How much does Ghorepani PoonHill Trek Cost?

In order to enable you to make your final choice as to whether to do this short trek or just to enable you to have a good idea as to how much you will need to bring with you, we are providing you with a breakdown of costs associated with the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek.

Cost of doing this Trek Through a Trekking Company

Most of the trekking companies operate this trek in the $500 to $800 per person price range.  With Magical Nepal expect to pay from $480 per person using buses.

You can upgrade the transport to private vehicles for an additional $110 per person.  If you require a porter, it will cost you an additional $70 per person.

If you are choosing a trek operator with a lower price range, make sure to check their reviews!

Getting There – Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu

The cost of transport between Kathmandu and Pokhara varies widely. And so does the amount of time involved, so the trick is to balance out your time against your wallet!

By tourist bus:

USD 10 per person (regular)                7-8 hours

USD 25 per person (Deluxe)                7-8 hours

Tourist buses leave early morning from near Thamel. A deluxe night bus leaves at 5 to 6 pm in the evening (arriving Pokhara in the early morning). For tickets and information, please ask your travel agent or Magical Nepal.

By private car: USD 120 per person (in total)                6-7 hours

By Flight: USD1 10 per person (One way)                        25 minutes

Which one you should choose?

The flight is a good option if you don’t have much time or dislike travelling by road.  The private car is good if you want to explore the highway, see a little of the local life on the way, and be flexible on your timing and stopping options.  The tourist buses are perfect for those on a budget.

Getting there – Pokhara-Naya Pool-Pokhara

Transport	Cost	Distance
By private car:	USD 20 to 30	1.5 hours
By local bus:	Approx. USD 5 per person	Approx. 2 hours

Permits:

Everyone needs a permit to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area. Poon Hill trek lies in Annapurna Conversation Area. Thus. you need a permit to trek Gorepani Poon Hill Trek.  This second permit helps ensure your safety (because your entry and exit are recorded at the various checkpoints along the trail).

The costs of these permits are as follows:

ACAP:   NPR 3,000

TIMS:    NPR 2,000

So, for both ACAP and TIMS permits you are paying around USD50 per person.

Food and Accommodation Cost

On average, most trekkers will spend USD25 to 30 per day on (basic) accommodation, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

By basic accommodation in Poon Hill Trek, we mean a twin room with a shared common bathroom. Few lodges/ teahouses on treks have attached bathroom.  There are however a few on this popular trek.

And within this price do not expect to be able to buy dessert or drinks!

We would suggest, that, if possible, you allocate USD30-40 per person per day for food and accommodation.

What Kind of Food Can You Expect?

Most of the teahouses on the Ghorepani  Trek have very similar breakfast menus.  Bread/toast, eggs, potatoes, porridge, and pancakes.  Lunches and dinners will consist of dal bhat, pasta, noodles, soup, etc.  But we suggest since lunches are taken on the trail, if you are a large group, keep your orders the same to avoid having to wait a long time for your lunch! Foods are available along the trail. You don’t need to carry food.

Dinners are similar to lunches – with more variety and choice.

You can find out more about what to expect in terms of food, in our What Kind of Food is Available on the Ghorepani  Poon Hill Trek?

Cost of Guide and Porter

If you are hiring a guide do check he has a valid license issued by the Government of Nepal.  Check his background and the reviews from past clients. The cost of hiring a guide will start from USD22 per day.  But an experienced guide will charge USD30 plus per day.

What is the main difference between a guide with limited experience and an experienced guide?

An experienced guide will know what to do in an emergency situation.  An un-experienced guide may not have faced difficulties before and be unsure or unaware of how to react/ what steps to take etc.

We recommend you choose a trekking company, rather than an individual guide.  Check the reviews of the company and chose one which is reputable, has good (based on reviews) guides, and is well insured. If you are hiring an independent guide, make sure he is insured.

Porter

Similarly, if you are hiring a porter, ensure he has the correct gear and is insured.  Makes sure to hire your porter in Kathmandu or in Pokhara.  If you decide on the trail to hire someone, the cost will be much higher.  Expect to pay USD20 per day in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Additional Costs

Be prepared for additional costs on the trek:-

• Hot shower: USD2-3 per shower.   Why? : They are using gas to heat the water, which is expensive to bring to villages on the trek.
• Electricity : (to charge phone etc): USD1-2
• Drinking-Water: USD1 per ltr.   On some parts of the trail, water in plastic bottles is unavailable.  You can buy purified water instead. On the parts of the trails where you can buy water in plastic bottles, we recommend you think about the environment and bring your own water purifier system.
• Alcohol, soft drinks, and snacks: as per menu price.

If you require further information on the cost, facilities or any details of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, or any other trek, please contact Magical Nepal.