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Ghorepani Poon Hill Hike

You trek up long stone staircases through the villages of Tikhedhunga and Ulleri to Ghorepani (about 2,870 m), then climb before dawn to Poon Hill (3,210 m) for sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South and Machapuchare.

For The Reps · Updated

hike scenery for Ghorepani Poon Hill near Annapurna region
Photo: Ghorepani poon hill trek by Nir gurung, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Annapurna region, Nepal
Distance
About 11 km each way between Nayapul and Ghorepani, plus the Poon Hill climb
Climb
About 2,140 m from Nayapul (1,070 m) to Poon Hill (3,210 m)
Time
2-3 days from Pokhara

The route

Ghorepani Poon Hill trek: Nayapul and Birethanti to Ghorepani via Ulleri, with a sunrise climb to Poon Hill.

Most treks start from Pokhara at Nayapul (1,070 m) or Birethanti. To shorten the trek, some people take a bus or jeep to Ulleri and walk about 3 hours from there to Ghorepani.

When to go

The Nepal Tourism Board says spring and autumn are best for trekking, with the clearest skies in October and November after the June to September monsoon.

Permits and fees

You need an Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit (NPR 3,000 for foreigners, NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals). Under rules in force since 31 March 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board lists the 'Poon Hill-ABC Trek' among routes where you must hike with a licensed guide and carry a TIMS card issued by a trekking agency (NPR 2,000, or NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals).

Before you go

  • Book through a government-registered trekking agency, which arranges your guide and TIMS card.
  • Leave Ghorepani well before dawn to reach Poon Hill for sunrise.
  • Trekking poles help on the long stone staircases below Ulleri.
  • Pokhara averages about 830 mm of rain from May to July, against about 26 mm from December to February (NTB).

What to bring

  • Shoes with grip that you have already worn in
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Food you will actually want to eat
  • A warm or waterproof layer
  • The route, saved offline
  • Sun cream and a hat
  • Camping, cooking and navigation kit for every night, or check exactly what your operator provides

Getting ready for it

Several days in a row with a loaded pack or boat is a different kind of tired from one long day.

Do at least one full day out with all your kit a few weeks before, and fix anything that rubs, leaks or slows you down.

Staying safe

  • The long stone staircases are hard on knees, especially on the descent.
  • Poon Hill is at 3,210 m; climb at a steady pace and watch for signs of altitude sickness.
  • Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
  • Turn around if the weather turns or the footing gets sketchy. The trail will still be there.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against ntb.gov.np, ntb.gov.np, ntb.gov.np, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org and en.wikivoyage.org. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.