Ghorepani's lodges are family businesses, and most of the families are Magar, Nepal's third-largest ethnic group. Many belong to the Pun clan, after whom Poon Hill is named. Ask your guide to introduce you to the owners; older members often remember when the village had only a handful of houses and the first trekkers in the 1970s slept in kitchens. Gurkha service in the British and Indian armies paid for many of today's lodges.
Dinner is usually dal bhat: rice, lentil soup, a vegetable curry, greens and a sharp tomato or radish pickle, with free refills. On this trail it costs about NPR 800–900 at Ghorepani. Lodges also serve fried noodles, momo, pizza made on a gas oven and Gurung bread with honey. Apple and Ghorepani's own buckwheat dishes appear on some menus. Order early on busy nights, as one kitchen often feeds 60 people.
After dinner the dining hall becomes a common room. Trekkers dry socks by the stove, guides play cards, and sometimes a local group sings Magar and Nepali folk songs. Lights go out by about 9 pm, since the Poon Hill alarm rings at 4:30. Respect the family's space: kitchens are private, and you should ask before photographing people. A small tip for the kitchen staff at the end of your stay is appreciated.
Good for
- Families
- Solo
- Groups
- First-timers
Questions travellers ask
Who lives in Ghorepani?
Most permanent residents of Ghorepani are Magar, with many families from the Pun clan, which gave Poon Hill its name. A smaller number of Gurung and Chhetri families also run lodges. Many households have members serving in, or retired from, the British and Indian Gurkha regiments.
What does food cost in Ghorepani?
Expect dal bhat at about NPR 800–900, noodle and rice dishes at NPR 600–800, and tea at NPR 100–200 a cup. Prices rise as you go higher because everything is carried in by porters or mules. Most lodges charge little or nothing for the room if you eat dinner and breakfast there.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Ghorepani?
Very easy. Dal bhat is vegetarian by default and refills are free, and every lodge menu has vegetable noodles, potatoes, pasta and eggs. Meat is available but carried up from lower villages, so we advise vegetarian meals on the trail for freshness. Jain food needs advance notice through your guide.
