The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is a 7-day guided trek from Kathmandu and the most popular short trek in Nepal. From Pokhara, you climb stone staircases through Magar and Gurung villages and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani (2,860 m), then hike before dawn to Poon Hill (3,210 m) for a famous sunrise over Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and a long chain of Himalayan peaks.
The trek is easy to moderate, stays at modest altitude and can be walked almost all year, so it suits beginners, families and anyone short on time. It continues via Tadapani to the Gurung village of Ghandruk. A licensed guide, porters, the ACAP permit, transport, hotels and teahouse lodges with meals are all arranged by our team in Kathmandu.
If you have only a week in Nepal and want to see the Himalaya up close, the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is hard to beat. In four days of walking from Pokhara, it offers one of the most celebrated sunrise views in the country, beautiful rhododendron forests, and nights in welcoming mountain villages. It is short enough to fit into any Nepal holiday, yet it feels like a real Himalayan trek.
The trail climbs from the Modi Khola valley through the Magar village of Ulleri to Ghorepani, a ridge-top village of lodges once used by traders' horses (ghora means horse and pani means water). Before dawn you climb to Poon Hill, where the sun rises over more than 20 peaks, from Dhaulagiri to Machhapuchhre. The route then follows a forested ridge to Tadapani and descends to Ghandruk, one of the largest and best-preserved Gurung villages in Nepal.
| Trip fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 days from Kathmandu (4 days of trekking) |
| Trek distance | About 40 km |
| Highest point | Poon Hill, 3,210 m (10,531 ft) |
| Grade | Easy to moderate |
| Daily walking | 4–6 hours |
| Start and finish | Kathmandu, via Pokhara |
| Accommodation | Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, teahouse lodges on the trek |
| Permit | Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) |
| Best time | September to May; possible all year |
The Poon Hill trek is easy to moderate. The altitude is modest and altitude sickness is rarely a problem, but the trail includes long stone staircases, especially the climb from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri, which has thousands of steps. Walking days are 4–6 hours, with plenty of tea stops. Anyone in reasonable health who walks regularly can do it, and children as young as eight or nine often complete it with their families.
The short climb from Ghorepani to Poon Hill takes about 45 minutes to an hour by head torch. From the viewing tower at the top, you watch the first light touch Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna I and Machhapuchhre. On clear autumn and winter mornings the panorama stretches for more than 100 kilometres. Bring warm layers, as it is cold before sunrise.
The trek can be done almost all year. October–November has the clearest views, March–April brings the rhododendron blossom, and December–February offers crisp, clear days and quiet trails, with occasional snow around Ghorepani. During the monsoon (June–August), expect rain, leeches and cloud, although mornings are sometimes clear.
This is one of the best family treks in Nepal. Daily distances are manageable, lodges are comfortable, and children love the mule trains, village life and the sunrise. We can shorten walking days, add a rest day or arrange a vehicle for part of the route, and porters carry the luggage so children only need a small daypack.
You stay in good hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and in family-run teahouse lodges on the trek. Many lodges on this route have attached bathrooms and hot showers. Menus include dal bhat, noodles, pasta, pizza, momos, soups, pancakes and apple pie.
Poon Hill combines easily with other routes. With two or three more days, continue from Tadapani to Chhomrong and Annapurna Base Camp, or take the quieter ridge to Mohare Danda or Khopra Danda for even wider views. You can also add a few relaxing days in Pokhara or a jungle safari in Chitwan.
You should be able to walk 4–6 hours a day on trails with many stone steps. A few weeks of regular walking and some stair climbing are enough preparation.
Days are mild to warm in the valleys; nights and early mornings at Ghorepani and on Poon Hill are cold, often below freezing in winter. Bring warm layers for sunrise.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is included and arranged before the trek.
Carry Nepali rupees for drinks, snacks, showers and charging, and get them in the city; mountain ATMs are rare and unreliable. Wi-Fi is available in many lodges for a small fee. A power bank is worth packing.
Buy boiled or filtered water at lodges or use purification tablets or a filter with a refillable bottle, instead of buying plastic bottles.
You need travel insurance that covers trekking to 3,500 m, medical care and helicopter rescue. We ask for your policy details before you arrive.
You can usually get a Nepal visa on arrival at the airport or apply online in advance. Check that your passport is valid for at least six months, and pack a few passport photos for permits.
Choose add-ons and quantities on the booking form.
More trip options, quoted on request:
This itinerary takes 7 days from Kathmandu, with 4 days of trekking. From Pokhara, the trek itself takes 4–5 days.
It is easy to moderate. The altitude is modest, but there are many stone steps, especially to Ulleri. Most people in reasonable health can do it.
Poon Hill is at 3,210 m (10,531 ft), and Ghorepani is at 2,860 m.
On a clear morning: Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna I and Machhapuchhre, among more than 20 peaks.
October–November for clear views, March–April for rhododendrons, and December–February for quiet, clear days. It is possible all year, but the monsoon is wet.
Yes. It is one of the best family treks in Nepal, with short days, comfortable lodges and low altitude.
Yes, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which is included in this trip.
Most conservation areas in Nepal now require foreign trekkers to have a licensed guide. Your guide and porters are part of the package.
Yes. Winter days are often very clear, and the trails are quiet. Nights are cold and there may be snow at Ghorepani, so bring warm clothes.
Yes. From Tadapani, continue to Chhomrong and the Annapurna Sanctuary for a trek of about 10–12 days from Pokhara.
The risk is low because the maximum altitude is 3,210 m, but walk at a steady pace, drink plenty of water and tell your guide if you feel unwell.
Groups of two or more get a discount; the price box shows the per-person rates. It includes transport, hotels, the ACAP permit, lodges, meals on the trek, a guide and porters.
