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A classic Annapurna foothills trek combining a scenic drive from Kathmandu with Poon Hill’s famous sunrise and village walks through Ghorepani and Ghandruk. Ideal for hikers with moderate fitness who want high-elevation views without technical climbing.
A classic Annapurna foothills trek combining a scenic drive from Kathmandu with Poon Hill’s famous sunrise and village walks through Ghorepani and Ghandruk. Ideal for hikers with moderate fitness who want high-elevation views without technical climbing.
On a pre-dawn ridge above Ghorepani, the horizon hardens into the jagged teeth of the Annapurna range. Temperatures bite, your breath fogs, and a handful of trekkers make the short, steep push to Poon Hill (3,210 m) to watch sunlight crawl down glaciers and light the peaks.
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Operated by Fewa Trail Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd · Pokhara, Gandaki Province
On a pre-dawn ridge above Ghorepani, the horizon hardens into the jagged teeth of the Annapurna range. Temperatures bite, your breath fogs, and a handful of trekkers make the short, steep push to Poon Hill (3,210 m) to watch sunlight crawl down glaciers and light the peaks.
This itinerary pairs a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara with a classic 3–4 day trek through the Annapurna foothills: Nayapul to Ulleri, ascending through terraced farmland and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani, and the dawn summit of Poon Hill before continuing to Tadapani and the Gurung village of Ghandruk. The trail is a mix of packed earth, long stone stairways, switchbacks and occasional mule tracks. Expect daily gains of several hundred to over a thousand meters on trekking days—Ulleri sits around 1,930 m, Ghorepani about 2,880 m.
The route crosses land shaped by uplift and erosion: layered metamorphic rocks, steep ridgelines and narrow valleys where rivers have carved deep channels. Culturally, the trek passes Gurung villages where stone houses, prayer flags and local teahouses offer a window into Himalayan village life.
Practical notes: the operator provides TIMS and permits, lodge accommodation and a porter (15 kg limit). Start very early for the Poon Hill sunrise, carry layered insulation for high-elevation mornings, and bring water purification—lodges sell boiled water but quantities vary. Moderate fitness and stair-ready legs are essential; altitude is gradual but respect it—pace up, eat, hydrate. The reward is close-range mountain theater, village visits, and a walkable taste of the Annapurna circuit without technical mountaineering.
moderate.
4–5 days (including transfers).
Moderate cardio and leg strength; comfortable with long days of uphill stone steps and multi-hour hikes
The trek is moderate: steep stone steps and sustained climbs require good fitness, but no technical mountaineering skills are needed.
Yes—this tour includes trekking permits and a TIMS card as part of the package.
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) offer the clearest mountain views and stable weather; monsoon summer is wet and winter can be cold with limited daylight.
A porter is provided (15 kg limit). You can also carry a small daypack with essentials while the porter carries your main luggage.
The trail has been used for centuries by local Gurung communities and traders; villages like Ghandruk retain traditional architecture and oral histories tied to the Annapurna region.
This area is within the Annapurna Conservation Area—stick to trails, avoid single-use plastics, and use lodge water sparingly to reduce strain on local resources.
Fewa Trail Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
On a pre-dawn ridge above Ghorepani, the horizon hardens into the jagged teeth of the Annapurna range. Temperatures bite, your breath fogs, and a handful of trekkers make the short, steep push to Poon Hill (3,210 m) to watch sunlight crawl down glaciers and light the peaks.
On a pre-dawn ridge above Ghorepani, the horizon hardens into the jagged teeth of the Annapurna range. Temperatures bite, your breath fogs, and a handful of trekkers make the short, steep push to Poon Hill (3,210 m) to watch sunlight crawl down glaciers and light the peaks.
This itinerary pairs a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara with a classic 3–4 day trek through the Annapurna foothills: Nayapul to Ulleri, ascending through terraced farmland and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani, and the dawn summit of Poon Hill before continuing to Tadapani and the Gurung village of Ghandruk. The trail is a mix of packed earth, long stone stairways, switchbacks and occasional mule tracks. Expect daily gains of several hundred to over a thousand meters on trekking days—Ulleri sits around 1,930 m, Ghorepani about 2,880 m.
The route crosses land shaped by uplift and erosion: layered metamorphic rocks, steep ridgelines and narrow valleys where rivers have carved deep channels. Culturally, the trek passes Gurung villages where stone houses, prayer flags and local teahouses offer a window into Himalayan village life.
Practical notes: the operator provides TIMS and permits, lodge accommodation and a porter (15 kg limit). Start very early for the Poon Hill sunrise, carry layered insulation for high-elevation mornings, and bring water purification—lodges sell boiled water but quantities vary. Moderate fitness and stair-ready legs are essential; altitude is gradual but respect it—pace up, eat, hydrate. The reward is close-range mountain theater, village visits, and a walkable taste of the Annapurna circuit without technical mountaineering.