Everything You Need to Know About Nepal's Poon Hill Trek

The Poon Hill Trek is a famous hiking location renowned by hiking and adventure enthusiasts because of the gorgeous scenery, a look into authentic Nepal and the euphoria of conquering the Poon Hill summit!

 

By joining one of our Nepal volunteering challenges, you will have the opportunity to join the Extension Trip where you will go on this incredible 5-day trek. A guide will take you and your team through the exciting journey across lush greenery, stone huts, rivers, waterfalls. All of this with an inescapable view of mountain ranges. Read on to learn how to prepare for your trek and your day to day.

 

It is important to prepare for your trek so you can make the best of your journey. This comes down to ensuring you have a great pair of boots that you have broken in, to clothes that are appropriate to the trip. Our Australian summer is their cooler season so although you will be hiking, you must remember warmer clothes. The higher up you get, it becomes important to rug up because the high altitude brings a cooler temperature. And bring waterproof clothing in case of rain or an unexpected waterfall you want to jump in!

 

Day One

The day before the trek, you will be transferred from our volunteer base in the Kathmandu Valley to Pokhara in the Nepalese countryside. Pokhara is home to a small village with a picturesque lake and a stunning view of the mountains. Here you will have the chance to explore the town, including Devi’s Waterfalls and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. 

 

Day Two

We will take you to Nayapul, a hilly town surrounded by green forestation, where you will begin your trek, walking along the Modi Khola River, passing villages, waterfalls and rice terraces. At a local village, you will enjoy a break for lunch then continue to Ghandruk, a village of stone houses and paths with a view of mountain ranges at everyone’s doorsteps. Here you will spend the night.

 

Day Three

You will wake early in the morning to make your way to the Bhaisi Kharka village, where you will take a well-needed break before the biggest hiking distance so far to Ghorepani. This leg of the journey features many ups and downs before reaching the town at 2,875 meters above sea level. Every day you trek, you will find yourself further and further up which will give you a pretty sight to see every day you wake up!

 

Day Four

During this morning walk, you will be able to see the sunrise on your way to Poon-Hill. The sight is unlike any other as it is a stunning view of the Annapurna ranges, from the Dhauligiri range to the Manaslu, including the incredible mountain peak, Machhapurche! After this you will make your descent down to Ulleri, where you can wind down and enjoy the town and its people.

 

Day Five

Now that you and your team have reached the peak of Poon Hill, you will make your way down, passing gorgeous villages and will be able to swim in a cool river on your way to Nayapool. You will end your trek in Nayapool, and then you will be transferred to Pokhara where you can wander around and say goodbye to your guide.

 

Day Six

In the morning after breakfast, you will travel with your group back to Kathmandu. You will have time to get your last-minute to-do list items and say goodbye to the amazing country. Make sure you have taken all the last minute photos, filled up on Nepalese culture and are ready for your journey home.

 

Day Seven

Wake up, say goodbye and thank you to Nepal and your fellow volunteers, as you will be taken to Kathmandu airport to get on a plane back to your home country or feel free to travel to another wonderful country.

 

The Poon Hill Trek is just one of the incredible experiences you can have when volunteering overseas with us in Nepal. After one of our challenges, you can find yourself wanting to push yourself further and even not wanting to leave the country yet! This is why we include the Poon Hill Trek into our Extension Trip. Have a look into the volunteer challenges we offer in beautiful Nepal!

 

Learn more about Challenges Abroad, our charity the FutureSense Foundation and how we keep our volunteer programs ethical and sustainable.