Poon Hill Trek Pokhara: 4-Day Annapurna Sunrise & Rhododendron Forest

Four days to Poon Hill: sunrise over Annapurna at 3,210 meters

You start from Pokhara, drive to the trailhead, and trek four days through rhododendron forest and Gurung villages to Poon Hill, where you watch the sunrise over Annapurna. The trek includes all mountain lodge accommodation, a guide, and transport to and from Pokhara. No trekking experience is needed, and the pace is designed so you can do it without training.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Drive to Nayapul and trek Ulleri

• Prepare backpacks early morning
• Drive 1.5 hours to Nayapul
• Start trek from Nayapul
• Lunch en-route at Birethani
• Trek 5-6 hours to Ulleri
• Overnight at mountain lodge

Day 2 — Trek Ulleri to Ghorepani

• Trek 5 hours to Ghorepani
• Enjoy sunset views of mountains
• Overnight at mountain lodge

Day 3 — Hike Poon Hill and trek Tadapani

• Early morning hike to Poon Hill
• View sunrise and Himalayan peaks
• Return to lodge for breakfast
• Trek to Tadapani (7 hours)
• Overnight at mountain lodge

Day 4 — Trek Ghandruk and drive Pokhara

• Trek 3 hours to Ghandruk
• Explore village and Gurung museum
• Try cultural dress at museum
• Lunch break in Ghandruk
• Drive back to Pokhara

The Experience

The drive to Nayapul takes ninety minutes from Pokhara, and then the trek begins. Day one climbs five to six hours through villages and forest to Ulleri, a small settlement where you'll sleep in a mountain lodge. The path is steady, not steep, and the guide meets you at your hotel before dawn to start. Lunch happens en route at Birethani — nothing fancy, just enough to keep moving.

By day two you're walking from Ulleri to Ghorepani, another five hours of altitude gain through dense rhododendron forest. The trees thin as you climb, and the views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri appear in the distance. Ghorepani sits at 2,850 meters and is the real hub — more lodges, more people, more of a place. You'll watch the sunset from your lodge that evening, the mountains turning orange and then dark. The Poon Hill trek passes through Pun ethnic villages, and the locals know the rhythm of trekkers arriving and leaving every day.

The third day is the one everyone comes for. You wake at three or four in the morning and hike to Poon Hill in darkness, arriving just as the sun hits the high peaks — Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and a dozen others above 8,000 meters. It's crowded up there, but the light is real. After breakfast back at the lodge, you trek seven hours down and across to Tadapani, another mountain village. Your legs know they've worked by then.

On day four, a three-hour walk takes you to Ghandruk, where there's an Old Gurung Museum. You can try on traditional Gurung clothes if you want — it's a small thing, but it's there. After lunch, you walk to the roadside and drive back to Pokhara in a private vehicle. The whole trek doesn't require any climbing experience or special fitness; it's built for people who want to see the Himalayas without spending two weeks in the mountains. The maximum elevation is 3,210 meters, which is high enough to feel it but not so high that most people struggle.

What’s included

• Your trek includes three nights in mountain lodges, a guide for all four days, private vehicle transport from Pokhara to Nayapul and back, and meals during the trek.
• Accommodation is in small lodges in Ulleri, Ghorepani, and Tadapani.
• The guide meets you at your Pokhara hotel before the first day's drive.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Himalayan Smile Treks and Adventure Pvt. Ltd

Is this one for you?This trek suits anyone who wants to see the high Himalayas without committing weeks to a longer expedition — the four-day schedule and no-experience requirement mean you can fit it into a shorter Nepal trip and still stand at sunrise on a 3,210-meter ridge.

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Top questions

How long is the Poon Hill trek from Pokhara?

Four days and three nights. Day one is a 1.5-hour drive plus a 5–6 hour trek. Days two and three are 5–7 hours of walking. Day four is a 3-hour trek and a drive back to Pokhara.

What is the highest elevation on this trek?

Poon Hill, at 3,210 meters (10,531 feet). The trek starts at 1,070 meters and climbs gradually over the first three days.

Do I need trekking experience?

No. The trek is suitable for beginners and does not require previous experience or high fitness levels. The pace is steady and manageable.

What's included in the trek?

Mountain lodge accommodation for three nights, a guide, private vehicle transport from Pokhara to the trailhead and back, and meals during the trek.

What villages does the trek pass through?

Ulleri, Ghorepani, Tadapani, and Ghandruk. These are Gurung and Pun ethnic settlements where you'll stay in mountain lodges.

Is there a museum on the trek?

Yes, the Old Gurung Museum in Ghandruk, where you can see traditional Gurung cultural dress and try it on if you wish.

How much walking happens each day?

Day one: 5–6 hours. Day two: 5 hours. Day three: 7 hours (including the early morning hike to Poon Hill). Day four: 3 hours.