A short pre-dawn climb from Ghorepani to a viewpoint where the light spreads over Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhare.
Walk through old forests that burst into red and pink bloom in spring, with ferns, moss and birdsong the rest of the year.
The long stone steps above Tikhedhunga are the hardest climb of the trek, and a good way to warm up for the days ahead.
A busy lodge village on a forested pass, where trekkers from several trails meet for dinner and an early night.
A large hillside village of stone houses and slate roofs, with a small museum and a warm local welcome.
Machhapuchhare, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Dhaulagiri keep appearing on the ridge walks to Tadapani.
Low altitude, short walking days and comfortable lodges make this a gentle introduction to Himalayan trekking.
Finish with a rest in Pokhara beside Phewa Lake before returning to Kathmandu.
The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is one of the most popular short walks in Nepal. It climbs from the Modi Khola valley to the forested pass at Ghorepani, rises before dawn to Poon Hill for a wide mountain panorama, and returns through the village of Ghandruk. The whole route stays below about 3,300 m, so altitude problems are uncommon.
The trail is mostly stone steps and village paths, with simple lodges every few hours, so you carry only a daypack. Be ready for knee-testing climbs and descents rather than thin air. Good boots, trekking poles and warm layers for the cold morning at Ghorepani make the trip much more comfortable.
This 9-day plan includes arrival and departure in Kathmandu and the road journeys to and from Pokhara. If you prefer to fly between Kathmandu and Pokhara, ask us when you enquire, since that can free a day for resting or sightseeing.
| Duration | 9 days including Kathmandu arrival, Pokhara transfers and departure |
|---|---|
| Start / End | Kathmandu, then Pokhara and Nayapul; trek loop ends at Nayapul |
| Highest point | Poon Hill, about 3,210 m |
| Distance | Roughly 40 to 45 km on foot over four trekking days |
| Walking per day | About 3 to 7 hours; the longest days are Ghorepani and Tadapani |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate; many stone steps, but altitude is modest |
| Best seasons | March to May and October to November; December to February is cold with some snow |
| Accommodation | Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, simple lodges on the trail |
| Group size | Private trips or small groups, from one traveller upward |
| Permits | Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card are usually needed; we arrange them. A licensed guide is usually required in the conservation area. |
We meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. In the afternoon you can rest or walk around Thamel, and we hold a short briefing on the trek and gear.
Meals: welcome dinnerTravel by road along the Trishuli and Marsyangdi valleys, or take a short mountain flight. Spend the afternoon by Phewa Lake and prepare for the walk.
Travel: about 6 to 7 hours by roadA short drive takes you to Nayapul. Walk through Birethanti and Tikhedhunga, then climb the long stone staircase to Ulleri for the night.
Walking: 4 to 6 hoursContinue up through oak and rhododendron forest, past Banthanti and Nangethanti, to the lively pass village of Ghorepani.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursClimb in the dark for about 45 minutes to catch sunrise over the peaks. After breakfast at Ghorepani, cross Deurali pass and follow a forest trail to Tadapani.
Walking: 5 to 7 hoursDescend through forest and terraced fields to the large Gurung village of Ghandruk. Spend the afternoon exploring its lanes and viewpoints.
Walking: 3 to 4 hoursA long descent past Kimche and the river brings you to Nayapul, where a vehicle takes you back to Pokhara for a hot shower and a lakeside meal.
Walking: 3 to 5 hours, then about 1.5 hours by roadTravel back by road or by a short flight. The rest of the day is free for shopping and packing.
Travel: about 6 to 7 hours by roadWe transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: breakfastDaily times and altitudes are approximate and vary with pace, lodge choice and weather. If you take the Pokhara flights instead of road, the plan has a spare half day. Poon Hill sunrise can be cloudy; we can try a second morning if schedule allows.
It is graded easy to moderate. Days are 3 to 7 hours and the altitude is low, but there are many stone steps. Steady fitness is enough; it suits first-time trekkers.
The risk is low because the highest sleeping point is under 3,000 m. Still, drink plenty of water, go slowly and tell your guide about any headache or nausea.
March to May brings rhododendron blooms and warm days. October and November usually give the clearest views. Winter is cold with some snow, and the monsoon has rain and leeches.
You usually need an Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card, and a licensed guide is usually required in the conservation area. We arrange all of this for you.
Simple twin rooms with blankets, shared bathrooms and a dining room with a stove or heater. Hot showers and charging cost extra. Menus include dal bhat, noodles, soups, eggs and momos.
Yes, shorter versions of three to five days exist, but they mean longer walking days. This 9-day plan includes Kathmandu and Pokhara time and a comfortable pace.
Broken-in boots, a warm jacket for Poon Hill, rain jacket, layers, hat, gloves, sun protection and a headlamp. Trekking poles help on the steps. A sleeping bag can be rented in Pokhara.
Yes. We run private trips and small groups, and this route is popular with families with older children. Tell us ages and experience when you enquire.
Yes. Your policy should cover trekking up to at least 4,000 m and emergency evacuation. Send us the details before you arrive.
Bring Nepali rupees for drinks, showers, charging, snacks and tips. There are no reliable ATMs on the trail.
Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm dates and details, and a deposit secures your booking.
Lower villages often have a signal, and many lodges sell Wi-Fi or a local SIM data pack for a fee. Higher up and in remote valleys the connection is slow or absent, so tell family to expect quiet days. Wi-Fi is not included in the price. A local SIM bought in Kathmandu is a cheap backup.
Lodges serve dal bhat, noodles, soup, eggs, pasta, momo and pancakes, and dal bhat comes with refills. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy to arrange. If you need gluten-free food or have allergies, tell us when you book so your guide can brief the kitchen, though choices narrow as you climb. Meals on trail days are included. City meals are not, apart from breakfast and the two special dinners.
Tap and stream water is not safe to drink untreated. Lodges sell boiled or bottled water for a fee, which is not in the price. Many trekkers bring purification tablets or a filter bottle to save money and plastic. Your guide can show you where it is safe to refill.
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off at Kathmandu airport, hotel nights in Kathmandu with breakfast, a guided city tour, and a welcome and farewell dinner are included. See the Included tab on this page for the full list. Extra hotel nights outside the itinerary are not included, so ask us if you need them.
A 20% deposit secures your booking. Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the dates and how to pay. The balance is paid in Kathmandu before the trek. For cancellation and refund terms, see wildpasstreks.com/booking-policy/
No reviews have been published for this trek yet. Have you trekked with us? Share your experience below.
Fill in your details, and we will confirm availability. A 20% deposit secures your booking. Prices are per person and the final price is confirmed by us.
