A Complete Guide to Poonhill Trek, Annapurna Region

Life gets monotonous when we always do the same home-college-office and back to home routine almost every day. This monotony kills the spirit of fun living and the situation is far worse when you are all cramped in tight schedule and cannot take a day off to go somewhere else to just shed off all the burden of college and office, and simply relax.

One of the appealing destinations you can reach out to when you manage to get that special week off and rejuvenate your sunken spirits is Poonhill. A popular classic destination for both internal and international tourists alike, this spot is known for its mesmerising beauty and trekking purpose.

Trekking Route

Ghorepani – Poonhill Trek Route Map (Source: himalayatrip.com)

If you go trekking to Poonhill from Kathmandu, it takes about 4-5 days. Unlike other longer treks that might be not a suitable option from financial and time point of view, Poonhill trek is the best option. It is an easy trek and can be completed in a span of few days.

The start of the trek is Pokhara. You can either reach Pokhara through flight or a simple 6-7 hours bus ride will also easily take you there.

From Pokhara, an hour and half drive will take you to Nayapul from where the official trek starts. Once you reach Nayapul, you can start trek the same day.

You can reach Kimche via Nayapul and trek to Tadapani, Ghorepani, Poonhill and return the same way back to Hile. From Hile, you can drive back to Pokhara.

The other option available is once you reach Nayapul, you can trek to Ulleri, Ghorepani, Poonhill and while on the way back, take another route to Nayapul via Tadapani and Ghandruk village.

You can also start trek from Nayapul and gradually trek to Ulleri, Ghorepani, Poonhill, Tadapani, Jhinu Natural Hot Spring and take a ride back to Pokhara.

All these options available can be chosen from on basis of the number of days you can spare for the trek and what you want to experience.

On the way ….

While on the trek, one will witness many spectacular villages like Ghorepani, Ulleri – a Magar village, and Ghandruk – a Gurung village. These villages are awaiting the visitors to sway them with their amazing food, culture and spellbinding courtesy and hospitality.

Villagers are very friendly and welcoming and when a trouble hits up, there are helping hands all around. Here, the notion of ‘Visitors are God’ is perfectly put into action by the dwellers.

After you reach Poonhill, you will simply be taken aback by how beautiful the waterfalls and rice terraces seen from the tophill looks along with the mesmerising sunrise and mountains.

Poonhill is at 3210 meters from the sea level and is home to majestic scenery forests that are home to Rhododendrons, singing birds, and numerous wild animals.

Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Manaslu and many other eye-soothing pinnacles are sure to give a view and sightseeing experience that lasts a lifetime.

The trekking trip to Poonhill is rated as easy. Looking from the weather suitability point of view, it is recommended to trek during September till May.

There a few long steep uphill stone stair cases on the way to Ulleri village from Hile, elsewhere the trek is simply elongated walks. A 4-8 hours of trekking per day can easily cover all the major destinations of a 4-5 day Poonhill trek.

So, a first time trekker will not have much of a trouble when indulging in the adventure as it does not require as much efforts and hard work like trekking to Everest Base Camp does.

In addition, due to such ease, it can be attended by everyone who are a trekking enthusiast since altitude sickness will not be much of a trouble here.

Apart from trekking, you can get easy access of hotels, lodges and tea houses on the way where you can stay the night. Availability of fooding and lodging will not be much of a problem here.

While at Poonhill, there are some sights and must-do moments that are not be missed at all. The foremost is the sunrise and view of Himalayas in the early morning.

The early rays of the rising sun kisses the Himalayan giants which in turn blushes all white and shiny, and the whole ambience surrounding the Poonhill smiles in awe. An absolutely not-to-be-missed-at-all moment. Then, there are the famous Ghandruk and Ulleri village where one must visit while at Poonhill and experience the hospitality and culture at its finest.

Also, during the Poonhill Trek you get to enjoy the brightest colors of nature, breathe fresh air and pamper oneself in the lap of peace and sereninty without having to worry about the deadlines and presentations to be prepared.

And there are small villages Birehati, Hile, Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Tadapani that provide you taste of typical Nepali villages. It is an exciting experience for the city dwellers who have not been accustomed to and have minimal know-how of village lifestyle.

Once in a while, the moment to just lay back, relax and let the world keep rolling on is a must for rejuvenating the body and soul. And, Poonhill trek absolutely does that.