Why Poon Hill Is the Best Trek for People Who Hate Long Treks

When I first thought about trekking to Poonhill, I was looking for something short but still exciting. I didn’t want to spend weeks in the mountains or spend a fortune. I just wanted a real taste of the Himalayas without turning my whole life upside down. And guess what? Poon Hill gave me that and more. It’s the kind of trek where you can brag about seeing the Himalayas without selling your house or using all your vacation days.

Short but Sweet

Poon Hill is about 3,210 meters high, which sounds serious but doesn’t require oxygen tanks or months of training. Most people complete the trek in 4–6 days (Nepal Tourism Board). Compared to the Everest Base Camp Trek, which takes 12–14 days, this feels like the weekend version of a Himalayan adventure. For first-time trekkers like me, it was perfect.

The Views

Let me tell you, waking up at 4 a.m. to hike in the dark with a headlamp didn’t sound fun at first. But when I stood at the top and saw the sun rise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, I forgot how tired I was. It felt like the mountains were glowing just for me. No camera can really capture that moment. I finally understood why thousands of trekkers visit this spot every year. In fact, Ghorepani Poon Hill is one of the most popular short treks in Nepal, with around 70,000 trekkers visiting the Annapurna region annually (NTB).

The Effort

Was it easy? Not exactly. The stone steps felt endless at times. My legs reminded me of every bad decision I had made about skipping the gym. But the best part was knowing the hard part didn’t last too long. Every night I could rest in a warm teahouse, drink hot tea, and laugh with other trekkers about how those stairs almost broke us.

Why It Works for Busy People

If you want to see the Himalayas but don’t have the time, Poon Hill is the answer. You don’t need weeks off work, expensive gear, or months of training. All you need is a few days, some decent shoes, and a sense of humor for when the trail gets tough. For me, it was proof that you don’t need to climb Everest to feel the magic of the mountains.

My Takeaway

Poon Hill showed me that a trek doesn’t have to be long to be meaningful. It gave me the mountain sunrise I always dreamed of, the challenge I secretly wanted, and the joy of saying, “Yes, I trekked in the Himalayas.” If you’ve been putting it off because you think trekking takes too much time. This is the trek for you. It’s short, stunning, and just the right amount of hard.