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Dec 14 - Dec 16, 2023 | Change

via Ghorepani (Poon Hill) side trek (3 days)
Annapurna Region, Nepal

View full itinerary: Annapurna Sanctuary

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Highlights: Ghandruk and Poon Hill

Difficulty: moderate

A moderate hike in the Annapurna region for those who want a taste of trekking without the high altitude. While relatively easy by Nepal standards, this trek still packs a punch, with some steep climbs and awesome views, including the famed Himalayan panorama from atop Poon Hill.

Images from via Ghorepani (Poon Hill) Side Trek

Weather Conditions in December

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December is probably the most underrated month to trek, one of the driest months of the year skies are often clear from sunrise to sunset. The trails and teahouses are less crowded than in November.

At a glance
On average there are 1 day with precipitation in December. The highest point on the trek is Poon Hill at 3210 m. During December, expect high temperatures of around 9.1°C (48°F) and lows down to -6.9°C (20°F) at Poon Hill.

via Ghorepani (Poon Hill) Side trek
(Elevation Profile)

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(3 days)

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Thu Dec 14 (day 1)
Ghandruk (2000 m) About 3-4 hours from Landruk (trail descends steeply towards the river for an hour then after crossing the river there is a steep ascent for about 2-3 hours with Himalayan views passing through several small villages) Expect typical high termperatures of about 16.4°C (62°F) and lows of about 0.4°C (33°F) in December. Overnight Ghandruk (also spelled Ghandrung), is one of the largest Gurung villages in Western Nepal. It's ridgetop location provides good views of Gangapura, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna and other snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. The village also has a small museum dedicated to local Gurung culture. more info on Ghandruk

Thu Dec 14 (day 1)

Ghandruk (2000 m)

About 3-4 hours from Landruk (trail descends steeply towards the river for an hour then after crossing the river there is a steep ascent for about 2-3 hours with Himalayan views passing through several small villages)
Expect typical high termperatures of about 16.4°C (62°F) and lows of about 0.4°C (33°F) in December.

Overnight

Ghandruk (also spelled Ghandrung), is one of the largest Gurung villages in Western Nepal. It's ridgetop location provides good views of Gangapura, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna and other snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. The village also has a small museum dedicated to local Gurung culture.

more info on Ghandruk

Fri Dec 15 (day 2)
Tadapani (2590 m) About 3-4 hours from Ghandruk (trail climbs through forest) Expect typical high termperatures of about 12.9°C (55°F) and lows of about -3.1°C (26°F) in December.
Ghorepani (2874 m) About 4-5 hours from Tadapani (after an initial steep descent the trail climbs through forests and along a high ridge via Deurali at 2990 m before descending again to Ghorepani) Expect typical high termperatures of about 11.2°C (52°F) and lows of about -4.8°C (23°F) in December. Overnight more info on Ghorepani
Side Trip to Tatopani via Khopra Ridge (Danda) (2 extra days) via Khopra Ridge (Danda) Rating: \| 1 review Highlights: Khopra Danda and Poon Hill Difficulty: moderate This route climbs up the Khopra Ridge for magnificent panoramas of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and other Himalayan peaks. An overnight at Khopra Danda (3640 m, 11,942 ft) lets you wake to this spectacular view just outside your room, at what must be one of the best lodge locations in the region.

Sat Dec 16 (day 3)
Poon Hill (3210 m) About 1-1.5 hours up and a half hour back down to Ghorepani Expect typical high termperatures of about 9.1°C (48°F) and lows of about -6.9°C (20°F) in December. more info on Poon Hill
Tikhedunga (1525 m) About 5-6 hours from Ghorepani Expect typical high termperatures of about 19.3°C (67°F) and lows of about 3.3°C (38°F) in December.
Birethanti (1025 m) About 1-2 hours from Tikhedunga Expect typical high termperatures of about 22.3°C (72°F) and lows of about 6.3°C (43°F) in December.

via Ghorepani (Poon Hill) Itinerary Reviews

by Israel (Germany) on Jul 28, 2019

Mardi Himal led by Pema Futi Sherpa

by Brian (Australia) on Mar 28, 2019

Annapurna Sanctuary via Ghorepani (Poon Hill) led by Ang Tsering Sherpa

The side trip to Poon Hill was beautiful although the view at Khopra was more dramatic and far less crowded. If we did the Khopra trek again, I probably would not go to Poon Hill as well.

by Chris (Australia) on Dec 26, 2018

Ghandruk Loop via Ghorepani (Poon Hill) led by Mingma Nuru Sherpa

by Michael (United Kingdom) on Dec 8, 2018

Ghandruk Loop Australian Camp Out and Back and via Ghorepani (Poon Hill) led by Samikshya Chaudhary

The final ascent from Ghorepani to Poon Hill is not as difficult as some other parts of the trek, and is certainly worth doing for the spectacular views of the sunrise over the Annapurna range from the top.

by Chong fah (malaysia) on Nov 11, 2018

Annapurna Sanctuary via Ghorepani (Poon Hill) led by Ang Tsering Sherpa

via Khopra Ridge (Danda) Itinerary Reviews

by James (United Kingdom) on Sep 30, 2019

Poon Hill via Khopra Ridge (Danda) led by Rajkumar Sunar

via Ghorepani (Poon Hill) side trek (3 days) Annapurna Region, Nepal