Sunrise above a sea of cloud with Annapurna peaks and Machhapuchhre

trekAnnapurna

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Summary

The gentlest of the classic Annapurna treks: a 4–5 day teahouse loop through rhododendron forest and Gurung villages to the famous Poon Hill sunrise at 3,210 m. The best first Himalayan trek in Nepal — no serious altitude, real mountain payoff.

Why this guide

It is the highest reward-to-effort ratio of any trek in Nepal: a real Himalayan sunrise on a short, low-altitude, beginner-friendly loop.

Good for

First-time trekkers, families, photographers, and travelers with only 4–5 spare days who still want the big mountains.

Skip if

Skip if you specifically want high-altitude wilderness — this is a forest-and-village trek with one big viewpoint, not a deep mountain expedition.

Story

If you want a genuine Himalayan teahouse trek without serious altitude or weeks of time, this is the one. The Ghorepani Poon Hill loop climbs through some of the most beautiful rhododendron forest in Nepal and two classic Gurung and Magar villages to a sunrise viewpoint that frames Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas, and Machhapuchhre.

Who it's for

First-time trekkers, families with fit teenagers, and anyone short on time. The highest point — Poon Hill at 3,210 m — is below the altitude where serious problems usually begin, which makes this a low-risk introduction to multi-day trekking.

How hard it is

Don't mistake "beginner-friendly" for flat. The notorious stone staircase up to Ulleri is a long, steep grind, and there is real climbing on the way to Ghorepani. Most reasonably fit walkers manage it comfortably over 4 days; you can shorten it to 3 or extend toward Ghandruk and the Sanctuary.

Season

Go in autumn (Oct–Nov) or spring (Mar–Apr) for the clearest skies; spring adds the rhododendron bloom. Winter is doable but cold with possible snow up high. Avoid peak monsoon, when cloud hides the very views you came for.

Permits & trust note

You need an ACAP permit (and historically a TIMS card — see the linked permits guide). Distances, road-head positions, and lodge availability shift year to year. Treat this guide as a planning backbone and confirm current conditions, permit rules, and jeep road-heads locally in Pokhara before you set out.

4–5 days (3 at a push)Low to medium4 daysmoderate3210 m high point42 kmNayapul (from Pokhara) to Ghandruk → PokharaChecked Jun 10, 2026

SpringAutumnWinter

beginner-friendlyrhododendronsunriseteahouse

On the map

The route

The stops

5 places

Stop 01
Annapurna Permits: ACAP & TIMS
AnnapurnaExperience
“Before you go: arrange your ACAP permit in Kathmandu or Pokhara, and confirm whether a TIMS card is currently being enforced.”
→ ~1.5 hr drive + 5–6 hr walk
Day 1Stop 02
Pokhara to the Annapurna Trailheads (Jeep)
PokharaTransport
“Jeep from Pokhara to the Nayapul/Birethanti road-head, then trek up the valley. The day ends with the long, steep stone staircase to Ulleri — pace yourself.”
→ ~5–6 hr walk
Day 2Stop 03
Ghorepani Teahouses
GhorepaniStay
“A steady forest climb past Banthanti and Nangethanti to the ridge village of Ghorepani. Settle into a teahouse and rest early for the dawn climb.”
→ ~45 min up + 5–6 hr walk
Day 3Stop 04
Poon Hill
GhorepaniAttraction
“Pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill for sunrise over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas, back for breakfast, then a forested traverse to Tadapani.”
→ ~3–4 hr walk + jeep
Day 4Stop 05
Ghandruk
GhandrukAttraction
“Drop through forest to the handsome Gurung village of Ghandruk for its mountain outlook and museum, then take a jeep back to Pokhara.”