Many have must heard of the Ghorpani Poonhill Trek in the Annapurna region, which is one of the best short yet beautiful destinations, almost a favorite for all the time for any kind of traveler. Although at a lower elevation than most of the viewpoints, the views from here are never less than from others. You will be glad to know that it is just the first part of this Ghoropani Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trek plan with the most stunning exposure to the majestic and panoramic mountains than from the Mardi Himal Viewpoint.
While the Mardi Himal Trek remains the most convenient for every age group craving to taste a completely different side of the Himalayas in a short period in the Annapurna region, it is immensely popular with rugged trails in Nepal, which is in addition one of the best-selling treks that takes you nose to nose with Mt. Fishtail (Macchapuchare), Mt. Annapurna South, and Heuchuli.
The combined Mardi Himal Via Ghorpani trek covers more villages, such as Ulleri, Ghorepani itself, and the biggest Gurung village in Ghandruk. The vegetation and landscapes of this trek are another beautiful part of the trek, which cannot be seen when trekking Ghorpani Poonhill alone. Yet another fun part of this trek is grazing yaks in less time in peaceful pasturelands through the forest above the clouds with stunning views of the Himalayas that you will love.
There is plenty of information and trek videos on our YouTube channel regarding the trek that you must obtain, which can be a helpful companion to new adventurers, a complete fresher without any idea about trekking activities, as it is compulsory to understand that all the trekking routes in the Annapurna region might sound the same but aren't as they come with different views, levels, and requirements.
What to expect at Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trek
Voyaging in the Annapurna region of Nepal is an iconic journey to the countryside, offering untouched Himalayan beauty adorned with some of the world’s largest mountains, its pristine ambiance, and the rich culture of the diverse ethnic communities of the nation inhabiting the Himalayan land.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience is doubled when combined with two of the distinctive, newly introduced yet popular destinations within the Annapurna Conservation Area called the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trek, offering the ultimate scenery along with the cultural odyssey of this unique trekking trip. Here's what makes it more outstanding in the years 2024 and 2025.
Tourist Paradise, Pokhara City
Often hailed as the tourist haven of Nepal, the city of Pokhara, which is the starting and ending point of your trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, is named for a reason. Situated in the foothills of the seventh and tenth tallest mountain giants in the world, Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Mt. Annapurna (8,091m), Pokhara is a gateway to the Annapurna trekking region, which makes possible each adventure you have ever dreamt of fulfilling.
Located in the central part of Nepal, offering awe-inspiring peaks, serene lakes, and verdant landscapes, along with several adventurous sports such as paragliding, zip-lining, bungee jumping, rafting, and canoeing, calling adventurers to explore the planet like never before, the city of Pokhara is a trekkers heaven, serving as the famous stopover for various expeditions to the Annapurna Himalayan region, including the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trek.
Enriching cultural encounters in the mountain villages of Tadapani, Ghorepani, and Ghandruk
During your hike to explore the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal, you will walk past several charming Himalayan villages, such as Tadapani, Ghoreapani, and Ghandruk, which are often referred to as photography paradises.
Most of these villages on route to Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal are densely populated by indigenous people of Gurung and Magar; most of the youngsters from this community are still a part of the brave soldiers of Gurkha Paltan, known globally for their extraordinary battle skills, bravery, and unswayed loyalty.
It will be exciting to get to mingle with these particular Himalayan tribes, bearing and preserving unique culture, dialects, traditional attire, customary rites, and rituals. Adding much to the thrill of visitors, Ghandruk village specifically is famous for an opportunity to try on the cultural Gurung dress along with ornaments to click pictures and add to your albums of cherished memories.
Furthermore, the local cuisines are a must to dive into. Usually rich in carbohydrates and protein, the local delicacies from Ghandruk, Tadapani, and Ghorepani are intended to let your body adapt to the Himalayan surroundings and relish the snowfall during the winter season to the fullest.
On a leisurely walk to the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal, you will pass through these picturesque Himalayan villages, encountering several prayer flags, chortens, mani walls, and Buddhist monasteries with stone inscriptions showcasing the regional Buddhist heritage.
The locals welcome you with open arms and are delighted to share their long-cherished culture and history; therefore, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trek is not only nature’s exploration but also a cultural odyssey connecting you to the vibrant traditions, culture, and hospitality of the Annapurna Himalayan tribe amidst the majestic beauty of the Annapurna region.
The mythical sunrise and sunset from Poon Hill viewpoint
Located above 3,210m, Poon Hill is one of the major viewpoints of the Annapurna region, where you will get to experience the mountains at their finest when the first rays of sunlight cast a golden shadow all over the snow-clad peaks.
Equally stunning is the sunset when the sun hides behind the gigantic mountain ranges to watch from Poon Hill, leaving each trekker in awe and creating magical moments of dusk with fading light and a warm glow over the snow-capped peaks and Himalayan landscapes.
In our 11-day package to the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal, you will wake up with an early wake-up call for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness the sunrise from Poon Hill when the whole region illuminates into a golden hue over the heavenly peaks such as Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Macchapuchhre (Fishtail), and others on the fourth day.
Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 m
The secret gem of the Annapurna region, which was kept in top secrecy until recently, is the Mardi Himal trekking trail, boasting the remote wilderness in a pristine and peaceful setting.
In your 11-day journey to Ghorepani Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, you will be making an ascent to the base camp of Mardi Himal at 4,500 m, offering unique and unforgettable moments surrounded by towering peaks of the Annapurna Himalayas.
Some of the top-notch are the world’s highest peaks as well, including Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and the Mardi Himal itself. These peaks are a bonus to the rugged barren terrain contrasting with the alpine landscapes with meadows and some high-altitude vegetation below.
As this part of the overall trekking route to the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal is less crowded, it allows you to fully immerse yourself in the tranquility of the raw Himalayan presence, miles away from the hustle and bustle of overshadowing urbanization.
The walk to this section to reach Mardi Himal is quite challenging, making it more adventurous than the rest of the ramble, making a path through steep ascents, rocky routes, and higher altitude portions, which is rewarding with a great sense of achievement as accompanied by the breathtaking mountain vistas.
Witness the abundance of Annapurna Conservation Area
The venturing to the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal takes place in the rich biodiversity of the Annapurna Conservation Area, allowing impressive connectivity to Mother Nature as you enter the incredibly diverse realm of Himalayan flora and fauna.
The majority of the forest area is dominated by the trees of the national flower of Nepal, the rhododendron, along with oak, orchids, pine, and non-flowering ferns, where the various wild animals enjoy themselves.
On a blessed day, trekkers on the trail to Ghorepani Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, can steal glances of Himalayan Tahr and Langur monkeys, along with glimpses of very common to rare bird species inhabiting the forests and meadows along the route.
Ranging from the subtropical lush land of Ghorepani to the subalpine zone of Mardi Himal, indeed, the expedition to Ghorepani Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, is a dream come true for every naturalist, providing the best nature excursion.
Best Family Holiday Trek in Nepal
In comparison to some other higher altitude treks in the Annapurna region, one of the most popular trekking destinations internationally, such as the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Voyage, or the extra spice of adventurous Tilicho Lake and Thorong La Pass Pilgrimage, Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal Odyssey stands out for being an amazing family-friendly Himalayan trekking trail.
Although similar to the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal is considered easy to moderately difficult, in terms of scenery and the thrill, it comes second to none, requiring a noble level of fitness to easily make it through some the steep uphill climbs on rugged trackways where the weather can get moody and unnotified.
Throughout the journey you will be following the well-trodden route that has manageable walking distances ranging from 5 to 6 hours of rambling tracing the footsteps of your local Sherpa guide, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal is just the right destination for you to trek with your families in the holidays of 2024 and 2025, where you can even include children and seemingly aged members of your family.
Why 11 Days itinerary to discover the unspoiled beauty of Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trail?
The team at Adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks is a Himalayan travel and trekking specialist showcasing extraordinary knowledge in arranging the best itineraries to venture into the Himalayas of Nepal, including the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trek, a surreal Himalayan expedition in the Annapurna region.
The 11-day itinerary is designed with exceptional consideration for the needs and preferences of trekkers and travelers, beginning with an enchanting drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then Ulleri to start hiking to explore Ghorepani, Poon Hill, and Mardi Himal, is flexible to adjust according to your pace, energy levels, budget plan, and number of days in Nepal.
On the very day of making it to Ulleri, you will hike up to the typical village of Ghorepani as the destination of the day, situated in between the dense and vibrant forests of rhododendrons, to spend the night. From Ghorepani, you will be visiting the major vantage point of the Annapurna region, Poon Hill, and take a descending walk to Tadapani.
Here at Tadapani, you will be amazed by the simple yet harmonious lives of the locals and their warm hospitality to reminisce about the following day on the way to Landruk. Landruk onwards, the hike passes by forest camp and high camp, finally making a last ascent to the Mardi Himal viewpoint.
After enjoying the best views of the Annapurna and Machhpuchare, you will start a descending journey to Badal Danda first and then Siding simultaneously ride a joyous local bus or private jeep back to Pokhara.
Early in the morning, after a marvelous night at the lakeside Pokhara, with a morning coffee and breakfast observing the refined backdrops of Annapurna and Machhapuchhare one last time, you will board a tourist bus to return to the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, while you take in all the phenomenal beauty of the hills and mountains of the country.
As you can see from this 11-day itinerary to go trekking, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal grants adequate acclimatization, taking a daily break at every scenic highlight of the Annapurna region, minimizing the risk of having to rush through the trekking trail that could have led to serious injuries or other Himalayan unforeseen circumstances such as acute mountain sickness or altitude sickness.
Further, this specific 11-day Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal Route caters to adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks and is absolutely customizable, contributing to ensuring the happiness of our clients along with their safety and individual experience in the most pleasing way. Hence, it is one of the best itineraries to trek the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal in the years 2024 and 2025.
How much does it cost you to trek Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal?
The cost of going to the Ghorepani Poon Hill Mardi Himal Trek can range from USD 795 per person to USD 945 depending upon the duration of the trek, the level of comfort you are seeking, the season of travel, and the type of trekking agency you have chosen for your expedition.
Nonetheless, USD 945 per person is the standard package price of Adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks, where travelers and trekkers can take advantage of special discounts on group departures containing more than 10 members, covering the expenses of almost every travel logistic such as permits, food, accommodation, guides, and porters. Which is:
- USD 945 for 1 pax
- USD 875 for 2 pax
- USD 835 for 4-6 pax
- USD 795 for 7-10 pax