Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Introduction
Nobel Holidays and Nepal’s most popular short trek: the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. Known for its incredible and breathtaking sunrise views from a top Poon Hill 3,210m/10,532ft, this amazing short trek in Nepal is bound to give you value for money! Ideal for families with children, couples and groups, the Poon Hill trek can be done most of the year, although not recommended during the monsoon season (June-August).
What can you expect?
Arriving in Nepal, Nobel Holidays team will be awaiting you at the airport’s exit. After a short drive to your hotel and meeting the team, we give you some time to get used to your new surroundings. In the evening, Nobel Holidays invites you to a welcome dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant. During dinner, we go over the itinerary and make sure you are ready for the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek!
The next day we pack up and head for Pokhara city via tourist bus. It’ll take about 5 to 6 hours via tourist bus, with incredible views of the Nepalese hillside and the Trishuli River. Nobel Holidays can arrange a flight ticket, taking you from Kathmandu to Pokhara in just 35 minutes.
This is not included in the itinerary and will result in additional cost. However you do save a lot of traveling time, allowing you to enjoy more of Pokhara before the trek to Poon Hill starts Pokhara is just amazing! Known as one of the, if not the most beautiful cities in Nepal.
Pokhara is located just at the banks of Phewa Lake and below the overlooking Fishtail Mountain. Here, activities such as boating, sightseeing, paragliding, rafting, zip lining and even bungee jumping can be done and booked. But before all of that, it’s time to continue the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek.
A short drive from Pokhara takes us straight to Nayapul. Literally translated to Newbridge, this small town is the starting point of the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. It is also where a permit check will be held. No need to worry, as Nobel Holidays includes all permits within this package, allowing you to focus only on your vacation in Nepal!
After a final check of our gear we head out to our first mountain village Tikhedhunga (1,570m/5,151ft). While this day might go easy, the next is probably the hardest of this incredible short trek. On our second day of trekking to Poon Hill (3,210m/10,532ft), we’ll need to climb up to Ghorepani (2,840m/9,318ft).
The trail is a non-stop series of stone steps leading up and up. The reward is absolutely there; as you head up, the entire valley opens up below you with incredible views. In the late afternoon, we’ll reach the village of Ghorepani. We don’t stay up late, as the next morning we head out while it’s still dark in the early hours. Our target: Poon Hill and the sunrise! It’s a short hike from Ghorepani to Poon Hill, and with our head torches ready, it won’t take time before reaching the viewpoint.
As the sun rises, a golden shine of warm light reveals the Annapurna Himalayas to the north. On your left-hand side, you’ll see another of the world’s highest mountains, Mt Dhaulagiri! The views are breathtaking, and the main highlight of the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek.
We make our way back down to Ghorepani for breakfast and head for Tadapani (2,520m/8,268ft). The next day we follow the trail further east to Ghandruk (1,980m/6,496ft), one of the biggest Gurung settlements of the region. Here, the locals have made a museum to show visitors all about their unique culture and traditions.
We conclude the trek the next day by heading straight back to Nayapul, from where we drive back to Pokhara. As mentioned before, there are a lot of activities available in Pokhara, and we at Nobel Holidays are more than happy to organize any of these.
To book any additional activities in Pokhara, you’ll need at least one extra day here. Contact us on WhatsApp to arrange extra activities and extend your Ghorepani Poon Hill trek for even more adventure!
We drive back, or if you opt for a flight, fly back to Kathmandu. Tomorrow we drive you back to the airport for your ongoing departure. Incredible views, a short trek, and one of the most breathtaking Himalayan sunrises are what you can expect from this amazing 9-day Ghorepani Poon Hill trek! Book today with Nobel Holidays for this adventure in Nepal.
Key facts at a glance
Trip highlights
Scenic drive to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu
Visit Pokhara and see Phewa Lake
Enjoy a stunning sunrise view from Poon Hill
A short trek through beautiful rhododendron and pine forests
Incredible views of the Annapurna Massif, Mt Dhaulagiri, and the Fishtail Mountain
Visit Ghandruk mountain village and the Gurung museum
Day-by-day itinerary
01Arrival in Nepal + Trek preparationHotelDinnerKathmandu+
- Upon your arrival our team member will be there to receive you
- Transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu and check in
- Meet and greet with your guide
- Trek preparation and safety briefing
- Evening welcome dinner with a live culture show
- Overnight stay at your hotel
Traveler’s note: Did you know that Thamel is also known as backpacker’s paradise? Here you’ll be able to find all types trekking equipment shops, restaurants and charming boutique shops. At the evening we go over the itinerary and discus your trek to Poon Hill in detail.
02Drive to Pokhara1350BreakfastHotelPokhara+
- Hotel breakfast + check-out
- Drive to Pokhara (7-8 hrs.)
- Hotel check in
- Rest of the day is free at leisure
- Overnight stay at your hotel
Traveler’s note: Did you know that by choosing to fly to Pokhara, you can reach there in just 35 minutes! This will give you more time to enjoy the amazing city and its lakeside! Contact our Nobel Holidays rep to book your flight ticket instead of driving!
03Drive to Nayapul + trek to Tikhedhunga Breakfast/DInnerGuesthouse+
- Breakfast and check out
- Drive to Nayapul
- TIMS check and final gear check at Nayapul
- Follow the trail towards Birethanti
- Slowly ascend further to Tikhedhungga
- Dinner and stay overnight at the guesthouse
Traveler’s note: Did you know that today’s trek is quite short and the best way to get you used to the Himalayan trails. We do recommend to take an early rest as the next day we’ll need to head up to Ghorepani.
04Trek to Ghorepani Breakfast/Dinner+
- Breakfast and check-out
- Start by climbing the stone steps up to Ulleri
- Continue through the Rhododendron forest trail
- Head a bit further towards Ghorepani
- Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse
Traveler’s note: Did you know that although today is the most strenuous, the views while trekking up to Ghorepani are amazing! The trail consists for the most part of stone steps, making it going upwards easier and safer!
05Hike up to Poon Hill + trek to Tadapani Breakfast/DinnerGuesthouse+
- Wake up around 4 am
- Start to hike up to Poon Hill
- See an incredible sunrise view over the Annapurna Himalayas
- Hike back to Ghorepani
- Breakfast and check out
- Descend to the east and follow the trail to Tadapani
- Continue up and down the trails
- Reach Tadapani
- Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse
Poon Hill (3,210m/10,532ft): Worldwide known as a photographer’s paradise, Poon Hill (3,210m/10,532ft) is one of the best places for Himalayan views and is reachable in just two days of trekking. Located just northwest of the hillside village Ghorepani (2,840m/9,318ft), it is accessible via a trail leading up the hill. Views from Poon Hill are legendary and picturesque! You’ll be able to see clear views of the Southern Annapurna Himalayan Range, Mt Dhaulagiri, Mt Hiunchuli, and Mt Machhapuchhare. With two peaks listed in the top ten highest, you can imagine the scenery! While it is more famous for its sunrises, a sunset view can also be viewed from here.
Traveler’s note: Did you know that in order to catch the sunrise, we need to get up and leave early? Breakfast we will take later back at Ghorepani. From Poon Hill, you’ll get to see some of the highest mountains in the world, including Mt Dhaulagiri and Mt Annapurna I.
06Trek to Ghandruk (1,980m/6,496ft)GuesthouseBreakfast/DinnerGuesthouse+
- Breakfast and check out
- Follow the trail south east to Ghandruk
- Guesthouse check in
- Explore around Ghandruk
- Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse
Ghandruk: As the largest Gurung settlement, Ghandruk (1,980m/6,496ft) is filled with life. The locals opened up a local museum exhibiting their unique Gurung culture and traditions. Besides this, the views of the valley are just top-notch from Ghandruk. It is also visited as part of the famous Annapurna Base Camp trek, another trek in the region leading further north to the southern Annapurna Base Camp. Ghandruk is also the last stop during the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek before heading back to Pokhara.
Traveler’s note: Did you know that Ghandruk is the largest Gurung settlement and has its own local Gurung Museum? It’s also the last mountain village where we’ll overnight during the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek.
07Trek back to Nayapul + drive back to PokharaBreakfastHotel+
- Breakfast and check out
- Head south towards Kimche
- Follow the Modi Khola River downstream up until Nayapul
- Drive back to Pokhara city
- Hotel check-in
- Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure
- Overnight stay at the hotel
Pokhara: Pokhara city is just amazing; besides all the activities available here, it is also one of Nepal’s cleanest cities. Home of the World Peace Shanti Stupa, one of two Stupas in Nepal, and is located on the banks of Phewa Lake. Pokhara is one of the best cities in Nepal to visit. From rafting to bungee jumping, there are many things and activities to do here. Or just relax at the lake and enjoy one of the lakeside restaurants; it’s the perfect place to end any type of trek!
Traveler’s note: Did you know that Nobel Holidays can book additional activities for you to enjoy, such as paragliding, boating or rafting? Do note that additional costs will occur and you’ll need to plan at least one extra day in Pokhara making the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek from 9 to 10 days.
08Drive back to KathmanduHotelBreakfast/Lunch+
- Hotel breakfast + check-out
- Drive back to Kathmandu
- Enjoy lunch on the way at one of the river side restaurants
- Arrival back at Kathmandu
- Hotel check-in
- Trek review
- Rest of the day free at leisure
- Overnight stay at the hotel
Traveler’s note: Did you that you can also choose to fly back to Kathmandu, at additional cost. This will shorten your travel time to just 35 min and allow you to spend more time back in Kathmandu!
09DepartureBreakfast+
- Hotel breakfast + check-out
- Our team member will transfer you back to the international airport about 3 hours before your departure
Nobel Holidays wishes you a safe journey and hopes that you enjoyed our 9-day Ghorepani Poon Hill trek
Click a map marker or use Start trek to follow the itinerary route.
Distance & daily stages
| Stage | Elevation | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu to Pokhara | 822m/2,697 ft | Approximately 200 kilometer | 7 to 8 hours ( Tourist bus ) |
| Pokhara to Tikhedhunga | 1,570m/5,151ft | Approximately 51 kilometers | 5 to 7 hours( drive + trek ) |
| Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani | 2,840m/9,318ft | Approximately 13 kilometer | 5 to 7 hours |
| Ghorepani to Tadapani | 2,520m/8,268ft | Approximately 12 kilometers | 5 to 6 hours |
| Tadapani to Ghandruk | 1,980m/6,496ft | Approximately 10 kilometer | 4 to 5 hours |
| Ghandruk to Pokhara | 822m/2,697 ft | Approximately 55 kilometer | 7 to 8 hours( trek + drive ) |
| Pokhara to Kathmandu | 1400 meter | Approximately 200 kilometer | 7 to 8 hours ( Tourist bus ) |
Packing essentials
Clothing
T-shirts, trekking shirts, trekking pants, thermal wear, fleece jacket, warm jacket, rain jacket, woolen hat, gloves, warm socks
Footwear
Trekking shoes, comfortable sandals, extra socks
Trekking Gear
Backpack, sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp, water bottle, power bank
Sun Protection
Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, sun hat
Personal Items
Toiletries, personal medicines, basic first-aid kit, quick-dry towel, snacks
Documents & Money
Passport/ID, travel documents, cash, travel insurance details
