Overview
Ghorepani, Poon Hill with Annapurna Base Camp Trekking, is a marvelous combination covering all the scenic hills of southern Annapurna. Exciting adventures to enjoy and experience the local cultures and magnificent scenery with the Snow Mountains and the beautiful landscapes.
The beauty of this trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill, with Annapurna Base Camp, leads you amidst a great diversity of climate, vegetation, landscapes, and local cultures. Walk from the lower warm sub-tropical paddy fields to alpine hills and towards the arctic zone of ice, snow, and glaciers.
The adventure begins in beautiful Pokhara city, where most treks and adventures around the Annapurna Himalaya start and end. An exciting drive leads you to the foothills of the Annapurna Himalayas, then climbing higher to high hills. Amidst the lovely forest of rhododendrons, magnolia, and pine trees, the walk leads to traditional mountain villages.
Reaching first at Ghorepani, situated on a high ridge and beneath the scenic Poon Hill. Next early morning, an hour's climb to Poon Hill for stunning views of sunrise. Includes unparalleled 360° panorama of the Himalayan range with the world’s 7th highest Mt. Dhaulagiri with 8th highest Mt. Manaslu. As well as Annapurna Himal which is the world’s 10th highest peak, besides the spectacular views of snow-capped peaks.
Enjoy the dramatic scenery of beautiful rolling green hills that surrounds the top of Poon Hill. After completing the first phase of the major highlight of the treks to Ghorepani and Poon Hill. The next adventure follows toward our final destinations to Annapurna Base Camp and the picturesque Sanctuary.
The route beyond Ghorepani and Poon Hill leads uphill through the cool shade of rhododendrons and pine woods. The trail follows east to Tadapani and then down and up to reach Chomrong. The gateway village to the Annapurna Sanctuary and Base Camp, as the adventure continues into dense tree lines.
Then enters the Modi River gorge, following the river upstream to the glacial source at the sanctuary and Annapurna base camp. Finally, the walk reaches the heart of the massif Annapurna Himalayas, encircled by giant mountains with amphitheaters of snow peaks. Enjoy the Jaw-Dropping views of the spectacular scenery in the comfort of a nice and cozy lodge at Annapurna base camp.
On completing our major highlights and goal of the adventure, the return journeys heading back to Chomrong Village. The route diverts towards lower warm farm areas at Jhinu and then on the drive to Pokhara. At Pokhara, the wonderful adventure of great experience on Ghorepani Poon Hill with Annapurna Base Camp Trekking concludes.
BEST SEASONS FOR GHOREPANI-POON HILL WITH ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP:
For Ghorepani Poon Hill with Annapurna Base Camp treks, all can enjoy the treks around all seasons of the year. Apart from the wet monsoon and summer times. The right favorable and the best seasons are spring and autumn/fall.
Spring begins in early March and ends in May, where most days are bright with sunshine for longer hours. From early 6:30 am till 5 pm, it can get cloudy afternoon sometimes with chances of light snowfall.
Cold morning, late afternoon, and night times with an extra wind-chill factor above 3,000 meters. The afternoon is bright with a strong UV (ultraviolet) and requires sunblock, sunglasses, hats, and long-sleeved tops. Spring is lively when wildflowers in seasonal blooms, especially the rhododendrons of various species and colors.
The next best season is autumn/fall, from September to November, where most days are fine and clear for views and walks. But much colder morning, late afternoon, and nighttime, chances of snowfall sometimes. Get much colder during the late afternoon with a wind chill factor. Nevertheless, it is a pleasant season of autumn/fall for Ghorepani Poon Hill with Annapurna Base Camp treks.
FOODS, ACCOMMODATION ON GHOREPANI AND ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP:
Trekkers will be surprised to find various standards of lodge accommodation on treks to Ghorepani and Annapurna Base Camp.
At Ghorepani and Chomrong, the last permanent villages before entering Annapurna Sanctuary. From a simple tourist standard to moderate lodges, accommodations are available, with attached baths and toilets.
But after Chomrong towards Annapurna Sanctuary and Base Camp, with only temporary settlements with simple lodges for the trekkers.
All lodges and Tea Houses from Ghorepani and Chomrong onwards are simple and basic, using the common baths, and toilets. Due to the high altitude, the pipeline and plumbing systems freeze due to cold temperatures in the morning and nighttime.
Dining rooms are large and cozy with a fireplace to keep the environment warm, while you enjoy the meals. The lodges provide a comprehensive food menu, which includes a wide variety of breakfasts, from oats, porridge, and cornflakes. Bread, Chapatti, and Pancakes with choice, of eggs, from scrambled, boiled, poached, and omelets. As well as refreshing drinks, tea, and coffee including hot chocolates.
Lunch and dinner with a list of continental, Indian, Nepali, Chinese, and Tibetan/ Sherpa foods. Some of the lodge restaurants in Chomrong also provide Mexican, Italian, Japanese, and Korean foods, including fresh bakeries. All the dining rooms are bright with lamps run by local hydroelectricity or from solar power. The lodges provide free internet and Wi-Fi services, which is slow and disturbing. Due to its landscapes and weather conditions on designated overnight stops.
For larger groups of more than 4 people, it is best to order a set menu, which saves time and fuel energy. Following, the norms of Eco or Responsible Tourism.
RELIGION AND CULTURES ON ANNAPURNA CAMP TREKS:
Although Nepal is dominated by 75% Hindu religion, the higher mountains around the Himalayan range. On this trek to Annapurna Base Camp, the main inhabitants are Gurung and Poon, Magar people. Gurung are the major tribes of Southern Annapurna Hills. Follow Buddhist religion and culture, as well as their ancestral and ancient Bon sect of pre-Buddhism.
As well as practice Shamanism, on this trek coming across villages, where every house is adorned with Buddhist prayer flags.
From Ulleri to Ghorepani Villages, the inhabitants are Poon, Magar, one of the largest hill tribes of Nepal. The Poon from the Magar tribe, are interwoven with Hindu and Buddhist religion, including their own tribal cultures.
OUTLINE ITINERARY:
Day 01: From Pokhara drive to Thirkhedhunga 1,425 m and trek uphill to Ulleri village 2,050 m. 3 hour’s drive, and 2 hours walks.
Day 02: Trek to Ghorepani village 2,885 m-04 hrs.
Day 03: Morning hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani 2,640 m-06 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Chomrong 2,050 m-06 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Dovan 2, 130 m via Bamboo 2,050 m-06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Machhapuchare Base Camp 3,720 m -06 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m- 03 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Bamboo 2,050 m-06 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Jhinu-Danda 1,700 m- 06 hrs.
Day 10: Walk and drive to Pokhara 860 m-03 hrs.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 : From Pokhara drive to Thirkhedhunga 1,425 m and trek uphill to Ulleri village 2,050 m. 3 hours ride, and 2 hours walks.
At Pokhara after a good breakfast at the hotel, getting ready for the treks, the guide and trekking staff receive you. For an exciting drive beyond Pokhara city, on a good highway with winding ups to Nau Danda and Kande Villages.
Enjoy the grand views of Annapurna Peaks, as the drive heads downhill to Nayapul Town. Then the drive diverts towards the country's hilly rough roads to Thirkhedhunga. A small farm village with beautiful waterfalls, walk starts crossing a bridge, and the climb leads on stone steps, after a few hours of strenuous haul reaching the overnight stop at Ulleri, a large spread-out village. Check into a nice lodge with views of Annapurna peaks towards the north behind the green rolling hills.
Day 2 : Trek to Ghorepani village 2,885 m-04 hrs.
Today’s morning walks reaches to the main destination at Ghorepani Village, start the walk on gradual path. Then entering a lovely cool alpine forest of rhododendrons and pine trees. As the walk progresses with few short steep ups then reaching the lower Ghorepani with a welcome entrance gate.
After a short rest a short climb to a high ridge called Deurali and top of Ghorepani Village is located. Arriving by lunch time and for overnight halt in the comfort of a nice lodge, amidst beautiful rhododendrons trees. From the lodge at Ghorepani, enjoy the views of Dhaulagiri Himal with snow peaks of Annapurna Himal.
Day 3 : Morning hike to Poon Hill, 3210 m. and trek to Tadapani 2,640 m-06 hrs.
An early morning hike of an hour or more to Poon Hill, the highest point of the adventure. From the top of Poon Hill enjoy the glorious sunrise views, as it reflects over the white snow peaks. Overlooking grand panorama of Dhaulagiri,
Annapurna and Manaslu Himalayas with majestic Machhapuchare Himal, the famous Fish-Tail peak. After a refreshing morning scenic hike down to Ghorepani for breakfast and packing, then getting ready for the day walks.
Leaving Ghorepani, the trail follows to a steep up through lovely rhododendron, and pine forest. After few hours of good climb reach on top a hill called Deurali, almost the same height at Poon Hill. From the top facing panorama of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri’s and Annapurna Himalayan range of peaks. After a long climb, enjoy the downhill to Bhanthati, a small settlement with number of lodges and restaurants. Located on deep gorge by the small fresh stream, stopping here for lunch, afternoon a short descend to bridge. Then following a steep climb for an hour to overnight stop at Tadapani, a small settlement. Check into a nice lodge, and enjoy the close views of Annapurna South, Huin Chuli with Machhapuchare Himal.
Day 4 : Trek to Chhomrong 2,050 m-06 hrs.
Morning depending upon the seasons, for views of sunrise from Tadapani as it strikes on the snow peaks of Annapurna. Having breakfast, start the trek towards Chomrong en route to Annapurna Base Camp. From Tadapani, the trail follows downhill through cool shade of forest to reach Kimrong River.
After crossing a bridge with steep climb for an hour to reach on a level gradual path. As walk follows on nice stone paved trail with short downhill to Chomrong for overnight, populated by the Gurung. The main hill tribes of the southern
Annapurna Himal range, as well the last permanent village and human settlement. Chomrong provides many good lodges along with the views of Annapurna peaks, enjoy the overnight in a nice lodge.
Day 5 : Trek to Dovan 2, 130 m via Bamboo 2,050 m-06 hrs.
After a pleasant overnight in Chomrong, having good breakfast and getting ready for a long and interesting trekking. The walk leads down to Chomrong river, after the bridge, climb on stone steps for an hour or less. Reaching a high ridge of Sinuwa Danda with few shops and lodges, from here enter a dense wood of Rhododendrons and pines.
Then a short descent to a small settlement of Bamboo, located on Modi River gorge. Amidst forest of bamboo groves, possible lunch stops, as well the place for overnight, after visiting Annapurna Base Camp. Afternoon a slow climb through cool shade of forest to Dovan, a small place above Modi River. Check into a nice simple lodge for overnight halt, with the sound of a river flow.
Day 6 : Trek to Machhapuchare Base Camp 3,720 m -06 hrs.
From Dovan, heading higher towards our destination to Annapurna Sanctuary and base camp. As walk starts with slow climb into dense forest and lush vegetation to reach a huge overhanging cave called Hinko. Then reaching a small settlement of Himali Hotel, located directly south of Annapurna South and Huin-Chuli peaks.
From here a short down reaching by the river, and climb towards a small flat field at Deurali. A place with number of lodges and guest house, a perfect lunch stops, afternoon walk across the raging Modi River. As climb leads through smaller bamboo stalks, as the climb gets steeper for an hour then reaching Machhapuchare Base Camp.
A lovely scenic high ridge with several lodges, located beneath the towering Machhapuchare Himal, the famous Fish-Tail Peak. At MBC, check into one of its good lodges for overnight facing views of Annapurna-I, A-South and Huin Chuli peaks.
Day 7 : Trek to Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m-03 hrs.
Today the shortest walks of the adventure to Annapurna Base Camp, morning enjoying the fabulous views of peaks.
Start the morning with short climb to enter a picturesque plateau at Annapurna Sanctuary. Enclosed by amphitheaters of snow mountains, as walk proceeds towards north-west, then reaching Annapurna Base Camp for lunch and overnight. Stand on the highest spot of the adventure beneath the giant staggering Mt. Annapurna-I, Vara Shikar (Annapurna Fang).
At ABC, enjoy the comfort of a nice simple lodges with room facing views of snow-capped mountains. Afternoon explore around the scenic location facing tremendous scenery amidst towering mountains, in the heart of Annapurna Himalayas.
Day 8 : Trek to Bamboo 2,050 m-06 hrs.
Morning enjoy the glorious panorama of white peaks as far as your eyes can reach. After breakfast get ready for a long downhill to Bamboo for overnight stop, the trail follows to MBC. The downhill to Deurali with short climb to Himali Hotel and then down towards Dovan. Reaching back into dense forest and at Bamboo for overnight in a nice lodge close by the Modi River.
Day 9 : Trek to Jhinu-Danda 1,700 m- 06 hrs.
Enjoy the last day of walking around the high green hills of Annapurna southern range. From Bamboo a short steep climb and on gradual winding path through dense forest to Sinuwa Danda. As walk continues down the steps to cross a river with steep climb to Chomrong for lunch stop.
Afternoon, a short walk of few hours to Jhinu Village for last overnight around the high hills of Annapurna. Jhinu Village with a natural hot spring to enjoy refreshing bath and dip in its pools of hot water. Located about 40 minutes from the lodge by the bank of the Modi River.
Day 10 : Walk and drive to Pokhara 860 m-03 hrs.
The last day of trekking a short walk across the long bridge to the roadhead, for an interesting drive. The country's rough road follows back to Bhirethati village andat Nayapul, and then on the main highway to Pokhara. On reaching the hotel at Pokhara by the serene Phewa Lake, our great wonderful adventure to Ghorepani, Poon Hill with Annapurna Base Camp completes.