Annapurna View Trek Overview
The Annapurna View Trek is one of the amazing journeys that provide a completely fantastic hiking experience in Nepal. As the name suggests, the Annapurna View Trek takes place amidst the Annapurna mountain range in central Nepal with the biggest draw to viewing Mount Annapurna.
Annapurna Range is one of the most majestic and enchanting mountain ranges in the world. And being the 10th highest peak and going almost to the height of 8,091 meters, the beautiful striking mountain scenery makes the experience absolutely out of this world. It is definitely a paradise for hikers.
The Annapurna View Point Trek is often referred to as the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek or the Sunrise Trek. It is so named because as you walk to Poonhill for about 45 minutes from Ghorepani early in the morning, you get the best view of the rising sun over the Annapurna Range.
This circuit trek in the lower Annapurna Region’s major highlights is climbing to Poonhill at 3120 meters, which is one of the best viewpoints in the country to observe sunrise and take in the expansive views of the renowned Annapurna region, which include Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, III, and IV, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhare, Manaslu, Tukuche, Dhampus, and Hiunchuli.
Our Annapurna View Trek is a short 6-day round trek on one of Nepal's gentler tracks making it ideal for families and first-timers who wish to see the Himalayas' recognizable scenery without ascending to extremely high altitudes. This trek gives you the chance to explore the different types of vegetation as the walk passes through the rhododendron woodland, terraced hills, paddy fields, and lush foliage.
In addition to nature and adventure, Annapurna View Trek also offers you a great opportunity to get a glimpse of the local culture, lifestyle, and friendly hospitality of the Gurungs and Magars. You pass through small mountainous villages such as Ghorepani, Ulleri, and Ghandruk that seem to come directly out of picture postcards.
Annapurna View Trek Highlights
- One of the best treks in the popular Annapurna Region
- Opportunity to explore the diverse vegetation, culture, and lifestyle
- Mesmerizing sunrise view from Poon Hill which is one of the best viewpoints in Nepal
- Stunning view of two of the highest mountains in the world, Mt. Annapurna (8091 m) and Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m) with other beautiful peaks
- An alternative to Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- One of the inspiring trekking destinations in the Annapurna Region
- Walk through Gurung and Magar community alongside Rhododendron Forest, deep sub-tropical valleys.
Annapurna View Trek Difficulty
Annapurna View Trek is one of the easiest trekking journeys in the Annapurna Region that requires an average of 4-5 hours of daily trekking with several breaks to take in the breathtaking mountain vistas. The Annapurna View Trek follows the famous Ghorepani Poonhill Trek route and includes downhill and uphill climbs with some steep and narrow ridges. You will also have to walk on the more than 3000 stone steps on the first day of this Annapurna View Trek which could be difficult for some.
Furthermore, the difficulty of Annapurna View Trek also depends on the season you choose to trek and your physical and mental determination. Hence, you need to choose the time that suits you and your physical condition best.
Altitude Sickness is one of the major problems when trekking in the Himalayan region. However, as the Annapurna View Trek route does not lie that high, the chance of getting AMS is very less. But, in case you see the symptoms of it, descending is the most practical solution.
Best Time to do Annapurna View Trek
Alike many other treks in Nepal, Annapurna View Trek is also best done in the spring and autumn months as these seasons have perfect weather and pleasant temperatures throughout daytime and nighttime. However, it can be done anytime throughout the year as it is a short, easy, and low-altitude journey.
Spring is the most ideal time for the Annapurna View Trek as the weather regains its consciousness from the winter and maintains a clear blue sky to make the trekkers view the Himalayas and surroundings clearly. The pleasant temperature throughout the day makes the trek easier for trekkers and the cool evenings and mornings offer freshness. Spring starts in March and lasts till May in this region when this whole region is filled with red rhododendron blooms.
Another perfect time for the Annapurna View Trek is the autumn season. The weather and temperature are similar to that of the spring season. The skies are blue, the trails are dry, and the Himalayan and surrounding views are really beautiful. In addition to trekking, the autumn season is the greatest time to experience Nepal's festive spirit. You will learn more about Nepali culture during this season because the majority of the country's important festivities such as Dashain and Tihar fall during the autumn months (September, October, and November).
The Annapurna View Trek route is relatively busy during spring and autumn providing an opportunity to meet trekkers from other parts of the world. But, it is best to make reservations in advance as you might not get rooms, enough guides, and porters.
Summer Monsoon is an off-season for many high-altitude treks in Nepal. But you can do this Annapurna View Trek in the summer monsoon months too with some preparations. The months of June, July and August are sunny, sometimes it is very hot but the rain will keep the balance of hotness. And after the rain, you can take in the expansive vistas of the mountains and the cleanly washed, widely stretched vegetation. You can get discounts at the teahouses and the trails will be undisturbed by other tourists. However, when trekking in the monsoon, you have to deal with a few problems such as leeches, muddy trails, foggy views, etc.
Winter is harsh in the Himalayan region which is why it is an off-season for trips, especially in the Himalayas. January and February are the coldest winter months in the Annapurna View Trek route but are open, unlike other treks due to low altitude. However, you might have to face heavy snowfall, especially around the Poon Hill area. With extra care and full preparations, you can head off if you are interested. You will get the best view of the mountains in winter. The trails are also crowd-free and the teahouses might offer discounts too.
Permits to do Annapurna View Trek
Trekkers need to obtain only two permits to do the Annapurna View Trek namely:
1. TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System)
2. ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) Permit
The permits are included in this package.