Discover the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Nepal, a short Himalayan journey perfect for beginners, offering sunrise views, cultural encounters, and scenic trails.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Nepal: The Perfect Short Himalayan Adventure
Introduction to Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek Nepal is a short, beautiful walk through the Annapurna hills. This route is easy to get to from Pokhara, and many people choose it because it lets them see big mountains in just a few days. The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek Nepal is great for families, first-time trekkers, and anyone who wants a quick adventure in the Himalayas.
You will walk through green forests, small stone villages, and simple teahouses on this trek. The best part is the Poon Hill sunrise. You have to climb a short distance from Ghorepani to Poon Hill early in the morning to see the sun light up the snowy peaks. Poon Hill is about 3,210 meters above the valley, while Ghorepani village is about 2,874 meters lower. From the top, you can see Annapurna and Dhaulagirivery clearly.
Because it is short and well-marked, the Ghorepani poon hill trekking route is easy to plan. You can find many Ghorepani poon hill trek maps and 4–6 day itineraries, and trips often start from Pokhara (poon hill trek from Pokhara). For a safe, well-organized trip, many visitors book with a local company like Nepal Excursion, which can arrange transport, permits, guides, and cozy teahouse stays.
The Ghorepani Poon Hill trekking route is easy to plan because it is short and well-marked. You can find many Ghorepani poon hill trek maps and 4–6 day itineraries, and trips often start from Pokhara (poon hill trek from Pokhara). Many tourists do bookings with a local travel company in Nepal like Nepal Excursion to make sure their trip goes smoothly and safely. We set up transportation properly and securely, get the necessary permits, have experienced guides, and provide comfortable stays in teahouses.
Trek Route & Map Overview
The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek Nepalis one of the easiest and most popular short hikes in the Annapurna area. The path is easy to follow, has a lot of stone steps, and goes through beautiful forests, villages, and viewpoints. It usually takes four to six days, but you can take as long as you want.
Here's a quick look at the Ghorepani Poon hill trekking map and route:
Starting & Ending Points
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Start: Nayapul (1,070 m) which is about a 1.5–2 hour drive from Pokhara.
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End: Depending on the route you take, the end is either Nayapul or Ghandruk.
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Main Highlight: The main event is the sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210 m).
Main Route
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Pokhara → Nayapul – Drive from Pokhara.
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Nayapul → Tikhedhunga → Ulleri – The trek begins with stone steps and peaceful villages.
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Ulleri → Ghorepani (2,874 m) – Beautiful rhododendron and oak forests.
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Morning hike: Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3,210 m) – Famous sunrise viewpoint.
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Ghorepani → Tadapani → Ghandruk – Go down through forests and Gurung villages.
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Ghandruk → Nayapul → Pokhara – The trek ends with the drive back to Pokhara.
Key Highlights Along the Route
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Ghorepani village: A busy place with lots of teahouses.
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Poon Hill viewpoint: You can see the Annapurna, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Dhaulagiri mountains all at once.
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Ghandruk village: A traditional Gurung village with a lot of culture.
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Forests: The famous rhododendron flowers bloom in the spring (March to April).
Difficulty Level
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Short and moderate—good for beginners.
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Hours of trekking: about 4 to 6 hours a day.
The Ghorepani Poon Hill trekking map shows a loop trail, which means you won't walk the same path twice. This makes the trip more fun and gives you a variety of landscapes, from rivers and forests to villages and mountain ridges.
Itinerary Example
This is a normal and short plan for a Ghorepani poon hill trek. You can make it even shorter (4 days) or longer (10 days) depending on how fast you go and how interested you are.
Day 1: Pokhara to Nayapul – Trek to Tikhedhunga/Ulleri
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It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to drive from Pokhara to Nayapul (1,070 m).
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Begin your trek along rivers and through small villages.
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Reach Tikhedhunga or Ulleri (1,960 m) for the night.
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Time to walk: 4 to 6 hours.
Day 2: Ulleri to Ghorepani (2,874 m)
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Hike up through forests of rhododendrons and oaks.
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Go past waterfalls and little tea houses.
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Stay the night in Ghorepani, a lively village with great views of the mountains.
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Time to walk: 5 to 6 hours.
Day 3: Sunrise Hike to Poon Hill (3,210 m) – Trek to Tadapani
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Hike from Ghorepani to Poon Hill in the early morning (about an hour).
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Watch the sun rise over the Annapurna, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Dhaulagiri ranges.
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Breakfast in Ghorepani, then hike to Tadapani (2,630 m).
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Total time walking: 6 to 7 hours.
Day 4: Tadapani to Ghandruk (2,010 m)
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Walk down through the forest and terraced fields.
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Get to Ghandruk village, where the Gurung people live.
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Visit the culture museum, traditional houses, and see Annapurna South from above.
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Walking time: 3–4 hours.
Day 5: Ghandruk to Nayapul – Drive to Pokhara
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Trek down to Nayapul (3–4 hours).
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Drive back to Pokhara by jeep or car.
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The trek ends.
This Ghorepani Poon hill trekking plan includes a mix of culture, forest trails, and mountain views in a short amount of time. People love this trek in the Annapurna region because it's short, cheap, and rewarding.
And if you have enough time and want to experience a more detailed, comfortable, safe, reliable and memorable longer Ghorepani poon hill trek Nepal package then we have a Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek - 10 days itinerary package ready just for you.
Permits, Costs & Logistics
You need to get the right permits and make a budget plan before you go on the Ghorepani Poon hill trek Nepal. These permits are required because the trek goes through the Annapurna Conservation Area.
1. Permits Required
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Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP):
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Cost: The price is $30 per person.
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Required for all people who want to trek in the Annapurna area.
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Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card:
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Cost: $20 per person if you go with an agency, or $40 if you go alone.
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Helps keep track of records and stay safe while trekking.
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You can get both permits from Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Pokhara, or your trekking company (like Nepal Excursion) can arrange them for you.
You can get both permits from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Pokhara, or with the help of a trekking company in Nepal like Nepal Excursion, we can get them for you without you needing to worry about anything.
2. Trekking Costs
The Ghorepani Poon hill trekking cost depends on how you travel:
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Budget Trekkers: $25 to $35 a day (for a simple tea house and food).
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Standard Trekkers: $40 to $60 per day (better food, nice lodges, a guide and a porter).
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All-Inclusive Packages: For a 5-day trek, you can get permits, a guide, a porter, meals, a place to stay, and transportation for $350 to $500.
3. Logistics & Transport
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Starting Point: Most treks begin with a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Pokhara to Nayapul.
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Trek Duration: The trek usually lasts 4 to 6 days, but it depends on how fast you go.
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Guides & Porters:
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Not required, but highly suggested for comfort and safety.
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A licensed guide costs about $25 to $30 a day.
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A porter charges between $20 and $25 a day and can carry up to 20 kg.
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4. Accessibility
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The closest city is Pokhara, which is a 7-hour drive or a 25-minute flight from Kathmandu.
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You can easily get to the Ghorepani poon hill trek route from Pokhara.
This makes the Ghorepani poon hill trek Nepal one of the best adventures in Nepal for beginners and people on a budget. It's great for people who don't have a lot of time because it's easy to get to, doesn't take long, and doesn't cost much compared to longer treks.
Accommodation, Food & Cultural Experience
One of the best things about the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek Nepal is how friendly the people are in the mountains. There are many teahouses and small lodges along the way that make the trip easy and comfortable.
Accommodation on the Trek
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Teahouses/Lodges: The most common kind of stay. The rooms are simple, with two beds, warm blankets, and bathrooms that are shared.
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Comfort Level: The lodges are cozy and friendly, but don't expect luxury. Some lodges in Ghorepani and Ghandruk have hot showers and Wi-Fi for comfort though.
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Cost: $5–10 per night, and meals at the same teahouse are usually cheaper.
Food on the Trek
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Meals Provided: Almost every teahouse serves similar menus.
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Traditional Nepali food like dal bhat, which is rice, lentil soup, and vegetables.
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Some well-known foods are noodles, fried rice, pasta, soups, and momo (dumplings).
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Breakfast options include pancakes, porridge, omelets, and tea or coffee.
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Cost of Food: Food costs about $3 to $6 per meal. And as you go up, prices go up a little.
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Drinks: Bottled water is available, but it's better for you to bring water purification tablets with you to save money and cut down on plastic waste.
Cultural Experience
The trek is not just about the mountains; it's also about meeting people who live there.
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Ghorepani Village: A lively place where people from the Magar and Gurung communities live.
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Ghandruk Village: Famous for its Gurung culture, traditional houses, and a small museum.
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Hospitality: People are friendly, and you can often see them in traditional clothes or working in the fields.
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Nepal route is different because of its cultural side. In the morning, you can see the mountains, and in the evening, you can see village life. This is a great mix of nature and culture.
Best Time to Trek & Final Reflections
The Ghorepani poon hill trek Nepal can be done almost all year round, but some seasons give the best experience.
Best Time to Trek
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Spring (March–May): The skies are clear, the weather is warm, and the rhododendron forests are in full bloom. A season full of color and life.
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Autumn (September–November): The most popular season is autumn, which runs from September to November. This season has the best mountain views, dry weather, and fresh air.
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Winter (December–February): It's a cold season, but you can still do it if you want. The snow on the higher ground makes the hike harder but also more beautiful.
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Monsoon (June–August): Not recommended because of the heavy rain, leeches, and slippery trails. However, the greenery is very lush during this season making it a view worth seeing.
Final Reflections
The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek Nepal is one of the easiest and most rewarding hikes in the Himalayas. It's short, cheap, and full of natural beauty and cultural richness. The sunrise from Poon Hill is a moment you'll never forget. The peaks of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhre shine in golden light.
This trek is great for families, people who are new to trekking, or people who don't have a lot of time. If you plan well or hire a trusted travel company in Nepal like Nepal Excursion, then know that you can have a safe, comfortable, and truly memorable trip to Nepal.