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Trek from Pokhara

Poon Hill Trek

Sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna from Poon Hill, rhododendron forests and Gurung villages, the classic short Himalayan trek from Pokhara.

4 daysModerate3,210 m
FromUS$ 300per person · based on 2 travellers
Book this package
  • No payment online, we confirm first
  • Written quote with everything included
NPOKHARAStart & finishTikhedhungaUlleriNIGHT 1 · SLEEP HEREGhorepaniNIGHT 2 · SLEEP HEREPoon Hill · 3,210 mSUNRISE SUMMIT4 days · 25 km on footDeurali PassTadapaniNIGHT 3 · SLEEP HEREGhandruk
Drive · private vehicleWalk · trailSleep · nights 1–3⟷ Swipe to see the whole routeSatellite image: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data · Terrain: Mapzen, SRTM/GMTED2010 courtesy of USGS · Roads & trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · Pokhara lies beyond the map edge
  • Duration4 days / 3 nights
  • Max altitude3,210 m
  • Start / endPokhara / Pokhara
  • Best seasonMar–May · Oct–Nov
  • Group size1–12 travellers
Overview

Why choose the Poon Hill Trek?

  • Sunrise at Poon HillA dawn viewpoint over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range, with visibility depending on weather.
  • Forest trails & changing sceneryWalk through forest and hillside villages rather than spending every day on the same trail.
  • Time in GhandrukExplore stone lanes and Gurung heritage; ask locally about museum visits and opening times.
  • A pace planned around youDiscuss the daily walking, steep steps and overnight stops with our team before confirming.

The four-day Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara brings together a Himalayan sunrise, forest walking and village stays in one short journey. The route climbs through Ulleri and Ghorepani, visits Poon Hill at 3,210 metres, then continues through Tadapani to Ghandruk before returning to Pokhara by vehicle.

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Sunrise is the moment to plan around. Leave Ghorepani before dawn with your guide and watch the light reach Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range when the weather clears. Return to Ghorepani for breakfast before continuing along the forested ridge. Mountain views depend on cloud and weather, so the journey offers more than a single viewpoint.

Between viewpoints, the experience changes with every stretch: stone staircases above Tikhedhunga, shaded forest on the way to Ghorepani and stone houses in Ghandruk. Make time for village photographs, ask before taking portraits, and check locally if the Gurung museum is open when you visit.

This itinerary includes three teahouse nights: Ulleri, Ghorepani and Tadapani. Evenings are a chance to share a meal, review the next day with your guide and prepare your layers and camera. Private transfers connect Pokhara with the trail, with arrangements confirmed in your written quote.

A short trek still means sustained walking. Expect steep steps and several hours on foot each day. Tell us your walking experience and preferred pace so we can discuss extra nights, porter support or changes to the itinerary before you book.

Itinerary

Day by day

Day 1Pokhara to Ulleri2–3 hrs walk2.5 hrs drive2,020 m

Morning pickup in Pokhara and a scenic drive along the Baglung highway and up the Bhurungdi valley to Tikhedhunga. Cross the river on a suspension bridge and climb the famous stone staircase, around 3,300 steps, to the Magar village of Ulleri, with first views of Annapurna South.

  • StayTeahouse, Ulleri
  • MealsLunch · Dinner
Day 2Ulleri to Ghorepani4–5 hrs walk2,860 m

A steady climb through Banthanti and Nangethanti into moss-draped oak and rhododendron forest. Ghorepani is a lively mountain village with wide views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South. Early night, the sunrise hike starts before dawn.

  • StayTeahouse, Ghorepani
  • MealsBreakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 3Poon Hill sunrise, on to Tadapani6–7 hrs walk3,210 m high point

Climb about an hour by headlamp to Poon Hill (3,210 m) for sunrise over the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. Return for breakfast, then follow the ridge over Deurali Pass (3,090 m) and descend through dense forest to Tadapani, facing Machhapuchhre.

  • StayTeahouse, Tadapani
  • MealsBreakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 4Tadapani to Ghandruk, drive to Pokhara2–3 hrs walk3 hrs drive1,940 m

An easy descent to Ghandruk, one of the most beautiful Gurung villages in Nepal. Time to explore its stone lanes and the Gurung Museum, then meet your vehicle for the drive back to Pokhara, arriving late afternoon.

  • StayYour hotel in Pokhara
  • MealsBreakfast · Lunch
Good to know

Details before you book

What’s included8
  • Private vehicle Pokhara → Tikhedhunga and Ghandruk → Pokhara
  • Licensed, English-speaking local trekking guide (food, lodging, insurance and salary)
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and all paperwork
  • 3 nights in clean teahouses (twin-sharing rooms)
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek, with tea or coffee
  • Complimentary drinking water
  • First-aid kit carried by your guide
  • Government taxes and service charge
Not included7
  • Travel insurance (must cover trekking up to 3,500 m and rescue)
  • Hotel and meals in Pokhara before and after the trek
  • Porter (optional add-on: one porter carries up to 20 kg for 2 trekkers)
  • Hot showers, device charging and Wi-Fi in teahouses (paid locally)
  • Drinks, snacks and personal expenses
  • Tips for guide and porter (appreciated, not compulsory)
  • Extra costs from weather, landslides or leaving the trek early
What to bring18

Clothing

Footwear

Gear

Personal

Before you go6

Best time

March–May for rhododendron blooms; October–November for the clearest mountain views. Possible year-round, but monsoon (June–August) brings rain and leeches.

Difficulty

Moderate. 4–7 hours of walking a day with long stone staircases. No climbing experience needed, a reasonable level of fitness is enough.

Permits

An Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is required; we arrange it for you. Since 2023 foreign trekkers must walk with a licensed guide in this area.

Accommodation

Simple, clean teahouses with twin rooms and shared or attached bathrooms. Blankets are provided; nights at Ghorepani can be near freezing in winter.

Altitude

The highest point is 3,210 m, below the usual level for altitude sickness. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide if you feel unwell.

Phone & internet

Mobile signal in most villages; teahouse Wi-Fi is usually available for a small fee.

Questions travellers ask5
Is Poon Hill suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is one of the best first treks in Nepal. The stone steps are tiring, but the pace is gentle and the altitude is low.

Can children or older travellers join?

Active children (about 8+) and fit older travellers regularly complete it. We can add an extra day to shorten the walking hours, just ask.

Can I add a porter or extra days?

Yes. Add a porter, stay a night in Ghandruk, or extend to Mardi Himal or Annapurna Base Camp. Tell us on WhatsApp and we will send a revised quote.

What happens if the weather is bad at sunrise?

Clouds can hide the peaks. Your guide will suggest the best timing; on a four-day trip there is no spare morning, so you can add a day for a second chance.

How do I book and pay?

Send an enquiry. We confirm availability and send a written quote on WhatsApp, including the advance needed to secure your dates and the payment terms.

Ready for Poon Hill Trek?

Tell us your dates and group size. We reply on WhatsApp with availability and a clear written quote.

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FromUS$ 300
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