Poon Hill Yoga trek in the Annapurna Himalayas

Poon Hill trek is one of the most popular in Annapurna region, because its moderate category makes it accessible and doable for most people. This trek offers great scenery and does not go really high as the highest point is at 3,210m/10,530ft.

The main attraction of this trek is the view point of Poon Hill which provides a spectacular panoramic view over the Himalayas including Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, III, and IV, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, Gangapurna, and Manaslu ranges among others. Being popularly known as the photographer’s paradise, here you can capture some of the best snaps of impressive Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. We will also witness a spectacular sunrise over the mountain panorama that will leave lasting impressions for years to come as we get to observe the snow-capped mountains awakening to the orange and red hues of the rising sun.

In addition to that, Poon Hill Trekking will also let you witness terraced slopes, warm villages, beautiful paddy fields, and wonderful culture and lifestyle of ethnic people like Gurungs, and Magars. The trails leads mainly through ancient Rhododendron forests, thickly covered in moss. Rhododendron trees can be seen blooming in spring, around March-April. We also pass through the traditional Gurung village of Ghandruk which gives us a glimpse into a local life. A visit to Little Paradise teahouse located on a ridge between two mountains is a perfect ending to this picturesque trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal.

We start trekking from Nayapul and the first day is an easy days’ walk through a wide trail with gentle and gradual uphill climb. We stay in Hille in a small teahouse known for some great entertainment provided by the owner, who just loves to show off his dance skills in front of spectators. Soon music will be blasting as Dipendra’s greatest joy is to delight his guests with his Hindi movie star-like dance moves. The next day is a steep climb to Bhanthanti followed by another day of walking through lush forests until we reach Ghorepani, one of the larger Gurung villages in Annapurna region. From here we walk up to Poon Hill at the break of dawn to catch the mesmerizing vista of the sun rising over the snow capped giants, casting a red glow on the mountain tops.

From here we follow on to Tadapani through forest paths, from here we still get great mountain views. Next day brings us to a charming little tea house nestled away from the main trekking trail, but providing for a very memorable stay for our guests. We are welcomed by Manoj and his family, who run this place with their cattle, dogs, rabbits and chickens and who grow most of their food in their back garden along with many flowers and fruit trees. We have stunning mountain views from here as well and we have an option to stay one more day in this paradise. On our way down from here we pass through the Gurung village of Ghandruk, which gives us another glimpse into traditional local life.

Trip Facts of Poon Hill Yoga Trek

Best Season September to May
Trekking Duration 7 Days
Trekking Grade II (Moderate Trek)
Maximum Altitude 3,210m / 10,530ft
Destination Poon Hill view point
Trip Region/Area Annapurna
Trip Route Pokhara – Hille – Ulleri – Ghorepani – Poon Hill – Tadapani – Kot Danda – Ghandruk – Shyauli Bazaar – Pokhara
Group Size Any
Starting From Pokhara
Ending Point Pokhara
Culture Local communities with ethnic majority of Gurung, Tamang & Chhetri
Mode of Trekking Tea house style (lodge trek)
Himalayan Sights Dhaulagiri Range & Annapurna Range: Himchuli, Machhapuchhare, Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal, Manasalu, Annapurna I, II & III, Annapurna South
Highlight Extremely Varied Landscapes, Rice-Terraces, River Valleys, Sunrise, Sunset, Dense Rhododendron and Oak Forest, Water Falls, Local Flora & Fauna

 Detailed itinerary

Day 01 Drive to Nayapul from Pokhara & trek to Hille 1,495m/4,905ft-4hr trek
We will start trekking from Nayapul after a 1.5 hour drive with a private vehicle from Pokhara. After 15 minutes short walk along the bank of the Modi Khola, we reach Birethanti a large village that has a few shops and teahouses. From there, the trail continues through the village. The trail follows the north bank of the Burungdi river. From there, the trail climbs steadily up the side of the valley to Hille. Today’s walk offers a short and relatively easy day during the journey, which allows us to become used to the experience of trekking in Nepal.

Day 02 Trek from Hille to Bhanthanti 2,250m/7,380ft – 3 ½ hr trek
Leaving Hille, we begin our journey with a steep climb to Ulleri. Ulleri is a large Magar village at 2,070m/6,790ft. We have to tackle a steep stone stair climb so we take our time with that. The trail then continues to ascend more gently, through fine forests of oak and rhododendron towards Banthanti where we spend the night.

Day 03 Trek from Bhanthanti to Ghorepani 2,860m/9,385ft- 3 ½ hr trek
Today we trek towards Nangethanti, still walking through a dense forest of rhododendron and oak. Here we take a break and rest a little in a nice setting. After another hour of walking from here, we will finally reach Ghorepani which is an interesting place with small shops and stalls selling local products and crafts. The village has two parts: upper part and the other a few hundred feet lower. We stop at the higher part of Ghorepani village that offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains including Annapurna South and Nilgiri. Since Ghorepani lies quite higher than our previous stop, we begin to feel cooler temperatures, especially in the evenings and mornings.

Day 04 Ghorepani – Poon Hill – Tadapani or Chuile 2,600m/8,530ft-7hr trek
Very early in the morning around 4am, we start an hour hike to Poon Hill at elevation of 3,210m/10,530ft. If the weather is clear we can expect a brilliant spectacle as this vantage point provides superb views of sunrise over the high Himalayas, including the Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri and Fish Tail (Machhapuchhare) mountain ranges. In Poon Hill we will spend about 2 – 3 hours and we return to Ghorepani where we have a hot breakfast and continue our trek to Tadapani or Chuile village from where we can get views of Annapurna South, Annapurna II, Fishtail and other mountains.

Day 05 Tadapani/Chuile – Kot Danda 2,000m/6,560ft- 3 ½ hr trek
Gentle days trek through beautiful green scenery. We arrive in Little Paradise – a true secluded paradise among the mountainous scenery where you can relax and enjoy peace and quiet. This local family owned teahouse has a very large and beautiful open garden area with flowers and trees, where chickens and friendly dogs roam free. They have rabbits and cows too and most vegetables are grown in their own organic garden. This beautiful property is located on a ridge between two mountains, offering great mountain views on one side and a stunning view over the valley on another side. Facilities are simple and the surroundings are superb.

Day 06 Kot Danda – Shyauli Bazaar 1,220m/4,000ft  – 4hr trek
Today we have a choice to remain in Little Paradise for a day’s relaxation and yoga or to continue down to Shyauli Bazaar. Trail goes all the way down, passing through Gurung village of Ghandruk with wonderful mountain views. We’ll come down to the level of the river Modi Khola at Shyauli Bazaar, from here we can still see the Fishtail mountain.

Day 07 Shyauli Bazaar – Pokhara    2hr or 4hr trek-2hr drive
If walking from Kot Danda, we descend to Ghandruk in 3 hours, have some lunch in the village, admire the mountain views and continue one hour further and get a jeep to Pokhara from lower part of Ghandruk village (2.5hr drive). If walking from Shyauli Bazaar, we have an easy short walk of 2 hours back to Nayapul and a 1.5 hr drive to Pokhara.