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A compact, three-day trek from Pokhara that climbs through Gurung and Magar villages to Ghorepani and Poon Hill for an iconic Himalayan sunrise. Expect steep stone steps, rhododendron forests, and panoramic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
A compact, three-day trek from Pokhara that climbs through Gurung and Magar villages to Ghorepani and Poon Hill for an iconic Himalayan sunrise. Expect steep stone steps, rhododendron forests, and panoramic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
Before dawn the ridge breathes cold and clear: headlamps bob like fireflies as trekkers climb the last switchbacks to Poon Hill. By 6:00 the sky brightens from indigo to copper and the Annapurna range—Annapurna South, Nilgiri and the distant sweep of Dhaulagiri—shifts from silhouette to stone, a stark panorama earned after two days on the trail.
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Operated by Mega Mount Trekking Expedition P. Ltd · Ghorepani, Gandaki Province
Before dawn the ridge breathes cold and clear: headlamps bob like fireflies as trekkers climb the last switchbacks to Poon Hill. By 6:00 the sky brightens from indigo to copper and the Annapurna range—Annapurna South, Nilgiri and the distant sweep of Dhaulagiri—shifts from silhouette to stone, a stark panorama earned after two days on the trail.
This short trek threads through Gurung and Magar farming villages, centuries-old communities shaped by hill agriculture and a history of trade and service in the British Gurkha regiments. Geologically the route climbs through mid-hill schists and terraced soils, moving from subtropical river valleys beside the Modi Khola up into rhododendron-clad forests that explode crimson in spring. Small lodges and tea houses in Tikhedhunga, Ulleri and Ghorepani have supported travelers for decades; permits are managed by ACAP and TIMS at Birethanti.
Practical route: drive ~42 km from Pokhara to Nayapul (~1.5 hr), trek to Tikhedhunga (1,520 m, ~3–4 hr), then a longer ascent to Ghorepani (2,853 m, ~6–7 hr). Poon Hill itself sits near 3,210 m and is a 45–60 minute climb from Ghorepani at sunrise. Terrain combines packed trails, long stone stair sections (notably at Ulleri) and occasional muddy forest tracks.
Plan for early starts, layered clothing, and cash for teahouses. The altitude is moderate but go slow on steep sections, carry water and a headlamp for pre-dawn walks, and book lodges in high season. With minimal technical difficulty, this trek delivers maximum Himalayan reward in just a long weekend.
moderate.
2–3 days.
Suitable for hikers who can handle sustained uphill walking for multiple hours per day; basic cardiovascular fitness and stable ankles recommended.
Physically it’s moderate: long days of uphill walking but no technical climbing. Expect 4–7 hours on trekking days with sustained stair sections.
Yes—TIMS and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) are required; there’s a checkpoint at Birethanti on the approach from Nayapul.
October–November and March–April offer the clearest mountain views; spring also brings rhododendron blooms while monsoon (June–August) is wetter and cloudier.
Yes—basic lodges and tea houses operate in Tikhedhunga, Ulleri, Ghorepani and surrounding villages; book in high season and bring cash.
Ghorepani and surrounding villages are traditional Gurung and Magar communities with long histories of terrace agriculture and service in the Gurkha regiments; tea houses grew with trekking in the late 20th century.
This route lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area—follow marked trails, minimize single-use plastics, and use lodge facilities to reduce human waste on the trail.
Mega Mount Trekking Expedition P. Ltd operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Before dawn the ridge breathes cold and clear: headlamps bob like fireflies as trekkers climb the last switchbacks to Poon Hill. By 6:00 the sky brightens from indigo to copper and the Annapurna range—Annapurna South, Nilgiri and the distant sweep of Dhaulagiri—shifts from silhouette to stone, a stark panorama earned after two days on the trail.
Before dawn the ridge breathes cold and clear: headlamps bob like fireflies as trekkers climb the last switchbacks to Poon Hill. By 6:00 the sky brightens from indigo to copper and the Annapurna range—Annapurna South, Nilgiri and the distant sweep of Dhaulagiri—shifts from silhouette to stone, a stark panorama earned after two days on the trail.
This short trek threads through Gurung and Magar farming villages, centuries-old communities shaped by hill agriculture and a history of trade and service in the British Gurkha regiments. Geologically the route climbs through mid-hill schists and terraced soils, moving from subtropical river valleys beside the Modi Khola up into rhododendron-clad forests that explode crimson in spring. Small lodges and tea houses in Tikhedhunga, Ulleri and Ghorepani have supported travelers for decades; permits are managed by ACAP and TIMS at Birethanti.
Practical route: drive ~42 km from Pokhara to Nayapul (~1.5 hr), trek to Tikhedhunga (1,520 m, ~3–4 hr), then a longer ascent to Ghorepani (2,853 m, ~6–7 hr). Poon Hill itself sits near 3,210 m and is a 45–60 minute climb from Ghorepani at sunrise. Terrain combines packed trails, long stone stair sections (notably at Ulleri) and occasional muddy forest tracks.
Plan for early starts, layered clothing, and cash for teahouses. The altitude is moderate but go slow on steep sections, carry water and a headlamp for pre-dawn walks, and book lodges in high season. With minimal technical difficulty, this trek delivers maximum Himalayan reward in just a long weekend.