Poon Hill Trek 3 days

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 3 days Guide

The Poon Hill Trek 3 Days is a popular hiking route in Nepal’s Annapurna region. This trek is relatively easy and short and offers mesmerizing views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, you have the opportunity to experience the unique culture and lifestyle of the local community.

The 3 days trek of Poon Hill typically begins from Nayapul, which is a small town about 1.5 hours of drive from Pokhara. From there, trekkers pass through lush forests, charming villages, and terraced farmland before reaching Poon Hill summit, the 3 days trek highest point is at 3,210 meters (10,531 feet). However, the average elevation along the trek ranges between 2,500 and 3,000 meters (8,200-9,800 feet), making it relatively easy and accessible for most people. The gradual ascent and well-defined trail make it a good option for beginners or those new to trekking in Nepal.

Despite its accessibility, it’s important to properly acclimate to the altitude and take necessary precautions to avoid altitude sickness. Drink plenty of water, take rest breaks, and ascend slowly to ensure a safe and enjoyable trek.

While the Poon Hill Trek usually takes 3 to 5 days to complete, we offer a 3-day package. This shorter itinerary allows trekkers to enjoy panorama views of the mountain ranges, witness breathtaking sunrise views from Poon Hill, explore traditional Gurung and Magar villages, and interact with the friendly locals.

Nayapul to Ghorepani:

The trekking trail begins from Nayapul to Ghorepani a well-marked Magar and Gurung community, winding through beautiful forests, charming villages, the sound of the flowing river,  and scenic landscapes. The poon hill trek starts with a gradual ascent, passing through a small valley and terraced fields, and then enters a dense forest of rhododendron trees.

As you climb higher, the trail becomes steeper. By the first night, you’ll reach the village of Ulleri, where you can take a break and enjoy some refreshments. The trail gets even steeper as you continue, requiring you to climb 3,200 stone steps to reach Ulleri, at an altitude of about 2,070 meters (6,791 feet).

From Ulleri, the trail continues to climb through dense forest, passing the villages of Banthanti and Nangethanti before reaching Ghorepani. Ghorepani is a beautiful village situated at an altitude of around 2,850 meters (9,350 feet), known for its stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

View From Poon Hill

The highest point of our 3-day trek lies at an altitude of 3210m. Trekkers love this destination for its stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. The summit of Poon Hill is accessible by climbing a steep set of stairs from the village of Ghorepani. The climb typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your fitness level and pace.

At the top, you can enjoy breathtaking sunrise views over the mountains, with peaks such as Annapurna South (7219m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III ( 7555m), Annapurna IV ( 7525m), Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Dhaulagiri II (7751m), Dhaulagiri III (7715m), Dhaulagiri IV (7661m), Dhaulagiri V (7618m), Dhaulagiri VI 7288m), Gurja Himal (7193), Tukuche Peak (6920m), Nilgiri South (6940m), Nilgiri North (7061m) Annapurna Fang (7857), Hiuchuli (6441m), Mardi Himal,  Machhapuchhre (6997m) (also known as “Fishtail” is a Holy mountain), Lamjung Himal (6983m), and Manaslu Himal (8163m). are visible in the distance from the View Tower of Poon Hill. The views are especially stunning during the autumn and spring seasons when the sky is clear and the weather is favorable.

Ghorepani village

Flora of Poon Hill:

The lower regions of Ghorepani are characterized by subtropical vegetation, including lush forests of rhododendron, oak, and pine trees. As you ascend higher, the landscape transitions into temperate forests dominated by fir, hemlock, and maple trees. Whereas Oak trees dominate the forests around Ghorepani, providing a habitat for various wildlife. One of the highlights is the vibrant display of rhododendron blooms during the spring season, adding a splash of color to the landscape with red, pink, and white. Trekking in the Poon Hill area during the rhododendron bloom is an unforgettable experience. You can enjoy stunning views of snow-capped mountains framed by these colorful flowers. Many trekkers visit specifically to witness this breathtaking natural phenomenon, making it one of Nepal’s most awe-inspiring sights. Additionally, Bamboo is common in the lower elevations. Moreover, Juniper trees thrive at higher elevations. Similarly, paper trees are grown and people use them for making handmade paper products such as stationery, greeting cards, and various craft items.

Fauna:

Duration

Trek to Poon Hill begins from Nayapul after a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Pokhara. The trail passes through the beautiful villages of Tikhe Dhunda, Ulleri, and Ghorepani. Nayapul to Poon Hill’s distance is 13.4 km. The trek takes you through picturesque mountain scenery and villages inhabited by Gurungs and Magars.

If you have only 3 days from Kathmandu

You can complete the Short Poon Hill trek from Kathmandu in 3 days by flying directly to Pokhara at 9 am. Your guide will pick you up at the Pokhara airport, and you’ll drive to Nayapul to begin the trek on the same day. Your guide will also drop you off at Pokhara airport at the end of the trek, allowing you to complete the Poon Hill trek from Kathmandu within 3 days.

Guides and porters

The Ghorepani Poon Hill package is led by professional guides and porters from the Annapurna Poon Hill area, all of whom are locals from the Ghorepani Annapurna region. They are also intimately familiar with the people, culture, and history of the Annapurna Poon Hill area. In the last 10 years, guides from our team have led the poon hill trek route nine to ten times per season. All of our guides and equipment are covered by trekking insurance policies.

Poon hill trek difficulty

The trek is classified as a moderately challenging trek, suitable for trekkers with a reasonable level of physical fitness. It involves a combination of uphill climbs and gentle descents, covering a total distance of approximately 30-40 miles (50-65 kilometers) depending on the chosen route.

The trek generally spans 3-5 days, with daily hiking durations averaging around 5-6 hours. Trekkers will traverse altitudes ranging from approximately (900 meters) to a maximum of  (3,210 meters) at Poon Hill.

During uphill, altitude can be challenging. So, most trekkers with adequate fitness levels should complete the trek without significant difficulty if they prepare and acclimatize properly.

To enhance preparedness, it is recommended that trekkers engage in physical training. Also, cardiovascular exercises before the trek are highly recommended. This will help build stamina and endurance, ensuring a more enjoyable experience.

Gradual acclimatization, taking breaks, and staying hydrated to the altitude are advisable. Maintaining a steady and unhurried pace is recommended. By adopting these guidelines and exercising caution, most trekkers can have a rewarding experience.

In the early morning, visitors are advised to ascend Poon Hill, which takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the summit. This allows for sunrise views and breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains. Afterward, trekkers return to the lodge in Ghorepani for breakfast and proceed with the hike back to Nayapul. The trek typically takes around 5-6 hours from there. The journey concludes with a return to Pokhara.

Highlights of Poon Hill

• View of the Annapurna range, the Himalayas from Poon hill, 3210 meters high.
• There are three mountains over eight thousand meters high, Dhaulagiri, 8,167m, Manaslu, 8,163m, and Annapurna-I, 8,091m.
• Beautiful villages along the way to Ghorepani Poonhill; Birethanti, Hille, Tikhedhunga, and Ulleri.
• A picturesque waterfall, river, rice terrace, and rhododendron forest
• You can easily trek in the Annapurna region’s Ghorepani Poon Hill for two nights and three days from Pokhara
• There is the option of a two-way flight to Pokhara from Kathmandu and back to Kathmandu.

Options number I:

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 3 Days begins with a drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, followed by a walk to Poon Hill. The Poonhill trek finishes with a drive back to Pokhara.

Option number II:

If you’re not habitual to hiking in the mountains, you may need to add one more day to your itinerary. Alternatively, you can reach the Ghandruk Village Loop via Poon Hill, then drive to Pokhara from Nayapul.

Option II, the itinerary included the classic treks via the other way round a more adventurous anticlockwise trek starting from Australian Camp, Landruk village, chhomrong hill, and Poon Hill, and ending all the way downhill to Pokhara via Ulleri villages.

Poon Hill Trek distance

• Pokhara to Nayapul distance 45 km. 1-hour drive
• Nayapul to poon hill distance is 13.5 km. 2 days hike

Related Treks

• Classic Poon Hill Round Trek
• Poon Hill Trek – 2 Days
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill
• Pokhara to Poon Hill Trek

Mark and Mim, who participated in the Poon Hill trek with our team on August 30, 2019, have written excellent articles on their blog. These articles provide comprehensive and detailed information about the Poon Hill trek and the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal