Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 3,210 m
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal’s Annapurna region. This scenic loop is typically completed in 4 to 5 days and reaches a maximum elevation of 3,210 meters.
The tour is known for its dense rhododendron forests, traditional Gurung and Magar villages, and the spectacular panoramic views of the eight-thousanders Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, as well as the Kali Gandaki Gorge between the two 8,000-meter peaks. The view of Dhaulagiri at sunrise is particularly spectacular.
The Kali Gandaki Valley is considered the deepest valley in the world. While the river flows at an altitude of about 2,500 meters, the two eight-thousanders rise up on either side—a gigantic elevation difference of about 5,600 meters over just around 30 kilometers as the crow flies.
The Poon Hill Trek is an easy hike that mostly follows paved dirt roads and mountain trails.
From Pokhara via Birethani to Ulleri - Day 1
Start: Birethani (1,031 m)
Destination: Hile (1,486 m) or Ulleri (2,045 m)
Elevation gain: 550 m or 1,180 m
Länge: 8 km or 9.6 km, Dauer: 3–5 hours per day
Drive from Pokhara to Birethani (approx. 1.5–2 hours). The hike begins with a leisurely walk along the Bhurungdi Khola River. If you have enough energy, you can tackle the steep 3,000 stone steps leading up to the village of Ulleri (2,020 m) right away to shorten the next day’s hike.
Ascent to Gorepani - Day 2
Start: Hile (1,486 m) or Ulleri (2,045 m)
Destination: Gorepani (2,883 m)
Elevation gain: 1,550 m or 900 m
Länge: 9.7 or 7.7 km, Dauer: 3-5 hours
From Ulleri, the trail winds through beautiful, shady forests. Upon arrival in the large mountain village of Ghorepani, the first impressive views of the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range come into view, weather permitting.
Gorepani - Poon Hill - Tadapani - Day 3
Start: Gorepani (2,883 m)
Destination: Poon Hill (3,210 m) and on to Tadapani (2,689 m)
Elevation gain: 620 m
Länge: 12 km, Dauer: 5-6 hours
Today we’ll head to Poon Hill for sunrise and then continue on to Tadapani. The trail to Poon Hill consists mostly of stairs leading directly from the central village square in Ghorepani to the summit. There’s a kiosk there selling tea and coffee. It is the absolute highlight of the trek: the magical sunrise at Poon Hill with a 360-degree view of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and the Nilgiri. The trail to Tadapani winds through undulating terrain, passing through moss-covered fairy-tale forests and deep gorges.
Tadapani - Ghandruk - Pokhara - Day 4
Start: Tadapani (2,689 m)
Destination: Birethani (1,031 m)
Elevation gain: 1,650 m
Länge: 18 km, Dauer: 6-8 hours
Descending from Tadapani, you’ll find yourself immersed in a dense, almost surreal forest of rhododendrons and oaks. The trail winds through beautiful, shady woods. After about an hour, the dense forest opens up, offering your first sweeping views of the vast Modi Khola River valley. The mountain slopes are increasingly divided into artfully arranged rice and millet terraces, which glow in rich green or golden yellow depending on the season. The village of Ghandruk offers great insights into the local Gurung culture. The route continues down through terraced fields into the valley to Birethani, and from there by jeep back to Pokhara.
