A Guide and useful information about Ghorepani Poon hill trek

August 7, 2018

The Ghorepani Ghandruk trek is a short and cultural classic trekking route located in the northwest of Kathmandu. It is one of the most visited and popular trekking routes. The Ghorepani trekking is often referred to by its full name The Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, Ghorepani Ghandruk trek, Poon hill sunrise trek, etc.

Ghorepani is a colorful lovely Poon Magar village as it is one of the most popular trekking in the Annapurna Region of Nepal. Ghorepani village offers you a stunning high mountain range already even from your room when it is clear. Ghorepani is a village where we spent the night at lodges and Poon hill is a popular viewpoint we just go and observe the magical sunrise view over the Himalayas and it is about 50 minutes step uphill from Ghorepani.

Ghorepani Poon hill trek can be completed between 3 to 7 days but 4 nights 5 days Ghorepani Poon hill and Ghandruk trek is the best. If you have a good pace then 3 days will be enough to finish this trek but if you want your time smoothly and enjoy nature then 4 Nights 5 days of trekking is the best way to explore the region. It is a low-altitude trekking route that goes through the village, Beautiful Landscapes, River, and a wonderful valley. The maximum altitude we go till 3210 m which is just a hiking spot called Poon hill and the highest point of this trek we sleep is at 2820 m which is Ghorepani.

Ghorepani is a historical place as it is popular for water resources for Livestock’s so historically the name Ghore “Horse” was drinking water from the pond which was quite deep and the trusty horse fall down into the pond while he was drinking water and he died than people used to say Ghore Pani. A place where Ghore “Horse” died in Pond “Pani” after this happened the name of this trek called Ghorepani.

Where is the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek?

Ghorepani poon hill trekking is a popular trekking route Lie in the Annapurna conservation area which is located in the northwest of Kathmandu. This short trek has few alternative options to spend the days as this trek can be completed within 3 days up to 7 days that is all determined on your physical fitness. This trek basically takes 4 nights 5 days along with the local community and forest as it is a beautiful trek. There are many lodges and Tea houses along the way so you just need to bring some clothes and a sleeping liner for this trek. The poon hill is located to the northeast of Pokhara city and lies beside Ghorepani Village. Roughly the popular trekking route begins from Pokhara-Nayapul-Thikhedunga-Ghorepani-Ghandruk & Pokhara.

Buses/jeeps or private Car/taxi take you to Nayapul which is about a 1.30-minutes drive via Nuadanda and Kande. is a very small road and has many turnings but it is a scenic drive you can see many high rolling hills, farmland, and valley while you are in the vehicles. When you reach Nayapul you begin your trek into farmlands surrounded by many green hills and Forest.

The Ghorepani poon hill trek is one of the most visited area treks so that if you are looking for a real rural area trek then this trek may not be suited for your desire or needs as it is quite crowded.

If you are traveling to Nepal for the or first time and have also kids with you and short time then Ghorepani on hill trek will be the best option to explore the area, culture, nature, and traditions.

The highest settlement where we sleep during the Ghorepani Poon hill trek

The Ghorepani and poon hill trek itself is low altitude trek in Nepal. This trek begins from Pokhara which is 900 m high and the highest point we go and sleep at 2820 m which is Ghorepani. Ghorepani is situated on the top of the mountains so the morning view from here is also really beautiful and towering snow cap peaks that we can see easily. There are plenty of tea houses/lodges at Ghorepani and most of them are similar services and prices.

Map of Ghorepani Poon hill trek

How high do we climb during the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek

Poon hill viewpoint is the highest point we are going which is 3210 m/10531 ft and it is just a paradise hilltop from where we can see more than 10 big mountains including Dhaulagiri & Annapurna. You will visit the poon hilltop after a night’s sleep at Ghorepani. Travelers visit poon hill early in the morning which is about 50 minutes steep up to reach.

Total Distance of Ghorepani, Poon Hill & Ghandruk trek

This short trekking route takes 4 nights and 5 days only so it is only 70 km(43.4 miles). On average in this trekking you have to walk about 5 to 6 hours a day but even if you are slower or need more time then that that also possible because every 1-hour distance almost you can get tea house accommodation in case if you need.

Can we see some wild animals during the Ghorepani poon hill trek?

The Ghorepani and poon hill trek is a popular trekking route where we get to see mostly the scenic view, culture, and landscapes but still, if you begin your trek earlier than other trekkers during this trek then you can see some wild Goat, rare Big Langoor Monkey, Musk Deer, Many colorful birds, and butterfly. In this trekking, during the spring season( Feb to June) there will be bloomed rhododendron which will bring out many colorful butterflies and Birds.

Ghorepani and poon hill trek is a low altitude trekking route to see Yaks or Snow leopard as they used to live over 3000 m high at least and the local people say about black bears and tigers but nobody has seen yet Live.

There are quite some donkeys who supply the goods for every tea house over there because there are no proper roads therefore porters or donkeys are just two options to supply the goods at Ghorepani and poon hill area. when you are passing a donkey you should wait till they pass you because when they have heavy loads of sacks they might push you to the jungle and also they the trekking route is not very wide at some point. The donkey leaders especially have bells around their neck when we hear the bells from Donkey than remember that he is warning you to stay on the side of the trail.

What will be the view from Poon hill view Point?

Poon hill is the highest point of this trek located at 3210 m and we can see both Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain ranges. The view early in the morning from Poon hill is just magical and indescribable when the sun comes over the mountain and the golden rays into the deep valley. there are many short trekking routes in Nepal but the poon hill viewpoint is the one from where we can see the very up-close view of towering mountains and Rolling Hills. the Dhaulagiri(8167 m) massif mountain, Annapurna I (8091 m), and Annapurna south are the most highlighted mountains that we can see from the Poon hill viewpoint and also from Ghorepani.

Ghorepani and Poon gill trek booking conditions:

It is one of the short and easy trekking routes in Nepal and due to the popularity of the Ghorepani poon hill trek, it is easy to operate. There are so many trekking and travel organize the trek but all of them have different quality of services and price so relatively booking with a local agent or freelance guide in Nepal will be the cheapest way if you are a budget traveler if not you can book with some reputed travel Agency who can provide you the best guide, food, and accommodations during your trek.

If you are looking for quality trekking and more enjoyable than package Ghorepani and poon hill trek is the best way to do which is easily available if you google it online. it is 5 days short trek but if you have trekked already and have some fitness then probably the 5th last day will not be needed but if you are trekking with a group or family and kids then you need to go slow and safely so the 5th-day trek will be the perfect choice for them.

Package trekking is quite a common way to make Ghorepani trekking as it is a short and cheap trekking route in Nepal so package trekking usually includes your Meals, Accommodation, Transportation, Guidance, and all Necessary documents as well as your trekking permits.

Hiring a professional Mountain guide yourself

Hiring a guide or porter yourself is the cheapest option for this trek and at the same time, you are helping the local economy straight. If you are budget trekkers and still many countries to travel then you can hire an independent/freelance guide in Nepal whom you can pay his salary roughly about 30$ a day and the rest of the trip expenses such as your food, transport, hotel/lodges, permit all you have to pay yourself. If you have a guide with you for this trek you can tell your guide to reserve your Accommodation during the mountain area trek because they know very well about the localities and hotels and the most important thing is all the accommodations and food price in the mountain is same either small hotel or big as they local Hotel management committee who makes their food menu together. If you are trekking to Ghorepani poon hill in the peak season( Oct & Nov) then you better not to bargain for any things as they already have fixed price on the menu and also the local will be very aggressive if you bargain for food, accommodation or drink as they very complication for transport and the price is slightly high than the city.

Kathmandu is a capital city where thousands of professional agency and guide works so if you are looking for a freelance professional guide you can hire him either from Kathmandu or Pokhara it is the same price. Ghorepani trekking begins from Pokhara and ends also at Pokhara meaning you don’t have to pay extra salary if you hire your guide from Kathmandu therefore you need to find the local freelance guide who can help very well and speak good English that’s enough.

Ghorepani Poon hill trek without a Guide:

If you are solo trekkers and want your own time and pace then you can make Ghorepani Poon hill trek yourself without hiring a Guide or Porter.

You just need to have some trekking experience and slimy fit than you can make it easier. Ghorepani-Poon hill and Ghandruk round trek takes 5 days where we can get accommodation very easily as it is a popular trekking route so that have plenty of tea house and lodges along the way

Trekking independently to Ghorepani poon hill means you are walking without a guide and without any pre-plan, you just make your own pace and budget and also wherever you want you can stop for the night it is completely free but you should take care where you are staying, is that safe or not, etc. Trekking without having a guide or porter is not a 100 % perfect way to explore the region but if you have no choice and low budget or solo trekkers then this option is good and save your money

Ghorepani poon hill trek itinerary:

There is a little Alternative option for Ghorepani trekking that the trekkers can customize the itinerary but usually, this trekking takes 5 days from Pokhara to Pokhara. The most popular trekking itinerary of Ghorepani Poon hill trek is as follows:

Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu(1350 m)

Day 02: Drive to Pokhara 9900 m)

Day 03: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Thikhedunga (1560 m)

Day 04: Trek to Ghorepani(2820 m)

Day 05: Hiking to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani(2650 m)

Day 06: Trek to Ghandruk(1800 m)

Day 07: Trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara.

Day 08: Drive to Kathmandu,

Day 09: Departure

Do I need to make a trekking Permit for Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek?

The Ghorepani poon hill trekking lies in the Annapurna conservation area which is a protected area of Nepal that means entering this conservation area we should make a trekking permit and TIMS card. If you are trekking to Ghorepani Poon hill on a package trek then your trekking agency where you booked your trek gives you your permit and Tims card as well as the list of trekking equipment to bring for the trek and what is not. If you are trekking by yourself you should fill-up the form in Nepal Tourism board Bhirkuti Mandap in Kathmandu or also you can make your permit at Damside Pokhara.