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The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of the most popular hikes in the Himalayan mountains and a genuinely unique experience that should be on everyone’s bucket list!

Located in the Annapurna Conservation Area, this hike can be completed in just 4 days with the beautiful city of Pokhara as the perfect getaway to start and end your trek.

Pokhara has many restaurants, bars, and shops where you can buy or rent trekking gear. I loved wandering around the town and exploring Phewa Lake during sunsets, which is really beautiful!

In this article, I’ll share my personal experience, useful tips, and inspiring photos of the journey to help you plan your adventure in Nepal.

READ ALSO: Backpacking in Nepal: the perfect 3 weeks in Nepal itinerary

Why the Poon Hill trek?

The Poon Hill Trekking in Nepal is the best and most popular short hike in Nepal. It’s an excellent alternative for anyone who wants to see the Himalayan mountain peaks in a short amount of time.

This hike is also an excellent introduction to Nepal’s outdoor scene because it can be completed in just four days and three nights, unlike the famous Annapurna Circuit Trek which takes almost 16 days to complete.

Anyone who is reasonably fit can complete the Poon Hill Trek and during my adventure, there were even families with kids undertaking the hike. Besides, the highest point on the trail is 3,210 meters, which means that there is a very low risk of experiencing altitude sickness.

The highlight of the overall trekking experience was unquestionably the early morning wake-up call to the Ghorepani Poon Hill viewpoint to watch the sunrise. Being able to see some of the highest peaks in the world from a single viewpoint… Just stunning!

The best time to hike the Poon Hill trek

To have the best views, clear blue skies, and comfortable temperatures, I would recommend going to Nepal between September and November or between March and May.

This is peak season, therefore there will most likely be a higher number of tourists and hikers on the trails. As a result, the camps and tea houses are often fully booked, and you might have to sleep in the common areas. So, keep this in mind if you plan to visit Nepal around these times of the year.

Luckey, my guide took care of everything for me, which was a big relief.

With or without a guide?

NOTE: From April 2023, it is not allowed anymore for foreigners to hike without a guide. TIMS and ACAP Permits will no longer be issued without a registered guide.

Although trekking in Nepal is something that can be done perfectly on your own, I would recommend going with a local guide as they will help you arrange accommodations and permits but they also know the region and you are also contributing to the local economy in Nepal.

I came across Ethical Trekking in Pokhara by simply exploring the town and the moment I stepped inside the tour agency, the owner Krishna, was very helpful and explained everything with passion about the hike.

Although he is a guide himself, my guide was Bipin and I had a truly remarkable and unique adventure with him in the mountains. highly suggest hiring him as your guide!

If you want to plan your trekking in Nepal, you may find some great guided excursions here:

• Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara 3N / 4D
• Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara 3N / 4D

ACAP & TIM PERMITS

NOTE: From April 2023, it is not allowed anymore for foreigners to hike without a guide. TIMS and ACAP Permits will no longer be issued without a registered guide.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the TIMS card are required for any hike inside the Annapurna Sanctuary area and can be obtained from the Tourism Information Center in Pokhara or Kathmandu.

It’s best to obtain permits for this trek from the tourism center in Pokhara. Filling out the registration forms is also much more comfortable and calm than in Kathmandu.

Make sure you have your passport, insurance, Cash (Nepalese Rupiah), and the address of your hotel, as well as four passport photos. (You can still make them on the spot) to obtain your ACAP and TIMS permits.

How much does the Poon Hill Trek cost?

NOTE: From April 2023, it is not allowed anymore for foreigners to hike without a guide. TIMS and ACAP Permits will no longer be issued without a registered guide.

It takes only 3 to 4 days to reach the viewpoint of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, which is among the most popular short hikes in Nepal. since this is a short hike, you’ll spend less on accommodation and food. My partner and I paid US$172 per person, including the following:

TIP: If you want to do more hikes in the Annapurna Conservation Area, try to combine several treks and the same permits. It is possible, for example, to do the Poon Hill trip and then continue to Mardi Himal or Annapurna Base Camp. This can help you save money.

READ ALSO: Nepal Budget: How much does a trip to Nepal cost?

Where do you start the Poon Hill trek?

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is situated in the Annapurna Conservation Area near Pokhara, so the best place to start the hike is from this charming city of Pokhara as you can also prepare everything you need here, such as a guide, hiking equipment, and permits.

From Kathmandu to Pokhara by bus is the cheapest option, which costs about NPR 800 / €5,6 per person and takes 7-9 hours. Another option is to take a short 25-minute domestic flight (for example, with Yeti Airlines), which will cost roughly US$80 per person.

However, I would recommend spending at least one night in the city before beginning the hike and leaving any unnecessary luggage at your hotel or hostel.

Once you leave Pokhara you’ll need to head to Nayapul, which is the start of the hiking trail. There is a local bus operating from the city to Nayapul which costs only NPR 200 / €1,4. However, the road is in terrible condition and it can take up to 3 hours to get there.

I arranged a private jeep (which you can share with up to 6 people) and a guide through Ethical Trekking Nepal in Pokhara. The jeep ride takes 1,5 hours to get there and cost US$25 / jeep, so if your budget allows, you should consider taking these jeeps as it is much more convenient and it saves a lot of time.

READ ALSO: 9 best places to visit in Kathmandu

Where to stay?

If you want to go hiking in the Annapurna Conservation Area, you should stay in Pokhara because it has everything you need. Restaurants, pubs, stores, and so on, but also some amazing places to stay.

There is a large range of accommodations available, from hostels to luxury hotels, and the majority of hotels are comfortable, centrally located, and reasonably priced.

I stayed in a private room with breakfast at Karuna Hotel for only €30 a night.

READ ALSO: 15 x best hotels in Nepal

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek Map

The hiking route to the Ghorepani Poon Hill viewpoint is illustrated on the map below to give you an idea of how to get there on foot.

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary

The hike to the sunrise viewpoint can be done in 3 days but you have to walk back the same way you came up. However, I would recommend spending one more night and heading back down along Tadapani and Kimche. It gives you more time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you will pass some waterfalls and stunning viewpoints.

As I mentioned, you might consider combining the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek with another hike such as the Annapurna Base Camp trek or the Mardi Himal, Which I eventually did.

Day 1 – The difficult part

Start: Nayapul (1015m)
End: Ulleri (1950m)
Distance: Approx. 14km
Time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Curious Camels

After a lovely breakfast, I could leave my additional bags at the hotel for no extra charge. Several hotels in Pokhara offer this service, so it is best to ask ahead of time.

My guide Bipin and I were picked up in a jeep and drove for an hour and a half to Nayapul, where the hike to Poon Hill starts.

During the first 30 minutes of the trail, you will be walking on a gravel road until you reach the suspension bridge and the checkpoint. At this point, you need to show your ACAP and TIMS permits.

After passing through the checkpoint, the trail began to ascend very steeply with stairs, passing through several mountain villages and offering stunning views of the valley. Because there were also some rain showers, we decided to stop a few times and purchase a snack or a drink from the locals.

My legs began to feel very heavy after 4 to 5 hours of walking but thankfully, we made it to the village of Ulleri, which was the last stop of the day.

Day 2: reaching Ghorepani

Start: Ulleri (1950m)
End: Ghorepani (2860m)
Distance: Approx. 11km
Time: 4 hours
Accommodation: Nice View Lodge

To avoid the afternoon rain showers, we left around 6.30 am in Ulleri for the next stop, Ghorepani. The path to Ghorepani is in pretty good condition and easy to walk, but there have been a few landslides, so it is best to be careful here.

The trail begins in a dense pine tree forest and follows several creeks and waterfalls during the first part. Once you get through the forest, you will notice that the higher you go, there is much less vegetation.

Just before lunch, we made it to Ghorepani where you can take a hot shower and enjoy the excellent traditional Nepalese meals that the locals have prepared.

I took Momos, which are Nepalese dumplings filled with vegetables, and Thukpa Noodle soup, which was incredibly delicious and only cost a few euros.

Day 3: The highest peaks of the world

Start: Ghorepani (2860m)
End: Tadapani (2670m)
Distance: Approx. 18km
Time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Panorama Point

The sky is still full of stars as you have to wake up at 4.30 for the final trek from Ghorepani to the Poon Hill viewpoint which takes about 45 minutes to get there. The sunrise at the Poon Hill viewpoint is just stunning as you can admire the twilight and glowing mountain peaks from a distance.

It’s also extremely impressive because you get a view of some of the world’s highest mountain peaks such as the Dhaulagiri (8167m), Annapurna I (8091m), Tukuche (6920m), Gangapurna (7455m), and the sacred mountain Machhapuchhre (6993m).

We return to Ghorepani after the sun has risen for a Nepali breakfast before making our way back down to Tadapani. A really lovely trek takes you past spectacular scenic views and narrow walking paths with steep cliffs.

Along the nearly 1200m descent, the forest became denser, it started to rain, and there were leeches everywhere, so we had to stop a few times to get rid of these bloody scumbags.

The camp for the last night is located on the edge of the hill with a breathtaking view over the valley making it up for the lesser fun experience with the leeches.

Day 4: Back to Pokhara

Start: Tadapani (2670m)
End: Kimche (1750m)
Distance: Approx. 12km
Time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Karuna Hotel in Pokhara

It was difficult to leave this area after such a glorious morning with the blue sky and impressive views of the sacred mountain Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South.

The trail descends from a height of 2670 meters to 1750 meters, which is quite an elevation change. Nonetheless, you’ll get treated to some breathtaking scenery along the way, including waterfalls, charming mountain villages, and a spectacular suspension bridge.

We hiked for about four hours before reaching Kimche, where we decided to carpool with three other hikers to Pokhara. Because it had rained for a few days, the road was very muddy, so we had to drive slowly and carefully through the mountain roads.

After a three-hour ride in the jeep, we arrived in Pokhara in the late afternoon, just in time to take a shower and have an amazing dinner in the town.

With the help of our guide Bipin, it was an amazing and enjoyable journey across the Annapurna Conservation Area’s mountains that I will not easily forget.

When you’ve been on a multi-day trek in Nepal, it’s highly recommended to let your legs and body rest. Especially if you’re not used to it.

After finishing the Poon Hill Trek, I stayed in Pokhara for one more night before leaving the following morning for Sauhara, where I planned to relax in the wilderness and go on a safari in Chitwan National Park.

READ ALSO: 6 great reasons to experience A jungle safari in Chitwan National Park

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Plan your trek in Nepal with my favorite travel apps

To plan my adventures, I use these FREE websites and apps as they provide the best information, the best deals, and they are user-friendly. 

• Trip – Flight deals
• Booking.com – Hotels and accommodation
• TourRadar – Group trips
• TripAdvisor – Reviews and activities
• HostelWorld – Hostels
• GetYourGuide – Activities and excursions
• RentalCars – Car rental
• Omio – Transport
• iVisa – Travel documents
• Wise – Money transfer
• VisitorCoverage – Travel Insurance

PICTURES AND EDITING

All the pictures on this page are made and owned by me. If you are interested in some pictures to use for your magazine, website, blog, or any other purpose, just send me an email and we’ll figure it out.

Do you like the edits? My Presets will be online soon so you can edit your pictures in just one click!

The camera gear I used for this trip

I never go out without my camera and many people ask me which gear I use. So to make it quite easy, I listed all the gear I used for this trip below.

Most of the time, I travel with the Sony A7III and the Sony 24-105mm/f4 as my primary lens but depending on the location, I change to another setup. However, I love the Tamron 17-28 to shoot in the big cities.

• SONY A7III
• SONY 24-105mm/f4
• TAMRON 17-28mm/f2.8
• TAMRON 70-180mm/f2.8
• SIGMA 24mm/1.4
• DJI MAVIC PRO 2
• WANDRD PRVKE TRAVEL BAG