Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Nepal's quintessential short trek — one of the world's most famous sunrise viewpoints with an unobstructed panorama of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna massif.
Know before you go
Trip readiness
Best timing
October-November, March-April
Treat this as the first planning window, then verify local trail and weather conditions.
Time needed
4 days
Include acclimatization and transport buffers for mountain routes.
Permit status
Permit required
ACAP permit (NPR 3,000) and TIMS card (NPR 2,000) required
Difficulty
Easy
Annapurna route. Match this to fitness, altitude experience, and daily walking hours.
Live conditions
Trail weather available
Use the weather card before starting, especially during monsoon and winter windows.
The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is Nepal's quintessential short trek and arguably the best sunrise viewpoint trek in the Himalayas. The pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill (3,210m) rewards trekkers with an unobstructed 180-degree panorama spanning from Dhaulagiri (8,167m) to Manaslu (8,163m), with the full Annapurna massif and Machhapuchhre dominating the skyline.
The trail follows stone-stepped paths through terraced rice paddies, dense rhododendron forests spectacular in March-April bloom, and traditional Gurung and Magar villages. The return route commonly loops through Tadapani and the picturesque Gurung village of Ghandruk.
This trek requires no technical skills and is suitable for fit beginners, families, and older trekkers. Teahouse infrastructure is excellent with comfortable lodges and hot meals. Its proximity to Pokhara (90 minutes to the trailhead) makes it the most popular short trek in Nepal.
Field log · Day by day
The route, walked
- Stages
- 4
- Day01
Nayapul→Tikhedhunga
moderateOvernightTikhedhunga- Walking
- 4.0–5.0h
- Camp coords
- 28.308, 83.722
Trailhead approach from Pokhara, then stone paths and village walking toward the lower Ulleri/Ghorepani route.
- Day02
Tikhedhunga→Ghorepani
hardOvernightGhorepani- Walking
- 6.0–7.0h
- Camp coords
- 28.403, 83.699
Long climb on stone steps through Ulleri and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani.
- Day03
Ghorepani→Tadapani
cruxOvernightTadapani- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
- Camp coords
- 28.392, 83.774
Pre-dawn side hike to Poon Hill for sunrise, then forested ridge walking to Tadapani.
- Day04
Tadapani→Ghandruk
lightOvernightGhandruk- Walking
- 3.0–4.0h
- Camp coords
- 28.377, 83.808
Descend through forest to Ghandruk; most itineraries continue by jeep or on foot toward the roadhead for Pokhara.
- End
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