Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

7 Days  |  Maximum Altitude: 3,210 m  |  Easy to Moderate

Introduction

Poon Hill sits at 3,210 meters in the Annapurna foothills and has long been known for something that very few viewpoints anywhere in the Himalayas can offer: a single panorama that takes in the full Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri at 8,167 meters, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, and the iconic fish-tail summit of Machhapuchhre all at once. Sunrise from the hill is one of the most celebrated mountain experiences in all of Nepal, and for good reason. When the first light comes over the eastern horizon and catches the Annapurna peaks one by one, turning the snow from silver to gold, it is the kind of thing that people travel specifically to see and then find themselves unable to properly describe afterward.

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is the most popular short trek in Nepal and the most accessible route into genuine Himalayan Mountain country. The trail passes through the traditional villages of the Magar and Gurung people who have farmed and herded these hillsides for generations. Ghorepani, Tadapani, and Ghandruk are all established Gurung settlements with slate-roofed stone houses, prayer wheels, and a warm and unhurried way of life that makes the mid-hill villages of the Annapurna region some of the most pleasant places to spend a night on any trek in Nepal. The rhododendron forests between Tikhedhungaand Ghorepani are magnificent in spring when the trees are in full bloom. The national bird of Nepal, the Danphe or Himalayan Monal pheasant, is commonly spotted along these forested sections. This is an ideal trek for families with older children, first-time trekkers, those with limited time, and anyone who wants to experience world-class mountain scenery without committing to a long, high-altitude expedition.

Trip Details

Duration:  7 Days

Maximum Altitude:  3,210 m (Poon Hill)

Difficulty Level:  Easy to Moderate

Best Season:  March to May and September to November

Start Point:  Kathmandu

End Point:  Pokhara to Kathmandu

Trek Style:  Tea House Trek

Average Walking Hours:  3 to 5 hours per day

Trek Region:  Annapurna Conservation Area, Gandaki Province

Major Highlights

• Sunrise from Poon Hill: The 45-minute pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill and watching the sun come up over the Annapurna range is one of the most famous sunrise moments in Himalayan trekking. The view covers Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, and Machhapuchhre and is best experienced in the cold, clear air of an autumn or spring morning.

• Gurung Village Culture and Ghandruk: Ghandruk is one of the most beautifully maintained traditional villages in Nepal. Its stone lanes, traditional architecture, and direct views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre make it the highlight of the lower section of the trek. The Gurung culture and hospitality here are something that many trekkers say they remember long after the mountain views.

• Rhododendron Forest Walking: The forest trail from Tikhedhunga up to Ghorepani passes through one of the finest rhododendron forests in the Annapurna region. In spring the hillsides are covered in blooms of deep red, pink, and white. The forest is also home to an excellent variety of birds including the Himalayan Monal and several species of laughingthrush.

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrival in Kathmandu  (1,400 m)

Our team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. The evening is free. This is a short trek with no altitude concerns, so the first evening is simply about settling in, having a good meal, and resting. Your guide will visit the hotel in the evening to introduce themselves, go over the itinerary, and answer any questions before departure tomorrow morning.

Day 2:  Drive to Nayapul, Trek to Tikhedhunga   (1,540 m)

An early start from Kathmandu for the drive to Pokhara and then on to the trail starting point at Nayapul. The total drive takes around six to seven hours depending on traffic out of Kathmandu. From Nayapul the trail begins along the BhurungdiKhola river through terraced farmland and riverbank forest. It is a gentle, pleasant afternoon walk of around two to three hours with good views of the lower Annapurna foothills. Tikhedhungais a small village where several tea houses sit at the base of the famous stone staircase that tomorrow's climbing will follow.

Day 3:  Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani   (2,850 m)

Today's walk is the most physically demanding of the trek. From Tikhedhunga the trail climbs thousands of stone steps through rhododendron forest to Ulleri, a hilltop village with fine views back down the valley. Above Ulleri the trail continues to climb through increasingly dense and beautiful forest, passing Nangethanti and Banthanti before finally reaching Ghorepani on its ridge. The climb takes around five to six hours and gains significant elevation. In spring the forest along this section is extraordinary, with rhododendron trees in full bloom and birds calling through the canopy. The effort of today is what earns tomorrow's sunrise.

Day 4:  Early Hike to Poon Hill, Trek to Tadapani  (3,210 m / 2,630 m)

You leave Ghorepani before sunrise, around 5 in the morning, for the 45-minute climb to Poon Hill. The path is well-worn and other trekkers heading up with torches in the darkness make you feel part of something. At the top, the view opens in every direction. Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, TukuchePeak, Nilgiri, Baraha Shikhar, and Machhapuchhre all fill the horizon. As the sun rises, each peak catches the light in turn. The sky turns from dark blue to orange to bright gold. It is the most photographed moment on any Nepal short trek and it earns every bit of that reputation. After spending time on the summit, you return to Ghorepani for breakfast and then take the eastern trail through more forest to Tadapani.

Day 5:  Tadapani to Ghandruk, Drive to Pokhara   (2,010 m / 820 m)

The morning walk from Tadapani descends through beautiful mixed forest to the Gurung village of Ghandruk. The village is one of the most visited in the Annapurna region and fully deserves it. Its stone-paved lanes, traditional houses, and direct views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre across the valley make it a very special place to spend a morning. Visit the Gurung museum if it is open and take a walk through the upper part of the village for the best views. After lunch, a jeep carries you down to Nayapul and then on to Pokhara. The lakeside city in the evening is a wonderful final note after four days in the hills.

Day 6:  Flight to Kathmandu  (1,400 m)

A short 25-minute flight from Pokhara back to Kathmandu. You can also take the tourist bus if you prefer the road journey, which takes around seven hours. The afternoon in Kathmandu is free for any last shopping or sightseeing. In the evening, the Friendship Trekking team joins you for a farewell dinner in Thamel.

Day 7:  International Departure   (1,400 m)

Our team transfers you to the airport for your international flight home. The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is short but it is full. The forests, the villages, the faces of the guides and people you met on the trail, and that sunrise from Poon Hill. These are the things that stay. Thank you for choosing Friendship Trekking.

 ITINERARY

                                                        Thank you for visiting Nepal…….!