3 days Poonhill Trek

You don’t actually need sleeping bag for Poon Hill Trek since it is not too cold even in the peak of the winter (Dec-Jan) and the local lodge provides you double pieces of warm blanket. The blanket or quilt you get for overnight sleep will perfectly sufficient to warm up your body at maximum 3200m high above the sea level.

However, those who don’t want to avoid using the blankets provided by local lodges during their Poon Hill Trek, they carry their own sleeping bag. So, you can also carry your own sleeping bag if you want to do so but it is not required if you are worrying about the cold and the dropping temperature at nighttime. You can do your Poonhill Trek without sleeping bag.

Yes, definitely, you can do Poon Hill in 3 days. Arrival in Pokhara or Kathmandu will be the 1st day and hike up to Poonhill via Ghorepani will be the 2nd day and you can walk down to Pokhara on the 3rd day. If you include the arrival and departure from Kathmandu, it takes 5 days to do Poon Hill Trek. So, if you have minimum 5 days’ time frame, you can accomplish your Poon Hill trek in a beautiful and exciting way.

If you want to combine your Poon Hill Trek with Annapurna Base Camp, then, it takes 8 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. If you are a beginner, you can only go with Poon Hill Trek and if you are looking for moderate trekking, you can further go with ABC with Poonhill Trek.

It actually requires 5 days to do Poonhill Trek from Kathmandu to Kathmandu including the days arrival and departure. But if you count the days from Pokhara to Pokhara, then, Poonhill Trek also can be done in 3 days. So, people who have three days for the actually hiking up to Poonhill excluding the days of arrival and departure, you still can do it in a very enjoyable way.

The itinerary of 5 days Poonhill trek is like this:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 02: Drive or Fly to Pokhara

Day 03 : Hike up to Ghorepani

Day 04 : Hike up to Poonhill trek back to Pokhara with a jeep drive

Day 05: Drive or fly to Pokhara early in the morning and departure in the evening.

If you want to count the days from Pokhara to Pokhara, then, the itinerary will be like this:

Day 01 : Hike up to Ghorepani

Day 02 : Hike up to Poonhill trek back to Pokhara with a jeep drive

Day 03: Drive or fly to Pokhara early in the morning and departure in the evening.

If you are in India and planning your Poonhill trek in Nepal, you can complete it in even 3 days. 

Your 3 days Poonhill trek Itinerary will be like this: The first day, you will hike up to Ghorepani from Ulleri. Till Ulleri village, you will drive by sharing jeep from Pokhara. And on the second day, you will hike up to Poonhill and trek back to Ulleri or Banthanti and take another jeep ride for Pokhara. And finally on the third day, you will take a quick drive or flight to Kathmandu and make your departure to workwards or homewards. This is ho you spend you 3 days in Poonhill trek in Nepal. Actually, Asian travelers like Indian, Chinese, Japanese and other national who are residing or working nearby Nepal can follow this 3 days Poonhill Trek Itinerary. 

The best three day trek in Nepal is Poonhill Trek. It is because, you can celebrate probably the most marvelous Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre views with giant Manaslu and Ganesh Himal within 3 days as an easy trek in Nepal. Even the beginners and the people of old age can do this trek very comfortably.

2 days hiking through deep woods of Annapurna Conservation Area, enjoying cool natural water falls, marvelous landscapes, stunning sunrise and mountain views from Poonhill (3210m) and Ghorepani village(2800m) will be very astonishing moments for you to celebrate your holidays in Nepal. AT the same time, you can stop exploring Pokhara city and its surrounding with massive Phewa Lake. 

The shortest time to do Poonhill Trek is 3 days from Pokhara to Pokhara. If you want to do it from Kathmandu, then, it takes at least 5 days to go Poonhill and come back to Kathmandu. 3 days Poonhill Trek is possible from Pokhara to Pokhara. So, you need to count the days from Pokhara to Pokhara as three days. 

Even some people can do Poonhill Trek in 2 days from Pokhara to Pokhara. They do like this: They drive to Ulleri and Banthanti by jeep and walk to Ghorepani on the same day and hike to Poonhill early in the next morning and walk down to Ulleri/ Banthani and drive back to Pokhara. This 2 days Poonhill Trek from Pokhara to Pokhara can be done if you are with very tight schedule and confident to do it. 

Poonhill is the highest point of Poonhill Trek and it is located at an elevation of 3200m. Some people mention the height of Poonhill as 3210m as well. Both are similar and Poonhill is located above 3200m from the sea level. Poonhill offers the most spectacular mountain views including whole Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Himal Chuli, Ganesh Himal and Manaslu. Even, people do meditation and yoga at the top of Poonhill directly facing towards Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre mountains either in the early morning or in the evening. 

Poonhill ( 3200m) is the highest point of Poon Hill Trek. Ghorepani (2800m) is the second highest point for Poon Hill Trek. Ghorepani Village is known as the base camp of Poonhill where you can stay overnight and there are no lodges and hotels at the top of Poonhill. But, you can have an instant tea and coffee at the top of the Poonhill. 

Yes, Poonhill Trek is for the beginners before going for other moderate and challenging trekking trips. Ascending up to 3200m is an easy trekking trip and Poonhill Trek is an easy trek in Nepal in Annapurna for beginners. If you are completely raw and freshly beginner, you can do Poonhill Trek which will rewards you with all spectacular mountain views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Ganesh Himal and Manaslu. 

Yes, it would be a great idea to combine Poonhill Trek with Annapurna Base Camp Trek. What you can see from Annapruna Base Camp cannot be seen from Poonhill and what you can see from Poonhill cannot be seen from Annapurna Base Camp. So, you will have a very distinct experience while combining Poonhill with Annapurna Base Camp Trek. You can also test yourself by ascending Poonhill before going to Annapurna Base Camp which is above 4000m. 

Total of approx. 34 km / 22 miles from Hille to Ghorepani and towards Ghandruk village. Although a short distance walks of 4 days treks covering 34 km, but due to steep uphill and downhill makes the treks longer. But, these days, the Poonhill Jeep ride will take you up to Ulleri or Banthanti directly. So, that total distance you walk from Banthanti-Ghorepani and Poonhill-Ghandruk is around 15 kms. 

This distance is not from Pokhara and even not from Nayapool and Birethanti. The distance 15 kms is from Ulleri/Banthanti to Ghandruk. From Ghandruk, again you will take jeep ride back to Pokhara via Nayapool and Birethanti. 

The foods on every meals like breakfast, lunch and dinner are amazingly of best quality, prepared with care and hygienic. All lodge restaurants serves as per the food menu wise on La Carte basis or Set meals of Nepali Dal Bhat (boiled / steamed rice with lentil soup and mild vegetable curry served with pickles).

The foods on the menu includes from Continental, Chinese, Indian to Nepali, some restaurants on treks also provides bakery items as well.

Most popular is Nepali Dal / Bhat, noodle soup or fried noodle with veg and eggs or meats, Mo-Mo dumpling stuffed with meats or vegetable is also popular dishes found on the treks.  

All the food items and the costs are mentioned in the menu owned by local lodge/guesthouses and you can go with any food you want. Even, the vegetarian can get sufficient options to dine at the local guesthouses on the trail. No worries for vegans, still you can enjoy the trek. 

Poonhill and Ghorepani are 3210m and 2830m high respectively. The trail you follow is via Nayapool, Birethanti, Ulleri, Banthanti and Nangethanti to Lower Ghorepani. So ,the elevation ranges between 860m Pokhara to 3210m Poonhill in average. Ghandruk is 1900m high above the sea level.

It is very important and necessary that all trekkers requires Travel and Medical Insurance and it is mandatory too. Which should be purchased after or before booking the respective trekking programs with Haven Holidays Nepal. The insurance should be made in your own home countries, which is much easier than in Nepal.

The travel and medical insurance should cover all needful transportation required on emergency evacuation by any means of transportation and using helicopter service. As well all medical expenses, if the trip is delayed and get cancelled due to political disturbance and strikes. As well if the trek needs to be rerouted to other areas in some cases due to bad weather and road conditions. 

Actually, it takes 4-5  days to hike Poonhill from Kathmandu and it takes 3-4 days to hike Poonhill from Pokhara. However, these days, people can hike to Poonhill within 2 days from Pokhara to Pokhara because the Poonhill-Jeep Ride takes you directly to Ulleri or Banthanti and then you can hike to Ghorepani and Poonhill.

You will drive/fly to Pokhara  from Kathmandu, then drive to Ulleri and Banthanti. You can take the trek on the same day to Ghorepani spending 4 hours or stay at Bnathanti. The next day, you will trek to Ghorepani and the third day ,you will hike to Poonhill and trek back to Ulleri or Banthanti and then drive to Pokhara directly. Or, if you want to go to Ghandruk from Ghorepani, then you have spend one day at Tadapani and then to Ghandruk. So, you can do Ghorepani Poonhill Hike and Ghandruk in 3 days. But if you want to hike Poonhill from Pokhara, then, you can do in 2 or 3 days as well.  

The Poonhill Trek difficulty level is graded as easy trek in Annapurna region of Nepal. Since the Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek takes you only up to 3210m above the sea level with no steep and technical trekking trails, it is graded as an easy trek for the beginners. Those who are beginners for trekking and learn and earn some skills and stamina for other moderate and strenuous trekking, can go with Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek.

People planning their Manaslu Circuit Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek do Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek for earning stamina and skills of trekking with their backpack. But, it doesn’t mean that it is worthless to do; the Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek rewards with magnificent highlights of Nepali country lifestyle, foods and accommodation, the charm of deep woods, fresh air and natural waterfalls and most importantly, the breathtaking mountain panoramas including the Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. So, the trekkers who are doing Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek will be rewarded with marvelous experiences.

Actually, it doesn’t cost much money to do Poon Hill Trek, it only costs USD 400-500 to do the Poon Hill Trek in Nepal. However, it depends on the things and services you want to include in the cost you pay.

This USD 400-500 includes the normal hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara  for two nights each, all accommodation during the trekking days in the mountain,  tourist bus ticket  to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu, Breakfast all round the trip, guide cost, guide foods and accommodation costs, all ground pick ups and drops cost and required trekking permits costs.

 If you want to upgrade your Poon Hill Trek to Luxury Poonhill Trek, then, the cost will include everything like all meals with luxury accommodation with domestic flight to and from Pokhara with guide and porter and all required trekking permits and the cost will be like USD 800-1000.

You can also do your Budget Poon Hill Trek at USD 300-400 from Kathmandu to Kathmandu.

Actually, Mardi Himal Trek is to view Mt. Machhapuchhre just in front of you  and Poon Hill Trek is to view all the mountain summits in Annapurna region including Annapurna massif, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Gahesh Himal, Manaslu, Himal Chuli and Lamjung Himal. So, it depends on the people’s interest which trek to choose. But, it is believed that Mardi Himal Trek is better than Poon Hill Trek according to the trekkers who have done both treks in Nepal.

The Poon Hill Trek takes you to the highest elevation 3210m above the sea level that is Poon Hill and the Mardi Himal Trek takes you to 3860 that is Mardi Himal Base Camp. If you want to experience a moderate trekking in Nepal, you can go with Mardi Himal Trek or if you are looking forward to experience an easy trek in Nepal, then, go with Poon Hill Trek. It‘s simple. But both trekking trips in Nepal are located in Annapurna region and both are equally rewarding

Poonhill Trek costs depends on a few indicators like the services you prefer, TIMS Card costs, Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit cost, guide and porter cost, transportation cost, your foods and accommodation costs and the extras.

If you prefer luxury services including luxury foods and accommodation on the trail, the cost will rise and if you just wanna go with ordinary trek with ordinary foods and accommodation, the trekking price/cost will be mild.

The TIMS card costs Rs. 1000, Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit costs Rs. 3000, normal accommodation costs Rs 800-1500, one food items costs Rs. 200-1000, the flight costs from Kathmandu to Pokhara one-way costs USD 85 min (keeps changing according to the fluctuation of the fuel) bus ticket from Kathmandu to Pokhara one-way costs Rs. 1500, the drop and pick ups costs maximum Rs. 3000, guide costs Rs. 3000-4000 per day and the extra expenses you make for your drinks and tipping on during the trek.

The above-mentioned indicators determine the Poonhill Trek cost. Therefore, it’s very hard to predict and tell the exact cost for Poonhill Trek. However, the Poonhill Trek costs ranges between USD 499- 599. The cost you are quoted by the trekking company depends the type of service you are going to use. 

Yes, you can but only from Pokhara to Pokhara. If you begin your Poon Hill trek from Kathmandu, then, you need to spend at least 3-4 days from Poon Hill.

Yes, if you are in Pokhara or directly flying to Pokhara from your international flight, you will hike up to Poonhill next day after a jeep drive to Banthanti and then to Ghorepani village. The next morning, you will ascend up to Poonhill ( 3200m) and then trek back to Banthanti and finally take another jeep drive back to Pokhara. If you are a beginner and wishing to do an easy trek in Nepal, you can do Poonhill in a couple of days from Pokhara to Pokhara.

The altitude of Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is 3210m. The trek begins from the altitude of 1400m, Kathmandu and then to Pokhara ( 910m) , then up to Ulleri (2050m) and Banthanti ( 2250m). Next, the trail takes the trekkers to Ghorepani village which is located at an elevation of 2800m and then finally up to Poonhill which is an altitude of 3210m. 3210m above the seal level is the highest elevation of the Ghorepani Ponhill Trek.

There won’t be any kind of altitude related issues while you are ascending up to Poonhil (3210m) in your Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. You don’t need to panic about and even the beginners and the people of old age can do Ghorepani Poonhill Trek. Even, this trek can be done all round the year.

The cost of Poonhill Trek package is determined by the costs of these requirements for the trek. The cost for guide and porter ( if required), the cost of getting trekking equipment, the cost of food and accommodation, Poonhill Trek permits, transportation costs, extras and tipping guide and porter.

Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit costs Rs. 3000 per trekker, TIMS Card costs Rs,.1000, the cost of guide and porter cost between Rs. 2000-4000 per day, one item of food costs Rs. 200-800 and one accommodation costs Rs. 500-2000. And, also the cost of Poonhill Trek package depends on how you collect your trekking equipment, freshly or hiring the second hand ones. Finally, the transportation to Ulleri or Birethanti and back to Pokhara and Kathmandu costs Rs. 6000 in total one way.

Now, you can spend some extra expenses on tipping and drinks. In summary, your Poonhill Trek Package cost ranges between USD 455-495. If you want to upgrade your accommodation in Pokhara and in the mountain with domestic flights both way to and from Pokhara, then, the costs will be between 599-675 USD.  

You can Ghorepani and Poonhill from Pokhara even by walking after 2.30 hours drive from Pokhara to Nayapool or Birethanti. But, these days, the Poonhill Jeep Drive takes you up to Ulleri or Banthanti village and you can ascend to Ghorepani on the same day or the next day. This roadway connection from Nayapool to Ulleri and Banthanti has eased the trekkers to reach Ghorepani and then to Poonhill comfortably. Most probably, within a year, the road way will connect Ghorepani directly from Pokhara through Nayapool and Birethanti.

To go to Poonhill or Ghorepani, you can take a sharing jeep or private jeep from Pokhara for 2.30 hours and can begin walking to Ghorepani and Poonhill. You can get to Ghorepani within 3 hours from Banthanti or Ulleri village. The trail is all the way up till you get Ghorepani.

Yes, you need a trekking permit for Poon Hill. One requires collecting/ obtaining two types of trekking permits: TIMS Card and Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit. The TIMS Card costs Rs. 2000 and the Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit costs Rs. 3000. You can easily obtain these Poon Hill Trekking permits from the Nepal Tourism Board office located in Kathmandu or most of the trekkers obtain these permits via their trekking partners/trekking agents located in Nepal/Kathmandu. For this, you can provide your passport copy and passport sized photographs.

 If you go up to only Australian Camp via Dhampus, you don’t require any kind of trekking permits, but if you pass Pothana and then to Landruk and Ghandruk or Ulleri through Nayapool and Birethanti, you at any cost need to have ACAP but TIMS card is not necessarily to have these days. 

Ghorepani Poonhill trek costs ranges between USD 550 to 700 depending on the services you want. If you want a luxury trip to Ghorepani from Kathmandu and Pokhara. If you love economical trekking to Ghorepani with ordinary  or tourist standard accommodation  and other services, you can do your Ghorepani Trek at USD 550.

Unlike that, if you are luxury seeker, you can go with Luxury Ghoreapani Trek. The Luxury Ghorepani Trek includes luxury accommodation, transportation and other services through the trek from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. 

The accommodation will be at least 3 star and there will be luxury car/jeep ride to the trailhead and back to Kathmandu. The other services like guide and porter, the meals you will have during the trip will be upgraded ones and you will feel the true luxury of the trek you are doing to Ghorepani and Poonhill from Kathmandu. 

To make your Ghorepani-Poon Hill trek more luxury, you can add domestic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back. This way, you can skip the heavy and terrible traffic and interruptions on the way to Pokhara  and back. Sometimes, you will suck in heavy traffic on the Prithvi Highway for more than 8 hours. So, it is recommended to fly to Pokhara from Kathmandu and do the same while returning from Pokhara during your Poonhill-Ghorepani Trek. 

Even you can enjoy luxury massage in Ghorepani as a part of Luxury Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek. You can ask your trek leader or trekking partner to book it for you if you want beforehand. 

The cost of the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek USD 550-700 includes all necessary trekking permits, transportation, foods( breakfast only- lunch  and dinner will be yours), guide and porter and accommodation all round the trip. You can make your own choice of lunch and dinner so that the trip can be more flexible and more luxurious. 

So, prepare and be ready to pay USD 550-700 for your Ghorepani Trek depending on the type of service you want, either ordinary or luxury, from Kathmandu to Kathmandu, step at the top of Poonhill (3210m) via Ghorepani (2800m) and celebrate astonishing sunrise with marvelous mountain views including Mt. Annapurna Massif, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal, Ganesh Himal and Manaslu. 

If you begin your Poon Hill Trek from Kathmandu and want to end in Kathmandu, it takes at least 6 days and if you want to spend a day to explore Pokhara, it total takes 7 days for poon hill trek. Actually, a weeklong vacation will be enough for Poon Hill Trek in Nepal.

If you begin from Kathmandu, the first day, you will transfer yourself to Pokhara by air or by road. If you use road transportation, it takes more than 7 hours to get Pokhara from Kathmandu. Or, if you use air or domestic flight, it takes only 35 minutes.

The next day, you will drive to Biretahnti and trek to Ulleri and on the third day, you will hike up to Ghorepani village ( 2880m). On the 4th day, you will climb Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani. The fifth day will be for the walk to Ghandruk Village and the sixth for retunring to Pokhara and the final or 7th day will be for returning Kathmandu. This is the way you spend all 7 days or a week long days for your Poonhill Trek.

However, some people try to do Poon Hill Trek even in 3-4 days which will be very rush, but still can do. You can use the domestic flight to go to Pokhara from Kathmandu and then begin the trek on the same day. The next day, you will get to Ulleri and then to Poonhill and you can come back along the same trail back to Pokhara on the third or 4th day. This way also is possible if you relay want to do Poon Hill Trek. And fly back to Kathmandu on the same day and catch your international flight at night to homewards.

Yes, Poon Hill Trek is easy to do. It is, in fact, for the beginners and freshers to witness fabulous mountain views including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, Ganesh Himal and many neighboring mountain summits in Annapurna region of Nepal.

Since Poon Hill Trek is easy, the people without any kind of trekking/hiking skills and even the children above 9 and elderly people can do it easily with average hiking hours 5. The highest elevation Poon Hill Trek takes the trekkers is 3210m which is Poon Hill.

You can prepare your Poon Hill Trek with very basic trekking equipment and basic but regular exercises like waking, jogging, aerobics and cardio. If you have the stamina or confidence of walking 4-5 hours a day at the elevation like 2000-2500, you can easily triumph over Poon Hill Trek with mesmerizing mountain panoramas and truly blesses country life of Nepal. 

Yes, we can see Annapurna 1 from Poon Hill which cannot be seen even from Annapurna Base Camp. Along with Annapurna I, you can see Annapurna south, Annapurna II, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu  and even Ganesh Himal. You can see only Machhapuchhre from Mardi Himal Base Camp and only Annapurna South from  Annapurna Base Camp but you can see entire Annapurna Himalayan range from Poon Hill so that Poon Hill Trek is considered better than Mardi Himal Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek. 

Actually, it is not but if you want to end your trek via Poon Hill, you can do it. For this you have to make a prior request to include Poon Hill at end of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Annapurna Circuit Trek ends at Muktinath or Tatopani after crossing Thoronga La Pass (5,416 metres (17,769 ft) and if you want to fly or drive back to Pokhara from Tatopani or Muktinath, you can do it but if you want to extend your Annapurna Circuit Trek to Poon Hill, you can do it by spending two more days. You can walk from Tatopani to Poon Hill and then end the trek at Birethanti or Nayapool.

However, you don’t need to include Poon Hill as a part of Annapurna Circuit Trek. The Annapurna Circuit Trek begins from Besisahar and ends at Jomsom/Muktinath. But, some people love trekking to Poon Hill from Muktinath and  end the trek at Nayapool. 

Poon Hill Trek is worth doing as your short and easy vacation trip in Nepal. This a week-long trek takes you to the top of Poon Hill (3210m) and offers you probably the best mountain views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurnas, Machhapuchhre, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu and Lamjung Himal. The trek also takes you through thrilling deep woods of Annapurna Conservation Area, natural water falls, traditional local villages and awe-inspiring landscapes. The local life style, accommodation and foods will give you a very distinct taste of trekking in the Nepal’s Himalayas.

If you looking for a short and easy trekking trip in Nepal for a week-long vacation, you will totally get refreshed with the cool walks and breathtaking mountain views along with stunning sunrise.  So, Poon Hill Trek is worth doing as a beginner and fresher trekker to enjoy 5-7 days’ vacation in Nepal. 

Ghorepani Poonhill Trek days range between 2-7 days. If you are planning to begin it from Kathmandu, then, it takes at least 5 days. Going to Pokhara and getting back to Kathmandu (2 days) and ascending to Poonhill and get back to Pokhara ( 3 days). But if you are thinking to begin Ghorepani Poonhill Trek from Pokhara and end it in Pokhara, it takes only 3 days. Going up to Poonhill or Ghorepani (1 day) and getting down to Pokhara via Ghandruk and Tadapani ( 2 days). Again, if you want to go straight Poonhill and walk down to Pokhara along he same trail via Ulleri and Banthanti, you can even do Ghorepani Poonhill Trek in 2 days. 

Rest of the days, you can spend in Pokhara or in Kathmandu with Pokhara sightseeing tour and day tour to UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. This World Heritage Sites Tour in Kathmandu will provide you the most authentic insights into Nepalese history, culture, civilization and religion along with marvelous arts and architecture. 

Yes, trekkers can do Poon Hill Trek alone or independently without guide and porter. It is allowed to go Poonhill without guide and porter. But one must be confident enough about the trekking trail, food and accommodation, transportation and all required trekking permits for Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek. 

Actually, majority of the trekkers choose hiring guide or a porter for their Poonhill Trek for safely and convenience. The guide and the porter will help you in many ways like: arranging your accommodation, transportation, foods and all required trekking permits. Moreover, the guide will give you very authentic information about the local culture, foods and all mountain peaks along the trail. 

Definitely, one can do Poonhill Trek alone, without the help of guide and porter, but, must be safe and exciting. It is recommended to hire at least a guide for your Ghorepani Poonhill Trek 3 days. 

There two popular alternative trekking trips of Poon Hill Trek in the same Annapurna region. These are: Muldai Hill Trek and Khayar Lake Trek are also known as Khopra Ridge Trek. These two alternative treks of Poon Hill trek are believed to be better trekking trails as people can have more spectacular mountain views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre. 

The Khayara Lake or Khopra Ridge Trek and Muldai Hill Treks in Annaurna region take the trekkers closer to Annapurna mountain range, Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri. Both Khayar Lake and Muldai Hill are being popular among the trekkers who want little more adventure that Poon Hill and want to capture more breathtaking Machhapuchhre, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. 

Both Khayra Lake Trek and Muldai Hill Trek demand little more stamina and preparations as you are ascending above 4000m like Khayar Lake( 4827m) and Muldai Hill Top above 3500m (3637m). 

Actually, Muldai Hill Better than Poonhill as the trekkers can see more spectacular and closer view of Annapurna Mountain Range, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu. The hill next to Poonhill is Muldai Hill which is located at an elevation of 3500m, higher than Poon Hill(3210) and also considered to be much better viewpoint in Annapurna region. It is natural that the closer you go the better view you will have. 

However, Poon Hill offers equally magnificent mountain panoramas with stunning sunrise and sunset. If you have more than 3 days time to spend for a short and easy trek in Annapurna region from Pokhara, you can go with Muldai Hill Trek for better hiking and mountain views experiences. But, if you just have 3 days to spend near  Pokhara, the best option for short hiking or trekking is 3 days Poonhill Trek which is also known as Ghorepani – Poon Hill Trek. 

The villages in Poon Hill Trek are Nayapool, Birethanti, Hile, Tikhedhunga, Ulleri (2100m), Banthanti(2300m), Nangethanti, Lower Ghorepani, Upper Ghorepani(2800m), Tadapani and Ghandruk. If you begin your Poonhill Trek clockwise, you will begin it from Nayapool and Ulleri and end it in Ghandruk and if you choose to begin it anticlockwise, you can begin it from Ghandruk and end it in Ulleri or Birethanti via Tikhedhunga and Birethanti. The most popular villages in Poon Hill Trek are Ghorepani( 2800m) and Ghandruk (1700m).

Ghoreani offers you all magnificent views of Annapurna mountain panoramas, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Himal Chuli, Lamjung Himal and many other alluring mountain peaks just 360 degree angle. Similarly, the Ghandruk village will also get you stunned with marvelous Annapurna and Machhapuchhre with local authentic culture of Gurung people and their local cuisines. 

Once you are at Ghorepani(2860m), you will go to climb Poon Hill(3210m) next day early in the morning at around 5 am. You require carrying water(at least 1 liter), warm water is recommended, trekking poles, torch light( headlight is recommended), a little backpack with all your gadgets like cameras, battery backups and light snacks. It takes maximum 1.30 hrs. to climb Poonhill from Ghorepani. You can see hundreds of people climbing Poon Hill early in the morning with head lamps and trekking poles for sunrise and mountain views. The total distance you cover while ascending from Ghorepani to Poonhill is 1.5 kms.

Ghorepani-Poon Hill Trekking Distance with trekking hours

From                           To                            walking hours                Distance in KM.

Ghorepani to            Poon Hill                      1hr                                  1.5 km

Ghorepani to           Tadapani                     6hrs                               6.5 km

Tadapani to             Ghandruk                     3 hrs                             9.8 km

Ghandruk to             Naya Pul                       5hrs                              14 km

Nayapool to              Ulleri                              6 hrs                             12 km

Ulleri to                      Ghorepani                     6 hrs                             10.3 km

The maximum elevation of Poon Hill is 3210m above the sea level. You normally begin climbing Poon Hill from Ghorepani village which is 2860m high. But, before you reach Ghorepani village, one requires ascending via Ulleri( 2050m), Banthanti (2140m), Nangethanti (2460m) and then only to Ghorepani (2860m) from Pokhara(910m). If you begin your Ghorepani Poon Hill trek from from Kathmandu, then, you are at 1350m above the sea level.

So, before you get the elevation 3210m from Ghorepani ( after one hour hiking), you pass through Kathmandu, Pokhara, Ulleri, Banthanti, Nangethanti and Ghorepani. The elevation variations in Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek before getting to Poon Hill is 1350m-910m-2050-2860m-3210m.

After you conquer over Poon Hill, you will go to Tadapani which is located at an elevation of 2630m and then to Ghandruk village with the elevation 1900m before you return back to Pokhara(910m). 

There in no altitude sickness threat in Poon Hill Trek as the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek takes you to the highest elevation of 3210m. Actually, it is a fact that no people get altitude sickness while ascending up to 3500m above the sea level.

The second highest elevation of Poon Hill Trek is 2800m which is Ghorepani village. If you do Poon Hill Circuit Trek, then, Deurali is as high as Poon Hill. Tadapani is 2700m and Ghandruk is 1900m.

While ascending from Nayapool and Tikhedhunga, you will pass Ulleri and Banthanti which are located at the elevations of 2100m and 2300m respectively. Before Ghorepani Village( 2800m), you will walk past Nangethanti which is 2600m high.

So, if we observe the elevation ranges of Poon Hill Trek, you will get the highest elevation 3210m which is  top of Poon Hill and you won’t get any altitude sickness in Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Don’t get scared of it. Be relaxed and do conquer over Poon Hill Trek confidently with marvelous Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre mountains.

But, if you decide to do Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill, then, there is some possibility of altitude sickness when you are ascending from Machhapuchhre Base Camp(3700m) to Annapurna Base Camp(4160m).  

Major highlights of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek are:

• Spectacular mountain views of entire Annapurna mountain range, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre( Fishtail), Ganesh Himal and Manaslu with spellbinding sunrise from the top of the Poon Hill ( 3210m)
• A short, easy and rewarding hiking through local villages including Ulleri, Banthanti, Nangethanti, Lower Ghorepani, Ghorepani, Tadapani, Banthanti  and Ghandruk Villages
• Diverse species of flora and faunas in Annapurna Conservation Area, the largest prortected area of the world
• Authnetic local cusines, local culture, warm hospitality of the local people and local lodge accommodation
• Terranced farmlands, deep woods, melodious waterfalls and core wilderness
• Cool and Serene Pokhara city and its major highlits like Davis Fall, Phewa Lake, Gupteswor Mahadev Cave, World Peace Stupa and Pumdikot Mahadev Statue
• If you are looking forward a short and easy trekking in Nepal for 4-5 days, Ghorepano Poon Hill Trek will be best choice for you with astonishing Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre mountain  views along with Pokhara city exploration