Poon Hill Trek: Himalayan Sunrise & Gurung Villages

Sunrise at high altitude, rhododendron forests, and a Gurung village where you stay the night

A 4-day trek from Pokhara that climbs to Poon Hill for a Himalayan sunrise, then descends through rhododendron forests and stone-step trails to the village of Ghandruk. A certified guide leads the route, tea house lodging and meals are included depending on your option, and hotel pickup and drop-off are part of the booking. The trek moves through Gurung settlements and terraced farmland, with walking days ranging from three to seven hours.

The experience

You arrive in Pokhara with a free afternoon or a morning to spare, and this trek fills the next four days without requiring a separate guide hire or accommodation search. The first day is a short drive to Nayapool, then a five- to six-hour climb through villages and terraced fields to Ulleri at 2,050 meters. The second day pushes higher through rhododendron forests, colorful in spring, to Ghorepani at 2,860 meters. On day three, you wake early for the hike to Poon Hill itself, where the sunrise breaks across Annapurna and Dhaulagiri before the crowds arrive. The descent that follows is longer, six to seven hours through Tadapani to Ghandruk, a working Gurung village where you sleep in a tea house run by a local family. The final day is a three- to four-hour walk down through farmland and villages back to Nayapool, then a drive to your hotel.

A certified guide walks with you each day and handles the route, the permits, and the logistics of tea house bookings. You carry a day pack. Trekking sticks and sleeping bags are provided. Meals are included depending on which option you choose at checkout: the all-inclusive option covers breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout, while the meal-included option covers the same, and the without-meal option leaves you to eat where you stop. A first aid kit travels with the guide. Your luggage stays in storage in Pokhara, so you trek light.

The trek suits travelers with moderate fitness. Steep sections and altitude gain mean cardiovascular health matters. The guide speaks English or Hindi. If you need a porter to carry gear, that is arranged separately at twenty dollars per day. Travel insurance is mandatory and not included in the price.

What’s included

• All guide expenses, certified trekking guide, round-trip hotel transfer and airport transfer, luggage storage in Pokhara during the trek, trekking sticks and sleeping bags as needed, first aid kit, all permits and fees, and accommodation in tea houses or simple lodges throughout.
• meals depending on the option you select at checkout.

Options for this experience

3 options

Without MealsGuide in English or Hindi · 07:15, 08:15, 09:15 and 10:15Three nights in simple tea houses or lodges. Standard 4-day duration. Pickup by shared jeep or bus is included.

With Meal IncludedGuide in English or Hindi · 07:15, 08:15, 09:15 and 10:15Lasts 4 days, with meals provided throughout the trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Pickup by shared jeep or bus is included.

All InclusiveGuide in English or Hindi · 5 departure times: the first at 07:15, the last at 11:15Three nights in private accommodation in tea houses or lodges, each with a private room, a private bathroom, hot shower and Wi-Fi, all included. The full-board package covers a guide, a porter, meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), all trekking permits and government taxes, hot showers and first-class service. Lasts 4 days. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided. Pickup by private car or jeep is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:15, the last at 11:15

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Under 11: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Hindi

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 effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Snow Peak Tour & Travels

Is this one for you?The four-day span fits a long weekend or a gap between other plans without committing to a week-long trek. If you want meals arranged so you eat where you stop rather than carrying food or choosing restaurants, pick the all-inclusive or meal-included option. If you prefer to choose your own meals and eat on your own schedule, the without-meal option gives you that freedom.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Hindi.

What is the elevation gain on the Poon Hill trek, and how high does it go?

Poon Hill itself reaches 3,210 meters, and the trek climbs from 820 meters at Nayapool to that peak on day three. The overnight stops are at 2,050 meters in Ulleri, 2,860 meters in Ghorepani, and 1,940 meters in Ghandruk, so you ascend and descend across the four days rather than climbing steadily upward.

What does the sunrise from Poon Hill actually look like?

Poon Hill sits high enough to clear the valleys below, and the sunrise lights Annapurna and Dhaulagiri across the horizon. The timing means you reach the viewpoint before other trekkers, so the moment is quieter than it would be later in the morning.

What is Ghandruk, and why do you sleep there on the last night?

Ghandruk is a Gurung village built on a steep slope, with stone houses and terraced fields surrounding it. You stay in a tea house there (a simple lodge run by a local family), which puts you in the community rather than in a tourist hub. The village sits at the right elevation and distance to make the four-day loop work without backtracking.

How much walking happens each day, and which day is the hardest?

Day one is five to six hours, day two is four to five hours, day three is the longest at six to seven hours (including the early Poon Hill hike and the descent to Ghandruk), and day four is three to four hours downhill. Day three combines the most elevation gain and the most time on the trail.

Do I need to arrange my own guide, or is one included?

A certified guide is included in the trek price and meets you at the starting point. The guide arranges permits, navigates the route, and stays with your group each day. You do not hire separately.

What happens if I need a porter to carry my bag?

Porters are not included in the trek price but can be arranged at checkout for twenty dollars per day. A porter carries your main luggage while you trek with a day pack, which reduces physical strain on longer walking days.