Muldai and Poon Hill Trek
Starting from US$ 560.00
This trek is all about the views, in a short amount of time we take you to two of the best viewpoints south of the Annapurna range. The trek combines the very popular Ghorepani and Poon Hill loop with an off the beaten path experience going up to the amazing Muldai viewpoint. Going off the beaten path means staying for one night in more old-school rustic accommodation and the tea house at Dobato which certainly has its own charm.
- Starts In: Pokhara
- Ends In: Pokhara
- Duration: 5 Days
- Difficulty Grade: Moderate
Highlights
- A classic trek with an off-beat twist
- Two incredible sunrise view points: Poon Hill and Muldai
- Experience the main trail and a few days on the path less travelled
- Stunning views of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri mountains
Fixed departure dates
Itinerary
Day 01: Drive from Pokhara to Ulleri, Trek from Ulleri to Kokhe Danda [3270m]
This morning you will head out on a scenic 2 hour drive to Ulleri, the starting point of your trek. We will have lunch here before starting the walk as there is nothing between here and our next stop. You now trek uphill for approximately 3 hours to reach the Ama cottage. Along the way, you can see the magnificent views of Annapurna Range and Fishtail (Machhapuchhere).
We then follow the ridgeline for the rest of the afternoon, enjoying the great views of Annapurna South and Fish tail. We then enter the forest for a while before coming out into the open again for the last stretch up to the tea house at Kokhe Danda.
Kokhe Danda (3270m) is the highest point in the district of Parbat and the views from here on a clear day are amazing. You will see Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, the Annapurna range and Fishtail.
Walking time: Approx 5 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Lunch, Dinner
Day 02: Trek from Kokhe Danda to Ghorepani [2870m]
This morning get up early for sunrise and enjoy the spectacular views. You will have views for Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna South and Fishtail and more. After the sunrise views return to the tea house for breakfast and have a chat to you guide about your options.
Most people head up to the celebrated viewpoint of Poon Hill [3195m], which overlooks the village of Ghorepani, for dawn. However sunset is also amazing and has less crowds.
Between Mohare and Poon hill we walk on the ridgeline most of the way but we are forest for most of the walk. If you’re here in Spring, a lovely fragrance lingers in the forest from the flowers of the Lokta bushes. The inner bark of these plants is used to make beautiful lokta paper which you’ll see around many stores in Kathmandu and many restaurant menus are made from this natural, rough and raw paper.
After Poon Hill it is a short steep downhill to Ghorepani, where we are on the main trail again and there are likely to be lots of travellers passing through this ridge-top settlement in both directions. Ghorepani literally means “horse water” and is a popular stopping place for the mule trains which ply the route from Pokhara to Jomsom and beyond. The impressive peak which can be seen across the broad valley of the Kali Gandaki to the northwest is Dhaulagiri.
Walking time: Approx. 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 03: Early Morning Sunrise in Poonhill, Trek from Ghorepani to Dobato [3420m]
It is an absolute must for those who stay at Ghorepani to make the walk up to the celebrated view point of Poon Hill [3195m], which overlooks the village. Dawn is the best time to go so we arrange a wake-up call for 5 am and head up the well-marked track by torchlight. The first light of dawn illuminates Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak with a surreal pink glow.
You may be able to buy coffee and breakfast from an enterprising local who has carried his produce up to Poon Hill to take advantage of the morning trade. Otherwise, we return to Ghorepani for breakfast, before trekking on to Dobato through rhododendron forest and climbing an amazing ridgeline. Until Deurali we follow the main trail but from here we go off the beaten path and climb in a very small trail to Dobato. If we are lucky we will see some wild animals, such as langur monkeys climbing through the trees. There are excellent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhare from Tadapani.
Walking time: Approx 5-6 hours (not including Poonhill sunrise)
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04: Early Morning Sunrise at Muldai, Trek from Dobato to Ghandruk [1950m]
In the morning it is highly recommended to get up an hour before sunrise and walk up to the viewpoint above Dobato and return to the lodge for breakfast. This stunning side trip will give you a great view up to Kopra Danda and incredible views of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri further to the west.
After breakfast we start a magnificent descend to Tadapani, we quickly come back down into the forest, where we pass an ancient Gurung temple before coming out into the open at the little tea house village of Meshar Danda. From here we once again descend steeply into the forest and reach Tadapani in time for lunch.
After lunch the trail descends through beautiful forests to Ghandruk, which is a stunning village of Gurung people, one of Nepal’s most famous ethnic groups, known for their distinctive dialect, culture, costume, and lifestyle. Ghandruk is also home to many soldiers from the famous Gurkha regiments. From here we can have stunning views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Fishtail.
Walking time: Approx 6 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05: Trek from Ghandruk to Syauli Bazaar and Drive to Pokhara
After breakfast, we descend along gentle paved trails through forest and terraced fields to Sauli Bazaar where we will meet our jeeps to drive two and half hours to Pokhara. Here you bid farewell to your trekking crew, and then enjoy a great lunch on “Lakeside”!
Walking time: 3 – 4 hours
Driving time: Approx 2.5 hours
Gallery
starting from US$ 560.00$
Included In Price
- Trip are guaranteed with 2 trekkers
- Tea house accommodation while on trek
- Meals as per the itinerary (all meals on trek, with filtered drinking water)
- Transportation as per the detailed itinerary in public vehicles for groups of 2 to 3 trekkers. Groups of 4 or more trekkers will travel in private vehicles
- Your trekking guide and porter/s, with all their transport, equipment, insurance, meals and accommodation
- A first aid kit with basic supplies appropriate for the group size and trek route – if you require or are taking specific medications it is critical that you discuss this with us prior to your trip departure
- Trekking permits and registration fees
Note: The local tea houses are basic but clean and they do not often have attached bathrooms or hot showers. The price is based on twin share and does not include any extra charge that lodge owners may levy for single rooms, attached bathrooms or hot showers (if these facilities are available) or for battery charging. We can’t know in advance what they may charge for such things in the different lodges along the way, so we prefer to leave this cost out, rather than pass along an estimated charge to you.
The meal inclusions on the trek are breakfast (one set breakfast and a tea or coffee), lunch (one main meal and a tea or coffee) and dinner (soup, main and dessert with a tea or coffee)
Not Included In Price
- Single supplement, please see single supplement charge
- International flights to and from Kathmandu; Nepal visa fees and international airport taxes; any excess baggage charges
- Comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and emergency rescue/evacuation that covers all of the activities you will undertake during your trip should this be required for any reason (we require this as the minimum insurance cover)
- Services and activities not mentioned in the detailed itinerary above (eg additional nights, optional trips and sightseeing tours)
- Any gear or equipment that you may need to rent/buy – please ask us if you would like any advice about gear to bring/buy/rent
- Personal expenses (eg mineral water/soft drinks/bar bills, entrance/photography fees at monasteries, laundry, telephone calls, postage, donations, extra snacks, etc)
- Any extra charge that tea house owners may levy for single rooms, attached bathrooms, or hot showers (if these facilities are available) and charging of batteries
- Tips for your city guide, drivers, hotels, restaurants, etc (please ask if you would like guidance about appropriate tips)
- Costs incurred due to unforeseen events (eg caused by natural disasters, adverse road conditions/flight delays, labor strikes, fuel shortages, extreme exchange rate changes, etc)
