This trek is rated Challenging (Level 3 on our scale). The hardest day is Day 4 — the 1,320m stone-step climb from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani. Day 5 is a long descent from Poon Hill all the way to Tatopani. From Day 6 onward the route follows the Kali Gandaki valley north with daily walking averaging 5 to 6 hours on well-marked trails. The maximum altitude is 3,710m at Muktinath, well below where serious altitude sickness becomes a major concern. No prior trekking experience is required but good cardiovascular fitness is important. See our full trek difficulty guide for context.

The Poon Hill Trek ends at Ghandruk or Syauli Bazaar after the sunrise and takes 9 days. This trek continues north through the Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, past Thakali villages, natural hot springs at Tatopani, the medieval settlement of Kagbeni, and ends at Muktinath at 3,710m before flying back from Jomsom. You get the Poon Hill sunrise plus 6 more days of completely different terrain, culture, and landscape through one of the deepest gorges on earth.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the two reliable windows. Autumn brings clear skies and best mountain visibility after the monsoon. Spring is warmer with rhododendrons in bloom on the Ghorepani section. Avoid winter (December to February) when Muktinath gets snow and Jomsom flights are frequently cancelled. Avoid monsoon (June to August) when the gorge section between Tatopani and Ghasa receives heavy rainfall with landslide risk and leeches active on the lower sections.

Altitude sickness is unlikely at the maximum elevation of 3,710m but some trekkers arriving from sea level experience mild headaches, fatigue, or disrupted sleep above 2,500m. Stay well-hydrated, maintain a steady pace, and avoid rushing the climb to Ghorepani on Day 4. Your guide carries an oximeter. Muktinath at 3,710m is the highest point and most trekkers feel fine there with the gradual ascent the itinerary provides. Read our full altitude sickness guide for a detailed breakdown.

Muktinath is a sacred pilgrimage site at 3,710m in the Mustang district, significant to both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple complex includes 108 water spouts carved as bull heads from which spring water flows year-round, an eternal natural gas flame that burns on water considered sacred to both religions, and a Buddhist monastery. Hindus regard it as one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India visit every year to bathe in the freezing water as an act of purification.

The Kali Gandaki is famous for its powerful afternoon winds. From Jomsom northward the winds pick up reliably after midday and walking into them is genuinely difficult. Your guide starts early every day from Day 8 onward to reach each stop before the worst winds arrive. On the descent from Muktinath to Jomsom on Day 10 you walk with the wind at your back which makes life considerably easier. This is one of the practical reasons an experienced guide makes a real difference on this route.

Two permits are required: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the TIMS card. Both are included in the MountainKick package price. We handle all paperwork before you leave Kathmandu. Permits are checked at Birethanti near Nayapul and at several checkpoints through the valley including Jomsom. Carry your originals at all times. For full 2026 permit details read our Nepal trekking permits guide.

The 20-minute flight passes between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri at close range and is one of the most scenic mountain flights in Nepal. Flights depart early morning before the valley winds build and are weather-dependent. Cancellations happen, with a jeep ride of 4 to 5 hours as the alternative. Travel insurance is essential for this reason. We build enough flexibility into the itinerary including the Pokhara leisure day to absorb a one-day delay without affecting your international departure.

Teahouse menus from Tikhedhunga to Muktinath serve dal bhat, garlic soup, noodle soup, fried rice, eggs, pancakes, and ginger tea. Dal bhat is always the safest option, cooked fresh to order. From Ghasa northward expect Thakali cuisine, widely regarded as the best teahouse food in Nepal. In Tukuche and Marpha try the apple products including cider, brandy, and apple pie. Do not eat meat above Ghasa where freshness cannot be guaranteed. Budget $25 to $35 per day for three meals and drinks on trail.

Budget for: international flights, Nepal visa (15-day $30 / 30-day $50 / 90-day $125), travel insurance, all meals on trek ($25 to $35 per day), hot showers and Wi-Fi ($2 to $5 each), guide and porter tips (10 to 15% of trip cost). Withdraw all cash before leaving Pokhara as there are no ATMs on trail. Most trekkers spend an additional $350 to $450 on top of the $980 package price.

Your policy must cover emergency helicopter evacuation to at least 4,000m. A helicopter evacuation from the Muktinath area without insurance can cost $2,000 to $3,500. Make sure your policy also covers trip cancellation, medical treatment, and flight delays — Jomsom flight cancellations are the most common disruption on this route. Carry a printed copy of your policy and emergency contact number throughout the trek. Read our travel insurance guide for what to look for.

There is internet and telephone connection in all of our stops for the day throughout the journey. You will be able to call back home or post your pictures on Facebook every day.

As soon as you land into Kathmandu, we take care of all your travel documents required during your trip. You just need to bring your passport and a copy of your travel insurance. Tourist fees and permits to enter certain areas will be arranged for by Mountain Kick.

Most of the trekking routes are open throughout the year but September through to December and March to May are the best months to travel.

Rides for sightseeing and reaching destinations within city limits are done in a private vehicle like a car, a jeep or a microbus. Most of the long distance travel is done in luxurious tourist buses hired exclusively by the company. In some journeys, you may also need to take a public bus but as you will travel in a group with our guides and support staff, you need not worry about your safety or comfort.

Around $50 will be enough to buy you lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. During your travel, you can get by with around $25 a day. But it depends on how much you want to spend. Due to the exchange rate and predominantly rural economy of Nepal, things are pretty cheap in Nepal.

Almost all international credit cards are accepted in Nepal. However, not all places, especially during your travel, accept them. There may be a fee involved in processing your card.

Our staff do not expect you to tip them. Generally, travellers tip them if they are satisfied with the service as a means of gratitude. Even when travellers tip the guides and porters, there is no fixed rate. However, if you like to tip them, follow customs of your own country for tipping (which, as we have learned, is 10 to 15 percent of total cost for most western countries).

You can obtain a visa at your home country through Nepal’s embassy or consular office. But you can easily get a visa upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. You just need two passport-size photographs. A tourist visa with multiple entry for 30 days costs $40 while the same for 90 days costs $100.

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