Trekking Nepal – Poon Hill at Sunrise – Day 3
Poon Hill at sunrise is worth the difficulty of getting there. It’s amazing.
The day starts at 4:30 am. I meet Kaji in a dark hallway. We leave the guesthouse out the back door and immediately start climbing. Stairs.
Soon, our trail merges with another and a hundred people join us on this dark hike to the top of Poon Hill to see the sunrise.
Feeling like a winner atop Poon Hill in Nepal.
I reflect on the fact that five weeks ago I was sitting atop a sand dune in Namibia watching the sunrise and I conclude that my life is currently magical, insane and wonderful. Life is but a dream.
Except for this moment, which sucks, because it’s not even 5 AM and I am climbing stairs in the cold and dark. These are the kind of moments that are awesome to remember after they’re over.
A group of snail-slow Japanese people walks ahead of us. This is fortunate for me as nobody can notice my personal snail-like slowness. My legs feel like they’re made of lead.
After 336 uphill meters (1102 feet) and an hour, we arrive at the summit of Poon Hill, which in any other country would most assuredly be called a mountain.
A smart entrepreneur sells coffee at the summit for a premium price. And you can bet everyone buys a cup. Now that’s using your thinking cap!
I soak in a sweeping, panoramic view of the Himalayas. Some of the highest mountains in the world glow as the morning sun kisses their icy peaks. It is breathtaking.
And I mean that literally. With the altitude, I am starting to notice my hunger for air.
Today is Holi Day, a Hindu holiday celebrated by throwing colored powders. Several trekkers scream as local children bombard them with fine powders of green, blue and red. I feel fortunate to be missed as cold showers do not appeal in the cold weather.
After serious appreciation for the immensity and beauty of the Himalayas (really, one could stay here for days), we trek back down to Ghorepani for breakfast.
Little did I know this two-hour trek was just the beginning of a very long day.
Photos from Sunrise at Poon Hill, Nepal:
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- From Poon Hill, Nepal
From Poon Hill, Nepal
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- Poon Hill, Nepal
Poon Hill at sunrise, Nepal
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- Sunrise at Poon Hill, Nepal
Sunrise at Poon Hill, Nepal
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- From Poon Hill, Nepal
From Poon Hill at sunrise, Nepal
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- From Poon Hill, Nepal
From Poon Hill, Nepal
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- Atop Poon Hill in Nepal.
From Poon Hill, Nepal
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- Feeling like a winner atop Poon Hill in Nepal.
Poon Hill, Nepal
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- Poon Hill, Nepal
Poon Hill, Nepal
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- Poon Hill, Nepal
Poon Hill, Nepal
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GUIDES TO FREEDOM
Awesome pictures! I planned to do this hike last year, but my trip to Nepal had to be cancelled last minute. I’m hoping to rebook for this winter. Any suggestions are appreciated! Looking forward to reading the rest of your trip report!
Thanks Amy! Too bad about the cancellation but maybe the time just wasn’t right for whatever mysterious reason. When you’re trip becomes a reality, please contact me and I will pass on any tips or contacts I might have. Thanks for reading!
My soul is being reawaken reading your experiences and seeing these pictures. A lot of great ones by the way. I’m always a month or so late catching up, but I really want to freeze in my 0 degree bag, wake up early to climb those stairs and glide back downhill with the view of the mountains and rhododendrons in sight and mind before a hearty bowl of oatmeal and fresh mint tea before trekking onward!!!
You and I are a perfect demonstration of how people can see the same things totally differently. I am glad that I am reawakening your soul and I hope you get out there and do it.