Short version
Drive further up the road at the start or end to save walking time. Ask us
Annapurna (Ghorepani and Ghandruk)
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Sunrise over the Annapurnas in under a week
- Days5
- High point3,210 m / 10,531 ft
- GradeModerate, 2 of 5
- Best monthsMar, Apr, Oct, Nov
Overview
A short, classic trek from Pokhara through rhododendron forest to Ghorepani, a sunrise climb of Poon Hill for a sweeping view of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas, and back via Ghandruk.
Highlights
- Sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210 m) over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range
- Rhododendron forest between Ghorepani and Tadapani, in bloom in spring
- The stone-paved Gurung village of Ghandruk
- Short and lower than our other treks, a good first taste of the Himalaya
- Starts and ends in Pokhara, with no mountain flights
Guide & safety
- A licensed trekking guide with you every day.
Is this trek for me?
Fitness & difficulty
Moderate, 2 of 5 Easy to moderate
- Good for first-time trekkers and families with older children who walk regularly.
- The climb from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri is on thousands of stone steps, the hardest part of the trek.
- Poon Hill means a pre-dawn start and a steep climb of about 350 m by headtorch.
- The highest point is 3,210 m, low enough that altitude sickness is uncommon, but not impossible.
5 days · scroll to climb
Day by day
The marker follows you down the itinerary. Red figures are height gained since where you slept the night before.
Loading map…
Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, trek to Ulleri
Day 2: Trek to Ghorepani
Day 3: Sunrise on Poon Hill, trek to Tadapani
Sleep at Tadapani.
Day 4: Trek to Ghandruk
Day 5: Trek down and drive to Pokhara
Dates & price
Plan your dates
Pick the day you want to start walking. We'll lay out your whole trip and check the season.
- Arrive in Kathmandu by–
- Trek–
- Fly home from–
- Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, trek to Ulleri2,010 m
- Trek to Ghorepani2,860 m
- Sunrise on Poon Hill, trek to Tadapani2,680 m
- Trek to Ghandruk1,940 m
- Trek down and drive to Pokhara
Private trek
Your own guide and your own pace, starting on a date you choose in season.
Small group departures
Ask us for current details.
What's included
In the price
Included
- Licensed trekking guide
- Teahouse accommodation on the trek
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and porters
You pay on the trail
- Hot shower
- On request
- Wi-Fi
- On request
- Phone or battery charging
- On request
- Dal bhat (set meal)
- On request
Prices rise the higher you go. Bring cash in Nepali rupees.
No hidden costs, no surprise group merging, a named guide, and a descend-first safety plan. Read our promises → Ask us
Make it yours
Ask about these →Extend or change it
Other ways to walk it
Relaxed version
Add a night in Ghandruk to explore the village and its museum before heading down. On request
Add-ons
Continue to Annapurna Base Camp
From Tadapani, carry on to Chhomrong and up into the Annapurna Sanctuary. Adds about four to five days.
Extra nights in Pokhara
Rest by Phewa Lake, take a boat out, or try paragliding over the valley.
Practicalities
Good to know
Where you'll stay
Teahouses are family-run lodges: simple twin rooms with foam mattresses and blankets, and a shared dining room warmed by a stove in the evening. Toilets are often shared, and hot showers and charging cost extra the higher you go.
Teahouse lodges, twin-share rooms
What you'll eat
Most teahouses serve a similar menu: dal bhat (rice, lentil soup and vegetable curry, usually with free refills), noodles, momos, eggs, porridge, pancakes and plenty of tea. Higher up the menu shrinks and prices rise, because everything is carried in.
Permits
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- On request
Poon Hill guides
Questions
FAQ
Is the Poon Hill trek suitable for beginners?
Yes. It's the easiest and lowest of our treks, and a good first Himalayan trek if you walk regularly. Expect long stone staircases, especially up to Ulleri.
How early is the Poon Hill sunrise climb?
You leave Ghorepani in the dark to reach the top before sunrise. Ask us
Can I see Everest from Poon Hill?
No. Poon Hill looks over Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna range and Machapuchare. Everest is far to the east.
When is the best time to go?
March and April for rhododendrons in bloom, and October and November for the clearest mountain views.
Ready?
Plan your Poon Hill
Tell us your dates. We'll send a day-by-day plan and full quote within 24 hours.
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