Tikhedhunga: The First Night on the Poon Hill Yoga Trek and the Foot of the Stone Steps

Last updated 11 October 2026.

Tikhedhunga is a small hillside settlement above the Modi Khola river, at about 1,500 m, at the foot of the famous stone staircase to Ulleri on the way to Ghorepani and Poon Hill. On our Ghorepani Poon Hill Yoga Trek, 9 days it is the first night on the trail. On our Khopra Danda trips you walk down through it on the last day. It is a warm, green, quiet village, and it is the last easy place before the climbing starts.

Short answer: Tikhedhunga is at about 1,500 m (4,921 ft). Wikipedia gives 1,480 m, Wikivoyage about 1,500 m, and our own yoga itinerary says 1,540 m, so I call it about 1,500 m. It is about 6 km up the riverside trail from Birethanti and 2 km below Ulleri. From Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani is 10 km, about 6 hours and 1,320 m of climbing.

Tikhedhunga at a glance

Where does Tikhedhunga sit on our trips?

• Ghorepani Poon Hill Yoga Trek, 9 days: night 3. You drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, walk past Birethanti to Tikhedhunga in 3 to 4 hours, and sleep in a teahouse. Day 4 is the climb to Ghorepani.
• Khopra Danda Trek, 9 days: day 8, the descent from Poon Hill by Ulleri, Tikhedhunga and on to Nayapul, about 6 hours.
• Mardi Himal and Khopra Danda Trek, 12 days: day 12, the same descent.

The classic Poon Hill trek sleeps one stage higher, in Ulleri. Before Tikhedhunga is Nayapul, the trailhead. After it comes the climb to Ghorepani; read my Poon Hill and Ghorepani guide.

What is the walk from Nayapul to Tikhedhunga like?

From Nayapul the trail follows the Modi River upstream through a warm, subtropical landscape of terraced rice paddies and banana groves. You pass through Birethanti, a riverside village at the meeting of the Modi and Bhurungdi rivers, where your Annapurna Conservation Area permit is checked. Then the path stays on the eastern bank, past waterfalls that fall from hidden ledges, with moss-hung forest on the slopes. It is a gentle walk: Birethanti is at about 1,025 m, so you only gain around 500 m over the 6 km. On a hot afternoon it is humid, so carry water and wear a hat. Our itinerary gives 3 to 4 hours from the start of the trail to Tikhedhunga, which leaves time for a long lunch.

Why sleep at Tikhedhunga?

Because the next day is the hardest of the Poon Hill trail. The climb from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani gains 1,320 m through a stone staircase that is long and old, and Ulleri appears after about two hours of climbing. Sleeping at Tikhedhunga means you start that climb fresh, in the cool of the morning, and it means you do not do a long day on top of the drive. On the yoga trek the morning practice on day 4 is built around the stairs: hip-openers for the climb and breathing that matches your steps. You do not have to do yoga to enjoy the village. It is a quiet first night after the noise of Pokhara.

How far is Tikhedhunga from the next stops?

What are the stone steps like?

The staircase above Tikhedhunga is the most talked-about section of the Poon Hill trail. Our itineraries say it has roughly 3,000 steps; other guides give 3,300. The count does not matter. The point is that it climbs straight from the river valley to Ulleri and it is steady, not technical. Go at a pace where you can still talk, drink water, and take the stops your guide suggests. On the way down, on day 8 of the Khopra trek, the same steps are hard on the knees, and poles help. My fitness guide tells you what to practise.

When is the best time to walk through Tikhedhunga?

See my notes on the stone steps with children if you plan a family trek, and the March 2027 guide for spring dates.

Questions people ask

How high is Tikhedhunga? About 1,500 m (4,921 ft). Sources vary between 1,480 m and 1,540 m.

Where is Tikhedhunga? In Myagdi District, beside the Modi Khola, on the Nayapul to Ghorepani trail.

How far is Tikhedhunga from Ulleri? About 2 km, up the stone staircase.

How long is the walk from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani? About 6 hours, 10 km and 1,320 m of climbing on our itinerary.

Do you sleep at Tikhedhunga on the Poon Hill trek? On our classic Poon Hill trek, no; we sleep at Ulleri. On the yoga trek, yes.

How many steps are there from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri? Roughly 3,000 on our itineraries. Other guides say 3,300.

Do I need a permit for Tikhedhunga? You need the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card. We arrange both. It is not a restricted area.

Is Tikhedhunga good for altitude? At 1,500 m there is no altitude problem. Ghorepani at 2,860 m is the first night where your guide watches for the height.

How are the terms for these trips?

Group size is 1 to 20, and you can also trek solo. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients.

How do you plan this with us?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, how many of you there are and whether you want yoga on the trail. I will tell you which tier and which route I would choose, and send you the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.