20 Jul 2020 10 min to read
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary gives you three ways to see the Annapurna Himalayas in just a few days. Whether you have 2, 3 or 4 days, you walk through rhododendron forests, terraced farmland and welcoming Gurung and Magar villages. Each plan ends with a sunrise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri from Poon Hill (3,210 m).
The 2-day plan is the fastest, using a long drive to save walking time. The 3-day plan follows the valley trail, and the 4-day plan adds Tadapani and Ghandruk for extra culture and scenery.
Below, you will find each itinerary day by day, with walking times, altitudes and overnight stops, so you can choose the one that fits your schedule and fitness.
This is the quickest option and works well if you have limited time in Pokhara. A long drive to Banthanti saves a day of walking. Safe Holiday Adventure offers guided 2-day departures that include accommodation, meals, and an experienced guide.
Drive 3 hours, walk 4 hours
Start early and drive through Nayapul, Birethanti, Tikhedhunga and Ulleri to Banthanti. Stop for lunch, then walk about 2 hours through orchid and rhododendron forest to Nangethanti. From there, a steep stone path leads to Ghorepani in about an hour. Stay overnight here.
Walk 4 to 5 hours, drive 2 hours
Hike to Poon Hill in about 50 minutes and watch the sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. Return to Ghorepani for breakfast, then descend through Banthanti to Hille. A jeep takes you back to Pokhara.
This plan adds the full valley walk, so the pace is gentler.
Drive 2 hours, walk 3 hours
After a 2-hour drive, walk 20 minutes beside the Modi Khola to Birethanti. Show your permits here, cross the bridge and follow the river past terraced fields. Have lunch at Ramghai, then walk an hour to Hille for the night.
About 6 hours
This is the hardest day. The climb to Ulleri is steep and has little shade, so start early. After Ulleri, the trail eases, and Banthanti is only 45 minutes away. Eat lunch there, then continue through quiet forest to Ghorepani. Carry enough water, because there are no shops beyond Banthanti.
Climb Poon Hill before dawn with a small daypack, water, snacks and your camera. After breakfast in Ghorepani, descend to Banthanti and drive to Pokhara.
This is the most rewarding version. It adds a night at Tadapani and a walk through Ghandruk, one of Nepal’s largest Gurung villages.
Drive 2 hours, walk 3 hours
Register your ACAP and TIMS permits at Birethanti, then follow the stream through green, crop-filled valleys. Lodges here are wooden, and private rooms are available.
About 6 hours
Climb steeply to Ulleri (2,070 m), then enjoy an easier path through the forests of Nangethanti. Ghorepani is a large village, home mostly to Magar people, and a popular rest stop for trekkers.
Poon Hill offers a 360-degree view of the central Himalayas. After breakfast, descend to Banthanti through fir, orchid and rhododendron forest. Have lunch, then walk one more hour to Tadapani, a ridge village near Annapurna South and Fishtail.
Walk an easy hour through forest, then descend steeply via Bhaisikharka to Ghandruk, about 3 hours from Tadapani. After lunch, go down to Siwi and take a jeep or bus to Pokhara via Nayapul.
You need two permits:
Both are available in Kathmandu (Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap) and in Pokhara. Bring your passport and passport-sized photos. If you book with an agency, they handle the paperwork. Checkpoints along the trail will ask to see both permits.
Fees change, so confirm current prices before you travel.
For the best balance of weather and views, choose October or April.
Teahouses line the whole route. Rooms are usually twin-sharing with beds, blankets and pillows. Higher up, they are basic but clean. Some lodges offer hot showers, charging points and Wi-Fi for an extra fee. In peak season, book ahead.
Food stops are frequent, especially on the first and last days. Menus include dal bhat, momo, pasta, pizza, fried rice, noodles, eggs, tea and coffee. In busy months, order dinner before 5 pm, because kitchens are small. Vegetarian meals are the safer choice, and most lodges do not allow outside food in the dining room.
Footwear
Clothing
Sun Protection
Essentials
Optional extras
Pack light, especially if you are not hiring a porter.
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is moderate, and most healthy people can complete it. However, a little training makes it more enjoyable. Start 4 to 6 weeks before you go:
On the trail, walk slowly and steadily. If you have a medical condition, speak to your doctor before you go.
1. How many days do you need for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek?
You need 2 to 5 days. Two days is the quickest, and 4 days is the most popular.
2. What is the difference between the 2, 3, 4 and 5-day itineraries?
The 2-day trip uses a long drive to Banthanti to save time. The 3-day trip walks from Nayapul to Hille and Ghorepani. The 4-day trip adds Tadapani and Ghandruk. A 5-day plan adds a slower pace or an extra night on the route.
3. Which itinerary is best for beginners?
The 3-day or 4-day plan. The days are shorter, and your body has more time to adjust.
4. Is the 2-day Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek worth it?
Yes, if you are short on time. You still get the Poon Hill sunrise, but you spend more time driving and less time in the villages.
5. How difficult is the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek?
It is easy to moderate. The steep stone steps from Hille to Ulleri are the hardest part.
6. How many hours do you walk each day?
Usually 4 to 6 hours, with plenty of teahouses for breaks.
7. How high is Poon Hill?
Poon Hill is 3,210 m, and Ghorepani sits at about 2,840 m.
8. Is altitude sickness a risk?
It is rare at this height. Still, walk slowly, drink water and tell your guide if you feel unwell.
9. What is the best time for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek?
March to May and September to November. Spring has rhododendron blooms, and autumn has the clearest views.
10. What permits do I need?
You need the ACAP (about NPR 3,000) and a TIMS card. You can get both in Kathmandu or Pokhara, or your agency can arrange them. Confirm current fees before you travel.
11. How much does the trek cost?
A 5-day package costs about $450 per person, depending on services. A guide costs about $25 per day.
12. Do I need a guide or porter?
Neither is mandatory, and the trail is well marked. A guide adds safety and local knowledge, and a porter lightens your load.
13. Where do I stay and eat on the trek?
You stay in teahouses with twin-sharing rooms. Menus include dal bhat, momo, pasta, noodles, eggs, tea and coffee.
14. What time should I leave for the Poon Hill sunrise?
The hike from Ghorepani takes about 50 minutes, so most trekkers leave around 4:30 to 5:00 am. Bring a headlamp.
15. Can I customize my itinerary?
Yes. You can shorten it, extend it, or add Ghandruk and Tadapani. Safe Holiday Adventure can tailor the trek to your dates, fitness and budget.
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek offers big mountain views without a long commitment. Choose the 2-day sprint or the 4-day loop through Ghandruk, and the sunrise from Poon Hill will be worth every step.
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