Poon Hill Trek: Annapurna Sunrise Hike & Village Experience

Summary

Pokhara to Ghorepani: Himalayan Views & Gurung Culture

If you're looking for an easy Himalayan trek packed with sunrise views and real village life, this Poon Hill route is perfect—even if you've never hiked Nepal before. You'll cross blooming forests, meet friendly locals in Ulleri and Ghandruk, and catch that famous golden light over Annapurna without needing any special gear or experience.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air in Pokhara felt cool on my face as I double-checked my backpack, waiting for our guide outside the hotel. The drive to Nayapul took about an hour and a half—windows down, you catch whiffs of fresh earth and hear the odd rooster crowing as you leave town behind. At Nayapul, we started walking. The path wound past tiny shops selling tea and biscuits, then opened up to terraced fields dotted with buffalo. Lunch was a simple dal bhat at Birethanti—nothing fancy, but it hit the spot after a couple hours on foot. By late afternoon, we reached Ulleri, a hillside village where kids played marbles near the stone steps and smoke curled up from kitchen fires. Our mountain lodge was basic but warm, with thick blankets and ginger tea that tasted especially good after a long day.

The next stretch to Ghorepani was mostly uphill through dense rhododendron forest. In April, those trees explode in red and pink flowers—our guide, Suman, pointed out different birds flitting between branches (I remember a bright blue one he called "verditer flycatcher"). After five hours or so, we arrived at Ghorepani just as clouds started rolling in over the peaks. The village itself is mostly Pun people; there’s Wi-Fi here if you need it, plus plenty of places to grab a hot meal. That evening, I stood outside our lodge watching the last light hit Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri—honestly, photos don’t do it justice.

We set alarms for 4:30am to hike up Poon Hill before sunrise. It’s chilly at that hour; I could see my breath as we climbed with headlamps lighting the way. At the top (3,210 meters), there were maybe thirty other trekkers sipping instant coffee from paper cups while waiting for the sun to break over the mountains. When it did—well, everyone just went quiet for a minute or two. You get this wide sweep of peaks: Annapurna I, Machapuchare (the “Fishtail”), Dhaulagiri… all glowing gold for a few moments before turning white again. After snapping too many photos, we headed back down for breakfast and then continued on to Tadapani—a long walk through mossy woods where you can sometimes hear monkeys rustling above.

The last day took us down toward Ghandruk—a larger Gurung village with stone houses and narrow lanes lined by chickens and dogs napping in the sun. We stopped at the Old Gurung Museum; inside they let me try on traditional dress (the hat was heavier than it looks). After poking around local shops and grabbing lunch—try their millet bread if you get the chance—we walked another short stretch to Syauli Bazaar where our ride back to Pokhara waited. By then my legs were tired but honestly? I’d do it all again just for those early morning views from Poon Hill.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Drive to Nayapul and trek Ulleri

• Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri

Day 2 — Trek Ulleri to Ghorepani

• Trek to Ghorepani

Day 3 — Hike Poon Hill and trek Tadapani

• Hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani

Day 4 — Trek Ghandruk and drive Pokhara

• Trek to Ghandruk and visit Old Gurung Museum
• Drive back to Pokhara

Top questions

Is this trek suitable for beginners?

Yes—it’s designed for people new to trekking in Nepal. No technical skills needed; just basic fitness helps.

What kind of accommodation will I stay in?

You’ll sleep in simple mountain lodges along the route—expect clean rooms with warm blankets and shared bathrooms.

Are meals included during the trek?

Meals aren’t included but are available at local teahouses along the trail; typical options are dal bhat or noodles.

Can I join solo or do I need a group?

You can join solo—the guide will be with you throughout so you won’t have any trouble navigating or meeting others.

What’s included

Your trek includes all accommodation in cozy mountain lodges plus an experienced local guide who knows every shortcut and story along the way. Private transport from Pokhara is arranged both ways so you won’t have to worry about getting lost or haggling for rides.