Poon Hill

Poon hill is a hill located at an altitude of 3210m, just above Ghorepani village. It lies in Myagdi district of western Nepal. Poon hill offer stunning sunrise of Annapurna rang including, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Mount fishtail and other several snow caped peaks.

Pooon hill is popular  trekking place as it offers fantastic Himalayan view. The Poon hill trekking is perfect  trekking destination for those who are looking 3-4 days hike for Himalayan experience in Nepal.

Poonhill Trekking in Nepal is one of the foremost savoured adventure activity. This amusing vantage point nestled in Myagdi district of western Nepal directly overlooks the mighty Mt.Dhaulagiri(8167m), surrounded by the picturesque vista of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range mountains. Poonhill trek or more renowned as Ghorepani Poonhill Trek is beyond doubt for you if you seek a short treks in Nepal that is equally rewarding as other Himalayan journeys.

Hotels in Poonhill are teahouses, mountain lodges and guest houses with varied facilities and offerings provided. Most hotels have attached bathrooms, wifi, hot-shower and horse riding facilities for trekkers. On the flip side, primitive houses lodges provide basic amenities like room, meals and internet connectivity depending on the location and type.

Poon hill View

The surrounding gaze you can have from the viewpoint of Poonhill is simple surreal and astounding. Trekkers choose the time before the sunrise to hike to Poon hill from Ghorepani which takes about 45 minutes. As the sun shines upon the shimmering white mountains, you will witness one of the best natural scenarios of Himalayan mountains. Some describe this view as heavenly and out of this world. The mountain vista as seen from Poonhill includes Annapurna (8,091m), Dhaulagiri (8,127m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Machapuchare (6,993m), Hinchuli, Annapurna III, Dhampus peak and Dhaulagiri II. The morning alpine meadows with mist rising up from the lush green forests is another great sight to behold.

Poonhill Trek Route

The trekking route to Poonhill is well paved and marked with proper signage for navigation. This destination has been a prominent trekking spot since decades and sophisticated infrastructure such as drinking water, tourists information centres, accommodations and confectioneries are available throughout the trail. From Pokhara,

you will take the Pokhara-Baglung highway for 40 kilometers to reach Nayapul and begin your trekking journey to Poon hill. The starting point of Poon hill Trek is at Pokhara. From Nayapul, your traverse will take the small villages inhabited by Gurung and Magar people headed northbound. The trail is a bit inclined with few switch back ascents you will encounter.

The total distance of Poonhill trekking is 45 kilometers which can be completed within a 7-9 days depending upon your Poonhill trekking itinerary. You will pierce through Annapurna Conservation Area Project passing through small villages such as: Tikhedhunga, Ulleri and Ghorepani to make your final push to Poonhill. From Poonhill, you will take another route headed eastward to Tadapani that follows through series of Gurung villages like Ghandruk and Chomrong before descending to Jhinu for your drive back to Pokhara.

Alternative route for Poonhill Trekking is by taking Jeep from Pokhara straight to Ulleri. There is a roadway that connects Nayapul with Ulleri. While the roadway is a dirt path that is unpaved and rugged, you can drive till Ulleri and follow the usual itinerary through Ghorepani, Tadapani, Ghandruk and descend to Jhinu and return to Pokhara.

Itinerary 1 – 3 Days

Day 1 – Pokhara to Ulleri
Day 02 – Trekking Ghrepani
Day 03 -Climb Poon hill- trek back Nayapul – Drive Pokhara

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Itinerary 2 -4 Days

Day 01 -Dive from Pokhara to Ulleri
Day 02 -Trekking to Ghrepani
Day 03 -Hike  Poon hill- trek to Tadapani
Day 04 -Trek to Ghandruk – back  Drive Pokhara

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Itinerary 3 – 2 Days

Dive from Pokhara to Banthanti Trekking Ghorepani

Hike  Poon hill- trek Back Banthanti drive to Pokhara

Poon hill trek 2 days – Adventure Great Himalaya

Poon hill Permits

As a destination encapsulated under Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), you will need to obtain ACAP permit for trekking to Poonhill. This permit can be obtained either in Kathmandu or at Pokhara before your departure. Permit cost for Poon hill trekking are given below:

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit Cost:
For SAARC Nationals: Rs.1000/ US $10 (Approx)

For Other Nationals: Rs. 3000/ US$ 30 (Approx)

Also, you will need to obtain Trekkers Information Management System (TIMs) which can be obtained through your trekking agent for Poon hill Trek.

Trekkers Information Management System (TIMs) Cost:

For SAARC Nationals: Rs.1000/ US $10 (Approx)

For Other Nationals: Rs. 2000/ US$ 20 (Approx)

As of 2023, a new rule has been put into effect regarding trekking in Nepal. Trekking guides are mandatory for any type of trekking activities. Trekking to Poonhill without a guide is not entertained in the Himalayas and authorities will not issue permits if you dont have a trekking guide accompanying you for your trek.

Trekking guides are vital for any trekking adventure, read our How to choose Trekking guides for your trek in Nepal blog for further information.

Poon hill Elevation

Poonhill viewpoint stands as the highest point of Ghorepani Poonhill trek at 3210 meters and it is one of the low elevated profile trekking. The lower elevation profile makes this trekking just the right alternative for beginner trekkers in the Himalayan mountains.

The risks associated with high altitude trekking in Nepal such as Acute Mountain Sickness, High Altitude Pulmonary Edema and High Altitude Cerebral Edema  are minimal in Poonhill Trekking.

As a standard Poon hill trekking itinerary, your trekking adventure begins at Pokhara which sits at 800 meters. You can get detail insight of Poonhill trek elevation gain with table and chart below.

Poon hill Trek Price

The cost of Poonhill Trekking can vary due to several factors, with different companies offering varying prices. Group size and accommodation choices play a crucial role in determining the overall cost of the trek. Smaller groups, with less than four people, may incur higher costs compared to larger groups exceeding five individuals. Additionally, ground transportation expenses will fluctuate based on the group size.

Accommodation in Poon hill trekking are diverse, especially in Kathmandu, the capital city, offering a range from luxurious star-rated hotels to budget-friendly tourist accommodations. The price of accommodation will depend on your preferences and choices.

Adventure Great Himalaya Treks and Expeditions, for example, offers a 9 days Ghorepani Poonhill Trek package at a base cost of USD 650. It is recommended to carefully review the inclusion section of the package to thoroughly analyse the costs and understand what is covered in the Poonhill Trek package.