Poon hill trekking offers glimpses of over 60 peaks

• HB Kham

Trekkers of any age, young, middle-aged or old aged can enjoy the Poon hill trekking in Nepal because this hill does not trouble anyone with height sickness.

Poon hill trekking may be very suitable for all those trekkers who would like to test the ordeals of trekking for the first time on a low altitude hill which is just 3210 meters above from sea level.

This hill also has one of the promising peculiar features which distinctly distinguishes it from all other Himalayan mountains in Nepal. That is, its suitability to allow the trekkers and travelers to enjoy the beautiful glimpses of over 60 ice covered Himalayan peaks at one glance from here.

The ice-capped mountains vividly visible from this Poon hill are Annapurna (8091m), Dhaulagiri (8167m), Fishtail or Machhapuchre (6997m) and Manaslu peak (8163m).

Isn’t it gorgeous enough to trek to Poon hill that allows you to see the striking views of over 60 peaks from one place?

The route of Poon hill runs across from north of Pokhara to Annapurna ranges below. The trail is easy and comfortable. However, some travelers might think it is difficult due to the monotonous trip that you have to bear with.

But let’s worry not too much over this, as the beautiful scenes of greeneries around the trail, the murmuring sound of the waterfalls along the route, provisional man-made bridges across the small streams flowing with a musical tune towards the plains indeed tempt you to forget your tiresome trip to make it more romantic and refreshing.

Also, the swaying green ferns, colorful rhododendrons with their fragrance sprinkled in the air make your trekking all the more aromatic, romantic, enjoyable and refreshing.

Beyond this, the very sight of the wilderness of various types of birds flitting about in the trees and mischievous monkeys swinging from the branches of the trees, in one way reinforce a new strength, jest, and zeal to the traveler and trekkers to move forwards through the trails.

Numerous lodges and tea houses are available all over the Poon hill ridges with comfortable rooms and tantalizing menu to quench your thirst and hunger after long trekking.

Without any fail, you must reach Poon hill by the evening, so that you may be able to see the stunning sunrise view the next day, which is what most tourists would not like to miss after reaching the Poon hill.

Seeing the sunrise view is the most exciting and delighting experience one can have from Poon hill and it is suggestive to all concerned that at least once in life this trekking must be enjoyed even if we have no time to go on an expedition elsewhere.

The sunrise seen from Poon hill enables you to see how the sun rays paint the entire Himalayan ranges with its twilight as if a sculptor is seriously at work to produce the masterpiece.

How Poon hill was discovered?

Major Tek Bahadur Pun, born in Khibang village of Myagdi had served in the Indian army for 30 years and retired in 1968/69. After his retirement from the army, he used to observe the beauty of nature.  And then began his visionary perception and struggle to transform the pun hill (previously a grazing ground for sheep)- the habitat of puns- to ‘Poon Hill’ as one of the world’s famous trekking destinations. He started bringing tourists now and then to this hill to show them the captivating views of the Himalayas. This hill is the home of Pun Magars of Myagdi. Later on, due to contributions of Tek Bahadur Pun, the hill was named after Pun or Poon and continues to be known as Poon hill. So, the word Poon is derived from Pun for Tek Bahadur Pun.

How to get there?

Just take a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Then take a short drive to Nayapul and then begin your trekking trails for Poon hill.

Best time to trek

The months from September to November and February to May are the best time to trek.