4-day trek Pokhara Valley: Poon Hill sunrise and Ghandruk village

The trek climbs to Poon Hill before dawn to watch sunrise over eight named mountains.

A 4-day guided trek from Pokhara that follows Modi River through rhododendron forest and mountain villages to Poon Hill viewpoint, where you watch sunrise over the Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri. You stay in lodges, trek with a professional English-speaking guide, and end in Ghandruk Gurung village before returning to Pokhara by private vehicle. Groups stay under 15 travelers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Pokhara to Tikhedhunga trek

• Meet guide at hotel lobby
• Drive to Nayapul via scenic highway
• Start trek towards Trikhedhunga
• Walk along Modi River and rhododendron forest
• Cross Birethanti and arrive at Tikhedhunga

Day 2: Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani trek

• Steep trek to Ulleri
• Pass Banthanti village with mountain views
• Cross river and climb to Nangethanti
• Arrive at Ghorepani with mountain views

Day 3: Poon Hill sunrise and Ghandruk trek

• Early climb to Poon Hill viewpoint
• Enjoy sunrise over Annapurna mountains
• Return to Ghorepani guest house
• Descend trail to Ghandruk Gurung village

Day 4: Ghandruk to Pokhara return

• Descend from Ghandruk via scenic route
• Cross rhododendron forest to Birethanti
• Walk downhill along Modi Khola to Nayapul
• Drive back to hotel in Pokhara

The experience

The trek starts at 8am when your guide meets you at your hotel in Pokhara. A private vehicle drives you 1.5 hours along a scenic winding highway to Nayapul, passing views of Pokhara valley and the Himalayan ranges. From there you walk toward Trikhedhunga, following Modi River through blooming rhododendron forest and crossing a small stream. After about 1.5 hours of trekking you reach Birethanti, then arrive at Trikhedhunga for the night.

Day two is a steep 2-hour climb to Ulleri at 2,070 meters, passing through the Magar village of Banthanti where you get views of Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli and Annapurna South. The trail crosses a small river and climbs to Nangethanti before reaching Ghorepani, where the mountains come into full view: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna I and others frame the landscape. On day three you wake very early and climb about an hour to Poon Hill viewpoint at 3,210 meters. At sunrise you see Dhaulagiri at 8,167 meters, Annapurna I at 8,091 meters, Annapurna II, III and IV, Annapurna South, Nilgiri and Tukuche Mountain. After sunrise you return to Ghorepani, then descend to Ghandruk Gurung village at 1,960 meters, a homestay experience in a typical Nepalese settlement.

The final day descends through scenic forest with views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Fishtail and Gangapurna. You cross rhododendron forest and reach Birethanti, then follow Modi Khola downhill to Nayapul where your driver meets you for the 1.5-hour return to your hotel in Pokhara. The trek requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Bring seasonal clothing and dress for weather that can change.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Pokhara.
• private vehicle transport to and from the trailhead.
• professional English-speaking guide for all four days.
• accommodation in lodges each night as per the itinerary.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Nepal Mountain Club Pvt Ltd

Is this one for you?The trek wakes before dawn on day three to reach Poon Hill for sunrise, and day two includes a steep 2-hour climb to Ulleri, so you need a moderate level of physical fitness and an early start on your schedule. The fixed itinerary and lodge-based format mean you trek with the same guide and group under 15 travelers, moving through the mountains at a set pace rather than choosing your own route or timing.

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Top questions

What mountains can I see from Poon Hill at sunrise?

Poon Hill viewpoint at 3,210 meters reveals eight peaks: Dhaulagiri at 8,167 meters, Annapurna I at 8,091 meters, Annapurna II, III and IV, Annapurna South, Nilgiri and Tukuche Mountain. The sunrise view is the reason the trek wakes before dawn on day three.

How steep is the trek to Ulleri on day two?

The climb to Ulleri at 2,070 meters is steep and takes about 2 hours. It is the most demanding section of the trek, though the trail then levels as you continue toward Ghorepani.

Do I stay in hotels or lodges during the trek?

You stay in lodges each night: one in Trikhedhunga, one in Ghorepani, and one in Ghandruk Gurung village. The homestay in Ghandruk is described as a pleasant experience in a typical Nepalese settlement.

What is Ghandruk village like?

Ghandruk is a Gurung village at 1,960 meters where you stay on the final night. It is a traditional mountain settlement where you experience a homestay, and the descent from Ghorepani to Ghandruk follows a scenic route with views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Fishtail and Gangapurna Mountains.

How long are the driving sections?

On day one, the private vehicle drives 1.5 hours from Pokhara to Nayapul along a scenic winding highway. On day four, the return drive from Nayapul to your hotel in Pokhara takes 1.5 hours.