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Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Nepal's most popular short trek — big 8,000 m views for modest effort, five days from Pokhara.

5 Days / 4 Nights Easy 3,210 m (Poon Hill) Annapurna Region, Nepal
Starting from $580 per person

Overview

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is Nepal's most popular short trek for good reason: five days from Pokhara for a 360-degree sunrise panorama that takes in Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre's fishtail summit, without three weeks off work or a high-altitude pass to cross. The trail climbs through Gurung villages and some of the finest rhododendron forest in the Annapurna region, at low enough altitude that acclimatization is rarely a concern.

The modern route drives to Ulleri to skip the old approach's roughly 3,300 stone steps, climbs through Banthanti and Nangethanti to Ghorepani, and reaches Poon Hill (3,210 m) before dawn on day two. From there the trail drops through Tadapani to Ghandruk, one of the Annapurna region's largest and best-preserved Gurung villages, before finishing at the Jhinu Danda hot springs and a drive back to Pokhara.

It is genuinely suitable for families, first-time trekkers, and anyone without two or three weeks to spare — and, unlike most of Nepal's major treks, realistic across most of the year rather than only the two main trekking seasons.

Highlights

  • Sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210 m): Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre in one panorama
  • Some of the Annapurna region's finest rhododendron forest, spectacular in March–April bloom
  • Ghandruk, one of Nepal's largest and most attractive Gurung villages, with a full afternoon to explore it
  • Natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda beside the Modi Khola to close out the trek
  • Comfortable teahouses throughout — one of Nepal's most amenity-rich short routes
  • Low altitude throughout keeps acclimatization a minor concern rather than a central planning issue

The Shape of the Trek

Sleep altitude each night — the acclimatization pattern at a glance.

500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 2,874 m Day 1 Day 5
2,874 m · Day 1 · Ghorepani
2,630 m · Day 2 · Tadapani
1,940 m · Day 3 · Ghandruk
827 m · Day 4 · Pokhara
827 m · Day 5 · Pokhara

Departure Dates

No scheduled dates for this trek yet — we run it on the dates that suit you. If you’re planning a trek for a group of friends or family, talk to our specialist and we’ll build it around you.

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The route

Route Map

4 stops · 2 trekking sections

NEPALGhorepaniSTARTTadapaniGhandrukPokharaEND
By road On foot

Day-by-Day Itinerary

5 days on the trail, mapped one by one — no need to expand anything.

Day of 5

Day 1

Drive Pokhara to Ulleri, Trek to Ghorepani

Day 1

Drive Pokhara to Ulleri, Trek to Ghorepani

Pokhara → Ulleri (drive) → Banthanti → Nangethanti → Ghorepani

Overnight: Ghorepani (2,874 m)

Driving to Ulleri skips the roughly 3,300 stone steps from Tikhedhunga that used to consume the first afternoon on foot. From Ulleri the trail climbs steadily through Banthanti and Nangethanti into rhododendron and oak forest to Ghorepani, a ridge-crest village with lodges facing directly at Dhaulagiri.

Day 1 of 5

Drive Pokhara to Ulleri, Trek to Ghorepani

Pokhara → Ulleri (drive) → Banthanti → Nangethanti → Ghorepani

Altitude: Ulleri ~2,050 m → Ghorepani 2,874 m (+820 m)
Time: 5–6 h walking (+ ~3 h drive)
Overnight: Ghorepani (2,874 m)

Driving to Ulleri skips the roughly 3,300 stone steps from Tikhedhunga that used to consume the first afternoon on foot. From Ulleri the trail climbs steadily through Banthanti and Nangethanti into rhododendron and oak forest to Ghorepani, a ridge-crest village with lodges facing directly at Dhaulagiri.

In March–April this forest is Nepal's rhododendron showcase — entire hillsides in crimson and pink bloom.

Day 2

Poon Hill Sunrise, Trek to Tadapani

Day 2

Poon Hill Sunrise, Trek to Tadapani

Ghorepani → Poon Hill (sunrise) → Deurali → Banthanti → Tadapani

Overnight: Tadapani (2,630 m)

The pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill is the trek's centerpiece, with a viewing tower and, in season, a tea stall at the top for Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m), Tukuche, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre's fishtail summit as the light rises. After breakfast back in Ghorepani, the trail climbs to the quieter Deurali ridge (3,090 m) before a long descent through mossy gorge forest to Tadapani.

Day 2 of 5

Poon Hill Sunrise, Trek to Tadapani

Ghorepani → Poon Hill (sunrise) → Deurali → Banthanti → Tadapani

Altitude: Poon Hill 3,210 m → Tadapani 2,630 m
Time: 6–7 h total (Poon Hill: 45–60 min up); start ~4:00–5:00 am
Overnight: Tadapani (2,630 m)

The pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill is the trek's centerpiece, with a viewing tower and, in season, a tea stall at the top for Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m), Tukuche, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre's fishtail summit as the light rises. After breakfast back in Ghorepani, the trail climbs to the quieter Deurali ridge (3,090 m) before a long descent through mossy gorge forest to Tadapani.

The Deurali-to-Banthanti descent is steep and slippery when wet — poles help, especially for first-time trekkers.

Day 3

Tadapani to Ghandruk

Day 3

Tadapani to Ghandruk

Tadapani → Ghandruk

Overnight: Ghandruk (1,940 m)

A short, lovely descent through dense rhododendron and oak forest — langur monkeys are common — emerges into the terraced fields above Ghandruk, one of Nepal's largest and most attractive Gurung villages, with a head-on view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Arriving by lunch leaves the afternoon free for the Gurung Museum and Ghandruk's stone-paved lanes.

Day 3 of 5

Tadapani to Ghandruk

Tadapani → Ghandruk

Altitude: 2,630 m → 1,940 m (−690 m)
Time: 3–4 h
Overnight: Ghandruk (1,940 m)

A short, lovely descent through dense rhododendron and oak forest — langur monkeys are common — emerges into the terraced fields above Ghandruk, one of Nepal's largest and most attractive Gurung villages, with a head-on view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Arriving by lunch leaves the afternoon free for the Gurung Museum and Ghandruk's stone-paved lanes.

Many Gurung families here have British and Indian Gurkha connections — the museum tells that story well.

Day 4

Ghandruk to Jhinu Hot Springs, Drive to Pokhara

Day 4

Ghandruk to Jhinu Hot Springs, Drive to Pokhara

Ghandruk → Kimrong/Modi Khola valley → Jhinu Danda → Siwai (drive) → Pokhara

Overnight: Pokhara

The recommended finish is a short, scenic walk down to Jhinu Danda, then 20–30 minutes further to the natural hot springs beside the Modi Khola — the reward for four days of stairs. From there, cross the suspension bridge below Jhinu to the Siwai roadhead for a jeep back to Pokhara in time for a lakeside dinner.

Day 4 of 5

Ghandruk to Jhinu Hot Springs, Drive to Pokhara

Ghandruk → Kimrong/Modi Khola valley → Jhinu Danda → Siwai (drive) → Pokhara

Altitude: 1,940 m → Jhinu Danda 1,780 m
Time: ~2 h walking to Jhinu; ~2.5–3 h drive from Siwai
Overnight: Pokhara

The recommended finish is a short, scenic walk down to Jhinu Danda, then 20–30 minutes further to the natural hot springs beside the Modi Khola — the reward for four days of stairs. From there, cross the suspension bridge below Jhinu to the Siwai roadhead for a jeep back to Pokhara in time for a lakeside dinner.

An older option treks Ghandruk to Nayapul instead (4–5 h, plus a shorter drive), but it now largely follows a dusty jeep road and is less pleasant than the Jhinu finish.

Day 5

Free Day in Pokhara

Day 5

Free Day in Pokhara

Overnight: Pokhara

A free day to recover or explore: rent a rowboat on Phewa Lake, walk up to the World Peace Pagoda, watch dawn from Sarangkot, try tandem paragliding, or take in the International Mountain Museum — all easily combined with a relaxed lakeside afternoon.

Day 5 of 5

Free Day in Pokhara

Overnight: Pokhara

A free day to recover or explore: rent a rowboat on Phewa Lake, walk up to the World Peace Pagoda, watch dawn from Sarangkot, try tandem paragliding, or take in the International Mountain Museum — all easily combined with a relaxed lakeside afternoon.

Essential Gear

  • Warm layers and a light down jacket for the pre-dawn Poon Hill climb
  • Headlamp for the sunrise start
  • Trekking poles — this route is famous for its stone staircases
  • Rain shell year-round; the region catches afternoon showers
  • Water purification tablets or filter
  • Swimwear and a small towel for the Jhinu hot springs

Good to Know

  • Altitude risk is minimal at 3,210 m, but the sunrise climb is cold and dark — a warm hat and gloves make it enjoyable rather than miserable.
  • Stone steps are the real hazard here: thousands of them, slick after rain. Poles and unhurried pacing protect knees and ankles.
  • October–November brings the sharpest views and the busiest trail; March–April brings the rhododendron bloom, arguably the best time for this particular trek.
  • Winter (December–February) is cold at Ghorepani with occasional snow, but quiet and clear; monsoon (June–September) brings leeches and clouded views and is not recommended.
  • A licensed guide is required for trekking in Nepal under current regulations — carry your passport and a few passport photos for permits.
  • Standard travel insurance covering trekking to 3,500 m is sufficient for this route.

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