Ghorepani Poon Hill with Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Religion and Culture on route Poon Hill with Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Ghorepani Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp Trekking are some of the best combination adventures. This allows you to see more of the country and local culture by visiting nice hill villages. All in the backdrop of the massive Annapurna Himalaya range of peaks, with time to get accustomed to mountain landscapes.

Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp Trekking, located Nepal Mid-West within great Annapurna Himalaya around Kaski and Parbat districts of Gandaki Zone. Where all adventure and trekking start and end at a beautiful city in Pokhara, a renowned touristic spot, blessed with natural beauty. Situated on the lap of Annapurna Himalaya, where views of Lamjung, Manaslu, and Dhaulagiri peaks can be seen from scenic Pokhara.

A city on a verdant valley full of charm within the backdrop of rolling green hills and snow mountains. The main highlight of Pokhara is the serene Lakes of Begnas and Phewa, wherein the morning catches reflections of high Annapurna Himalaya. The walk begins from this lovely city taking a short drive on a nice highway between Beni-Baglung and Pokhara.

Drive leads beyond the valley on the outskirt through several farm villages and towns with ever-present views of Annapurna peaks. Then ending the short overland journey of a few hours, where the trek starts following the old Trans Himalaya Salt Trade Route. This leads to Nepal and Tibet border past Ghorepani towards Mustang beyond, as walk heads through nice Bhirethati village. Where you get lovely views of cascading waterfalls along the trail to reach the overnight stop at Tirkhedhunga village.

A place with another beautiful waterfall, next morning a steep climb on stone-paved step reach you to Ulleri village. A moderate size farm village stands on a hilltop, with views of Annapurna South, Huin-Chuli. Includes Machhapuchare Himal the famous Fish-Tail peak from this nice village Ulleri, from here onward within Poon / Magar people. The hill tribes of Western Nepal, as well spread all around the country, as the walk gets better on a nice trail.

Walk into the lovely forest of rhododendron, magnolia, pines, and fir trees, walking on a quiet path with gentle ups to reach Ghorepani village. Ghorepani with two main villages, the lower and upper side known as Deurali at a height of 2, 850 m high.

The air is cool and fresh, and all houses are painted blue against the green forest surroundings. Facing views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains, a nice village with many good lodges and guest-house for trekkers. Includes a long list of food menus to enjoy your stay in the shade of high snow-capped peaks in tranquil surroundings.

Ghorepani is a famous and popular village due to its easy accessibility with a close road-head from Pokhara. As well as an hour hike to Poon Hill, located above Ghorepani, a great view-point for a stunning sunrise over Himalayan peaks. Spending pleasant overnight in its nice lodge, next early morning climb to Poon Hill at 3,210 m high. Enjoy the sunrise as it reflects on the high mountain range of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, and Annapurna Himalaya massive range.

The view extends to Lamjung and Manaslu Himal with the ever-present towering Machhapuchare Himal, known as Fish-Tail a peak with twin top summits. After a photogenic view of glorious sunrise with an array of snow-mountain ranges, have breakfast in Ghorepani. Start the day with a climb into lovely cool rhododendron and pine forest to reach on top of a ridge called Deurali. Which is almost at the same height as Poon Hill, and offers grand views of the mountain range.

A trail descends into a gorge towards Bhanthati a small settlement with simple tea houses that serves as lodge and restaurants. From here walk downhill through dense forest to a stream with a climb for a short hour to reach Tadapani. A nice small settlement with many good simple lodges, amidst dense forest facing views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchare Himal, and Annapurna-II.

Spend the night in Tadapani, which is at 2, 645 m high, then the next morning takes you on a long downhill. Heading near Kimrong Khola, where streams flow along the valley to join Modi River, from the bridge climb of few hours. A nice gentle walk on the village trail with a short down to Chomrong, the last permanent village on route Annapurna Base Camp.

From Chomrong onward temporary settlements with few lodges to cater to the trekkers like Sinuwa, Bamboo, Dovan, Himalaya Hotel, and Deurali. To reach Machhapuchare and Annapurna Base Camp, Chomrong is a large village at 2,170 m high.

The main gateway to Sanctuary and Annapurna Base Camp and prominent village to and from Annapurna Base Camp. One of the largest Gurung villages has many good lodges facing views of Annapurna peaks, from here the adventure begins.

From Chomrong village the only entrance towards beautiful Annapurna Sanctuary and Base Camp, where the route follows downs and ups. Heading past Sinuwa to reach down to Modi River gorge at Bamboo, a place amidst forest surroundings with bamboo stalks. As well as a nice overnight and lunch stop on the way to Annapurna Base Camp and back.

The walk follows through the river gorge with a climb towards Dovan, Himalaya Hotel, and Deurali small settlements, having lodge facilities. From Deurali onwards tree lines and dense forest decline for short bushes as the climb follows to an open country at Machhapuchare Base Camp.

A nice scenic place perched on a high ridge right beneath towering Machhapuchare Himal or Fish Tail peak North-West Face. Located at 3, 700 m high facing views of Annapurna-I and Annapurna South, this remote settlement has several good simple lodges.

After spending overnight at Machhapuchare Base Camp, then enter the spectacular and most beautiful Annapurna Sanctuary. Enclosed and well-hidden valley by an array of towering peaks, where walk leads on gentle up to reach a place with a welcome signboard. As you step in at Annapurna Base Camp, the highest point of the trek at above 4,130 m and 13, 550 feet high.

The only world 10th highest Mt. Annapurna 8, 091 m high base camp with a nice cozy lodge within the Himalayas region. Mt. Annapurna the first 8,000 m high mountain first climbed in 1950, three years before Mt. Everest was conquered. Enjoy dramatic views of the Annapurna range of high peaks and its massive glaciers that feeds the Modi River downstream.

From Annapurna base camp return journey on the same trail downhill to reach Chomrong and beyond. Where one can choose various alternative routes to Pokhara, a shorter way from Jhinu village a place with a natural hot spring to enjoy. One can take other longer trails via Ghandruk or Dhampus for a few days more to be back in Pokhara.

Spring times from March to May are one of the best seasons, much clear morning till mid-afternoon, but can get overcast with blankets of clouds that cover the view of the mountain range with chances of snow sometimes on higher elevations.

The hills and valley are covered with green vegetation a paradise for nature lovers enriched with exotic flora and fauna of different species. Especially the rhododendron flowers of various species in full bloom during spring-time from March to May. 

The next best season is autumn/fall starting from mid-September to November months, where days are crystal clear for a super panorama of the towering mountain range as well for nice pleasant scenic walks.

Autumn is one of the rights and best seasons for all Himalayan treks as well for adventure to Annapurna base camp and Poon Hill, a perfect time where most days are clear for glorious scenery of beautiful landscapes and white snow peaks. 

Annapurna Himalaya region's high hills are home to Gurung people the tribes that dominate much of Annapurna to Lamjung Himal. Practice Tibetan Buddhism and similar cultures, but on this trek, there are no monasteries to visit.

Gurung being a Buddhist also follows an ancient sect of pre-Buddhism called Bon, worship of ancestral soul and natural spirits with Shamanism. 

But around Ulleri and Ghorepani populated by Poon / Magar follows Hindu religion and their own ancestral culture, both Gurung and Magar Poon are farmers and raising livestock, where menfolk are famous as brave Gorkha soldiers in foreign legion with British and Indian Army. 

Various alternative routes and ways that one can start trek to Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp, where it starts and ends in beautiful scenic Pokhara city.

Travel overland to Pokhara from Kathmandu, on a Tourist Coach or in private vehicles, an exciting ride of 220 km distance to reach Pokhara and back. Take the options by flight, which is just 30 minutes by air and offers a grand panorama of the Himalayan range of peaks till it lands at Pokhara.

From Pokhara, one reaches the starting point with a short easy drive, either starting from Nayapul to Ghandruk village and walking to Ghorepani and Poon Hill finally ends at Chomrong on route to Annapurna Base Camp.

The other options walk from Dhampus or Australian Camp heading past Tolka, and Landruk villages on the way to Ghandruk towards Poon Hill, and eventually to Annapurna Base Camp.