Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Distance

Out of numerous treks in Nepal, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of the most popular and the shortest treks. Located at an elevation of 3,210 m, Poon Hill is a hillstation which is famous for the sunrise and sunset views it provides. The distant views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhre mountains, bathed in golden light, are mesmerizing. The picturesque villages, lush rhododendron forests, and friendly locals are what make this trek so popular. 

So, it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner, an experienced trekker, traveling with family, partner, or friends- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek will not disappoint you.

But, if it is beginner friendly trek, if it is shortest trek, How is the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Distance Important? It is essential because it will help you make informed decisions and preparation. Information about the route and distance aids in setting realistic expectations for the trek. Moreover, you can plan your itineraries, pace, and other plans based on the distance. It is also crucial to determine your budget.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Distance and Duration

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek distance depends upon the trekking route you choose. If you take a straightforward path and return directly, the distance and duration are less. So, it entirely depends upon the itinerary. Say, you are starting your journey form Nayapul and ending it at Phedi by taking Tadapani and Landruk route, then the distance will be around 54 Km. But, if you include the distance while on the bus, you will cover about 470 km while you complete this trek. 

Again, depending upon your itinerary, this Annapurna Region trek takes about 4 to 5 days to complete if you are in no rush. If you are short on time, you can also cover the trek in 3 days. You must walk at least 5 hours daily to reach your next destination. Including your pace, lunch breaks, rests, photography breaks, and other factors, you will have to walk about 6 to 7 hours daily. Below is the table showcasing the approximate time and duration required to complete this trek. 

Why You Should Choose Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Sunrise Mountain Views

Poon Hill (3,210 m), as name suggest, is a hillstation and hence a vantage point. The place offers panoramic views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhre. The sun rays in the early morning, when they fall upon the white snow, make the entire mountain glisten. Such a view is something one wouldn’t forget. 

Short and Budget-Friendly Trek

Some other treks in the Annapurna region include the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the Annapurna Circuit Trek, the Mardi Himal Trek, and many more. These treks are long and are expensive. On the other hand, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek distance is short. It is also budget-friendly. 

Beginner Freindly

The first reason why Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is beginner-friendly is it’s short distance. Since it doesn’t include going beyond the altitude of 3,210 m, the risk of altitude sickness is also less. The trails are not as rugged and challenging as other treks. So, if you have just started trekking or are about to start one, you should consider this trek. 

Flexibility

There aren’t any rules that says you have to do just Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, are there? This trek allows you to take detours and combine other treks as well. For example, you can divert from Tadapani and head towards ABC for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. You can also go on a Khopra Danda Trek. What you want entirely depends upon you. 

Trekking Route Details

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a delightful journey in the Annapurna region of Nepal. While you can start your trek from places like Phedi, Nayapul, Kimchi, and Syauli Bazzar, the starting point for the trek in the itinerary and route for the trek mentioned below is Nayapul.

• Day 1: Drive to Nayapul from Pokhara and then trek to Ulleri via Tikhedhunga
• Day 2: Trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani. Poon Hill is a short hike from Ghorepani. You can choose to hike to the hill station for sunset views. You can also rest and visit there the next day for sunrise views. 
• Day 3: Start early in the morning, before sun rises and reach Poon Hill to witness the majestic mountains along with the sunrise. Then you will trek back to Tadapani. 
• Day 4: Descend from Tadapani to Ghadnruk, where you will have lunch and rest. Then, trek to Landruk. 
• Day 5: Trek from Landruk to Phedi via Dhampus. From Phedi, you will return to Pokhara by vehicle.

The above mentioned Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary and route, allows you to explore more of the Annapurna region. However, if you are short on time, you can also follow the following path, which covers about 35 Km. 

• Day 1: Drive to Nayapul from Pokhara and Trek to Ulleri. 
• Day 2: Trek to Ghorepani from Ulleri. 
• Day 3: Early Hike to Poon Hill and Trek back to Nayapul, from where you will drive back to Pokhara. 

These are just examples of how the Poon Hill Trek have flexuble routes and you can choose what is more suitable to you. As mentioned above, you can also combine it with ABC Trek. 

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Difficulty 

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek difficulty is easy, meaning it is beginner-friendly. However, that doesn’t mean there are no challenges at all. Here are a few: 

Altitude Sickness

Even though the highest elevation you will reach in this trek is just 3,210 m, you cannot completely rule out the possibility of altitude sickness. However, it is minimal. Accilmatization is not needed for this trek, but being hydrated and maintaining your pace are. 

Ascends and Descends

The trails consist of multiple ascents and descents, sometimes long ones. For example, the hike from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani requires ascending about 3,000 stone steps. The elevation changes can be challenging, especially on steeper sections.

Duration and Daily Hours

Even though the Ghorepani Poon Hil Trek distance is shorter, it requires you to walk about 5 to 8 hours daily. It might get hectic and physically tiring if you are on a tight schedule. So, you must prepare yourself physically, especially if you have a sedentary lifestyle. 

Best Time for Poon Hill Trek 

Given the altitude of the Poon Hill (3,210 m), you can do the trek almost any time in the year. However, you must be prepared for the extremities of seasons like monsoon and winter. Because of these extremities, the best times to trek to Poon Hill are considered during pre-monsoon (spring) and post-monsoon (autumn) seasons. Here’s a breakdown of the different seasons for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek:

• Spring (March to May): Mild weather, blooming rhododendrons, and clear mountain views are ideal for photography. Daytime temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C 
• Autumn (September to November): Most popular season with clear skies, stable weather, and pleasant temperatures (15°C to 25°C). The trail is busy, which is excellent for socializing.
• Winter (December to February): It is Cold but offers stunning snow-capped views and fewer crowds. Daytime temperatures range from 5°C to 15°C.
• Summer/Monsoon (June to August): Hot temperatures, heavy rain, slippery trails, and leeches. Obscured views but lush landscapes and solitude for adventurous trekkers!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek covers a distance of approximately 35 km to 54 km, or even more if other locations are included in the itinerary. Regardless of your experience, you can complete this trek in about 3 to 6 days with daily walking hours of 5 to 8 hours. Now that you know how long the trek is and how many days it might take, you can plan it further. If you need assistance, you can always contact us.