You can fall in love with the Himalayas, they say, but never fall out of it. Once here and having tasted the crisp mountain air, you know you are falling headlong into a love-affair that will draw you back for the rest of your life. 

Since it first opened in 1980, the 128-mile Annapurna Circuit has had that effect on mountain lovers from all over the world. This circuit has been drawing adventurers for more than three decades, with an ever growing number of trekkers taking to its trails every year. 

But of all the enticing destinations in the region, Poon Hill—considered one of the easier and shorter destinations—often tops the list of travellers, Nepalis and foreigners alike. So, when you do go to Poon Hill, you are sure to be doing so in good company.

Yet what’s more, regardless of how many people walk the trail at any given point in time, one still finds solitude here.

Perhaps it’s the sense of belonging the friendly villages exude, or the sense of peace instilled by lush green valleys, or the clarity that gushes from cascading waterfalls—whatever it is; once you find yourself among the high mountains, you know what it is like to find serene solitude even among a maddening crowd. 

Photos & Text: Suraj Ratna Shakya