Poon Hill Yoga Trek

9 Days Poon Hill Yoga Trek

Background
The Poon Hill Yoga Trek package is one of the best short special treks in the Annapurna region. It incorporates the best features of the marvelous Annapurna valleys and also presents you the chance of enjoying yoga sessions underneath the shadow of the magnificent Annapurna Peaks. Yoga is a great respite to get away from all the chaos and hyper-stimulation of daily life. Shed your dusty and exhausted body and overworked muddled minds in the pursuit of a refuge that pilgrims have retreated to for thousands of years- the Himalayas.

The Annapurna Himalayas are holy across many different religions, nationalities, ages, and interests. To the locals, the mountains are sacred and are worshipped as the abode of Gods. To others, the mountains are Gods of different sorts, and climbers from all corners of the world visit Nepal to try their skills at navigating their way through the alpine terrains. The Annapurna peaks command our reverence, and when gazing up at the serrated Himalayas, even the secular stands in awe and the cynical mind is silenced.

The vast altitudes of the peaks create terrains and climate that vary from humid subtropical woodlands to dry and freezing snowy deserts. The Annapurna massif has over thirteen peaks that tower at 23,000 feet or above. The peaks encircle a basin called the Annapurna Sanctuary. The unique position of the peaks, along with the beauty of the hike itself, makes the Poon Hill Yoga Trek an ideal choice for a Himalayan experience.

In a place so drenched in spirituality, performing yoga sessions and meditating is a fully immersive experience. The Poon Hill Yoga Trek begins with a drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu. The drive presents you the chance to enjoy fleeting glimpses of the countryside life of Nepal as you meander along the Trishuli River. From Pokhara- the tourist hub of the country, the path then takes you through many of the Annapurna Region’s prominent villages and ethnic settlements.

The trip also presents your breath-taking natural environments. The Annapurna region is known for its wonderful alpine landscape embedded with thick rhododendron groves, emerald pasturelands and chartreuse woodlands of pine, birch, juniper, maple, and cedar. The villages along the valleys are also snugly located in the foothills of the Himalayas and on ridgelines of deep ravines. From each stop along the journey, you will get unforgettable views of the Annapurna peaks like the Machhapuchhre Himal, the Gangapurna Peak, Mount Hiunchuli and the Dhaulagiri Range among many others.

Moreover, you will also be visiting the vantage point of Poon Hill, one of the most famous vantage points in the region. The sunrise view amidst the Annapurna Mountain Peaks seen from Poon Hill is utterly indescribable in its surreal beauty and beguile. Poon Hill commands one of the broadest panoramic views of the entire Mount Annapurna massif in a spectacular fashion.

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Trip Facts
Geography: Alpine woods, River valleys and Himalayan foothills
Location: Annapurna Region
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Duration of Trek: 9 Days
Max Altitude: 3,210 meters
Religions: Buddhism, Hinduism
Ethnic People: Rai, Magar, Limbu, Gurung
Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse
Transportation: Car, bus
Minimum Pax: 2 people

Trip Highlights
Serene Yoga sessions under the towering Annapurna Peaks that shadow over the river valleys
Visit Pokhara- the tourist hub of Nepal and enjoy a boat ride on the Phewa Lake
Visit the Annapurna region’s many hallmarks, like the vantage point of Poon Hill and the Ghandruk Village, also known as “the Switzerland of Nepal”
Take in wonderful views of the Mount Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs
Experience the ethnic lifestyle of the Himalayan people

Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Day and evening yoga
You may arrive in Nepal at any moment, and upon your arrival, you will be greeted by our company’s airport representative. He will help you get transferred to your Hotel. After your hotel check-in, you can relax and spend the rest of the time as you please, and in the evening- you will have a relaxing Yoga session. Overnight stay at the Hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Drive to Pokhara and evening yoga
You will have a drive to the gorgeous lake-side city of Pokhara. The drive takes about 6 to 7 hours. After your arrival at Pokhara and your Hotel check-in, you can leisurely roam along the city’s lakeside and also enjoy a boat ride on the serene Phewa Lake. The day ends with an evening Yoga class. Overnight stay at the Hotel in Pokhara.

Day 03: Morning yoga, drive to Nayapul, trek to Ulleri and evening yoga
The trek begins with a relaxing yoga class and a drive from the lake-side city of Pokhara to Nayapul. The drive takes about one and a half hours and along the journey, you can enjoy glimpses of Pokhara Valley’s terrace farms and amazing woodlands that are quite vibrant. From Nayapul, you will begin your trek to the village of Ulleri from where the views of the Annapurna I and the Dhaulagiri Peak are amazing. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Ulleri.

Day 04: Morning Yoga, trek to Ghorepani and evening yoga
From Ulleri, you will begin your trek to the famous village of Ghandruk. It is a typical Gurung settlement on a ridge by the hillside that presents amazing wide views of peaks like the Dhaulagiri, Gangapurna and the Hiunchuli from its narrow cobble-stoned paths divided by traditional houses. The trek takes about 3 to 4 hours. The trekking trail goes through a lush forest of bamboos and maple along the way. During spring, the trail is also filled with rhododendron blossoms and Himalayan wildflowers like mildew and foxgloves. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Ghandruk.

Day 05: Hike to Poon Hill, Morning yoga, Trek to Tadapani and evening yoga
From Ghandruk, you will make your way to the vantage point of Poon Hill early in the morning before the crack of dawn, taking your yoga mat with you. You will witness the mesmerizing sunrise amidst the Annapurna Mountain Peaks from the vantage point, and also have a tranquil and spiritual yoga session, surrounded by the Himalayas. After experiencing the sunrise views and finishing up with the yoga at Poon Hill, you will make your way back to Ghandruk and then to Tadapani- another renowned village that presents breath-taking views of the mountain peaks. Passing the village of Deurali along the way, you will make your way through the woodlands of pine and cedar and cross juniper hamlets. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Tadapani.

Day 06: Morning yoga, Trek to Ghandruk and evening yoga
From Tadapani, you will make your way back to Ghandruk, trekking along the same ridgeline and through the woods. In the evening, you can enjoy a relaxing yoga session in the village and also enjoy the ethnic lifestyle of the village people. Overnight stay at the guesthouse.

Day 07: Morning yoga, trek to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara and evening yoga
From Ghandruk, you will trek back to Nayapul. From there, you will drive back to the city. It is an easy trek downhill and the drive is also quite pleasant. Overnight stay at the Hotel in Pokhara.

Day 08: Drive to Kathmandu and evening yoga
From Pokhara, you will bid goodbye to the Annapurna peaks and drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 09: Morning yoga and departure day
After your morning yoga class, you will be dropped off at the airport from where you will depart.

Key Information

Physical Fitness
No prior trekking experience is required to do the Poon Hill Yoga Trek. However, preparing for the trip by doing some regular cardio exercises three to four weeks before the beginning of the trek will be of much help. In comparison to other long-distance trekking trips, the Poon Hill Yoga Trek is relatively easy. However, you should not underestimate the perplexity that comes with even a relatively easy trek such as Poon Hill Yoga Trek. It is intense, with the stairs going up and down. The stairs then turn into stones and pebbles and the path is a constant up-and-downhill journey.

Hiring a Porter
You can hire a porter in the mountains if you wish to. Generally, one porter is divided between two people. The maximum weight a porter can carry is about 15 kg for one person. Thus, make sure that your baggage does not exceed the weight limit.

Packing
It is advised to pack very lightly. Your duffle bags can be re-packed after arriving in Kathmandu. Hotels in the city provide the service of safety storage lockers where you can store your excess bags. You can retrieve them at the end of the trekking trip. Given below is a shortlist of clothing essentials-
One pair of hiking pants. 
One pair of yoga pants.
One pair of outdoor shoes. 
Socks for each day of the trek.
T-shirt for each day of the trek
Fleece Jacket
Rain Shell jacket  

Meals and Drinking Water
Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals are available during the trek. It is advised to bring water-purifying tablets or other suitable forms of water purification with you. It is a better alternative to constantly be buying bottled water in the mountains while trekking.

Altitude Sickness and Insurance
Having a Travel Insurance is mandatory while trekking. The travel insurance must cover emergency helicopter rescue in the mountains. Similarly, the onset of altitude sickness and its severity of symptoms vary from one person to the next. Nevertheless, the chances of AMS during Poon Hill Yoga Trek are very less, almost next to none. It is a low-altitude trek and there are no chances of suffering from altitude sickness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best season for doing the Poon Hill Yoga Trek?
The best time to do the Poon Hill Yoga Trek is during the spring and the autumn months, which lasts from March to May and September to December respectively. It can be done all year round but the spring and autumn months provide the best visibility and suitable weather conditions.

Is there an age limit to do the trek?
There is no age limit for Poon Hill Yoga Trek. It is one of the easier treks in the Annapurna region that can be done by people of all age groups and experiences. As long as you are physically fit, you can participate in this trek. Young ones as well as senior people can equally enjoy this trek. You can enjoy this trek with your whole family.

What kind of toilet facilities is available at the guesthouses?
Most of the guesthouses on Poon Hill Yoga Trek provide good toilet facilities. Some guesthouses have squat toilets while others have western-style toilets as well. You may have to share a public toilet with fellow visitors as some guesthouses may not have rooms with an attached toilet. It is highly recommended to carry your toilet paper and other required toiletries.

Are there any communication facilities available during trekking?
There are landline telephones available in most villages along the trekking route. Mobile Phone services are available throughout Nepal, even during the trekking journey. The quality of the reception, however, may vary from one location to the next. Internet facilities are also available. It is advised to bring your cell phone charger or other chargers for the electronics you will be carrying. Most of the guesthouses have the three-pin Indian-style power outlets.