Overview

Trip introduction

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek near Pokhara stands as one of the most well-loved short trekking routes in the Annapurna region of Nepal, especially famous for the breathtaking sunrise views from Poon Hill. This trek is much preferred by beginners and nature admirers. The Annapurna region always gives travelers an amazing chance to uncover Nepal’s hidden beauty, including panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain ranges. For those looking for a trek with a blend of culture, natural scenic beauty, and adventure, then get ready for the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek with Ghandruk. This trek is perfect for those who have limited time and fewer days to travel. So, the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek with Ghandruk is widely popular among these travelers, as it is one of the short treks near Pokhara.

Easy Trek in Nepal with Stunning Rhododendron Forest Trails

The Poon Hill trek is ideal for those wanting an easy trek in Nepal while still providing spectacular mountain views. Starting from Pokhara, this colorful hike takes you through Nepal’s largest rhododendron forest, located in the Annapurna region. One of the key advantages of this journey is its short timeframe—the trek usually lasts 3 to 5 days, depending on your Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary. Travelers have the option to either trek the whole way or book a private jeep up to Ghorepani Poon Hill.

Best Time for Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek – Spring and Autumn Seasons

Among the travelers’ FAQs about Ghorepani is the best time for the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, and the answer is during spring (March–May), when colorful rhododendrons make nature come alive. Meanwhile, doing the Poon Hill Trek in autumn eases your trek with clear skies and suitable trekking temperatures—this is why it’s one of the best seasons for the Ghorepani Trek.

Experience Culture and Scenic Beauty in Ghandruk Village

In the journey, trekkers can enjoy rich culture in Ghandruk with warm local hospitality and scenic views of the Himalayas from Poon Hill with colorful rhododendrons along the trail. The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek with Ghandruk is a fantastic option to spend time with friends and families. Each day, this trek includes an average hike lasting 4 to 7 hours. In terms of difficulty, the Ghorepani Trek is rated as easy compared to others, making it a standard pick for beginners, solo travelers, and small groups.

Permits and Conservation Rules for Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

As Ghorepani Poon Hill lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, in order to complete this trek, all non-Nepali travelers must secure the required permits, i.e., the ACAP permit for the Ghorepani Trek and a TIMS card. The Annapurna Conservation Area is home to various types of forests—from deciduous to alpine and tropical—spread across different elevations. Interestingly, the highest recorded flowering plant is also found in this region. If you’re planning to do a rhododendron trek in Nepal, the Ghorepani Rhododendron Trek can be a great option.

Sunrise Views and Photography from Poon Hill – A Trekking Highlight

For those who loves to click photos, this trail is a dream come true. From Poon Hill, you can capture views of more than 12 peaks, making Ghorepani one of the top choices for an Annapurna sunrise trek. Overall, this trail offers something for everyone—a full package trek for anyone looking to spend time with nature.

7 best reasons to visit Ghorepani Poon Hill with Ghandruk

• There are countless reasons to explore Ghorepani Poon Hill, but here are the top highlights of the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek:
• Experience wonderful Himalayan sunrise and sunset views from Poon Hill, in between the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and other mountain ranges.
• Walk through Nepal’s largest rhododendron forest, especially colorful during the spring season.
• A short and sweet trek from Pokhara, great for beginners, families, and solo travelers.
• Click beautiful mountain photos with panoramic views of over 12 snow-capped peaks.
• Go through authentic Nepalese culture, especially the Gurung and Magar village life, with memorable cultural moments in Ghandruk village.
• Discover different biodiversity in the Annapurna Conservation Area, with different species, wildlife, and many more.
• Get a chance to visit the historic Ghandruk museum, with well-preserved Gurung culture and beautiful scenery of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre mountain ranges.

Overview

Detail Itinerary

Day 01 : Drive to Nayapul (1,070m/3,510ft) and Trek to Tikhedhunga (1,540 m/ 5,052 ft):

On the first day of our trek, we will have our breakfast at Pokhara and take a scenic drive to Nayapul. Once we reach here, we will be starting our hike towards Tikhedhunga. As we are inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, we require a permit to continue our further trek. Today we will be staying overnight at Tikhedhunga.

Day 02 : Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2,840m/9,318ft):

Today, after eating our breakfast, we head towards Ghorepani. After walking through the riverside and crossing the suspension bridge, we arrive at Ulleri after a short trek. This is a village inhabited by the Magar community. Further, we hike through local villages, enjoy the view, and continue our trek.

Along the way we find different birds such as kingfishers, dippers, forktails, and redstarts along the river, and several other wildlife as we continue our trek. Later, we cross through the settlement at Nangethanti while heading towards Ghorepani. As we continue, the trail opens up, and we get to see the beautiful view of magnificent mountain ranges, including the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Hiuchuli, and Tarke Kang, including some other ranges.

Day 03 : Ghorepani to Poon Hill and descend to Tadapani (2,700m/8,860ft) :

Finally, the most awaited day of this trek is here. Today, we start early in the morning to watch the breathtaking sunrise view from Poon Hill (3,210 m/10,531 ft.). It’s a magical moment when all the cameras point toward the mountains, and a soft golden light from the rising sun slowly touches the peaks, making them glow. We see different mountain peaks such as Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m/26,794 ft), the Annapurna massif (Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, and Annapurna South), Mt. Machhapuchhre or Fishtail Mountain (6,997 m/22,956 ft), Dhampus Peak (6,021 m/19,753 ft), Tukuche Peak (6,920 m/22,703 ft), and others that are beyond description.

A moment like this is a memory that will never fade away, making each step worth it. We then descend the hill and continue our trek to Tadapani after lunch. Now, we make our way through the largest rhododendron forest with different red, pink, and other colorful flowers. Spring is the best season to enjoy the colorful rhododendron flower. After crossing Deurali, we reach Tadapani.

Day 04 : Tadapani to Ghandruk (1,940m/6,365ft):

The day when we see how culture and nature blend with each other. Today, we head towards Ghandruk, a small and very old Gurung village. As we descend from Tadapani, we get to see different waterfalls, terrace farming, and wide views of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre mountain ranges.

After some hiking, we reach Ghandruk. Ghandruk is the second-largest Gurung settlement in Nepal, with its own unique culture. This village provides us with a view of Fishtail, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South, along with the Gurung Museum showcasing the Gurung culture.

Day 05 : Ghandruk (1,940m/6,365ft) to Syauli Bazaar and Drive to Pokhara:

Today is our final day of this Ghorepani Poon Hill trek with Ghandruk. We start our final trek by descending to Syauli Bazaar, along the waterfalls, terrace farms, and lush forests. After reaching Syauli Bazaar, we take a scenic drive up to Pokhara to complete our trek. This marks the end of our beautiful and cultural trek. Now, we can rest along the lakeside in Pokhara, discussing the highlights of the trek.

Price Includes

• All accommodation during the trek (Twin-sharing)
• Meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) with a cup of tea/coffee per meal
• An experienced trekking guide, along with his salary, accommodation, meals, and insurance
• 1 porter for 2 trekkers with a max load of 20 KG
•  Annapurna Conservation Area(ACAP)
• Required Land transportation (Pokhara-Nayapul-Pokhara)
• T-shirt of Nepal Mountain Trekkers, Duffel bag on a rental basis, and Trekking Map
• Rescue Arrangement Service
• First aid medical box
• All Government Taxes(13% VAT) and 10% Service Charge

Price Excludes

• Visa fee to enter Nepal (Visa Information)
• Meals ( lunch, dinner) in Pokhara
• Entrance fees of sightseeing places
• Extra nights’ accommodation due to any change in schedule
• Transportation costs which are not mentioned in the program
• Travel insurance/ Rescue operation costs
• All personal expenses (Laundries, Electric accessories, Internet, and so on)
• All Soft Drinks and Alcoholic Beverages
• Tips for guide and porter
• Any other services which are not mentioned in “Price Includes” Section above

Trip Gallery

Equipments