Poon hill trek 3 days offers a spectacular Annapurna panoramic view from Ghorepani Poon hill (3210 m /10528 ft). The Poon Hill trek 3 days trail passes the traditional Magar village and the largest Rhododendron forest in the Annapurna region. Poon Hill trek is designed for those who have very limited time and are eager to explore wilderness trekking in a short time. This trek is the most popular group trek, while you can see wonderful typical village life and a short trek. As a result, trekking is easy and safe for all age groups trekkers.

Poon hill trek 3 days starts with a scenic drive from Pokhara to  Nayapul. The trail crosses over Modi Khola to the typical village of Birethanti. From Birethanti village the trail fork leads to  Tikhe Dhunga(1540m/5051ft). The trail follows the Bhurungdi Khola throughout the walk. From Tikhe Dunga nearby Bhurungdi Khola trail ascends 3000 steps of a stone staircase almost to  Ulleri (1952m/6402ft), the largest Magar village on the trail. This village is a good place to spend overnight.

Poon Hill (3210m)

Poonhill is located in the Dhaulagiri Zone in the western part of Nepal. Poon Hill (3210m) is popular as a viewpoint for the mountain scenery as well as sunrise. There is no tea house facility in  Poon Hill, therefore, trekkers have to stay overnight approximately 300 m below Poonhill at the place called Ghorepani. It takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour hike to get to  Poon Hill viewpoint. This trek can be customized from 3 days to 5 days. If you are starting from Pokhara Poon Hill trek is less short and cost-effective. The best season for the Poon Hill trek  3 days are autumn and spring however it is possible to do it any time of year except heavy rainy days of monsoon.

Furthermore, you can see the southern face of Annapurna and its neighboring mountain. From the Ulleri trail continue a one-hour steep ascend to  Banthati (2300m/7544ft), amazing view of Mt Fishtail (6996m/22946ft) provides an endless vista of green valley. Also, as the trail ascends it gets cool with misty atmospheric forest. Consequently, the trail continues to ascend through the Rhododendron and Magnolia forest to  Ghorepani Deurali and takes 15 minutes to climb to the Ghorepani(2850m/9348ft).  Ghorepani has several good lodges to spend overnight. In the evening temperature goes down and afternoon clouds hover over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain range.

Poon Hill (3210m)

3 days' highlight is viewing the sunrise from Poon Hill. And you will climb early morning to Poon Hill (3210m) for the sunrise. Besides, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain range including Churen Himal, Dhaulagiri I, Nilgiri, and Fang Peak(Baraha Shikar), Annapurna South, Himchuli, Gangapurna, Machhapurchhre Himal, and Kaligandaki Gorge. Finally, after a spectacular Poon Hill sunrise view, you will trek back the same way to Nayapul.

How to get in :

Kathmandu to Pokhara is 200 km. One can get to Pokhara either by air or land transportation. Public buses and Microbuses are also regularly operating from Kathmandu. But, we would recommend traveling by tourist coach which is more comfortable and safe. The tourist bus leaves from Kathmandu at 7:00 am approximately a 6-7 hours drive to r Pokhara. Likewise, if you are thinking of air, take a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara which is just 30 minutes.

Himalayan Smile Trek offers the best 3 days Poon hill trek from Pokhara to Pokhara. We begin our trip from Nayapul. We offer a private car to drop off Nayapul which is a 2-hour drive. Then trek to Ulleri, the second day Ghorepani and we return to Pokhara on 3rd day walking from Poonhill. Similarly, this trek is also possible to do from Ghandruk. From Ghandruk trek to Tadapani, the Next day overnight at  Ghorepani, an early morning Hike to Poon hill, and a trek to Nayapul. Will will drive back to Pokhara on the shuttle provided by Himalayan Smile.

Accommodation in Poon Hill trek

During the trekking  Tea House offers Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and accommodation. The tea house has a menu that offers a mix of Nepali food and international cuisine along with tea, coffee, and snacks. Mostly all tea houses have the same menu. The Menu prices are set by the “Tourism Management  Community”.  As you reach a higher elevation gradually the prices get higher. Tea House provides rooms based on twin sharing and single beds although it looks small but comfortable enough to sleep. One blanket is also given to each bed. Toilets on the Tea house will be either a squat type or western style.

Drinking water:

you will see many places running tap water, villagers drink directly from the tap but foreigners may have problems drinking directly.  We recommend using water purifier tablets such as chlorine, euro guard, sterilizer, etc. Also, you can buy some treated water called safe drinking water.

Weather and climate in Poon Hill

Relatively Poon hill trek is less altitude and shorter trek. You can do it all around the year however season might influence your experience.

Four types of climate in Poon Hill

Autumn: Autumn starts from mid-September to late November. The temperature is not too hot and not too cold. It is very pleasant weather. Autumn is one of the best seasons for the Poon Hill trek.

Winter: Winter starts from late November to March. During the trekking time, it might snowfall at Ghorepani however if you are prepared well, you can trek in  Poon Hill. The weather will be clear in the morning and before noon.

Spring: Spring starts from mid-March to May. Spring is the second most popular season for the Poon Hill trek. It is the season of flowers. Along the trail, the rhododendron blooms around the hills. The weather is less misty and warm temperature.

Summer:

Summer starts from June to mid-September. Summer is quite hot in the lower elevation. And often rain in the night and evening, although trekking is possible for  Poon Hill. After the rain, the sky gets clear, and green forest views look much better. We need to be well prepared for Leech and rain during this time.

Flora Fauna in Poon Hill trek

Three days Poon Hill trek offers to amaze Poon Hill trek 3 days experience to see flora and fauna along with exhilarating mountain views. During the Ghorepani poon hill trek, Trekkers experience a subtropical climate to a subalpine climatic zone. Mostly we see the rhododendron forest along the trail however we see other plants which are: Orange trees, different species of oak, Pine, Bamboo, maples, Wild Orchids, Himalayan white violet, grand viburnum, etc. We don’t see a rare animal during the trekking time despite that some of the animals are recorded in the Ghorepani Poon hill trek which are:  Yellow-throated marten, Orange Bellied Himalayan Squirrel, Leopard cats, barking deer, etc.

For bird lovers, Poon Hill is also one of the best spots to see various species of birds such as Long Tailed Minivet, Bulbul, Black Eagle, Black-throated Tit, Blue whistling Thrust, Eurasian Cuckoo, Golden-throated Barbet, Green Backed Tit, Green-tailed Sunbird, Hill Partridge, Himalayan Griffon, Kalij Pheasant, Forktail, Oriental Turtle Dove, Rufous gorged flycatcher, etc.

Villages in the Poon hill trekking

Nayapul (1,010m): Nayapul is the gateway to Poon Hill and the Annapurna Base Camp trek. If you have forgotten any essential trekking gear, you have still one option to do your final shopping. Nayapul is touched by Pokhara Baglung Highway so any land transportation is possible as per the group size. Himalayan Smile treks facilitate drop and pick-up service from  Nayapul to Pokhara and vice versa.

Birethanti (1,070m): It is a small village, located on the bank of the Madi River. Before heading towards Hille each trekker has to check in their Annapurna Conservation area Permits in Birethati. Take a short refreshment break for tea or coffee.

Tikhedhunga (1,480 m): Tikhedhunga is around 3-4 hours from Nayapul. It is also a famous stopover place in  Poon Hill Trek. The attractions of Tikhedhunga are Waterfall, Streams, Suspension bridges, and typical Gurung Villages including their lifestyle.

Ulleri (2,020m): The majority of People in Ulleri are Pun  Magar. They are an ethnic group in Nepal. You can observe the traditional houses and living styles of Pun  Magar. The toughest part of Poon Hill is climbing Ulleri uphill, to avoid it, Take a Jeep from Birethati which goes all the way to Ulleri.

Ghorepani (2,775m): The word Ghorepani is the place for water-feeding horses. Ghora in Nepali is Horse and Pani in Nepali is water thus it started called Ghorepani. Nowadays, Ghorepani is one of the famous places for viewing mountains and the last stopover point for the Poon Hill Trek. Generally, trekkers wake up early in the morning and hike up to Poon Hill to see the sunrise. Trekkers can also extend their trek up to Annapurna base camp via the Ghorepani and Tatopani trek. Approximately Ulleri to Ghorepani is 5 hour's walk.