Ghorepani – Poonhill – Ghandruk Trail Itinerary

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Me, and my same old trekking friends went to Poonhill at the end of first week of March. We had been to Kapuche (claimed lowest glacier lake in the world) a week before this trek but then a week after we had series of holidays including women’s day holiday, weekend, and Holi (festival of colors) holidays here in Nepal. Therefore, to make the most of these holidays, we again planned this trekking trip.

Poonhill had always been one of the destinations I wanted to visit but I didn’t have any appropriate time as always some new excuses popped in. But this time we were all determined and we made a grand trip out of it which was of 3 days.

 

If you are planning of a destination that has a lot of trek, somehow comfort too, a lot of snow (some months) – I would call it a heck of snow, adventure, nearly death experience (not kidding), and the trip not exceeding 3 days from Pokhara, then this is your ultimate destination!

Before going into details and specifications, I would recommend you all, to either go it during snow time or during rhododendron time. We were fortunate to see a lot of snow on our way but missed rhododendron. Poonhill trail from Ghorepani to Tadapani is mainly popular for rhododendron and in its absence there has to be snow to have some thrilling experience at least.

We have no regrets because we enjoyed the snow trail a lot! For some of my friends, it was their first snow. And, walking in snow for 8 hours straight or more, they were kind of pissed off with their first snow experience, LOL. Well, I slipped once and if there was no rope bar, I might would have died by falling off. But since I did not die, I do not regret. 

I had carried some women’s day play cards that we held after reaching Poonhill on women’s day. My meaning behind doing that was at least some women like us are doing what we love and that is a sign of a happy women’s day at least on some places in the world.

Also, to flaunt, it was my 51^st stepped district in Nepal.

Specifications:

• Altitude: 3210m
• District: Myagdi
• Duration: 3 days max.
• Specialty: Amazing views of the Mountains & sunrise view from Poonhill
• Trekking hours: 6 hours day 1 (Ulleri – Ghorepani), 90 minutes day 2 both way (Ghorepani – Poonhill), 7 hours day 2 (Ghorepani – Ghandruk)
• Vehicle hours: 3.5 hours day 1 (Baglung bus park – Ulleri), 3 hours day 3 (Ghandruk – Pokhara)  
• Vehicle supported: Bike, mountain bike, jeep, bus (only on highway up to Ulleri)
• Public vehicle available: local bus, jeep
• Difficulty level: 2/5 without snow on trail, 3.5/5 with snow on trail

Things To Carry:

• Raincoat (it didn’t rain on our journey though)
• Trekking poles (two in case of snow)
• Extra pair of clothes and socks
• Extra bags to put wet clothes in
• Gloves, cap
• Flip-flops
• Snacks (juice, energy bars, fruits)
• Medicines (also carry stuffs for leg cramps like bandage, I had severe leg cramp and had nothing to reduce the pain)

Things To Wear:

• Trekking shoes
• Snow Clamps for shoes in case of snow on trails (Google it)
• Light and loose clothes (jeans not recommended)
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen

Price Details:

• Public bus fare from Pokhara (Baglung  bus park) to Ulleri: NPR 350
• Veg Nepali Khana on the way to Ulleri: NPR 300
• Black tea near Ghorepani: NPR 50
• Veg Nepali Khana Set + room charge + breakfast at Ghorepani for one day and for one person: NPR 1000
• Veg noodles at Tadapani: NPR 400
• Veg Nepali Khana Set at Ghandruk: NPR 400
• Room charge at Ghandruk: NPR 1000
• Museum entrance fee at Ghandruk: NPR 100
• Gurung dress with jewelries for rent at Ghandruk: NPR 100
• Saarai nai mitho veg momo at Ghandruk (Ishtuti Momo Pasal): NPR 150
• Jeep fare from Ghandruk to Pokhara: NPR 500

Route & Vehicle Details From Pokhara:

• Take a public bus from Baglung bus park, Pokhara to Ulleri – 3 hours drive.
• Trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani – 5-6 hours.
• Trek from Ghorepani to Poonhill – 45 minutes.
• Trek from Poonhill to Ghandruk – 8 hours (with snow on trail).

Itinerary

Day 1: Six of us reached Pokhara at 6 am in the morning. We took a bus from Baglung Bus Park to Ulleri. We had lunch on the way to Ulleri. The funny thing, our bus could not pull up and cross a hill on the way, so we were dropped few kilometers before reaching Ulleri. After trekking for 5 hours, we reached Ghorepani, where we stayed in a hotel and had dinner there.

Day 2: Early in the morning, it was 4:30 am when we woke up. At 5:15 am we began trekking, and reached Poonhill in 45 minutes. We made it before sunrise and were able to see it, enjoyed the snow trail and came back to our hotel. We had breakfast and left at around 10 am. After having short breaks at few stops for food, we reached Ghandruk after trekking for 7 hours straight!

Well, what do I tell about the trail? May be if you are not a very adventurous person, and do not enjoy extreme risk, do not take this trail at this time of the year. Because everything is covered with snow; and at some points you will have to slide down holding a rope that is already available there. So, this one is not a very easy trek while there’s snow on the trail.   

Struggle didn’t stop at reaching Ghandruk. At first, we had to struggle with finding a hotel to stay. So, it is advised to prebook your stay if you are trekking from Ghorepani  to Ghandruk because it will be late and there are less chances of getting proper room. We got it little later though.

Day 3: We woke up at 7 am in the morning, had tea and left the hotel at 8 am to tour Ghandruk. After wearing Gurung’s cultural dress, and having the world’s best momos at Ishtuti Momo Pasal, we left for Pokhara in a jeep. We reached Pokhara after 3 hours ride.  

Specialty of Poonhill Trek!

1. You will have the best sunrise view from Poonhill if you make it to the view point early in the morning before 6:35 am.
2. You can wear Gurung’s cultural dress at Ghandruk, and visit some ancient museums.
3. Well, there is snow slide (I named it, LOL) so if you look it in an adventure way, it’s really fun sliding there! But only when there’s snow on the trails.
4. The trail is also popular for rhododendrons, which I missed and well, if you want to witness that, go a little later than I did.
5. You can finish this trek over a weekend! All you need is two days from Pokhara and the trek is over.
6. Ghandruk itself is a destination for people who are looking for an escape from Pokhara where you can find nice food and home-stay too. So, there’s a bonus that comes with this trip!

This blog does not really tell you much about Poonhill itself because you will find several blogs on Internet doing that. So, my main focus was with route, facilities, stuffs one should carry, and budget. Hope it helped you in some way! I would love it if you leave a feedback.

Have a nice time!

Aleena Rayamajhi
3/31/2020