Trip Duration
9 Days
Trip Difficulty
Moderate
Group Size
1-16
Max. Altitude
2,870m. /9,416 ft.
Accommodation
Hotel/ Lodge /Tea House
Best Seasons
Mar-May/Sept-Nov
Activity per day
Trekking
Start/End
KathmanduTrip Overview
This 54 km Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of the easiest, if not, the easiest trekking destination in all of Nepal. We have taken the liberty of adding a couple more destinations at the start and the end of the classic Ghorepani trek to make it a complete cultural and scenic journey in Nepal. First, we will go on a cultural day tour around the city of Kathmandu and follow it up with a flight to Pokhara the following day.
After we land at Pokhara, we will hit the road again, this time on a jeep/car to get to the starting point of this trek, Birethanti village. The 3rd day of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary is when we will trek for the first time; we will get to Ulleri village. The next day, our daily trek takes us to Ghorepani village, a beautiful Magar village sitting at 2870 meters above sea level.
Ghorepani is the last village we will stop at before we climb to Poon Hill to experience a majestic sunrise from the top of a hill. This magical experience will be followed up with a descent back to Ghorepani, and further descent to Tadapani. We will arrive at Birethanti the next day and get on our ride back to Pokhara. A full-day sightseeing around the city of Pokhara awaits us the next day.
All in all, this Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek experience is a beginner-friendly yet highly rewarding destination that takes us on a scenic ride from the start to the very end. The forested trails are very appealing, especially with the fresh and vibrant spring flowers. The Gurung and Magar communities that dominate the region are very friendly and helpful. You will surely have a good time learning about their daily lives and staying in their villages.
The accommodation options during your stay in these villages are very limited; inns, lodges, tea houses, and homestays are all the options. While the former three options are readily available and the standard accommodation, you can also try the homestay option. Basically, you will be living at a local’s house, and the local community will decide which house gets to host the trekkers.
Staying at an authentic countryside house can be exciting and a great way to learn the practices of the locals. But, there will not be many facilities since it is a literal home, not an establishment. For instance, you might not have hot showers or WiFi connectivity.
There are many things you deserve to know before you actually book the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with us. So, here’s a detailed version of our trek package that should clear most things up for you, so that you can make your final decision.
Highlights of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
- Experience a magical sunrise view from the scenic viewpoint of Poon Hill at 3210 meters above the sea level.
- Pass by and stay at traditional countryside villages of Nepal, getting many chances to learn the Gurung and Magar culture.
- Enjoy a very short trekking experience with day sightseeing tours in Kathmandu and Pokhara, for an immersive journey through Nepal.
- Stunning Himalayan views throughout the trekking days, paired with serene walks through forests.
- Very beginner-friendly trek that can be done with kids and elderly people as well.
Itinerary of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
As your flight goes over the valleys of the hilly region of Nepal, you will see numerous peaks in the distance, standing high and mighty. You will get to see the Annapurna Himalayan range, Manaslu, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Tilicho, Lhotse, and more peaks in the north. This will be your first impression of Nepal, and as your flight lands at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you can’t wait to get started on the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.
After you get off the plane, you will be guided to the immigration area, where you have to fill out your tourist visa application form, pay your visa fees at the nearby counter, and present a bunch of documents along with it to get your visa approved. You must have two passport-sized photos, proof of residence, a passport that is valid for 6 more months, and proof of return tickets.
Once you get your visa approved, you will find our representative waiting for you at the terminal. He will welcome you and transport you to your destination of the night. We will also have a short introduction session where you will get to know the guides, drivers, and porters that make this Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek possible.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)
Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 02: Cultural Visit around the city of Kathmandu
After a restful night in the bustling city of Kathmandu, we will head out for a cultural sightseeing tour. But first, a tasty breakfast is needed to fuel our morning hours. Our first destination of the day will be Swayambhunath Stupa, which sits on the plains of a hill in the middle of the city. This stupa is a huge white dome decorated with a golden Gajur (spire) on its top center, with 4 pairs of Buddha eyes looking in each direction.
Next up, we will visit the Bouddhnath Stupa. This stupa is similar in shape to Swayambhunath and is encircled with numerous prayer wheels. From there, we will head to Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been around for centuries. This is followed up with a visit to Pashupatinath Temple, the most revered Shiva Temple in all of Nepal. Likewise, we will visit the Changu Narayan Temple, the National Museum of Nepal and more, before endinf the 2nd day of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.
A few of the attractions in Kathmandu require entry fees which will be covered by your Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek package. During the day sightseeing tour, we will have to arrange for lunch at one of the eatries along the way, this will not be covered by our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek cost.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 03: Flight to Pokhara, drive to Birethanti (1025 m), and trek to Ulleri (2020 m)
The next day, we will finally reach Pokhara, the tourist capital and the most beautiful city in all of Nepal. This city is too good not to explore, which we will get to after the completion of the trek. For now, we will arrive in Pokhara via a short 25-minute flight from Kathmandu. This transport is a part of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek package.
From Pokhara, we will get on a jeep and drive to the town of Birethanti, the starting point of this Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Today’s trek is 9 km long, takes 4 to 5 hours to complete, and takes us 995 meters higher from Birethanti. Starting off, the trail is levelled plain, taking us to Hile with a couple of climbs. From Hile, the trail turns into a gentle ascent through farmlands and tiny settlements. Trekking alongside the Bhurungdi river, we will soon reach the Tikhedhunga river, where we will rest a little.
From Tikhedhunga, the infamous 3000-step stone staircase begins. It is definitely a challenge, but with occasional pauses and bite-sized portions, we will be able to cross it. We will soon reach Ulleri after passing the steps and get rewarded with a wide open scene of the entire Annapurna Himalayan range. Thus ends the first day of trekking on the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 2020m./6,627ft. (Ulleri )
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 04: Trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani (2870 m)
From Ulleri, our destination of the day is about 8 km away, requiring 4 hours of trekking through dirt and gravel trails. The elevation gain for the day is 800 meters as we make our way through forests and tiny villages. Our initial trekking segment is a gentle climb from Ulleri through a lush rhododendron and oak forest. This well-trodden path offers a few scenic treats along the way.
We will soon reach Banthanti, our first major stop of the day. We will rest our legs a little before leaving the village; the path is the same, a gentle incline. Crossing small streams, we will trek through thick woodlands covered in moss and lichen to get to the village of Nangethanti. This is the last major stop of today’s trek.
From Nangethanti, we will get to Ghorepani in about an hour or more. This final leg of the trek is a steep ascent with switchbacks along the slopes of a hill full of rhododendron trees. As we reach Ghorepani village, scenes of the Dhaulagiri peak and the Annapurna Himalayan range will be apparent.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 2870m./9,416ft. (Ghorepani )
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 05: Trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani (2,610 m), Sunrise view from Poon Hill (3,150m)
Day 5 of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is the ultimate day of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek as we will climb to our main destination, Poon Hill viewpoint. Our day starts earlier than ever, we will have to be ready to trek by 5 in the morning to catch the scene of sunrise. It’s a 45 minutes easy hike to the viewpoint of Poon Hill from Ghorepani village. This hike will gain us 280 meters of elevation.
The sunrise scene from Poon Hill is the main deal of this trek, we will enjoy a one-of-a-kind moment as the sun slowly rises above the hills and sheds light to the entire surrounding. After this experience, we will get back down to Ghorepani Village, have our breakfast, and get on the path to Tadapani.
By the end of the day, we will have lost 540 meters of elevation (from Poon Hill), covered over 13 km of distance, and trekked about 7 hours (incl. Hike to Poon Hill). The way to Tadapani has a couple of steep ascents, followed by sharp descents. We will cross Deurali Pass, Banthanti, Thuli Odar, Liui Kharka, and more on the way
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 3150m./10,335ft. ( Poon Hill)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Day 06: Trek from Tadapani to Birethanti and drive back to Pokhara
Tadapani is the last village we will spend the night in during this Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. From there, we will trek over 14 km, be on our feet for 5 hours, and drop 1585 meters of elevation to get back to the starting point of Birethanti. This route takes us through several forests and villages alongside farmlands that give off a peaceful vibe.
The trek starts with a sharp descent to Ghandruk, a major Gurung village in the Annapurna hills. Reaching Ghandruk takes about 2 hours, from where we will head south and get to Kimche. We will have to descend some stone steps and a rugged trail to get to Kimche. The last leg of today’s trek is a gradual descent following the Modi River downstream that leads us to Birethanti.
This marks the end of the trekking days of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary. We will now get on a jeep that takes us all the way down to Pokhara.
Activity: Drive
Max. Altitude: 822m./2,697ft. (Pokhara)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 07: Exploration day in Pokhara
The following day of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek pacakge is yet another exciting day as we get to visit a bunch of attractions within the Pokhara Valley. Some of the sites we visit throughout the day might charge us entry fees, which will be covered by the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek cost. The day sightseeing tour starts with a drive to Sarangkot for a sunrise view.
Throughout the day, we will visit places like Barahi Temple, Bindabasini Temple, World Peace Stupa, Pumdikot Shiva Statue, Begnas Lake, and more. This is the standard Pokhara exploration itinerary that we issue to every trekker. If you want to, you can modify the itinerary with places you want to visit. We will be more than happy to take you there.
Note: Meals, beverages, and any other expenses except entry ticket and transportation are not a part of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek cost.
Max. Altitude: 822m./2,697ft. (Pokhara)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 08: Flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara
The end of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is near, we will be heading back to Kathmandu on the 8th day via a short 25-minute flight. Be sure that you are not leaving anything behind in your hotel room.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu )
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 09: Departure from Kathmandu
This is officially the last day of our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. We will hold a brief farewell ceremony, thanking you for choosing us and bidding you a heartfelt farewell. After everything, we will drop you off at the international airport as per your time of flight.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)
Includes/Excludes
What is included?
- All arrival, departure transfers as per the itineary by car, van or coach.
- Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with English speaking guide, transport and entry fees.
- Domestic airfares and road transportation according to your choice.
- All hotel accommodation with breakfast.
- All meals (3 meals each day) during camping or tea-house trek.
- Full service from our guides, cooks, and porters.
- All camping and kitchen equipments and camp site fees.
- Staff salary, transport and insurance.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry permit.
- TIMS (Trekkers Information Management) fee.
- Necessery government taxes.
- Company ground handling charges.
What is not included?
- International flights to Nepal.
- Meals not mentioned above or in the itinerary.
- Travel and medical insurance including evacuation.
- Nepal entry Visa fee.
- Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, bar bill, telephone calls etc and tips for staff.
- Any additional activities not in the itinerary.
Route Map & Altitude Chart
Trip Information
How does our trip start?
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek starts with your arrival at the international airport at Kathmandu. On your arrival day, we will arrange a short meeting to introduce you with the drivers, porters, and guides who will accompnay and help you complete the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary with ease.
This will be followed by a cultural sightseeing tour around the city of Kathmandu on the next day. This day tour is designed to let you experience the traditional Nepalese architectural style that has been alive for centuries and the culture that it has shaped in modern times. The next day, we will finally fly to Pokhara and get on a jeep ride to Birethanti to start our trek.
Difficulty
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of the most simplest trekking experience in Nepal. This 45 km long trek is perfect for beginners and first-time trekkers who want to experience the raw countryside of Nepal without the extreme trekking conditions of the remote trails. We do not reach any higher than 3150 meters at Poon Hill viewpoint, which adds to the easyness of the trek. Our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary follows the standard route with plenty of resting sessions in between daily treks.
On a scale of 10, this trek has received a rating of 5 from our trek experts and guides. The shortness of the itinerary, the easy daily treks, and the general lack of heavy ascents make it very beginner-friendly and approachable. This trek can also be done by kids and elderly people, given that they prepare for it well.
Best seasons
The most suitable season for this Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is spring. Since we will not be getting to a considerable altitude, we can basically do this trek whole year round, but some seasons are way better in comparison. One of the main reasons for trekking the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary in spring is the lush natural scenes along with wild flowers, fruits, berries, and red rhododendron flowers all along the forested trails.
Similarly, if you are unable to visit Nepal in spring, autumn has most of the same qualities, minus the flower blooming period. In addition, the season is also drier, and very little rain is received throughout. Basically, the early and later stages of this season might have some precipitation while the rest of the days remain dry.
Altitude Sickness
There is no threat of altitude sickness during this short and easy Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. We will take you to a maximum elevation of 3150 meters above sea level, which is very safe from any effects of altitude sickness. The early and trivial effects of altitude sickness begin at an elevation of 3500 meters, which means we are more than safe from it. This is the reason why it is safe for kids and elderly people to tag along the trail.
Accommodation, Food and Drink
During the trekking days, your stay will be in local lodges and tea houses that are owned by the locals of the villages. Staying in these locally established areas supports the local community directly. Every accommodation for the entirety of the trek will be an expense covered by the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek cost.
When it comes to food, you will have plenty of options, ranging from traditional and authentic Gurung and Magar dishes to generic international dishes like spaghetti, pasta, pizza, etc. The higher we go, the lower the chances of getting western dishes since getting ingredients at higher altitudes is very time-consuming and impractical in general. The list of drinks you can choose from is limited to hot tea, hot chocolate, coffee, seasonal fruit juice, and water.
Transportation
Getting around the city area, transportation to the starting point, and driving back to the city at the end of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is an inseparable part of the trek. Our extended Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary requires trekkers to fly to Pokhara, drive to Birethanti, drive back to Pokhara, and flight back to Kathmandu to end the journey. All of this driving around and flying around will be covered by your Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek cost. Plus, we will also pick you up and drop you off at the airport.
Permit
This Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary takes you through the conserved area of Annapurna that requires trekkers to have the Annapurna Conservation Area Project permit. This permit can be obtained at the Tourism Board Office in Pokhara. Our trek guide will guide you on how to proceed.
Trip preparation and fitness
Since this is one of the easiest trekking destinations in Nepal, you do not really have to physically exert yourself that much. Just a short 4 to 5 weeks to preparation will be enough to traverse the rugged trails of this Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary. You should train your leg muscles, walk or jog as much as possible, and work on your stamina.
Cost & Budget
The cost this Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is USD ___________ per head. This trek package covers a whole bunch of trekking expenses, including daily meals, daily accommodation, transportation expenses, daily fees of the crew members, your permit fees, entrance ticket fees during the sightseeing tour in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and more.
Gadgets charging & Internet
The Ghorepani region is well developed with all the basic infrastructure, which is something that most villages do not have in the region. Only the popular villages receive development budgets and facilities from the cities. On the way, we will spend the night at major villages in the region to make sure that you get the basic facilities. This includes laundry services, gadget charging, a hot shower, a steady but slow internet connection, and a range of food options.
Your Extra expenses
Expenses such as international flights to and from Nepal, additional meals, personal travel and medical insurance, emergency evacuation services, visa fees, laundry fees, hot shower fees, bar bills, and any kind of activities that are not a part of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek package are considered extra.
Things to Remember Before Trekking Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
- If possible, include climbing stairs in your physical preparation session. The 3000 steps section from Ulleri is quite the workout, which is not an easy section to pass.
- You will not find any ATMs or banks at the remote villages we will be staying in. So, we recommend you carry enough cash with you to last the whole trek.
- The weather can change in an instant in the hilly regions, thanks to the swift changes in wind direction. So, make sure that you have packed weather-proof clothes (just in case).
- Hot showers and laundry services are not a part of the accommodation expenses that the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek cost covers. You need to pay the tea houses separately for these services.
- The internet connection is not that great, and you barely get cell connectivity. Prepare yourself for a day or two of no internet by downloading you favorite songs and a couple of YouTube videos in case you need to kill time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a great trekking experience for beginners since the trial is easy to traverse, the length of the trek is short, and we do not reach considerable altitude sickness prone elevation.
This trek is not physically intensive at all. You will have a great time walking steadily over a plain and slightly ascending trail for most part. There are some steep sections along the way, but it is very doable with proper rest.
No, this trek can not be done solo because the law requires trekkers to be accompanied by a licensed guide at all times. This is done to preserve the conserved area of the Annapurna highlands.
