Food and accommodation during the Poon Hill Trek
Food
During your trek to Poon Hill, you will come across various tea houses and lodges along the trail that offer a range of freshly cooked meals, including Nepali, Tibetan, and simple Western dishes. Here is the list of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options that you can find during the journey:
- Veg Meal Options
- Dal Bhat Tarkari
- Vegetable fried rice
- Vegetable pasta
- Veg noodles
- Chapati with veg curry
- Potato best dishes
- Vegetable soup
- Veg MO:MO
Breakfast options:
- Pancakes
- Porridge
- Muesli
- Eggs
- Tea/coffee
Non-veg meal options:
- Chicken curry with rice or chapati
- Chicken MO: MO
- Egg curry
- Tuna sandwich
- Canned meat dishes
Beverages:
- Tea (herbal, ginger, lemon, mint, milk)
- Coffee (both instant and brewed)
- Bottled water
- Hot water
- Snacks- energy bars, protein bars, chocolate bars, and dry fruits.
Accommodation
Usually, accommodation units are provided by local tea houses run by locals in the area with basic facilities and services. The standard of accommodation services might differ according to the village, as presented below:
| Village |
Accommodation Standard |
| Ghorepani |
Basic to moderate facilities, teahouses with good food and Mountain views |
| Tadapani |
Basic but enough to provide comfort to guests, including forest views |
| Ghandruk |
More developed than other villages, with quality facilities, with some modern guest houses as well |
These houses usually have similar facilities, but just may vary in standards. Some of the common features of the houses during the Poon Hill trip are:
- Twin sharing rooms
- Private rooms
- Shared bathrooms with Western-style facilities in most places
- Hot showers for a small surcharge, i.e., NPR 100 - 300.
- Electricity and charging facilities
- Communal Dining Hall
How to train for the Poon Hill Trek?
Since this is a beginner-friendly and short trek, you do not have to go through any intense training or exercises. The regular exercise you do should be fine to keep you familiar, even with the demanding sections of the trek. Here are some of the things that you can do for a smooth and comfortable journey to Ghorepani Poon Hill.
Cardiovascular Endurance:
- Regular walks- Be consistent with your daily walks, gradually increasing the distance and duration of the walk to build your stamina.
- Uphill and downhill practice hikes- Practice hiking uphill and downhill, recommended with a weighted backpack, to be familiar with the trek's terrain.
- Training on elevations- Try to train on trails with high elevation to prepare for the altitude changes during the trek.
Strength training:
- Leg exercises- Squats, lunges, and step-ups to strengthen your leg muscles.
- Core-enhancing exercises- Planks, sit-ups, and push-ups to strengthen your core for stability on rocky trails.
- Back exercises- Incorporate exercises that enhance your back muscles so that you can carry a backpack comfortably during your trek.
Balance and body flexibility:
- Yoga- Practice yoga and meditation in your routine for improved balance and body flexibility
- Stretching- Whole body stretching regularly to improve your muscle flexibility and prevent injuries during the trek.
Travel at your own pace: You don't have to keep up with anyone and just move forward according to your comfortable pace. The duration is short, so even if you take a long time and take slow steps, you will be able to reach the destination in time.
Light packing: Consider keeping your backpack light and only carrying items that are essential for a comfortable journey. Items like broken-in hiking boots, waterproof jackets, layers of clothing, a water bottle, etc.
Peak season for the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek
During autumn and spring, the temperatures are mild and comfortable during the day and cooler evenings and nights. The surrounding is filled with vibrant, blooming rhododendron flowers, creating a colorful landscape across the hills.
Besides the natural beauty, the crystal clear sky allows for uninterrupted, breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
The monsoon rain cleans the forest, making the landscapes appear greener and fresher. Expect the cost of teahouses, food, and other amenities to be higher than in the off-season.
Off-season for the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek
The least favorable season for this trek is during the monsoon (Jun to Aug) and winter (Dec to Feb). In winter, the temperature is freezing, sometimes even below the freezing point during winter.
Overall, it made the uncomfortable experience and trek more challenging. Some parts of the trail may be blocked by snow, which may cause a delay in the journey. But if you prefer to travel peacefully and with few challenges, then this is the time. The snow-capped mountain view and winter scenery have charm of their own.
Likewise, in summer or also known as monsoon in Nepal, the view is usually obstructed because of clouds, interrupting the views of the mountains. The weather is warm but wet at the same time because of frequent rain showers, increasing the difficulty of the trail with slippery and muddy conditions.
Wi-Fi, mobile networking, and electricity during the Ghorepani Poon Hill trip
Wi-Fi
- Most tea houses, especially in Ghorepani and Ghandruk, provide a good Wi-Fi connection.
- Some may require a surcharge of NPR100-300 for the exchange service.
- While slow, the connection is good enough for messaging, i.e., WhatsApp / Viber, but not enough for live streaming or large-size uploads.
- The Wi-Fi is not available at the viewpoint, i.e., Poon Hill.
Mobile networking
- NTC SIM Card is highly recommended because it has better coverage than NCELL, especially in high altitude areas, as well as remote areas.
- Remember to buy a local NTC SIM card and buy a data package before the start of the trek.
- Ghorepani and Ghandruk support 4G sometimes, but are not suggested to rely on it for video calls or uploads.
Electricity
- Consider carrying a power bank with 10,000 to 20,000 mAh.
- A multi-pin universal adapter is a must.
- Remember to charge your devices in the evening when solar power is more stable.
- Consider charging your devices at lower altitudes where the power is more reliable.
Tipping in the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek
While not being mandatory, tipping culture is prominent and very much appreciated in the trekking community. There aren't any specifically fixed rules regarding tipping, but usually it is common to tip around 10 to 15% of the total cost of the trek.
Tipping also depends on your experience and satisfaction with the guide’s and porter’s services, which is acceptable.
Here are some of the guidelines to make a fair tipping decision:
- Longer duration treks may require a slightly higher amount of tips.
- As the challenges and risks increase with trekking in difficult terrain or higher altitudes, a high amount of tipping is justifiable.
- If you were able to make a special bond with your guide or porter who went above and beyond to satisfy your needs, feel free to tip more.
- Overall, you can tip however you feel is appropriate and according to your budget.
Nepali rupees and US dollars are acceptable for tipping. Collective tips are also acceptable, but if you want to give them individual appreciation, you can give them a separate or personal tip as well.
Just consider balancing the ratio of tipping by the overall cost of the trek and the level of service you received.
Booking trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill with Ammonite Adventure
Ammonite Adventure is a registered trekking agency bonded by the Nepal Government, members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN), and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). So be sure that you are in good hands, and you can trust us to book your dream adventure.
A 10% advance payment by bank transfer is required to secure your Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with Ammonite Adventure so that we can confirm and start with your travel arrangements. Once that is done, you can pay the rest of the balance in Nepal with cash, credit card, or transfer.
After your successful booking, send us an email with a copy of your passport, which can also include dependent children, photos, travel insurance, and flight details within a week.
Is last last-minute booking possible for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek?
Yes! We do accept last-minute bookings for the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. However, you should make sure to pay for the trip in full within 24 hours before your trek starts.
It is always recommended to book in advance, especially during peak seasons. Since the Poon Hill trek is short and well-established, it can be smoothly arranged even on short notice. We try our best to run treks at any time according to the demand of our guests and meet their expectations.
Is travel insurance necessary for the Poon Hill Trek?
The Poon Hill trek is very low risk in terms of altitude sickness, with the max elevation being 3,210 m; however, it is always safe and reliable to take travel insurance.
Whenever we stay outside of our ordinary environment, it is reasonable to be cautious. Walking in the hills, surrounded by green, lush forest and mountain terrains, is not our usual setting, so it is possible to encounter accidents and emergencies.
So it is always safe to have insurance with you, just make sure that your insurance covers medical expenses as well as helicopter rescue services.
Pro Tip: It's more convenient if you have travel insurance from your country of origin.
