Poon Hill Trek

Poon Hill Trek: Best Season

Poon Hill Trek is one of those short trekking adventures in Nepal that you can choose to undertake any month. Still, for the enhanced mountain beauty, colorful landscape and hills, and very active Annapurna wildlife, the spring of March, April, and May and the autumn of September, October, and November would be the best.

A slight snow on the trail climbing towards Poon Hill can be present in the winter of December, January, and February but the mountains will be spectacularly white and sparkling. The summer of June, July, and August almost always bring the monsoon rain that can slightly hinder your hikes through the jungles.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 9 Days Itinerary Difficulty Level

Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is rated as a Profile I, the easy and most accessible nature trekking trip in Annapurna that needs no physical skill, training, conditioning, or experience.

It is altogether a nature trip characterized by a maximum height of only 3210 m. Each day hiking doesn’t go beyond 6 hours occurring on a very simple mountain terrain and well-carved stone paths.

One section however will be particularly tough that involves vertical climbing of stone stairs towards Ulleri counting 3300 total. However, with rests and Annapurna view in between, it can be dealt with easily.

Altitude Sickness/AMS and Management

During the entire time of our Poon Hill Trek, we will be staying below 3200 m which means we will always be at a comfortable altitude where oxygen content will not be as low as in the higher Himalayan zone.

Therefore, there will not be a huge risk of AMS or acute mountain sickness but it may happen to some of the guests. Generally, it occurs because of the speedy pace that you take to reach your destination and the lack of hydration.

The AMS may therefore manifest in you as headaches, vertigo, vomiting, mild dizziness, nausea, and excessive tiredness. If you notice these signs, stop where you are, hydrate, and sleep for a few hours. You can also take Diamox but only if you don’t have any kidney conditions and your doctor has allowed you to intake it.

Training and Preparation for the Poon Hill Trek

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek does not need very extensive training and physical prep as in other remote high-altitude mountain hiking adventures of Nepal. If you are capable of handling the 6 hours trek each day along with the occasional ascent along the stone stairs, you are good to go.

However, if you are not so active and athletic, you will have to physically train with stair climbing, walking, and running. These will prepare you for the steep ascent of the stone stairs leading up to Ulleri.

Sleeping, Food and Travel Arrangements

A twin room of a cheerful three-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara awaits you in the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek 9 days itinerary. With two single large beds, you will also get your own shower, hot water, WiFi, and toilet. Breakfasts will always be in your room or preferred spot in the hotel every morning.

On the trek, homely mountain guesthouses will facilitate your night stay in their twin room. You may get the attached shower and toilet along with hot showers and WiFi at a small extra amount.

Breakfasts, dinners, and lunches will always be served in the dining room of these local guesthouses.

For your ground travel during the Poon Hill trek, if you choose to fly, a local Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu domestic flight will be prearranged by our Himalayan Hope Treks team at a tiny extra amount.

For the road travel back and forth between Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu, a tourist bus will facilitate your journey. A private jeep, car, or van transfer can also be organized at an added fee for this transfer.

Likewise, a private or shared jeep will be utilized for small transfers between Pokhara to Nayapul and from Birethanti to Pokhara.

Some Possible Routes and Extensions for Poon Hill Trek

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek can also be undertaken in reverse order. You can commence trekking from Ghandruk instead and progress towards Poon Hill then choose to return via Tikhedhunga. This route will descend you more with little ascension.

Likewise, the Poon Hill trek can also be connected to the Annapurna Base Camp, Australian Camp trek, Mohare Danda trek, and Annapurna Circuit trek trails as well.

Travel Insurance

Remember to take the travel insurance with the provision of helicopter search, evacuation, rescue, and transport up to 3300 m elevation for the Poon Hill trek.

Likewise, if you incorporate the accidental and medical coverage as well, then it will be a bonus. Don’t forget, the travel insurance must align with your hiking plans in Nepal and should be active else you will have the permits for the trek.

Essential Permits for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 9 Days Itinerary

The Poon Hill trek route always moves through the Annapurna Conservation Area. Therefore along with the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), we should also procure the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card.

A 3000 NPR and 2000 NPR cost for the Conservation area and TIMS respectively has already been part of the total trip fee. Our guide coming with you will be handling all the permit procedures in the Kathmandu or Pokhara tourism office.