The Nepal Heritage and Poon Hill Trek brings together the country’s most important cultural destinations and one of its most rewarding mountain treks in a single 15-day journey.
The first half follows Nepal’s heritage circuit. In Kathmandu you visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the sacred Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati and the great dome of Boudhanath Stupa. From Nagarkot you watch the sunrise spread across the Himalayas, with Mount Everest visible on clear mornings. Chitwan National Park fills a full day with jeep safaris through the tall grass floodplains, canoeing on the Rapti River, guided jungle walks, and an evening with the Tharu community. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, carries a quiet unlike most places you will visit: monasteries from a dozen Buddhist countries arranged around the sacred Maya Devi Temple, and a stillness in the garden that is hard to describe. The historic hilltop city of Tansen in Palpa adds medieval Newari architecture and wide Himalayan views before you reach Pokhara and the Annapurna lakeside.
The second half is the trek. Four days in the Annapurna foothills take you through rhododendron forest and traditional Gurung villages, climbing steadily to Ghorepani at 9,416 feet. The pre-dawn push to Poon Hill at 10,535 feet is worth every early alarm: the full sweep of the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhre turning gold in first light is one of the finest mountain views in Nepal. The descent through Tadhapani and into Ghandruk village, where the culture is warm and the food is excellent, closes the trek before a jeep returns you to Pokhara for a final night.
Tour Highlights
Your trip starts the moment you land at Tribhuvan International Airport. A Mountain Kick team member will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to settle in, rest after your journey, or take a walk through the streets of Thamel.
A full day of guided sightseeing through three of Kathmandu’s most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Begin at Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu sites in the world, where cremation ghats line the Bagmati River and the atmosphere is unlike any other temple in Nepal. Continue to Boudhanath Stupa, the great white dome believed to enshrine relics of the Buddha, with hundreds of prayer wheels lining its base. Then visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a former royal courtyard where traditional Newari architecture has survived centuries remarkably intact. By evening, drive up to Nagarkot Hill Station for clear morning views of the Himalayas.
Duration: 8-10 hours | Activity: Cultural sightseeing and transfer
Points of Interest:
Wake before dawn to catch the sunrise from Nagarkot. On a clear morning, Mount Everest is visible along with the full Annapurna range. After breakfast, the drive south to Chitwan National Park takes around seven hours through changing landscapes as you descend from the valley hills into the subtropical Terai plains. Your accommodation for the next two nights is a jungle lodge inside the park boundary.
Duration: 8-9 hours | Activity: Sunrise viewing and transfer
Points of Interest:
One full day in Chitwan with a range of activities: jeep safari through the park’s grasslands and river floodplains, canoeing on the Rapti River, guided jungle walks with a naturalist guide, and a visit to a Tharu community where traditional culture and dance have been part of life here for generations. Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos, gharial crocodiles, sloth bears, and hundreds of bird species all share this protected habitat. Most guests feel they could comfortably stay a second day.
Duration: Full day | Activity: Wildlife safari and cultural activities
Points of Interest:
A five-hour drive west from Chitwan brings you to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Buddhist pilgrims from Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and many other countries all travel here, and the Sacred Garden carries a quiet that stays with you. This evening, walk through the garden, visit the Maya Devi Temple at the exact site of the Buddha’s birth, and begin to take in the significance of the place.
Duration: 5 hours | Activity: Transfer and evening exploration
Points of Interest:
Spend the morning properly exploring Lumbini. Walk through the international monastery zone, where each country’s Buddhist tradition has built its own temple: the gold-roofed Thai wat, the painted murals of the Burmese monastery, the stark white of the Sri Lankan vihara. After lunch, drive to Palpa and the historic hilltop city of Tansen, one of Nepal’s best-preserved medieval towns. Traditional Newari architecture lines the lanes, and the views of the Himalayan range from the surrounding ridgelines are excellent.
Duration: 6-7 hours | Activity: Spiritual sightseeing and transfer
Points of Interest:
A four-hour drive brings you to Pokhara. As you arrive at the lakeside area, Phewa Lake opens out with the Annapurna range filling the far horizon. Settle into your hotel and spend the afternoon at your own pace. The lakeside strip has everything from quiet cafes to lively restaurants, and the mountain backdrop makes it hard to stop looking.
Duration: 4 hours | Activity: Transfer and arrival
Points of Interest:
A guided day through Pokhara’s main attractions. Visit Devi’s Falls, where the Pardi Khola stream drops into an underground channel, and the connected Gupteshwor Cave with its impressive stalactite formations. The World Peace Pagoda sits on a hilltop with a 360-degree view of the Annapurna range and Pokhara city. A boat ride on Phewa Lake brings you to the small island temple of Tal Barahi. In the evening the lakeside area is lively with restaurants and the optional Sarangkot viewpoint is worth the short drive for the late-afternoon light on the mountains.
Duration: Full day | Activity: Sightseeing and natural exploration
Points of Interest:
Your trekking days begin with a one-hour drive to Nayapool at 3,477 feet, the starting point for the Annapurna foothills circuit. From here, a manageable six-mile walk along forested trails beside the Modi Khola river brings you to Tikhedhunga at 5,060 feet in around three hours. A gentle introduction to the trail, giving your legs time to warm up before the climbing starts tomorrow.
Duration: 4-5 hours | Activity: Drive and easy trek
Points of Interest:
The hardest day on the trail. A long section of stone steps takes you from Tikhedhunga up through several villages, past terraced fields, and into dense forest as you gain altitude. The final push to Ghorepani at 9,416 feet will test your legs, but the trail has regular tea houses for breaks and the mountain views open up as you climb. Rest well tonight: tomorrow is an early start.
Duration: 5-6 hours | Activity: Mountain trekking
Points of Interest:
The alarm goes off before 5am. The 45-minute walk to Poon Hill summit at 10,535 feet in the dark is worth it without question. As the sky lightens, the full Annapurna range appears: Annapurna I, II, III, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri, all catching the first light simultaneously. It is widely considered one of the finest mountain panoramas accessible on a short trek, and the reputation is fully deserved.
After the sunrise you return to Ghorepani for breakfast, then continue to Tadhapani at 8,628 feet, a five-hour walk through forest and along ridgelines with the Annapurna range as a constant companion.
Duration: 6-7 hours | Activity: Summit hike and mountain trekking
Points of Interest:
A downhill day, which your legs will appreciate. The three-hour walk descends through forest to Ghandruk at 6,398 feet, one of the Gurung community’s most welcoming villages, with the Annapurna South face directly across the valley. Spend the afternoon at the village museum, the local monastery, and talking to people whose families have lived here for generations. The food at the guesthouse is notably good, and the mountain views from the main lane are excellent in the afternoon light.
Duration: 3-4 hours | Activity: Downhill trek and cultural experience
Points of Interest:
A scenic jeep ride takes you from Ghandruk back to Pokhara in around two hours, dropping you at the lakeside with the rest of the day free. A slow lunch, a boat ride on the lake, browsing the shops on Lakeside road, a spa session before dinner: the Annapurna range is right there across the water and there is no hurry.
Duration: 4-5 hours | Activity: Transfer and leisure
Points of Interest:
The seven-hour drive back to Kathmandu follows the mountain highway east, with good hill and river scenery throughout. Arrive in Kathmandu by evening for a farewell dinner hosted by Mountain Kick: traditional Nepali food and a cultural show as a proper send-off for 15 days well spent.
Duration: 7-8 hours | Activity: Transfer and farewell dinner
Points of Interest:
Your last morning in Nepal. After breakfast, Mountain Kick transfers you to the airport. You leave with a lot of ground covered: fifteen days, three UNESCO cities, a wildlife park, the birthplace of the Buddha, the Annapurna foothills, and one very good sunrise.
City and Town Hotels (Kathmandu, Nagarkot, Lumbini, Palpa, Pokhara):
Trekking Guesthouses (Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Tadhapani, Ghandruk):
Chitwan Jungle Lodge:
Single supplement: Available at city hotels on request. Not available at trekking guesthouses.
The Nepal Highlights Tour (14 days) follows the same cultural circuit through Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini, Palpa, and Pokhara but does not include any trekking. This trip adds four days in the Annapurna foothills, finishing with the Poon Hill sunrise at 10,535 feet. If you want the full cultural experience plus a genuine mountain walk, this is the trip. If trekking is not for you, the Nepal Highlights Tour is the better fit.
The trek is rated moderate. The hardest day is the climb to Ghorepani on Day 10, which involves several hours of continuous stone steps at elevation. Poon Hill itself is a 45-minute walk from Ghorepani before dawn. Anyone who can handle 5-7 hours of walking on consecutive days on mountain trails should be able to complete it. Previous trekking experience is helpful but not required.
You should be comfortable walking 5-7 hours on consecutive days on uneven mountain trails with a daypack of around 5-8 kg. Prepare with cardio exercise 3-4 times a week for 6-8 weeks before your trip, including stair climbing and long walks. Consistency matters more than athletic ability.
Poon Hill at 10,535 feet is one of the best sunrise viewpoints in Nepal. On a clear morning you can see Annapurna I (26,545 ft), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri across more than 200 km of mountain horizon.
Chitwan National Park is home to Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos, sloth bears, leopards, gharial crocodiles, and over 540 bird species. Rhino sightings on jeep safari are very common. Tiger sightings are rarer and always memorable. The Rapti River canoe section is excellent for crocodiles and river birds.
All trekking nights are at standard twin-sharing guesthouses. Meals are not included during the trek; guesthouse restaurants and tea houses are available on the trail at your own expense. Rooms are simple with beds, pillows, and blankets, typically with shared bathrooms. Guesthouses have common dining areas. This is the standard setup across the Annapurna foothills circuit.
Yes. Mountain Kick offers private departure dates and itinerary adjustments. Common modifications include adding days in Pokhara, extending the trek toward Annapurna Base Camp, or upgrading city hotels to 4-star or 5-star. Contact us with your preferences for a custom quote.
October to November and March to April offer the clearest mountain views and most stable weather for both trekking and cultural sightseeing. December to February is quieter and colder, with some risk of snow on the upper trail. Monsoon season (June to September) brings heavy rain and muddy trails and is not recommended for this trip.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and the TIMS card are required for the trekking section. Chitwan National Park entrance fees are also included. Mountain Kick arranges all permits. You need to provide your passport details and one passport-size photo.
Budget $200-400 for the full trip, covering self-pay meals in cities, tips (10-15% of trip price), and personal expenses. Withdraw cash in Kathmandu or Pokhara before the trek, as there are no ATMs in trekking areas.
Fitness: This trip includes four days of mountain trekking reaching 10,535 feet. You should be comfortable walking 5-7 hours on consecutive days with a daypack. No prior trekking experience is required, but arriving in reasonable cardio shape will make the trek considerably more enjoyable. Good preparation: cardio exercise 3-4 times a week for 6-8 weeks before your trip, including stair climbing and long walks on varied terrain.
Permits: Mountain Kick arranges all permits and entrance fees. Required trekking permits are the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and the TIMS card. You will need to provide your passport details and one passport-size photo.
Altitude: The maximum altitude is Poon Hill at 10,535 feet (3,210m). Altitude sickness at this level is uncommon for people in reasonable health who follow a gradual ascent. Drink 3-4 litres of water daily during trekking, avoid alcohol on trek days, and tell your guide immediately if you develop a persistent headache, nausea, or dizziness.
Gear provided: Down jacket and sleeping bag for the trekking section are provided on loan. You need to bring: well-worn hiking boots, daypack (25-35L), warm layers, waterproof jacket, trekking poles (recommended), and headlamp.
Temple visits: Dress modestly for all temple and monastery visits. Shoulders and knees should be covered. Remove shoes before entering. Ask permission before photographing people or religious ceremonies.
Money: ATMs are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Withdraw enough cash before starting the trek, as there are no ATMs in trekking areas. Budget approximately $15–25 per day for self-pay meals in cities, and $30–35 per day for meals during the trekking section (Days 9–13).
Best time: October to November and March to April offer the clearest mountain views and most stable weather for both sightseeing and trekking. December to February is colder but quieter. June to September is monsoon season and is not recommended for the Poon Hill trek.
Documents & Money
Passport (valid 6+ months) and photocopies
Travel insurance with medical coverage including trekking and helicopter evacuation
Cash (Nepalese Rupees and USD for 15-day journey)
Neck wallet for essentials
Passport photos (for permits)
Visa documents (if obtained in advance)
| Travellers | PRICING FROM (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1910 |
| 2-3 | 1356 |
| 4-9 | 990 |
We never force our customers to follow our set itinerary. You can customize your itinerary exactly the way you want. Please share with us your ideas.
As one of the core guiding principles for Mountain Kick, we always give back to the mountain community in any way we can as a means of gratitude. The people who live in the Himalayas and share their homes with us deserve to have all their little problems fixed which seem very basic for outsiders but are commonplace in rural Nepal. The people lack proper access to healthcare, sanitation and education but a little effort from travellers goes on a long way to solve these issues. Mountain Kick has made it its corporate social responsibility to help improve the living standards of the local community. We make donations to their cause, organize social campaigns and programs and also have a few trips designed to mix a little volunteer work in your holiday.
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