Ghorepani Poonhill Trek Trip Information

You will start your day with a hearty morning spread (buffet breakfast) at the hotel in Kathmandu. You will then start your journey to Pokhara, in a private vehicle (car/jeep/minivan/bus-depending on group size).

Pokhara, a blissful lake valley, is located 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. The drive will be on the Prithvi Highway.

FAQ: How long is the drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
ANS: Well, if the road conditions are good and not affected by construction work, highway traffic jams or natural disasters, the drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara is approximately 6-7 hours.

It’s a very scenic drive. The highway first runs along the Trisuli River and then the Marsyangdi River - two of the seven major tributaries of the Gandaki River. The view of the terraced farms, hamlets, green hills, mountains- all make the drive very interesting. Since the vehicle is private, you can stop for lunch, a quick snack and short toilet breaks, if and when needed.

Upon reaching Pokhara, you will check into the pre-booked hotel for you in Pokhara. Spend the afternoon/evening at leisure.

Your Ghorepani trek itinerary begins today. Enjoy an indulgent morning feast (breakfast) at the hotel in Pokhara and get your bags (with all essentials) ready for this short trek in Nepal. 

FAQ: Do I need to carry my passport?

Ans: Yes, at the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) office in Birethanti and at the permit check point in Ghorepani, you will be required to present your original passport. 

  After breakfast at the hotel in Pokhara, your guide will pick you up from the hotel and together you will drive to the trail head of this short Annapurna trek. The trailhead of the trek is Ulleri, therefore, from Pokhara, you will drive to Ulleri. It’s a pleasant drive on Pokhara-Baglung till Nayapul. From Nayapul, leaving the highway you will drive to Birethanti. You will stop for some time here for conversation area entrance formalities, which your guide will take care of. After the formalities, you will continue to drive to Ulleri, a very beautiful Magar Village that also greets you with very mesmerizing views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. This drive takes approximately 4 hours. 

In Ulleri, if you are hungry, you will have your lunch. If not, you will start your trek to Ghorepani. Located roughly 7 kilometers north-west of Ulleri, the hike to Ghorepani takes about 4 hours. The hike is mostly a gentle ascent through the forest of Rhododendron (blooms in spring-March to May) and Oak. Continue through the forest, walking past Banthanti and Nangge Thanti, you will soon reach Ghorepani. 

Upon reaching Ghorepani, you will check into the lodge for dinner and comfortable overnight stay. You can spend the evening at leisure. To make the most out of the day, spend the evening exploring the settlement of Ghorepani.

The Poon Hill sunrise trek  is one of the best ways to experience breathtaking mountain sunrise views in the world. The viewpoint of the Poon Hill offers a mesmerizing panorama of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range. These ranges, along with two of the top ten highest mountains in the world, Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri, also include strikingly beautiful other Himalayan giants, such as Tukuche, Thapa Peak, Nilgiri-South, Central and North, Tilicho Peak, Patal Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Baraha Shikhar Chuli, Singu Chuli, Tharpu Chuli, Tare Kang, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, Gandarwa Chuli, Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal, Annapurna IV, Annapurna II as well as Lamjung Himal. Where else in the world can you find a trek that is this easy, short, beginner-friendly and low altitude, yet offers a sunrise view as magnificent as this particular Annapurna region trek?

From Ghorepani, the Poon Hill trek takes roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour (depending on your pace). Therefore, you will start this trek one hour before sunrise to reach on time for sunrise. This also implies that  it will still be dark outside and you will trek wearing a headlamp. It's a moderate hike- mostly stone steps with steady climb. The top greets you with mesmerizing panoramic sunrise views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain ranges. Take your time to take in the  views and photos. Once you are ready, you will hike back down to Ghorepani for breakfast. 

After breakfast at the lodge in Ghorepani, you will start your return journey. Retracing the steps, you will hike down to Ulleri through the forest of rhododendron. This hike, which is mostly downhill, takes around 2-3 hours (depending on your pace). After lunch in Ulleri you will drive back to Pokhara. In Pokhara, we will drop you back to your hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon/evening at leisure. 

Breakfast at the hotel and you will start your return journey to Kathmandu in a private vehicle (car/jeep/minivan/bus- depending on your group size).

FAQ: Do solo travelers also get a private vehicle for this part of the journey?

Ans: Not included in the package, but can be arranged at an additional cost. The transportation for solo traveler is luxury tourist bus.

FAQ: Is there an option to fly back to Kathmandu?

Ans: Yes, there is an option to fly back to Kathmandu. Regular domestic flights operate from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu, offering quick and comfortable way to return after the trek. This flight can also be arranged at an additional cost.

You will reach Kathmandu in about 6-7 hours provided that the road is in a good condition and not affected by highway traffic. In Kathmandu, you will check into the hotel and in the evening, one of the company representatives will meet you for farewell dinner and feedback. Spend the time after dinner at leisure.