It was definitely a day of mixed emotions waking up for Day 5 of the Poon Hill Trek. This was officially the last day of our trek in Nepal. And as much as on Day 2 (remember the stairs?) I had wondered if we could possibly finish the trek right then and their mid-stair climb. By the third day it had become such an empowering feeling waking up to trek that we didn’t want it to end! Today the journey is from Ghandruk to Pokhara; with the trek for Day 5 from Ghandruk to Kimche and Birethanti.
It’s hard to describe the feeling of getting closer to the end of a physical challenge like this. Despite feeling physically tired exhausted (I blame the stairs) it was a truly uplifting feeling to have completed this far – trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal – on our own two feet!
We didn’t want it to end!
But as they say; all good things must come to an end. And so we woke early with the sunrise again in Ghandruk and headed to the guesthouse restaurant for one last breakfast in the hills.
Today is by far the shortest day of trekking for us with actually only two hours of walking. But more so it wraps up one of the grandest adventures we have ever shared!
So here goes Day 5 of the Poon Hill Trek from Ghandruk to Pokhara…
About Day 5 Poon Hill Trek – Ghandruk to Pokhara
- Starting point: Ghandruk (2012m)
- Finishing point (trek): Kimche (1784m)
- Finishing point: Pokhara (822m)
- Highest point: Ghandruk (2012m)
- Distance: 2.9km
- Time: <2 hours
- Total descent: 228m
We didn’t know it at the time but because we had emailed saying we were hiking Poon Hill with kids that 3 Sisters had arranged the shortest option for us on Day 5. This is actually only one options for Day 5 of the Poon Hill Trek.
The hike today was from Ghandruk to Kimche which is all downhill and took less than two hours. The actual trail from Ghandruk to Kimche is around 2.9km and all downhill for a descent of 228m.
The trail was slippery this morning after a bit of rain overnight and we were on the lookout for leeches(!). But it was a steady downhill on a walking trail and as we descended there were stunning views looking over to Landruk on the other side of the valley.
Options for Day 5 Poon Hill Trek
There are other options for the fifth and final day of the Poon Hill trek if you stayed the fourth night in Ghandruk.
- Ghandruk to Kimche (2 hours)
- Ghandruk to Birethanti (4 hours)
- Ghandruk to Nayapul (5 hours)
From Ghandruk to Nayapul the trek distance is 10.9 kilometres. Or you could trek from Ghandruk to Birethanti (which is where our permits were first checked on Day 1 Poon Hill Trek) for a distance of 8.6km.
The overall journey today for Day 5 was from Ghandruk to Pokhara.
WE DID IT!
Crossing one last bridge on the descent from Ghandruk and seeing the small village of Kimche – including our Jeep transport – was a welcomed and exciting sight for Day 5! It was a real rush of emotions, adrenaline and reflection for the last few hundred metres as we arrived into the village. We had done it! WE had done it!
It felt timely to stop for a tea at one of the small teahouses in Kimche before proudly and happily (albeit and tiredly) clambering into the Jeep for the last 1.5 hours’ drive back via Birethanti to Pokhara.
Arriving back in Pokhara
It was a great feeling to arrive back in Pokhara. We stopped off at 3 Sisters to get our luggage we had left there. And then the driver took us straight to our hotel.
When I say it was a great feeling I mean most of it was great…
The only downside of our hotel was that we were on the third floor and had to walk up three flights of stairs(!) to get to our room!
Seriously though a hot shower felt fantastic. We took our huge loads of washing down to the street and spread it between two laundry services there. And we made the most of a few hours to relax and rest before going out for a wander for dinner in Pokhara.
WE HAD DONE IT!
The Finer Details – Day 5 – Poon Hill Trek – Ghandruk to Pokhara (via Kimche)
The specific trekking and guide costs are the same as for Day 1, 2, 3 and Day 4 of the Poon Hill Trek. And we are very proud to share and recommend 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking Agency. We did the Poon Hill Trek with 1x Guide and 1x Trekking Assistant.
The 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking Agency specialises in training and employing female guides and assistants for treks in and around the Himalayas in Nepal. They have a fantastic programme empowering and educating their female Guides and Assistants and ensuring they are employed under safe and fair working conditions.
- Guide cost: US$ 35 per day
- Assistant cost: US$ 25 per day
Breakfast was our only meal included in the trek costs today as we actually had a late lunch once back to our hotel in Pokhara.
Breakfast: Travellers Inn
- 2x fried eggs @180
- 2x pancakes and honey @350
- Plain Tibetan bread @200
- 2x Nescafe @150
- Total: 1560 NPR
Total Costs – Day 5 Poon Hill Trek – Ghandruk to Pokhara
This is the total costs for Day 5 of the Poon Hill trek (from Ghandruk to Pokhara) for 2 adults and 2 children including the cost of a Guide and Trekking Assistant.
- Total (Food and Other) Poon Hill Trek Day 5: 1560 NPR
Total NPR Day 5: 1560 NPR
+ $60 USD Guide and Trekking Assistant
- Day 5 Total: $71.67 USD
Read more about Poon Hill Trek
- Poon Hill Trek Day 1 – Pokhara to Nayapul – Nayapul to Hille.
- Poon Hill Trek Day 2 – Hille to Ghorepani.
- Poon Hill Trek Day 3 – Ghorepani to Tadapani.
- Poon Hill Trek Day 4 – Tadapani to Ghandruk.
Where we stayed in Kathmandu and Pokhara
We arrived in Kathmandu and we were picked up from the airport by our hotel.
- Kathmandu: Magnificent Hotel
Spacious, clean rooms with great WIFI and very friendly staff. They are very helpful booking tickets and can advise on travel anywhere in Nepal. Great buffet breakfast with fresh fruit and eggs cooked to order. We would recommend staying here. - Pokhara: Hotel Trip
Cheap, central accommodation in Pokhara. Friendly welcome by hotel staff and a great breakfast. - Pokhara: Hotel Orchid
Central to Pokhara lakeside with a simple breakfast. Rooms have a balcony with a nice view over Pokhara.
More about travel planning for Nepal and beyond…
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. (We love the flexible cancellation policy!).
- Hostelworld– The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home).
Read more from travel in South Asia
- Taking an overnight train in Pakistan from Islamabad to Karachi.
- How to apply for a Pakistan e-Visa: And can you use it at the Wagah Border?
- Crossing the Wagah Border from India to Pakistan.
- Pakistan with kids: A complete guide to travel in Pakistan.
- Money in India: Using ATM’s, withdrawing and carrying your money safely.
- How to use a squat toilet: Everything you didn’t want to ask…
- Our complete packing list for travel in India.
