Best Weather of the Year
There are two finest weathers in a year for Ghorepani Poonhill Trek. In fact, these two weathers are best for all kind of trekking/travel in Nepal.
Autumn( Sep-Nov) and Spring (Mar-June) are the best two weathers of the year for Ghorepani Poonhill Trek. Trekkers will entirely be favored by the weather condition during these months so that they don’t have to panic about any other unforeseen circumstances like rain and the snow during the trek.
The temperature will be mild, the views will be breathtaking and the trails will be very fine for getting new higher elevations and accomplish the trek pleasantly.
However, one can do Ghorepani Poonhill Trek throughout the year during the fair weathers when there is no rain and snow.
Level of Difficulty and Preparations
Ghorepani Poonhill Trek is a easy trek in Annapurna region. It is just a couple of days walk to get Poonhill from Pokhara city. The highest elevation we get in this trek is Poonhill which is 3200m. So, trekking up to 3000m is not considered to be challenging. Even the beginners can do this trek and enjoy magnificent views of mountain panoramas. Thos who can walk 4-5 hours in the hills above 2000m can easily do this trek.
Pack up the required trekking gear with right clothing, practice some regular exercises like walking, hiking, jogging, climbing the hills and walking down, fix serious health issues before going to the trail and gain stamina and confidence before you begin Ghorepani Poonhill Trek.
Otherwise, people of any age can easily do Ghorepani Poonhill Trek.
Elevation Ranges
If you begin your Ghorepani Poonhill trekking from Kathmandu, you are at 1400m high. Then, you switch to Pokhara which is located at an elevation of 900m lower than Kathmandu. Next, you go to Nayapool to begin hiking up to Ulleri (1960m) and finally get to Poonhill ( 3200m), the highest elevation of this trek, via Ghorepani ( 2800m). Then, you switch your trek to Tadapani (2630m) and Ghandruk (2012m).
So, summing up, Ghorepani Poonhill Trek Elevation ranges between 1400m-900-3200.
Required Permits
Trekkers require obtaining two different types of permits for Ghorepani Poonhill Trek. These are TIMS Card (Trekking Information Management System) and Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit. If you can go and visit Nepal Tourism Board Office on your own, you can collect them, or, you travel partner will help you collecting these permits before you depart for the trek. TIMS Card costs USD 10 and Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit costs USD 30.
Food and Accommodation
Trekkers will have the food items provided by the local teahouses/lodges/hotels on the trail. You will have the food items like Continental, Asian, Chinese, Tibetan, Indian and Nepali dishes on the menu prepared by them. The food items will fresh and organic. Sometimes, you may not have the food item you like because they may run out of the raw materials for the foods since there is no good transportation facility on the trekking trail. Single item of food costs between Rs.600-1500 on the trail.
The accommodation will be provided by the local lodges/teahouses on the trail. The accommodation will be on the twin sharing basis. The beds and the rooms will fairly clean to stay overnight. But, you suggested carrying sleeping bag so that you don’t need to ask for extra piece of blanket in case the weather goes too cold.
Altitude Sickness and Preparations
In fact, there is no any case of altitude sickness while ascending up to Poonhill via Ghorepani because no people get acute mountain sickness while climbing up to 3000m. However, there are rare cases of mild altitude sickness which may distract you from enjoying this trek.
What happens if you we get altitude sickness? You have got fever, stomach ache, diarrhea, lightheadedness, headache, vomiting etc. If these problems go worse, then, you had not better continue the trek and you must walk down or take rest at the place where you are. If you feel you at risk and ask your guide to arrange for the rescue and you will immediately be evacuated to the nearest city where you can have a good treatment.
The Ways of Avoiding Altitude Sickness
- Prepare and pack up the right and reliable trekking gear
- Avoid drinking contaminated water from local taps and river
- East fresh food items
- Do not smoke and drink a lot
- Address any kind of serious illness if you have beforehand the trek
- Ascend with the right pacing and have proper acclimatization
- Tell your guide if you have any sudden problems in your health
- Just relax, be confident and have plenty of hot drinks
