Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
- Duration
- 9 days
- Max altitude
- 3,210 m
- Difficulty
-
Easy
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Monsoon (Jun–Aug) · Spring (Mar–May) · Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $660.00
Overview
The gentlest way to see the Annapurnas properly. Gurung villages, stone staircases through rhododendron forest, and a dawn climb to Poon Hill for the light hitting Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South at the same moment.
Every departure is private and led by a government-licensed Nepali guide, so the plan flexes to your party and to the mountain. Permits, park fees and local taxes are inside the price you see.
This is one of the routes we point first-timers toward most often; see our roundup of the best treks in Nepal for first-timers and how we grade routes in Nepal trekking difficulty levels explained.
Trip highlights
- Sunrise from Poon Hill at 3,210 m
- Rhododendron forest, best in March and April
- Magar and Gurung villages at Ulleri and Ghandruk
- Stays below 3,300 m, so it suits fit families and first-timers
Day by day
The itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m) and transfer to your hotel 1,400 m Hotel
One of our team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and drives you to your hotel in a private vehicle. Later in the day we hold the pre-trip meeting, where you meet your guide.
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Day 2: Tourist bus to Pokhara (820 m) 820 m 7-9 hrs Hotel B
Our staff collect you from the hotel at 6:30 am for the tourist bus, which leaves around 7:00 am. Seven to nine hours past rivers and terraced hills to Pokhara, where Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas stand to the north on a clear evening. Overnight in Lakeside.
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Day 3: Drive to Birethanti (1,025 m), trek to Ulleri (2,020 m) 2,020 m 4-5 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
About one and a half to two hours by private vehicle to Birethanti, where the trek starts. Lunch at Hile (1,495 m), a village of shops and teahouses, then a climb up the long stone staircase to Ulleri, a large Magar village. A gentle introduction to walking in the hills.
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Day 4: Trek to Ghorepani (2,840 m) 2,840 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
The climb eases above Ulleri, on a trail through rhododendron forest that is at its best in March and April. Past Banthanti and Nangethanti (2,460 m), then about an hour more to Ghorepani.
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Day 5: Poon Hill (3,210 m) at sunrise, then trek to Tadapani (2,630 m) 3,210 m 6-7 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A pre-dawn climb of about an hour to Poon Hill to watch the sunrise reach Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. Back to Ghorepani for a hot breakfast, then a day of ups and downs along the forested ridge, over Thapla Danda (3,165 m), and down to Tadapani.
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Day 6: Trek to Ghandruk (1,940 m) 1,940 m 3-4 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Down through forest full of birds to Ghandruk, a large Gurung village and home of many Gurkha soldiers, with close mountain views. The afternoon is free to explore the village at your own pace.
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Day 7: Trek to Syauli Bazaar (1,170 m), drive back to Pokhara 820 m 3-4 hrs Hotel B/L
A last sunrise from Ghandruk, then three to four hours down through terraced farmland to Syauli Bazaar, the end of the trek. A private vehicle takes you back to Pokhara in two to three hours, and the afternoon is free by Phewa Lake.
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Day 8: Tourist bus back to Kathmandu (1,400 m) 1,400 m 7-9 hrs Hotel B/D
The morning bus back to Kathmandu, seven to nine hours. In the evening, a farewell dinner with your guide and one of our office team.
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Day 9: Departure 1,400 m B
Our airport representative takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home.
Altitude profile
The climb, day by day
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $790.00 | Comfortfrom $932.20 | Luxuryfrom $1,145.50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ | 5★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village | Premium lodge where the route has one |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load | Extra porter, carry almost nothing |
| Transfers | Shared | Private | Private, throughout |
What's included
Included
- Included: Twin-sharing/double accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu for 2 nights, including breakfast.
- Included: Twin-sharing/double accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Pokhara for 2 nights, including breakfast.
- Included: Twin-sharing guesthouse accommodation during the trek in the Annapurna region for 4 nights.
- Included: All your standard meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) including a tea or coffee with each meal.
- Included: Fresh seasonal fruits each day after dinner during the trek.
- Included: A farewell dinner on the last night in Nepal.
- Included: Purified drinking water during the trek using water filter or water purification tablets.
- Included: All (international and domestic) airport transfers on a tourist vehicle.
- Included: Tourist bus between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Included: Private tourist vehicle from Pokhara to Birethanti and from Syauli Bazaar to Pokhara.
- Included: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Included: Experienced, wilderness first-aid trained, government licensed, English speaking, locally recruited trekking guide (2 guides for group size more than 7 people).
- Included: Porters during the trek for carrying luggage (1 porter for every 2 clients).
- Included: Wages, accommodation, meals, gear, insurance, and medications for all staff.
- Included: 1 duffel/kit bag, trekking map, sun hat, Buff (Neck Gaiter).
- Included: A comprehensive first aid kit, including an Oximeter to check pulse and oxygen levels daily in the mountains.
- Included: Trip completion certificate.
- Included: All administrative expenses and government taxes
Not included
- Not included: Meals (lunch and dinner) in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Not included: International flight fare and airport departure tax.
- Not included: Nepal Entry Visa (Visa can be acquired easily after your arrival at Tribhuvan. International Airport in Kathmandu with a fee of USD 30 for 15 days visa, USD 50 for 30 days visa and USD 125 for 90 days visa).
- Not included: Travel insurance along with high-altitude emergency evacuation coverage.
- Not included: Any beverages including bottled and boiled water.
- Not included: Tips to trekking staff and driver.
- Not included: Personal trekking gear and equipment.
- Not included: Any expenses other than the Price Include section.
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $790.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 travellers | $660.00 | $130.00 |
| 4 to 6 travellers | $620.00 | $170.00 |
| 7 or more | $580.00 | $210.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Monsoon (Jun–Aug)Wet and cloudy on most routes, though Mustang and Dolpo sit in the rain shadow behind the main range and stay walkable.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)Cold and quiet, with the clearest skies of the year at lower altitude. High passes and very high routes are best avoided.
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