Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek- 9 Days

On this day, you will arrive in Kathmandu. Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the representative of Nepal Social Treks will pick you up and escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu via private transport. Once you reach your hotel, our staff will assist you through the check-in process. After that, you will have the rest of the day for yourself. Take rest, read some books, and get rid of the jet lag.

In the evening, you will join the rest of the group for a brief meeting with the trekking guide and receive all the trek’s necessary details. After that, you will have an introductory welcome dinner.

Highlights

• Pick up and greet at the Tribhuvan International Airport
• Transfer to the hotel via a private transport
• Short meeting with the trekking guide
• Join the rest of the group for welcome dinner

Special Note

Make sure you attend the meeting! Your trekking guide will provide you with all the essential details about the trek, including day-to-day itinerary, transportation, accommodation, food, packing list, culture, etc. If you have any concerns about the trek, please feel free to consult with your trekking guide and be clear about it.

Also, try to bond with the rest of the members from the group during the welcome dinner. Additionally, make sure to pack your bags before you go to sleep to avoid the rush in the morning. If there’s anything you want to leave at the hotel, keep it separate from your trekking bags.

You’ll start the day with a long drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara via private transport. The route from Kathmandu to Pokhara alongside the Trishuli River is one of the most used travel routes in Nepal.

The 6-hour drive via the Prithvi Highway traverses through several small villages, terraced farms, occasional rural towns, diverse landscapes, and grassy hills. If the weather is good, you’ll also get a glimpse of snow-capped mountains right outside your window. After about six hours of drive from Kathmandu, you will reach the city of lakes, Pokhara.

Stretched alongside the shores of Phewa Lake, Pokhara is known as the tourism capital of Nepal. The valley integrates beautiful weather, chilled vibes, colorful markets, fancy restaurants, serene lakeside, and majestic mountain views. You will get to witness the giants of the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre from Pokhara. In the evening, you will get to walk around the ambient Lakeside and relax at Phewa Lake’s shore.

Highlights

• A scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara via Prithvi Highway
• Enjoy the altering scenery of the traditional villages, terraced farms, diverse landscapes, and grassy hills through the window of your vehicle
• Take a walk around the Lakeside of Pokhara
• Relax at the shore of Phewa Lake
• Witness the majestic sight of Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre

Special Note

Since you’ll be driving a long way from Kathmandu to Pokhara, we recommend you carry some snacks to enjoy along the way. It is a good idea to bring a book, a kindle, or download your favorite music, podcast, or series to spend your time during the drive.

You will start the day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel in Pokhara. After breakfast, you’ll take a private transport and drive through Baglung Rajmarg Road towards Nayapul. This route is the most common path used by trekkers.

The 90-minute drive from Pokhara to Nayapul passes through the windy hills and bumpy roads. You’ll get a glimpse of the hills, mountains, surrounding landscapes, and the valley.

Upon reaching Nayapul, you will leave the transport behind and start trekking towards Tikhedhunga. If the weather is clear, you will get a marvelous sight of Machhapuchhre (Mt. Fishtail) along the way. Walking past several settlements, cultivated terraced farms, and over the odd suspension bridge, you will reach Tikhedhunga. The trail is relatively comfortable and easy compared to other days. It takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach Tikhedhunga from Nayapul.

Highlights

• Breakfast at a three-star hotel in Pokhara
• A scenic drive from Pokhara to Nayapul
• Enjoy the majestic view of Machhapuchhre
• Cross over the old suspension bridge

After an early breakfast, we’ll prepare for a strenuous climb from Tikhedhung to Ghorepani. Once you depart from Tikhedhunga, you’ll begin the trek with a steep stone stairway up towards the ridgeline. More than 3,500 steps are on this stairway and are considered the most challenging section of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Once you walk past this strenuous section, the trail opens to a more scenic terrain under the shades of blooming rhododendron blossoms and oak trees.

After a gradual uphill, you’ll reach Nangethanti, where you’ll stop and take some rest after an exhausting climb. If you trek during Winter, the trail above Nangethanti will likely be covered in snow. Furthermore, you’ll continue the gradual walk from the rest stop until you reach Ghorepani.

In ancient times, this small village used to be a popular rest stop for traders, where they could access adequate water (pani) for their horses (ghora). Hence, the nomenclature — Ghorepani.

Highlights

• Walk under the shades of blooming rhododendron blossoms and oak trees
• Experience the diversity in landscape and vegetation
• Overnight at one of the most popular villages of the Annapurna region at Ghorepani

This day marks the most significant highlight of the trek. You’ll wake up early before dawn and hike to Poon Hill, the Annapurna’s most famous viewpoint. The 45-minutes walk from Tikhedhunga is mostly uphill until you reach Poon Hill.

From Poon Hill, you will get to witness the most epic sunrise gleaming over the high Himalayas. You’ll also get to marvel at the panoramic view of Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhare, Annapurna II, Annapurna South, and Lamjung Himal. After spending a while at the summit, you’ll retrace your route back to Ghorepani. Upon reaching Ghorepani, you’ll make your way towards the small village of Tadapani.

The route to Tadapani has gradual uphill and downhill. You will be crossing over the Deurali Pass, a small pass that runs through the ridgeline of the hillside. Occasionally, you will be passing through thick rhododendron forest as you cross over Deurali Pass and head towards Ban Thanthi.

From here, you’ll leave the rhododendron forest behind and descend the valley towards the shore of Burundi Khola. After crossing the suspension bridge over the river, you’ll gradually climb until you reach Tadapani for the overnight stay.

Highlights

• Morning hike to Poon Hill
• Witness the majestic sunrise over the Himalayas
• Relish the panoramic view of Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhare, Annapurna II, Annapurna South, and Lamjung Himal
• Cross over Deurali Pass

After a hearty breakfast at Tadapani, you’ll begin the day with a relaxing walk through the scenic woodland. You’ll be walking along the gradual trail for about 3 hours to reach Ghandruk village. Ghandruk is one of the most popular Gurung settlements in the Annapurna region. This small village, at an elevation of 1,940 meters, offers an excellent view of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Gangapurna.

After exploring Ghandruk, you continue the walk on a stone-paved trail towards Landruk. The route is relatively pleasant and heads downhill towards the bank of Modi Khola River via the village of Kyumi. Here, you’ll cross the bridge over Modi Khola and head uphill towards Landruk. It takes about another three hours from Ghandruk to reach Landruk.

Highlights

• Walking past the scenic forest trail of Tadapani
• Explore Ghandruk — the largest Gurung village of Nepal
• Get a glimpse of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Gangapurna

After breakfast, you’ll begin the day with a gradual climb from Landruk towards Tolka. You’ll be walking through the stone-paved staircases on a narrow ridge alongside Modi Khola River. Upon reaching Tolka, you’ll continue the walk uphill towards the Modi Khola Valley.

You’ll continue the gradual walk towards Pothana from the Modi Khola Valley and head towards the ridge of Dhampus village. The route from Pothana to Dhampus abruptly changes into a steep climb. Once you reach the village of Dhampus, the trail descends vertically along the stone staircase towards Phedi. Here, the trail treats you with lush green forest and occasional terraced fields.

Upon reaching Phedi, you’ll catch a private vehicle arranged by Nepal Social Treks and drive back to Pokhara. It takes only half an hour’s drive from Kande to reach Pokhara. Upon reaching Pokhara, you’ll have enough time for yourself in the evening. You can have fun in a fancy restaurant, colorful marketplace, chilled vibes, and enjoy beautiful mountain views.

From Pokhara, you will get to witness the distant view of the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre Himal. In the evening, you’ll get to stroll around the Lakeside’s ambient atmosphere and relax at the shore of Phewa Lake.

Highlights

• Traverse through popular villages, including Pothana and Dhampus
• Enjoy the scenic landscapes throughout the way
• Evening walk around the Lakeside, Pokhara
• Relax at the shore of Phewa Lake
• Relish the distant view of the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre Himal

You’ll start the day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel and catch a private vehicle to get back from Pokhara to Kathmandu. You’ll be retracing the route back to Kathmandu via Prithivi Highway. Throughout the way, you’ll be driving past several traditional villages, rural towns, diverse landscapes, terraced farms, and grassy hills.

On a clear day, you’ll also get to enjoy the breathtaking sight of the towering peaks from a distance. It takes about six hours to reach Kathmandu from Pokhara.

Once you reach Kathmandu, you will have the rest of the day for yourself. As per your will, you can either get some rest back at the hotel or take a walk around the colorful streets of Thamel. If you want to buy some souvenirs or gifts from Nepal for family and friends back home, you can do the shopping in Thamel. One of our representatives will pick you up at the hotel and take you for the farewell dinner in the evening.

Highlights

• A scenic drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
• Enjoy the sight of the traditional villages, terraced farms, diverse landscapes, and grassy hills along the way
• Walk around the vibrant streets of Thamel
• Enjoy the farewell dinner in the evening

Departure day! Your adventure of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek will end as you’ll make the final preparation for departure. One of the representatives of Nepal Social Treks will pick you up from the hotel and drop you to the Tribhuvan International Airport for the final departure. He will transfer you to the airport via private transport and help you figure out your check-in terminal.

Special Note

We recommend you look over the entire room before you check out of the hotel to make sure that you have not left anything behind. Also, instead of rushing to pack in the last hour, we advise you to pack your bags and keep them ready a day before the final departure.