Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 5-Day Tour from Pokhara

The Himalayan Honeybee Region Has Its Own Trek

A 5-day trek from Pokhara through the Annapurna Region to Poon Hill (3,193m) and Ghandruk, with a certified English-speaking guide, porter to carry gear, teahouse accommodation and private vehicle transport. The route passes through Magar and Gurung villages where traditional shamanistic practices and wild Himalayan honeybee harvesting are still part of daily life. Maximum altitude is 3,210m, making it accessible for families and first-time trekkers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri

• Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul
• Hike from Nayapul to Ulleri
• Explore Ulleri village and views

Day 2: Trek to Ghorepani

• Hike from Ulleri to Ghorepani
• Pass Banthanti and Nangge Thanti
• Arrive at Ghorepani village

Day 3: Poon Hill sunrise and trek to Tadapani

• Hike early to Poon Hill
• Watch sunrise over Himalayas
• Descend from Poon Hill to Tadapani

Day 4: Trek down to Ghandruk

• Hike from Tadapani to Ghandruk
• Explore Ghandruk village

Day 5: Trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara

• Descend from Ghandruk to Nayapul
• Drive from Nayapul to Pokhara

The experience

The trek starts with a short drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, then climbs through stone-stepped villages (Birethanti, Hile, Tikhedhunga) to Ulleri, where you can already see Annapurna South and Himchuli rising above the Magar settlements. Day two takes you through rhododendron and oak forest to Ghorepani, a village ringed by streams and waterfalls. In winter the trail carries snow the whole way up. The real draw comes on day three: a pre-dawn hike to Poon Hill takes about an hour, and as the sun rises, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre and Himchuli shift through shades of gold and pink across the snow. After that, the descent to Tadapani is gradual and winds through varied terrain.

Day four brings you down to Ghandruk, a Gurung village of stacked stone houses and teahouses connected by narrow stairs, where you can see the ethnic traditions and architecture specific to this region. The final morning is a four-hour descent back to Nayapul through familiar stone-stepped paths, then a two-hour drive back to Pokhara. Throughout the trek, you stay in teahouses and guesthouses run by local families, and a porter carries your personal gear and group equipment. One porter is assigned for every two trekkers. Your guide is a certified professional who speaks English, Spanish, German or Chinese, depending on your choice at booking.

The permits (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS) are arranged for you, and the trek map is provided. Transport by private vehicle covers both the drive to the trailhead and the return to Pokhara. A comprehensive first aid kit travels with the group. One night of accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Pokhara is included, either before or after the trek depending on your arrival. Nepal entry visa fees and travel insurance are not included and should be arranged separately.

What’s included

• Certified professional guide in your chosen language.
• porter support (one porter for every two trekkers) to carry gear.
• teahouse accommodation for four nights on the trek plus one night in a 3-star hotel in Pokhara.
• private vehicle transport to Nayapul and back from Pokhara.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS.
• trek map.
• comprehensive first aid kit.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesUp to age 80

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Nepal Social Treks and Expedition

Is this one for you?Five days is long enough to reach Poon Hill and walk through three distinct ethnic villages without rushing the descent, but short enough to fit into a week-long Nepal trip if you arrive with a day to spare. If you need a shorter introduction to the Annapurna Region or want to combine trekking with other activities in Pokhara, a 3-day version exists. If you want to go higher or deeper into the range, 7-day treks branch from this same route.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German and Chinese.

Can I do this trek if I've never hiked at altitude before?

The Poon Hill trek is graded easy and reaches a maximum of 3,210m, making it suitable for all fitness levels and popular with families bringing children. The gradual daily ascent and teahouse lodging along the way, rather than camping, reduce the physical and logistical stress compared to longer Himalayan treks.

What happens on the morning we reach Poon Hill?

You hike up to Poon Hill in the dark, arriving before dawn to watch the sunrise. As the sun rises, the snow-capped peaks of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre and Himchuli gradually light up across the sky. This is considered one of the best vantage points in the region for that view.

Who carries my backpack during the trek?

A certified porter is assigned to every two trekkers and carries all personal gear and group equipment, so you trek with only a day pack. The porter is included in the package.

What are the villages like along the route?

The trek passes through Magar communities in the lower sections (Birethanti, Hile, Tikhedhunga, Ulleri) and Gurung communities higher up (Ghorepani, Tadapani, Ghandruk). These are working villages with traditional stone houses, teahouses and small guest houses. You'll see daily life and local architecture, and during festival season, ethnic traditions specific to each community are visible.