Can I store my luggage/Suitcase in Kathmandu?
If you are undertaking trekking in Nepal, you can lighten your load by leaving extra luggage in Kathmandu. HappyLand Treks or the hotels will provide you with a safe storage facility for your suitcase or backpack. This will let you carry only the things you need most during the trek, therefore making the trek far easier and more comfortable. They will store your bags for you, while you go on and enjoy these incredibly beautiful Himalayan landscapes-from the urban to the rural-without a hitch.
Can I extend my holiday like a day trip in Kathmandu or other Activities?
Yes, you can extend your holiday and add more activities. If you’re in Kathmandu after finishing your Christmas Trek in Nepal, or if you have some time before starting the Trek, here are a few short trips we highly recommend for a memorable extended adventure:
- Kathmandu Sightseeing City Tour
Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, lively markets and sacred temples in this historic city.
- Day Hike Nagarjun Hill in Kathmandu
A quick morning getaway to experience a panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley and beyond.
- Trishuli River Rafting Day Tour
Thrill of white-water rafting on scenic Trishuli River.
- Chisapani Nagarkot Hiking (2 nights, 3 days)
For hiking enthusiasts, this short Trek offers some stunning sunrise and sunset views over the Himalayas.
- Kathmandu Jeep Safari
- A nice, scenic ride, very apt for exploring the surroundings of Kathmandu.
- Kathmandu Mountain Bike Tour
This is the best way to explore Kathmandu’s exotic locales and its beautiful trails.
- Shivapuri National Park Hike:
A pleasant day hike for nature lovers with scenic views near Kathmandu
- Chitwan Jungle Safari (2 Nights, 3 Days):
Get into the jungles of Nepal in a quest to sight elephants, rhinoceroses and many more.
Unique culture to experience outside the Nepalese border.
Free airport pickup and drop from the company
All our free airport pickups and drops ensure smooth and hassle-free guest arrivals. Our representative, awaiting your arrival, will easily be identifiable when you're through customs and immigration at the exit, holding a placard with your name. Our representative will help collect your luggage and attend to your immediate queries to comfortably take you to your accommodation. We will also take care of airport transfer once the tour is over, so you will have no problems.
Differences between solo trek, private trek, and group trek
Solo Trek
Have the freedom to do your own thing on a personal journey. Hike at your own pace with one guide, one porter-just you. Want to get up a little earlier or take more breaks? You decide. Take extra days for sightseeing, staying at viewpoints, or just walking at your natural pace- no pressure from anybody else's schedule. Ideal for solo travelers wanting their private adventure.
Private Trek
This will be a trek only for your group and is highly flexible. You will be trekking with your group of friends, colleagues, etc. You can adjust the itinerary to fit your schedule, routes, and special detours according to your group's interests. There are no fixed departure dates; hence, there are no group size limitations. This tour will go with the general view of your group's preference and at your group's pace. Ideal for those wanting to combine companionship with control over their trekking experience.
Group Trek
Book any date-set adventure with a pre-structured itinerary and a mixed group of trekkers worldwide. Hike with 2 to 10 fellow travelers worldwide, make new friends, and share stories of your unique backgrounds and experiences. Highly social approaches give you security and excitement with like-minded adventurers from different cultural backgrounds.
Family Trek
Specially tailored to suit the needs of the relevant family unit involved while focusing even more on safety and comfort. Suitable for those groups that have a mix of fitness levels or might be traveling with children. Your guide lends extra support to any members of the family who need it because of special needs or health. You are welcome to take as much time on this trek as you would like. All the schedules can be flexible to meet a whole family's varying interests and energy over a day.
Is Christmas Trek Nepal safe for solo or female travelers?
Poonhill Christmas Trek is quite safe for solo traveling females. It is better to organize the trek with local guides and through a local agency. That said, Poonhill is a pretty well-traveled route of reasonable length and with an amazing view; hence, huge amounts of trekkers go there yearly. With rich experience in trekking with solo and female clients, we understand that safety and familiarity are the most important things. Happland Treks is a local travel agency that allocates local guides for solo female travelers, keeping their safety in mind and making them confident in enjoying the trek at Annapurna, Everest, and beyond.
Drinking water on the Christmas Trek to Poonhill
You will easily get boiled or filtered water in teahouses and guesthouses. Bringing along some water purification tablets or a Steripen to ensure your drinking water is safe is always a good idea. However, tap water should be purified with tablets, or it's best to use a Steripen, a handheld UV light. It is best to buy Steripen from your home country. Generally speaking, purification tablets are widely available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. SteriPen is very easy to use: you turn it on, insert it into the water bottle, and let its magic take just a few seconds to render drinking water safe.
What to expect on the Christmas Trek Nepal?
Poon Hill Christmas Trek-a festive style of trekking right through the heart of Nepal amidst a warm holiday atmosphere with snow and brilliant scenery. The trail starts to wind through vibrant rhododendron forests, terraced landscapes, and charming Gurung villages. It comprises the Poon Hill viewpoint, which is ablaze with an unforgettable sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The comfortable tea houses dotting along the trail add to the festive atmosphere with seasonal touches. This trek caters to all ages and is graded as Moderate and Family-friendly since trails are well-maintained and scenic.
Typical day on The Christmas Trek Nepal to Poonhill
The whole journey starts after a 1.5-hour scenic drive by private vehicle from Pokhara to Nayapul or 40 minutes to Phedi. The very next day, the actual trekking starts from Nayapul. Every morning, breakfast is at about 7:00 am. Every day in the morning, the trekkers leave the teahouse at 7:45 am to continue with the trek. Every day, you will walk from 5 to 7 hours and take lunch en route at a local teahouse. Any time stop for rest and/or food and drink as your interest dictates. The trails wind through dynamic forests, villages, and terraced hillsides. Dinner will be served at around 7 pm, where you get enough time to rest and enjoy the festive and cozy atmosphere of teahouses.
Accommodation during the Christmas Trek Nepal 9 Days
Accommodations during the Poon Hill Trek are very basic, planned in dormitory style, often with options to twin or triple share. Each room can accommodate four beds, making it a friendly and social atmosphere for travelers. The facilities will be basic, with shared bathroom and shower facilities, mostly outside the houses. Accommodations in Kathmandu are not included; hence, you need to make a hotel reservation on your own. Accommodation costs vary according to the season and the place. For this, we have kept a team ready that can possibly help you with booking accommodations or any other traveling details during your stay in Nepal.
Training requirement for Christmas Trek Nepal 9 Days (Poon Hill Trek)
Poon Hill Christmas Trek is easy and family-friendly; hence, no training is required. However, little exercise shall be good for gaining stamina for everyday treks. You require trekking for 4 to 6 hours a day, so light to moderate hiking one or 2 weeks before the trip starts would make your journey comfortable. The trek is very manageable for people who have gone trekking in the past. However, beginners can do this trek without much preparation since this trek is designed to be leisurely and at a manageable pace that most trekkers can attain.
Mountain sickness and prevention on the trek
Altitude Sickness-better is known as Acute Mountain Sickness-is one condition most trekkers experience when one gains altitude too rapidly. With an increased altitude, oxygen levels decrease; thus, the body needs time to acclimatize. Symptoms of AMS may range from mild headaches, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath to severe symptoms, giving altitude-related illnesses affecting a trek. On Christmas Trek Nepal 9 Days to Poon Hill, the trekkers climb as high as 3,210 meters, where trekkers may be prone to AMS.
Prevention Tips for AMS
- Gradual ascent is always better for avoiding AMS during the Poon Hill Trek, as this will give your body sufficient time to get acclimatized.
- Keeping your body hydrated is very important; plenty of water helps reduce symptoms.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine because they result in heightened dehydration.
- It is a good idea to consider adding an extra rest day during your trek for acclimatization when symptoms begin.
- It is a good idea to bring Diamox acetazolamide as this helps prevent AMS, but consult your doctor before using it.
What is the best season for a Christmas Trek Nepal 9 Days trip?
The name itself suggests that it is ideal to take up the trek at Christmas. The trek to Ponhill can be done during any season; however, the peak seasons are the months of March-May and September-October. It can get busier on the trails but the condition is more favorable. At the same time, off-season trekking has fewer people. In mountainous regions, the weather conditions tend to change at any time, adding to one's challenge of the adventure.
Spring (March-May)
Spring is considered one of the finest seasons to do this trek as the temperature remains mild, and fabulous rhododendrons bloom in this season. The weather is pretty inviting, and clear skies add beauty to it-for these reasons, many trekkers prefer this season.
Autumn (September-October)
The autumn season, just after the monsoon, acquires a newly washed look and is filled with brisk air; this will be the peak season and hence this dynamic trail will be thronged with trekkers to find ideal conditions for trekking with vibrant landscapes.
Off-Season (Monsoon and Winter)
The monsoon sets in during June and lasts for three months with heavy rainfall. One can go for trekking, but it will be a bit demanding. Winter begins in November and goes up to February, though not very crowded, it is cold and possible snowfall requires one to be well-prepared.
Equipment and trekking kit necessary for Christmas Trek Nepal 9 Days
Basic Equipment for Christmas Trek in Nepal to Poon Hill and Khopra Danda:
- A daypack of 50-70 liters capacity, a sleeping bag that can bear low temperature levels, and trekking poles for support. Wear multiple layers:
- A base layer for wicking
- A warm insulating jacket
- A water-proof shell with rain and wind protection
- Strong hiking boots with good traction, warm hats, gloves, and a buff to keep extra warm.
- a first-aid kit, toiletries, sunscreen, and insect repellent comfort.
- A means of water purification and some sort of navigation tool like a map or compass will be hugely important.
Go through our blog for more specific information.
Food during the Christmas Trek Nepal 9 Days
During Christmas Trek in Nepal, a variety of food is available in different teahouses, each having its menu. Food is generally very simple but very delicious and consists of most of the local and international cuisines. The traditional Nepali Dal Bhat is something special: a whole plate full of rice, lentil soup, and pickles, accompanied by different curried vegetables. The food is tasty and hygienic, though flavors are sometimes a little different from what you could get used to in cities. Be ready to taste delicious food representing regional flavors, preparing you with energy for your trekking days.
Toilet and shower in the mountain lodge
Most of the lodges in these mountains have both Western and squat toilets, though more in supply is the Western one. The hot showers come with either bucket water or the facility of gas geysers, and that too does not come free; yes, the facility will charge you an extra ranging from 3 to 5 dollars for that service. To maintain personal hygiene and comfort, it's best to bring your own toiletries like shampoo, soap, and toilet paper. The facilities are very basic, but fulfils the basic amenity needs for your trek into these beautiful mountains of Nepal.
Mobile, camera battery charge and WIFI on the trek
Teahouses will not have multi plugs or sockets around your room where you could plug your gadget in for charging. You can only charge your devices in the teahouse hall. The charges are usually about $3 to $5 per full charge. For your comfort, take a power bank or extra batteries with you so that you might have enough power supply throughout the journey.
Wifi is usually available in each teahouse. Yet this network can just be bad in mountain areas. Normally, you have to pay an extra $3-5 for wifi, but sometimes the connectivity isn't good. The local SIM card is a good alternative; it provides much better internet quality. With this option, it's easier to be in touch with your family or friends back home in case of emergencies.
What is the highest altitude of the trek?
Poonhill trek goes to an altitude of 3,210 meters or 10,531 feet above sea level. Indeed, this viewpoint has the best sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. It is quite accessible and has been among the favorites of both beginners and experienced trekkers.
Money exchange in Kathmandu
Money changing is relatively easy in Kathmandu; several options exist. One can change money at a hotel, a bank, or even the Thamel tourist area, which boasts hundreds of different money exchange opportunities. In addition, there are over 1,000 ATMs in Thamel from which withdrawals can be made easily. Hotels arrange money exchange if required, and tour operators can also do so. Remember, after you have started your hike and have crossed Pokhara, money exchange will be very hard, so it's better to be prepared in advance.
Christmas Trek Nepal Difficulty Level
Poon Hill Christmas Trek in Nepal can be taken as an average route and is accessible for beginners in good basic fitness. This nine-day trek generally passes through manageable day distances that may last up to four to five hours per day and may contain rest days. The highest point is at Poon Hill, 3,210 meters or 10,532 feet, and it can easily be reached without extreme altitude acclimatization. The path contains everything from stone stairs, some on forest trails, some going gradually uphill.
Weather in the Christmas Trek Nepal 9 Days
The weather in Christmas Trek Nepal, further famous as Poon Hill Trek, varies according to season. When the weather conditions change suddenly, the situation often goes out of hand. The best seasons for this trek are autumn when views are clear and temperatures moderate; winter is good, though cold for trekking, while the monsoon season with heavy rains goes from June until August.
January:
January is cold in the Poon Hill Trek, and early morning ascents might face temperatures that range from -5°C to 10°C (23°F to 50°F). The days are sunny and crispy, while the nights are chilling. Nights seem chillier than the rest, and at high altitudes, it will feel cold. There might be snowfall at high places like Poonhill.
February:
February is quite similar in terms of temperature, ranging from -3°C to 12°C, 26°F to 54°F, while the skies usually remain clear, offering great views. However, quite a lot of morning frosts are common, and the trails are relatively quiet, with sporadic snow at higher elevations adding much beauty to the scenery.
March:
Spring begins in March when the temperature ranges from 2° to 18°, approximately 36° to 64° F. The weather starts to warm up, and rhododendrons begin to bloom in trails. These days are mild, and the skies are usually clear; this month is favorable among trekkers.
April:
April is considered one of the best months for trekking because of very pleasing temperatures, full bloom in the forests, and pretty good visibility. This normally is a stable period. Rarely does one see clouds obscuring the magnificent mountain vistas.
May:
May is warm but pleasant, with temperatures between 8° to 22°. At the end of this month, the humidity builds up and heralds the ensuing monsoon. Sometimes during this month, even the so-called fair weather gets affected by the haze and clouds that interfere with visibility.
June:
June just marks the beginning of the monsoon; it rains every day. The temperature lies between 10°C to 20°C or 50°F to 68°F. Hence, the trails are muddy and super humid. The visibility will be poor, and because of this factor, trekking is rather problematic, though less scenic. Leeches start showing their faces in the lower parts that are forested.
July:
July receives heavy rainfall. Hence, at peak monsoon, the temperature ranges between 12-20°C. This very factor helps to make the trails muddy and slippery. Not only that, but some areas also face a threat of landslides. One can hardly get clear views, and cloud cover is more frequent. This month is said to be the worst for trekking.
August:
August also continues the monsoon period, though these rains start to reduce towards the latter part of this month. The temperatures are nevertheless within these ranges of 12°C to 20°C - 54°F to 68°F. The trails are wet and difficult, and visibility is restricted, with leeches in the forested parts.
September:
In September, the monsoons have just finished; temperatures vary between 10° C to 18° C, and the trails dry up while the sky starts to clear, giving excellent mountains. Most of the landscape gets filled with greenery, and it is a popular time for trekking as the weather stabilizes.
October:
October is one of the best months for the Poon Hill Trek, with temperature 8°C to 15°C temperature ranging, around peak season. This time of year has clear skies, mild weather conditions, and great views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
November:
Considered one of the best months for trekking, the temperature ranges in November from 4°C to 12°C. The skies will be clear, though the temperature remains cool and bearable. This will allow views of spectacular sceneries, though the last days of November are fairly chilly since winter has already begun.
December:
It's pretty cold in December; there is a range from 0°C to 10°C or 32°F to 50°F in the areas of high-range altitude. Usually, the skies are clear, with snow falling out on the higher ranges. The given views are simply breathtaking. Normally, good trekking can be done now, but warm clothes are required for chilly nights and mornings.
How are the Trails of Christmas Trek to Poon Hill?
The trails to Christmas Trek to Poon Hill are pretty diversified and interesting. You also encounter many wooden bridges connecting the different sections, adding adventure. The terrain includes steep inclines and declines; however, you are expected to walk uphill most of the way up to Poon Hill and then down in an easy manner on your way back. The route is surrounded by emerald hills and valleys, making it a perfect picture. From Ghandruk onward to Nayapul, the trail has gravel and paved roads, so you will surely get more variation in hiking. On the last day, you will hike three hours on the road to Nayapul, but local transportation can be used starting from Ghandruk. On the way, you get to meet many friendly locals, which enriches the cultural experience.
Travel and trekking insurance in the high-altitude
Full insurance relating to travel, trekking, and covering all contingencies is important. There is some inherent risk in high-altitude trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal, meaning insurance coverage should not be neglected. Your insurance policy should cover emergency helicopter evacuations; this could be very expensive if you suffer from severe altitude sickness or injury. The policy should include medical expenses coverage. Moreover, also ensure that your insurance policy covers you against loss or damaged luggage, cancellation of trips, and delays.
Nepal visa information
For visas, the passport of the traveling person to Nepal should not be shorter than six months. The passport should also contain sufficient blank pages for visa stamps. It is also advisable that the traveler brings a passport-sized photograph and pays the exact amount in US dollars for the visa fee upon arrival. This visa is available at most countries' citizens' arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport or the border entry points by international roads leading to and from neighboring countries. In some nationalities, prior approval is required. Please note that visa policy is subject to change; it is better to check official sources if you want to stay longer; visa extensions are available in the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu.
Tipping - Tips to the guide and porter
You should give a tip to the guide and porter at the end of your trek. Tipping doesn't have a certain rate; hence, it depends on you. Tipping is one way to show you appreciate how the guide and porter work hard and become dedicated to making each trek memorable.
Trekking Feedback
Happyland Trek Company will organize a Kathmandu dinner after your trek. This is, of course, an excellent opportunity to get familiar with and share your experiences with fellow trekkers as well as our team members. We highly value your feedback during this formal dinner because it's very important for us to continue improving our services. We invite you to share your experiences on our website and popular forums like TripAdvisor and Google Reviews. Your feedback allows us to know where we can improve and helps other explorers make choices regarding their expeditions.