Known as one of the best short treks in Nepal, the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek has been booked every year! This fantastic short trek is well famed for its incredible sunrise view from Poon Hill (3,210m), one of the main highlights. The Ghandruk Ghorepani Trek itself is relatively easy and suitable for any trekker. It can be done in just a couple of days and is usually combined with the famous Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Fantastic mountain views, forest trails, and Gurung culture are what you can expect from the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek in Nepal. The Ghandruk Ghorepani Trek starts officially from Nayapul, just a wee hour away from Pokhara by vehicle, and ends back at Nayapul or Kande. However, more considered a multiple-day hike, the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of Nepal's most rewarding Best Short Treks!
What are the best seasons for the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek?
Best done during either spring or autumn-like most treks in Nepal which can be trek all year, is the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. The best time to do the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek will be during autumn, as the trail goes through rhododendron forests that bloom during that season. With the best views available from Poon Hill, the route will also be most accessible during autumn or spring. During spring, the temperatures can be warm, and the days are mostly sunny and clear. During the autumn season, the trekking days will be more relaxed, making it more pleasant to trek, and the skies will be blue with incredible views!
The route of the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek
The route of the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is relatively easy and short. If you take the package through a trekking agency, it will be nine days if you start from Kathmandu, with arrival and departure days included. Out of those nine days, only five days will consist of trekking, making the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek an ideal short trek to enjoy the beauty of the Annapurna Himalayas. Of course, the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek route can be made longer by combining other trekking trails, such as the Annapurna Base Camp trek or the Mardi Himal Trek.
The Short itinerary of the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara
Day 03: Drive to Nayapul (1,070m) and trek to Tikhedhunga (1,540m)
Day 04: Trek to Ghorepani (2,860m)
Day 05: Early morning hike to Poon Hill (3,210m) for sunrise, and trek to Tadapani (2,590m)
Day 06: Trek to Ghandruk (1,940m)
Day 07: Trek back to Nayapul and drive back to Pokhara
Day 08: Drive back to Kathmandu
Day 09: End of the trek
As the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek starts and ends in Pokhara, you can always choose to fly from Kathmandu and back; this can save you two extra days but will cost more.
How difficult is the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek?
If you're wondering how challenging the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is? You don't need to worry about a short tour, and the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is considered one of Nepal's easiest treks. The most challenging part of the trek is the day you'll ascend towards Ghorepani via the stone steps of Ulleri. This mount will take most of the day and can be challenging for novice trekkers. The rest of the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is just tiny ups and downs and easy-going trails leading from village to village. There are ample resting places with great views if you get tired, and the guesthouses are comfortable and offer a good night's sleep. Young and old can both enjoy the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek without any difficulty besides the stone steps of Ulleri.
What type of permits do you need for the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek?
There are only two types of permits that you'll need for the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. One is a Trekking Information Management System Card, Also known as TIMS-Card. The Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek goes through the Annapurna Conservation area is an ACAP, also known as an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. Together they should cost about 40$ USD per person, and as you got the ACAP, you're free to explore more around the Annapurna Himalayas. Moreover, you can easily combine the Ghandruk Ghorepani PoonHill Trek with other treks within the Annapurna Conservation Area! The TIMS and ACAP permits can be obtained in Kathmandu and are inclusive when you book the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek via a local trekking agency in Nepal.
What type of accommodations are available during the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek?
Starting and ending the trek in Kathmandu and Pokhara, two different accommodations are available during the Ghandruk Ghorepani PoonHill trek. In the cities, you can book any hotel that you want, varying from budget to luxury. During the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek itself, you'll have to stay in smaller villages that have teahouses or guesthouses available for trekkers. You can estimate to spend about 30$ USD per night for lodging and food. But when you trek via a trekking agency, this will be included in your package. The accommodations are based on twin sharing with two beds to sometimes three beds per room.
The rooms are equipped with warm blankets, a comfortable pillow, and a mattress. Meals are per menu and have local and some international dishes. Bathrooms depend on the guesthouse you choose to spend the night. Most of them have communal bathrooms, while some have private attached bathrooms with hot showers—all the guesthouses of electricity with solar panels and WIFI access.
What other treks can you combine with the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek?
As mentioned before, being a short trek in Nepal, you can easily combine other treks with the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. The most famous one to incorporate is the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Instead of heading from Ghandruk back to Nayapul, you can trek a few more days north towards Chhomrong and Deurali to reach Annapurna Base Camp. Another trek you can combine with the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is the Mardi Himal trek, and although this is not done often, it's perfectly possible. The Mardi Himal trek goes closer to the famous Fishtail Mountain Mt Machhapuchhare (6,993m) and can be accessed by heading east from Ghandruk towards Landruk and Forest Camp. You can even trek towards Beni and Jomsom from Ghandruk with a slight detour. Jomsom is famed for its apple orchards and lays just next to the Kali Gandaki River at the foot of Mt Niligiri (7,061m) and has an airport that goes to Pokhara.
Which Mountains can you see during the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek?
Known as a photography trek in Nepal, the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is, of course, ideal to see some incredible Himalayan views. So which mountains can you see during the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek? From Poon Hill itself, you can see from left to right, Mt Dhaulagiri (8,167m), the 7th highest mountain in the world, Annapurna South (7,219m), and the Fishtail Mountain Mt Machhapuchhare (6,993m). On clear days you can even see Mt Hiunchuli (6,441m).
The Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek in Nepal is one of the best short treks you can do, and due to its easy trails and rewarding views also one of the most popular treks in Nepal. In just five days of trekking, you can experience the best of the southern Annapurna Himalayas and still have time to relax at Pokhara lakeside after the trek! Fun, incredible views, wildlife, culture, and a breathtaking sunrise view are why you should choose the Ghandruk Ghorepani Poon Hill trek in Nepal for your next tour.
