Poon Hill & ABC Trek: A Detailed 10-Day Review From Pokhara

Alright, planning a trip to Nepal? Thinking about doing both Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)? That combination is becoming rather popular, so too it’s a ten-day trek from Pokhara that gives you some striking views, and of course, some memorable experiences. Here’s what that particular kind of trek might really be like, very complete with some advice. It seems a lot of people find this quite useful.

Is the Combined Poon Hill and ABC Trek the Right Choice?

Selecting the appropriate trek, that can be like finding just the right pair of boots for scaling a challenging mountain, is that right? Now, doing both Poon Hill and ABC in just one trip, this is what that can look like. Poon Hill is, it’s almost always rather famous for those sunrise views it has over the Annapurna range. ABC, on the other hand, gets you up right next to some pretty gigantic mountains, offering an immersive experience. Combining them, this means you get, in a way, amazing panoramic views and up-close encounters with these mountains. So, that is very nice. For those who want a mix of rather shorter, simpler climbs plus more physically taxing trekking all in one trip, this option actually hits a lot of high points. Though remember, doing both, that will mean some moderately lengthy days and diverse terrain. But in a way, the reward of experiencing a little bit of all the region has to offer usually makes it seem worthy of your time, right?

What to Expect on the Trail

Okay, let’s talk specifics about what the trail is actually like, and it’s always good to know what to actually expect, right? Your trek, well that will likely start in Nayapul, which is not too far outside Pokhara. The early days will take you toward Poon Hill, passing through little villages and rhododendron forests – just stunning when in bloom! Very. That part is mostly up steps, a bit challenging yet definitely manageable if you are in fairly good shape. After soaking in those views from Poon Hill, you’ll then head down toward the valley that will then lead you to ABC. This second section gets more strenuous as you climb higher, so, very high. The terrain goes from those green landscapes to rocky, snowy paths as you approach the base camp. Even though the altitude is challenging, most find they get used to it gradually because of the itinerary.

Day-by-Day Itinerary: A Closer Look

Want a sense for how the days will roll out? Here’s what a possible 10-day outline looks like, of course these itineraries can often be customized quite easily.

1. Day 1: Pokhara to Tikhedhunga. The drive to Nayapul, this is pretty much the starting point, and then trekking to Tikhedhunga. This is, I mean a fairly gentle start, usually taking about 3-4 hours.
2. Day 2: Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani. A steeper climb, that’s for sure, as you head on up to Ghorepani, perhaps six to seven hours trekking, that’s pretty typical.
3. Day 3: Ghorepani to Poon Hill to Tadapani. You’ll want to get up really, very early for that sunrise view from Poon Hill, and then keep going on to Tadapani. That’s a long day but extremely rewarding!
4. Day 4: Tadapani to Sinuwa. Drop down through the forest and over a suspension bridge before climbing once more to Sinuwa. About six hours trekking maybe.
5. Day 5: Sinuwa to Deurali. The path follows the Modi Khola river, moving into the gorge. This can take maybe five to six hours.
6. Day 6: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp. Getting to ABC that is the goal, where you’ll, like your rewarded with close mountain views!
7. Day 7: ABC to Bamboo. Trekking down is easier and faster, so today, that’s when you descend down to Bamboo.
8. Day 8: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda. Continuing down to Jhinu Danda. This spot’s very famous for its, your, hot springs.
9. Day 9: Jhinu Danda to Nayapul to Pokhara. Your final walk to Nayapul, and that’s when you’ll drive back to Pokhara, completing that trek.
10. Day 10: Departure Day. Fly out from Pokhara, just after hopefully, like, the most spectacular trekking experiences of, you know, your life!

Permits and Paperwork, Oh My!

Okay, what about those permits? So very un-fun, but totally necessary, you know? For that kind of trek, well you’ll require an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) along with a Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card. You might be able to obtain these in Pokhara or Kathmandu rather easily before you head out to the trail, though that might often involve lining up and all that bureaucracy stuff, or very often the trekking agencies might be able to handle this if, in that case you book something together. Remember too, that it is very always useful to have copies of your passport photos as part of, like, all your permit applications and so on, just to make everything run smoothly. It can all get a bit tricky if, arguably, your forms aren’t in order.

Packing Essentials for a 10-Day Trek

Okay, packing! Layering that will be totally key, especially given you’re dealing with dramatically different altitudes and temperatures. That’s important. Make sure you pack some light thermals, fleece layers, along with, clearly, a waterproof and windproof outer shell. Very good hiking boots, you probably know, are very key for support and preventing blisters. Don’t forget the usual things, maybe such as, sunscreen, sunglasses, plus, a hat, especially given you’re going to be exposed for hours on end. Walking poles this can really help with stability, you know, on those steep inclines and descents.

Food and Accommodation Along the Way

So, food and accommodation on the trek. It is not normally fancy, still perfectly comfy. Lodging is usually in teahouses and it is almost always fairly basic, often that provide just beds and shared washrooms, of course, the higher up you climb. As for that food, well you might be able to find dal bhat (rice and lentil soup), is that right? Then momos (dumplings), noodles plus of course, rice based meals along practically every stop. While most spots provide pretty similar things, sometimes you could still get things like pizza and stuff. Be sure that the water’s been treated before you consume it, because that, is vital. You can buy water purification tablets or very, you know, very often just rely on those boiled water stations along your trek too it’s almost cheaper.

Altitude Sickness: Know the Risks

Alright, now altitude sickness. The trek goes up pretty high, to ABC, anyway, so you’ve gotta pay, obviously, very close attention to this. Mild headache? A little bit dizzy? Maybe feeling just unusually tired? That’s probably a mild indication that, by the way, you might have symptoms. It is extremely important to climb up slowly to assist you acclimitize; hydrate a lot. If these symptoms get dramatically worse, this is just to say: go lower if needed and rest. It’s vital to actually listen carefully to, in other words, your own body plus communicate this to the guide you’re using, if you have one.

Best Time to Trek: Weather Considerations

Want the best weather? Then most people prefer the months before and just after that monsoon season. These periods, of course offer clear skies, of course, good temperatures which is what people, basically, want. March-May that’s before that monsoon period and then September through November, so that’s your Fall, this can very often bring better conditions on, I mean, all of your mountain landscapes, right?

Budgeting for Your Trek: How Much to Save

What about your money? Cost can vary wildly based on what you get. Like are you getting a trekking company? A guide? Are you roughing it totally yourself? Obviously. Permits alone they may run around, oh, I don’t know, $50 or $60 bucks perhaps per permit (as of today anyway). Hiring up those guides, and especially a porter (a carrier) that will probably improve that total budget required because you have to feed those folks too! However, not lugging heavy bags up a hill might seem a worthwhile luxury for lots of trekkers! Remember you want cash (and little bills!), you just need it for those tea houses because sometimes Wi-Fi doesn’t function or your card’s not actually accepted for those fees.