The sky is still dark when you leave the teahouse at Ghorepani. Torchlight bounces off stone steps ahead of you as other trekkers climb the same trail in the pre-dawn cold, breath rising in thin white clouds. Forty-five minutes later you reach the summit of Poon Hill (3,210m / 10,531ft) and the eastern horizon is already burning orange. Then the sun breaks. Dhaulagiri (8,167m) catches the first light and turns gold. Annapurna South follows, then Annapurna I, then the entire chain of peaks strung across the northern sky — Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV — all lit from below as if someone had set fire to the snow. The 360-degree panorama from this modest hilltop viewpoint is one of the most photographed sights in the Himalayas, and it takes less than a week to reach it.
This 6-day trek is one of Nepal's easiest high-altitude routes, designed for anyone who wants mountain views without extreme altitude or punishing daily distances. From Pokhara, you drive to Nayapul, climb through terraced farmland and rhododendron forest past Ulleri to the ridgeline village of Ghorepani, wake early for the Poon Hill sunrise, then descend through the trail villages of Tadapani and Ghandruk — one of Nepal's most beautiful Gurung settlements — before returning to Pokhara. You'll sleep in family-run teahouses, eat dal bhat cooked over wood fires, walk beneath prayer flags strung between ancient trees, and feel the warmth of communities that have welcomed travellers for generations. It is the perfect introduction to the Himalayas, designed by Shreejan Simkhada, whose family has been guiding people through these mountains since the 1960s.
What Makes This Trek Special
- Watch sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210m / 10,531ft), a 360-degree viewpoint with uninterrupted views of Dhaulagiri, the full Annapurna massif and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) — widely considered one of the finest mountain sunrises on earth
- Complete one of Nepal's top treks in just 6 days, making it ideal for travellers with limited annual leave or those seeking a short trek that still reaches proper mountain country
- Rated Easy to Moderate (2 out of 5), with no technical sections, no glacier crossings and a maximum altitude well below the danger threshold — perfect for first-time trekkers, families with children and trekkers over 50
- Walk through the Gurung village of Ghandruk, where stone houses with slate roofs sit among terraced fields and the Gurung and Magar cultural heritage is palpable in the architecture, the food and the people
- Trek through rhododendron forests that explode into crimson, pink and white blooms between March and May, one of the most spectacular spring displays in the Annapurna Conservation Area
- Stay in genuine family-run teahouses along the trail, eating home-cooked Nepali food and meeting hosts who know every peak by name
- All permits included (ACAP and TIMS), so you don't spend a day in Kathmandu queuing at government offices
- Small groups of 2 to 20, always with a Nepal government well-trained guide who knows this trail intimately
- Three tiers (Budget, Standard, Luxury) let you choose your comfort level without compromising on safety, expertise or the route itself
- Every booking supports education for 70 children in rural Nepal through the Nagarjun Learning Center
6-Day Overview
Your journey begins and ends in Kathmandu, but the trek itself starts from Pokhara, Nepal's lakeside adventure capital, reached by a scenic drive through the middle hills. From Pokhara, a shorter drive takes you to Nayapul, the traditional trailhead on the western edge of the Annapurna Conservation Area. The first day climbs steadily through Tikhedhunga and Ulleri, where the stone staircase is the steepest sustained climb of the entire trek. By evening you're in the rhododendron belt, and by the following morning you've reached Ghorepani, the ridgeline village from which the pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill begins. After sunrise, the trail descends eastward through oak and rhododendron forest to Tadapani, a quiet settlement with evening views of Machhapuchhre. The final trekking day takes you down through terraced farmland to Ghandruk, one of Nepal's most photogenic Gurung villages, before you return to Nayapul and then Pokhara. By the end of day six, you're back in Kathmandu with mountain memories that will stay with you for years.
Before You Arrive
Please arrive in Kathmandu the day before your trek starts. This gives you time to recover from your international flight, meet your guide, and do any last-minute gear shopping in Thamel if needed. We arrange your airport transfer, so you can step off the plane knowing everything is sorted. Make sure your Nepal visa and trekking insurance are in order before you fly, and bring enough Nepali rupees for personal spending on the trail.
Online Briefing
After you book, we schedule a video call to walk you through everything: what to wear, what to pack, what the teahouses are really like, and anything else on your mind. This is also when you share your hotel preferences in Kathmandu and Pokhara so we can match the right accommodation to you. No question is too small. We'll also cover the layering system for this altitude range, how much cash to carry, and what WiFi and charging to expect on the trail.
Transport
All three tiers travel the same route: Kathmandu to Pokhara by road (approximately 6-7 hours), then Pokhara to Nayapul (about 1.5 hours) to reach the trailhead. The return follows the same route in reverse. The difference between tiers is the vehicle. Budget trekkers travel by local tourist bus or shared vehicle, which is comfortable, safe and well-used by Nepalis and travellers alike. Standard trekkers ride in a private tourist vehicle with more legroom and air conditioning. Luxury trekkers get a premium private vehicle with extra comfort for the long drive. There are no flights on this itinerary; everything is by road, which keeps costs down and gives you more of Nepal's countryside to enjoy through the window. For a full breakdown of what trekking in Nepal actually costs, see our complete cost guide.
Your Trek, Your Way
Every trek we run is arranged privately for your group. You won't be paired with strangers unless you choose to join a public departure. Whether you book as a solo trekker, a couple on your honeymoon, a family with children, or a group of friends, this itinerary belongs to you. Want to add a rest day in Ghorepani? Extend to include a visit to Fewa Lake in Pokhara or a sunrise drive up to Sarangkot? We can adjust. Our three tiers (Budget, Standard and Luxury) give you genuine choice over accommodation, meals, porter support and transport without affecting the route itself. Same expert guides. Same safety standards. Three comfort levels. Read more about what the price difference actually buys or explore our budget trekking guide.
Difficulty
We rate this trek Easy to Moderate (2 out of 5). The maximum altitude is 3,210 metres (10,531ft), which is well below the threshold where altitude sickness becomes a serious concern. There are no glacier crossings, no exposed ridgelines and no technical sections. The toughest stretch is the stone staircase from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri on day one, roughly 3,300 steps climbing through forest, but you'll be fresh and your guide will set an easy pace. Daily walking ranges from 4 to 6 hours over well-maintained trails. The trail passes through villages every hour or two, so you're never far from a teahouse, a cup of tea and a place to rest. If you can walk 5-6 hours a day on hilly terrain, you can do this trek. It's a favourite with beginners, families and anyone wanting a genuine Himalayan experience without the demands of higher-altitude routes.
Compare Our Three Packages
| Feature | Budget | Standard | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | USD $305 | USD $420 | USD $1,000 |
| Meals on trek | Not included (order and pay at teahouses) | 3 meals daily + tea, seasonal fruits and 2L hot water | All meals + all drinks (except alcohol), fruits and dry nuts |
| Meals in Pokhara | Breakfast only at hotel | Breakfast only at hotel | Breakfast only at hotel |
| Room | Shared teahouse room | Private twin with attached bathroom (where available) | Private deluxe with bed heater and attached bathroom (where available) |
| Porter | Not included | 1 porter per 2 trekkers (max 15-20kg) | 1 porter per trekker (carry nothing yourself) |
| Guide | 1 guide per group (assistant at 8+) | 1 guide per 6 trekkers (assistant at 6+) | 1 guide per 2 trekkers |
| Transport | Local tourist bus / shared vehicle | Private tourist vehicle | Luxury private vehicle |
| SIM & Data | SIM card only | SIM with limited data | SIM with unlimited data (see our SIM card guide) |
| Best for | Backpackers and independent travellers | Comfort trekkers, couples, families | Premium experience seekers |
Himalayas for Every Budget. Same expert guides, same safety, three comfort levels. Every tier includes all permits, a Nepal government well-trained guide, airport transfers and 24/7 emergency support. The only things that change are the comfort details. Read our full comparison of what the price difference actually buys or explore luxury trekking in Nepal. Note: in Pokhara, only breakfast is included at your hotel across all tiers; other meals in Pokhara are at your own expense and choice, giving you the freedom to explore the lakeside restaurants, try Nepali street food and find your own favourites. Meals during the Kathmandu-Pokhara drive are also not included, for the same reason. Check our guide on WiFi and charging on the trail so you know what to expect on the Poon Hill route.
Even our shortest route gives back
The Poon Hill loop is the cheapest way into the Annapurna foothills, and the lowest-cost trek on our site, but it still funds part of a child’s year at the Nagarjun Learning Center — the school my family runs in Saldum village in rural Nepal. Seventy children attend on free places and the school provides two hot meals a day. We are registered with both the Nepalese government and the UN Partner Portal. Even a budget six-day trek puts something into a child’s school year — that’s the point.
