When is the best time to do the ABC Hiking Tour via Poon Hill?
Undoubtedly the best time to do the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poon Hill will be either during the spring or autumn seasons in Nepal. With five seasons in a year inclusive of one monsoon season, the high trekking seasons in Nepal are limited to two. Alpine Eco Trek can organize treks to Annapurna Base Camp all year long, but during the autumn and spring seasons the trails are most accessible and the views absolutely amazing. While the autumn season is a bit colder, the skies are blue and the high visibility of the surrounding mountains can be witnessed. In addition, the trekking days are nice and cool, making your trekking experience more enjoyable. The spring season on the other hand has a bit warmer days and less humidity. In spring the wildlife is more active due to mating season and more Himalayan plant life can be seen during the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poon Hill. It is possible to trek to Annapurna Base Camp all year long but the spring and autumn seasons are the best times to do this amazing trek in Nepal.
How about accommodation during the ABC Trek via Ghorepani and Tadapani?
During your stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels will be available for you to choose from, but your accommodation during the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poon Hill will be on the authentic and traditional guest- or teahouses. Alpine Eco Trek takes great care when it comes to your accommodation, and always chooses the best available guesthouses during the trek, insuring you get amazing views and good service. The guesthouses during the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poon Hill have all been modernized and have the following facilities available; a standard room with 2 beds, attached or sharing bathrooms, WIFI connection and warm water services. The rooms are clean and stocked with pillows, warm blankets and a comfortable mattresses. During the trek itself, we pass the village of Ghandruk, and it’s even possible to stay on a homestay basis in this village. Homestay means staying with a Nepali host family. This gives a great cultural experience to the trekker and it’s a great way to see how a typical Nepalese family lives in the mountains. If you want to overnight on a homestay basis please notify our Alpine Eco Trek team during your booking of the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poon Hill.
As mentioned before your stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara can be more luxurious than during the trek. With many hotels, resorts and hostels to choose from, our team can help you book and reserve a room in your preferred hotel.
Do you provide food during the ABC trek via Ghorepani Poon Hill?
Yes, we provide good food and with trekking comes a great appetite, that’s why it’s very important to look at your food during the ABC trek via Ghorepani Poon Hill. The southern Annapurna Himalayas is mainly inhabited by the Gurung people, with one of their biggest settlements in Ghandruk. The traditional Nepali people are well known for their hospitality and great food. When you stay in Kathmandu or Pokhara a BB is reserved giving you more freedom to explore the charming restaurants of the bigger cities for lunch and dinner. But food during the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Ghorepani Poon Hill is inclusive. This means that during the trek itself breakfast, lunch and dinner are arranged and already paid for. The only thing you need to do is choose from the menu. With many options to choose from such as traditional Nepali or even pasta and pizzas, Alpine Eco Trek does recommend opting for vegetarian options as in the remote villages meat preservation facilities are limited. To be sure check with your guide once before ordering.
The meals usually include a variety of items and to make your choice easier Alpine Eco Trek lists some menu items below.
Breakfast during the ABC and Poon Hill Trek:
- Gurung or Tibetan bread
- Chapati (dry bread) with cheese
- Oatmeal or muesli
- French toast with either jam, honey or peanut butter
- Eggs 3 ways: scrambled, fried or boiled
- Hashed browned potatoes
- Corn flakes
- Pancakes
- Seasonable vegetables
Lunch and dinner during the ABC and Poon Hill Hike:
Traditional Nepali
- Nepalese dhal bhat (traditionally cooked rice with lentil soup)
- Momo (a plate of Nepalese dumplings)
- Tibetan or Chapatti bread
- Thukpa (a steaming hot bowl of noodle soup)
- Yak steak
- Seasonable soups
- Rice with curry
- Sherpa stew (a delicious bowl of vegetable soup made with local wheat pasta)
International dishes:
- Sandwiches
- Steak
- Spring rolls
- Pizza
- Burgers
- Pasta
A good meal deserves a great dessert. These delicious delicacies differ from place to place but the local pies are always incredibly tasty. Try out the homemade apple pies or rice pudding, you will not regret it. For an extra snack during the ABC trek via Ghorepani Poon Hill there are enough shops on the way where you can buy; snickers, mars and some other candy bars. During your trek 3 cups, a day of tea or coffee are also included, and thirsty trekkers can choose from traditional milk or black coffee or tea.
Is safe drinking water available during the trek?
To stay hydrated is always important, and Alpine Eco Trek highly recommends at least drinking 2-4 liters of water during the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poon Hill. In all the guesthouses and in shops along the trekking trail bottled water can be bought for anywhere between 1 to 3 dollars per liter. But we do advise using a minimum of plastic water bottles, as those usually end up being burned or dumped in a landfill, and so destroying the environment. During your trek, ample water sources can be found such as manmade taps or natural springs. This water can be bottled in your drinking bottle or canister and easily made safe by using a LifeStraw or any type of water purification pill.
What are the safety and satisfaction of this trek?
As a leading trekking agency your safety and satisfaction on the ABC trek via Ghorepani Poon Hill is of paramount importance for Alpine Eco Trek. We make sure that you are safely guided to Annapurna Base Camp and back, and our expert, Sherpa guides sharing their knowledge of the mountains makes your satisfaction that much higher. All of our mountain and trekking guides are multilingual and speak proper English. That way they are sure to provide you with detailed information about the various mountains, cultures, fauna and flora. In order to better ensure your safety all our guides carry a basic medical kit with them, but we do ask you to bring yourself your own personal medkit. Before your trek, to Annapurna Base Camp a detailed trekking briefing will be held so you can better prepare yourself for this adventure and some safety guidelines will be discussed. Like, be mindful of the trails as caravans of yaks and donkeys can come passing by carrying essentials. Always stay in the designated safe zones and listen to your guide in order to overcome every trail with ease.
What about the passport and Visa for Nepal?
Except for Saarc countries, a valid passport of at least 6 months and an entry tourist visa is required in order to visit Nepal. Indian and Chinese nationals are exempted from a visa fee and others need to pay 40USD for 30 days. As a major touristic destination, Nepal has made it easy for visitors to acquire a tourist visa, by setting up multiple e-visa kiosks in the international airport and giving the facility of an arrival visa. To get a more detailed look at visa’s for Nepal Alpine Eco Trek does advise you to have a look at the official website for immigration.
Always make sure you have a couple of passport-size photos on hand and some cash in USD to make your visa process smoother. Upon your arrival at the international airport in Kathmandu at the visa section there is also a money exchange shop available if you are not able to bring US dollars.
Are there any extra personal expenses during the trek?
With meals and accommodation included you can have extra personal expenses during the trek. These can go from beverages, tips, extra snacks, or during your stay in the city's lunch and dinner. In the main cities, you can get a good meal for about 2 to 3 thousand rupees about 20 USD. To be better prepared during your trek we advise bringing some extra cash with you, as there are no ATMs during the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poon Hill. ATMs will be available in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and we do recommend using NABIL Bank as their charge per withdrawal is the lowest for international cards.
Do I need travel insurance?
In order to assure your safety, travel insurance for any type of trek in Nepal with Alpine Eco Trek is required. While the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poon Hill is not classified as a dangerous trek it’s better to be safe than sorry. Emergency rescue can only be done via helicopter and can get quite costly. As so make sure that your travel insurance policy at least covers the following; emergency helicopter, medical assistance, and medical evacuation. With a copy of your travel insurance on hand and with our office, we can get a bird in the sky to rescue you without any delay and so ensure your safety during an emergency. Your travel insurance should be made before entering Nepal, as there are no options here to buy travel insurance for foreigners. Make sure to send us a copy before your departure.
Do you have a packing list for the Annapurna Base Camp Poon Hill hike?
A great adventure asks for careful planning and preparation. As so it’s important to make sure that your packing list for the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poon Hill is all in order. Of course, what you pack depends greatly on which season you decide to trek in Nepal. But some items are required to bring anyway to make your trekking experience more comfortable. Most gear and trekking items can be bought or even rented in Thamel, the tourist hub of Kathmandu. It is always better to bring your own gear with you but in case of emergency, Thamel has almost everything you would require. To make life easy Alpine Eco Trek has prepared a short packing list for your trek to Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill.
To bring with you:
- A few pairs of thermal underclothes
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- A wind and waterproof jacket
- Down jacket
- 2 pairs of trekking pants
- Mitten or woolen gloves
- Comfortable and warm hiking socks
- Trekking boots with spare laces
- Standard trekking poles
- Water purification item(s)
- Cotton trousers for hiking
- A sleeping bag
- Water canteen
- Cap or scarf to protect from the sun
- Toiletries
- A headlight
- Washing towel
- Laundry bag
- A small lock for your backpack
- A rain poncho
- Personal medication
With these items, you are sure to have a comfortable experience while trekking to Annapurna Base Camp. For those who like to bring cameras to capture those amazing moments and views during the trek, it is recommended to bring some adapters to make charging your batteries easier during your stay in the guesthouses. Make sure that your packing list for the Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poon Hill is in order and get ready to embark on your adventure in the Nepalese Himalayas.
Are your Guides and Porters licensed or well trained?
Annapurna base camp trek via Ghorepani Poonhill will be led by our knowledgeable and experienced trek leaders. The trekking leaders, and guides for this trek are carefully selected on the basis of their experience, knowledge about the region and leadership skills. Our trekking guides and crew have taken the following training
- First Aid Training
- Trekking Guide Training
- English Language
- Climbing and Mountaineering
- Conservation and Biodiversity
How about the transportation during the trek?
Trekking is one thing but in order to get to your trekking start point transportation is required. Not to worry Alpine Eco Trek arranges all transportation during the trek as described in the itinerary. Your first transport during the trek to Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill will be from Kathmandu to Pokhara. With Pokhara developed and highway accessible the common option is to take a tourist bus in the morning and arrive late afternoon in Pokhara. Another option but a bit more expensive would be to travel by air. A scenic 24 min flight takes you from Kathmandu to Pokhara’s domestic airport. After reaching Pokhara we need to get to our trekking start point which is located at Nayapul, better known as New Bridge.
Alpine Eco Trek provides all the necessary transportation for your trip including free arrival and departure transportation services. On your arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by our airport representative with traditional flowers then you will be reassigned to the respective Hotel. Similarly, we will also provide private vehicles for the city tour like Kathmandu valley sightseeing, Nagarkot Sunrise view tour, or any others in Nepal on request.
