Nepal’s the ultimate destination for trekkers and backpackers. There are many exciting and adventurous tours in Nepal that fits all newbie and experienced trekkers. Among them, the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek is the shortest, easiest, and most rewarding mountain trek in Nepal that even existed.
Let’s learn more.
Highlights
- View the panorama of over thirty-two mountain peaks like Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Lamjung, Mardi, Annapurna range, Fishtail, and more at 3,381m above sea level
- An exciting city tour around the UNESCO world heritage site of Kathmandu
- Shortly explore the Lakeside of Pokhara, the city of Lakes.
- Short and economic trekking in Nepal for a wholesome experience
- Witness the more than amusing bio-diversity, including rear flora and fauna at the temperate and sub-alpine vegetation
Book your Ghorepani Poonhill trek in Nepal now.
Weather and temperature of Ghorepani Poonhill
Being one of the best low altitude treks in Nepal, Ghorepani Poonhill weather is actually pleasant throughout the year. The year-round average temperature in the Ghorepani and Poonhill is 5°C to 15°C. However, the information about the weather in different seasons is important to deciding your packing list and expectations. Himalayan Masters organizes all treks in Nepal throughout the year in different weather.
Best time for Poonhill Ghorepani trek
Experts claim that there are two best seasons for trekking in Ghorepani Ghandruk. Obviously, the best one is the blissful spring. Along with the perfect temperature and the clear sky, the colorful vegetation before the mountains makes it a perfect time for the trek—the colors of red, pink, and white Rhododendron cover the entire path. The blend the green and red before the majestic mountain peaks gives a picture-perfect setting. And, to make things even better, it’s also the time for the festival of Holi and Shivaratri. So, trekking in spring is just perfect.
Autumn is the month with the best views of the mountains. Yes, the flowers in the trial will be missed, but the mountains are visible for the entire time. The best sunrise can be seen, and the days are long. The harvesting and festive mood of autumn also add to the fun. Just make sure that you book your hotels in Ghorepani Ghandruk before the trek.
Next, we have summer. The rain might sometimes be the obstacle, but the trek will be equally rewarding if you manage to skip the heavy downpour. The views might be blocked due to the cloud, but the sky opens up after the rain. Since most of the rain occurs in the evening, skip trekking after 3 pm, and you will just be fine. And the last one on the list is winter. Honestly, the winter trek in Nepal is underrated. If you don’t mind a little cold and a few more jackets, winter is the time with the best view. The thick snow surrounds the mountains, and you get to trek without shedding sweats. The tea houses are just empty, and you can enjoy all the solitude and hospitality.
Difficulties in Poonhill Ghorepani trek
The Poonhill trek difficulty is marked as “Easy”. Despite some steep terrain and high elevation, anyone with average fitness and no prior trekking experience can accomplish this trek. It’s a 44km trek that can be completed in 4 days, walking 10 to 15kms each day.
Poonhill Trek altitude
Poonhill Ghandruk trek is one of the best low altitude treks in Nepal. Yet, the chances of altitude sickness cannot be ignored. Even at 3,210 meters, the oxygen drops to the level when it can get risky. You might develop the symptoms of Nausea, Headaches, and loss of appetite, Vomiting, and Shortness of breath. If you develop such symptoms, you might walk down to the lower altitude or ask for a helicopter rescue in extreme cases. Though these cases have never been seen during the Poonhill Ghandruk trek, it’s wise to be in the safe site. That’s why we have designed the Itinerary to cover less vertical distance each day- walking only for few hours and getting enough rest. Make sure that you are hydrated and avoid all kinds of alcoholic products.
Note: Since this Itinerary takes us to the beautiful city of Pokhara, you have an option to add few spicy elements to your tour. These are our recommendations:
- Adventurous activities like Paragliding, Bungee, Boating, Rafting, Mountain Biking, etc
- Sightseeing tour around Phewa, Begnas, David’s fall, Caves, etc. in Pokhara
- Jungle Safari in Chitwan
- Additional day in Ghandruk for the cultural insight into local Buddhist culture
- Extend the tour from Ghandruk to Annapurna Base camp and so on
Himalayan Masters makes these arrangements for you at the addition of minimum cost. So, be sure that you make the most out of your time in Nepal.
Culture, traditions, and festivals
The rich culture of Ghandruk and Ghorepani village has been talked about for centuries. The traditional Gurung village in this area has got so popular that people started visiting Ghandruk just to witness the lifestyle of locals. That’s how the place got popular as a homestay destination of Nepal. The Gurung and Rai people in these villages have found a perfect way to blend the culture and modernization, creating a wholesome experience. We can visit two local museums that show the classic art and household machinery used by the people of this village. Here, you can also rent the classic dresses of Gurung and Magar people for the photoshoot.
Besides Ghandruk, we get to the traditional Nepalese culture in the villages like Ulleri, Ghorepani, and Tadapani. There, we met some more people belonging to the ethnic groups of Tamang, Rai, and Magar. Although the village has been commercialized to accommodate the tourist, people still practice their century-old culture and traditions. You might see some small temples, Gombas, and prayer flags along the way. If you travel in January, you can see that the people in villagers are busy celebrating Loshar. Sonam Loshar and Tamu Loshar are very important to the villagers. The Buddhist people in this region also celebrate Sambuddhatva Jayanthi, Gunla, Guru Purnima, and other important festivals. The Hindus in the area celebrate Dashain, Tihar, Holi, and Shivaratri. People visit monasteries, chant mantras, and perform a special dance for the celebration.
Although this trekking trail falls within the culturally rich Annapurna trekking trail, most villages have completely changed into tea houses. If you want the true taste of culture, you can extend the tour for a homestay in Ghandruk. Also, you get to savour the culture of Kathmandu during your visit to the world heritage site. The Newar settlement of Bhaktapur and Kritipur also gives a great cultural insight.