Want to experience the Annapurna range and its magnificence but without a long, tiring hassle? Then Poon Hill trek might just be the answer. Get ready to have a beautiful and relaxing adventure to the most beautiful Annapurna region of Nepal.
Poon Hill trek is considered to be one of the best treks in the Annapurna region that provides an up-close and panoramic view of the entire Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri. For its beauty and adventure the Poon hill trek is also called the short Annapurna circuit. Apart from the stunning views of the mountains, the trek is also special as one gets to witness the various terrains of Nepal and the diverse people inhabiting the different regions. The local people mostly include Magars , Gurungs and Thakuris with their unique lifestyles and Buddhist cultures which makes the trek a culturally enriching one. The trek through lush hilly regions, rhododendron forests with intoxicating views of Annapurna range , Dhaulagiri, Himchuli , Mt Fishtail and many others throughout the trail make s you feel like you’ve reached a new paradise with every other step.
The Poon hill trek is specifically famous for the sunrise view on the mountains, seen from the Poon Hill viewpoint. With the mesmerizing sunrises with mountains as far as Tibet, the 5-6 day trek is a relatively easier hike with average elevation which reduces the chances of altitude sickness. However, having a moderate level of fitness would really make the experience easier. It is not just a hike with trails but you get to encounter natural treasures from waterfalls, hot springs, rhododendron covered forests to a number of rare species of birds and animals throughout the trail. It might be a comfortable trek but with its closeness to nature, you experience a mix of nature, serenity and beauty that makes your trek a trip to the Shangri-la.
Accommodation
The Poon Hill trek can be 5-6 days depending on the itinerary and while you get to choose the standard of hotels while in the city areas, even along the trail there are a number of guest houses to cater to your needs that provide the food and other accommodation services according to your taste. If you want a more natural trip, camping in tents is also possible. The accommodation options are provided keeping in mind the standard of hygiene, service, location, food standard and costs. The cuisine provided by the different hotels or guest houses include Nepali, Indian, Italian, Tibetan and Continental to cater to the taste-buds of different trekkers.
Alone vs. Guide
The trek is perfect for a little hike with family or friends to experience the nature and rural Nepali life on your own. You can have your own adventure by staying in tents or guest houses and choosing your own schedules and stays in places that most fascinate you.
But this is a trek that requires permit and if you are new to the trekking experience in Nepal or do not know much about the Himalayas, the culture and the people, a guide would make the experience a more enriching one by introducing you gently and interestingly to the people, culture, lifestyles as well as the flora and fauna on the trail while providing you access to the best vantage points for mountain viewing. In case of any health or other emergencies, the guide will have a better knowledge about the terrain as well as the immediate actions to be taken which helps prevent such tragedies or reduce their effects. So, a guided tour is always highly recommended.
Best Season for Poon Hill Trek
The trail is beautiful and the trekking easier on months when there is no rain or snow. So, the best season would be September- November and March – May. In these months, the weather is clearer and the temperature is moderate, only the morning and evenings are a bit chilly leaving the days perfectly clear for splendid views of the mountains. The rainy or snowy season might halt the trek midway or the skies might not be so clear and you might miss the mesmerizing views. However, the trek can be done all year around and if you are lucky then you also get to experience the always intimidating and mesmerizing views of the mountain ranges.
What to Bring for Poon Hill Trek
Though it is a moderate short trek , there are a number of equipments and essentials that you should pack while keeping in mind that the weight in any trek should not exceed 20 kg s whether you are taking a porter or not. The following is a checklist for things you need for Poon Hill Trek
- Sunglasses, hat, scarves for UV protection
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trekking shoes (old, fitted ones that will not cause blisters)
- Jackets (wind stopper, waterproof/repellant)
- Pullovers
- Pants, shorts that make the trekking easy
- Hiking Socks (check: best hiking socks to prevent blisters)
- Shoes (sandals, camp shoes, hiking boots with spare laces)
- Water bottle
- Sleeping bag (suitable even for temperature below freezing)
- Headlamps (with spare bulbs and batteries)
- First aid kit with personal medical requirements
- Daypack
- Toiletries
Overall Cost Idea for Poon Hill Trek
The total cost of the trek might vary according the agency you choose, the services provided, the itinerary or certain unexpected situations that might occurs. Normally the trek costs about $500 which includes accommodation on hotels , guest houses, the entry fees and other permits, professional guides, porters, ground transportation with all meals including snacks and others depending on the package you choose. The Annapurna Conservation permit and TIMS trekker’s permit cost around $ 30.
Poon Hill Route information
The total distance of the trek is 32 miles (51 km) which takes a total of 5 days to cover. With a maximum elevation of 3210 m, the trek is considered a moderate one that could even be a family trip with easy trails that require less equipment and expertise with 4-6 hours of walk every day.
After a flight or a drive to Pokhara, the starting point of the trip, you drive to Nayapool the next day. From Nayapool you walk through Lush green Modi river valley where you will need to show the permits. From there you walk through bamboo forests and waterfall to Hille and then finally to Tikledhunga to end the trek for the day.
The second day of the trek, after a total of 7 hours’ hike alongside the cascading river takes you to Ghorepani through beautiful and refreshing oak and rhododendron forests. After spending a night here, you start the hike up to Poon hill early in the morning to see the sunrise glimmering over the mountains making them appear from the darkness of the night. It is a truly heavenly feeling to witness such awe-inspiring view with the beautiful landscapes all around. After breakfast continues through forests and villages to Tadapani, a four hour walk take you to a natural hot water spring with a pool and showers to de-stress. The next day you walk for 5-6 hours along the Kali Gandaki River to reach Beni, the end point of the trek from where you take a 4 – 5 hrs drive to Pokhara.
Hot spring
The trek is not just about the walk and cultural experiences. Once you make your way to Jhinu danda through Tadapani and Ghandruk, you reach a natural Hot spring where you can relax your trek woes with trekkers from all over the world resting there. The hot spring at an elevation of 1745 m is a huge attraction of the Poon hill trek.
Weather of Poon Hill
If you visit during the best seasons i.e. spring and autumn (Sept- Nov and mid Feb- mid June) the weather will be warm and sunny but nights could be chilly and temperature could go below freezing. As you move forward to Poon hill, you will be leaving behind the warmer regions of low levels to reach the destination could be freezing. The weather could change rapidly and unexpectedly due to various natural causes and weather pattern of nearby reasons. So, the weather can be considered to be a moderate one but you should be ready to deal with any contingencies.
Sunrise at Poon Hill
The main attraction of the entire trip is the sunrise view of the snow capped mountain range. One needs to get up at around 5 to get ready and go to the viewing point of the Poon hill. After waiting for a few minutes or hours, depending on the season, the sun slowly emerges from behind to shed its golden rays on the mountain peaks to make the already amazing view a spellbinding, golden one. Though it is very chilly in the morning and might also mean a lot of crowd, once you witness the mountain peaks gleaming in the early morning arm sunny rays, all of it seems worthwhile. Some trekkers also prefer the sunset over the sunrise as it is quieter and you can enjoy the warm weather till the sun is shining and slowly disappearing behind the mountains.
