This guide is about Poon Hill trek for first-timers, written from what we see on the trail every season.
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If you have never trekked in Nepal, the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is a very good place to start. It is short, it stays fairly low, and the view at the top is worth every stone step.
This guide walks through what the trek is actually like, so you can decide if it fits you. It is based on our own 9-day Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.
Why Poon Hill suits a first trek
We grade this route Easy. The highest point is Poon Hill at 3,210 m, which is lower than most Himalayan treks. You sleep no higher than Ghorepani at 2,840 m.
You also walk through villages most of the way. Ulleri and Ghandruk are big Magar and Gurung villages, so there is always a teahouse, a cup of tea and a place to rest close by.
If you are comparing options, our roundup of the best treks in Nepal for first-timers shows where this one sits.
How the days go
The whole trip is 9 days from Kathmandu and back, but only four of those nights are on the trail.
Day 1 is arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m). On day 2 you take the tourist bus to Pokhara (820 m), which takes seven to nine hours. Day 3 starts with a drive of about one and a half to two hours to Birethanti (1,025 m). You then walk up to Ulleri (2,020 m) in four to five hours.
Day 4 climbs through rhododendron forest to Ghorepani (2,840 m), about five to six hours. Day 5 is the big one: a pre-dawn climb of about an hour to Poon Hill for sunrise on Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. After breakfast you walk on to Tadapani (2,630 m), six to seven hours in total.
Day 6 is a gentler walk down to Ghandruk (1,940 m) in three to four hours. Day 7 takes you down to Syauli Bazaar (1,170 m) and a drive back to Pokhara. Day 8 is the bus back to Kathmandu with a farewell dinner, and day 9 is departure.
The hardest part is the stairs
Be honest with yourself about this one. The trek is easy on altitude, but the long stone staircases are tiring, especially the climb to Ulleri on the first walking day.
A few weeks of regular walking, stairs or gentle hill days before you fly makes a real difference. You do not need to be an athlete. For more on how we grade routes, see Nepal trekking difficulty explained.
When to go
We run this trek in every season, and the trip page lists autumn, winter, spring and monsoon as options. Each feels different.
The rhododendron forest above Ulleri is at its best in March and April. For a season by season view, read our guide to the best time of year to trek in Nepal. If you are unsure, tell us your dates and we will tell you honestly what to expect.
Teahouse life and who carries your bag
You stay in simple twin-sharing guesthouses along the trail, and meals are included. Our post on teahouse trekking in Nepal explains what a typical evening looks like.
One porter carries the bags for every two travellers, so you only need a day pack. Your guide is government licensed, speaks English and is trained in wilderness first aid. They also carry a first aid kit with an oximeter to check pulse and oxygen levels each day.
What is included
The price covers two nights in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu and two in Pokhara, all meals on the trek, the tourist bus, private vehicles to and from the trailhead, your guide and porters, and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. Permits and local taxes are inside the price. If you want to understand permits more generally, see Nepal trekking permits explained.
Not included are lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara, international flights, your visa, drinks on the trail, tips and personal gear.
What it costs
Every departure is private, and the price per person depends on group size. Our current rates are US$790 for one traveller, US$660 each for two or three, US$620 each for four to six, and US$580 each for seven or more. These are the Standard tier. Comfort and Luxury tiers are available at a higher price.
Before you book
You need travel insurance that covers trekking and emergency evacuation. Our travel insurance guide explains what to look for.
Tell your guide straight away about any headache, nausea or unusual tiredness, even at this modest height. This is general information, not medical advice, so speak to your own doctor if you have any health concerns before travelling.
If you would like a different feel, Mardi Himal is a quieter ridge walk in the same region. And if you have questions about dates, fitness or group size, get in touch and we will help you plan it.
Sources: trip details and prices from our own Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek page. Please ask us to confirm current fees and conditions before you travel.
Poon Hill trek for first-timers: next steps
Use this Poon Hill trek for first-timers to shortlist your dates, then message us. We will check the Poon Hill trek for first-timers details against the season, the permit rules and your group before you commit to anything.
Questions about Poon Hill trek for first-timers that this page did not answer? Ask us and we will add the answer here.
A good Poon Hill trek for first-timers should leave you able to plan, and ours is built for that. Read the Poon Hill trek for first-timers once through, check the key details, then compare it with the trip page.
Our team is a member of TAAN, Nepal’s trekking agents association. If this Poon Hill trek for first-timers raised a question, ask us. A short recap of the Poon Hill trek for first-timers: check the season, check the permits, and plan the days before the price.