Ghorepani Poonhill Trek
Highlights
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Easy
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8 N/9 D
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All around the year
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Hiking
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Hotel at Kathmandu and Pokhara & Tea house accommodation during trek
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Private Vehicle
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Trek
Outline Itinerary
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Day 1 Arrival at Kathmandu: 1400m altitude: 30 minutes drive to Hotel
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Day 2 Kathmandu - Pokhara: 900m altitude, 210 km & approx. 6 hrs drive (B)
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Day 3 Drive to Nayapol: 1 & ½ hrs and trek to Hiley: (1495 m). approx. 4 hrs walk(B, L, D)
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Day 4 Trek Hiley - Ghorepani (2775m): approx. 6 hrs walk (B, L, D)
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Day 5 Excursion to Poonhill (3210m): approx. 3hrs & trek to Tadapani (2600m): approx. 4-5 hours walk(B, L, D)
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Day 6 Trek Tadapani to Ghandruk (1940m): Approx. 3-4 Hours walk (B,L,D,)
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Day 7 Trek Ghandruk- Nayapool: approx. 5 hrs walk and Drive to Pokhara: 1& ½ hrs drive (B, L)
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Day 8 Drive Pokhara-Kathmandu: 6-7 hrs, typical Nepali dinner with live cultural show (B, D)
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Day 9 Departure (B)
Includes
1. Transport
• Airport transfers
• Kathmandu- Pokhara-Kathmandu in private car
• Pokhara-Nayapol-Pokhara transfer
2. Accommodations:
• Kathmandu (2Ns)
• Pokhara (2Ns)
• Tea House Accommodation during trekking (4Ns)
3. Meals:
• All breakfasts
• Lunch: 5 lunches during trekking
• Dinner: 4 dinners during trekking & one typical Nepali dinner with a live cultural show
4. Trekking Package:
• Tea House Accommodations, English Speaking License Holder Guide and all his expenses, all meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
5. Guide:
• Representative from Aarya Village Travel for arrival and departure transfer
• English-speaking trekking guide throughout the trip
6. Taxes, Service Charges and Permits:
• All the applicable service charges, government taxes, ACAP, TIMs card
Excludes
International Airfare, Nepal VISA Fees ($30 per person), Excess baggage charge on Domestic flights, Travel Insurance
2. Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary
3. All entrance fees during sightseeing
4. Cost for Porter: if required who can carry a maximum of 20 kg of luggage
5. Meals not listed in the itinerary
6. Gratuities, tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc
7. Personal expenses such as laundry, drink, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, etc
8. Payment Transfer Charge
9. Hotels check out as per the hotel rules.
10. Any extra expenses incurred from flight cancellation or delay, natural calamities, sudden price escalations in hotels, transport, flight or any other items, any form of rescue
Detail Itinerary
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu you will be met by one of our representatives and then transferred to your hotel. As you enjoy your welcome drinks you will be briefed about your program. The rest of your day shall be at your leisure.
Your journey on the second day begins with a drive to Pokhara right after breakfast which may take approximately 6 hours. Located 210 km west of Kathmandu, this beautiful lakeside city is a prime tourism destination in Nepal offering spellbinding and hypnotic natural beauty, stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks and of course, with all the modern day amenities. The drive on the way itself is going to be an amazingly unique experience as you travel besides the mighty river with some strong current almost throughout your journey with scenic greenery on both sides of the road along with human settlements thick and thin at different places.
In the evening you shall enjoy walking along the bank of Phewa Lake, admiring the stunning reflection of the Fish Tail Peak in the blue Phewa Lake water.
Right after breakfast, the guide escorts and drives you to Nayapul 45km west of Pokhara and 1 & ½ hour's drive from Pokhara in a private vehicle and that's where you start your trek to Hiley.
We reach Birethani (at 1065m above sea level) after walking for 15 minutes along the banks of the Modi River (Khola). Birethani is a large village consisting of shops and tea-houses. We pass through the village and continue on the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola. From here it's a steep ascent to Hiley at 1495m.
On this day your journey begins after breakfast as usual. The hikes starts off easy from Hiley to Tikledhunga at 1525 m, from Tikledhunga it's a steep climb up to Ulleri, a modest Magar village at 2070m. Now ascending gently, through pine, oak and rhododendron forests we head to Banthanti at 2250m and onward to Nangethanti at 2460m. From here it's an hour's walk to Ghorepani at 2775m. Ghorepani used to be a rest stop where ancient traders found water (pani in Nepali) for their horses (ghora in Nepali), thus leading to the nomenclature Ghorepani. Overnight at Guest house.
This morning, we will get up early in the morning, and go for hiking to Poon Hill from where you shall observe a superb view of sunrise with its golden rays on the Himalayan panorama, including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Fishtail etc. Having spent some quality time at Poonhill, we will come back to Ghorepani, have a hot breakfast and continue walking towards Deurali and onto Tadapani situated at 2600m height.
From Tadapani we descend through jungles to reach Ghandruk. The trek distance between Tadapani and Ghandruk is 6.5 kilometer and takes around 3 hours of hiking across flat and downhill trails to get to our destination. A beautiful Gurung Village, Ghandruk is located at 1940 meters above sea level offers stunning views of Annapurna mountain and a splendid sunrise and sunset. On reaching there you can go and visit Gurung Museum while walking around the village would also be a pleasing experience for you to cherish for a long time.
On this particular day we make a steep descent and head straight to Nayapool from Ghandruk. From Nayapool we drive for about 1&1/2 hour to Pokhara. Upon reaching Pokhara, you may check into the hotel, get yourself refreshed and have some rest for a while. Later that afternoon, you may either stroll around the lake side or hire a boat and visit Barahi Temple - a unique temple situated on an island in the middle of Phewa Lake.
The tour on this day is going to end after you drive back to Kathmandu. We shall drive back on the same highway which we travelled through initially. It is a comfortable drive with beautiful views and numerous twists and turns. We stop at beautiful resort for lunch and then continue our ride towards Kathmandu. It will take approximately 6 hours to reach Kathmandu.
In the evening we shall take you to authentic Nepali restaurant for typical Nepali traditional diner along with cultural show performed by different ethnic groups. It may last for about 3 hours.
Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Aarya Village Travel will transfer you to the airport for final departure to your home country.
FAQs
The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is an easy-to-moderate route and a popular choice for first-time trekkers in Nepal. You walk around 3 to 6 hours a day over five trekking days. One of the most demanding sections is the climb from Hile toward Ghorepani, which includes long stone staircases near Ulleri. Poon Hill, at approximately 3,210m, is the highest point. No climbing experience is needed, but you should be comfortable walking uphill for several hours with a small daypack.
The risk of altitude sickness is generally lower than on high-altitude Himalayan treks because the highest overnight stop is Ghorepani, at approximately 2,775m, while Poon Hill (3,210m) is visited on a morning excursion. However, some people may experience a headache, nausea, or disturbed sleep, particularly after a strenuous climb. Walk steadily, stay hydrated, and tell your guide promptly if you feel unwell. Seek help and descend if symptoms worsen.
At sunrise, you may see Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and other Himalayan peaks illuminated by the early morning light. Visibility depends on the weather, so mountain views cannot be guaranteed. This itinerary includes one night in Ghorepani and therefore one planned sunrise attempt. The excursion typically involves an early morning uphill walk to Poon Hill followed by the return to Ghorepani for breakfast; confirm the expected walking time and breakfast arrangements with Aarya Village Travel. If you would like a second sunrise opportunity, ask about adding another night in Ghorepani.
October to November and March to April are generally excellent months for mountain views and comfortable trekking conditions. Spring also brings blooming rhododendron forests along the trail. Winter nights in Ghorepani can be very cold, and snow may affect the route. The monsoon season, usually June to September, brings rain, leeches, slippery trails, and cloud that can obscure the mountains.
You need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Additional requirements, including TIMS registration where applicable, should be checked against the current rules before departure. Guide requirements and enforcement can change, so confirm the latest official guidance rather than relying on older regulations. A guide is useful for navigating the trail, managing logistics, and learning about local culture. Aarya Village Travel can help arrange the applicable permits and a trekking guide.
Accommodation is generally in simple teahouses or guest houses with basic rooms, shared bathrooms in many locations, and meals such as dal bhat, noodles, and eggs. Ghorepani can be busy, and nights are often cold, so bring warm sleepwear and suitable layers. Hot showers, device charging, and Wi-Fi may cost extra and can be unreliable. Do not rely on finding an ATM along the trail; carry enough Nepali rupees from Pokhara for personal expenses and any additional services.

