Poon Hill Trek for the ultimate panoramic stretch of the Himalayas
I packed my bags to set out on a journey to Poon Hill, trekking all the way from Ghorepani to Ghandruk with an Australian couple. Along with a senior guide, we headed to Pokhara where they were waiting. We set off to Naya Pul at six am the next morning and it was towards midday that we finally started our trek.
Our first stop was Tikhedhunga. Since we would be taking an uphill path the next day, our guests proposed that we start early. The cool morning was refreshing and we went uphill in full swing. At midday we settled for some rest. When we arrived at Ghorepani (approximately 2,874 m / 9,429 ft), the colorful village with identical looking houses of blue and green roods made a delightful sight.
Poon Hill (3,210m / 10,530 ft) was about an hour’s walk. In the cool moonlit dawn, along up the hill with their headlights on, we looked like a row of ants. The sky, aided by the reflection of the sun’s first rays from the mountains turned red as we went higher and higher and a stunning view left me mesmerized! The sun rising from the mountains captivated everyone and all cameras were out to capture the essence of the moment.
Poon Hill is the perfect place to observe a beautiful sunrise and sunset view, not to forget the rare and magnificent panorama of the mountain range.
Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Putali Himal, Dhampus peak, Annapurna and Machhapuchre, all seemed close enough to touch. Both my body and mind synced harmoniously with the cool air that flowed down from the glazing snow-capped mountains giving a deep meditative mood. The joys of trekking are just overpowering, all thanks to these incredibly precious moments.
Deurali is an hour’s walk from Ghorepani.
It acts as a border between Myagdi and Kaski and we could clearly see Poon Hill tower from here. After Deurali came Bhainse, and then Tadhapani where we stopped for lunch. Then, a long downhill walk followed which was much easier and refreshing as we walked through thick forest towards Ghandruk.
A typical Gurung village, Ghandruk felt welcoming with its stone houses and neat and tidy demeanor. Kind, hospitable and open-hearted villagers made us feel at ease. The village softly lies in the lap of Machhapuchre and Annapurna and at night the glazing mountains assisted in turning the dark into on oasis of silver.
I am very surprise we can reach upto Ghandruk via bus or jeep easily and many modern houses are also been build.
The splendor, accentuated by the mysterious white mountains dazzled us, leaving us wary of words to put into paper. While in Ghandruk,we visited a museum which helped us understand the Gurung/Magar culture and tradition. Musical instruments, traditional agricultural tools and dressing style were all well depicted.
After an hour’s downhill walk, we reached Kimchae from where jeep or bus facilities were available to Nayapul or directly to Pokhara. But we chose to walk instead and passed through Birethati to Naya Pul where we hire a jeep to Pokhara.
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