2-Day Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara: Sunrise Jeep & Hike Tour

Summary

Poon Hill Sunrise Trekking Experience with Jeep Transfer

If you want a quick adventure near Pokhara—with real mountain sunrises and local village life thrown in—this two-day Poon Hill trek is hard to beat. You’ll hike just enough to feel accomplished (but not wiped out), catch those famous Annapurna views at dawn, and still be back in your hotel bed by night two.

What’s the experience like?

The day kicked off early with a knock at my hotel door in Pokhara—still dark outside, but the city was already buzzing with the sound of distant scooters and someone frying doughnuts nearby. Our guide, Suman, greeted us with a grin and herded us into a sturdy 4WD jeep. The road up to Hile twisted through tiny villages where kids waved and old men sipped tea on wooden benches. It was bumpy—my coffee nearly jumped out of its cup—but the views kept getting better as we climbed higher.

We left the jeep at Hile, stretched our legs, and started walking. The air felt cooler here, scented faintly with pine and wood smoke drifting from kitchen chimneys. The path wound past terraced fields dotted with buffalo and bright marigolds. Suman pointed out the first glimpse of Annapurna South peeking through the clouds—honestly, it looked unreal. By late afternoon, we reached Ghorepani village just as mist rolled in, making everything feel quiet and tucked away. Dinner at the lodge was simple—dal bhat and hot tea—but after that climb, it tasted like a feast.

Next morning? Up before dawn—no joke, it was barely 4 am when we set off for Poon Hill with headlamps bobbing along the trail. There’s this hush in the air you only get before sunrise in the mountains; even the dogs seemed too sleepy to bark. At the top (3,210 meters), everyone huddled together waiting for that first bit of light. When it hit Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, people just went quiet—cameras clicking but nobody really talking much. On the way back down to Ghorepani for breakfast, I noticed wild rhododendrons starting to bloom along the path—a splash of color against all that green.

The trek back to Hile felt easier somehow—maybe because we were still running on adrenaline from that sunrise view or maybe just thinking about getting back into that comfy jeep seat! By late afternoon we rolled back into Pokhara dusty but happy, legs tired but heads full of mountain memories.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jeep to Hile and Trek to Ghorepani

• Jeep drive from Pokhara to Hile and trek to Ghorepani

Day 2 — Hike Poon Hill and Return to Pokhara

• Hike to Poon Hill for sunrise
• Trek back to Hile and Jeep drive to Pokhara

Top questions

How hard is this Poon Hill trek?

It’s doable if you’re moderately fit—you’ll walk uphill for several hours but there are plenty of breaks and our guide keeps things at a steady pace.

What should I pack for this short trek?

Bring layers (it gets chilly before sunrise), comfy hiking shoes, water bottle, snacks if you like them, and maybe a camera—the sunrise is worth it!

Is food included during the trip?

You’ll buy your own meals at local lodges—they serve fresh Nepali dishes like dal bhat or noodles. Hot drinks are always available too.

Are permits or entry fees covered?

Yes—all trekking permits and TIMS cards are sorted for you before departure.

What’s included

Your overnight stay in a cozy guesthouse at Ghorepani is covered. Private 4WD jeep transfers from Pokhara both ways are included too—no crowded buses! You’ll have an English-speaking trekking guide who knows every twist of the trail plus all necessary trekking permits taken care of so you can just focus on enjoying those mountain views.