Poonhill Trek
The Poonhill to Mardi Himal trek is one of the easiest and most popular trekking destinations among domestic and international trekkers. This trek is perfect for those who have two weeks and do not want to climb higher altitudes around 4,500 meters above sea level at maximum. The trek lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) requiring the need for permits to enter the region. The highlights of this trek are Poonhill and Mardi Viewpoint.
ACAP is home to 32 different types of rhododendron. In terms of flower viewing, the best season to visit the Poonhill to Mardi Himal trek is Spring (March, April, and May), when the entire hills are covered with pink, red, and white flowers of rhododendron, magnolia, and orchid. ACAP is also home to many endangered wild animals such as the red panda, musk deer, snow leopard, and Himalayan black bear, among others.
Poonhill itself is a viewpoint from which trekkers can see two of the world’s highest mountains: Annapurna I (8,091m) and Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), as well as the world’s deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki, which lies between these two peaks. In addition, trekkers can observe many other snow-capped mountains from the Poonhill viewpoint, such as Dhampus Peak (6,012m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,061m), Mt. South Annapurna (7,219m), Mt. Fishtail (6,993m), Annapurna II (7,937m), and Lamjung Himal (6,983m), among others.
Mardi Himal viewpoint is no different, offering stunningly beautiful and splendid mountain views of South Annapurna, Fishtail, Himchuli, and the Mardi Himal ranges.