022 become a good year for the tourism industry after two years of the coronavirus pandemic. First I have done Annapurna Circuit with Ghorepani Poon Hill and Mardi Himal Trek; for more than 35 days trek. Then I did Upper Mustang Trek for 13 days and Manaslu Trek in October trekking season. And now I am doing Poon Hill Trek just for 5 days. 

First I welcome my guests on 10 October 2022 at 9 pm time and transferred them to the Hotel. The next day I checked their equipment for the trek and helped them to buy needed trekking gear. Then I arranged Poon Hill Trekking permits and TIMS cards. Flight ticket had been already booked a week ago to Pokhara for the afternoon of the 12th of October. Like this needed trekking preparation had been all done and just awaiting to commence the voyage. 

The next day we met at the hotel at 11:30 AM to drive to the airport at 11:45 AM. As per our plan, we took a cab to the airport and we reached the airport just in time. While we checked in at the Buddha air counter they said we got an earlier flight than one. Unfortunately, it was not true we flew to Pokhara one hour late than we planned. I always find then these Buddha Air flights are always a bit delinquent. However, we reached Pokhara at 3 PM. Then transfer to the hotel and have a rest before embarking on hiking to Poon Hill. 

As this trek is considered one of the easiest treks in Nepal. This trek can do by family to old aged people because there are various reasons why you should do Poon Hill Trek once.

Our 2022 November, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Itinerary 

Day 1 Drive to Birethanti and Trek to Ulleri 1960m – The first day of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

We planned to start our drive to Birethanti at 7:30 AM and have breakfast at 7:00 AM. As our plan, we had breakfast at 7 o clock and packed our luggage on the jeep at 7:30 AM, and begin our trek to Poon Hill. Morning time the weather was not good in the surrounding of the Pokhara it was a bit cloudy. And that was only the surrounding of the Pokhara, not the high mountains. 

Our drive continue and after some time we had our first encounter with the giant snowy mountain peaks from the Jeep. We are all busy taking photos and videos and the weather becoming better and better. Drive going on and one via Phedi, Naudanda, Kande (Kande is the popular place to start the Mardi Himal Trek) Nayapul, and then Birethanti. Birethanti was the place we need to start our Poon Hill Trek. 

After reaching Birethanti, I registered the Ghorepani Trek permit at the ACAP Office then our office trek embarked. When we were there I show many Nepalese young trekkers are also going in the same direction. In the first part, we walked on the road and from Hille, we walked on the proper trekking trail. And we had lunch at Hille village. 

After lunch, we continued our today’s journey to Ulleri, and the ups and downs begins at Thikhedungha. In Thikhedunga we crossed two suspension bridges before the hard climb to Ulleri started. Climbing 3500 steps was not easy and we didn’t have choices to climb so we did it slowly and steadily. Ultimately we reached Ulleri village, unfortunately, we were not able to see the great view of Mt. Annapurna South 7219m. 

Day 2 Ulleri to Ghorepani 2880m

We planned to walk at 7:30 AM so that we have to eat breakfast at 7:00 AM. As per our schedule, we got ready at 7 am for breakfast and did breakfast before 7:30 AM. After breakfast at the hotel Nice View, we begin our trek to Ghorepani just on time as we planned. The first part of the walk was the continuation of the first day’s steps climbing up. While we were walking up, we enjoyed the half view of the Annapurna South, Himchuli, and Machhapuchhare. 

Again we met the same group of people which we crossed each other on the first day and a group of Nepali trekkers as well. Nepali trekkers are worst than Indian and Chinese trekkers, making a lot of noise, not giving way to other people, making TikTok videos, and walking with holding the hand of each other. After the first part climb to Banthanti, we need to walk on the road and the road is going all the way to Ghorepani I think. 

Walking some time on the road we again took the normal trekking trail and passed through the jungle. To walk on the bank of the river is something special because we only can hear the sound of the river and the wind. We continue our trip inside the jungle and we took a tea break and lunch break along the way to Ghorepani. It took us around 5 hours to reach Ghorepani. Usually, we can enjoy the panoramic view of the snowy peaks but this time no white mountain peaks are there. Because they are disguising themselves under the clouds. 

Day 3 Early morning hike to Poon Hill and Trek to Tadapani 2650m 

We plan to hike at 5 am to Poon Hill 3210m. As per our plan, we woke up at 4:45 AM and got ready to walk to Poon Hill. When I woke up and looked outside the weather looked good but soon clouds are coming before we started to hike up. Luckily the weather become clear while we were hiking up and able to see giant mountain peaks. 

Walking up to Poon Hill with a flashlight and many other people was a bit uncomfortable. However, we reached the Ticket counter where we need to pay Rs. 150 per person for the ticket to enter Poon Hill view tower. There was a huge queue for tickets and it took us 10 minutes to get a ticket on hand. After getting the ticket we continue to climb up. 

It took around 1 hour to reach Poon Hill and we enjoyed the panoramic view of the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhare, and other mighty mountain peaks. We stayed there for around 15 minutes and then backed down to Ghorepani for breakfast. While we stayed there we drank a cup of hot black tea and enjoyed the mountain view from Poon Hill. 

We spent around 25 minutes on top of Poon Hill to enjoy the vistas of the snowy peaks. And then we descend to Ghorepani, descending was not that long we backed to the hotel at 7:45 AM. After get got to the hotel ate breakfast before embarking on the journey to Tadapani. It took us an hour to prepare so that we started to walk at 8:50 AM. 

From Ghorepani to Tadapani it’s 5 to 6 hours walk but it took us 7 hours. Along the way we enjoyed the outstanding mountain view but after some time clouds started to come in the sky and felt cold to walk. Put on warm clothes and continued the trip to Tadapani. We took a tea break at Deurali and lunch break at Banthanti. Overall it was a very long and heavy day of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. 

Day 4 Tadapani to Ghandruk and drive to Pokhara 

Today was our last day walk of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. So that I planned that we would eat breakfast at 6:30 AM and leave Tadapani at 7 AM. But we were not successful in our plan because the breakfast was late. However, we started our walk to Ghandruk at 7:30 AM, half an hour late than our plan. Walking through the jungle was a bit cold and chill. Because of the cold weather, we walked continually and reached Ghandruk around 10:45 AM. 

When we were there all the jeeps are fully booked and not able to get a Jeep as we plan to go to Pokhara. So we waited there for around 1 hour to get a jeep to drive to Pokhara.   Then our journey on Jeep started to Pokhara and at Birethanti we have to stop for the Poon Hill Trekking permit checkout. While I was checking out the permit one of the jeeps had a problem and our driver tried to help but he is unable to do that. And we drove to Pokhara. 

While I was on the way to Ghandruk I show so many Nepali visitors near Ghandruk. They are inside the tea garden, peaking leaves, dancing, singing, and shorting TikTok videos. Not giving way to other people, I have to wait there for more than 5 minutes to pass them. It was not a good sign for the tourism of Ghandruk village in the future. It might be good for now, but question is that for how long it will be? 

After two and half hour’s drive, we reached Pokhara, we checked in at the hotel and have good rest. 

Requires Poon Hill Trekking Permit 

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. That is why need to purchase the ACAP Permit before beginning the trek. The permit can get in Nepal Tourism Board Bhrikutimandap Kathmandu and ACAP office Pokhara. It will cost 30$ per person for a trek, however, one permit can use for combined treks inside the Annapurna Conservation Area before exiting from ACAP Checkpost offices. If you pay double you can get a permit from the ACAP Check Post office at Birethanti as well. And to go Poon Hill again requires a local permit and you can buy one while hiking to Poon Hill. It will cost 150 rupees per person so do not forget to take money while hiking to Poon Hill. 

Also, requires the TIMS Card (Trekking Information Management System Card) Which will be available at the Tourism Board and ACAP Office Pokhara for the individual trekkers. And for the organized group or trekkers will get from TAAN Office and only registered trekking companies will get that. But this time I took it with me and I didn’t find the check post, so it may doesn’t need in the future if it stays like this. However, it’s a kind of insurance for Nepali Guides and Porters so that it is good to have it while trekking to Ghorepani Poon Hill. 

Places to see and visit during Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. 

Ghorepani 

Ghorepani is one of the biggest villages you will visit during the Poon Hill Trek. Located at an elevation of 2880m above sea level, this village will offer a panoramic view of the gigantic snowy peaks. Including the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna massive, and other beautiful mountains. Ghorepani is also called Ghodepani, Ghode means horse and Pani means water. It says that a long time ago horses found water in this region and since then this place become Ghodepani (Ghorepani) 

At Ghorepani, many hotels offer the best stay with them, most of the hotels have good rooms with mountain views. However, there are two Ghodepani, upper Ghorepani and Lower Ghorepani. Lower Ghorepani is just below and can not have the best view of the mountain peaks. On the other hand, upper Ghorepani offers an outstanding glimpse of the mountain view. 

Poon Hill

Poon Hill is the best sunrise and sunset viewpoint during the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Also, this place is the best Mountain Viewpoint during this trek, just 45 minutes to a 1-hour walk from Ghorepani. As this is the best place to observe the sunrise and sunset, this place is very popular among local as well as international tourists. 

To go Poon Hill from Ghorepani each tourist has to pay an entry fee of rupees 150 for international tourists and 100 for Nepalese tourists. As they charge entry fees they have built and still building the infrastructure that needs for visitors. Such as walking trails, toilets, and many more. 

Each morning hundreds of visitors will visit this place during the season time. And while tourists are there they can drink hot tea or coffee early in the morning with a sunrise view. Although it cost a bit more expensive than other places. 

Ghandruk 

Ghandruk is one of the most popular travel destinations in Nepal for local travelers. That is why this place is full-packed most of the time. It is getting popular among Nepali tourists because now there is a road and people can easily go there. As I mentioned above here Nepali tourists are the worst ever tourists I met during my trekking guide career. 

This place also offers magic mountain vistas, landscapes, and many more. Also, there are Gurung Museums that offer Gurung costumes for visitors to hire to take photos. Not only that those museums are displaying the culture and tradition of the Gurung people. 

Ghandruk is the starting and ending point of the various trekking. Such as Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Khopra Danda Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and many more. Because of the huge number of Nepali travelers and rude Ghandruk Hotel owners many trekking companies not making itineraries to spend overnight there. 

Things to do while doing Poon Hill 

Test the local food. 

You are traveling to Nepal from different countries, and continents, which means you are from different places and grew up in different cultures and traditions. While doing Poon Hill Trek, in this region is living Magar and Gurung people. Gurung and Magar are one of the oldest ethnic groups of people in Nepal. So that they have their own food, culture, costumes, languages, and traditions. 

Food that you should try while doing Ghorepani Trek is called Dhedo. Dhedo will make from flours of corn, buckwheat, and millet. It can be corn, buckwheat, or millet, depending on the region of Nepal. And the second thing you must try while trekking to Poon Hill is Kodo ko Raksi (Local wine from Millet. 

Sunrise or Sunset hike to Poon Hill

Poon Hill is very popular for its sunrise and sunset views, but most people will go for sunrise views. But I suggest that if the weather is clear then good to enjoy the sunset view as well. Because it will be really amazing while sunset on the white giant peaks. The hike to Poon Hill will take around 45 minutes to 60 minutes, all depending on your walking ability. 

Normally people will go for the sunrise view and this, you need to wake up early in the morning. Usually morning time will be a bit cold and chill. Morning time there will be a lot of people. On the other hand, the view of the surrounding will be very clear and you can enjoy the panoramic vistas of the popular mountain peaks. 

Viist Gurung Museum in Ghandruk 

Spending one night in Ghandruk is the best to experience this trek but the biggest problem is the Nepali tourists crowded in there. Nepali travelers will make a loud noise and they don’t respect other people. They only like to enjoy themselves. Nepali tourists are the first ones to make noise in the Himalayas after Indian and Israeli tourists. 

Ghandruk is a beautiful old Gurung village. And also they have the Gurung museums are in there and you can visit one of them. But you have to pay to go there and while visiting there you can rent traditional clothes from the Gurung and Magar people. Taking photos in front of Mt. Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare is also possible there. 

Hike to Gurung Hill 

Gurung hill is in the shadow of Poon Hill because there are not many tourists are going.  It’s near Deurali when trekkers hike from Ghorepani to Tadapani and vice versa. It also offers the best mountain glimpse from there but it’s not as good as Poon Hill. Although this is one of the places to explore while doing the Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek. Very few people will stop at Deurali to visit this place. 

Take a hot bath at Ghinu Hot Spring 

Taking a hot bath in the natural hot spring in Ghinu requires a day more when doing Poon Hill Trek. But taking a day extra is very good because you can enjoy the hot bath on the bank of the Modi Khola. Many trekkers who do Annapurna Base Camp Trek will go to Ghinu for Hot Spring so that if you have a longer time you can extend your travel in the mountain. 

Conclusion 

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of the short, sweet, and easiest treks in Nepal. Although it offers a stunning view of the snowy mountain peaks, dramatic landscapes, and remarkable sunrise and sunset view. Because of this, this trek is one of the most popular short treks in Nepal. The cultural variousness is another reason why people chose this trek because in this region Magar and Gurung people are living. This time I did this trek with an Indonesian family and this was my first family trek. Specifically, trekking with the two-year baby was something new for me. However, I managed it well.