Poon Hill Trek—6 Days Information
Welcome, Arrival, and Start
When you get to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), our agent will be waiting for you in the arrivals area. They will be carrying a sign with your name on it and will greet you in a loving, traditional way with a marigold garland or a Khada, which is a white ceremonial scarf that stands for respect and good luck. After a short introduction, we will be taken to a private car that will take you to the hotel of your choice in Kathmandu.Please make sure you get to Kathmandu at least one day before your hike so you can get ready and go over the details. Day 1 is a 6–8 hour drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist vehicle (private vehicles available on request). You can arrange private transportation or flights for an extra fee.
Lodging
During the trek, you will stay in small, family-run lodges called "tea houses," which are spread out along the road. The rooms are simple but cozy, with twin beds, warm blankets, and shared bathrooms. In lower villages, tea houses are cosier and may even have power and charging ports. As you go up, the amenities get simpler but still available. The mood of these teahouses is unique; the dining rooms have fireplaces, the Sherpas are friendly, and you can meet other trekkers from all over the world. At each stop, there is more than just a place to sleep. There is also a chance to learn about the culture and get a real taste of mountain life.
Each tier (Budget, Standard, Luxury) includes different levels of accommodation, meals, and extras. See the What's Included section for the full breakdown.
Food
On Standard and Luxury tiers we provide three meals daily throughout the trek. On Budget tier you order and pay for your own meals at the family-run teahouses along the trail. The menu primarily includes traditional Nepali, Asian, and Western dishes on the trek. We highly recommend sticking to healthy and hydrating options like fresh vegetables, green tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, and garlic soup. For a hearty and energising meal, try the local favourite, Dal Bhat Tarkari (lentil soup, rice, and vegetable curry). The package does not include personal expenses such as alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee, cold drinks, or snacks at tea houses or cafes.
No meals are included in Pokhara except for breakfast at your hotel, and no meals will be provided during the drive between Kathmandu and Pokhara, as there are many dining options available on the highway and in Pokhara, allowing you to choose your preferred meals.
Baggage
We provide one porter for every two trekkers. Each trekker’s luggage limit is 10 kg, so a porter will carry no more than 20 kg in total. We never overload our porters. You will still need to carry a small backpack for your valuables. We recommend bringing only essentials. Extra baggage can be stored for free at your hotel or with us. All luggage and gear will be checked before the trek begins.
Important Things and Facilities
Water
You can buy bottled water from shops along the trekking route or drink boiled or filtered water provided at the lodges. We strongly recommend bringing a reusable water bottle and refilling it with boiled water to help reduce plastic waste. Avoid drinking untreated tap, river, or well water, as it may cause sickness. For added safety, carry water purification tablets or buy them at local shops on the trail. To avoid altitude sickness and keep your energy up on your walk, drinking plenty of water at high altitudes is essential.
Travel Essentials
Communication
We'll provide you with a Nepali SIM card in Kathmandu and show you how to set up data and top up credit. The Poon Hill route has reliable mobile signal at most stops — Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, and Tadapani all have decent coverage. Signal can be patchy between villages, but you will rarely be without service for long. For safety, our lead guide maintains contact with our Kathmandu office via mobile throughout the trek.
Budget: SIM card provided. You'll be shown how to buy a data package and recharge, but data costs are not included.
Standard: SIM card with a data package set up and ready to go.
Luxury: SIM card with unlimited data, so you can call home, share photos, and stay connected throughout the trek without worrying about running out.
Visa
Foreigners require a visa to enter Nepal, but Indians don't. Most people can get a visa when they arrive at Kathmandu International Airport. The current fee is USD 50 for 30 days, payable in cash. Citizens of China and SAARC countries receive a free visa. We also recommend registering your trip with your home country's embassy or consulate before you fly.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory for all trekkers in Nepal, even on this short and accessible Poon Hill route which reaches a maximum altitude of 3,210 metres. Your policy must cover medical expenses and emergency helicopter rescue up to 6,000 metres. We ask our clients to provide detailed insurance information within a week of booking. In case of an emergency, we will use your insurance details to arrange a quick evacuation and transfer to medical facilities.
Currency Exchange
The Nepali Rupee (NPR) is the country's official currency; one US dollar is equivalent to around 140 NPR. In Kathmandu, you may find banks and approved money exchange centres where you can exchange major foreign currencies. ATMs are widely available to withdraw NPR, but extra service fees may apply. Make sure your notes are new and undamaged, as old or torn bills may be refused. Indian travellers can now use UPI and other Indian payment apps at many Kathmandu shops and trekking lodges. For physical cash, only the 100 INR note from India is officially exchanged in Nepal. It’s best to exchange money in Kathmandu before heading to trekking regions, as exchange options in remote areas are limited.
Extra Expense
While our package covers most of your expenses during the trek, you will need to budget for some personal items like meals and accommodation in Kathmandu, visa fees, snacks, hot showers, personal equipment, tips for the crew, etc. We recommend you budget approximately $20 USD per day for these personal expenses during the trek.
Trek Season and the Weather
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is open year-round but the best seasons are March to May and September to November, and it is a safe season for trekking. Spring (March–May) is ideal, with clear skies, blooming rhododendrons and sunrise views of Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna I (8,091m) and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) from the Poon Hill viewpoint. Daytime temperatures range from 18 °C to 24 °C, dropping to -4 °C at night. Autumn (September–November) also offers stable weather and beautiful mountain views, with temperatures from 15 to 25°C and nighttime lows around -6 °C. Snow increases from December, making higher trails difficult to cross.
A Typical Day on the Hike
Around 7 AM, you get a big breakfast to start your day. The normal trekking day lasts 4 to 6 hours, with a lunch break along the way. You can rest or explore in the evenings and then be briefed on the next day's plans.
Reservations and Rules
Personal trek
We can only provide a personal trek, so you will only be trekking with your group. We will never add strangers to your treks. All the treks are customisable per your schedule.
Solo and group bookings
Our treks run with a minimum of one person, so if anyone is alone and does not have a friend or family joining them, we can organise a group trek open for all. If you prefer to join a group, we can also help you connect with other trekkers. Once you confirm, your group trek will be posted on our website, so others can join too. Our policy is designed to transform every trek into your own personal holiday in the Himalayas.
Trust trek booking
The Everest Holiday is a registered and bonded trekking operator, ensuring a secure booking process. We are members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Shreejan's father, Ganesh Simkhada, has held senior positions in the Nepal Tourism Board and served as General Secretary of the NMA. To confirm your booking, we require a 10% advance payment.
Payment options include the Himalayan Bank online portal (on our website), major credit cards, bank transfers, Wise, and Western Union. After you arrive in Kathmandu, you can pay the remaining balance. Please send us your important travel documents, such as a passport copy, within one week of booking. Please make sure your passport has a minimum of 6 months of validity remaining at your arrival date in Nepal.
Last-minute booking
We recommend booking your trek in advance. However, we also offer a last-minute booking option, which requires full payment 24 hours before departure. For the last-minute booking, please contact Shreejan at +977-9810351300 or email us at [email protected]. Please note that last-minute treks may face delays due to circumstances beyond our control.
Flexible Schedule
Our trip schedule is determined by your travel date, and you can make any changes to it. If our scheduled trek dates don't work for you, please let us know, and we will be happy to arrange a trip according to your time and schedule.
Trip Extension
You can easily extend your stay with other adventures. We can arrange exciting activities for you, such as a jungle safari (Chitwan and Bardiya), Bungee jumping (Pokhara, Bhote koshi, Kushma), Rafting (Bhote koshi, Trishuli, and Seti river) and kayaking(Trishuli, and Pokhara), paragliding (Pokhara and Kathmandu), zip flying (Kathmandu, Pokhara and Kushma), canyoning (Pokhara and Sukute Beach), and Hot ballooning (Pokhara), according to your interests. We can also set up sightseeing tours around the Kathmandu Valley if you're interested in culture and history.
These tours will take you to UNESCO World Heritage sites like Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, Changunarayan Temple, and Pashupatinath Temple. We suggest a trip to Nagarkot and Dhulikhel, hill stations just outside of Kathmandu, around sunrise for a serene getaway. We can also set up spiritual trips for Buddhists and Hindus that take you to temples, stupas, monasteries, and meditation centres. When you're booking a trip, please have a look at our ADD-ON package for an amazing adventure during the trek.
Ecotourism practices
We request that you join our eco-friendly trekking practice as part of our strong commitment to protecting the lower-altitude oak and rhododendron forests of the Ghorepani ridge. Every guest will get their own eco-waste bag at the beginning of our trip. Please use this bag to collect all of your personal trash that can't be composted, like snack wrappers, plastic bottles, and batteries.Please don't leave anything on the trail. Instead, carry this bag with you as we go down, and our guides will show you where to find the public trash cans and recycling bins where you can properly dispose of it. We need your help to keep the Himalayas clean and beautiful for future generations.
Why Book With Us
We are a family firm that has been in the tourism business in Nepal for three generations. We believe that all of our employees and teams are family. We started as porters and now run an agency. Our professional and experienced guides and Sherpas will be with you the whole time to make sure your trek is safe and memorable. They are trained in wilderness first aid, high-altitude safety and crisis management. They also speak good English. They are from the upper Himalayas, so they know the area well. We take care of their insurance, food, housing, and medical. Please treat our workers like family, and don't hesitate to ask for help or have questions at any time.
End of the Trek
Farewell Dinner
We will celebrate our successful trek with a farewell dinner in Kathmandu after the trek. This is a great opportunity to share stories from your adventure and provide us with your feedback. We will also present you with a certificate of achievement to recognise your incredible accomplishment.
Departure
To arrange your airport transfer, please let us know your hotel name, room number, and flight departure details. We will take you from your hotel to Tribhuvan International Airport so you may catch your flight home. We sincerely hope you had an amazing journey and hope to see you again soon for another trip in Nepal.
Tipping
Tipping is a common practice in Nepal. We recommend giving a group tip to your guide and porters at the end of the trek. The amount is up to you and can depend on the quality of service, trip length, your budget, and the overall cost of the trek.
