Review: Pokhara 9-Day Ghorepani Poon Hill & ABC Trek

If you’re thinking of taking on the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek with a side trip to a section of the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trail, coming all the way from Pokhara, you might be wondering what it’s really like, actually. Well, I recently spent nine fantastic days doing exactly that, and I thought I’d share what the experience was like, you know, along with some recommendations if, too it’s almost, you decide it sounds like your kind of adventure. It’s more or less a medium length trek, seeing as you could spend months in the Himalayas, so the Ghorepani Poon Hill and ABC portion is a really great option if you are tight on time.

Is the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Right for You?

First things first, is this hike your style of cup of tea? A bit of background: The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is often thought of as a “beginner” trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal. That, yet, doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. You do, you know, gain altitude (Poon Hill sits at around 3,210 meters), and there are some, like your, steep sections with what feel like a never-ending array of stone steps, so you have to be in fairly sound physical shape to really enjoy it. What’s more, it’s popular! You won’t find yourself entirely on your lonesome very often, especially during peak season. However, you will discover a remarkable blending of physical challenge, Nepali culture, and phenomenal mountain scenery. Actually, it is so nice to hike alongside other trekkers because you can all cheer each other on to make it to the end.

The side trip towards ABC offers a, well, just a, glimpse of a more high-altitude and, sort of, demanding trek. I got to experience some quieter trails and more varied terrain this way. A little heads up, though: it added a couple of days and made things a, kind of, bit more physically challenging than just sticking to the Ghorepani loop.

Day-by-Day Breakdown: My Pokhara to Ghorepani to ABC Experience

I began my journey in Pokhara, that lovely Lakeside city. The first day, in some respects, started with a drive to Nayapul, where the real trekking starts. The walk that day was moderately gentle, that it was, along the Modi Khola river, passing through small villages and terraced fields. Getting a good night’s rest in Tikhedhunga after Day 1 made sure I would be ready for what was to come.

Day two? Oh boy, a whole bunch of uphill hiking to get to Ghorepani, it tends to be. It’s mostly stairs and switchbacks and, you know, that gets your heart pumping, is that right? The views along the way, of course, start to open up, that I promise. Arriving in Ghorepani in the late afternoon gave a, you know, sense of accomplishment – and a need for some serious rehydration!

Poon Hill is a thing early on Day three, actually it really is. You are hiking up before dawn to reach the viewpoint to watch the sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Picture-postcard stuff, genuinely! After taking it all in, you head back to Ghorepani for breakfast, then press on to Tadapani. That part of the trek offers lovely rhododendron forests. What is even more interesting is that the rhododendron flowers are just gorgeous to look at in the Spring months!

Days four, five and six get you closer to the ABC trail around Chomrong, we see. From Tadapani, I descended through more forested areas to reach Chomrong. This village is pretty much the last permanent settlement on the way to ABC. The next day involved a steep descent to the Chomrong Khola river and, of course, another ascent to Sinuwa. Then you get a walk through bamboo forests that brings you closer to the mountains. Spending nights in places like Bamboo gives you an appreciation of the quieter side of the region. In other words, there will be great nights’ sleep and stargazing ahead!

The turn-around happened on Day seven, right? I trekked back from near Bamboo to Chomrong and climbed steeply towards Tadapani. This part felt tough because of the gain in altitude, that I promise! Still, returning via a different path gave me new points of view. Getting to Tadapani meant having done a big loop. And yes, there are big mountains!

Day eight involved dropping down from Tadapani to Ghandruk, which is, pretty much, a village mostly inhabited by Gurung people. Ghandruk, you see, is well-known for its cultural preservation. Plus, the views of Annapurna South and Himchuli are, like, just wonderful from there. It really felt like I got a bonus bit of cultural immersion before finishing the hike, literally. The stone houses were so carefully placed, which must have taken people lots of time.

The final day, day nine, anyway, was an, kind of, easier descent from Ghandruk to Nayapul, and then it was back to Pokhara. That last stretch felt quite long and quite hard on the knees, I will admit! Then it was time to relax after all those miles and a successful completion of the hike.

Essential Tips for a Great Trek

• Pack Light: It’s almost better to get some assistance. Either hire a porter! If that doesn’t work for you, well, carry as little weight as reasonably possible. Keep in mind that every extra pound or kilogram seems like ten as you ascend those hills. You’ll thank you so much!
• Footwear is Very Important: Break those hiking boots in long before you hit the trail, alright? Quality socks make a massive difference when, too it’s almost, you are reducing the possibilities of blisters. If not done well, then the results would be bad!
• Acclimatize: This is very key! Ascend gradually, particularly as you rise above 2,500 meters, is that right? You will feel the benefits if you do it gradually. Plus, take rest days if you actually need them. Listen to your body; after all, your body is what keeps you moving.
• Stay Hydrated and Eat Well: Be sure to drink lots of water during the day, or get the right energy by packing snacks to eat. What could be more rewarding than a delicious snack on your trip? Besides, having good food inside keeps you ready for hiking, or for those awesome sunrises in the early mornings.
• Hire a Guide (or not): I like that some folks prefer to hike independently. In other words, that can offer great flexibility. A well trained guide, more or less, enriches your experience greatly, because they offer their knowledge of the area, take you on little excursions that were not on the official route, and keep you happy and motivated!

What to Expect in Terms of Cost

The cost of this trek depends on lots of stuff like your trekking style and how posh you would like to be, pretty much. A guide and porters will increase your costs. The food, accommodation, and permits tend to be reasonably cheap, I mean. I would factor in somewhere in the region of $50 to $80 a day. If, naturally, you want a more comfortable experience and, perhaps, add in some extra services. Prices for those sort of extra things would add to your overall costs.

Final Thoughts

My nine-day Ghorepani Poon Hill and a quick hop towards ABC, well it turned out to be so great! You are offered some stunning scenery, the opportunity to involve yourself into Nepali rural life, and just the right amount of physical activity. Now, if you are well equipped, are in decent shape and have prepared, you will remember every piece of this trip for many, many years.

So, will it be your cup of tea to experience some sunrises over massive mountains, hike through interesting terrain, meet other fellow walkers and enjoy Nepali food? So it will be, if that appeals. The area is beautiful and inspiring; you have my full backing to put on your boots and head off, seeing as it will become your dream vacation.