Your Trekking Team

Depending on the size of the group, your trekking team may include a trekking leader, assistant guide and porters.

• Trekking Guide: Your guide leads the trek, manages the daily schedule, coordinates accommodation and meals, and assists with safety and any problems that may arise along the trail.
• Assistant Guide: For larger groups, an assistant guide supports the main guide and helps look after trekkers during the walking days.
• Porters: Porters carry the main luggage for the group, allowing trekkers to walk with a lighter daypack. We follow appropriate weight limits and provide necessary insurance and equipment for our trekking staff.

For groups of four or more trekkers, we normally provide one trekking leader, one assistant guide and two porters. The exact team size may vary depending on the number of participants and the requirements of the trek.

Luggage and Porter Service

During the lodge trek, each trekker can have up to 15 kg of luggage carried by our porters.

You should carry a small daypack with the items you need during the day, such as a water bottle, rain jacket, warm layer, sunscreen, camera and personal essentials.

Alpinist Club provides appropriate equipment and insurance for our guides and porters. We also make sure our trekking staff are properly prepared for the conditions of the Annapurna region.

Accommodation in Kathmandu

Before and after the trek, you will stay in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu. The hotel may vary depending on availability, but we normally use well-located 3-star hotels in or around the Thamel area.

Rooms generally include a private bathroom, Wi-Fi and other standard facilities. Breakfast is included during the scheduled hotel stays.

On your arrival day, we organize a welcome dinner where you can enjoy traditional Nepali food and meet members of our team.

Accommodation in Pokhara

You will stay in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Pokhara before and after the trekking section.

Pokhara is a relaxed lakeside city and is a convenient base for the Annapurna region. Depending on your free time, you can explore the Lakeside area, walk around Phewa Lake or simply rest before or after the trek.

Accommodation During the Trek

During the trekking days, accommodation is provided in local teahouses and lodges.

Rooms are generally simple and comfortable, usually with twin beds. Most lodges provide shared bathroom facilities, although some rooms may have attached bathrooms depending on availability.

The dining areas are usually warm and welcoming, providing a place to eat, rest and meet other trekkers after the day's walk.

Accommodation in the mountain villages is more basic than in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but it gives you a chance to experience the local way of life.

Meals During the Trek

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included during the trekking section.

Meals are generally prepared by the lodge and include a mixture of local and familiar dishes. Typical meals may include:

• Breakfast: Eggs, toast, chapati, Tibetan bread, pancakes, porridge, butter, jam, tea or coffee.
• Lunch: Dal bhat, noodles, pasta, rice dishes, soup, momos or other available local meals, with tea or coffee.
• Dinner: Soup, dal bhat, noodles, pasta, rice or other main dishes, followed by fruit or a simple dessert where available.

The menu can vary from one lodge to another depending on location and available ingredients.

Other drinks, snacks, bottled beverages and alcoholic drinks are available at additional cost.

Drinking Water

We recommend using refillable water bottles throughout the trek.

Water is available at lodges and local refill stations along the route. We recommend treating or purifying drinking water rather than relying on single-use plastic bottles.

Alpinist Club provides water purification tablets. You may also bring a reusable filter or another preferred water purification system.

Using refillable bottles helps reduce plastic waste along the trekking route.

Physical Fitness and Trek Difficulty

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is considered a moderate trek and is suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness.

The trekking section lasts four days, with approximately 4–7 hours of walking per day, depending on the route, walking pace and trail conditions.

The trail includes:

• Stone steps and uphill sections
• Downhill sections
• Forest trails
• Uneven mountain paths
• Terraced hillsides
• Several hours of walking each day

The highest point of the trek is Poon Hill at 3,210 m. The trek does not require technical climbing skills, but being comfortable with continuous uphill and downhill walking is important.

Regular walking, hiking, cycling, swimming or other endurance activities before the trip can help you enjoy the trek more comfortably.

Preparation for the Trek

You do not need months of intensive training for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, but some preparation is recommended.

In the weeks before your trip, try to include regular walking or hiking in your routine. Longer weekend walks, stair climbing and other activities that improve cardiovascular fitness and leg strength can be particularly useful.

It is also a good idea to practice walking with a small daypack, as you will carry your personal essentials during the trek.

The most important preparation is to arrive reasonably fit, comfortable with walking for several hours and prepared for changing mountain weather.

Medical Considerations

Good general health will help you enjoy the trek. If you have an existing medical condition, take regular medication or have any concerns about walking at altitude, consult your doctor before travelling.

Although Poon Hill is not considered an extreme altitude, some people may experience mild altitude-related symptoms because the route reaches 3,210 m.

If you feel unwell during the trek, inform your guide immediately. Do not try to continue simply to keep to the planned schedule.

Altitude and Acclimatization

The highest point of the trek is Poon Hill at 3,210 m.

Because the route reaches a moderate altitude and then descends to Tatopani, this trek generally does not involve the prolonged high-altitude exposure associated with longer Himalayan treks.

However, everyone responds to altitude differently. Headache, tiredness, dizziness, poor sleep or loss of appetite can occur.

Walking at a comfortable pace, staying hydrated and allowing your body to adjust naturally are important. Your guide will monitor the group and can recommend changes to the walking plan if necessary.

Group Size

We normally operate the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with small groups of up to 10 participants.

Keeping groups relatively small allows us to provide more personal attention, maintain a comfortable walking pace and make communication easier during the trek.

Private trips can also be arranged for families, friends, couples or individual travellers.

Personal Equipment

Personal trekking equipment is not included unless specifically mentioned in your package.

We will provide a recommended packing list before your trip so you can prepare according to the season and your personal needs.

Safety During the Trek

Your safety is our priority throughout the journey.

Our guides monitor weather conditions, trail conditions and the overall condition of the group each day. They carry a basic first-aid kit and have experience dealing with common trekking situations.

If weather, trail conditions or another unexpected situation makes a planned section unsafe, your guide may adjust the itinerary when necessary.

The best approach to mountain travel is to remain flexible. Conditions in the Annapurna region can change quickly, and the safety of the group always takes priority over following the itinerary exactly as written.

Weather and Best Time to Trek

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek can be undertaken in several seasons, but spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are generally the most favorable periods.

Spring: Mild temperatures, clear mornings and blooming rhododendrons make this a beautiful time for the trek.

Autumn: Usually offers stable weather, clear mountain views and comfortable daytime walking temperatures.

Winter: The trails can be cold, especially in the early morning, and higher sections may receive snow. With appropriate clothing and suitable conditions, the trek is still possible.

Monsoon: June to August brings frequent rain, cloudy conditions and slippery trails. Leeches may also be present in forested areas, although the trek can still be operated when conditions allow.

Mountain weather is unpredictable, so conditions can vary from year to year.

Responsible Trekking

We encourage all trekkers to respect the local environment and communities.

Please avoid unnecessary plastic waste, carry reusable water bottles, use designated waste facilities and respect local customs and traditions.

The Ghorepani route passes through villages and communities where tourism is an important part of the local economy. Staying in local lodges, eating local food and respecting the people we meet along the trail all contribute to a more responsible trekking experience.