With hundreds of thousands visitors per year, Poonhill trek has become a sensation for the local as well as foreigners. And no wonder, the scenery from atop Poonhill is regarded as one of the best one people will ever see in their lifetime. The panoramic view of the western Himalayas in the grandeur sunrise makes this trip one of the best one you will ever take.

Poonhill (3,210m) lies in the Annapurna region and on the way to Annapurna Base camp and Annapurna circuit. With the view of the mountains like Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Macchapuchhre (6,993m), Mt. Ganesh and Annapurna ranges Poonhill trek has become one of the most sought destinations in the western Trekking area.

We start off our journey by driving to Pokhara. From there it’s another short drive to Nayapul from where we will trek to Tikhedhunga and then to Ghorepani (2,855m). The best of the trek to Poonhill can be seen during the sunrise when the sunray reflects upon the magnificent ice giants such that the entire mountain looks golden. So, we hike early morning to Poonhill from Ghorepani and return back.

By taking on this trek, Volunteer’s Initiative Nepal will be contributing the portion of your expense to the people who are socially and economically backward. This is done by providing them the necessary infrastructure to sustain their life like food, clothes and education. So, this is not only the trek to enjoy the tranquility of nature but towards a socially responsible tourism and a responsible person at that.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

Poonhill trek has become one of the happening treks in the Annapurna regions. For those who don’t want to take on long and arduous trek and yet want to see the scenic mountain ranges afar, this is the perfect trek for you all. The easy walk through the rural villages, Rhododendron forests and the hills has never been so satisfying. As such, this is a nice choice if you want to spend some time with nature along with your friends and family within few days.

Throughout this trek, trekkers will see the enchanting mountains, the wilderness of the green hills, the lush Rhododendron woods and the jaw dropping Himalayas all of which is enough to make anyone fall in love with this place. Regarded as the most famous trek in Annapurna region this journey shows for the picturesque view of the surrounding mountains which serves as a backdrop to the scenic hills and the ethic villages. Trekkers can stop along the villages and interact with the friendly villagers and experience their lifestyle and culture. This blend of culture along with the tranquility of the nature makes and this one of the best experience of your lifetime. As we head back we can even enjoy the splendid waterfalls and the rural mountainside.

Side attraction includes the sightseeing of the cultural hub of Kathmandu– the capital city of Nepal. Visitors can enjoy the religious temples and other monuments in the Valley that are also the part of the World heritage. Similarly, with the time they have, it is possible to experience the nightlife of the Pokhara – the tourist hotspot of Nepal.

The best time to visit this trek will be spring (March – May) and August (November – December). During this time the sky is clear and you can view the mountains at its mightiest. However, the trekking is possible all year round but the weather may prove to be a hindrance to the scene. During the rainy season, we may not be able to see the mountains due to cloud; the path becomes slippery and dangerous at times. During winter, the cold will hit you hard and it becomes difficult to carry on the journey with the harsh climate.

This short trek is not demanding and can be easily taken by the novice trekkers. The highest point is the Poonhill itself and there is only a slight chance that trekkers won’t be able to complete it, likely due to lack of stamina or physical fitness.

Volunteer’s Initiative Nepal is a social organization. The main objective of VIN is towards the sustainable development of the marginalized people. As such it channels some portion of the fund that you will expend during this trek. That means, with every penny you spend on Poonhill trek, certain proportion will be given to the marginalized community of Nepal. These are the people who don’t have access to fundamental facilities that people need- like food, education, employment. So, VIN will channelize the fund and provide a better life to these people by providing the things they need. Having said that VIN is just a channel, the trekkers are the one who will be the reason someone’s life will become better.

Highlights

Trek to the world-famous place in Nepal and world
One of the most popular trekking destinations globally.
Winters are extremely cold and harsh, making trekking challenging.
Witness lush meadows, thick rhododendron forests, and vibrant valleys.
Immerse yourself in natural beauty, culture, and unique traditions.

Day 1 :

Arrival in Kathmandu

You will arrive in the capital city via Tribhuvan International Airport from where you will be transferred to your hotel. Rest for a while and you will be briefed about the trek. Taking into consideration the time of your flight and arrival, you can spend the remainder of the evening strolling around the city. You can also visit Thamel for the eccentric nightlife, considered one of the best in the country. This is a good chance to taste the authentic Nepalese cuisine and enjoy the lifestyle of the country.

Day 2 :

Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Before the trek, we will take this day to enjoy the beauty the capital city holds. After the lunch you will be guided to some of the most popular monuments and temples inside the valley. Some of them include Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath and Swoyambhunath. Pashupatinath is the holiest and the most sacred of the Hindu temple while the latter two represents the Buddhist religion. We will also visit the durbar square- the palace of the ancient kings which has now become the remnants of the past. Reaching the hotel in the evening, it’s time to check the equipment’s for the trek and take a well-deserved sleep before the trek.

Day 3 :

Kathmandu – Pokhara

Early morning breakfast and we drive to Pokhara. This is a long drive to Pokhara but you will enjoy the view of the hills and rivers. Occassionally, we will stop at various small towns in the highway. Depending on the traffic, we will reach Pokhara latest by 3pm which gives us some time to visit the serene Fewa lake and enjoy the beauty of Pokhara. There are various pubs and bars with live music that you can visit. Overnight at the hotel. 7 hours of drive.

Day 4 :

Pokhara – Tikhedunga (1,541m)

We will take a short drive to Nayapul from where we will start our trek. Initially, we will walk up the gravel road. There are many small villages we will pass on the way. We can see the mountains in the distance as we trek through the diverse landscapes including grasslands and sub-tropical forests. Reaching Tikhedunga we will stay overnight at a lodge. 1 hour of drive. 4 hours of walk. BLD included.

Day 5 :

Tikhedhunga – Ghorepani (2,860m)

Our trek continues by walking up the hills. We will come across long arduous staircases taking us to the villag of Ulleri (2,070m). This is our lunch spot after which we will ascend and trek through the Rhododendron forest and reach to Ghorepani. This will be the most difficult day in our journey as we have to walk a lot that tastes our stamina. However, the view of the mountains and hills from Ghorepani will relieve you of all the stress. 7 hours of walk. BLD included.

Day 6 :

Ghorepani – Tadapani (2,630m)

The day has come to witness the beauty of the nature from the Poonhill. We wake up much before the sunrise and trek uphill to Poonhill before the sun rays hits the earth. With the sunlight looming from the horizon we can witness the mystic peaks including the 5 ranges of Annapurna, Mt. Manaslu (8,156m), Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Macchapucchre (6,993m) reflecting the sunlight. We can also view Mustang and Pokhara at a distance. These fleeting moments can be experienced in awe and deserves some great pictures. We enjoy the 360-degree view of the mountains. After we finished appraising the beauty that nature has endowed us with we climb down to Ghorepani. We take our breakfast and continue down to our stop for the day- Tadapani. We descend through the thick Rhododenron forest alongside the river and waterfalls and reach Tadapani where we stay for the night. 7 hours of walk. BLD included.

Day 7 :

Tadapani – Ghandruk (2,860m)

After our breakfast, we will descend through the forests and enjoy the mesmerizing sound of the birds chirping. There are Rhododendron and cherry blossoms in the area which makes the forest bloom with its awe inspiring beauty. After a slight ascend we reach Gurung village of Ghandruk from where we can see the beautiful Annapurna Massif and Macchapucchre. We can even meet with other tourists and affiliate with the local people and enjoy their unique lifestyle and culture. 4 hours of walk. BLD included.

Day 08 :

Ghandruk – Pokhara

Leaving the village of Ghandruk we will trek down to Birethanti. Through the staircases and terrace farming and the villages we will walk until we reach the Modi Khola river valley in Nayapul where we end our trek. From here, we will drive back to Pokhara. We will stay overnight at the hotel and enjoy the nightlife of Pokhara and well deserved rest. 4 hours of trek. 2 hours of drive.

Day 09 :

Pokhara – Kathmandu

After the breakfast, we will leave for Kathmandu through the same green hills and rivers that we can through our windows. We will stop along various stops for lunch and toilet break. At evening, we will reach Kathmandu. You can either stroll around the city or buy the souvenirs to take back home or get a long sleep. 8 hours of drive.

Day 10 :

departure

The trek has come to an end. Depending on the time of your flight back home, you will be transferred to the Tribuvan International Airport.