Trip Facts
Country:
Nepal
Duration:
4 Days
Max Altitude:
3,210 m
Activities:
Trekking and driving
Region:
Annapurna region
Starting Point:
Pokhara
Ending Point:
Pokhara
Grade:
Easy to moderate
Group Size:
2 to 20 pax
Accomodation:
Teahouses and Guesthouse During the Trek
Best Season:
Mar-May & Sep-Nov
Notice
Poon Hill (3,210 m) gives you one of the best sunrise views in Nepal, with Annapurna and Dhaulagiri close by.
The trek takes only 4 days and stays under 3,500 m. So it is easy and safe for beginners, families, and busy travellers.
A licensed guide is required in the Annapurna region. Spade Himalaya arranges your guide and all your permits.
Overview of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 4-Days
Quick answer: The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a 4-day, easy-to-moderate sunrise trek in the Annapurna region, topping out at Poon Hill (3,210 m). It needs no flight, suits families and beginners, and requires an ACAP permit, a TIMS card, and a licensed guide (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-26).
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a short and easy trek in Nepal’s Annapurna region. It is one of the best-loved short treks in the country. Best of all, it suits almost everyone. Beginners, families, and people with little time can all enjoy it.
The big draw is the sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210 m). At dawn, the sun turns Annapurna and Dhaulagiri gold. It is a view most trekkers never forget. Also, the trek stays low, so altitude sickness is rare here.
The trail is full of variety. First, you walk through green hills and farm terraces. Then you climb into thick forests of oak and rhododendron. In spring, these forests bloom in red, pink, and white. Along the way, you pass Gurung and Magar villages like Ulleri, Ghorepani, and Ghandruk. So you get big mountain views and warm local culture in one short trip.
The trek also starts and ends near Pokhara. Because the drive is short, you spend more time walking and less time on the road. You sleep in cosy, family-run teahouses and eat fresh, hot meals. In short, this is a simple and fun way to see the Himalayas.
Spade Himalaya runs this trek with licensed Nepali guides. So your guide sets a safe pace, watches the weather, and checks your health each day. Want more time in the mountains? You can extend this trek to Annapurna Base Camp or try the quieter Mardi Himal Trek. For a longer classic, see the Annapurna Circuit Trek. But on its own, the Poon Hill trek is still a perfect first taste of Nepal.
Want to plan the details? See our Poon Hill Trek cost breakdown and our guide to Poon Hill difficulty and best time. Deciding between treks? Then read Poon Hill vs Annapurna Base Camp. For the full overview, see our complete Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek guide.
Trips Highlights
- Watch the sunrise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri from Poon Hill (3,210 m).
- Walk through rhododendron forests that bloom red and pink in spring.
- Visit the Gurung and Magar villages of Ghorepani, Ulleri, and Ghandruk.
- See Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Nilgiri up close.
- Stay in warm, family-run teahouses and eat fresh dal bhat.
- Enjoy an easy trek that stays under 3,500 m, so altitude sickness is rare.
- Spot langur monkeys, deer, and colourful birds in the Annapurna Conservation Area.
- Start and finish near Pokhara, so travel time stays short.
- Extend the trip to Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, or Ghandruk if you wish.
Pokhara (822 m) → drive to Birethanti → Tikhedhunga → Ulleri (2,050 m) → Ghorepani (2,874 m) → Poon Hill (3,210 m) → Tadapani (2,610 m) → Ghandruk → Kimche → drive back to Pokhara.
In short, you climb gently from the Modi Khola valley up to Ghorepani. Then you hike to Poon Hill for sunrise. After that, you loop down through Tadapani and Ghandruk and drive back to Pokhara.
Trips Itinerary
You drive from Pokhara to Birethanti, where the walking starts, and follow the Modi Khola valley past fields and small farms to Tikhedhunga. The day finishes on the long stone staircase up to Ulleri, which is the hardest hour of it.
Those steps lift you to 2,050 m. Nobody agrees how many there are, only that there are thousands, so take them slowly and let the porters go past you.
Ulleri is a Magar village of stone houses with Annapurna South standing above it. Turn round before you reach the lodge rather than after, because the view back down the staircase is the reward for climbing it.
- Duration: 5 hrs walk
- Max Altitude: 2,050 m
- Meals: Lunch & DInner Included
- Accommodation: Guest House
You walk into cool oak and rhododendron forest today, past the small tea stops at Banthanti and Nangethanti. It is a steady climb rather than a steep one, and you reach the ridge village of Ghorepani in the afternoon.
Ghorepani sits at 2,874 m, high enough that the evening turns cold early and the lodges light their stoves. The name means horse water, from the days when mule trains stopped here to drink. In spring this forest flowers red and pink, which is why March and April fill the lodges.
- Duration: 6hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 2,874 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DInner Included
- Accommodation: Guest House
You start before dawn and climb to Poon Hill for sunrise, walk back down to Ghorepani for breakfast, then carry on through quiet forest to Tadapani. It is a long day in two halves.
Poon Hill is 3,210 m and the highest point of the trek. The climb takes about an hour in the dark, so bring a head torch, and expect company, because this is the best known sunrise in Nepal.
The sun lights Dhaulagiri first, then Annapurna, then Machhapuchhre, one after another. The whole thing is over in twenty minutes, so take your photographs early and then just watch it.
- Duration: 6 to 7 hrs
- Max Altitude: 3,210 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DInner Included
- Accommodation: Guest House
You walk down through forest to Ghandruk, then on to Kimche where a vehicle takes you back to Pokhara. The afternoon is free beside the lake, and it will be your first hot shower in four days.
Ghandruk sits at 1,940 m facing Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, and it is one of the largest Gurung villages in Nepal, built in tiers of stone houses with slate roofs. There is a small museum, and the village has sent generations of men into the Gurkha regiments, so walk its lanes properly before the drive down.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 1,940 m
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
Trips Include
What is included: Your package covers transport, permits, a licensed guide and porter, all teahouse stays, and all meals on the trek. In short, almost everything on the trail is sorted for you.
- Private transport from Pokhara to the trek start and back.
- All teahouse stays during the trek.
- All meals on the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
- Safe drinking water using a filter or purification tablets.
- A licensed, English-speaking, first-aid trained Spade Himalaya guide.
- A porter to carry your bags (1 porter for every 2 trekkers).
- Pay, food, lodging, gear, and insurance for all staff.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card.
- Spade Himalaya trip-completion certificate.
- All local taxes and office costs.
Trips Exclude
What is not included: A few things sit outside the package. So please budget for these too.
- Hotels and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- International flights and airport taxes.
- Nepal entry visa (US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, US$125 for 90 days).
- Travel and medical insurance with helicopter rescue cover (this is a must).
- Extra nights from early arrival, late departure, or itinerary changes.
- All drinks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging, and snacks.
- Tips for your guide, porter, and driver.
- Personal gear and any personal expenses.
- Anything not listed under Cost Includes.
Trips Altitude
Trips Map
Trips Gallery
Packing List
General
- Daypack (25 to 35 litres) with a rain cover
- Sleeping bag (we lend you one if you need it)
- Reusable water bottle
Upper Body
- Warm hat or beanie
- Buff or neck warmer
- Sunglasses and a sun hat
- T-shirts (2 to 3)
- A warm fleece or light down jacket
- A waterproof, windproof rain jacket
Lower Body
- Comfortable trekking trousers (2 pairs)
- Light trousers for the teahouses
- Trekking shorts (for warm days)
Hands
- Light gloves (handy for cold mornings)
Feet
- Trekking boots that you have worn in
- Warm socks (3 to 4 pairs)
- Sandals or light shoes for the evenings
Undergarments
- Quick-dry underwear
- Sports bras (women)
- Sleeping clothes
First Aid Kits
(Your guide carries a full kit. Still, a small personal kit helps.)
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Blister plasters and basic painkillers
- Any personal medicine you take
- Water purification tablets
Others
- Passport and a few passport photos
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Power bank for your phone
- Toiletries, a quick-dry towel, and toilet paper
- Snacks like nuts or energy bars
- Trekking poles (very useful on the steps)
Optional
- Camera or phone for photos
- A book or cards for the evenings
- Binoculars for birds and peaks
Good to Know
The Poon Hill trek packs a lot into a few days. You get a famous sunrise, big mountains, green forest, and warm villages. Also, it is gentle and short. So it is the perfect first trek in Nepal.
Spring and autumn are the prime seasons. In spring, the forests bloom and the air is mild. In autumn, the skies are the clearest of the year. Winter works too, but bring warm clothes, because nights drop below freezing. The monsoon is wet, so most trekkers avoid it.
You need two permits: the ACAP and the TIMS card. Both are checked at points along the trail. Also, foreigners must use a licensed guide in the Annapurna region. So Spade Himalaya sorts your guide and permits for you. You only need your passport and photos.
You do not need to be an athlete. Still, some training helps a lot. So try walking, jogging, or stair climbing for a few weeks before you come. The big stone staircase to Ulleri is the toughest part. But with a steady pace and short breaks, most people manage it well.
The trail runs on cash, so carry enough Nepalese rupees from Pokhara. Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and phone charging cost a small fee. The fee rises as you go higher. So keep some small notes handy.
Eat plenty, because the walking burns energy. Dal bhat is the best value, and you often get free refills. For water, refill and purify rather than buy bottles. This saves money and cuts plastic waste in the hills.
The trail passes Gurung and Magar villages. These communities are warm and proud of their heritage. Many Gurung families have a long link to the Gurkha soldiers. So take time to chat, visit a village museum, and try local food like sel roti and gundruk.
Trips Reviews
Short Trek with One of the Best Sunrise Views in Nepal
Trips FAQs
Trek Difficulty & Altitude
The Poon Hill trek difficulty is easy to moderate. You walk about 5 to 7 hours a day, with some uphill. The hardest part is the long stone staircase up to Ulleri. But there is no technical climbing. So most fit beginners finish it with no trouble.
It is unlikely. Poon Hill tops out at 3,210 m, which is below the usual altitude-sickness zone. Still, you should drink plenty of water and walk at a steady pace. If you feel unwell, tell your guide right away.
Yes, a shorter 3-day plan is possible. But 4 days is more relaxed and more enjoyable. The extra day gives you time to rest and to enjoy Ghandruk. So we suggest the 4-day version for most trekkers.
Permits, Guide & Insurance
Yes. You need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card. Also, the Annapurna region requires foreigners to trek with a licensed guide. So Spade Himalaya arranges your guide and both permits before you start.
Yes, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Your policy should cover trekking activities, medical emergencies, trip interruptions, and emergency evacuation if necessary.
Best Time to Trek
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best. In these months, the skies are clear and the views are sharp. Spring also brings the rhododendron blooms. Winter is cold but quiet. The monsoon (June to August) is wet and slippery, so most people skip it.
Accommodation & Facilities
You sleep in simple teahouses with twin beds and shared bathrooms. The food is hearty and fresh. Dal bhat (rice, lentils, and vegetables) is the local favourite. You can also get noodles, soup, eggs, and pancakes. Vegetarian meals are easy to find.
There are no reliable ATMs on the trail. So bring enough cash from Pokhara. Some teahouses have Wi-Fi for a small fee. But the signal is slow and weak higher up, so do not rely on it.
Pack trekking boots, warm layers, a rain jacket, sunscreen, and a water bottle. A warm hat and gloves help on cold mornings. You do not need heavy gear, because the trek is low and short. We lend sleeping bags and down jackets if you need them.
Trek Highlights & Views
The trek offers a perfect combination of Himalayan scenery, traditional villages, and cultural experiences. Key highlights include:
- Spectacular sunrise from Poon Hill
- Panoramic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges
- Beautiful rhododendron forests, especially in spring
- Traditional Gurung and Magar villages
- Scenic stone-paved trails and terraced farmlands
- Authentic teahouse trekking experience
The trek starts near Pokhara. First, you reach Pokhara by a short flight or a 6 to 7 hour drive from Kathmandu. Then it is about a 1.5 hour drive to Birethanti or Nayapul, where the walking begins.
Yes, a 3-day itinerary is possible for trekkers with limited time. However, a 4-day itinerary is generally recommended as it allows for a more comfortable pace and additional time to explore beautiful villages such as Ghandruk.
