Trekking is by far the most popular activity in Nepal and the reason why 1000’s of keen hiker’s flock here during the high seasons. There are countless treks to keep yourself busy, from 2 days to 25 days and they all offer incredible experiences.
We headed out on a 4-day, 3-night trek to Ghorepani / Poon Hill. The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is the perfect introductory trek for individuals with minimal time in Nepal and for people who want to get a taste of the Annapurna Mountain Region. It is one of the most popular trekking routes with the highlight of viewing the sunrise at Poon Hill, 3810m above sea level. Although it is one of the most popular routes, we hardly ever walked with anyone else.
Below we have outlined some tips, packing lists and options for hiking Poon Hill.
To read our 4-day experience in vivid detail, check out our post here.
When to go to Poon Hill
We went in September and caught the tail end of the Monsoon season. Apart from heavy downfall during the evenings, we were pretty fortunate during the days with a mixture of sunshine, cloud cover & clear skies.
September to November is the most popular time for this trek, along with many others treks in Nepal. The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is throughout the Annapurna region (#6 in the map below)
Difficulty of Poon Hill
The Poon Hill trek is categorised under “easy” but we would put it in the moderate to difficult basket. It wasn’t impossible but it wasn’t a walk in the park. Comparing this trek to that of Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit, then yes it’s easier but there were times it was a definite challenge and we questioned the reason we were putting ourselves through this pain. 7 hours of walking up 3500 stairs?! Why??
Unlike the Inca Trail, we weren’t mentally prepared for this. It definitely helps to have a thorough understanding of what you are about to face. 4 days was plenty for us, although this trek can be done in 5 to break up the days even more. See below for the map of our trek starting at the base at Pokhara towards Nayapul and going clockwise.
Top Tips for the Poon Hill Trek
- Bring plenty of local currency (NPR Rupees). Good luck finding a credit card machine on the mountain.
- Pack toilet paper! None of the tea houses supplied it.
- Tea houses in the villages have power. Some will request a small fee to charge your items, others will be free of charge. Make sure you ask.
- If you offer to eat for 2 meals at the tea house, accommodation is likely thrown in for free (based on if you are trekking without a guide)
- Wifi is available in some guesthouses for 100 NPR ($1 USD) but who needs WiFi up here.
- Should you need medical help, doctors and small hospitals can be found in Ghandruk, Ghorepani and Ulleri.
- The higher you get in the mountains, the more expensive water/snacks are.
- Hold onto your water bottle after Ghorepani, they will only refill your bottles, not give you a new one due to rubbish problems.
- Two passport size photographs are required while applying for each entry trekking permit.
- During the rainy season, keep a close eye out for leeches. They’re everywhere! It is wise to carry a small amount of salt with you.
- Be prepared to wake up every morning for sunrises… it’s the best part of the day!
What to pack
Unless you are hiring a Sherpa/porter, we suggest packing very lightly as you will be carrying your own belongings all day. Our packs weighed around 6kg (less when we finished all our snacks!) and we used everything we packed.
Maybe don’t pack like this guy…
This packing list is based on a 3 night 4-day hike. At some tea houses, they have fire pits and you can hand wash & dry your clothes.
- Underwear (just in case you may forget!)
- 3-4 shirts
- 2 pairs of pants
- 1 pair of shorts (I didn’t wear shorts but Jacob did)
- 1 pair of comfortable pants for the end of every day
- 3-4 shirts
- 4 socks
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- A long sleeve shirt
- Waterproof jacket
- Poncho
- Water bottle
- Hat/sunglasses
- Microfiber towel
- Sleeping bag liner (they do provide blankets but for extra warmth and cleanliness we prefer to sleep with these)
- First aid kit (ibuprofen, band-aids, Imodium, toilet paper, sunscreen, hand sanitizer)
- Bug spray & sunscreen
- Camera
- Kindle
- Local currency
- Plastic bag for wet clothes
- Snacks (along the way you can buy Pringles, chocolate bars and biscuits but they are $$)
Booking your Ghorepani Trek
There are 3 ways you can book this trek and here’s how they differ.
- Book a package through an agency. (Costly but convenient)
- Hire a local guide from your hotel or a from a recommendation. (Cheaper)
- Alone/with a travel partner. (Cheapest)
Option 1 – Book a package through an agency (what we did)
There are a ridiculous amount of companies in Nepal that offer their trekking services. How on earth are you supposed to choose? We were approached in Kathmandu by a very friendly man who talked us through the ins-and-outs of the trek. Whilst he runs a great company, Ammonite Adventure, and we were happy with their services, we wish we waited until Pokhara to book our tour, for cost reasons and so we could have met our guide beforehand. Had we have booked through Pokhara, we would have gone with a very reputable company- Happy Treks Nepal. Our friends used this company and had a 10/10 experience.
Booking through an agency is similar to an all-inclusive package at a hotel. Everything is covered in the one cost (apart from water, snacks & tips). It’s the easiest but it is also the most expensive. The company has to make money somehow!
In the cost, you’re given the trekking permit, a guide, accommodation, 3 meals a day & transport to and from Pokhara. We thought we’d snatched a great deal at the time until we hit the mountain and realised the cost of food and accommodation was extremely cheap, $3-$6 a meal and $5 a night at tea houses. Unfortunately, on top of it, we didn’t fit all too well with our guide. Although this isn’t the companies fault, if you can, meet your guide prior to your trek to ensure it’s a good fit.
We paid a total of $574 USD for the 2 of us for our trek which was around $150 more than what we would have paid if we had done it on our own or shopped around more. You live and you learn!
- Pro – Everything is organised for you.
- Con – More expensive.
Option 2 – Hiring a local Guide
This is definitely the “middle ground”. If you’re unsure being on your own and like the comfort of knowing someone is there then hiring a local guide (not through an agency) is the best bet. Unfortunately, these are a little harder to come by unless you know of one through a recommendation. Your best bet is asking your hotel.
If you hire a guide, you pay for everything yourself as you go (similar to the list below) however you have an additional cost of $20-$25 USD per day for the guides food, accommodation and services, plus any tip you wish to give at the end.
- Pro – Get the best of both worlds. A locals knowledge, without the agency fees.
- Con – Slightly harder to come by.
Option 3 – Alone/with a travel partner
Unlike the Inca Trail, you can trek alone without a guide. However, for beginners and solo hikers, a guide is recommended for peace of mind & company!
We were quite surprised how many people were trekking without a guide. It got us thinking that we should have done the same thing, especially because we had each other. You follow a basic outline of where to spend the night & you can chop and change based on how you feel. There are plenty of villages throughout the route and a lot of friendly faces both locals and tourist alike to help you out. It’s quite difficult to get “lost” as it’s just one path.
Here is a breakdown of costs:
Note: These can change depending on personal needs.
- TIMS Trekking permit is 2000 NPR ($20 USD)
- Annapurna Conservation Fee 2000 NPR ($20 USD)
- Local bus to Nayapul 350-400 NPR ( USD $3.50-$4.00)
- Local bus back to Pokhara 350-400 NPR ( USD $3.50-$4.00)
- Tea houses (accommodation) are located along the trail in the villages. They range between 300 NPR and 600 NPR for a room. ($3 USD – $7 USD)
- Meals – Every tea house serves the same food. Literally. Main dishes are 300 NPR to 600 NPR ($3.00 USD – $6 USD )
Note: The vegetables and fruits are relatively fresh along the way but perhaps steer clear of the meats unless you have a tough Nepalese stomach. - Water 60-100 NPR (USD $0.60-$1.00)
- Pro – By far the cheapest, you can go at your own pace.
- Con – Figuring out all the logistics without a local’s knowledge.
Important Tips
- Online bookings look the easiest but they are without a doubt 2-3x the price. Avoid pre-booking this trek online, however, if you do want to, my friend’s company, offers a 10 day Poon Hill trek.
- Try finding a local guide through your hotel.
- If you book through an agent, don’t be afraid to bargain with the price they give you, they will lower it.
- If you’re going with an agency, shop around to get at least 3 quotes.
Conclusion
Which one would you choose? If we were to do it again (unlikely), we would definitely do it ourselves. It is for sure the most cost-effective way. Hiring a local guide is the second best option (especially if you’re alone) and whilst booking a package through the agency is the easiest, it is by far the most expensive (whoops!) unless you can really bargain your way down.
Organised Tours
If you want to book a tour, you can do so through GetmyGuide.
Follow these tips on how to organise your trip and what to pack & you’re good to go. Nepal is stunning and everyone should make the trek here to experience some of the most magnificent hikes in the world.
Married days survived: 554
Hi Emily,
Wow,, i love your articles. Thanks for your information, it’s very helpful for a beginner.
Anyway, i am going to Nepal on Sept 2017, and i would like to do a trekking to Poon Hill. However, i am not sure if i can do it as (first) i’ve never done trekking before, and (second) i am living in Bali, Indonesia which is a tropical island.
And i am browsing on internet that Nepal is chiller than here (haha, of course). My questions, do you think it’s better to book when i am Nepal or book an online agency before I arrive in Nepal?
Also, should I bring a sleeping bag by my own? My friend told me that I need to bring down jacket and sleeping bag as it will be cold there.
Your kind response is very helpful for me.
Thank you and cheers,
Cici
Hello Cicilia,
I am so so sorry for the delayed response. Somehow your comment was lost in space and I have only just discovered it! I think by now you would have already gone on your trek, however, in answer to your questions, the trek can be done by beginners or advanced hikers. There’s no rush, so take it as slow or as fast as you like.
You will not need a sleeping bag, the little houses you stay in do provide you with blankets and it is just another thing you would have to carry yourself.
Again, I am so sorry for the delay and I hope you had a fantastic trip! I would love to know how you went.
Hello Emily,
That’s alright. Everythings went well.. I came back to Bali already. The trip was fun, we hired a guide during our trip, and unfortunately we did not see the sunrise and it was raining still. I got some leeches landed on my legs. Lol
Well, i am planning to come back for Annapurna Base Camp.
Thank you for your feedback anyway..
Cheers,
Cici
Hi Going to Poon Hill in January with my son. Have a guide and porter. Question, What to tip?
Thank you.
Wayne Poplinski
Hey Wayne,
It is totally personal and there is no right or wrong. We tipped 15% on the total cost of our trek. If they do a great job, then they will definitely appreciate a larger tip.
Hi Thanks for responding. We purchased a package that included a trip to Chitwan, internal flights and transport. What do you recommend % guide to % porter?
Hi Wayne,
It is up to your discretion but 15-20% is fine for the guide and porters a bit less. This is just a guide so take everything into account when you’re there.
Do they have maps?
What time did you start on your first day?
Yes, they can give you a map if you ask for it. We started around 8 on our first day but every guide is different. If you do it yourself, you have the beauty of stating whenever you want! 🙂
Thanks for the post! It is extremely helpful as I prepare to do the same 4 day trek to Poon hill. Just one Q regarding packing– what size backpack did you use? I have a big 65 L one that I think will be too large and am considering trying to find a 30ish L one for this trek.
thanks!
Hey Shaylyn,
I am so sorry for our delayed response, we missed a lot of comments somehow so I do really apologize and I hope this response isn’t too late!
In terms of the backpack, I used a small backpack, almost the size of a school bag really. I didn’t pack a lot at all because I knew I had to carry on my own back what I packed! We packed very lightly and found we had more than enough to get us through the 4 days.
Its really incredible to see the pics of Nepal’s poon hill , its mesmerizing. I want to be there soon. Thank for this information dude.
Thank you for your comment! It was so incredible (except the stair climbing!). Are you planning a trip there?
As I am planning to trek to poonhill. Luckily I got a chance to read this article. I got lots of information for my trip. Thank you 🙂
It is one of the best article that reflect step by step detail to prepare to go for Poon hill trek including guide and permits idea and cost, I like most the amazing picture of Dhaulagiri mountain just above the layer of cloud. great thanks
Thank you very much, Shankar, for your kind comment! I am glad you found this information useful 🙂 Have you been before or are you planning to go?
What a terrific guide! I am off to do this trek in 14 days time and I feel this has given me some great useful tips!
ONly one question – how cold does it get there especially overnight?
Hey Ray!
So sorry for the delayed response, somehow this comment was lost in cyberspace and I have only just seen it! I think you may have already gone on this trek and if so, I hope you had the most amazing time! If not, the night times were not too cold. I would recommend long pants and a sweatshirt of some description because it can change quickly but at the time we went, it wasn’t unbearable at all.
Sorry again for the delay!
Thanks for the tips. Will be hiking there in Nov17. Ideas from someone who has already been through it were great. Those steps sound quite ominous for me @(64yrs young). But I will prevail slow and steady like the turtle.
Hey Lesley! You can do it :). It was totally worth it.
Hi Lesley,
We are thinking of going to Nepal and trying this trek (Pokhara-Tirkhedhunga-Ghorepani-Poon Hill-Tadapani-Ghandruk-Pothana-Dhampus Phedi-Pokhara), but we are in our early 60s, never trekked before and wonder how would we manage the distance and difficulty?
It would be great to give us a feedback about your experience.
Thanks in advance,
Éva
Hi Eva,
You can definitely do it. Here is our experience:
https://justglobetrotting.com/our-4-day-trek-to-ghorepani-poon-hill-nepal/
By far the best article made on poon hill trek…so very informative. Thank you guys. We would be visiting Nepal this January.. And hopefully will make it to poon hill. What do you think bout the time would be fitting to trek?
Hey Ruma! I am so sorry for the delayed response! Somehow these comments went into a spam folder and I am only just discovering them now. As January is winter in Nepal, I am not too sure of how available the trekking would be. To be honest, I think it would be fairly challenging in those types of conditions but I do know of some people doing it! You will just have to be much fitter and of course, don’t mind the cold!
Oh thanks emily. And yah we did it in Feb and not in Jan haha. And yes it was a more than lifetime achievement for us being the first time trekker. The weather was so good to keep us moving. And hell Nepal is so good a place to visit again and again.
Gonna share my experience maybe someday in my blog.
Hello! Very very informative article! So detailed in every little things that we need to take note.
Can i just ask, why is it unlikely for you guys to go back there again?
Hi Ling,
No particular reason, I just feel like if we’ve done it already, there are so many other places to visit in this world!
THanks for the article
Qs
If we are traveling on our own, how to communicate with locals ? DO they speak english ?
Hello,
Yes they do. It is very easy to communicate 🙂
Hey Emily , great article thanks and very good info . My friend and I will arrive in Pokhara around New Years and set off on the poon hill trek around the 2nd , so what did he do after Poon Hill , head back home or did he do another trek ?
Cheers
Jonathan
Hi Emily and Jacob 🙂
Thanks for the article and tips. I’m from Denmark, but living in Thailand at the moment. Im thinking about going to Nepal for the first time and i want a “easy, beginners trek”. Maybe this could be an option.
I will follow your advice to find my trek, when I arrive at Kathmandu. I have searched (as many others) online and it is hopeless to know where to book a trip.
Best regards,
Dallemand
Hey Dallemand,
We don’t recommend booking online for your trip, negotiate when you’re there. And keep in mind although it is a “beginners” trek, it’s still quite challenging. Enjoy.
thanks for the pointers!
i am flying to kathmandu this wednesday 14 february 2018, and very interested in doing this trek. is it really near impossible to get lost, can i do it solo?
Hey Maureen. You can do it solo although we would recommend doing it with someone. There are plenty of people along the way to ask for help if you need it though so if you’re happy to walk alone then sure!
Hey guys..
…so am doing this trek in 2 weeks and just I love doing things on my own..I guess it allows you to have your own, better, deeper experience…and mainly do it your own way..I walked Camino de Santiago in Spain 3 times and seriously, I would recommend to every single person to walk it alone..I know you said it was ok to walk it solo…but am still worried that I could get lost?Are there any arrows or clear signs on the way to keep you on the right trek?
I am more than happy to walk it solo, in fact, that is exactly what I would prefer just need probably that reassurance that it is safe and you simply can`t get lost:)
Or maybe to be told that do not walk solo instead ..:)!?
And how about the sleeping bag?Shall I bring one with me?Will I need it?
What did you do with your luggage?Where did you leave all your stuff?Surely you didn`t come to Nepal with 6kg backpack only…:)
Thank you so much for your response in advance…I have to say that I am so glad I came across your article as it has really given me a lot of information and answered most of my questions…:)!
Kat
Hey Kat,
Thanks for your comment! Personally, if you are comfortable hiking on your own, you’ll be fine. There are many guest houses along the way as well as a lot of other people walking so you should always have someone to ask if you are unsure. I don’t believe the path was marked as such but as I said there will definitely be people to guide you along the way if you walk on your own! We left our main bags in the town of Pokhara and just packed what we needed for the 4-day hike. Your hotel should happily mind this for you.
Have fun!
Great article! Finally someone who’s realistic and not just saying how Poon hill is just an easy trek and perfect for beginners. We’re planning to do it next week and we’re not super fit. Any suggestions on which days to split in 2 and which villages to sleep in to make it a bit easier? Time is not an issue so we can do it in 6 days not to kill ourselves … any ideas on how to do it?
Hey Sarah! I’m glad the post could be helpful! I would try and walk at least 3/4 to a full day on the first day. We only walked a very short period and wished we had walked more when we had the energy. I don’t recall the names of the villages as our guide looked after this aspect of it but there are plenty to stop in when you’re feeling tired! Have fun!!
Thanks for making such a helpful website! Do you remember what your actual day to day itinerary was? I’m planning to do the trip solo with my husband 🙂 Thanks!
Hey Sarah! It involved a lot of walking, snacking, walking, resting, eating and then sleeping at the guesthouses! It was tough at times but worth it 🙂 Enjoy!
You sure know what you’re talking about. Everyone is going to soon be visiting your site.
This is great.
http://www.enjoynepaltreks.com
Thanks!
Hi Emily, this is really a good tips for beginners to hike Poon Hill. Great article with the descriptive information, loved to read it.
Thanks Krishna!
Hi, Emily thank you for this creative article about Poon Hill Trek and the experience you shared with us is appreciable. This could be the best information for the trek planner. I will highly appreciate and recommend for trekkers who are planning for Poon hill trek in Nepal.
One thing from my point of view, this is easy trek so no worries about the trek safety but there are others many treks in Nepal that need to be guided. So, please recommend to either take a guide/porter or go with a government registered trekking company. This is due to trekkers safety and it’s obvious, the cost you are paying goes to the Government, company and the people who are living because of you in the Mountains.
Note: My company (Treks Booking Dot Com Pvt. Ltd.) gives back 15% of the total profit of each trip to the community who are involved in Trekking (Guides, Porters and the local community, we run some community projects).
Thank You.
Hey Hari,
Thanks for the information! It was definitely a harder trek than we thought and although we would definitely recommend a guide, some people with hiking experience can do this on their own which is why we gave that option 🙂
I have seen no guide book or blog give so detailed and moving write up. Very helpful for people keeping eye open to visit Nepal.
Glad to hear it!
Hello!
Thanks for a fantastic article… headed to Pokhara in a couple of weeks (mid-October 2018) and I have one question… did you have any trouble adjusting to the altitude? I live at sea level and am concerned about dealing with altitude sickness. Should I definitely plan on taking meds with me?
Hey Marie! We had no problem with the altitude at all! So jealous, we loved Pokhara!
Great posting friend. Will be back to read more.
Great Post!!!
Thanks for the beautiful article. Pokhara is my all time favourite. Did you go to Lovely Hill in Pokhara?
No, we didn’t make it there! Next time 🙂
Great guide. It seems you made almost to every place of Pokhara. Thanks for sharing!
It looks like you have a great time in Poon Hill. I have not been to there even being in Nepal. Bye the way, great article. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
Awesome article. Poon Hill looks damn awesome. When will be the best time to go?
I would recommend October – May but the weather can be un predictable!
Hi, Emily thank you for the brief information about Poon Hill Trek. Poon Hill is a great trip in Nepal for short timer and every age group. This is a highly recommended trekking trip in the Annapurna area.
Poon Hill tour is combination of Cultural/wildlife tour with trekking experience in Himalayan Kingdom. This itinerary is one of the most popular among clients who want to combine adventure on their Nepal travel plan.
Hi Emily, i wonder if you would like to visit poon hill once again or not.I definitely think you should at least visit poon hill once you are in Nepal.I hope you will suggest your person in contact to visit my site to book their trip to poon hill.I am new in SEO your one click will matter a lot.
Thank You
The trek seems an amazing experience also your picture in stunning.
Thank you for this detailed Poon hill guide. I was worried about my first ever trek. This seems to be very handy.
I really liked reading your post! Very high quality content and useful information. With such a valuable blog I believe you deserve to be ranking even higher in the search engines.
HI EMILY,
in 3weeks time will be in Nepal for poonhill trek, would you suggest for me, what preparation i should do in my body? means should i do more running for my legs, i am really not into trekking but my husband is asking to come with him, it smy 4th time to visit Nepal and it is his 8th time, but he already went annapurna and poonhill before which i didnt do, i wonder if i can climb really poonhill i dont think i am fit enough.
Hi Irish,
You can do it! No need for running 🙂 As long as you can walk up some stairs and for hours a day, you will be fine. It was great fun. Pack lightly!
Well said compairing to Everest and Annapurna it is wasy one but for people who donot walk a lot then it might be moderate to difficult. Nowadays people are expanding the 3 day trek to 4 day and even 5 day in PoonHill which are much better option than 3 days.
Great info, thank you for sharing !
Thanks for the trip info. I would love to trek to EBC and Ghorepani..
Wow. Impressive article. Really informative.
Amazing article with piece of information.
Such an informative article. Thanks for motivating the more people to explore Poon hill trek
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Namaste Emily,
Your articles have proven to be an incredible resource for travelers interested in the Poon Hill trek. I genuinely appreciate the wealth of information you provide, especially considering its significant help for beginners like me. I hope we’ll have the chance to read more articles about Nepal soon on your blog.
Thank you so much, and here’s to more amazing content from you!
Warm regards,
Himal Ghale
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