Poon Hill Trek (Ghorepani)

The Poon Hill trek is Nepal's best short walk: four days from Pokhara through Gurung villages and rhododendron forest to a hilltop viewpoint at 3,210 m. Poon Hill lies above Ghorepani on the border of Myagdi and Kaski districts and gives a sunrise panorama of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. This plan starts with a drive to Nayapul and a climb through Tikhedhunga and the 3,000-odd stone steps of Ulleri, spends the night at Ghorepani, climbs to the viewpoint before dawn, then crosses the ridge to Tadapani and finishes in Ghandruk. The trek is easy to moderate, suits first-timers and families with older children, and can be done at almost any time of year except the monsoon. It suits first-time trekkers, families with older children and anyone short of time, because lodges are frequent and the highest point is only 3,210 m.

What the trek is like

The trail is a series of stone staircases and forest paths through terraced hillsides. Days are four to six hours of walking, with steep climbs on the first two days and gentler walking on the last two. Rhododendron forest above Ghorepani flowers in March and April. Lodges serve hot meals and have blankets, and there are many of them, so booking ahead is not needed except at the busiest times.

Highlights

• The Ulleri staircase and the forest above it
• Ghorepani village, a busy pass with lodges
• Poon Hill at sunrise, with Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas
• Rhododendron forest around Ghorepani and Tadapani
• Ghandruk, a large Gurung village with a museum and a view of Annapurna South

Permits and rules

You need an Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit and a TIMS card where required, from the Nepal Tourism Board in Pokhara or Kathmandu. Permits are checked at Birethanti. The Nepal Tourism Board April 2023 rule requires foreign trekkers to use a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas, and 2026 operator reports say checkpoints enforce it in Annapurna (ACAP), Langtang (the strictest) and most other parks, but not in Khumbu, where the municipality opted out (checked 19 October 2026). See the guide rule by region. Check current fees with the issuing office.

Best season

October and November have clear views; March and April bring rhododendron flowers. December and January are cold but clear, with some snow near Ghorepani. The monsoon is wet and leech-ridden, and views are poor.

Fitness and altitude

The highest point is 3,210 m, so altitude sickness is rare but possible, especially for people who fly in and climb quickly. Take the first night at Ulleri easy and drink water. The steps are the hard part: the climb from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri and Ghorepani gains over 1,500 m. Poles help on the descent.

Getting there and away

A taxi from Pokhara to Nayapul takes about 1.5 hours; from Ghandruk or Birethanti, jeeps and buses return to Pokhara. Ghandruk can also be reached by a rough jeep road.

Lodges, food and costs

Lodges are plentiful and the food is straightforward: dal bhat, noodles, eggs and pancakes. Prices are lower than in Everest or Manang. Hot showers are common, and Wi-Fi is available in most places for a fee.

Packing list

Walking shoes or light boots, warm layers for the pre-dawn climb, a down jacket for Ghorepani in winter, a rain jacket, hat and gloves, poles, a headlamp (essential for the sunrise walk), sunscreen and a small first-aid kit.

Who this trek suits and how to prepare

This is the best choice for first-time trekkers, families with older children and anyone with limited time. You do not need previous trekking experience, but you do need to be able to climb stairs for several hours. Prepare with stair climbing and some walking with a daypack. Pack light, because porters carry heavy bags up the stairs.

The plan at a glance

Day 1 drives to Nayapul and climbs through Tikhedhunga to Ulleri. Day 2 reaches Ghorepani (2,860 m). Day 3 climbs Poon Hill for sunrise (3,210 m) and walks to Tadapani. Day 4 descends to Ghandruk and returns to Pokhara.

Variations

You can extend the trek by a day by staying at Ghorepani for an extra night, walking from Tadapani to Chhomrong for a night, or continuing to the Annapurna Base Camp trail. A three-day version skips Tadapani and returns from Ghorepani by the same path. Some people reverse the route to start with Ghandruk.

Practical tips from the trail

• Bring a headlamp for the sunrise climb; the path is steep and dark.
• Dress warmly for the viewpoint: it is below freezing before dawn in winter.
• Book a lodge in Ghorepani in advance in October and April.
• Be careful on wet stone steps.
• In spring, look for rhododendron blossom along the ridge.

Responsible trekking

Carry out your waste, avoid single-use plastic and buy from local lodges. The path is heavily used, so stay on the trail to limit erosion.

Food and lodging

Lodges along the trail serve dal bhat, noodles, pizza, eggs, pancakes and apple pie, and a hot lemon or ginger tea warms you after the sunrise climb. In Ghorepani and Ghandruk, some lodges have solar hot showers and charging points for a fee. Rooms are twin-bedded with blankets, and you can usually negotiate a cheaper room if you eat your meals at the lodge. Book ahead in October and April, because the main lodges fill by mid-afternoon.

Photography tips

For the sunrise, arrive at the viewpoint at least 20 minutes before the first light, and bring a small tripod or a stable support if you have one. A moderate zoom lens captures the line of peaks, and a wide angle suits the full panorama. Clouds often gather by mid-morning, so walk up even if the sky looks uncertain. Carry spare batteries in an inner pocket, because the cold drains them quickly.