Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

As you land at Kathmandu Airport (Tribhuvan International Airport), finish your custom formalities (visa, etc.) and get to the airport waiting terminal, where you will find our representative waiting to greet you. He/she will be holding Icicles Adventure Treks and Tour signboard. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private vehicle.

You can either rest in your hotel or shop around Thamel streets for your gears needed in your trek.

Following an early breakfast, you will make your way to the domestic airport for one of the morning flights to Pokhara. During your flight, you will have the opportunity to admire the breathtaking views of the Langtang Range, Dorje Lakpa, Ganesh Himal, Dhaulagiri Himal, and the majestic Annapurna Massif. Upon landing, you'll transfer to a vehicle for a picturesque drive to Hile, marking the starting point of your trek.

Your trek kicks off upon arrival in Hile. The initial leg of the hike is relatively easy, featuring gentle rises and falls on flat terrain, and includes crossing rivers over metal suspension bridges. After one such crossing, you'll encounter a lengthy stone stairway leading to Ulleri, where you'll ascend more than 3000 steps. This strenuous climb ranks as one of the trek's most challenging segments. Maintain a consistent pace and take breaks as needed. Once you conquer this section, you'll reach Ulleri.

Nestled on a sharp hillside, Ulleri is a Magar village well-frequented by trekkers on the Annapurna trail. The village boasts several modern lodges and traditional teahouses designed to accommodate trekkers. You'll spend the night in one of these cozy lodges, operated by a local family.

Stay overnight in Ulleri.

Departing from Ulleri, your journey continues as you ascend additional steps. This segment of the trek offers a pleasant walk past ancient stone dwellings and vibrant teahouses. You'll traverse the village of Banthanti and, following a swift climb, arrive at a recently constructed rough jeep track. Some trekkers choose to drive directly from Pokhara to this point to commence their hike to Ghorepani, making for an easier journey on the dirt road. As you progress toward Ghorepani, take in the scenic beauty of waterfalls, streams, and verdant forests.

Eventually, you'll come across a smaller trail that leads down to a river. Opting for this path, you'll navigate a slender trail. This route meanders up and down through a dense forest, where you might spot monkeys frolicking on the moss-laden branches. Breaks for rest and refreshments are planned at Nayathanti and Nangethanti. The trek will then take you through a lush forest filled with oak and rhododendrons. In spring, the path is adorned with the vivid blooms of rhododendron trees.

At some point, you'll transition from the Kaski District into Myagdi, an area predominantly inhabited by the Magar community. Roughly two hours beyond Nangethanti, you will arrive at Ghorepani. Historically, Ghorepani served as a crucial resting spot for travelers and merchants on the Tibet trade route.Ghorepani nowadays is a bustling village that caters to every need of its visitors, equipped with both modern guesthouses and traditional teahouses. Your accommodation will be in one of the contemporary guesthouses, providing modern conveniences for a comfortable stay.
 

We get up early before sunrise today as we have to reach Poon Hill before sunrise so that we do not miss the magical moment. It is a wonderful experience watching first ray of sun over the mountains. This is one of the best mountain vistas and is well worth the effort taken to climb to Poon Hill (45 minutes climb). Himalayan view from Poon Hill is indescribable when the rising sun’s rays gradually strikes the Himalayan giants including Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Annapurna I (8,091m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,040m), Annapurna south (7219m),Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Hunchuli (6441m), fishtail or Machapuchare (6,997m), Lamjung Himal (6,986m), Tukuche peak (6,920m), Dhampus peak (6,012m) among others. We spend some time picturing at Poon Hill and return to Ghorepani, have a hot breakfast, and continue our trek to Tadapani through rhododendron forest. Specialty of this forest is that it hosts more than 15 species of rhododendron and if you are trekking in springtime the blooming colorful rhododendrons will fascinate you. We have our lunch at Banthanti and again continue through rhododendron forest. We have about thirty minutes climb before reaching Tadapani. From here we have great views of Annapurna South (7,219m), Huinchuli and Machapuchare (Fishtail 6,993m).

Enjoy the breathtaking scenery from Tadapani, and following breakfast, commence your trek towards Kimchi, passing through Ghandruk. The journey to Ghandruk is a pleasant one. Upon arriving in Ghandruk, a significant Gurung settlement, take some time for rest and to refresh. Ghandruk, a mosaic of ancient stone houses and modern structures, stands as the largest Gurung village in the Annapurna Region and is celebrated for its commitment to preserving Gurung heritage and traditions. While here, take the opportunity to wander through the village and visit the Old Gurung Museum, which displays traditional Gurung attire and agricultural tools.

After your village exploration, continue your descent to Kimchi, where you will board a vehicle to return to Pokhara. Once in Pokhara, check into your hotel and enjoy some leisure time, perhaps indulging in a soothing hot shower to unwind from the day's journey.

Spend the night in Pokhara, reflecting on the experiences of your trek.

Pokhara is renowned for its stunning natural attractions, among which Gupteshwar Cave and Davis Fall stand out for their breathtaking beauty, both located conveniently close to each other. Following a nourishing breakfast at your hotel, you'll can embark on a sightseeing journey through Pokhara, with visits planned to Gupteshwar Cave, Davis Fall, Peace Stupa, Bindyabasini Temple, the International Mountain Museum, and the Tibetan Refugee Camp, etc

Gupteshwar Cave, discovered in the sixteenth century and stretching 2950 meters in length, ranks among South Asia's longest caves. Today, it has emerged as a significant tourist attraction in Pokhara. A spiral staircase leads into the cave, revealing a world adorned with exquisite stalactite and stalagmite formations. The cave holds a naturally formed Shivling, held sacred by the locals, while the limestone carvings along its walls add to its mystical appeal. The cave's lowest part features a vantage point offering views of the water cascading from Davis Fall.

In proximity to Gupteshwar Cave lies Davis Fall, also known as Patale Chango, a mesmerizing waterfall that vanishes into the underground, eluding direct observation.

The Peace Stupa, perched atop a hill, offers a serene view of Phewa Lake and the Pokhara Valley below. Constructed by the Nipponzon Mohozi or Japanese Buddhist Sanga as a monument to world peace, Pokhara's Peace Stupa is one of two in Nepal, alongside its counterpart in Lumbini. Standing 115 feet tall and featuring two tiers, the stupa is adorned with Buddha statues from various Buddhist nations, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas, Phewa Lake, and Pokhara City.

The International Mountain Museum is a treasure trove of information on the world's highest peaks, Himalayan culture, the history of mountaineering, and the biodiversity of the Himalayas, divided into three main halls and showcasing a range of exhibits, including rock samples and artifacts from pioneering climbers.

The oldest Hindu temple in Pokhara, Bindyabasini Temple, is dedicated to Goddess Bindyabasini, revered as an incarnation of Goddess Kali, showcased in the distinct Shikhara architectural style.

A visit to the Tibetan Refugee Camp sheds light on the lives of Tibetan refugees who fled Tibet following China's invasion. The camp is a hub where refugees sell carpets, handicrafts, jewelry, and paintings for their livelihood, offering visitors a chance to purchase unique souvenirs.

You can conclude your tour with a tranquil boat ride on Phewa Lake, capturing the beauty of a sunset that paints the sky and lake in hues of peace and tranquility.

Say farewell to Pokhara as you take early morning bus drive to Kathmandu after breakfast. It about 6-7 hours. Rather than spending your time on drive if you want to use more of your time to explore Pokhara or in Kathmandu, you can opt to fly instead of the time consuming drive and take few hours to explore Pokhara or Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will check in to your hotel.

Your Ghorepani Poon Hill trip is complete today. If you have some time left before your departure flight home, you can shop around Thamel for souvenirs for your friends and relatives. Our airport representative will drop you at the international airport in Kathmandu for your departure flight from Nepal. We hope beautiful Nepal, the awesome Himalayan sceneries, the cultural experience you got along your Poon Hill hike will stay in your memory lifelong and you will go back home with a sense of conquest.