Poon Hill Trek Route can be best categorized in two ways: Anti Clockwise or Clockwise. If you follow the clockwise Poon Hill Trek Route, you ascend Ghorepani and Poonhill via Ulleri, Banthanti and Nanagethanti. But, if you follow the anticlockwise Poon Hill Trek route, then, you hike via Ghandruk and Tadapani for Ghorepani and Poon Hill.
The third Poonhill Trek route which his rarely used is via Tatopani while returning from Jomsom and Muktinath. This route is taken as alternative and spare trekking or driving route for Poon Hill. One can directly drive to Poon Hill from Tatopani and can reach within 3-4 hours. Or, people can trek to Poon Hill spend the whole day at least for 7 hours from Tatopani.
Poon Hill Trek Route clockwise is via Ulleri and Banthanti. When you begin your Ghorepani-Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara, you drive to Birethanti via Nayapool. Before you get to Birethanti and Nayapool, you drive through Ghattekulo, Kande, Naudanda and Lumle. The road is fine and smooth nowdays. Sometimes, there may occur some disturbances due to minor landslides and fall of the rocks on the road while heading towards Nayapool from Lumle.
As you arrive in Birethanti, you get your trekking permits checked at the office of Annapurna Conservation Area Office and hike or further drive to Ulleri or Banthanti. Actually, both drive and hike are possible in Spring( Mar-May) Autumn ( Sep-Nov) and Winter ( Dec-Feb) but only hike is possible in Rainy ( Jun-Aug). In rainy season, the rural road from Birethanti from Ulleri or Banthnati is damaged by landslides and floods. So, it is not possible to drive from Birethanti to Ulleri or Banthanti in rainy season while doing Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek in rainy months in Nepal.
The Poon Hill Jeep Ride up to Ulleri or Banthanti is possible in Spring, Autumn and Winter months but not possible in rainy.
If you can take jeep ride to Ulleri or Banthanti, you can escape the steep uphill walk of Ulleri from Hile and Tikhedhunga. Some people find the uphill of Ulleri very difficult to ascend.
If you prefer walking from Birethanti, then, you need to pass Hile and Tikhedhunga. After passing Hile and Tikhedhunga, you will ascend Ulleri village and stay overnight at local lodge for the first night in your Ghorepani Poonhill Trek.
While ascending Ulleri, you need to build up your confidence to walk continuously at least 3 hours with all stone steps going all the way up till you get to Ulleri Village ( 2050m). Have enough water to drink on the way and have some light snacks as well to kill your instant thirst and hunger.
Can I choose walking even though the jeep goes to Ulleri and Banthanti?
If you want to escape this steep climb of Ulleri from Tikhedhunga, you can go with Jeep Ride to Ulleri from Birethanti or directly from Pokhara in Spring, Autumn and Winter, but not possible in rainy. Or, if you prefer hiking, you still can do begin your hiking from Poon Hill from Birethanti a ascending Ulleri and Banthanti. It’s your choice and you will have to have one more day to spend on this section of hiking from Birethanti to Ulleri if you don’t want Four- Wheel Jeep drive for Ulleri from Pokhara. The cost for Ulleri Jeep ride from Pokhara is Rs. 7000-8000 depending on the number of people and the time of the year.
After you get to Ulleri and Banthanti( 2200m), you will hike through Annapurna Conservation Area with its diverse species of plants, melodious and rhythmic water falls, tiny teashops and local lodges for snacks and tea. Further, you will ascend Nangethanti where you can have your lunch, snacks, tea, coffee and take rest before heading to Ghorepani( 2800m).
We arrive at the beautiful gate which welcomes you with the board ( Welcome to Ghorepani-Poonhill ) at lower Ghorepani Village with more than 50 houses. All the house are local lodges here for meals and accommodation.
At lower Ghorepani Village, there is a police check post where you again need to make an entry of your trekking permits and then only you can ascend to Upper or main Ghorepani Village. It takes 15 minutes to walk to Upper Ghorepani from Lower Village.
As you ascend Ghorepani Village, you will get stunned to see entire Annapurna mountain range with giant Dhaulagiri and the most fascinating Machhapuchhre.
You will enjoy local lodge accommodation here at Ghorepani village with Wi-Fi, hot shower and massage if you want. Even, people can get luxury accommodation here at Ghorepani with extra cost. If you are luxury seeker, you can do it.
Ghorepani (2800m) is the base of Poonhill(3200m). The climb from Ghorepani to Poonhill begins early in the norning with torchlight with mobile phone or your headlight. You’d better be with hiking poles, gloves, warm head cover, sunglasses, multi-layers jacket, smart phones, cameras, light sancks and enough water( min.1 litr.) preferably warm water with your while ascending Poon Hill.
You will get shocked to see a big herd of people limping to the top of Poon Hill for sunrise and mountain views.
Once you get to the top of Poonhill(3210m),you will see a tall tower which is Poonhill View Tower to witness and capture mountain views and sunrise. You will enjoy and celebrate the most stunning views of Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Lamjung Himal and numerous other snow-fed mountain peaks with spectacular sunrise from the top of Poonhill and walk down to Ghorepani for breakfast.
After your breakfast, you an either walk towards Tadapni and then to Ghandruk via Deurali Danda or walk down to Ulleri along the same trail.
You, will, normally, walk towards Tadapni via Deurali and Banthanti to go Ghandruk Village. Tadapni is a full day walk from Ghorepani through Deurali and Banthanti ( the place where you will have your lunch with mesmerizing water falls).
As you reach Ghandruk finally, you can explore the largest traditional Nepali village of Gurung people with more than 300 local settlements. Most of the house here are local lodges and homestays. They have their traditional and cultural museums and local authentic cuisines to offer the visitors here at Ghandruk. The village Ghanduk is also popular for mountain views and sunrise.
After you explore Ghandruk village, you can either drive back to Pokhara directly by local bus or jeep or can walk down to Syauli Bazar, then, to Birethanti and drive back to Pokhara to end your Poon Hill Trek Route Clockwise.
Poonhill Trek Route Anti Clockwise is via Ghandruk and Tadapani, not via Ulleri and Banthanti while ascending Ghorepani and Poonhill. The route follows the same road drive till one gets to Nayapool and Birethanti. Then, the roads divides: one to Ulleri and the other to Ghandruk. You will catch the road or the trail leading to Ghandruk, the largest traditional village of Gurung people with more than 400 homes.
You can observe many significant things in Ghandruk like traditional museums, authentic clothing of Gurung people, local cuisines, German Bakery and Fantastic Mountain views including Mt. Annapuran- South, Himchuli and Machhapuchhre. You can enjoy the dazzling sunshine reflecting on the Annapurna Himalayan Range with your beautiful breakfast from the rooftop restaurants in Ghandruk. The cool and serene village locate at the lap of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre will let you experience the absolute refreshment with the true contrast of the colors of mountains, sunrise and the classical village of Nepal.
After you spend a day at Ghandruk or you can drive directly Ghandruk from Pokhara and trek to Tadapani on the same day as well. The trail from Ghandruk will ascend slowly through Annapruna Conservation Area. It will take you to Banthanti village via Tadapani where you will have your lunch and take rest there before ascending up to Ghorepani.
At Banthanti, you can enjoy mesmerizing natural water falls and the little cute stream which heals your exhaustion while ascending through stone steps and little slippery and rocky trail.
The trail from Banthanti village gets steeper till you get Deurali. The trail from Banthanti to Deurali is considered to be very challenging and steep and, sometimes, even slippery in rainy and snowy weather and the beginners find this workout really difficult and hard to do. However, drinking plenty of water and having some light snacks will empower you to get victory over it.
Once you get Deurali, you will take long deep breath and you really want to cry to see fabulous mountain panoramas including Machhapuchhre( Fishtail), Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. You will celebrate this moment with several photographies and with little snacks you carry with you. From Deurali, you even can see Poon Hill clearly.
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trail from Deurali descends towards Ghandruk via deep woods. Going all the way down will be easier for you. Within an hour and couple of hours, you will get Ghorepani village and stay overnight there at local lodge.
The next morning, you will climb Poonhill spending 1.30 hours early in the morning and enjoy spectacular sunrise and mountain views of Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre( Fishtail), Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Himchuli, Lamjung Himal and several other snow-covered summits towards the north.
Once you celebrate this moment from Poon Hill, you will walk down, have your breakfast and walk towards Ulleri via Lower Ghorepani, Nangethanti and Banthanti. You can catch jeep from Banthanti or Ulleri after 3 hours of walk from Ghorepani or can walk down to Tikhedhunga, Hile and finally to Birethanti to end the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek Rout Anticlockwise.
Befefits of Poon Hill Trek Route Clockwise via Ulleri and Banthanti :
Benefits of Poon Hill Trek Route Anticlockwise :
There are two alternative routes for Poonhill Trek. It means, one can ascend Poon Hill via Tatopani and Muldai Hill following the different trekking route. These two alternative routes for Poon Hill Trek will be more comprehensive and winder to cover all the spectacular mountain views and landscapes within same trekking trip.
Poonhill can be reached via Muldai Hill Trek which begins from Ghandruk and take you to Dobato and finally to Muldai Hill Viewpoint (3637m). You can have more breathtaking views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri from Muldai Hill than from Poon Hill (3210m). The mountain views from Muldai Hill are much closer and more spectacular than from Poon Hill.
When, people want to go Poon Hill if they miss the views from Muldai Hill, you can walk to Ghoreapni spending 6-7 hours and climb Poon Hill.
Actually, some people really love stepping at Poon Hill though they enjoyed good mountain views from Muldai Hill and Mohare Danda (3500m). You can still do climb Poon Hill (3210m) via Mulde Hill(3637m) if you want. This is possible. After climbing Poon Hill, you can switch your walk towards Mohare Danda, which is equally popular among the tourist nowadays.
From Mohare Danda, you directly walk down to Ulleri and trek or drive back to Nayapool and then to Pokhara.
Thos who are in Annapurna Circuit Trek or Annapurna Round Trek can find this Poon Hill Trek Route via Tatopani very rewarding. This is the most classical trekking route of Annapurna Circuit Trek to end it in Nayapool via Poon Hill. But, only few people know this interesting information about classical Annapurna Circuit Trek by visiting Poon Hill.
If you are doing Annapurna Circuit Trek and ending in Tatopani, it is recommended to go Poon Hill and celebrate the sweet ending of the trek with mesmerizing Dhaulagiri, Annapruna Range, Machhapuchhre, Ganesh Himal and Manaslu before heading to Pokhara and Kathmandu.
Also, the people who are in Jomsom, Muktinath or in Kaligandaki Gorge can go to Poonhill and witness marvelous Annapurna Range, Machhapuchhre( Fishtail), Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and Ganesh Himal from Poonhill with thrilling sunrise early in the morning. Optionally, one can ascend Poon Hill in the evening and do all these activities as well.
Poon Hill is also popular for meditation and yoga either in the evening or in the morning directly facing towards Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre. The serenity, calmness and energy you feel while performing yoga and meditation at the top of Poon Hill will exhilarating experience for you.
So, those who are in Tatopani, Jomsom, Muktinath or Kaligandaki Gorge must walk do Poonhill via Sikha and Ghara spending whole day 7-8 hours. Though the walk is logger hours, one can enjoy this walk through various local villages.
Optionally, you can stay overnight at Sikha or Ghara on the way to Poon Hill from Tatopani. At Sikha or Ghara village, one can enjoy typical authentic local accommodation and cuisines.
If you want to avoid long hours walking to Poon Hill from Tatopani, you can drive directly to Ghorepani spending just 3-4 hours.
Poon Hill has direct access from Pokhara via two routes: Ulleri and Ghandruk. Both routes are very popular among the trekekrs who are doing or planning Poon Hill Trek. However, there are some other alternative routes for Ghorepani Poonhill Trek. These Poon Hill Trek alternative routes are: via Muldai Hill and via Tatopani.
Tatopani route is mostly followed by the people who end their Annapurna Circuit Trek and Mauldai Hill Trek Route is adopted by who want to Muldai Hill, Khayar Lake and Moure Hill with Poon Hill Trek. And rests of the two popular Poon Hill Trek Routes are directly conncted to Poonhill via either Ulleri or Ghandruk Village. But, the most popular Poon Hill Trek Route is via Ulleri and Banthanti. We recommend you to do the Poon Hill Trek clockwise via Ulleri or Banthanti rather than Ghandruk village. However, the Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek route via Ghandruk and Tadapani will be the finest option for you in winter season to ascend up to Ghorepani and Poonhill.
1. What is the Poon Hill Trek Route?
The Poon Hill Trek is a short trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal. The Poon Hill Trek offers beautiful views of the sunrise over big mountains like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. We have a team that knows what they are doing. They make sure the route is comfortable and beautiful. Most people finish the Poon Hill Trek in 4 to 7 days which makes it perfect for people who're new to trekking and for families.
2. Which is better: Clockwise or Anti-Clockwise Poon Hill Trek Route?
Both ways have things about them. The clockwise route goes through Ulleri and Banthanti. It is not too hard to walk because it goes up slowly. You will see forests on the clockwise route. The anti-clockwise route goes through Ghandruk and Tadapani. It is easier to walk down. You will also see a lot about the Gurung culture on the -clockwise route. We think the clockwise route is better for people who are doing the Poon Hill Trek for the time because it is a classic route and you get to see the sunrise which is really beautiful.
3. What is the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek Route from Ulleri?
If you start from Ulleri which is at 1960 meters you will walk up through forests that have rhododendron and oak trees. You will go through Banthanti and Nangethanti to get to Ghorepani which's at 2860 meters. This walk takes 5 or 6 hours and it is not too hard. You will see the mountains on the way which's really nice. We have been doing this trek for a time and we think this part of the Poon Hill Trek is great for building your confidence before you get to Poon Hill.
4. How long is the Ghorepani to Poonhill Hike?
The hike from Ghorepani to Poon Hill which is at 3210 meters takes 45 to 60 minutes. The path is easy to follow. It is made of stones. If you start early you will get to see the sunrise which's really beautiful. We always tell people to bring clothes because it can be cold at Poon Hill even when it is not winter.
5. What is the Poon Hill Trek Route Anti Clockwise?
The anti-clockwise route of the Poon Hill Trek starts from Ghandruk or Nayapul and it goes through Tadapani to Ghorepani then it goes down through Ulleri. This route has landscapes and not as many people. Our guides like this route for people who want to learn about the culture and who want the walk down to be easier. The Poon Hill Trek is really great. Both routes are good, in their own way.
6. What are the benefits of the Poon Hill Trek Route when you go clockwise via Ulleri and Banthanti?
The Poon Hill Trek Route is really good when you go clockwise via Ulleri and Banthanti. You get to walk through the forest and see the sunrise from Poon Hill. This way you do not have to walk on the road and you get to see a lot of beautiful scenery. Our local guides know the way well so you will be safe and have a great time. You will also get to stay in teahouses along the way.
7. What are the benefits of the Poon Hill Trek Route when you go anticlockwise?
The Poon Hill Trek Route is also good when you go anticlockwise. You get to walk down hills that're not too steep and see beautiful villages like Ghandruk. The scenery is varied. It is quieter when you walk back. We have taken people on this route and they have all had a great time. It is not too hard to walk at the beginning which's good for people who are not used to walking much.
8. Are there ways to do the Poon Hill Trek?
Yes there are ways to do the Poon Hill Trek. You can go via Muldai Hill which has views from the top.. You can go via Tatopani which has hot springs where you can relax. These routes are for people who want something a bit a bit more challenging. Our team can help you plan the route for you based on how fit you are and what you like to do.
9. What is the Poon Hill Trek Route like when you go via Muldai Hill?
The Poon Hill Trek Route via Muldai Hill is a way to see more of the mountains. You get to walk to the top of Muldai Hill and see the view from around. Then you can join the Poon Hill Trek Route and keep walking. We think this route is best for people who're fit and want to see as much as possible.
10. What is the Poon Hill Trek Route like when you go via Tatopani?
The Poon Hill Trek Route via Tatopani is a way to relax after walking. You get to soak in the springs, at Tatopani which feels great after a long day of walking. Then you can keep walking on a path which makes the trek more interesting. Our guides know the way well so you will be safe and have a great time. They will also make sure you stop at all the places along the way.
11. How hard is the Poon Hill Trek?
The Poon Hill Trek is a trek for people who are new to trekking. It is not too difficult. You need to be fairly fit. The steep steps to Ulleri can be a challenge.. If you take your time and have a good guide many people do it every year.
12. When is the best time to go on the Poon Hill Trek?
The best time to go is in the spring from March to May and in the autumn from September to November. The weather is usually clear and nice during these times. You can see the mountains really well. We have guides who can take you on the trek at any time of year. We always make sure it is safe and that you can see everything.
13. Do I need a guide, for the Poon Hill Trek?
You do not have to have a guide. It is a good idea to have one. A guide can help keep you safe teach you about the culture and take care of all the little things that can be a hassle. Our guides are licensed and can handle all the paperwork and emergencies so you can just enjoy your trek.
14. What kind of permits do I need for the Poon Hill Trek?
You need to get a couple of permits: an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and a Trekkers’ Information Management System card. We can help you get these so you do not have to worry about the paperwork.
15. How days do I need for the Poon Hill Trek?
Most people take 4 to 7 days to do the trek. If you want to do it quickly you can take a jeep part of the way and do it in 3 or 4 days. We can help you plan the trek so that it fits your schedule and fitness level. You have a great experience.
16. Is the Poon Hill Trek something that beginners can do?
The Poon Hill Trek is a trek for people who are new to trekking. The trails are not too hard. There are nice teahouses where you can rest. If you have a guide with you you can trek safely and have a great time. The Poon Hill Trek is really good for beginners because it is not too difficult.
17. What kind of things should I bring with me on the Poon Hill Trek?
You should bring clothes that you can wear in layers, shoes for trekking, a warm jacket, something to keep you dry a light, a water bottle and some snacks. We have a list of things that you should bring. You can also rent some things from us so you do not have to carry too much.
18. Can I see the sun come up from Poon Hill?
Yes you can see the sun come up from Poon Hill. The Poon Hill Trek is very famous for the sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains. If you get up early and go for a hike with our guides you can see this thing. The Poon Hill Trek is a place to see the sunrise.
19. Where does the Poon Hill Trek. Where does it end?
The Poon Hill Trek usually starts at Nayapul or Ulleri. It ends at Ghandruk or Nayapul. We can pick you up from Pokhara. Take you to the starting point and then when you are finished we can take you back to Pokhara. The Poon Hill Trek. Ends in some really nice places.
20. Why should I choose Haven Holidays Nepal for my Poon Hill Trek?
We know the area well and we can show you the real Nepal. Our guides are very knowledgeable. They will take good care of you. If you trek with us you can just enjoy yourself. Not worry about anything. We want to help you have a time on the Poon Hill Trek. The Poon Hill Trek, with Haven Holidays Nepal is a choice.
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