Poon Hill Trek Guide: Route, Days, Sunrise and Difficulty
The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is a short, moderate trek in the Annapurna foothills, best known for its sunrise view of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range from Poon Hill at 3,210m. Our route takes 5 days on the trail from Pokhara and covers about 45km. Our full trip takes 9 days from Kathmandu.
The hardest part is the long climb from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani, with over 3,000 stone steps around Ulleri. You don’t need trekking experience, but you should be happy walking uphill for several hours.
October and November give the clearest views. March and April bring the rhododendrons. Our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek starts at USD 440 per person for groups of 4 to 9.
- Highest point: Poon Hill, 3,210m
- Highest night: Ghorepani, 2,860m
- Trek length: 5 days on the trail, about 45km on our route
- Full trip: 9 days from Kathmandu
- Our grade: Moderate
- Hardest day: Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani, with over 3,000 stone steps at Ulleri
- Sunrise: leave Ghorepani around 4:30 to 5am, a 45 to 60 minute walk up
- Views: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Nilgiri and Machhapuchhre
- Best seasons: October to November and March to April
- Rhododendrons: March to April, between Ghorepani and Tadapani
- Permits: ACAP, plus the route’s guide and TIMS rules. We arrange it all
- Good for: first-timers, families with children 12 and over, short holidays
Last updated: October 2026
In this guide
What Is the Poon Hill Trek?
Poon Hill is a viewpoint above the village of Ghorepani, in the Annapurna foothills west of Pokhara. On a clear morning you see a long wall of snow peaks, from Dhaulagiri in the west across to Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.
The trek is a short loop that starts and ends near Pokhara. It never goes very high, so you get a real taste of the Himalaya without the risks of a high-altitude trek. It’s also the first part of our standard Annapurna Base Camp route.
The Route at a Glance
| Day on trail | Route | Walking time | Ends at |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nayapul to Tikhedhunga | 3 to 4 hrs | 1,540m |
| 2 | Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani via Ulleri | 6 to 7 hrs | 2,860m |
| 3 | Poon Hill sunrise, then Tadapani | 5 to 6 hrs | about 2,630m |
| 4 | Tadapani to Ghandruk | 3 to 4 hrs | 1,940m |
| 5 | Ghandruk to Syauli Bazaar, drive to Pokhara | 3 hrs | Pokhara |
For the full day by day plan, see our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek page.
How Many Days Do You Need?
The trek takes 5 days from Pokhara. If you’re flying into Kathmandu, add a day each way to get to Pokhara and back. That’s how our 9-day trip works: Kathmandu, Pokhara, five days on the trail, then Pokhara and Kathmandu again.
If you have a few spare days, Poon Hill pairs well with time in Pokhara, a sightseeing day in Kathmandu or a safari in Chitwan. See our guide to how many days you need for a Nepal trek.
Which Direction to Walk
Most people walk the loop the way our itinerary does: up through Ulleri to Ghorepani first, then down via Tadapani and Ghandruk. You do the big climb early while your legs are fresh, and you reach Poon Hill on the third morning.
You can also do it the other way, starting from Ghandruk. The climb is spread out more gently, but you reach Poon Hill later and finish by going down the Ulleri steps, which is hard on the knees. Your guide can advise which suits you.
The Poon Hill Sunrise
This is the highlight of the trek. You leave Ghorepani around 4:30 to 5am, depending on the season, and climb for 45 to 60 minutes in the dark to the viewpoint at 3,210m. Then you wait for the first light to hit the peaks.
- Wear warm layers. It’s cold at the top before sunrise, even in spring.
- Bring a headtorch. You walk up in the dark.
- Expect company. In October and November the viewpoint can get busy at sunrise.
- Clear skies aren’t guaranteed. October and November give you the best chance.
A small local fee may apply at the viewpoint. After sunrise you walk back down to Ghorepani for breakfast.
How Hard Is the Poon Hill Trek?
Poon Hill is a moderate trek. You don’t need trekking experience, but it’s not flat. Most days are 3 to 7 hours on stone steps and forest trails.
The hardest day is the climb from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani. It includes the Ulleri staircase, with over 3,000 stone steps, and about 1,300m of climbing in one day. After that the trek is mostly downhill, which is easier on your lungs but hard on your knees. Trekking poles help.
Altitude is low compared with most Himalayan treks. Mild symptoms like a headache are still possible above 2,500m, so walk slowly and drink plenty of water. See our Nepal trek difficulty guide and Poon Hill vs Mardi Himal vs ABC.
Best Time to Do the Poon Hill Trek
- October and November: the clearest views and most reliable weather, but the busiest time.
- March and April: rhododendrons in bloom between Ghorepani and Tadapani, warmer days, some haze.
- December to February: cold and quiet, often clear. Snow is possible around Ghorepani.
- June to August: monsoon. Wet trails, leeches and cloud. We don’t recommend it.
See our guide to the best time to trek in Nepal.
Permits and Guides
The Poon Hill trek needs an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). The Nepal Tourism Board also lists the Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp route among the routes covered by its licensed guide and agency-issued TIMS rules.
We arrange the permits and guide for all our departures. Just bring your passport and any documents we ask for before the trek. See our guides to Nepal trekking permits and whether you need a guide to trek in Nepal.
Teahouses and Food
Poon Hill has some of the most comfortable teahouses in the Annapurna region, especially in Ghorepani and Ghandruk. Rooms are twin share, often with shared bathrooms. Some lodges have attached bathrooms and hot showers for a small extra charge. Tikhedhunga and Tadapani are more basic.
Menus are long, with dal bhat, noodles, momo, potatoes and even pizza. Our Annapurna Base Camp food prices guide has real menu prices from Ghorepani, Ghandruk and Tadapani. It’s a useful guide for Poon Hill too, though prices vary by lodge.
How Much Does the Poon Hill Trek Cost?
Our 9-day Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek costs:
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 traveller | USD 870 |
| 2 to 3 travellers | USD 550 |
| 4 to 9 travellers | USD 440 |
The price includes hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, teahouse rooms, transport, permits, a licensed guide and a porter. Meals on the trail, tips and your Nepal visa are extra. See our guides to tipping guides and porters and the Nepal visa for trekkers.
Who the Poon Hill Trek Suits
- First-time trekkers who want a real Himalayan trek without high altitude
- Families with children aged 12 and over. See our guide to family trekking in Nepal
- People short on time, with about a week to spare
- Anyone who wants the views without a long, hard trek
If you want to get closer to the big peaks, look at Mardi Himal or Annapurna Base Camp. See also the best treks in Nepal for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Poon Hill trek?
5 days on the trail from Pokhara, about 45km on our route. Our full trip from Kathmandu takes 9 days.
How hard is the Poon Hill trek?
Moderate. The hardest part is the Ulleri stone steps on the way up to Ghorepani. You don’t need trekking experience.
How high is Poon Hill?
3,210m. You sleep at Ghorepani, at 2,860m, and walk up to the viewpoint for sunrise.
What time do you leave for the Poon Hill sunrise?
Around 4:30 to 5am, depending on the season. The walk up takes 45 to 60 minutes.
Is Poon Hill worth it?
Yes, if you want a short trek with big mountain views. The sunrise over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas is one of the best short-trek views in Nepal.
Can kids do the Poon Hill trek?
Yes. We recommend it for children aged 12 and over who are used to walking.
Do I need a guide for Poon Hill?
Yes, under the current route rules. The Nepal Tourism Board lists the Poon Hill and ABC route among those covered by its licensed guide rule.
What is the best month for Poon Hill?
October and November for clear views. March and April for rhododendrons.
