Poon Hill

Poon Hill is one of the most popular viewpoints in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal.

Understand

Poon Hill, a hill station and a vantage spot for the hypnotic sun-up over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges positioned at the borderline of Kaski and Myagdi districts of Gandaki Province, western Nepal. A key standpoint of Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, and Ghorepani Poon Hill treks, Poon Hill is famed for its uninterrupted, panoramic and some of the best photogenic sceneries of river valleys, thick rhododendron backwoods, colourful hills, and of course world's 7th and 10 tallest peaks- Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m/26,795 ft) and Annapurna I (8,091 m/26,545 ft) respectively.

Other mountain peaks during your summit at Poon Hill are

Annapurna II (7,937 m/26,040 ft),
Annapurna III (7,555 m/24,787 ft),
Gangapurna (7,455 m/24,459 ft),
Annapurna South (7,219 m/23,684 ft),
Gurja Himal (7,193 m/23,599 ft),
Nilgiri Himal 7,061 m (23,166 ft),
Machapuchare (6,993 m/22,943 ft),
Tukuche peak (6,920 m/22,700 ft),
Hiunchuli (6,441 m/21,132 ft) and
Dhampus Peak (6,012 m/19,724 ft).

You can visualize how spectacular it looks standing at the same place!

Poon Hill pinpoints at 270 km west of Kathmandu about 36 km northwest of Pokhara city. To hike Poon Hill, you need to walk 2-3 days from Naya Pul that is a short drive from Pokhara. Passing some of the ethnic settlements, pious shrines, lustrous backwoods, and waterfalls, viewing the panoramic sceneries of giant peaks, reach Ghorepani and further to Poon Hill.

History

Poon Hill is a popular viewpoint for the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges for the last 25 years. Each morning thousands of national and international travelers reach Poon Hill for the mesmerizing sunrise over those gleaming massifs regardless of any particular season and month.

Landscape

Situated at the elevation of 3210m/10531ft above sea level, Poonhill offers spectacular 360-degree views of great Himalayan ranges, deep rhododendron hills, several small pocket-sized ethnic settlements especially of Gurung people, river valleys, and seasonal wildflowers. In spring, you will witness plenty of rhododendron blossoms making the environment mesmerizing.

Flora and fauna

Pass through lush forests and fields of rhododendrons, pine, and pine. Leave behind the terraced arenas full of corn to enter a lavish green forest filled with rhododendron. The entire hills look looks vibrant each month with the seasonal flower blossoms. Concerning fauna, the Poon Hill journey is popular for birds and butterfly watching. The sound of white water chats and birds chirping makes the environment impressive. Rhododendron when it blooms brings the butterfly out. You will not find Himalayan large creatures as snow-leopard and yaks from Poon hill. Locals talk about the tigers but trekkers do not see them at all. In the upper parts of the trek, you will see flocks of donkeys and mules which are the means of transportation. Domestic buffaloes, cows, goats, and sheep seem to graze in the meadows and valleys.

Climate

Spring is considered the choicest month for hiking Poon Hill. This is a season of crystal skies, hills that look painted with different colors of trees, unobstructed mountain views, and greenery everywhere.

In autumn, except for some occasional showers, the days are mostly clean and green. It is just after the monsoon, and people harvest their crops (millet, etc.) The hikes are pleasant with colourful houses which are decorated for the major festivals of Dashain and Tihar. The weather favors hiking as it is neither too hot nor too cold.

The winters are cold and dry while summers are warm. These seasons are not highly recommended. However, with the right preparation, you can hike throughout the year.

Get in

Poon Hill is a total two- to three-day trek from Pokhara in case you start your journey from Naya Pul, about 40 km to the west. Hiring either a private Jeep or taxi is the most convenient way. Otherwise, you can catch a public bus available at Pokhara-Baglung Buspark. After driving around two hours, you will reach Naya Pula and start hiking.

Ghorepani, the last place with accommodations, will be reached after two complete days’ hike. Most hikers reach Poon Hill the next morning to observe the amazing golden mountains during sunrise, which this spot is famous for.

Fees and permits

You need two permits for Poon Hill Trek. Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS). The former costs NPR. 3000 and later costs NPR 2000. They are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara at the offices of the Nepal Tourism Board.

Get around

Poonhill is a viewpoint connected with the village of Ghorepani. You can choose a plethora of destinations from Ghorepani. Mohare Danda, Annapurna Base Camp, Khopra Ridge are some of the connected trekking destinations to this village. Choose any of them or hike back to Pokhara.

By foot

Wake up early morning at around 04:30, gear up and begin your morning. Walk upwards following stairways for around 400 m from the village of Ghorepani (where you overnight). After around 45 minutes hike, you will reach Poon Hill. Headlight, trekking pole, layers of clothes, good hiking boots are highly advised as it is dark, ascent and chill. Excellent views from the top at Poon Hill and worth it to wake up early and have a short hike.

See

• Gurung Cultural Museum: one of the attractions in Ghandruk still preserves the antique culture of Gurungs. • Phewa Lake: The second largest lake of Nepal sits on the lap of Mt. Machhapuchhre at Pokhara. • World Peace Pagoda: One of the renowned Buddhist monuments on the hilltop above Pokhara valley. • Gurung People: Lifestyle, cultural performances, tradition, hospitality, and ethnicity.

Do

Awake early morning and gear up and get ready to ascend Poon Hill. Carry some water bottles and a headlight. As the surroundings are chilly, wear layers of clothes along with the down jacket. As bottled water (plastic bottles) are banned in the Annapurna Conservation area, carry own purification system. Fill water from the tap and purify before drinking.

Buy

It is obligatory to buy a Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit before starting a trek to Poonhill. Both these permits are obtainable at the offices of the Nepal Tourism Board at Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Currency

It is advised to convert your currency to Nepali rupees (Rs) in Kathmandu or Pokhara before starting the trek.

Budget

Plan Rs2500-3500 per day for trekking days. It covers your three meals with tea/coffee and room charges. The price of everything rises with the elevation. Overall, figure on Rs300-700 for basic rooms, Rs150-400 for a Coke, Rs500-900 for per meal, and Rs80-250 for a cup of tea. During your hikes Wi-Fi, charging stations and hot showers are available for free.

Eat

Small tea houses with basic amenities are built throughout the trek route which offers both food and lodging facilities. Regarding the food, most the teahouses haves set own menus consisting of both Nepali and international cuisines.

The most common varieties are Dal Bhat (a set of rice lentils, vegetables) pasta, noodles, momo, pizza, spaghetti, egg items, chowmien, pancakes, etc. Tea and coffee are common. Every food items become expensive with the elevation. However, the prices are quite reasonable. You are not allowed to buy water bottles during the trek. Refill stations are available throughout the trek routes. It costs Rs50-100 per fill of purified water. You can also purify tap water if you have your own purification system.

Drink

Tea is available in all teahouses. There are also street vendors. Tea is mostly sweet with milk. Other options are also available.
Coffees such as cappuccino and caffe latte are available in small teashops.
Soft drinks like Coke, Fanta, and Sprite are available at the teahouses and tea shops.
Alcoholic drinks are available in teahouses or lodges.

Sleep

Teahouses: Small lodges with cozy rooms with basic services like food, drinks, tea, coffee, and some bars. They offer you hot/cold water, WiFi services as well. Ghorepani is the last stop before hiking Poon Hill. Although they provide a quilt or blanket, a sleeping bag is recommended. Choices are available throughout the trek.

Lodging

Almost all the teahouses have the same quality rooms, most of which are twin-sharing ones. Almost all of them offer hot showers 24/7. In the upper parts of the trek trails, you need to share a bathroom. The rooms are neat and cozy, having two beds, a mattress, a pillow, and a blanket in each. Carrying a sleeping bag is advised. A couple of charging stations are available in each room.

Camping

It is possible but not much popular. Pitch a tent in an open area near Poon Hill and sleep. It is more expensive than the teahouse trek but exciting at the same time.

Backcountry

Ghore Pani, Tada Pani, Ghandruk, Tikhe Dhunga, Bhanthanti, Ulleri, Nangethanti, Lower Ghorepani are some of the backcountry areas. Despite being near the city of Pokhara, are still quite rustic.

Connect

No worries. Almost all the teahouses have Wi-Fi facilities and are mostly free. Although it is slower than expected, you can call home and watch videos. There is good network coverage everywhere. Generally, Nepal Telecom and NCELL (Axiata) have widely available SIM cards. A passport photo and a copy of your passport are needed to buy a SIM in Nepal.

Stay safe

As Poonhill is at a mere 3210m elevation, trekkers do not suffer from severe altitude sickness. However, the lack of oxygen is felt vividly as fatigue and headache. Do not ascend Poon hill on the same day that you reach Ghorepani. Stay overnight there, acclimatize properly and ascend the next morning.

Go next

Tadapani - a five- to six-hour journey from Poonhill - can be done in one day without too much difficulty as much of the walk is flat or downhill.
Mohare Danda - five to six hours walk.