Poonhill Tea House Trek (Poon Hill)

Member Name: tlg

Product:	Poon Hill
Date:	15/08/00 (61 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great photo opportunities, and great for walking off a heavy meal or two (thousand..)

Disadvantages: You spend an awful lot of time staring at your feet

The Himalayas are the main reason that most people visit Nepal, and even if you are not a mountain climber, a trekker, a rambler or just a good walker, taking a short hike into the foothills and mountains is a must when you are here. Trekking agencies in Kathmandu and Pokhara are as common as coffee shops in Melbourne, so there is plenty to choose from for all abilities.

Being at the lowest rung of the trekking ability ladder a friend and I opted for the relaxed sounding Tea House Trek from Pokhara to Poonhill. The Tea House Trek includes a certified guide, and all accommodation and meals on the way. You also need to get a trekking permit, for which you need a passport-size photograph, but the agency you book with can sort this out for you.

The trek to Poonhill lasts for four days, climbing just over 2000 metres in altitude. The main attraction of this short trek is to witness sunrise from the top of Poonhill (3170m asl) over the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna Ranges. It is a magical and eerie site, and the closest I will ever get to feeling like I am on top of the world, with some of the world’s highest peaks in one direction, so close and detailed, and the plains of Nepal and India in the other.

Completing the trek was a question of mind over matter, and it wasn’t until the day after we got back to Pokhara did the matter start to mind. Take as little as possible with you – wearing the same smelly, sweat-ridden clothes is fine with all that fresh air around. And be prepared for physical exhaustion, much cursing and leeches. Altitude sickness usually starts to affect people at 3500m asl and so you should be spared from this debilitating condition, but we did see someone suffering badly, so pay attention to your guide and follow all the guidelines – and if the worst comes to the worst, the rescue helicopters start at around $1000 apparently!

It is possible to do these treks on your own without a guid
e (and if you are foolish and careful, without a permit), but we learned a lot more from our guide than just a route through the hills. If you are a bit fitter and don’t need a cigarette to help you get up a mountain, you can extend this trek to 21 days and make your way around the Annapurnas. Having finished the trek you may come to understand the emotions of a marathon winner and the expression on their face as they cross the line. Supplies are a bit more expensive on the trek, but when you consider that they have been hiked up there by a person or donkey you don’t really have any complaints. In fact it is quite comforting to walk into your hotel and see KitKats for sale.

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