Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Difficulty Of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is categorized as easy to moderate, which means that tourists of all ages, families- especially those with young children, and those with little trekking experience would be able to do this trek.

This walk requires carrying out the trek along steep hills, but the slope is gradual enough to carry out the exercise lightly. Though the walking distance is not very much strenuous, starting from 4 to 7 hours of walking daily, the trek has some stiff inclines in certain areas, especially during the trek to Ghorepani and Poon Hill.

The overall level is more manageable than the more challenging treks, such as the Annapurna Circuit or the Everest Base Camp trek.

Trip Grade: Fitness Level, Medical, And Health

The difficulty level of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is moderate, which is why all participants should be at least in average physical condition. These cardiovascular exercises, leg strength training and practice in walking or jogging can assist you.

If you have certain health conditions, you need to seek the advice of your physician before the trekking exercise. You should also take all required medications and be conscious of your health during the travel.

Altitude Sickness At Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Although trekking up to Poon Hill is relatively at a higher elevation, it is usually not a cause for altitude sickness since the highest altitude reached in the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is 3,210 meters (10,531 feet).

Although it is not very high where most people will suffer from altitude sickness, some measures should be taken. Take time while climbing, always ensure you are well hydrated and do not consume alcohol, especially when climbing.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Experience

The walk will take you through dense rhododendron forests, which are most beautiful in March and April, and Gurung and Magar villages such as ulcers Ghorepani and Ghandruk.

The main attraction of the trek is the view of the morning over the Himalayas from Poon Hill, which includes the series of peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. It also gives the best chance to learn about the culture and customs of the area and its people and feel their incredible hospitality.

Emergency And Evacuation

When the emergency is critical, such as a severe sickness or accident, a helicopter will be used for the evacuation. Travel insurance should include coverage for high-altitude travel and evacuation in emergencies. Evacuations by helicopter, for instance, can be costly; ensure your insurance covers this.

The local guide must have a first aid kit during the tour and is supposed to know the basics; however, you should bring your kit with basic things like painkillers, bandages, and your prescription medicines, if any.

Kit And Equipment for Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Packaging all the right equipment is important to ensure that the trekking is comfortable. This means trekking with solid boots and warm and thick clothes, including a fleece jacket, thermal innerwear, waterproof jacket and trousers, woollen gloves and a cap, and a good backpack.

Some valuable items are a water bottle/hydration system, water purification tablets, a spare headlamp and batteries for the steep descents, sunblock, lip balm with sunblock, sunglasses, a camera, and trekking poles for the steeper sections. Also, carry sleeping bags but get blankets in almost all the tea houses available.

Special Training

There is no essential requirement for any training for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, but doing regular exercises would add even more value to anyone planning the trek. Pump up the heart rates by practising endurance activities such as running, cycling, or swimming. The uphill will be aided through strength training, particularly your leg and core muscles, while the downhill will also require strength.

Best Time for Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

The best time to visit Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek are spring from March to May and autumn from September to November.

During spring, since there will be excellent visibility, the weather is expected to be calm, and the flowers such as Rhododendrons will be in full bloom.

The autumn season provides similar conditions, but after the m, monsoon, the waters are clear, giving a good view of the mountains.

People fond of snow might also visit Ghorepani when it snows heavily in winter.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Weather

Weathers on the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek are different for every season of the year to travel.

The spring and autumn seasons are moderate and suitable, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C. Night is comparatively colder, with temperatures ranging from 0°C  to 10°C, especially in the elevated parts of the region.

During the winter, the temperature increases slightly during the day and can drop to below zero at night. The only disadvantage of hiking in this region is that the monsoon season is precipitated, which may make the trails wet and slippery.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Permits

You need two permits for the Ghorepani Poon Hill region. These are the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card.

ACAP contributes to funding conservation measures in the Annapurna area, while the TIMS card monitors trekkers’ physical conditions. Both permits can be obtained at the respective offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Accommodation And Food During The Trip

Teahouses are basic lodges where food and temporary shelter can be found; they include a bed, blanket and common toilet facilities on the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Some tea houses may also provide hot showers at an extra cost if one needs them.

The food and accommodation is homemade and basic—Dal Bhat, noodles and soups, momos, and pasta are available here. Some foods, such as pancakes, eggs, and porridge, are compared to breakfast. Most tea houses have vegetarian dishes, and other diet restrictions must be informed beforehand.

Electricity, Recharge, and Water During The Trek

You will likely find electricity in most tea houses, although you may be charged a small fee to charge your gadgets. Sometimes, a power failure occurs at night, so one should consider carrying a power bank.

Bottled water is sold along the trail for drinking, but you could also purchase tap water and purify it with purification tablets or a portable purifier. Filtered and boiled water is also sold to the tea houses at a fee.

Roads On The Circuit And How To Avoid Them

There might be sections of roads for jeeps and motorbikes on the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek route, mainly at the beginning and the end of the destination. These sections are usually minimal, and one can always detour by choosing another trail, especially where such access is permitted.

The guide will assist you in these areas and advise which routes to avoid as much road walking as possible. Main hiking trails are off the streets, offering an aesthetic landscape view without much interruption.

Alternative Trekking Routes (If Any)

If you follow the traditional route of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, other routes can be taken, or it can be extended. For instance, once you get to Ghorepani, you can proceed to Tadapani, followed by Ghandruk, a cultural village, before descending back to Nayapul. An even longer option is to continue from ABC to Annapurna Sanctuary, which will take an additional day and take you further into the mountains. These alternatives present different views of the area and are flexible depending on one’s desires and time constraints.

With Himalayan Masters

When you book your trek with Himalayan Masters, you can be assured that everything will be well handled, and you do not have to worry too much. They use qualified and fluent English-speaking guides with adequate information on the area’s customs, geography, and history. Further, all travelling, accommodations, food permits, Ghorepani Itinerary and any other services required will be looked after by him.

Booking/ Airport Pickup

Our website allows clients to book their treks and tours through a simple online booking procedure or by visiting one of the company’s offices in Kathmandu. They also offer airport transfers, which make your arrival and departure easy and convenient.

Support Team

Your trekking support team consists of a licensed guide and porters. The guide’s responsibility is to safeguard your well-being during the hike, interpret the trails, and provide information regarding the customs and geography of the region.

Starting Point/ Ending Point

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek begins and ends in Nayapul. You can be picked up from Pokhara and taken to Nayapul to begin the trek.

A Typical Day On the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

A day’s hiking on the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek involves rising early in the morning and having a big meal early in the morning at the tea house. You will start hiking around 6:00 am to 7:00 am in the forest, through the local villages and terrace farming land. Around noon, there’ll be time for tea, refreshment breaks, and lunch at a local tea house.

The afternoon walk continues into the evening until one arrives at the day’s stop-over point. There, one can wander around the village and have a hot meal. Some time is spent conversing with other trekkers, reading, or playing cards before retiring to a sleeping bag early in preparation for the following day’s journey.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Cost

The cost of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is $500 for one person. This price often includes the cost of permits, guides and porters, lodges and food during the trekking period. Some packages also come with transport to and from the starting point of the destination, although one needs to note what is offered in the package while booking. This cost is reasonable given the experience and services offered.

Insurance for Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

It is advisable to have travel insurance for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Your insurance needs should cater to trekking up to 3,210 meters, including but not limited to emergencies, helicopter evacuation, trip cancellation or interruption insurance. When choosing the insurance policy, check whether the policy is valid during high-altitude treks and if there is a provision for evacuation in an emergency.

Additional Expenses

While the trek cost covers most expenses, additional costs should be considered. You can budget for extra snacks, bottled water, hot showers, Wi-Fi, or charging electronics at the tea houses, as these are usually not included and can cost a few dollars each time. Tips for guides and porters, typically around 10-15% of the trek cost, should also be factored in. Souvenirs like local handicrafts or clothing can also add to your expenses.

ATMs on Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

The only ATMs you will find in the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek are either at Kathmandu or Pokhara. After that, there are no ATMs on the trekking routes. It is best to carry some Nepali Nepali rupees for your extra needs.