Poonhill Trekking

Often referred to as the Gateway to the Annapurnas, Poon Hill is the last mountain before the mighty Annapurna massif rears skyward. A regular trading and trekking route into the Kali Gandaki valley, the deepest valley in the world, the paths are bustling with the old and the new.

Clanging bells announce the brightly coloured mule and yak caravans that regularly use the well-trodden paths on their way to and from Tibet. We climb with them through oak and rhododendron forest and across sparkling streams to Ghorepani Pass (2,834m). On day three, in the pre-dawn, we climb to Poon Hill (3,190m) to witness a classic Himalayan moment. As the sun rises in the eastern sky, the mighty peaks begin their dawn parade, changing colours every minute as the stunning vistas open up.

Descending through giant primary rhododendron forest, troops of monkeys and exotic birds set a vivid and colourful scene. We arrive in Ghandruk (1,940m), one of the largest Gurung villages in the Kingdom with its traditional buildings and picture-perfect setting below Machapuchare (6,993m). We descend to the road head for the journey back to Pokhara after 5 magical days.

Trip Overview