Faqs ABC Trek with Poonhill 11 Days

The difficulty level of the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is generally considered easy. The trek involves hiking through varying terrain, including uphill climbs and descents, stone steps, and occasional steep sections. Altitude can also be a factor, reaching up to about 3,210 meters (10,531 feet) at Poon Hill for this trek with proper preparation and pacing, however, it's a rewarding adventure accessible to many hikers. Ghorepani Poonhill Trek is for beginners and fresher to train beforehand other challenging and adventurous trekking trips in Nepal like Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek and Manaslu Circuit Trek.  Actually, beginners first go to Ghorepani-Poonhill to train and to get some basic experiences of hiking and trekking and then only dare to go for other strenuous trekking trips in Nepal. Even the people who are doing Annapurna Base Camp Trek go through Poonhill ahead of ABC Trek. Some people still choose to do Trek to ABC via Jhino Danda directly without ascending Poonhill. However, it is recommended to do Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poonhill. 

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is considered moderately challenging. It involves hiking through diverse terrain, including forests, terraced fields, and high-altitude landscapes. The trek includes steep ascents and descents, as well as sections of rocky and uneven trails. Altitude sickness can be a concern as the trail reaches heights of over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). While it's manageable for those with a moderate level of fitness and trekking experience, proper preparation and acclimatization are essential for a safe and enjoyable journey.

Poon Hill Trek: The Poon Hill trek typically focuses on reaching Poon Hill (3,210 meters), offering panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek: The Annapurna Base Camp trek takes you to the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary, culminating at the base camp (4,130 meters) surrounded by towering peaks.

Comparing Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) treks, Everest Base Camp is generally considered more challenging. The EBC trek involves higher altitudes, reaching over 5,300 meters (17,500 feet), and longer durations of hiking. Additionally, the weather conditions in the Everest region can be more unpredictable, and the trails may be more crowded. Annapurna Base Camp trek, while still moderately challenging, typically involves lower altitudes and shorter hiking days compared to Everest Base Camp. Therefore, in terms of difficulty, Everest Base Camp trek is generally considered harder than Annapurna Base Camp trek.

It takes a week long days for ABC Trek from Kathmandu to Kathmandu and it takes 5 days from Pokhara to Pokhara. First day you will head for Pokhara and then Sinuwa, then Deurali and then to ABC and it takes two more days to walk down back to Pokhara. If you count if from Kathmandu, then , you need to add two more days. So, simply, if you have a week long holiday and looking for a moderate trek in Nepal, you can go for ABC trek with moderate walking hours 5-6 hours in a day. You will be rewarded with magnificent adventurous walks and with magnificent mountain panoramas. The ABC Trek doesn’t require any kind of acclimatization days in its itinerary since you are ascending only up to maximum 4200m. 

You can even hike Poonhill in a single day from Pokhara but this is not a good idea. You at least require two days to hike Poonhill via Ulleri, Banthanti and Ghorepani. But if you are looking for the timing to climb or hike only Poonhill, the very point of viewpoint, then, you can hike to the top of the Poonhill from Ghorepani in 45 minutes.

If you begin your Poonhill Hike from Kathmandu, you can complete in 4-5 days and if you begin it from Pokhara you can do it in 2-3 days and you can hike to Poonhill from Ghorepani in only 45 minutes too. You need to get up early in the morning before the sun rises and hike to Poonhill with torchlight and trekking poles. As the sun rises, the mountains like Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna, Himal Chuli, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal are found dazzling and it will be mesmerizing to campture the breathtaking scenes at this moment.

No, it is not difficult Trek, rather, Poonhill trek is an easy hiking/ trekking taking you up to the top of the Poonhill which is 3200m. Poonhill Trek is for the beginners to collect some experiences and skills of trekking/hiking so that the skills and experiences will be as asset for other moderate and challenging trekking trips wherever you do. So, if you are a beginner and you want an easy and refreshing walk near Pokhara through deep woods and witness mesmerizing Annapurna Himalayan ranges, you can go with Poonhill Trek. This is a rewarding easy trek for those who are looking forward to spend a couple of days in the mountains of Nepal.

No, ABC Trek is not hard, rather, it is moderate and sometimes, it is taken as an easy trekking trip in Annapurna region of Nepal. Even, the beginners do this trek successfully spending a week long days. Even though you are beginners and you have the confident and stamina of walking 6-7 hours a day, you can easily does ABC trek. 

The ABC trekking itinerary needn’t any spare days or rest days for acclimatization on the trail. Going up to 4200m that is ABC is not challenging and risky/hard. Majority of beginners do this trek and celebrate astonishing walks through Annapurna Conservation Area and mountain views like massif Annapurna and Machhapuchhre. 

Yes, even the beginners can do ABC (4160m) Trek but one needs to be physically fit. Actually, majority of the beginners do ABC trek and they are successful too. On the way to ABC, they may have some minor issues like dizziness and minor headache. Otherwise, there will be no any kind of serious issues with the beginners if they are doing this trek with a good level of preparations and right trekking equipment.

If the beginners are thinking of doing ABC trek, then, they need to do some regular exercise like daily jogging, gyms, aerobics and short hikes with up and downs climbing minimum 3000m above the sea level with working hours 5 min daily beforehand the trek. You can also search for the right weather in Nepal, Nepal Travel info, altitude sickness and also ask with the people who have already made this trip ABC trek successful. If you can get the authentic information with the people who have already done this trek before, that will be the best asset for you for the preparation for your ABC trek in Nepal. 

Poon Hill Trek is graded as easy trekking trip in Nepal in Annapurna region taking you to the highest elevation 3210m above the sea level that is Poon Hill through Ghorepani village (2800m). You begin this trek from Kathmandu(1400m) and switch your trip to Pokhara( 900m) and then climb Ulleri and Banthanti( 2100m) and then finally to Poon Hill through Ghorepani. So, climbing up to 3500m above the sea level is considered to be as easy trek. So, Poon hill trek is an easy hike/ trek into the heart of Annapurna Himalayas located in Annapurna Conservation Area, the largest protected area of the world.

Actually, Poon hill trek is an easy trek in Annapurna region in the sense that there is no such steep climb with any slippery and rocky trail on the way to Poonhill and back to Pokhara. And, nowadays, you can get Poonhill Jeep Ride up to Ulleri and Banthanti and directly to Pokhara from   Ghndruk. Even the beginners, children above the age of 9 and the elderly people can do Poon Hill Trek with the average working hours 4 in a day. 

ABC Trek is a moderate hike up to the highest elevation 4160m that is Annapurna base camp through MBC that is 3700m high above the sea level. In the beginning, the steep climb of Jhino Danda (1750m) to Chhomrong village is a bit tough for the beginners or for any kind of trekkers, otherwise, there is no such kind of technical steep hill to climb and you don’t require any kind of technical skills of climbing and trekking on the trip. The more you climb, the more comfortable you feel during your ABC trek. However, you feel somehow tough and difficult while approaching to Annapurna Base Camp from Machhapuchhre Base Camp.

If you prepare well with all kind of trainings like hiking, joggings, aerobics, cardio and other up and owns walks with your backpack, though you are a beginner, you can successfully accomplish your abc trek. ABC trek is a moderate hike and sometimes, it is considered as an easy trek too. So, the trekkers who are fit and fine physically and prepared all required trekking equipment, can comfortably triumph over their ABC trek with marvelous views of Mt. Annapurna and Machhapuchhre. 

ABC trek from Pokhara is 5 days. To walk up to ABC, it takes 3 days and to walk down, it takes 2 days and you can use Annapurna Base Camp Jeep ride from Jhino Danda to and from Pokhara. So, if you have got 5 days’ time frame and you are in Pokhara, you can enjoy your ABC trek.

So, the ABC Trek from Pokhara to Pokhara  Itinerary is like this:

Day 1: Jeep Drive to Jhinu Danda and then trek to Sinuwa (2340 m | 7,677 ft.), 6 hours.

Day 2: Trek to Deurali 3, 230 m / 10597 feet-04 hrs

Day 3: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m via Machhapuchare Base Camp 3,720 m -06 hrs.


Day 4: Trek back to Bamboo 2300 m | 7,677 ft. m - 06 hrs.


Day 5: Trek to Jhinu-Danda 1, 750 m - 06 hrs and drive back to Pokhara

Annapurna Base Camp from Pokhara to Pokhara is 5 days trip and from Kathmandu to Kathmandu is 7 days or 8 days Trip. If you are planning to begin your ABC Trek in Nepal from Kathmandu, it, at least, takes 7 days or a week long time for Annapurna Base Camp. If you want to have an extra day for Pokhara city to explore Davis Fall, Gupteswor Mahadev Cave, Phewa Lake, World Peace Stupa and Pumdikot Shiva Statue, you require 8 days for ABC Trek with Pokhara city tour. 

To ascend Annapurna Base Camp (4160m) via Jhino Danda, Chhomrong, Sinuwa , Bamboo, Himalaya, Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp, it takes 3 complete days and to walk down to Hot Spring, Jhino Danda, it takes 2 complete days. And 1 full day is required for Pokhara exploration with Phewa Lake boating. 

And 2 more days for transferring to Pokhara from Kathmandu and back. So, if you are really planning or thinking of doing ABC Trek, you have to allocate at least 7 or 8 days. But, if you are doing ABC Trek via Poonhill, it takes at least 11 days to complete ABC. Actually, it’s better to go Annapurna Base Camp via Poonhill as you can acclimatize by ascending Poonhill before you walk to ABC. 

Annapurna Base Camp from Pokhara to Pokhara is 5 days trip and from Kathmandu to Kathmandu is 7 days or 8 days Trip. If you are planning to begin your ABC Trek in Nepal from Kathmandu, it, at least, takes 7 days or a week long time for Annapurna Base Camp. If you want to have an extra day for Pokhara city to explore Davis Fall, Gupteswor Mahadev Cave, Phewa Lake, World Peace Stupa and Pumdikot Shiva Statue, you require 8 days for ABC Trek with Pokhara city tour.

To ascend Annapurna Base Camp (4160m) via Jhino Danda, Chhomrong, Sinuwa , Bamboo, Himalaya, Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp, it takes 3 complete days and to walk down to Hot Spring, Jhino Danda, it takes 2 complete days. And 1 full day is required for Pokhara exploration with Phewa Lake boating.
And 2 more days for transferring to Pokhara from Kathmandu and back. So, if you are really planning or thinking of doing ABC Trek, you have to allocate at least 7 or 8 days. But, if you are doing ABC Trek via Poonhill, it takes at least 11 days to complete ABC. Actually, it’s better to go Annapurna Base Camp via Poonhill as you can acclimatize by ascending Poonhill before you walk to ABC.

One needs to have at least one week time for Annapurna Base Camp from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. If you are planning it from Pokhara, then, you can complete it in 5 days. 3 days are for ascending to Annapurna Base Camp and 2 days for descending to Jhino Danda and back to Pokhara.

The first day will be for driving or flying to Pokhara and rest of the three days will be for ascending to Annapurna Base Camp (4160m) and 2 days for walking back to Jhino Danda and get back to Pokhara. And the sixth day will be to return back to Kathmandu and the last one will be for departure homewards.
These 7 days will be used like this and you can a beautiful experience of Annapurna Base Camp Trek with 7 days. Actually, there is no need of acclimatization day for Annapurna Base Camp (4160m) as the trekkers are not going to above 4500m from the sea level. However, some people really like to stay one extra night to enjoy the starry night with astonishing mountain views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre at Annapurna Base Camp.

One can find both land and air transportation to go to Pokhara  from Kathmandu and get back to Kathmandu from Pokhara. But, while beginning the Annapurna Base Camp Trek from Jhino Danda, you need to go with Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Drive to hot spring located at Jhino Danda. Or, if you are going to Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poonhill, you can go with Poonhill Jeep ride to Ulleri and Banthanti via Nayapool and Birethanti.
One can get sharing or private jeep for Jhino Danda from Pokhara. Also, the trekkers can use public bus drive to get Jhino Danda from Pokhara. It takes 3 hours to get Jhino Danda from Pokhara by jeep drive. The bus drive may take longer hours like 4-5 hours to go to Jhino Danda from Pokhara.
If you are trekking to ABC via Poonhill, you don’t have any other options except four-wheel jeep ride to Ulleir/Banthanti from Pokhara. No public buses and no private car go to Ulleir/ Banthanti from Pokhara.

TIMS Card ( Trekking Information Management System Card) and Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit are the two mandatory trekking permits for Annapurna Base Camp. The trekkers can get these Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits through their trekking partner located in Nepal. Once you provide the scanned copy of your passport and passport sized photographs, they will get it for you beforehand the trek begins. If you are planning your Base Camp Annapurna independently, you can apply the trekking permits online or you can directly visit the office of Nepal Tourist Boar located in Bhrikutimandap Kathmandu. Within half an hour, you will be able to get these two types trekking permits for ABC Trek, TIMS Card and ACAP. For this, one should at least arrive a day earlier in Kathmandu and proceed for it. The best way of getting trekking permits for trek to ABC is through the trekking agent you are using for your trip to Annapurna.

It is very difficult to decide/fic the exact cost to go to Annapurna Base Camp. However, the re a few indicators which can help you predict or foretell the cost of Annapurna Base Camp Trek. These bases are: the cost of trekking permits, cost of food and accommodation, cost of transportation, cost of guide and porter and extras like tipping and the cost of getting trekking equipment.

The cost of Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit (Rs. 3000 per person), TIMS Card (Rs. 1000), One item of food cost ranges between Rs. 200-1000, one-night accommodation cost ranges between Rs 500-1000, the bus ticket from Kathmandu to Pokhara costs Rs. 1500 one way and the flight cost from Kathmandu to Pokhara costs USD 80, Guide costs Rs. 3000-4000 and porter costs 2000-3000 per day and the cost depends on you what kind of trekking equipment checklist you get for your Annapurna Base Camp Trek. And, the final cost will be for the extras like tipping and the cost you allocate for drinks and others.

So here , calculating all these above costs, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek costs ranges between USD 569 per person for an ordinary trek, if you go with flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back and go with luxury  ABC trek , then the cost will go higher like, it ranges between USD 600-800 from Kathmandu to Kathmandu.

Yes, the people who really love winter adventures will enjoy Annapurna Base Camp Trek even in winter season, in the months of Dec, Jan and Feb. They find the trail very exciting with a lot of fresh snow. The trekkers who are heading to Annapurna Base Camp Trek can play with amazing snow and can experience distinct kind of thrills of adventure while trekking to ABC in winter months. 

Even though the ABC Trekking Trail is covered with freshly fallen snow during winter months, it is safe to trek to ABC and back to Jhino Danda. If you dare to do Annapurna Base Camp Trek in winter, you will know the secret mystery of Annapurna trekking in winter months which can never be gained in other months of the year like in June, July, Aug and Sept, even not in Oct and Nov. It is absolutely incredible to be into the wild nature with all round snow and snow-fed mountains including alluring Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South. 

Therefore, people also love doing ABC Trek in winter, in the months of Dec, Jan and Feb though Autumn, the months of Sep, Oct and Nov are the best months of the year for Annapurna Trekking in Nepal. 

Go with a group or join in a group and accompany with very professional and experienced trekking crew while doing ABC Trek in winter so that you can have safer and more exciting Annapurna trek. 

The best time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek is Autumn months, the months of Sep, Oct and Nov. These months of the year are the most favorable timing of the year as they provide the most rewarding atmosphere, climate and mountain views to the trekkers. The temperature is finest of the year in Autumn months, mountain views including Machhapuchhre and  entire Annapurna range are simply breathtaking, no rainfall and no snowfall in the mountain and most importantly, the major festivities like Dashain and Tihar make the Annapurna trip more fascinating and exciting. 

However, majority of people go with Spring time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Since springtime brings more fascinating flowering and non-flowering plants including astonishing rhododendron and others, no rainfall at all ( very rarely) no snowfall at all and no any other natural disturbances and interruptions during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and helps the trekkers accomplish this moderate adventure trekking to Annaurna Base Camp successfully. The breathtaking views of fully flowering rhododendron, melodious natural waterfalls and fabulous mountain views will fascinate thousands of trekkers onto the ABT Trekking Trail. 

Actually, the real Annapurna Base Camp Trek is via Poonhill. There are two reasons why Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poonhill. 

Proper Acclimatization

Before one heads for Annapurna Base Camp(4160m), if the trekkers ascend Poonhill (3210m) via Ghorepani village (2880m), it will work as acclimatization for your body. You can taste your stamina if you can go to Annapurna Base Camp by climbing Poon Hill beforehand and you can practice the hiking at least for two days: Ulleri to Ghorepani and Ghorepani to Tadapani via Poonhill before heading to Sinuwa via Chhomrong. 

Most importantly, if you are fresher or a beginner and planning your Annapurna Base Camp, the best way to get ABC will be via Poonhill as you can be familiar with trekking trails and test your confidence level . You are well set to go ABC after you walk for two days beforehand heading to ABC. Majority of the people do like this and they can easily conquer over Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poonhill. 

Better and Wider  Mountain Views

Actually, Poonhill (3210m) is considered to be the finest viewpoint to witness Annapurna massif, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Lamjung Himal and many other alluring snow-fed summits which you cannot see from Annapurna Base Camp (4160m). What people see from Annapurna Base Camp are: Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. So, majority of people who have been to both destinations: Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp prefer Poon Hill for more spectacular mountain views and stunning sunrise. Therefore, one who is going ABC from Pokhar should not miss Poon Hill as it will offer you a distinct taste of trekking/hiking with some really memorable moments. 

No Dhaulagiri and Manaslu mountains can be seen from Annapurna Base Camp but it is possible from Poonhill. Poonhill offers better and wider mountain views and sunrise/sunset views than Annapurna Base Camp. 

Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill is at least 11 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. If you count the ABC Trek via Poonhill trekking days from Pokhara, it will be 9 days. 

It takes two days to go Pokhara and come back to Kathmandu. 2 more days will be spent to ascend Poon Hill from Pokhara . 

To ascend ABC from Poonhill, it takes 4 days via Tadapani and Sinuwa. Final two days are spend to walk down to Jhino Danda where natural hot springs are located at the bank of Modi River. 

And the final one day is to drive back to Pokhara from Jhino Danda  wit half day Pokhara exploration before driving or flying back to Kathmandu. 

So, 11 days are enough and flexible time frame for ABC Trek via Poonhill in Nepal and you are suggested plan accordingly. 

If you want to spend 1-2 spare days in Pokhara and in Kathmandu, plan accordingly. 

The month of October is the best month for ABC Trek. The month October is the finest time of Autumn season and the best among all months of the year. 

Actually there are three months in Autumn season: Sep, Oct and November an among these,  the month of Oct is the best as there is no snow and no rain. Trekkers can have the best experience of ABC Trek with marvelous snow-fed mountains including Machhapuchhre and Annapurna. 

Sep and November are still good for ABC Trek but not like Oct. Also, the month April will be the second finest choice of the people who are trekking to ABC. The month April falls in Spring season and the other months of spring season are March and May. 

The month April is he best among the Spring months as one can witness a marvelous rhododendron flowering covering the entire Annapurna Hills and can enjoy magnificently astonishing mountain panoramas with clear blue deep sky with no rain and no snow in the mountains of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna. 

Therefore, it is suggested to choose the month of October or the month of April for your ABC Trek. 

It takes total 11 days to go ABC via Poon Hill from Kathmandu and it takes 8 days to ABC via Poon Hill from Pokhara. Actually, it takes 7 days, it means a week to go ABC directly from Kathmandu and you need extra 3-4 days if you go Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill. 

 It’s better to go ABC via Poon Hill as you can acclimatize ascending Poon Hill ( 3210m) before heading to ABC (4160m) and one can see better mountain views from Poon Hill that from ABC. 

Yes, you can trek to Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill. This route incorporates the aesthetic beauty of the Ghorepani-Poon Hill Trekking trail with the main ABC Trekking trail. Generally, trekkers begin from Nayapul, climb up to Ghorepani via Ulleri and Banthanti, and enjoy a breathtaking sunrise at Poon Hill (3,210 meters). 

From Poon Hill, they then descend to Tadapani, joining the ABC trail, and further ascend toward Chhomrong, Sinuwa, and finally reach Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 meters. This extended route adds extra days but offers breathtaking views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machapuchare peaks, making the journey more rewarding, adventurous and diverse.

Poon Hill with Annapurna Base Camp would be a far better option for trekkers seeking a more thrilling and variant experience. Basically, the view of sunrise seen from Poon Hill is famous panoramically to see Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machapuchare at 3,210 meters above sea level.

The route ABC via Poon Hill also allows gradual acclimatization for trekkers, therefore reducing risks associated with altitude sickness. This route, although longer by 2-3 days or so, knits together the best of the two treks: both the beauty of Ghorepani and the adventure of ABC. If you've got the time, extra effort will be paid back by unforgettable scenery.

The trek to ABC via Poon Hill usually takes 9-12 days, depending on your speed and the starting point. Normally, the itinerary is as follows:

Nayapul to Ulleri/Ghorepani (Day 1–2)

Poon Hill sunrise and down to Tadapani (Day 3)

Join the ABC trail via Chhomrong, Sinuwa, and Deurali (Day 4–7)

Reach ABC and back to Nayapul (Day 8–12).

It includes all extended routes for gentle acclimatization and views. Additional days may be used for rest, acclimatization, or weather delay.

Basically, the choice between ABC and Poon Hill depends on your preference and time framing. Poon Hill (3,210 meters) is a relatively short trek of 4–5 days that allows one to enjoy a dramatic sunrise view of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Machapuchare. This trek is ideal for both first-timers and those on short visits.

Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 meters) is a longer, more challenging trek (7–12 days) than Poon Hill into the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary . It gives close-up views of Annapurna I, Machapuchare, and Hiunchuli from ABC If you want a short and easy trek, choose Poon Hill; for adventure and stunning landscapes with longer trekking days go with ABC.