The Nepal Poon Hill 6 day trek return route goes via Landruk to Dhampus, the foothill village where the Annapurna Conservation Area ends.
Poon Hill Trek – Landruk to Dhampus
Day 5 Poon Hill Trek: Ghandruk to Landruk – Tolka
Our Poon Hill trip as such comes to an end at Ghandruk. Our guide Padam suggested walking in the foothills for a couple of more days so we went for it! After breakfast –choice of pastries as well as the usual porridge oats with honey, banana pancakes or eggs– we traipsed off down the hillside in the Modi River Valley towards the wide river down below.
Agriculture is an essential part of rural life and the terraced hillsides are planted with various crops such as rice, millet which is used to make wine, potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic, soya beans, corn, tomatoes, chilli peppers, cabbage, ningko greens, lemon trees and some sugar cane.
Villagers have vegetable patches and generally keep chickens or the occasional goat, while donkeys and ponies are used to transport fresh produce and outside goods.
Crossing the hanging foot bridge over the rushing waters of River Modi Khola there was a steep climb on the opposite bank up stone steps to Landruk village, three hours away up the hillside. It was a very hot day and I seriously started wondering if we were crazy.
Landruk to Tolka
Landruk was interesting though, a larger and livelier foothill settlement at 1620m, which was not so touristy. There was a volleyball match being played at the local pitch which seemed quite an event. The unpaved road led on across the hillside (off-road vehicles can reach here) and then we took a short-cut down a path through the countryside.
A heavy shower caught us by surprise which was no big deal until the leeches came out of the grass! I’d read there were leeches during the monsoon season but there shouldn’t have been any now.
It wasn’t far to our overnight lodge at Tolka,, so I quickly took my hiking boots off as soon as we arrived. The revolting little bugs had gotten into the treads of our footwear but Padam told us to sprinkle salt and tobacco into our boots and socks, a simple remedy to get rid of them.
Although rural Tolka (1855m) was not our best experience, the sunrise view over the mountains next day truly made up for it. The first rays of the morning sun striking the Himalayan peaks brings to mind a favourite mountain quote by Buddha:
Good shines from afar like the snowy Himalayas.
Day 6 Poon Hill Trek: Tolka to Dhampus
Our last day took us through rustic Tolka where we saw the children in uniform walking to their local school and buffaloes grazing by the wayside.
An uphill hike brought us to Deurali plateau (1990m). The panoramic views from the top are legendary towards the Pokhara Lake down below in the distance, only it was too misty to see! Altogether we’d had glorious clear weather throughout our trip, especially in Poon Hill, and you can’t be lucky all the time.
Padam led the downward trail that took us towards Pothana village and lunch at one of the busy teahouses. Along the way there are occasional stalls where local craftspeople sell handmade gifts such as yak wool garments or typical bracelets.
Dhampus village
After Pothana we walked though a beautiful area of countryside, woods and grassland, past a ‘pond’ where buffalo were bathing and an open glade which is ideal for practicing yoga and meditation. This was the edge of the Annapurna Conservation Area and we had to show our TIMS permit cards on leaving, at a place called Dhampus (1750m).
Dhampus is a busier village in a stunning location, and not too far by jeep from Pokhara town and lakeside. It must be a nice place to live, peacefully and in the foothills of the Himalayas. Our room looked over towards the playing fields of the local school, the backdrop of the incredible snow-capped Annapurnas in the near distance.
Our Himalayan trek had come to an end! Juan and I spent the evening on a terrace overlooking those amazing mountains for the last time with trekking companions Simone Andrès Marchiolli and Alex Morris (photographer and blogger you can see their awesome video of the trek at the bottom of this page), and the guys from Nepal Adventure Point, Padam Bhandari and Prakash Thapa.
Next morning we got a lift in a 4×4 vehicle into Pokhara Lakeside and the next episode of our amazing Nepal experience…
Useful Info for Trekking in Annapurna Conservation Area
A visa is required for entry into Nepal, this can currently be acquired online in advance or at Kathmandu airport. Take photocopies of your passport and several passport photos with you, as these will be need during your stay for trekking permits, etc.
Hiking Permits
Although it is possible to hike the Annapurna Circuit without a guide, I personally recommend a professional trekking agency, such as Nepal Adventure Point. This local company based in Kathmandu will arrange the necessary permits such as the ACAP Annapurna Conservation Area Project and the TIMS card Trekkers Information Management System.
A licenced agency will also provide you with all the necessary information regarding safety as well as devising made to measure hikes that take into consideration the number of days you have available and plan the route accordingly, taking into account the daily ascent to avoid altitude sickness. Poon Hill is below this level, so there are no worries there.
* Please note, that solo hikers must now be accompanied by a guide in Nepal.
Best time of year for trekking to Poon Hill
Routes should be planned according to the weather conditions in the different parts of Nepal depending on the season. The best time to visit Poon Hill is October to January, or in the springtime to see the Rhododendrons in bloom.
What to take on a trek
Always bring your passport, trekking permits and insurance policy while hiking in Nepal.
Keep your belongings down to a minimum, you can carry the essential clothing yourself in a backpack or hire a porter.
You need good hiking boots and socks, trainers or walking sandals, sleeping bag silk liner to use as a sheet, quick dry sports towel, underwear, lightweight fleece top, down jacket if it is cold, knee length shorts, trekking trousers, T-shirts, basic long sleeve top and leggings which double as pyjamas, waterproof mac, day backpack and waterproof cover, sunhat and sunglasses, headlamp, water bottle, insect repellent, sunscreen, minimum of toiletries, antiseptic, plasters, paracetamol or similar, an antibiotic recommended by your doctor. Walking poles are optional.
If you have a medical condition, ask your doctor before travelling and carry your medication with you. If you have diabetes, bring an insulin cooler case for the trek.
*Consult regulations for bringing medication into Nepal, and in any countries you may transit through.
Best Mountain Guides (trek leaders)
An experienced, professional Himalayan mountain guide will make the trip much more interesting and save you precious time if you are on holiday. He will arrange suitable accommodation in advance, essential in the peak season. He also knows which tea houses serve the best food, and can adapt the route to suit you if you are feeling more or less strenuous.
A Nepali trek leader is an expert on the Himalayan Mountains and can point out all the different peaks, along with their respective heights and legends. You will be able to communicate with the local people, discover their customs, culture and way of life.
And most of all you will find a friend who will keep you amused with legendary tales of the mountains, age old stories of relatives who once fought with snow tigers in the remote villages, as well as giving you an insight into the modern day way of life in Nepal.
Contact Nepal Adventure Point for further information on trekking in Nepal.
Video of Poon Hill Trek
NOW SEE THE VIDEO!
‘Nepal Himalayas – Poon Hill Trek with a local guide’ by Simone Andrès Marchiolli.
Poon Hill Trek – Related Posts on Nepal
Continue reading our amazing adventure in Nepal
Pokhara, Nepal.
1 week in Nepal’s Lake City, relaxing beside Pokhara lakeside for a few days. Juan and I chilled at Pokhara lakeside for a few days after our memorable hike in the Himalayan foothills.
The six day trek to Poon Hill with Nepal Adventure Point had left us feeling energized…
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