- Details
Detailed itinerary
Itinerary- Tour Includes/Excludes
- Useful Info
- Map
- FAQ
Trip overview
Annapurna region is one of the best places to experience the culture and natural beauty of the Himalayas. This region provides spectacular views of the beautiful Annapurna range, and tourists get to delve into the warm hospitality of the ethnic community of Gurungs and Magars. With Annapurna Basecamp via Poonhill trek, you get to explore and enjoy the major landmarks of the Annapurna region.
The trek starts with your arrival at Kathmandu. You will drive to Pokhara city, enjoying the sceneries of the hills and towns like Mugling. From Pokhara, you will embark on a 2-hour drive to reach Nayapul, the starting point of your trek. The trail takes you through rustic villages like Tikhedhunga and Ghorepani.The hospitality offered by the local communities of Gurung and Magar will ease your trip.
This trek will take you to Poonhill, a famous hill station from where you get a chance to see the picturesque views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna, and other neighboring peaks. The view gets even spectacular during the sunset and sunrise. Continuing the trek, you pass through Chuile and Sinuwa villages before reaching Deurali, the entrance of Annapurna Base Camp.
While ascending towards the basecamp, the sceneryof the southern slope of Annapurna will take your breath away. After exploring the Annapurna Base Camp, you head towards Jhinu Hot Spring, where you get to relax your body with a warm bath inthe natural spring. The trek’s difficulty level is moderate. So, beginner trekkers can also enjoy this trek without much difficulty.
With Golden Himalayan Zone, tourists can find the best services of transportation and accommodation at affordable prices. You also get the option to choose your mode of transportation. Along with with it, we have certified and experienced staff who’ll guarantee to make your trip memorable for a lifetime.
Trip highlights:
- Explore the culture and lifestyle of the Gurung, Magar, and people
- Trek to famous Annapurna Basecamp
- Explore flora and fauna of Annapurna Conservation Area
- Witness the magical sunrise as you view the Annapurna ranges from Poonhill
Itinerary
The first day starts with your arrival in Nepal. As per your schedule, you arrive at the country of Himalayas via Tribhuvan International Airport, located in Kathmandu. Our staff and representatives will be eagerly waiting to welcome you. After brief introductions, you head to the hotel where you rest and refresh. You meet our representatives again for dinner and discuss the details of the trek.
After an early breakfast, you head to the bus park to catch the tourist bus heading to Pokhara. The bus leaves at sharp 7 a.m., so you need to reach there on time. Then, you drive along the Prithivi Highway, enjoying views of the Trishuli and Marsayangdi Rivers. By late afternoon, you arrive at your hotel—dinner at Lakeside.
After a hearty breakfast, you prepare for the first day of the trek. Then, you depart from the hotel and drive towards Nayapul. The drive takes an hour, and you get to enjoy the incredible scenery of Pokhara Valley en route. Once you arrive at Nayapul, you rest for a while and then officially start your trek. It is relatively easy as the way mostly goes through flatlands. Overnight at Tikhedunga.
After a hearty breakfast, you start the trek to Ghorepani. The trek gradually goes uphill, and en route, you get to enjoy the beautiful views of rhododendron forests. The route goes through asteep stone staircase. Then, you arrive at Ulleri, a large village inhabited by Magar people. Then the route goes through flatland, and you arrive at Ghorepani for overnight stay.
You wake up at dawn and hike up to Poonhill. The route is short and filled with rhododendron trees. From Poonhill, you are rewarded with spectacular views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Gangapurna, and many more. The sunrise over the mountain vistas is a view that can’t be seen anywhere else in the world. After enjoying the sunrise, you descend back to Ghorepani to have breakfast and then trek towards Chuile for overnight stay.
After breakfast, you resume your trek. The trail today goes up and down the dense forests. Enjoying the views of the Annapurna range, you cross suspension bridge three times. The trail then goes through meadows and small settlement areas. The terraced farmlands provide a fresh view of the landscape. By late afternoon, you reach Sinuwa, which is a peaceful and scenic village with the Annapurna range in the backdrop.
Today, the trail takes you through scenic valleys and forests. The trail slowly goes uphill, and you get to see amazing views of the landscape. Then, the trail goes through a mixed forest of bamboo and rhododendron. The route gradually leads to the ridge above Hinko, so you get to see splendid views of the mountains. This region is prone to avalanches, so you need to be careful. You arrive at Deurali for an overnight stay.
Today, you wake up early and have breakfast; then, you prepare to head to the Annapurna Base camp. The trail goes up through moraines.En route, you can see huts used by shepherds. The rocky and moraine filled route leads to Machhapuchhre Base Camp, where you arrive at the foothills of the mountain. You continue trekking through the rocky trail and ascend to ABC, which takes about 2-3 hours. At the end of the route, you see a relatively flat area, which is the basecamp where you stay overnight in a tent.
After breakfast, you can explore the basecamp for a while. Then, you pack up and descend. En route, the views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhre gets impressive. The morning views of the mountains make the trek downhill more enjoyable. As the elevation decreases, you start to notice the greenery increasing. Leaving the moraines, you begin to walk past forests and vegetation. By late afternoon, you arrive at the tranquil village of Bamboo for overnight stay.
The trail today continues through the mixed forests of bamboo and rhododendron. Enjoy the views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna as the trail goes downhill gently. After passing by small settlement areas, you arrive at Chhomrong, one of the oldest Gurung villages of the region.Then, you descend to Jhinu, where you enjoy a nice relaxing bath in the natural hot spring. Wash away your fatigue and stay overnight.
After a relaxing time at Jhinu, you have finally come to the last day to trek, so enjoy the surroundings as much as you can. The descent goes through rhododendron forests.Soak in the views of Annapurna and the neighboring mountains one last time. You arrive at Matkhu, where you rest, and have your lunch. Then, you return to Pokhara via road.
Today, you drive back to Kathmandu. After an early breakfast, you board the bus heading to Kathmandu via Prithivi Highway. The road winds through the banks of the Trishuli and Marsayangdi Rivers, where you get to see amazing views of the river and hill landscape. En route, many small settlement areas sell local products and vegetables. By late afternoon, you arrive at Kathmandu. If you have time before dinner, you can go shopping. You then meet our representatives and celebrate your farewell dinner.
As per your schedule, our staff will drop you off at the airport on time. Please make sure that you have all your belongings with you. Thank you for choosing us to create memorable memories and hope to see you again.
Included
- Kathmandu / Pokhara hotel, standard hotel
- Trekking permit fees & TIMS card
- Annapurna National Park fee.
- Kathmandu – Pokhara & Pokhara – Kathmandu by sharing tourist bus
- All transportation includes airport pickup drop / trekking point drop / pick up
- Government license holder guide
- Porter for luggage carries.
- All meals stated accordingly in the itinerary. Drinks provided is coffee and tea any other than that like soft-drink, mineral water hot chocolate etc is under client own cost
- Accommodations, meals & insurance for guide and porters
- All entrance fees to places of interest mentioned
- During the trekking 3 times meal ( Breakfast / Lunch & dinner)
- Simple guest house during the trek
Excluded
- Return international air ticket
- Kathmandu / Pokhara lunch / diner
- Kathmandu entrance fees
- Travel insurance (details to be submitted to us before trip)
- Nepal Airport taxes (please check your ticket, it may be already included)
- Nepal Visa,Visa on arrival is available
- Meals, which is not indicated in the itinerary.
- Personal medical supplies
- Mineral water/ cold drinks / juice / beer/ hot water/ hot shower
- During the trekking WIFI
- Extra adventure, which is not indicated in itinerary.
- Tipping for guide and porters ( tipping is not mandatory but highly expected)
Useful Info
- Permits: You will need two permits to trek to ABC via Poonhill, which are the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card. These can be obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- Difficulty: The ABC trek via Poonhill is considered moderate in terms of difficulty. The trek involves some steep ascents and descents, but it is achievable for people of average fitness level with some prior trekking experience.
- Altitude Sickness: Altitude sickness is a real concern during the trek, so it is essential to acclimatize properly. It is recommended to spend at least two nights in the villages of Chhomrong or Dovan to allow your body to adjust to the altitude.
- Accommodation: There are teahouses and lodges along the trekking route that offer basic accommodation and meals. The facilities are relatively simple, but they are clean and comfortable.
- Packing: It is important to pack light and smart for the trek. Some essentials include warm clothing, comfortable trekking shoes, a sleeping bag, a water bottle, a headlamp, and some snacks. You can also rent or buy gear in Kathmandu or Pokhara if needed.
- Itinerary: The trek usually takes around 10-12 days to complete the trek from Nayapul to ABC via Poonhill and back. The trek involves a visit to Poonhill, which offers stunning views of the sunrise and sunset over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.
- Weather: The weather can be unpredictable in the mountains, so it is advisable to check the weather forecast before you start your trek. It can get cold at higher altitudes, so it is important to bring warm clothing.
FAQs
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What is the altitude of Poonhill?
Poonhill is located at an altitude of 3,210 meters.
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How long does it take to reach Poonhill from Nayapul?
It takes around 4-5 days to reach Poonhill from Nayapul, depending on your pace.
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What is the best time to do the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poonhill?
The best time to do the ABC trek via Poonhill is during the spring season (March to May) and autumn season (September to November). During these seasons, the weather is generally stable, with clear skies and mild temperatures.
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Do I need a guide or a porter for the trek?
It is not compulsory to hire a guide or porter for the trek, but it is highly recommended. A guide can help you navigate the trekking route and provide valuable insights into the local culture and customs. A porter can carry your heavy bags and lighten your load, making the trek more enjoyable.
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How fit do I need to be to do the trek?
The trek is considered moderate in terms of difficulty. The trek involves some steep ascents and descents, but it is achievable for people of average fitness level with some prior trekking experience.
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What kind of equipment do I need to bring for the trek?
Some essential equipment to bring includes warm clothing, comfortable trekking shoes, a sleeping bag, a water bottle, a headlamp, and some snacks. You can also rent or buy gear in Kathmandu or Pokhara if needed.
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Can I customize the itinerary of the trek?
Yes, you can customize the itinerary of the trek according to your preferences and time constraints. There are several variations of the trek available, ranging from 7-14 days.