Destination
Nepal
Accomodation
Hotel, Lodge and Tea house
Walking Distance
42 km ~
Duration
3 Nights 4 Days
Max. Elevation
3210m
Meals Included
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Best Season
March-May August-November
Grade
Easy
Overview
Poonhill trek from pokhara is one of the shorter treks that is quite easy but fulfilling. This evergreen trekking course takes you to some of the most beautiful villages and hills of the Annapurna region. The comfortable and smooth trekking will allow you to get a glimpse of snow-clad mountains and some ethnic cultures of Nepal.
It is one of the most popular trekking places among Annapurna circuit trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Manaslu with Tsum Valley Trek, and so on. This trek can be combined with the Annapurna Base camp trek. During the trek, we will pass across Modi Khola from Kyumi to the beautiful village of Ghandruk. The major attraction of Ghandruk is the distinctive culture of the Gurungs.
They will entertain visitors with their traditional dances and also offer them ethnic dresses and ornaments. Moreover, the local cuisines are also popular food among tourists who love the unique taste and flavour. Additionally, you can experience horse riding in the village and snow during winter on the upper hill.
- You will get a chance to experience an excellent Sunrise and a mesmerizing view of the Himalayas.
- You will get to learn the lifestyle of Large settlements at Ghandruk Gurung village and Ulleri Magar Village.
- Trek through the vast Rhododendron Forest.
- Ghandruk village and the stunning views of Mount Annapurna and Machhapuchhre.
- Ghandruk Museum showcases traditional Gurung equipment, tools, and weapons.
- Wide panoramic view of various snow-covered mountains.
Trekkers Information for Poonhill Ghorepani Trek:
Experience Culture and Witness Magnificence
Annapurna Poon Hill Sunrise Trek is a splendid experience where you’ll enjoy amazing villages inhabited by the Gurungs who are also known as the brave Gurkhas. Their unique culture and hospitality are quite fascinating. The landscape view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna from the Poon Hill viewpoint is quite extraordinary. The highest point of Poon Hill’s viewpoint is 3,210 meters. Also, the sunrise and sunset view from there is simply amazing. This short trek gives you an opportunity to view the magnificent mountains that are above 8,000m — mountains like Dhaulagiri 8,167m and Annapurna 8,091m among others. The variation in geography makes this trekking quite interesting. Moreover, a dense forest of rhododendron, verdant green hills and numerous species of birds make this trek more incredible. Also, the colourful rhododendron flowers and orchids will elevate the experience further. In addition, Ghorepani village mostly has pleasant weather and moderate temperature. Yes, this trek is extendable and can be combined with other equally famed treks of Annapurna Sanctuary like the Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp, Mulde Peak Trek, Mohare Danda Trek, Lower Mustang Trek, Khopra Ridge Trek, etc. There are various options to hike the Annapurna Circuit as we can explore the whole Annapurna Conservation Area. For that, modifications on the trekking routes are vital so, the Poon Hill Trek itinerary may come in handy during these circumstances. Our journey begins in Pokhara with breakfast and a 1.5-hour drive to Nayapool for ACAP check-in. We then drive 2 more hours to Ulleri, bypassing difficult trekking sections. After lunch in Ulleri with mountain views, we start our trek. We pass through Banthanti village and enter a rhododendron forest, enjoying small cascades. After 3-4 hours, we reach Nangethanti for a tea break. Two more hours of trekking bring us to Ghorepani (2,850m), where we check in at another ACAP post. Ghorepani will surprise us with its size and amenities, including numerous lodges, hotels, and shops. We check into a top hotel, many offering balconies with stunning views of the Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna ranges. In the evening, we explore the local market. After dinner, we gather around a wooden heater to plan the next day's adventure, reflecting on our journey so far. Our day begins early at 4:30 AM as we set out for Poonhill viewpoint. The 45-minute climb is steep, ascending from 2,850m to 3,210m via a stairway path. We come prepared with water, trekking poles, and headlights. During peak season, we're joined by many other eager trekkers. At the summit, we're rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise illuminating majestic peaks including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machapuchhre, and Nilgiri. After soaking in the panoramic views, we return to our hotel for a hearty breakfast. Energized, we begin our trek to Tadapani, our overnight destination. The journey takes approximately 6 hours, with a lunch stop at the midway point of Banthanti. This diverse day offers us both the thrill of a pre-dawn climb and spectacular mountain views, followed by a full day's trek through varying landscapes. We end our day in Tadapani, ready for a well-earned rest. We begin our day in Tadapani with a spectacular sunrise and mountain view from our balcony. The village bustles with trekkers heading to various destinations, as Tadapani is a junction for several popular treks including ABC, Khopra, and Muldai. After breakfast, we start our most leisurely trek of the journey. The trail descends through lush forests teeming with diverse flora and fauna. Small teahouses along the way offer opportunities for rest and refreshment. A 3-4 hour descent brings us to Ghandruk village, one of the largest settlements of the Gurung ethnic group. We explore this charming village, visiting the Gurung Museum and small tea gardens. Our trek concludes here, and we transition to a 3-hour drive back to Pokhara. The day offers a perfect blend of gentle trekking, cultural immersion, and a return to urban comforts. We spend the night in Pokhara, reflecting on our memorable journey through the Annapurna region. Pokhara to Ulleri (Drive) Around 40 + km | 3 hours 822 m - 2,050 m Ghorepani to Poonhill 2.9 km | 45 minutes 2,859 m - 3,210 m Tadapani to Ghandruk 6.5 km | 4 hours 2,630 m - 2,012 m Our journey begins in Pokhara with breakfast and a 1.5-hour drive to Nayapool for ACAP check-in. We then drive around 2 more hours to Ulleri, bypassing difficult trekking sections. After lunch in Ulleri with mountain views, we start our trek. We pass through Banthanti village and enter a rhododendron forest, enjoying small cascades along the way. After 3-4 hours, we reach Nangethanti, a tea stop in the middle of the forest. Two more hours of trekking will take us to Ghorepani (2,850m), where we check in at another ACAP post. Ghorepani surprises with its size and amenities, including numerous lodges, hotels, and shops like bookstores, cafes, and souvenir stores. We check into one of the best available hotels, many offering balconies with stunning mountain views. In the evening, we explore the local market. After dinner, we gather around a wooden heater to plan the next day's adventure. Our day begins early at 4:30 AM as we set out for Poonhill viewpoint. The 45-minute climb is steep, ascending from 2,850m to 3,210m via a stairway path. We come prepared with water, trekking poles, and headlights. During peak season, we're joined by many other eager trekkers. At the summit, we're rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise illuminating majestic peaks including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machapuchhre, and Nilgiri. After soaking in the panoramic views, we return to our hotel for breakfast. Post-breakfast, we descend back to Hile via Ulleri, retracing yesterday's route. Most of this trek is downhill. We stop for lunch either at Ulleri or Tikhedhunga. Upon reaching Hile, we board our waiting jeep for a 3-hour drive back to Pokhara. We may arrive in Pokhara after dark, concluding our brief but memorable trek in the Annapurna region. We start our trip in Pokhara with a big breakfast. Then we drive for 1.5 hours to Nayapool (1070 m). Here, we stop at the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) checkpoint to check in and start our walk. We begin walking through pretty villages - Birethanti, Sudame, Hile, and Tikhedhunga. These villages show us how local people live. After walking for 3-4 hours, we stop for lunch in Tikhedhunga to get energy for the more challenging part ahead. After lunch, we cross a bridge and start climbing steep stairs for about 2 hours. This takes us from Tikhedhunga (1540 m) to Ulleri (2100 m). Ulleri is a big village where mostly Magar people live. It's also known for honey hunting. We keep walking for another 3.5 hours to reach Nangethanti, a nice place in the forest to have tea and rest. After walking for 8-9 hours in total, we finally get to Ghorepani (2850 m), where we'll sleep for the night. Ghorepani is a small but pretty village on top of a hill. It has some modern comforts, which might surprise you. During the day, we climbed up 2000 meters in height. As we rest in our lodge for the night, we can think about all the different places we've seen - from low villages to thick forests and steep mountain paths. The day was hard work, but the beautiful views and feeling of reaching Ghorepani will make it worth it. We go to sleep, ready for an early start tomorrow. We will wake up very early at 4:30 AM to climb to Poonhill viewpoint. It takes about 45 minutes to climb up, following steep stairs from 2,850m to 3,210m. It's an arduous climb, but what we see at the top is fantastic. From Poonhill, we can see 15 different mountain peaks, all lit up by the sunrise. It's a beautiful view of some of the most famous mountains in the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. After enjoying the view and taking pictures, we go back to our hotel for a quick breakfast. After breakfast, we start walking to Ghandruk. The first part of the walk goes up, and the rest is mostly downhill. We walk through beautiful forests with rhododendron trees, which have colorful flowers if we're there at the right time of year. We stop for lunch at Lower Banthanti, a pretty place to rest and eat before we keep going. The whole walk to Ghandruk takes about 7-8 hours. It's challenging but has beautiful views all the way. When we get to Ghandruk village, we find our jeep waiting. If we have time, we look around this lovely village, known for its Gurung culture and great views of the Annapurna mountains. At the end of the day, we get in our jeep to drive back to Pokhara. The drive lets us rest our tired legs and think about all the great things we've seen in the last two days. We get back to Pokhara after dark, finishing our short but memorable trip in the Annapurna region. This busy day shows what trekking in Nepal is all about - fantastic mountain views, pretty forests, learning about local culture, and challenging ourselves. As we settle back in Pokhara, we have great memories of our time in the mountains.Can we Combine This Trek With Other Treks?
3 Days PoonHill Trek Itinerary:
Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Ulleri & Trek to Ghorepani:
Day 2: Early Morning Poonhill and Trek to Tadapani
Day 3: Tadapani to Ghandruk & Drive back to Pokhara
3 Days Poon Hill Trek Itinerary with Distance and Duration:
Ulleri to Ghorepani (Trek)
Around 9 km | 5 - 6 hours
2,050 m - 2,850 m
Ghorepani to Tadapani
10 km | 6 hours
2,850 m - 2,630 m
Ghandruk to Pokhara
2 hrs (Jeep)
2,012 m - 822 m
2 Days PoonHill Trek (Easier Option):Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Ulleri & Trek to Ghorepani
Day 2: Early Morning Poonhill & Trek back to Hile, Drive to Pokhara
2 Days PoonHill Trekking (Fast Packing Option): Not For Beginners
Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Nayapool (1070 m) & Trek to Ghorepani (2850 m)
Day 2: Early Morning Poonhill, Trek to Kilyu & Drive back to Pokhara
Alternate Itinerary for PoonHill trek from Pokhara:
Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Nayapool and trek to Ulleri:
After breakfast at the hotel, we start the ride from Pokhara to Nayapul which takes about 1hr 30 mins. During this section, you will see the views of Machhapuchre and Annapurna from afar and the white seti river, along the way. After we reach Nayapul we check in the ACAP permits and start our trekking journey. The route is easy and have to walk along the fresh water river and beautiful villages.
After the trek of 4 hours, you reach Hile, a village with guesthouses and restaurants where we will have a lunch. After resting and having our lunch break we start our trek towards, Ulleri. The second part of our journey from Pokhara to Ulleri is challenging, with a steep ascent that lasts about 2 hours. Ulleri is a beautiful village situated at an altitude of 2050 m | 6726 ft and offers spectacular views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Overnight stay at Ulleri.
Day 2: Ulleri to Ghorepani:
The trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani is a short one. We start our trek after having breakfast, the trail takes you through the forested path. The small waterfalls and rivers, and the chirping of birds give you a sensation of peace and quiet with the presence of Mother Nature.
The starting part of the trek is a steep ascent, the same as the previous day, and we reach Ghorepani after climbing all the way to the hilltop with a path filled with stoned stairs. At the entrance of Ghorepani we check-in our permits again and trek towards the village.
The Ghorepani village acts as a Gateway to Poonhill so it will be a bit cold compared to Ulleri, Overnight stay at Ghorepani.
Day 3: Ghorepani to Poonhill and trek to Tadapani:
We start our day early for the sunrise view from the top of Poonhill, which is also the highlight of the trek. The trek to Poonhill takes about 30 - 40 min, which is a steep ascent all the way to Poonhill. Poonhill acts as a viewpoint that offers mesmerizing views of the first golden rays of the day hitting the snow-capped peaks. After enjoying the sunrise view we trek back to Ghorepani have our breakfast and start our journey towards Tadapani.
The trekking trail begins with a gentle climb where we trek along the lush green forests covered by rhododendrons, oak, and pine trees. This section of the Poonhill tre takes you through many places like Deurali Danda 3090 m, which can also be viewed as a viewpoint. The trek duration is 5 - 6 hours from Ghorepani to Tadapani.
Day 4: Tadapani to Ghandruk and drive to Pokhara:
The trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk is the shortest and easiest day of the Poonhill trek. While most of the trekking during the 4-day Poonhill trek was uphill, today we trek downhill. The flat and downhill trail takes us through the dense forest to the Ghandruk Village, passing Bhaisi Kharka. The trekking distance is roughly 6.5 kilometers | 4 miles, which takes about 3 to 4 hrs with a medium trekking pace.
Ghandruk offers a perfect combination of nature and culture that allows trekkers to experience the region's local Gurung culture and walk around the tea garden. Ghandruk village offers breathtaking views of the Annapurna Himalayas and the Seti River flowing from Hemja. After having our lunch at Ghandruk we drive to Pokhara. The drive back to Pokhara from Ghandruk takes about 2 hours, in a Jeep. We drive back to Pokhara with fond memories of the Poonhill trek.
Ghorepani Poonhill Trek From Pokhara Photo
Poon Hill Trek Itinerary
-
day 1
Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri
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day 2
Trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani
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day 3
Early morning Poonhill and trek to Tadapani
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day 4
Trek from Tadapani to Kilyu Via Ghandruk Village
Ghorepani Poon Hill Sunrise Trek Map
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Ground Transportation: Pokhara to Nayapool by car/jeep. Also, Sharing a jeep from Ghandruk to Pokhara at the end of the trek.
- Tea House accommodation during the trekking. (Private attached rooms are in Ulleri and Ghorepani, and the teahouse accommodation is in Tadapani. )
- All meals, during the trek. You can choose one item dish from the lodge menu which mostly includes options as follows:
- Breakfast: Cereal, Porridge, Rice pudding, Egg dishes, Toast or bread with jam and honey, Pancakes with jam and honey, Tea or Coffee.
- Lunch & Dinner Items: Dal Bhat (mostly recommended), Noodles soup, Fried noodles, Spaghetti, Spring roll, Macroni, Pizza, Veg curry with plain rice, Tibetan Mo:Mo, French fries, fried potato, and much more.
- Professional English-speaking, Eco Trained trekking guide his food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, transportation, etc.
- Equipment: Trekking Poles (Return after the trek).
- All Legal Documents ACAP permit & TIMS Permit, etc.
- Fresh/Dry fruits along the trek.
- Travel Medical kit taken by the guide
- Tourist service charge, VAT, TAX, etc.
- North Nepal Trek achievement certificate after the trek.
For any additional information or questions, please get in touch with us on WhatsApp.
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
- Travel insurance.
- Porter service
- Cold drinks; coke, mineral water, beer, Fanta, etc.
- Personal Expenses (shower, boiled water, telephone, laundry service, etc).
- Any others expenses which are not mentioned in including section.
- Tips & Gratuities
- Anything not included in the What's Included section.
Note:
You decide what is best & we’ll take care of the rest
- The itinerary mentioned is a standard guideline. It can be readily modified according to your needs and requirements.
- The cost of the trek can also be changed according to your group size, needs, and time boundary.
- You can easily add additional activities to the Itinerary. You just have to let us know before confirming the trip.
- This trip can also start in the capital city of Kathmandu. You have to let us know if you want to begin there. In that case, the Itinerary will extend by a few days. Consequently, the cost will also increase.
- The addition or removal of activities will increase or decrease the cost of the trip respectively. This will be done through mutual understanding between the agency and the client(s).
Packing List for Poon Hill Trek:
The Poon Hill trek is one of the short treks in Nepal that offers mesmerizing sunrise scene. Even though it is a short trek, you must prepare for the trekking route's ups and downs, especially if you are a beginner.
To check the detailed packing list click here, and as you will be trekking for sunrise early morning, we suggest you take a headlight if you are trekking with sticks, but you can also use the max level torch light on your phone.
Written by: Mohan Bhandari
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Frequently Asked Question
Poon Hill is one of the most visited trekking destinations in Nepal, offering an easy route and unforgettable sunrise views. This flexible trekking destination can be shortened, extended, and combined with other Annapurna treks.
The Poon Hill Trek is located in the Annapurna region, within the Annapurna Conservation Area.
The standard Poon Hill Trek is 3 nights and 4 days long covering a distance of 45 km in total. You can also extend the trek to fit in more destinations and combine it with other treks.
March-May is considered the best time for this trek. However, you can do this trek throughout the year. Spring and autumn are the preferred season for trekking to Poon Hill but you can also do this trek in summer and winter. However, the scenes might be better during the winter season.
The Poon Hill Trek is one of the easiest trekking experiences in all of Nepal. It’s a short trek and you will have to walk 4 to 5 hours daily on average.
A TIMS card and an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) are required for the Poon Hill Trek.
The standard starting point of the Poon Hill Trek is Birethanti, the ACAP checkpost area. The Alternative starting point is Tikhedhunga which is 48 km away from Pokhara.
The major highlights of the Poon Hill Trek include amazing sunrise views from the top of Poon Hill, getting to experience the daily lives of the Gurung and Magar people of the local villages, walking through rhododendron forests, close view of more than 15 different peaks, and many more.
From Poon Hill, you can see the views of Nilgiri (6,940m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna (8,091m), Tukuche (6,920m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), and more.
The summit of Poon Hill measures 3210 meters of altitude.
Yes, there are plenty of teahouses along the Poon Hill Trek, some would say the number of lodges is more than what’s needed.
The Poon Hill Trek is one of the most visited trekking destinations and it’s one of the most easily accessible as well. As a result, this trekking trail is full of modern amenities and contemporary food is available throughout the trek. You will be able to order dishes like pasta, macaroni, sandwiches, pancakes, etc. throughout the trek while traditional Nepalese dishes such as Dhal Bhat, Veg/Non-Veg curry with rice, Roti with curry, etc. are also available.
You are legally required to have a guide while doing the Poon Hill trek. The government of Nepal has made it mandatory for every international visitor to have a guide while traveling to restricted areas such as the Annapurna Conservation Area.
The Poon Hill Trek costs about $70-90 per head per day. If you are interested in the half-board package, this will cost you $50- 60 per person per day. The half-board package includes all the services of the standard package minus lunch and dinner.
You do not have to pack anything special for this trek, just make sure you have proper trekking attire, a pair of trekking poles, and a daypack.
The weather on Poon Hill is usually in tune with the seasons, meaning that you will see similar weather conditions to that of the cities you stay at before trekking to Poon Hill. However, since it’s a highland trekking destination you can expect winds in the afternoon followed by clouds that might block the views of the landscape.
No, the Poon Hill Trek is one of the safest trekking destinations you can go to in Nepal. The maximum altitude you will reach is just 3210 meters above sea level and the trekking trails are well marked and well maintained.
Since the Poon Hill Trek is easy, an average physique is enough for this trek. We recommend you do physical exercises for 2 weeks to make sure you are ready to hike.
At Ghandruk, you can visit the famous Gurung Museum which houses traditional Gurung tools, and costumes, and showcases the culture of the Gurung people.
Birds like Himalayan monals and pheasants, and animals like Himalayan tahr, Musk deer, and monkeys, might be sighted during the Poon Hill Trek.
Yes, there is cell phone reception throughout the Poon Hill Trek. However, you might face unstable network connections at certain places along the route.
Yes, you can charge your devices throughout the route. The Poon Hill Trek is one of the most well-developed trekking destinations.
You will find bottled water at every stop we make along the way. You can also find tap and natural springs along the way where you can refill your bottle.
You can do the Poon Hill Trek counterclockwise or add this trek with the Khopra Danda Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, or Annapurna Base Camp trek.
You can reach Nayapul, the starting point, in an hour from Pokhara, on a jeep/car. The distance is 42 Km from Pokhara. Alternatively, the trek can also be started from Tikhedunga, a small town 48 km away from Pokhara. It will take around an hour and 45 minutes to get to Tikhedhunga from Pokhara.
Most of the Annapurna region treks can be connected with the Poon Hill Trek including the Annapurna Circuit Trek, Khopra Danda Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Ghandruk Trek, Jomsom Muktinath Trek, and more.
Our trek guide will call the rescue operators in case you need medical attention. If it is something trivial, you can just visit one of the pharmacies in the region.
The summit of Poon Hill measures 3210 m (10530 ft.).
Yes, you can view the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from Poon Hill once you reach the Ghorepani village, 2750 meters.
No, there are no side trips but this trip can be extended by combining it with the other treks of the Annapurna region.
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