This trek is rated Challenging (Level 3 on our scale). Daily walking averages 5 to 7 hours on well-marked teahouse trails. The hardest days are Day 4, the 1,320m climb from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani, and Day 5, a long descent from Poon Hill all the way to Tatopani. 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. If you can walk uphill steadily for 6 hours with a daypack, you can complete this trek. See our full trek difficulty guide for context.

No. The route does not approach the icefall on foot. This is a valley trek through the Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. From Larjung, Kalapani, and Tukuche you look directly up at the Dhaulagiri Icefall hanging off the south face of the mountain above the valley. The views are dramatic and close. The actual Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, which approaches the icefall directly, is an entirely different route requiring camping gear, glacier crossings, and two high passes above 5,000m. This is not that route.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the two reliable windows. Autumn brings clear skies and the best mountain visibility after the monsoon clears. 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 lower gorge section between Tatopani and Ghasa receives heavy rainfall with landslide risk and leeches active on the Nayapul to Tikhedhunga section.

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 of symptoms and prevention.

The Poon Hill Trek ends at Ghandruk after the sunrise viewpoint and takes 9 days. This trek continues north past Tatopani, through the Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, past the Thakali villages of Marpha and Kagbeni, and ends at Muktinath temple at 3,710m. You get the Poon Hill sunrise plus 9 more days of completely different terrain, culture, and landscape. The Kali Gandaki section is the most dramatic part of the route and the reason to choose this trek over the shorter Poon Hill option.

The Kali Gandaki is famous for its afternoon winds. From Jomsom northward the winds pick up reliably after midday and walking into them is genuinely difficult. Your guide will start early every day from Day 9 onward so you reach each stop before the worst winds arrive. On the descent from Muktinath to Jomsom on Day 11 you walk with the wind at your back which makes life considerably easier. This is one of the practical reasons having an experienced guide matters 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. Bring your passport and two passport-sized photos to the pre-trip briefing. Permits are checked at Birethanti near Nayapul and at several checkpoints through the valley. Carry your originals at all times. For full 2026 permit details read our Nepal trekking permits guide.

Yes. Since April 2023 Nepal requires all foreign trekkers on designated routes including the Annapurna region to trek with a licensed guide. Beyond the legal requirement, the Kali Gandaki valley demands local knowledge — the wind timing, the teahouse network above Ghasa, and the early morning departure schedule from Jomsom northward all benefit from a guide who has walked this route many times. Your MountainKick guide manages the pace and the logistics so you can focus on the views.

Teahouse menus from Tikhedhunga to Muktinath serve dal bhat, garlic soup, noodle soup, fried rice, eggs, pancakes, and ginger tea. From Ghasa northward expect Thakali cuisine, widely regarded as the best teahouse food in Nepal. In Marpha try the apple products including cider, brandy, and apple pie made from local orchards. Do not eat meat above Ghasa where freshness cannot be guaranteed. Budget $25 to $35 per day for three meals and drinks on trail, slightly more at Muktinath where everything is jeep-carried in.

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 to absorb a one-day delay without affecting your international departure.

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 tips ($8 to $12 per day) and porter tips ($5 to $8 per day). 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 $1,240 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.