Article Poon Hill trek

Wonderful view of Dhaulagiri

Petr Liška

Wrote 2517 articles and follows him / her 248 travelers

Hiking Hiking circuits & Trekking

Inserted: 12.09.2014

They been there:

The ascent to the beautiful outlook place Poon Hill is very popular among visitors to Nepal because it is easily accessible from Pokhara and it is not time consuming. At the same time, this trail works as a shortcut between the circuit around Annapurnas and trek to the Annapurna base camp. Due to the fact that this whole area is located on the windward side of the mountains, you have to count that there will be worse and more changeable weather than in Manang on the north side of the mountain. Although you will be here in much lower altitudes than during other treks in Nepal, but the ascents are here significantly steeper and the paths muddier. Anyway, the views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and others are definitely worth it.

Day 1

Ascent from Tatopani to Ghorapani

If you choose more interesting variant of Poon Hill trek, i.e. crossing or you just continue on the trek around Annapurnas and begin the walk in Tatopani (1 250 m asl), then await you right at the beginning very difficult stage, when you will only ascend almost all the day. The surrounding countryside is very picturesque and so you will probably not mind it too much. Tourists with worth physical condition or those not in hurry choose overnight stay already in Sikha village (1 960 m asl) in the halfway and get to Ghorapani the following day.

2.
Hike Tatopani - Ghorapani

Long ascent ascent below Poon Hill

Rating:

| Altitude: 2 880 m / 9 449 ft

Trekking stage from Tatopani – Ghorapani is grueling mainly because of practically continuous „infinite“ ascent (1 700 altitude meters), especially for those walking it within the trek around the Annapurnas and have already walked many kilometers and vertical meters. On the other hand, you will see beautiful views of the pointed peak of Nilgri and at the end also of the eight-thousand high mountain Dhaulagiri. Along the way you will walk mostly through farmland with several picturesque villages. continue reading

Day 2

Ascent to Poon Hill and the way through rhododendrons

Get up early in the morning for the sunrise and ascend from Ghorapani about 350 vertical meters to Poon Hill. The atmosphere of dawn maybe spoilt by the crowds, but if you wait here for a while, there is almost nobody even an hour after the sunrise and the stunning view of Dhaulagiri is only yours. You need to decide then whether you descend along a shorter way to Nayapul or extend the trek for a walk through beautiful villages Tadapani and Ghandruk, which are also known for beautiful sunrises. This option is ideal for those who continue to on to BC Annapurna.

4.
Ascent to Poon Hill

Beautiful outlook of Dhaulagiri

Rating:

| Altitude: 3 193 m / 10 476 ft

Outlook hill Poon Hill (3 193 m asl) is one of the favorite destinations of tourists who have only a few days, but also want to see Himalayan panorama, or for those who are undertaking long and relatively difficult trek around Annapurnas. Most people start here from the village of Ghorepani at sunrise, when is the ridge with eight thousand high mountain Dhaulagiri nicely lit. Of course, you can clearly see also Annapurna I. and Annapurna South. There are really disgusting crowds at sunrise here, but you just need to wait until organized expeditions leave and you will be on the top almost alone. continue reading

5.
Hike Ghorapani - Tadapani - Ghandruk

Wandering through the misty forest

Rating:

| Altitude: 3 185 m / 10 449 ft

The way through rhododendron misty forests to Tadapani possibly up to Ghandruk works mainly as a shortcut between Poon Hill and trekking trail to Annapurna base camp. You will enjoy here the views of the mountains mostly early in the morning, before the landscape veils into the misty clouds. But the views during the sunrise, however, are in Ghnadruk and Tadapani renowned. Walking this way is relatively demanding – you can expect frequent ascents and descents over muddy paths and endless staircases. continue reading

Day 3

Descent to Nayapul

The third day you will continue from Tadapani in the direction of BC Annapurna or from Ghandruk through the area of rice terraces back to Nayapul, where you end the trek. It is better to count with a one-day reserve for the whole trek.

7.
Hike Ghandruk - Nayapul

Around the rice terraces

Rating:

| Altitude: 2 050 m / 6 726 ft

The long descent from the village of Ghandruk (2 050 m asl) to Nayapul (1 020 m asl) is the final stage of BC Annapurna trek, but quite often pass here also tourists from Poon Hill trek, which they prolonged for the visit of village Tadapani. The path leads between rice fields high above the valley of river Modi khola. Be sure to get up early in Ghandruk, so that you can admire the sunrise on Annapurna South (7 219 m asl). continue reading