Poon hill trek is one of the most popular short trekking destinations in the Annapurna region of Nepal. The trek offers magnificent views of the Himalayas, including Mount Fishtail and the Annapurna mountain range.

January and February are the winter months in Nepal. During this time, the weather is cold, and the temperatures at the highest places on the Poon Hill trek route go below the freezing point. However, these temperatures are nowhere near as cold as those on other treks, such as the Everest Base Camp Trek, because we are trekking at a low altitude on the Poon Hill trek route. Poon Hill trek in January and February is possible; you just need to prepare yourself with warmer clothing.

Additionally, the precipitation is quite low during the winter in Poon Hill, meaning you do not need to worry about rain disturbing the trek. The possibility of cloudy mountains is also least during winter.

While trekking to Poon Hill in January and February, you can expect to see spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, which are great for capturing amazing pictures. The trails will be less crowded, allowing you to enjoy your solitude and have a peaceful time.

All you need to do is prepare well for the cold, and you will be good to go.

Highlights of trekking to Poon Hill in January and February include:

• One of the best short treks in Nepal during the winter season
• Spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, such as Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, and Nilgiri, due to low precipitation and clear sunny days.
• Stunning sunrise views from the Poon Hill viewpoint.
• Peaceful time with fewer crowds compared to other seasons.
• Trekking at your own pace.
• Snowfall in higher regions of the trek.
• More accommodation options and better service.
• Celebrating New Year while enjoying nature.

Poon Hill Weather in January and February:

As January and February are the winter months in Nepal, with January being the coldest, trekking to Poon Hill during this time will definitely be colder compared to other months.

The average sunshine during these months is 6 to 7 hours per day.

January and February are also dry months, with precipitation ranging from 27 to 30mm. If you are lucky, you can witness snowfall in Poon Hill during this time, but it probably won’t last beyond the afternoon sun.

The average temperature in Poon Hill during January and February ranges from 2.2 to 3.5 degrees Celsius. During the day, the temperature can go up to 9 degrees.

As the sun goes down, the temperature can drop to sub-zero. However, this shouldn’t be a problem as you will already be in your shelter by then. Most lodges and tea houses have a fireplace where you can keep warm.

NOTE: As you climb higher, the weather can be quite unpredictable, and you may face different weather conditions in a single day.

Additional Information on Poon Hill trek during January and February:

Modes of Transportation:

The transportation modes for the Poon Hill trek can vary according to your requirements. For this trek, you will have to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu either by flight or bus.

You can also hire a private jeep if you like. But if you are looking for cheaper alternatives, you should take a local bus or tourist bus.

The cost of a tourist bus can range from USD 12 to 18 per person. The local bus is a lot cheaper and costs around USD 10.

If you are planning to hire a private jeep, it will cost you around USD 180. Yet, if you do not want the hassle of long drives, then you can take a flight of 25 minutes that costs around USD 110 per person.

Sometimes during winter in January and February, flights can be delayed due to weather conditions. But on a clear day, you can enjoy the panoramic aerial view of the mountains.

From Pokhara, you can take local buses or jeeps to Nayapul. Nayapul is 45 km away from Pokhara and is the starting point of the Poon Hill trek. Jeeps are almost twice as expensive as buses but they are comfortable and faster.

The bus from Pokhara to Nayapul costs USD 4, and the returning bus from Ghandruk to Pokhara costs USD 8 to 10. You can even take a bus from Kande to Pokhara that costs USD 2 to 3 depending on your route.

Poon Hill Trek Difficulty

This trek is relatively easy compared to other high altitude treks in Nepal. However, the steep climb up the stone staircase (3,381 steps) from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani can be quite tiring.

The highest point you will reach during the trek is 3,210 meters. You will gradually gain altitude as you go along the Poon Hill trek during January and February.

The altitude gain is not too severe to cause acclimatization problems. However, walking for long hours during cold days can be difficult, so we recommend taking frequent breaks. By doing so, you can avoid any problems and complete the trek.

Physical Fitness and Experience

The Poon Hill trek is suitable for all kinds of trekkers, and you don’t need much experience for this trek. Anyone with an average fitness level can take this trek at any time of the year. For those who want to do a longer trek in the Annapurna region, they can consider doing the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, which includes a visit to Poon Hill as well.

However, trekking in winter is slightly more challenging compared to other months due to the cold weather. Therefore, a little bit of preparation prior to the trek can be helpful. You can engage in physical activities like walking, climbing stairs, jogging, etc., to improve your stamina.

Accommodation

During your Poon Hill trek, you will stay in teahouses. The cost of the room ranges from USD 5 to 10, and you can bargain for a discount.

The rooms are twin-sharing with comfortable and clean beds.

If you trek to Poon Hill in January and February, you can choose from many teahouses because there are fewer tourists. However, during other seasons, when there are more trekkers, you usually need to book teahouses in advance; otherwise, you may not get a room.

The rooms do not have heating systems, but the teahouses have a common area with a fireplace.

Food and drinks

Before eating, keep in mind that food prices in the mountains are higher than in the city. Therefore, do not expect the same prices.

Trekking to Poon Hill in January and February means you will receive excellent service in the teahouses. There is no rush in the kitchen, so they prepare your food with extra effort.

You will get hot and delicious food. Dal Bhat is the staple Nepali food with rice, lentils, vegetables, and chili sauce. It is an energy-packed meal when trekking and costs about USD 5 to 8.

A cup of tea costs around NPR 80 to 100, and one liter of bottled water costs about NPR 90 to 110. If you have empty bottles, many lodges offer drinking water refills for about NPR 60 per liter.

Travel Insurance

Like any other trek, it is important to have travel insurance. Accidents and misfortunes can happen to anyone at any time. Hence, having insurance is a must.

Your travel insurance should cover for injury, evacuation, gear loss, trip cancellation, and trip delays, etc.

Packing for Poon Hill trek in January and February

For the Poon Hill trek in January and February, the most important thing to carry is warm clothes. And of course, there are a few other important things. The basic things you need to pack are:

• Insulating jacket: Carry a warm insulating jacket and supplement it with a good fleece.
• Sleeping bag: You can carry a sleeping bag rated to around -5C. If you still feel cold, you can supplement it with a lodge blanket.
• Thermal hat or headcover: The Thinsulate-type material is excellent as it is very light, thermally efficient, and dries very quickly when washed.
• Thermal gloves: Again, use the Thinsulate ones. They are also good as a windbreaker if it gets breezy.
• Thermal socks: They are important, especially in the evenings.
• Waterproof outer jacket: In winter, mornings can be dewy. And sometimes with snowfall, you will need a waterproof outer jacket to keep yourself dry.
• Sun protection: During sunny days, a wide-brimmed hat, glasses, and sunscreen are needed.
• Footwear: For footwear, you can use regular comfortable trekking boots. Some even trek with a comfortable pair of hiking shoes. But make sure they have a good grip, as the dew or snowfall can make the trails slippery.
• Trekking poles: Trekking poles can come in handy and are a great help for stability on poor and slippery surfaces.
• Water purification tablet: Water is not clean everywhere on the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. So, it is good to carry water purification tablets. You can add a tablet to a liter of water and have safe drinking water.
• First aid kit: Carry a first aid kit with necessary supplies such as band-aids, medicines for headaches, stomach aches, etc.

Tips for trekking to Poon Hill in January and February:

• During January and February, you need to start your trek early as it gets dark sooner than in other months.
• Pack warm clothes and dress in layers.
• Wear a comfortable pair of hiking shoes or boots with good grip.
• Hire a local guide for safety and try to interact with the locals and their culture.
• Walk slowly and take breaks whenever you need.
• Enjoy the quiet and peaceful trails. Pause to take in the scenery.
• Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
• Keep a few extra days in your itinerary to deal with any unplanned situations.
• Carry enough cash because there are no ATMs in the area.
• Take advantage of off-season deals on flights and accommodations.
• Consider spending a day at a homestay to witness the lifestyle of the locals living in the mountains.
• Tip the guide and porter for their hard work.
• Celebrate New Year like never before among the locals and blissful nature.

Conclusion:

Trekking to Poon Hill in the winter months of January and February is simply meditative. As the trails are quiet, you get to enjoy the true beauty of the place. This trek is a visual treat, with clear skies, spectacular snow-capped mountain views, and amazing sunrises. So make sure you have enough storage on your phone or camera to take some of the best pictures. Poon Hill is a wonderful trek, and with proper preparation for the cold, you will definitely enjoy it during January and February. If you have any further questions or queries, please feel free to contact us. It is our pleasure to guide and assist you to the best of our knowledge.