Trip Overview
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Jungle Safari is a combined trip in Nepal that takes you to the center of the Annapurna Himalayas, Poon Hill, and the heart of the jungle of the country, the Chitwan National Park. It is a perfect, well-rounded Nepalese adventure for someone seeking the best of Nepal’s natural wonders, from the snow-capped Himalayan peaks to the dense forests, and relaxing in the warm lowlands of the country’s national parks. This Annapurna Trekking and Jungle Safari is just the right blend of adventure to expect cold winds, subtropical climate, fresh air from the forests, and cold drops of water from the waterfalls. Priced affordably, at Adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks, you can further get group discounts on our joint journey to Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Jungle Safari Cost without any compromise on quality.
Typically beginning from Nayapul, the trek starting point, even for the classic Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit Hike, the trekking journey progresses through forests and up hills full of twists and turns as you take pleasure in spectacular views on the way. Eventually concluding at the Poon Hill Viewpoint, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking rewards you with absolutely stunning massive peaks perching into the sky. The mountain views are spectacular, specifically during sunrise when the rays of the sun little by little fall upon the snow-capped summits; that view is beyond description. Throughout the journey, you will have plenty of photo opportunities so you can capture these memories that last forever.
The second half of the trip is a jungle safari in Nepal and a completely different adventure than the relatively easy and beginner-friendly hike to Ghorepani Poon Hill. In the Chitwan National Park, you will find yourself in the rich biodiversity offering various exciting physical activities to join, like jeep safaris, canoeing, birdwatching, guided nature walks, visits to the elephant breeding centers, and river rafting in the Rapti River. The area is primarily inhabited by the Tharu community of Nepal, coexisting with various wildlife, adding an equal cultural charm that caters to the interests of all sorts of trekkers, travelers, and adventure lovers across the globe.
For those who want to see what the Annapurna region has to offer but do not have the time or energy, our Annapurna Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking and Jungle Safari itinerary of 12 days is the ultimate choice for you. You'll have the combination of mountains and jungle, along with the various cultural fascinations of each. This unique package ensures the best of both regions of Nepal: the Himalayas and Terai. Side by side, visitors can enjoy the dazzling beauty of Annapurna and an opportunity to see different wild animals with flora and fauna. Whether you are an adventure enthusiast or a nature lover, this combined trip to Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Nepal and Jungle Safaris is a must to do at least once without committing to an extensive trekking day.
What to expect during the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Jungle Safari in Nepal?
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek in the Annapurna Trekking Region of Nepal is one of the best short yet rewarding high-altitude Himalayan trips, an excellent craft for everyone with a good amount of physical fitness regardless of individuals age, experience level, and budget. Each day, you will walk 5-7 hours a day, though it is relatively less strenuous than in the Everest Trekking to Everest Base Camp, Three High Passes Trek, or the Gokyo Lake Trek. The ascent is gradual through the dense rhododendron forests, small yet beautiful traditional villages, and scenic terrace farms along the route. The highest altitude you will reach is at 3,210 m above sea level at Poon Hill, where altitude sickness should not be a problem unless and until you overpush yourself and ascend to greater heights too quickly.
The moments for exciting wildlife encounters will await you during the Chitwan National Park Jungle Safari, which is placed in the second half of your journey, and will track through the terrain home to copious flora and fauna, including some of the rarest such as the one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, wild Asian elephant, and gharial crocodile. The mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation starts with a serene apple rambling to the Annapurna region, teeming with wildlife in the atmosphere of Nepal’s lush national parks. Here are some of the major highlights of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Jungle Safaris:
Can you see mountains on this combined trip to Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Jungle Safari?
Yes, though the Ghorepani Poon Hill Hiking and Jungle Safari is a low-altitude adventure, you will be presented with stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna Himalayas, including Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Hiunchuli, and other neighboring Himalayan ranges. These mountains are visible right from Pokhara, giving it the name Gateway to the Annapurna Trekking Region in Nepal. As you move closer and closer to Poon Hill, the mountain views are more and more refined. Though the maximum altitude gain is lower than the typical trip to Annapurna Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit, trekkers are rewarded immensely with stunning mountain views throughout the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek in Nepal.
However, during the Jungle Safari in Chitwan National Park, you will be in the lowland Terai Region of the country, which is more precisely known for rich wildlife experiences than for mountain views. Regardless, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Jungle Safari ensure you a great walking vacation to witness magnificent Himalayan scenery on the way to Ghorepani Poon Hill and later on explore and see the wide range of flora and fauna from close during the Chitwan National Park Jungle Safari.
Which are the cultures to anticipate during trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill and Jungle Safari to the Chitwan National Park?
On this combined journey to trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill and Chitwan National Park Jungle Safaris, expect the mix of Gurung, Magar, and Tharu culture. I.e., as you approach the Ghorepani Poon Hill on the first half, you will pass through several traditional villages like Tikhedhunga, Birethanti, Ghorepani, and Tadapani inhabited largely by Gurung and Magar ethnic groups. Known for their rich culture, traditions, and welcoming nature, a deep-rooted connection to the Himalayas and Buddhism, expect a home-away-from-home environment as you spend nights in the teahouses, lodges, and guest houses opened and managed by Himalayan locals.
With its distinctive way of life—including folk dances, music, clothing, and language—the stone houses, small monasteries, prayer wheels, and stupas treasured by locals along the trekking route offer a rich cultural immersion as you navigate the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking route. Chitwan National Park is widely acknowledged for the culture of the Tharu people, another native group in the Terai Region of Nepal. They have their own very traditional lifestyles, living in villages having mud and bamboo houses like the Gurung and Magar. Their existence is closely connected to nature and the jungle; you will not regret engaging in conversations with them as they share stories and myths about the jungle they have inhabited for over a century. If time permits, learn fishing, farming, and hunting techniques from the Tharu people and create memories that last a lifetime.
Where are Poon Hill and the Chitwan National Park in Nepal?
Poon Hill is one of the most popular viewpoints in the Annapurna Trekking region and is located near the typical mountain village of Ghorepani. To be precise, Poon Hill is in the Myagdi District, Gandaki Province, Nepal, under the Annapurna Conservation Area at an altitude of 3,210 m/10,531 ft above sea level. Often it is taken as one of the best side trips on the way to the Annapurna Circuit or Annapurna Base Camp, a perfect place for acclimatization to hike up and sleep low before ascending to higher altitude with greater risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Typically beginning from Nayapul, after a drive from Pokhara, the trek to the Ghorepani Poon Hill includes traversing through the lush forests and traditional villages for about 3-4 days or more based on individuals walking pace, fitness level, and specific route chosen.
Likewise, the Chitwan National Park, the ultimate jungle safari destination in Nepal, recognized as one of the natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, lies in the southern part of the country in Chitwan District, Bagmati Province. It is the first national park of the nation, covering an area of 952.63 square kilometers, including a buffer zone of 729.37 square kilometers, with a natural habitat of endangered species like Royal Bengal Tigers, one-horned rhinoceroses, wild elephants, and crocodiles. Raging in altitude from 100 to 815m only, the Chitwan National Park is just about 160km from the country’s capital, Kathmandu and takes 5-6 hours by road, or 20 minutes flight to Bharatpur followed by a short yet scenic drive onwards, the combined tour to Ghorepani Poon Hill and Jungle Safari hence is an opportunity to marvel at diverse landscapes of Nepal all promising an unforgettable adventure in one single trip.
Sunrise view from Poon Hill: an other worldly experience in the Annapurna Himalayas
Yes, while you are visiting the Annapurna Himalayas of Nepal, the Poon Hill sunrise view is an absolute delight that is not only scenic but also rejuvenating to watch the first rays of dawn paint the sky. Situated in the center of the Annapurna Massif, 3,210 m above sea level, Poon Hill provides you with a magical 360-degree view of the tall mountain peaks, including Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and many other Himalayan ranges bordering it.
Early in the morning, as you watch the first ray of sunlight bathe the snow-blanketed sky, piercing peaks into a canvas of gold, pink, and orange, a sense of awe and wonder awakens; it is simply out of this world. The views of Ghorepani village and other green valleys add much to the scenery, humbling many with nature and its raw beauty, which is also a part of this joint journey to Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Jungle Safari.
Why is Ghorepani Poon Hill Hiking and Jungle Safari to Chitwan National Park haven for wildlife enthusiasts?
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Jungle Safari is suitable for anyone with normal fitness levels regardless of one's age and previous trekking, climbing, and touring experience. Moreover, for a wildlife enthusiast who finds happiness in observing and capturing a wide range of flora and fauna, the combined trip to Ghorepani Poon Hill and Chitwan National Park for a jungle safari is an adventure of a lifetime. Trekkers, visitors, and adventurers will not only get to see Himalayan wildlife playing hide and seek in lush subtropical forests of oak, pine, and rhododendron on the way to Poon Hill but also get to explore the lowland wildlife in their natural habitats in the Chitwan National Park.
During the first section of your trek to Poon Hill within the Annapurna Conservation Area, the largest conservation area of the country, depending upon the time you are traveling (spring, summer, autumn, winter), you will get to see diverse ecosystems and landscapes in less than two weeks, including possible encounters with some of the rare Himalayan wildlife like Himalayan Thar, musk deer, red pandas, and snow leopards in the higher altitude. Chitwan National Park in particular is home to rare and endangered species like the Royal Bengal Tiger and the one-horned rhinoceros. To conclude, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Jungle Safari in Nepal offer a comprehensive exploration of the country’s diverse wildlife from the high-altitude area of snow-capped peaks to the low Terai.
The journey is a paradise for those who prefer to get lost in the grandeur of nature and its creation!
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Jungle Safari 12 days best itinerary and cost for 2025 and 2026
The 12-day trip in Nepal, combining the Himalayan trekking to Ghorepani Poon Hill and jungle safari in the Chitwan National Park itinerary, commences with your arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal. The second day is a guided UNESCO World Heritage Sightseeing Tour with us, while the journey to reach Poon Hill officially takes place on the third day with an adrenaline-rushing drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu. By the fourth day, you would have already made it to the trek starting point, Nayapul, and eventually to one of the popular stopping places, Tikhedhunga. Then the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Jungle Safari 12-day itinerary proceeds through Ghorepani, Poon Hill, and Tadapani, Ghandruk, Birethanti, and back to Pokhara by the 8th day to begin another phase of adventure to Chitwan.
On the 9th and 10th days, you will spend time in Chitwan engaging yourself in various jungle safari activities like jeep safari, a visit to the elephant breeding center, canoeing, wildlife observation, rafting, bird watching, and others of your personal choice if you have any. At Adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks, we offer the best competitive prices for an epic Himalayan odyssey, tour, and any other holiday excursion in Nepal, such as the Nepal Golden Triangle Tour, Everest Base Camp Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, and Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek, including this fused trip to one of the best short trekking routes in the Annapurna Region, Ghorepani Poon Hill, and Jungle Safari to the Chitwan National Park. At Adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks, we are offering group and early bird booking discounts on this combined trip, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking and Jungle Safari Cost for 2025 and 2026.
Our comprehensive package costs in general cover all the essential trip logistics like meals, accommodation, transportation, guides, and porters. For better insight on what expenses are included and excluded, please go through the cost details sections where we not only manage the required essential permits for you but also make sure our staff are paid well, taken care of, and also are comfortable and happy about what they do. For a safe, secure, legitimate adventure of a lifetime in the beautiful corners of the Himalayas, we stand second to none. Contact us now for the best customizable itinerary, where you can also choose to invest yourself in the combined trip to Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Chitwan National Park or Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Rafting and Chitwan National Park—17 Days instead.
