The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a 7-day itinerary with 3 days of walking through the lower Annapurna region. Along the way are Dhaulagiri and Annapurna views, hill villages, rhododendron forests, and teahouse stays without the demands of high-altitude trekking.
The trip begins with a drive from Pokhara to Ulleri, where the trek starts. Stone staircases climb through forest to Ghorepani, the overnight stop below Poon Hill.
The next morning starts before dawn with a climb to Poon Hill (3,210 m). As daylight reaches the mountains, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Hiunchuli, and Nilgiri stand out across the skyline. Six named summits can be seen from one point, with no technical climbing required.
From Poon Hill, the trail descends through woodland and along ridges to Tadapani, passing moss-covered trees, streams, and open sections where the mountains appear between the trees.
The final walking day takes you down to Ghandruk, a Gurung village known for its stone houses and narrow lanes on a ridge facing the Annapurna range. After lunch, you drive back to Pokhara.
Magar settlements also line the route, while family-run teahouses provide accommodation each night. Prayer flags, terraced fields, and working farms are part of everyday life along the trail.
The trek is within the Annapurna Conservation Area, where oak, pine, and rhododendron forests provide habitat for Danphe (Himalayan Monal), deer, and langurs. In spring, rhododendrons colour the hillsides. An ACAP permit is required, and Mountain World Treks arranges it before departure.
With 4–6 hours of walking per day, this trek suits beginners, families, and travellers with limited time. The climb to Ulleri and the pre-dawn ascent to Poon Hill are the steepest sections, but the route remains at moderate elevations.
It is also one of Nepal’s popular short treks for family groups, with manageable walking days, comfortable teahouse stays, and plenty to see along the trail. At 3,210 m, the highest point is well below longer Himalayan treks.
