Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek

The Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek is one of the most popular short trek in Nepal. It means that it is ideal for beginners and there are fewer challenges. Is that it? Is that the only special part about the Poon Hill Ghandruk Trek? NO! Here are five other reasons why this trek is special and why you should opt for it:

Family-Friendly Trekking Experience

If there are any family-friendly treks in Nepal, it has to be the Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek. It is excellent for families looking to explore trekking together. The trails are manageable and well-maintained. The lodges along the way are comfortable. And, the risk of altitude sickness is minimal. So, the entire Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek caters to the family of all age group. The trek also includes visiting or staying at multiple traditional villages where children can learn about local life. Early exposure to different cultures can enhance their understanding of the world, and the early trekking experience can shape their life towards a healthy lifestyle.

Easy Accessibility and Shorter Duration

Unlike many other treks, you don’t have to go through a travel hassle to start the Ghandruk Trek. Nayapul, the starting point of the trek, is about 42 km from Pokhara and is easily accessible by road. You can take either a private jeep or a public bus to get to Nayapul. Besides, it is one of the shortest treks in Nepal. You can easily complete this trek in about 4 to 6 days, depending on where you start. Therefore, it is ideal for those who want to trek but are unsure about altitude sickness or have limited time.

Blooming Rhododendrons

Talking about Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek and not addressing the rhododendron forests would be a sin. The trails near Ghorepani are surrounded by the vast Rhododendron forest, which is also considered one of the biggest rhododendron forests in Nepal. These rhododendron blooms come in a variety of colors, ranging from red to purple. Trekking on this trail provides a vibrant experience like no other. However, there is a catch. If you want to witness the blooming rhododendrons, you have to trek in the peak spring season, especially mid-March to mid-April, as it is the best time to see the flowers. 

Stunning Sunrise Views of the Himalayas

Being a short trek and an easy trek doesn’t mean that the trekking experience is compromised. While it isn’t exactly the Himalayan Trekking experience, the Himalayas will never leave your sight. Right from Pokhara, you will be welcomed by Machhapuchhre (the fishtail mountain). As you trek along the trail, the other mountains to be seen are from the Annapurna Range. Upon reaching Poon Hill, at the early morning, before the sunrise, you will witness the early sun rays glistening over the snow capped mountains like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (also known as Fishtail), and Lamjung Himal.

Doable Trek in All Seasons

When we are talking about the best time to do Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek, the line gets blurred. It is doable throughout the year in all four seasons. While spring and autumn are the best seasons, summer and winter are not particularly harsh seasons for this trek either. The temperature at Ghorepani, the highest elevation where you will stay, will not fall below freezing in winter. During the monsoon, the forests are lush and teeming with life. However, you might need sturdy boots and rain gear. So, If you aren’t able to visit Poon Hill during the peak season, you needn’t to worry, you can do it at any time in the year.

The Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek starts from the Nayapul of Lumle. It then ascends towards Birethanti, Syauli Bazaar, and finally to Ghandruk, where you will stay for the night. Initially, the trail follows a dirt road, which soon turns into a stepping-stone trail. The trail from Ghandruk to Tadapani is also a gradual ascent with few flat sections. The trail passes through dense forest and reaches Deurali Pass. From there, it continues gently to Ghorepani. The trail from Ghorepani to Ulleri goes downhill with many stone steps. After Ulleri, the path becomes easier. It passes through villages and farmland on the way to Nayapul.

That said, here is the trail you will take to reach the Poon Hill and get back to Nayapul:

Nayapul → Birethanti → Syauli Bazaar → Kimche → Ghandruk → Bhaise Kharka → Tadapani → Banthanti → Deurali → Ghorepani → Poon Hill → Ghorepani → Ulleri → Hille → Tikhedhunga → Nayapul

Yes and No. 

Yes because altitude sickness can technically affect anyone above 2,500 meters and Poon Hill is located at an elevation of 3,210 meters. So, while it’s rare on this trek, it’s not impossible, especially if you are not physically fit and have a sedentary lifestyle. Throughout the trek, the trails are manageable. However, the trail also features a steep step ascent, which can be challenging and impact your pace. Therefore, maintaining good physical fitness is beneficial. And, if you are dehydrated, the risk of altitude sickness can increase.

No because the Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek stays below 3,210 meters, which is generally considered a safe altitude, even though altitude effects can technically begin around 2,500 meters. The ascent is gradual, and overnight stays at the places will allow you to acclimatize on your own. While some trekkers may experience shortness of breath or fatigue, they don’t necessarily have to be suffering from altitude sickness. Serious altitude sickness is very rare on this route. That said, we recommend staying hydrated and maintaining a gradual pace.

Even though ghandruk poon hill trek is doable in every season, it is still essential to know about the temperatures and weather to manage packing list and also to know what you are trekking for. Here is the table for weather and temperature on the Poon Hill Ghandruk Trek:

Even though the ghandruk poon hill trek is the shortest, you still have to get the permits to trek. The two permits you need to obtain are the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Information Management System). These permits allow you to trek legally inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. There are checking posts, where you have to submit the permit. Failing to do so can lead to legal issues and a fine. That said, here is the table for the price of the permits and where to obtain them:

Note: Nepalese have to pay NPR 100 for the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. Children under 10 years old don’t require a fee to trek inside the conservation area. Additionally, the permit price is included in the package. So, Himalaya Guide Nepal will obtain all the necessary permits on your behalf. 

The Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek starts at USD 545 for one person (look below for what is included and what is not included). However, the price for the trek is flexible in the sense that there are discounts available for those trekking in a group, making it more budget-friendly. For example, if you are a group of 10 people, a single person only has to pay USD 335, saving you a whopping amount of USD 210 that you would have spent if you were trekking solo. So, here is the table for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek for different group of people: 

Yes, you can do Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek in just 3 or 4 days. To complete it in fewer days, you will need to keep a steady pace and limit the time spent in villages. If you didn’t reroute to the Ghandruk and just did the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, you can do so in 3 days. In this case, you will trek from Nayapul and reach Ghorepani on the second day. On the third day, you can reach Poon Hill, watch sunrise, trek back to Nayapul, and take a bus to Pokhara. However, if you include Ghandruk, it adds one or two extra days. So, Poon Hill Ghandruk trek is possible in four days.

However, trekking in fewer days means walking for longer hours and longer distances. This can increase the possibility of suffering from injuries and the risk of altitude sickness, despite minimal increases. You might also miss the opportunity to enjoy the local life and nature, which are the soul of trekking in Nepal. If you plan to complete this trek in shorter days, you need to plan accordingly. We are here to assist you regardless of the trek duration.

Since Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek is a short Trek, the gear and equipment needed differ from many other Himalayan Trek. Due to its shorter duration, you won’t need to buy multiple pairs of the same items. You can cut down the quantity. Moreover, this trail in this trek is well-managed, with established hotels and lodges along the way, and the temperature doesn’t drop to freezing, so carrying a sleeping bag is also optional. That said, here is the general packing list for the Ghandruk Pooon Hill Trek:

There are multiple short treks to do in Nepal. However, a short trek doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy, too. Besides, Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek the two other short treks are Mardi Himal Trek and Langtang Valley Trek. All these treks can be completed within a week. So, what exactly makes Poon Hill Trek different from them? Here is the brief comparison:

As you can see,Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek, among the three, is the easiest trek to do. The maximum elevation reached is also 3,210 meters, which doesn’t pose the risk of altitude sickness as the other two do. It allows you to explore the Annapurna Region and takes you to the vantage point offering the mountain views. While it may not be a Himalayan high-altitude trek or a circuit trek, it still offers the beauty of rhododendrons and mountains. So, if you are a family, a friend, or a solo trekker seeking to start the trekking journey, then Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek is the best one.

As the saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” your trekking journey can begin with Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.