1 Night 2 Days Poon Hill Trek

1 Night 2 Days Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara is a quick sunrise trek in the Annapurna region, where you can view two of the world's highest mountains, Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri range. The short hike starts from a 2-and-a-half-hour  Jeep drive from Pokhara to Ulleri Village (2,050 m / 6,725 ft). From here 5 hours hike to Ghorepani (2,874 m / 9,429 feet).

On the second day, you will climb Poon Hill (3210 m) for majestic views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range. The views cover Churen Himal is located in the Dhaulagiri region of western Nepal, Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges

The quick Poon Hill Trek offers excellent mountain views, Gurung and Magar culture, and terraces in Tekhedunga and Ulleri Village. The old trade route of the Thak Khola and Tibet via Upper Mustang. In the trekking route, you will have all modern facilities, including an attached bathroom, wifi, electricity, and western food.

The 1 Night 2 Days Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara accomplishes your dream to view with your bare eyes the prestigious mountains of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.  The Ghorepani Village, situated at 2,880 metres (9,449 feet), has several mountain lodges with good hospitality and is an overnight stop for the next morning Poon Hill sunrise.

Drive from Pokhara to Ulleri by Jeep.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry checkpoint is in Birethanti, so it’s the right place to show your trek permits (ACAP and TIMS) before continuing. Have copies of your passport and permit ready, and ask your driver to wait while you check in. Allow 20-30 minutes.

There is a road of 40 km from Pokhara to Ulleri. One travel agency's plan indicates a total of 40 km for four hours, while another indicates the 42 km Pokhara to Birethanti leg is only part of the trip. The overall distance of 40-45 km is likely for all.

About 3 to 4 hours with stops. Pokhara to Nayapul is about 1.5 hours, and Nayapul to Ulleri is about 3 hours on the rougher part.

The road is paved all the way to Nayapul; after Nayapul Bazaar, it is off-road. It is rough and only accessible by a 4-wheel vehicle. One traveler thought it was doable, with only a couple of very bumpy stretches. Check with your driver on the day, as the track is new and not sealed, and can be badly affected by rain. Reports say vehicles come in Ulleri mainly in dry months. November is a dry month, so conditions ought to be good. 

Hille on the Poon Hill Trek

In the Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal is the village of Hille, located at an elevation of 1500m on the Ghorepani - Poon Hill Trek route. A few steps before Tikhedhunga and on the banks of Bhurungdi Khola is the village, populated by people from Gurung and Magar ethnicities. A stone-paved footpath leads trekkers from Birethanti and Nayapul through the village. A rugged jeep road also passes through.

The village is situated at a moderate elevation of the Annapurna Foothills, providing trekkers a pleasant entry. Along the route to Hille, one encounters waterfalls, and the area around is dominated by terraced millet and rice fields. Further on, there are rhododendron-covered hills. Several simple tea shops provide warm food, drinks and beds for trekkers.

Ulleri: The Village with No End to Stairs

Ulleri is a Magar and Gurung village in the Annapurna Conservation Area in Kaski District, at an altitude of about 2070 meters. Ulleri is located right above Tikhedhunga and on the way to the Ghorepani-Poon Hill Trek. Ulleri is known for the stone staircase that leads into the village. Most trekkers consider this section to be the most grueling of the trek; however, the great views reward the effort. It consists of over one thousand steep steps, originating from the valley of Bhurungdi Khola.

Once inside the village, the views open up. Cultivated fields are on the terraced hillsides, and small slate houses built from local materials line the alleys. On a good day, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli are visible over the top of the hills. Higher still, in the direction of Banthanti and Nangethanti, are the oak and rhododendron forests.

Ulleri has a population whose culture and way of life are both welcoming and uncomplicated. Farming and raising livestock are the means by which most households survive and flourish, supplemented by trekking. A simple meal of hot dal bhat (lentil soup and rice), tea, and a basic room at one of the teahouses run by the families is enough to sustain and provide a restful pause before the final stage to the destination of Ghorepani.

Ghorepani: The Gateway to Poon Hill

Ghorepani is an active Gurung and Magar village located in Myagdi District of the Annapurna Conservation Area. At 2,860 meters, it is the major stop on the trek from Ghorepani to Poon Hill and is located on a ridge below Poon Hill. The name may be interpreted as "horse water" as this was the place where mule caravans would come to have water and rest during their travel from the hills to the plains.

This village is known for its sunrise view. Just before sunrise, trekkers start climbing Poon Hill which reaches 3,210 meters above sea level, and there they enjoy golden sunlight that illuminates Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, and many other mountains. This is considered one of the most famous mountain views in Nepal.

Ghorepani is characterized by its narrow alleys, which are filled with stone and slate houses with dining areas glazed and heated by stoves. Trekkers will find typical Nepalese food such as dal Bhat, noodle soup, and hot lemon tea here. The social atmosphere of Ghorepani allows guests to get acquainted with each other while they have dinner.

Red and pink flowers in the rhododendron forest in the surrounding area during the spring season make March and April very beautiful. Skies become bright and clear in autumn. Sometimes winters are cold and snowy, yet the village remains very friendly.
 

Poon Hill – Nepal’s Best Sunrise Point

Poon Hill is a hill point that is situated at an altitude of about 3,210 meters in the district of Myagdi in the Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal. It is just above the village of Ghorepani and constitutes the best part of the Ghorepani-Poon Hill trek. The hill derives its name from the Magar ethnic group and has always been a significant landmark in the area.

The visitors usually start trekking towards the summit early in the morning, using a rocky-dusty track passing through the silent forest of rhododendron trees. The distance between Ghorepani and Poon Hill is about 45 to 60 minutes of climbing in total darkness.

The pay-off is spectacular views. With sunrise comes the glow that covers Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Nilgiri, amongst many other peaks. There are often clouds in the valley below, which makes the scenery even more dramatic.

The best times are spring and autumn, when there are flowers and the sky is clear. Winter is snowy and quiet, while the monsoon rains usually obscure the view.

Many hikers then visit Ghorepani for a good breakfast before heading on to Tadapani or Chhomrong. Easily accessible and unforgettable, Poon Hill makes for a wonderful introduction to the Himalayas.

1 Night 2 Days Poon Hill Trek Highlights:

•  Viewing the Sunrise at Poon Hill: Watch the sun rise over the snow-covered Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhre peaks from a vantage point 3,210 meters high.
•  Ulleri Stone Steps: Climb the famed stone staircase stretching up from Tikhedhunga, a hard but memorable part of one of the best trekking routes in the world.
• Rhododendron Forests: Walk through silent rhododendron and oak forests; in spring, the area becomes a feast of colors with its blossoms painted red and pink.
• Night at Ghorepani Village: Enjoy a comfortable night spent in a teahouse run by Gurung people, eating hot dal-bhat and having interesting conversations with other trekkers.
• Culture and Landscape: Travel past rice terraces, waterfalls, and villages of Magar and Gurung ethnicities located in the foothills of the majestic Annapurna range.

Trip Fact.

Duration: 2 Days
Maximum altitude: 3,210 m
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Best Season: Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr
Accomodation: Tea house | Mountain Lodge
Meals: Included
Start/End Point: Nayapul 

1 Night 2 Days Poon Hill Trek Itinerary.

Day 1: From Pokhara to Ulleri & Ghorepani

Commence the day by traveling from your hotel at Pokhara to Nayapul via a car that will take one-and-a-half hour via the road linking Pokhara and Baglung. From Nayapul, you will drive via a jeep passing through Birethanti, a trailhead town located on the banks of Modi River, to Ulleri via a steep road on hills. 

From Ulleri, start trekking to Ghorepani. The trek will be an easy one through the oak and rhododendron forest for 5 hours passing by Banthanti and Nangethanti. You will reach Ghorepani by afternoon and check into a tea house for dinner of dal bhat and early next morning to climb up Poon Hill.

Day 2: Poon Hill Sunrise and Return to Pokhara

Start your second day before the sun rises. Make a quick hike to the summit of Poon Hill to see the beautiful sunrise and watch as the sun illuminates the mountains and clouds below. After taking in the sights, return to Ghorepani for some breakfast, pack your things, and begin your trek back. Go down to Ulleri through rhododendron forests. Make your way past terraced farmland and waterfalls toward Tikhedhunga and Hille and eventually Birethanti.

The trek back takes about 5 or 6 hours but can be shortened if you decide to take a jeep from Ulleri or Hille. Once you reach Nayapul, you will have a 1.5-hour drive to return to Pokhara. The rest of your time will be spent reflecting on your beautiful mountain trek and your time with the warm and welcoming people.