GPO Box: 384, Ward No. 17, Pushpalal Path Khusibun, Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-01-4388659 E-Mail: [email protected] www.iciclesadventuretreks.com Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek - 7 Days Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek at Annapurna region of Nepal would be an ideal walking trip for you if you are looking for short hiking holiday. Poon Hill trek will complete in a week without much rigorous effort as we will be walking across the mountain route. The major highlight of Ghorepani Hike is the magical sunrise Himalayan views from Poon Hill viewpoint that surely makes you spellbound. Poon Hill Trek in Nepal begins as we travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Naturally blessed Pokhara is not less than paradise. Pokhara surrounds beautiful mountains, pristine lakes, waterfalls and other attractions. Initially we drive to starting point of the trek at Nayapul.Further, we hike towards Tikhedhunga, Ulleri and Ghorepani as we climb 3300 stone steps and cross the beautiful bamboo and rhododendron forests that blossom in spring (March, April) season. The naming of Ghorepani Poon Hill is derived from two local words ‘Ghore (Horse)’ and ‘Pani (Water)’. This place used to be resting point for ancient traders who found water in the place for their horses. And Poon is the name of the nearby hill. Finally we get ready for hiking up to Poon Hill at dawn for experiencing magical sunrise views. Views of snow capped mountains from Poon Hill can’t be described in words when the warm rays of early sun gradually strikes the Himalayan giants including Mt Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt Annapurna I (8,091m), Mt Nilgiri (7,040m), Annapurna south (7,219m),Annapurna II (7,937m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Annapurna IV (7,525m), Hunchuli (6,441m), fishtail or Machapuchare (6,997m), Lamjung Himal (6,986m), Tukuche peak (6,920m), Dhampus Peak (6,012m) among others. Along with the best of sunrise views, Ghorepani Trek also gives us an insight into local Gurung and Magar culture, tradition and lifestyle as we descend through culturally affluent and naturally blessed villages of Ghandruk and Birethanti. As we arrive at Nayapul, we announce end to trekking activity. And short drive takes you to Pokhara followed by next day flight to Kathmandu. BEST SEASON FOR GHOREPANI POON HILL TREK Best seasons would be winter/spring season. Specially during the months of January, February, March, April, May and June. And autumn season during the months of September, October, November and early December. While regarding fitness level, anyone with moderate level of fitness can join this trip without any risk of altitude sickness. Either you are looking forward to Nepal treks with your friends or family with children and elderly, you are welcome. We love to be your travel partner for short, easy and picturesque walk to Ghorepani and Poon Hill. GPO Box: 384, Ward No. 17, Pushpalal Path Khusibun, Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-01-4388659 E-Mail: [email protected] www.iciclesadventuretreks.com PRICE INCLUDES Airport and hotel transfers as per itinerary in private vehicle Two nights twin sharing accommodation and breakfast in a three-star category hotel in Kathmandu Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek Best available teahouse/lodge accommodation (twin sharing) during the trek Staff– one professional, knowledgeable, and friendly English speaking trekking leader along with assistant guide (6 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and porters (2 trekkers: 1 porter) including their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, transportation, and insurance Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu transfers by flight Duffle bag, sleeping bag, and down jacket for use during the trek Icicles Adventure T-shirt, trekking map, and trip achievement certificate First aid medical kit TIMS and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit All government taxes & office service charge PRICE EXCLUDES Nepal visa arrangement (more on Nepal Visa Information) International/Domestic airfares Excess baggage charges Travel and rescue insurance Added night/s accommodation in Kathmandu or Pokhara because of early arrival, delayed departure, early return from mountain (due to any cause) than the programmed itinerary Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu or Pokhara (and also in the case of early return from mountain than the programmed itinerary) All kind of drinks (alcoholic, hot, or cold) Personal expenses such as phone calls, bar bills, laundry, battery recharge, bottle or boiled water, hot shower, extra porters, etc) Personal equipments and clothing Tips for guides and porters (tip is expected but not mandatory) GPO Box: 384, Ward No. 17, Pushpalal Path Khusibun, Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-01-4388659 E-Mail: [email protected] www.iciclesadventuretreks.com ITINERARY IN DETAIL Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,338 m/4,390 ft) As you land at Kathmandu Airport (Tribhuvan International Airport), finish your custom formalities (visa, etc.) and get to the airport waiting terminal, you will find our representative waiting to greet you. He/she will be holding Icicles Adventure Treks and Tour signboard. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private vehicle. You can either rest in your hotel or shop around Thamel for any gears for your trek. Accommodation: Hotel. Day 2: Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara Drive to Nayapul and trek to Tikhedhunga (1540m/5051ft) Actual Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek starts today after an hour's drive to Naya Pul (42 km drive) in a public car/jeep through the prosperous village of Lumle. We start walking and we reach a large and flourishing town of Birethanti situated on the confluence of the Modi and Burundi Khola. We follow the main street going through bamboo forests and pass through a large waterfall and swimming fissure. Further we trek ahead, the path climbs gradually up the side of the valley taking us to Tikhedhunga. Walking Time: 4-5 hrs, Accommodation: Local lodge, Included Meal: B, L, D. Day 3: Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2860m/9380ft) Today is a demanding day as you have to conquer 3300 stone stairs. First, the trail crosses a stream on a suspension bridge. We climb through the steep stone staircase to Ulleri, a prosperous village at 2080m inhabited mostly by Magar ethnicity. Past the village of Ulleri, the trail climbs gently through meadows, cultivated fields and rhododendron forests. Further, after one hour’s gradual walk from Ulleri we come across two beautiful streams. If you are a keen birdwatcher, there is good chance of spotting different kinds of redstarts, varieties of kingfishers, dippers, forktails along the river, and magpies, treepies, parakeets, tits, many kinds of warblers, barbets, etc., around the cultivated areas. We further make a short climb to Nangethanti where we have our lunch. From Nangethanti we will climb to Ghorepani at 2850m. From Ghorepani we can see the magnificent panorama of Dhaulagiri I (8,167m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Tukuche, Nilgiri (6,940m), Hiunchuli (6,441m) and Tarke Kang (7,193m). Walking Time: 5-6 hrs, Accommodation: Local lodge, Included Meal: B, L, D. Day 4: Hiking to Poonhill (3210m/10531ft, and trek to Tadapani (2,630m/8,626ft) We get up early before sunrise today as we have to reach Poon Hill before sunrise so that we do not miss the magical moment. It is a wonderful experience watching first ray of sun over the mountains. This is one of the best mountain vistas and is well worth the effort taken to climb to Poon Hill (45 minutes climb). Himalayan view from Poon Hill is indescribable when the rising sun’s rays gradually strikes the Himalayan giants including Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Annapurna I (8,091m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,040m), Annapurna south (7219m),Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Hunchuli (6441m), fishtail or Machapuchare (6,997m), Lamjung Himal (6,986m), Tukuche peak (6,920m), Dhampus peak (6,012m) among others. We spend some time picturing at Poon Hill and return to Ghorepani, have a hot breakfast, and continue our trek to Tadapani through rhododendron forest. Specialty of this forest is that it hosts more than 15 species of rhododendron and if you are trekking in springtime the blooming colorful rhododendrons will fascinate you. We have our lunch at Banthanti and again continue through rhododendron forest. We have about GPO Box: 384, Ward No. 17, Pushpalal Path Khusibun, Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-01-4388659 E-Mail: [email protected] www.iciclesadventuretreks.com thirty minutes climb before reaching Tadapani. From here we have great views of Annapurna South (7,219m), Huinchuli and Machapuchare (Fishtail 6,993m). Walking Time: 6-7 hrs, Accommodation: Local lodge, Included Meal: B, L, D. Day 5: Tadapani to Ghandruk (1940m/6360ft) The trail starts descending steeply off from Tadapani. The first part of the trek today will be through a thick forest of old rhododendron trees. When the rhododendron trees are in bloom, these forests actually turn into gardens of dazzlingly beautiful flowers, mostly red and pink. By afternoon, depending upon the season of travel, we will be pleasantly surprised by the sight of some cherry blossoms in bloom on the slopes on the other side of the gorge. After trekking some more time, we enter the village of Ghandruk, an undulated settlement with stone houses mostly inhabited by the Gurung people. Along with enjoying the stunningly close-up towering views of Fishtail, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli mountains, we also walk through the village and also visit the Gurung Museum in Ghandruk to acquaint ourselves with the simple but rich cultural traditions of the Gurung people. Walking Time: 3-4 hrs, Accommodation: Local lodge, Included Meal: B, L, D. Day 6: Trek to Ghandruk to Nayapul drive to Pokhara and Fly back to Kathmandu Today, we trek from Ghandruk to Naya Pul then drive back to Pokhara.