5-day Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek from Kathmandu

Five days of forest, villages and a pre-dawn climb to watch the Himalayas emerge

The 5-day Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a circuit trek in Nepal's Annapurna region that starts and ends at Nayapul, near Pokhara. You hike through rhododendron and pine forests, sleep in mountain lodges, and climb to Poon Hill before sunrise to see Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Fishtail peaks. The trek includes transport from Kathmandu, all permits, an English-speaking guide, and accommodation in Pokhara and on the mountain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara

• Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
• Check in at hotel
• Walk around Fewa lake

Day 2: Drive to Birethanti and trek to Ulleri

• Drive from Pokhara to Birethanti
• Trek to Tikhedhunga
• Lunch in Tikhedhunga
• Trek to Ulleri

Day 3: Trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani

• Trek from Ulleri to Banthanti
• Walk through forest
• Lunch in Nangethanti
• Trek to Ghorepani

Day 4: Hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani

• Hike to Poon Hill for sunrise
• Return to lodge for breakfast
• Trek to Banthanti
• Lunch in Banthanti
• Trek to Tadapani

Day 5: Trek to Kliu and drive to Pokhara

• Sunrise viewing in Tadapani
• Breakfast in Tadapani
• Trek to Ghandruk
• Lunch in Ghandruk
• Trek to Kliu
• Drive from Kliu to Pokhara

The experience

Day one is a 200km drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara on a tourist bus that leaves at 7am from Sorhakhutte near Thamel. You'll pass through farming valleys, rivers and local settlements, with breakfast and lunch stops along the way. Once you reach Pokhara, check into your hotel and walk the lakeside to see Fewa Lake.

The trek itself runs four days and covers a circuit: from Pokhara you drive 90 minutes to Birethanti, then walk through the Bhurungdi river valley for about six hours to reach Ulleri. The next day climbs gradually through oak, pine and rhododendron forest, the rhododendrons bloom spectacularly in spring, with lunch in Nangethanti before you arrive at Ghorepani. On day four, you wake before dawn to hike Poon Hill in about an hour, watching sunrise over the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges, then return for breakfast. After that you trek down the opposite side through forests to Banthanti, have lunch, and walk another hour to Tadapani. The final day starts with sunrise views from Tadapani, then descends through deep forest for three hours to Ghandruk, where you stop for lunch before trekking two more hours to Kliu. From there, private transport drives you back to Pokhara in about two hours.

You stay two nights in a hotel in Pokhara and three nights in mountain lodges. The trek passes through traditional villages and offers views of Annapurna South, Himchuli, Annapurna III and II, and Fishtail (6,997m) along with the higher peaks. The route is busy (a couple of hundred trekkers use it daily), which means well-maintained trails and lodges at every stop. An English-speaking guide leads the trek, and all permits (ACAP and TIMS card) are included.

What’s included

• Transport from Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus and private vehicle from Pokhara to the trailhead and back.
• two nights' accommodation in a Pokhara hotel and three nights in mountain lodges.
• ACAP permit and TIMS card.
• an English-speaking guide for the trek.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (31 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 75 years) · Youth (16 to 30 years) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 30 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Frolic Adventure Pvt. Ltd.

Is this one for you?Pick this trek if you have 5 days and prefer lodge-to-lodge walking over camping, with a guide managing route decisions so you move at your own pace without navigation responsibility.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 30 years); Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

How difficult is the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek?

The trek is short and easy, recommended for beginners, families and older travelers. The daily walks range from four to six hours, mostly on established trails with gradual climbs and descents through forests and villages. No technical climbing or scrambling is involved.

What is the sunrise hike from Poon Hill actually like?

You leave the lodge before dawn with a flashlight and walk uphill for about an hour to reach Poon Hill at 3,210m. From there you watch the sun rise over the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain ranges, then hike back down to the lodge for breakfast.

Do I need any special permits to trek in this region?

Yes, two permits are required: the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) and the TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System). Both are included in the trek price and arranged before you start.

What kind of accommodation will I have on the mountain?

You stay in mountain lodges for three nights during the trek. These are basic guesthouses in the villages along the route (Ulleri, Ghorepani and Tadapani) with simple rooms and shared or private bathrooms depending on the lodge. You also have two nights in a hotel in Pokhara before and after the trek.

How many other trekkers will be on the trail?

This is the most popular trekking route in Nepal, with a couple of hundred trekkers using it every day. The trail is well-maintained and lodges are reliable because of the volume, but you won't have solitude or a sense of wilderness.

Does the trek include meals?

Meals are not mentioned in the inclusions, so you'll arrange and pay for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodges and in villages along the way. The lodges serve local food, and costs are inexpensive by Western standards.