Ghorepani Poon Hill - Itinerary, Cost, Map, Elevation

Ghorepani Poon Hill - 9 Days

Duration 9 Days
Trip Grade Moderate
Max Height 3210m.
Start From Pokhara
Ends at Pokhara
Group Size 1-15
Transportation Private Jeep and walking
Trip Meals Breakfast
Accommodation Tea House / Lodges
Best Season Spring, Autumn and Winter

Introduction to Ghorepani Poonhill Trek – 9 Days

The Ghorepani Poonhill Trek is Nepal’s most iconic short trek, combining lush rhododendron forests, authentic mountain villages, and one of the most spectacular Himalayan sunrise panoramas in the world. Perfect for first-timers, families, and anyone seeking an unforgettable Nepal adventure in just 9 days.

Highlights of Ghorepani Poon Hill trek itinerary – 3days

Enjoy one of the most popular short treks in Nepal, Ghorepani Poon Hill trekking, perfect for beginners and nature lovers
Experience the famous Poon Hill sunrise trekking with golden views of the Annapurna ranges
See wide mountain views including Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna-I (8,091m), Annapurna South(7,219m), Mt. Machhapuchhre(6,993m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,061m) and more.
Walk through beautiful rhododendron forests, especially colourful during spring season
Explore traditional Gurung and Magar villages with rich local culture and lifestyle
Enjoy easy to moderate trails, suitable for a short and rewarding trekking holiday
Capture stunning Annapurna panorama trekking views from one of the best viewpoints in Nepal
Experience peaceful nature, fresh mountain air, and scenic landscapes throughout the journey
Stay in local teahouses and enjoy warm Nepali hospitality along the trail
Combine adventure, culture, and mountain beauty in a short Ghorepani Poon Hill trek itinerary experience
Off road Nepal road driving experience

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Arrived in Kathmandu

Highest Altitude1,310m
AccommodationHotel in Kathmandu
Included mealsBreakfast

You arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, where a company representative meets you and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. After check-in, you have free time to explore the nearby area or relax. In the evening, your guide will brief you about the trek, altitude plan, permits, and what to expect in Ghorepani Poonhill Trek.

Day 2 Kathmandu Sightseeing

Highest Altitude1,310m
AccommodationHotel in Kathmandu
Included mealsBreakfast

After Breakfast, you will be taken to the UNESCO heritage sites near Kathmandu Valley with a well-speaking English guide. The sites include Swoyambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. You will spend night in Kathmandu hotel.

Day 3 Kathmandu (1,310m) - Pokhara (915m)

Highest Altitude915m
AccommodationHotel in Pokhara
Included mealsBreakfast

You will drive to Pokhara by tourist bus, which takes around 7-8 hours. Pokhara is one of the major tourist destinations in Nepal. It is famous for its vibrant, colorful streets and lakes. You will stay in Pokhara this night.

Day 4 Drive to Nayapul & Trek to Tikhedhunga (1,480m)

Walking Distance3-4 hrs
Highest Altitude1480m
AccommodationLocal Lodge
Included mealsBreakfast

Drive to Nayapul from Pokhara. It takes about an hour in a private vehicle. After reaching Nayapul, you will trek for 3-4 hours, slowly ascending to Tikhedhunga. Stay overnight at Tikhdhunga.

Day 5 Trek to Ghorepani (2,853m)

Walking Distance7-8hrs
Highest Altitude2,853m
AccommodationLocal Lodge
Included mealsBreakfast

Starting early in the morning, you will ascend the trail to Ghorepani through the beautiful rhododendron forests. You will see the scenic view of Macchapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna, and Humchuli mountains. You will spend the night at a cozy teahouse in Ghorepani, resting up for the morning views.

Day 6 Hike to Poonhill (3,210m) for the sun rise view & Trek to Tadopani (2,650m)

Walking Distance8-9 hrs
Highest Altitude3210m
AccommodationLocal Lodge
Included mealsBreakfast

The hike starts early in the morning, and you will head for Poon Hill for the sunrise view. You will see the magical sunrise with a range of mountains: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Annapurna South, Nilgiri, Tukuche, and others. Back to the hotel and continue the trek to Tadopani. You will rest that night at a cozy teahouse in Tadopani.

Day 7 Tadapani to Kimche & Drive to Pokhara (915m)

Walking Distance4-5hrs
Highest Altitude915m
AccommodationHotel in Pokhara
Included mealsBreakfast

Today is the last part of your foot journey. You will walk downhill from Tadapani to Kimche. You will pass through Ghandruk on the way. Ghandruk is a village where people live in a traditional way. It is a Gurung village, and it is famous for houses with slate roofs, and the views of the Annapurna range are really great. You will stop for a while in Ghandruk village to look around and enjoy the mountains. Then you will walk for one hour. It is easy, and you will get to Kimche. Your private vehicle will be waiting for you in Kimche to take you back to Pokhara so you can rest. The foot journey is over now. You can rest in Pokhara.

Day 8 Drive Back to Kathmandu (1,310m), 200km, 6-7 hours driving by tourist bus

Highest Altitude1,310m
AccommodationHotel in Kathmandu
Included mealsBreakfast

You will travel back to Kathmandu from Pokhara in a tourist bus with fresh Himalayan memories. It takes approx. seven to eight hours with a view of beautiful hills and rivers along the way.

Day 9 Departure for Home Country

This is the final day in Nepal. Take breakfast at the same hotel then whole morning leisure then in the afternoon drop to international airport for home country departure with "Sweet Memory" of Nepal trip. "End of our Services"

Service includes for Ghorepani Poonhill Trek:

All airport transfers in Kathmandu and Pokhara (arrival, departure, and inter-city)
2 nights accommodation in Kathmandu (bed & breakfast basis)
1 night accommodation in Pokhara before the trek (bed & breakfast)
1 night accommodation in Pokhara after the trek (bed & breakfast)
All teahouse/lodge accommodation during the 3 trekking nights (Days 4, 5, 6)
All meals during the trek: breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Days 4, 5, 6, and 7
Breakfast included at hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Welcome dinner on Day 1 in Kathmandu
Guided Kathmandu city sightseeing tour: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Durbar Square
All entrance fees to UNESCO heritage sites during the city tour
Private vehicle transport: Pokhara to Nayapul (trailhead) and Kimche to Pokhara (end of trek)
Pokhara to Kathmandu return transport by tourist bus (or upgrade to flight)
One experienced, licensed English-speaking trekking guide throughout
Porter service: 1 porter for every 2 trekkers (maximum 15kg luggage per porter)
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System)
First aid kit and basic emergency medical support
All government taxes and VAT
Alliance Treks branded duffel bag and detailed trek map
Certificate of completion on return to Kathmandu

Service Excludes for Ghorepani Poonhill Trek:

International airfare to/from Kathmandu
Nepal entry visa fee (available on arrival at KTM airport — approx. USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days)
Travel and medical insurance (mandatory — must include emergency helicopter evacuation coverage)
Domestic flight Kathmandu–Pokhara or Pokhara–Kathmandu if chosen instead of bus (approx. USD 100–120 each way)
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara (except welcome dinner on Day 1)
Personal trekking gear, clothing, and equipment (sleeping bag, trekking poles, boots, etc.)
Extra porter if your luggage exceeds 15kg or you require a personal porter
Tips and gratuities for guide, porters, and driver (customary and greatly appreciated)
Personal expenses on the trail: bottled water, hot showers, phone charging, Wi-Fi, snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry
Additional accommodation or meals required due to flight delays, cancellations, or weather
Emergency evacuation costs (covered by your travel insurance — mandatory)
Early departure or itinerary change costs
Anything not explicitly mentioned under 'Cost Includes.'

From US$ US$ (Price varies by group size)

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Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary overview

Ghorepani Poon hill trek itinerary is a popular, highly favored short trek in Nepal and one of the most amazing trekking routes, where you can see the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges without spending several weeks preparing and acclimatizing to high elevations. This is a classic 9-day trek itinerary that is suitable for first-timers, families, couples, and adventurous trekkers who would like to experience the Himalaya in a small and manageable time frame.

The trek from Nayapul in the foothills of the Annapurnas passes through the enchanting ethnic Gurung and Magar villages, through unspoiled forests of rhododendrons and oaks, through terraced hillside farmland, and through traditional stone-paved mountain paths. The area is especially popular in spring (March – May), when the forests are full of bright red, pink, and white rhododendrons, and the trail is one of the most photogenic in the entire Himalayan range.

The highlight of this hike is the early morning climb to Poon Hill (3210m), where trekkers can get their pictures taken of one of the most beautiful sunrises on earth! As the very first golden light of dawn shines on the peaks, the scene becomes a jaw-dropping panorama of Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Machhapuchhre (Fishtail, 6,993m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, Tukuche Peak, and dozens more. This is a moment that no photograph can capture and for which trekkers will carry a lifetime memory.

The Ghorepani Poonhill Trek is rated as an Easy-Moderate trek and does not require an advanced level of fitness, special mountain equipment, or experience. The highest elevation along the trail is Poon Hill at 3,210m, which is well below the elevation where serious mountain sickness is likely to affect people. A moderate fitness level and willingness to walk 5–8 hours daily are the only fitness requirements.

In addition to the trek, this 9-day itinerary covers a tour of the most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, such as the Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and Kathmandu Durbar Square, and offers time for relaxation in the adventure city of Pokhara, where one can enjoy trekking, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits. Altogether, this tour is a comprehensive overview of the beauty of Nepal, of its cultural heritage, and of the grandeur of the Himalayas.

Why trek with Alliance Treks Nepal? Alliance Treks has years of experience leading treks in and around the Annapurna region and in other parts of Nepal, offering fully licensed guides, English-speaking staff, comfortable teahouse lodging, convenience and support around the clock — and more — so you can concentrate on the incredible landscape that surrounds you.

You Should Know Before Travel Expand All Collapse All

The Ghorepani Poonhill Trek is a choice for beginners. It is considered one of the treks in Nepal for people who are new to trekking. The trek is not too hard. The highest point is 3,210 meters at Poon Hill. You do not need to have any experience or equipment to do this trek. You just need to be able to walk for 5 to 8 hours a day on types of terrain. The trail is well marked. There are teahouses along the way. Our local guides will also be with you the time.

The best time to do the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek is in the spring or autumn. In the spring the rhododendron trees are in bloom. It is very beautiful. The weather is also mild. You can see the mountains clearly. In the autumn the weather is very stable. The skies are clear. You can also do the trek in the winter if you want to see the mountains with snow on them.. It can be very cold. The summer is not a time to do the trek because it rains a lot and there are many leeches.

You need two permits to do the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek. The first permit is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. This permit helps to protect the environment in the Annapurna region. The second permit is the TIMS Card. This permit is for safety reasons. It helps the government to keep track of trekkers. Alliance Treks Nepal will arrange these permits for you. You do not need to go to any government office to get them.

Poon Hill is 3,210 meters above sea level. The hike to the top of Poon Hill for sunrise is not too hard. It takes 45 minutes to an hour to get to the top. The trail is well. It is a steady uphill walk. You need to wear clothes and bring a headlamp. The view from the top is amazing. It is worth getting up early for.

From Poon Hill you can see mountains. These include Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Annapurna III, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri and many others. On a day you can see more than a dozen mountains from the top of Poon Hill. This makes it one of the viewpoints in Nepal.