Ghorepani Poon Hill
Annapurna, Western Nepal
Four days to the best-known sunrise in Nepal, over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri at once. Gurung and Magar villages, rhododendron forest, and no altitude to speak of.
Ghorepani Poon Hill is often the first Annapurna trek someone walks, and it is a lovely place to begin. From the top at sunrise the light arrives on Annapurna and Dhaulagiri in the same moment, and there are very few places you can stand and watch that happen.
Four days, nothing higher than 3,210 metres, teahouses all the way. The walking is stone staircases through rhododendron forest rather than anything technical, and the villages you pass through, Ulleri and Ghandruk, are as much the reason to come as the viewpoint is.
- Duration
- 4days
- Max altitude
- 3,210m
- Difficulty
Easy
- Best seasons
Spring: March to May
Autumn: September to December
From · 3–5 people
€280
Day by day
The route
Day 01
Pokhara → Tikhedhunga → Ulleri
A scenic drive from Pokhara to the Tikhedhunga and Nayapul area, then straight onto the trail. Traditional villages, terraced farmland and long stone staircases give a first real taste of trekking in the Annapurna foothills. Overnight in Ulleri, a Magar village.
- Altitude
- 2,050m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs· 5 km
- Driving
- 3–4 hrs
Village trails and stone staircases
Day 02
Ulleri → Ghorepani
A steady climb through dense rhododendron and oak forest. The air cools and quietens with the altitude, and on a clear day Annapurna South and Hiunchuli appear through the trees. Ghorepani is a lively mountain village and the last stop before Poon Hill.
- Altitude
- 2,874m
- On foot
- 5–6 hrs· 9 km
Steady forest ascent
Day 03
Ghorepani → Poon Hill → Ghandruk
An early hike to Poon Hill at 3,210 m for sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. One of the few viewpoints in Nepal where the first light hits both at once. Then a long, pleasant descent through forest and small settlements to Ghandruk.
- Altitude
- 1,940m
- On foot
- 6–7 hrs· 13 km
Pre-dawn sunrise hike, then a long descent
Day 04
Ghandruk → Pokhara
A last morning on village trails and terraced fields down to the road at Siwai or Kimche, then a scenic drive back to Pokhara by afternoon.
- Altitude
- 822m
- On foot
- 1.5–2 hrs· 4 km
- Driving
- 3–4 hrs
Short descent to the road head, then a drive
What’s included
Licensed female guide
Experienced and licensed, with all salary, meals and accommodation covered.
All meals on trek
Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus two servings of tea, coffee or another hot drink each day.
Accommodation
High-rated teahouse stays throughout the trek.
Transport
All transportation related to the trek.
Permits and taxes
All necessary government and local permits, paperwork and taxes.
Trekking essentials
Trekking poles, microspikes or crampons, and seasonal fruit on the trail.
What’s not included
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended for high-altitude treks, and required for helicopter evacuation cover.
Personal expenses
Wi-Fi, laundry, battery charging, bottled or hot water, hot showers.
Alcoholic and personal drinks
Tips for your guide
You can add
A porter
Hired from the region you are walking through, so the work and the money stay in the villages on your route, and you walk with a lighter pack and someone who knows the ground.
[PRICE TBC]
Permits
ACAP: arranged for you. Restricted areas require a licensed guide by law.
Safety
Our altitude protocol
Altitude is the thing most people worry about, so here is exactly what we do about it. This is our operating protocol, not medical advice.
A guide trained in mountain safety and first aid
Licensed, and trained specifically for the conditions on these routes.
Daily health monitoring
We record your SpO2 and heart rate each day with a pulse oximeter, alongside an AMS assessment, and keep it in a wellness log you can see.
A first aid kit on every trek
Essential emergency supplies, including altitude sickness medication.
Pre-trek safety briefing
Altitude awareness, pacing, weather and emergency procedures, before you start walking, not on the trail.
Emergency coordination
With local health posts, rescue services and helicopter evacuation. The evacuation itself is covered by your travel insurance.
Questions
Before you go
Why is Poon Hill so famous?
It is one of the best sunrise viewpoints in Nepal. The first golden light hits both the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges at the same time, which very few viewpoints can offer.
What is a unique cultural experience on this trek?
Walking through traditional Gurung and Magar villages like Ghandruk and Ulleri, where stone houses, local dress and warm hospitality are still part of everyday life.
What can I taste that is special along the trail?
Fresh local dal bhat, handmade millet roti, and hot ginger or lemon honey tea, simple mountain food that tastes unforgettable after a day of walking.
Can I see wildlife on the Poon Hill trail?
Yes. The forests hold colourful pheasants and langurs, and in spring entire hillsides are covered in blooming rhododendron, Nepal's national flower.
What makes Poon Hill good for first-time trekkers?
It is short and comfortable and needs no technical skill, yet still delivers classic Himalayan views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri.
Not sure this is the right trek?
Book a free call with someone who has walked it. We will tell you honestly if another route suits you better. That happens often, and it is the whole point of talking first.