Poon Hill Trek - 4 Days

Arrival, Welcome, and Trek Start

You need to arrive at least one day before the trek departure date to make final preparations. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our representative will receive you, welcome you with a marigold garland, and transfer you to your hotel in a private vehicle.

On the trek departure day, you will travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara via a tourist bus departing at 7 AM. Pokhara serves as the gateway to the Poon Hill trek. The package includes round-trip transportation between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Alternatively, you may opt for a 20-minute flight or private transportation at your expense.

Accommodations

During the four-day trek, you’ll stay in twin-sharing rooms with attached bathrooms at the best available lodges in Ulleri, Ghorepani, and Ghandruk. In Pokhara, you will stay at Silver Oaks Inn, offering an attached bathroom, TV, hot water, and laundry facilities.

Lodges commonly offer electricity for charging devices, Wi-Fi for internet access, and hot showers, though you may need to pay extra. You’ll need to arrange your own accommodation and meals in Kathmandu, as they are not included in the package.

Meals

The trek package includes four breakfasts, four lunches, and three dinners. The meals are nutritious, hygienic, and suited to the trekking environment. The menu items include a mix of local, Asian, and Western cuisine, though options become limited and more expensive at higher altitudes. Dinner in Pokhara is not included in the package.

We recommend consuming liquids like green tea, ginger tea, or garlic soup and prioritize vegetable-based meals at higher altitudes. Avoid dairy, alcohol, caffeine, and non-vegetarian foods, as these are not recommended during high-elevation treks.

Luggage

Each trekker is allowed up to 9 kg of luggage, carried by porters (one porter for every two trekkers). Ensure valuables and essentials like documents are in a small personal backpack. You can store your extra luggage securely at your hotel or our store for free. Since a porter will carry two trekkers’ luggage, we advise you to find a fellow trekker and pack your things in a duffle bag of over sixty liters.

Facilities and Essentials

• Water

Avoid drinking untreated water from rivers or taps while trekking. We advise you to carry a reusable water bottle to minimize waste as you can easily purchase boiled water at lodges. You can buy bottled water from en-route shops but it is not ecofriendly.

• Communication

You can buy SIM cards in Kathmandu. Our guides maintain daily communication with our office to ensure safety and provide trek updates. Additionally, we remain on standby to handle any emergencies.

Travel Essentials

• Visa

All foreigners (except Indians) require a visa to enter Nepal. Most nationalities can obtain an on-arrival visa at Tribhuvan International Airport. A valid passport with six months' validity, a passport-sized photo, and a visa fee are required. The 30-day visa costs USD 50. Children under ten and nationals from SAARC countries are eligible for free visas. For the latest updates, visit https://www.immigration.gov.np/en.

• Travel Insurance

Though this trek is categorized as easy, we recommend you purchase travel insurance. We will use your insurance details for any necessary rescue operations in emergencies.

• Currency Exchange

The local currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). (1 USD = ~133 NPR). You can exchange major currencies at banks or authorized money exchange centers in Kathmandu or Thamel. ATMs are widely available in Kathmandu, but you might have to pay a service charge. Bring clean and untorn bills, as older notes may not be accepted.

• Extra Expenses

Major costs during the trek are covered but not all. You will need money for meals and accommodations in Kathmandu, snacks, beverages, extra meal courses, Wi-Fi charges at lodges, dinner in Pokhara, visa fees, souvenirs, etc. We estimate you will need around USD 15 per trek day.

Trek Season and Weather

The Poon Hill Ghandruk trek is suitable year-round, but each season offers a unique experience. While spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are most popular for their pleasant weather and clear views, summer and winter have a distinct appeal.

• Spring (March-May): Expect cool temperatures, blooming rhododendrons, and clear mountain views. Daytime temperatures range from 5-15℃ at higher elevations, with warmer conditions at lower altitudes.

• Summer (June-August): A mix of warm temperatures (15-25℃) and monsoon rains, lead to lush greenery, vibrant valleys, and occasional trail challenges due to wet conditions.

• Autumn (September-November): This season offers moderate temperatures, crisp skies, and golden landscapes. Daytime highs can reach 20℃, while nights cool to around 5℃.

• Winter (December-February): Clear skies and serene trails characterize winter treks. Daytime temperatures at high altitudes hover around 5℃, with nights dipping as low as -5℃. Snowfall enhances the beauty but requires extra preparation.

Typical Day

A typical trekking day begins early, with a cup of tea or coffee. After freshening up, you will have breakfast around 7:00 AM. You will hit around 8:00 AM, enjoying the serene landscapes, pausing for photographs, and taking short breaks to stay energized.

Lunch will be around midday. After refueling, the journey resumes around 1:30 PM, with the pace adjusted to accommodate the trail's terrain and the group’s comfort. Upon reaching the day’s destination in the late afternoon, you can unwind and explore the local area.

In the evening, at around 7: 00 pm, you will have a delicious dinner. Then, your guide will brief you about the following day’s trek. After this briefing, you will have ample time to socialize, reflect, or rest, ensuring everyone is rejuvenated for the adventures ahead.

Trip Conclusion

• Farewell Dinner

This special evening will celebrate your achievements with traditional cuisine. Later, we will provide you with a trek achievement certificate.

• Departure

On your departure date, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Tribhuvan International Airport on a private vehicle, provided you tell us your hotel name, room number, and departure time.

Trek Bookings

• Private Treks

We only organize private treks and do not add anyone to your group. We can handle all group sizes and the bigger your group, the more discount you will get. Moreover, for a group of 12 or more, we also add an assistant guide.

• Safe Trek Bookings

Discovery World Trekking, a government-authorized trekking operator in Nepal, is a member of both the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). We require a 10% advance payment to confirm your trek booking, which you can pay via bank transfer, Wise, Western Union, Credit Card, or directly on our website.

After booking, you must submit essential documents—passport copy, photos, travel insurance, and flight details—within a week. The remaining balance can be paid upon arrival in Nepal through cash, bank transfer, Wise, Western Union, or credit card. We will also email you the payment details. 

• Last-Minute Bookings

For spontaneous travelers, we offer last-minute booking options. Ensure your documents and travel insurance are ready, then contact us directly to confirm availability and finalize arrangements.

For last-minute treks, we require full payment at least 24 hours before your departure date. While we strive to operate on schedule, delays may occur due to weather, landslides, or limited accommodations. For assistance, call Paul at 977-9840055491 or email info@discoveryworldtrekking.com.

• Flexible Schedule

Though our treks have specific departure dates, we can change them if they do not suit you. Please let us know as soon as possible if the departure dates are inconvenient.

• Trip Extension

After you complete the trek, should you want to take part in other activities, we can arrange Chitwan Jungle Safari, a sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu Valley, or even another trek.

DWT Family

Our experienced, government-licensed guides and Sherpas will accompany you throughout your trek, ensuring a safe and memorable journey. Our guides are trained in wilderness first aid and ecological conservation, they bring years of trekking expertise and deep knowledge of the high Himalayas.

We provide fair compensation and cover their insurance, food, and lodging during the trek, prioritizing their well-being. A well-cared-for team ensures an exceptional trekking experience for you.

Ecotourism Practices

Sustainability lies at the heart of trekking operations. We aim to leave only the footprints behind in the trek region. Hence, we partner with the Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) to ensure our treks are environmentally friendly.

Tipping Culture

Tipping is a customary way to express gratitude to the guides, porters, and staff who work tirelessly to make the trek successful. We advise you to tip as a group at the end of the trek. The tip amount should be based on the quality of service received, trek length, and cost.

We look forward to guiding you to the famous viewpoint of Poon Hill and the Ghorepani and showing you some of the most stunning landscapes on earth.