Ghorepani Poonhill Trek

Ghorepani Poonhill Trek Cost

The cost of the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek is only USD 660 per person. The package price includes all the essentials to ensure a seamless and hassle-free adventure, including accommodation, meals, trekking permit, guide and porter services, etc.

If you’re planning to trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill in a group, we offer an even better deal. Depending on your group size, we provide a special discount from USD 60 to USD 120 per person. This is the perfect opportunity for friends and families to experience this adventure at an unbeatable price while creating a lifetime’s worth of memories.

In recent years, a few commercial hotels and luxury lodges have been built along the trails of Ghorepani Poon Hill. Hence, you can upgrade your accommodation during the trek for an extra amount. These hotels and lodges provide premium services, including attached bathrooms, hot showers, free Wi-Fi, heated blankets, etc.

Moreover, you can upgrade your transportation from/to Kathmandu from a tourist bus to a private car for an extra USD 200. If you prefer to fly to Pokhara (and back) rather than take a tourist bus, we’re more than happy to accommodate your preference.

Choosing a commercial flight option will increase your trek cost by an extra USD 200 to 250 per person. However, it offers a faster, more comfortable way to kickstart your adventure.

What permits are required for Poon Hill Trek in Nepal?

For Poon Hill Trek in Nepal, you need two main permits:

Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP)

Since the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), you need to acquire ACAP Permit. The permit fee contributes to funding the environmental preservation, social development, and tourism promotion in the region. ACAP Permit is valid for one entry and exists only.

• Where can you get the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP)?

You can get the ACAP Permit in the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Alternatively, you can even get it at the ACAP checkpoint at Birethanti. The ACAP Permit costs NPR 3,000 for foreigners and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals.

Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS)

The TIMS Card is introduced for safety tracking purposes of the trekkers through registration checkpoints along the route. It is managed collectively by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN). The fees collected by the TIMS Card help fund the insurance of local guides and porters.

• Where can you get the Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS)?

The TIMS Card can be obtained at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara. It costs NPR 2,000 for foreigners and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals.

Note: Your TIMS Card and ACAP Permit will be checked at the Tourist Checkpoint at Birethanti and Ghorepani. So, keep them safe and in an accessible place.

How difficult is Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking?

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking is one of the shortest and easiest treks in the Annapurna region. The trail is well-defined, with stone-built staircases, route markings, and occasional signposts. Although there are a few steep sections along the route, i.e., Ulleri, Poon Hill, and Deurali, it does not involve any technical climbs.

The entire Ghorepani Poonhill Trekking covers a total of 41 kilometers with approximately 3,000 meters of ascent and 2,000 meters of descent in 4 days of trekking. You’ll have to walk an average of 6 to 7 hours every day on fairly decent terrain. Besides, this trek also involves roughly 500 kilometers of overland transportation, which can be exhausting for many travelers.

The most challenging section of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is an hour-long, steep climb from Ghorepani to the top of Poon Hill. While this section can be strenuous for first-time trekkers, it certainly won’t be much of a deal for experienced ones.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek reaches up to an altitude of 3,210 meters from the sea level. Therefore, the risk of high-altitude sickness is a bare minimum. As a short and easy trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill is ideal for beginners with little to zero trekking experience, willing to explore the Himalayas.

How to train for Trekking to Ghorepani Poon Hill?

Ghorepani Poon Hill is graded as an easy trek, suitable for all age groups and experience levels. The trail involves a mix of gradual and steep uphill sections, mostly on stone-built staircases.

Therefore, some level of physical and mental preparation is recommended to complete this trek comfortably and make the experience more enjoyable. If possible, aim for at least 3 to 4 weeks of training before heading to Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.

Here are a few workout tips to improve your fitness level for this trek

• Start with steady-state cardio workouts such as running, jogging, swimming, rope jumping, and rowing. These moderate-intensity exercises improve cardiovascular health, brain function, lung capacity, and stamina for higher-intensity elevation gains. Besides that, steady-state cardio exercises enhance joint support and muscle strength around hips, ankles, and knees, reducing the risk of injuries. Begin with three cardio sessions a week of 20 to 30 minutes of sustained activity, and slowly build to four to five sessions a week for at least 45 to 60 minutes.
• Go for conditioning hikes on the outdoor trails in your hometown with a small pack weight. In the early stage, start with short-distance hikes with a lightweight pack and plenty of rest breaks. After a few weeks, gradually increase the distance, intensity, speed, and duration of the hike. You should also add extra weight to the pack while cutting down the rest breaks. If you live in relatively flat terrain, go up and down the stairs or train on an inclined treadmill for similar results.
• Focus on strength conditioning, particularly in the core and upper body muscles. Developing strength in your core area improves balance, functional movement, stability, and body posture. Likewise, upper body strength helps you carry your backpack all day and use trekking poles effectively. Focus on compound exercises such as incline push-ups, deadlifts, bench presses, overhead presses, single-arm rows, and band pull-downs. 
• Add at least two days of leg-focused exercises to your training regimen. Developing strength in your hips, hamstrings, glutes, quads, and calve muscles helps ascend and descend steep and uneven trail terrain. Moreover, these exercises improve body stability and flexibility, support joint health, and reduce post-trek soreness. Focus on exercises such as goblet squats, step-ups, downhill lunges, hanging knee raises, side planks with leg raises, glute bridges, and hamstring curls.
• Make sure to include at least 10 to 20 minutes of targeted stretching in your workout routine to improve the range of motion in your muscles and joints. You can add a stretching routine before your daily workout to warm your body, improve blood circulation, boost mental endurance, and maintain proper posture. Furthermore, you can include a short stretching session following each workout, specifically for glutes, hips, calves, hamstrings, and lower back, to reduce muscle and joint stiffness and prevent injury.

When is the Best Time to do Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Route?

Most trekkers tell you that the best seasons to trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill are autumn and spring. They’re not entirely wrong, as these months bring the most stable weather, clear skies, and beautiful mountain scenery.

However, you can enjoy the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek all year-long. It has a season that suits every trekking style. Each season adds unique elements and experiences on the trail.

Here’s what you can expect in each season to help you decide the best time to go to Ghorepani Poon Hill:

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is regarded as the best time to trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill. The weather remains stable during these months, with moderate temperatures, gentle wind, dry trails, and low precipitation.

The skies remain bright and clear during this time of year, as monsoon rain clears the skies of dust. You’ll get splendid, unobstructed views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range, especially from Poon Hill.

While autumn is the perfect time to trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill, the only downside is the crowded trails, bustling with fellow trekkers from around the world. Note that Ghorepani Poon Hill is one of the most popular trekking destinations among domestic tourists. Most locals travel during autumn, coinciding with Nepal’s Dashain/Tihar holiday season.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is another favorite season to trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill. After the end of the harsh winter season in Nepal, spring brings the perfect weather for trekking. The temperatures are similar to autumn, making it dry, warm, and comfortable.

The morning skies are bright and clear, providing excellent visibility and unobstructed mountain views. However, the afternoons often get hazy with thick cloud cover and poor visibility.

Spring is best known for its stunning rhododendron blooms, colorful wildflowers, and lush green forests. The forest comes alive during these months with full floral bloom, rich flowery aroma, and enchanting bird songs. Similar to autumn, the trails of Ghorepani Poon Hill are crowded with trekkers from around the world.

Winter (December to February)

Winter brings harsh weather and extreme temperatures, especially at the higher elevations of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. While the daytime temperature is tolerable, staying between 5°C to 12°C, the night can often get extreme, with temperatures dropping below freezing.

The trails in the lower section are manageable. However, you’re likely to encounter thick snow near Ghorepani and Poon Hill. While the snow adds a beautiful, wintery charm to the surrounding landscape, it can often make the trail wet and slippery.

Having said that, Ghorepani Poon Hill is an excellent choice for people who prefer winter treks. Unlike other high-altitude treks in Nepal, this route is manageable and navigable, even during the coldest months. Winter is much quieter and less crowded than other seasons, ideal for trekkers who prefer solitude and a peaceful experience.

Monsoon (June to August)

Monsoon is the least favorable time to trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill. It brings frequent rain showers, making the trails wet, muddy, and slippery. Likewise, the lower reaches of the trek, especially around the forest section, are often infested with leeches. Hence, we suggest wearing long trousers, high-neck shoes, and high socks to stay protected from the leech-infested trails.

However, the constant rain showers in the monsoon nourish the valleys, forests, and surrounding landscapes with lush greenery. Moreover, the skies often remain clear in the mornings and after rains, opening up the mist-covered mountains. Like winter, the monsoon season offers a peaceful experience with fewer crowds along the trails.

Acclimatization and Safety for Trek to Poonhill in Nepal with children

The highest point of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is 3,210 meters at Poon Hill. While most trekkers start to feel the effect of high altitude above 3,000 meters, you’ll only spend an hour or two at this elevation, which isn’t long enough to threaten your health.

Therefore, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek does not require intensive acclimatization. Unlike other high-altitude treks, the entire route passes along moderate elevation, which most trekkers can handle without altitude-related issues.

Having said that, you should never neglect the altitude. It is always wise to pace yourself properly and allow your body to adjust as you ascend.

Things You Should Do to Acclimatize on the Trek

• Keep a steady, moderate pace to avoid exertion and let your body acclimatize to the elevation naturally.
• On long-distance, high-altitude treks, you’ll lose water from your body through sweat, urine, breathing, and digestion requirements. Given these factors, you must drink around 3 to 4 liters of water daily, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and other stimulants that are known to contribute to dehydration and disrupt acclimatization.
• It is quite common to lose your appetite on high-altitude treks. Regardless, you should eat a proper meal to replenish your body with essential nutrients and calories.
• Although the possibility of high-altitude sickness is minimal on this trek, common symptoms like mild headache, fatigue, dizziness, or difficulty sleeping can still occur. If you experience any of these symptoms, inform your guide immediately so he can take appropriate action on time.

Accommodation during the Ghorepani Poonhill Hike in Nepal

On Ghorepani Poonhill Hike, you’ll have four hotel nights for your pre-and post-trek accommodation based in Kathmandu and Pokhara. During these nights, we’ll provide comfortable 3-star accommodation on a BB basis. These luxury hotels offer top-class amenities, including comfortable bedding, in-room air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, room service, in-house restaurant, daily housekeeping service, etc.

During the trek, you’ll stay in privately owned, local-style teahouses in the villages along the route. Compared to any other trekking route in Nepal, the teahouses in Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek are exceptional. There’s a range of typical teahouses along with comfortable mountain lodges. In most teahouses, the rooms are either on a twin, triple, or quad-sharing basis.

The rooms are generally small and cozy, with wooden bench beds, foam mattresses, comfortable pillows, and warm blankets. Note that the local teahouses do not have in-room heating facilities. So, we recommend bringing a sleeping bag to keep you warm during the cold nights. They have a communal dining area, often heated with under-table heaters or a large stove.

While the toilets and bathrooms in the typical teahouses are shared, a few mountain lodges have private bathrooms.

Note: Your accommodations throughout this holiday (in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and during the trek) are on a twin-shared basis. If you do not prefer to share the room, we can arrange a single supplement for an additional cost. However, this may not always be possible during the trek unless you trek in the off-season, as the number of rooms is limited.

Meals on Ghorepani Poonhill Hike

Our standard package includes only breakfast at hotels during your stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The rest of the meals are on you. You can order the meals at the hotel or go outside for lunch and dinner. Most of the restaurants in the cities accept foreign currencies. However, it is better to carry Nepalese rupees for easy payment.

All meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—are included during the trek. The food on the trek will be wholesome and locally sourced. Generally, breakfast and dinner are served at the teahouses where you stay overnight, and lunches are served in the villages along the route.

Due to its popularity, the teahouse en route to Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek has adapted tourist menus. They offer various options with Nepali, Indian, and continental cuisine.

Like most trekking regions, Dal Bhat is a staple, with Momo being the closest favorite. Other local delicacies include fried rice, thukpa, noodles, chowmein, chapati, and Tibetan bread. While most places offer standard continental options like sandwiches, macaroni, pancakes, spaghetti,  pizza, salad, and pasta, a few teahouses even offer chicken steaks, fish items, and sizzlers. You can also get plenty of options for vegetarians.

Moreover, the beverage options include milk tea, instant coffee, black tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, soft drinks, and hot juice.

Drinking Water Availability in Trekking to Ghorepani Poonhill Sunrise Route

Most teahouses in Trekking to Ghorepani Poonhill Sunrise Route commonly offer tap and boiled water to their guests. Although the locals drink directly from the tap and often label them “safe to drink,” you should always treat them using a portable water filter. 

Untreated or unfiltered water is the primary cause of water-borne diseases, such as diarrhea, typhoid fever, cholera, etc. These conditions can ultimately ruin your trek. We suggest investing in a reusable bottle with a straw filter to remove bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics from water.

After treatment, we recommend using chlorine—or iodine-based water purification tablets or drops to purify the water. While the teahouses refill tap water free of charge, boiled water costs around USD 2 to 4 per liter.

Bottle water is banned on the Ghorepani Poon Hill route to reduce plastic waste on the trail. However, a few small shops and teahouses still sell them for an expensive price. We do not recommend buying bottled water as it is not cost-effective, sustainable, or environmentally friendly.

Hot Shower Facilities on Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

As mentioned, most teahouses in Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek have shared bathrooms. Hot showers are available in all the teahouses along this route. 

Most of them provide gas—or solar-powered hot showers. Therefore, you can enjoy running hot water for showers throughout this trek. Unlike other trekking regions, you do not have to make do with bucket baths in Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. 

Generally, hot showers cost around USD 3 in the lower region, and the price increases as you ascend. However, if you stay in a high-end hotel with private bathrooms, the cost of hot showers will be included in the room price.

Mobile Network and Internet Connectivity in Poonhill Trek in Nepal

There is mobile network coverage for both Ncell and Nepal Telecom along the route of Ghorepani Poon Hill. Out of the two, Nepal Telecom offers better coverage in the Annapurna region. You can purchase the SIM Card in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

You can expect decent signal strength in the lower reaches, such as Nayapul, Tikhedhunga, Ulleri, and Ghandruk. However, it becomes weak, irregular, and sometimes nonexistent once you go beyond Ghorepani.

You can expect 3G coverage for mobile data services in villages with decent mobile networks. However, the network can often be spotty and unreliable in the upper reaches of the trek, as it depends on weather conditions.

All teahouses and lodges in Ghorepani Poon Hill provide Wi-Fi services for a nominal fee of USD 2 to 5 per device, depending upon the altitude. Unlike other treks in Nepal, the Wi-Fi signal is robust and reliable. The signal can get poor and infrequent only when there’s a technical issue or extreme weather conditions.

Electricity on the Route of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Electricity is accessible 24/7 throughout the route of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. All the teahouses and lodges are powered by hydroelectricity, so charging your mobile phone and electronic devices is not a problem on this trek.

Except for a few high-end hotels along the trail, the rooms do not have charging sockets. The local teahouses have a communal charging station in the dining area, where all the guests plug their devices.

Generally, charging your mobile phone or camera costs around USD 2 to 3 per device. However, the price may slightly increase in the upper section of the trek.

We recommend carrying a high-capacity power bank or solar charger to avoid paying too much to charge your devices.

ATMs and Money Exchange

You must carry an extra USD 100 to 200 for personal expenses, such as optional meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, hot showers, and laundry, in Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Although a handful of teahouses and shops accept foreign dollars, most prefer Nepalese rupees (NPR) over foreign currencies.

Note that there are no ATMs or money exchange centers along the route of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. We highly recommend exchanging your dollars for local currency before heading to the mountains. 

There are plenty of money exchange centers and ATMs in the touristy areas of Kathmandu and Pokhara. Even the hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara will exchange your foreign dollars. However, we recommend strolling a few money exchange centers in Thamel or visiting local banks to get the best exchange rate.

If you need to withdraw cash, there are several ATM lounges around Kathmandu and Pokhara. However, the withdrawal fee per transaction is expensive.

Travel Insurance for Ghorepani Poonhill Hiking 

Travel insurance is compulsory for all our treks and expeditions, especially for foreign travelers. Although Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is regarded as an easy trek with minimal risk of acute mountain sickness, it involves multi-day walking on high altitudes, steep paths, and rough terrains.

It possesses risks of several unforeseeable events, such as accidents, physical injuries, water-borne diseases, and common illnesses. Hence, we require that you be covered for medical expenses at a minimum.

You will not be permitted to join the group until you provide evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s emergency contact number. 

We recommend all travelers have a policy that covers the following

• Medical expenses for accidents, common illnesses, water-borne diseases, physical injuries, and acute mountain sickness.
• Emergency medical transport expenses, i.e., helicopter or ambulance.
• Theft or loss of luggage and personal items during the trip.
• Reimbursement on flight change/cancellation fees and prepaid expenses.
• Elevation coverage for trekking up to 3,500 meters.

Guide and Porter Information

Nepal Gateway Trekking takes pride in providing highly skilled and qualified trekking guides in all our treks and expeditions. And this trek is no exception! The guide will be accompanied by an experienced team of Sherpas and porters.

Our guides have over a decade of experience operating high-altitude treks across Nepal. Hence, they aim to take the hassle out of your travels and make the trip enjoyable. 

They have extensive knowledge about the route and places you’ll visit on Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, including its natural, historical, cultural, social, and religious aspects. They might even offer suggestions on things you can do and see along the route.

Additionally, our guides are Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certified, capable of providing critical first-aid treatments in remote locations, assessing your health conditions, and handling minor injuries.

We consider our guides and porters to be the unsung heroes of our team. Therefore, we make sure they’re treated fairly at every step. We pay them above industry standards and provide high-end gear for all our treks.

Gratitude to the Trekking Crew

If you’re happy with the services and support provided by the trekking crew, it is appropriate to show gratitude and acknowledge their hard work. Although it may not mean much to you, it is of great significance to the individuals who take care of you during the trek, provide excellent service, and contribute to making the trek successful.

Here are a few small gestures to show gratitude and acknowledge their hard work:

Tipping the trekking crew. If you’re happy with the service, you can tip a certain amount and express gratitude to the crew members. The amount is a personal preference, depending on the service quality and length of the trek.

Buy or donate trekking clothes and gear, such as down jackets, hiking boots, sleeping bags, crampons, and hiking poles. If your clothes and gear are in decent condition, you can donate them to the crew. However, if you do not wish to hand them used items, you can buy a few things and give them the items personally to show appreciation. 

Write positive reviews and experiences you’ve encountered on the trek about the crew members on popular online platforms like TripAdvisor and Google Reviews. Add their names and contact details to help them attract more clients in the future. Likewise, if any of your friends or families plan a trip to Nepal, recommend your crew members to help them secure more work.

Invite them to lunch or dinner on your final days in Pokhara or Kathmandu. If you can not manage time in either city, you can host a small celebration program on the trek’s final day and celebrate it with the entire crew members.