Highlights:
“Dramatic bio-diversity of landscapes, vegetation and climate on daily walks.Walk into serene lovely forest covered in rhododendrons, pines and fir trees. Enjoy the walks with stunning views of Annapurna Himalayan Mountain ranges. On top scenic Poon Hill for striking sunrise over chain of Himalayan snow peaks. Explore the lovely mountain villages steeped with impressive cultural heritages.”
Short Trek Summary:
Trekking Mode: In best lodges where available.
Trekking Grade: Moderate with steep Ups and Downhill.
Trekking Areas: Kaski district around Nepal Mid-West Himalaya.
Highest Point: On top of Poon Hill 3,210 m/10, 531 feet.
Mode of Transport: Exciting drives on local 4WD Jeep or similar.
Start and End of trek: Thirkhedhunga to Jhinu Village with drive to Pokhara.
Trekking duration: 05 Nights and 06 Days from Pokhara to Pokhara.
BEST SEASONS FOR POON HILL AND GHANDRUK VILLAGE TREKKING:
For this moderate short adventures, the best seasons are spring and autumn/fall, the most favorable times for all adventures around the Himalayas.The spring begins in March and ends in May, a lively time for pleasant walks and scenic views. Most days are fine and clear with enough sunshine hours till late afternoon from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It can get overcast in the afternoon sometimes, with chances of light rains and snowfalls. Days are much longer with sunlight hours, but cold morning and late afternoon till nighttime. Depending upon altitude and overnight stops around the higher regions. Spring is the best time for nature lovers, when wildflowers are in seasonal bloom, especially the rhododendrons of various species.The next best season is autumn/fall, most days are bright, with sunny days for clear views. Autumn/fall starts from September to November, one of the high seasons in Nepal for trekking. Days are fine with crystal clear blue sky, but it gets dark soon due to limited sunshine hours. Morning and late afternoon until nighttime are cold, with chances of light snowfall. This trek can be enjoyed during winter times also, most days are clear for views and walks. But cold morning, late afternoon and nighttime, can expect snow around Ghorepani till Tadapani.
EXPERIENCE RELIGION & CULTURES OF THE ANNAPURNA HILL VILLAGES:
The higher Himalayan region of Far Mid-West Nepal, around the southern hills of Annapurna Himalayan ranges. Populated by the mountain tribes the Poon, Magar and Gurung people, Magar are the largest ethnic hill tribes of Nepal. The Magar tribe follows both Hindu and Buddhist religions, as well as their own traditional cultures. The Gurung people are the main hill tribes of Annapurna and Lamjung regions, mostly populated around the southern hills of Annapurna Himalayas. The Gurung people are interwoven to Buddhism religion, trekkers can observe the Gurung cultures around Tadapani, Ghandruk and Jhinu Villages.
FOODS, ACCOMMODATION AND LODGES FACILTIES:
Trekkers on the first few days of walks from Thirkhedhunga, on leaving Pokhara. The route leads to sheer mountain wilderness, with few small villages and settlements. The local village provides simple lodge accommodation with good food. Offers list of food menu, Nepali Dhal Bhat and noodles or home-made breads. The foods from Nepali Dhal Bhat (boiled rice, with seasonal vegetables and Dal a lentil of varieties of smaller beans). Tibetan bread, pancakes, chapatti, momos stuffed meats, or vegetable dumplings include noodles fried or with soup. Serves good breakfast from oats porridge, corn flakes with milk, breads and eggs followed by tea or coffee. Lunch is simple noodles fried with vegetables or eggs, or fried rice followed by hot refreshment. Afternoon tea with snacks and lavish dinner from Nepali, Indian, Chinese or Continental dishes. But at Ghandruk Village, trekkers will be surprised by various standards of lodges and resorts, from budget, and moderate to luxury lodges. Lodges with attached baths and toilets, with a comprehensive food menu from Continental, Chinese, Indian, Tibetan/Sherpa, and Nepali foods. As well as bakery items, some lodges from Namche to Lukla offer Mexican, Italian, Korean, and Japanese foods.
PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENT AND INSURANCE:
For this short treks, all members should be in good physical shape. As well as in sound health, for the climb on steep uphill and long downhill. Including the cold morning and night freezing temperatures as well as walking on snow and ice sometimes. The age should be a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 70 years old. Young people under 18 years old must be accompanied by parents and guardians. All trekkers must have Travel and Medical Insurance in case of unfortunate accidents and illness. Sometimes, the trek may have to be re-routed to other safe destinations. In case of broken trails from rock falls, including the bad and unfavorable weather conditions. Where trekkers should be well aware of all the unfortunate situations that can happen. Some members in the group might get sick, where immediate evacuation is required. Using, the fastest means of transportation, like services of the Helicopter, for bringing the patient to the nearest hospital. If this unfortunate condition happens, trekkers have to bear all extra expenses as well as for the accompanying staff. All extra expenditures should be claimed by the insurance company. For this trek, all should be physically fit, with good exercise. Like walking, jogging, and other good physical exercises to keep your fitness level, and checking with your doctor before planning and booking with Himalayan Heritage for this wonderful treks.
OVERVIEWS:
Ghorepani, Poon Hill, and Ghandruk with Jhinu Villages trekking around the southern scenic green hills of the Annapurna Himalayan ranges. This short and exciting moderate-grade trekking leads uphill and downhill. But every effort of the walks is rewarded by a stunning vista of Snow Mountains. The views of the Annapurna Himalayan range follow you from the start to the end of the trekking. This wonderful country walk leads through lovely mountain villages and enchanting woods of tall rhododendrons and pine trees.
To reach the highest point of the trek on top of Poon Hill, a famous and the most popular viewpoint.The Ghorepani, Poon Hill, and Ghandruk with Jhinu Villages trekking begins from the scenic Pokhara city. Situated in Nepal Mid-West on the foothills of the massive Annapurna Himalayan ranges with serene lakes. The trek starts after a few hours of exciting drive to reach the starting point of the trek at a farm village. From Thirkhedhunga, the trail follows a steep climb to Ulleri Village. The air gets cool on reaching the high hills, then walking through the lovely forest towards Ghorepani. At Ghorepani village, every house serves as a lodge and restaurant, a famous place among travelers. Due to its accessibility and proximity from Pokhara, where most adventures around Annapurna regions begin and conclude. Ghorepani village stands beneath the scenic Poon Hill, an early morning climb to Poon Hill. From this highest point of the treks, enjoy the alluring view of the sunrise with a chain of snow peaks. Poon Hill is a spectacular spot for the 180° panorama of the Mid-West Himalayan range of peaks. Views of the world's three highest mountain ranges, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu Himal, with the famous Machhapuchare Himal, also called Fish-Tail Peak. The dominant peak of the Annapurna Himalayas is throughout the treks. After a refreshing morning, the walk continues for the return journey to Pokhara following an alternative route. From Poon Hill and leaving Ghorepani, a climb into a forested path reaching another scenic point at Deurali. From the top of Deurali, enjoy the grand vista of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayan range.Then the walk follows downhill amidst enchanting forest to Ghandruk, a large Gurung Village. Spending and exploring lovely Ghandruk Villages adorned with impressive cultures of the Gurung natives. Slowly the walk heads down to a nice village at Jhinu, a place with a natural hot spring. Jhinu is a perfect spot to complete the walk and enjoy a refreshing dip in the hot pools, before heading back to Pokhara. After a great wonderful experience on Ghorepani, Poon Hill, and Ghandruk with Jhinu Villages Trekking.