Poon Hill Trek: Nepal’s Best 4-Day Beginner Trek (2026 Guide)

If you have four or five days in Nepal and want to stand in front of the Himalayas without needing mountaineering experience, an acclimatisation schedule, or a month of training, Poon Hill is the answer. At a maximum altitude of 3,210 metres, it sits well below the threshold where altitude sickness becomes a serious concern, yet it puts you face-to-face with some of the highest peaks on earth — Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (the Fishtail), and Nilgiri stretching across the horizon at sunrise.

The trail passes through terraced farmland, ancient Gurung villages, and — if you visit in March or April — some of the densest rhododendron forests in Nepal, blazing red and pink at altitude. It is one of the most-walked routes in the Himalayas, and for good reason: it is accessible, affordable, well-serviced by teahouses, and genuinely spectacular.

This guide covers everything you need to plan the trek in 2026 — the day-by-day route, costs, permits, best season, packing list, and specific tips for travellers coming from India.

Poon Hill Trek at a Glance

• Duration: 4 days (5 days with an overnight in Ghandruk)
• Maximum altitude: 3,210m (Poon Hill viewpoint)
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Best months: October–November and March–April
• Cost: ₹15,000–40,000 depending on budget and guide
• Starting point: Nayapul (1 hour by road from Pokhara)
• Permit required: ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) only
• Accommodation: Tea houses throughout — no camping needed
• Base city: Pokhara

The 4-Day Route: Day by Day

Day 1: Pokhara to Nayapul — Trek to Tikhedhunga (1,540m)

The trek begins with a one-hour drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, the trailhead village on the Modi Khola river. From Nayapul you walk south along the river bank, through the trading village of Birethanti (where the ACAP permit checkpoint is located), and then gradually uphill toward Tikhedhunga.

This first day is the easiest of the four — a gentle 3–4 hour walk with moderate elevation gain. The trail follows the Modi Khola for much of the way, passing through rhododendron forest and small Magar settlements. The scenery is pleasant rather than dramatic, which is fine: Day 2 more than compensates.

Tikhedhunga has a cluster of teahouses offering basic but comfortable rooms. Settle in early, eat well (dal bhat is always the right choice), and sleep as early as possible — Day 2 is a proper climb.

Walking time: 3–4 hours | Elevation gain: ~540m from Nayapul (1,000m)

Day 2: Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2,860m) — The Stone Steps

This is the day the trek earns its reputation. The climb from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri involves roughly 3,300 stone steps — a sustained, steep ascent that takes most trekkers 90 minutes to two hours. It is not dangerous, but it is relentless. Take your time, stop whenever you need to, and keep water handy. Locals carrying supplies in dokos (wicker baskets) will overtake you — that is normal and tells you nothing about your fitness level.

Once you clear Ulleri (1,960m), the gradient eases. The trail enters the Annapurna Conservation Area proper and the forest thickens. In March and April, the rhododendrons here are extraordinary — mature trees 10–15 metres tall with canopies of red, pink, and white flowers forming a tunnel over the trail. Even outside bloom season the forest is dense and quiet, a very different atmosphere from the lower agricultural terraces.

You arrive at Ghorepani (2,860m) in the early afternoon. At this altitude the air is noticeably cooler. Ghorepani is a proper trekking hub with well-stocked teahouses, good food (pasta, noodle soup, apple pie, the usual), and hot showers. Sleep early — the alarm for Poon Hill is set for 4:00–4:30am.

Walking time: 5–6 hours | Elevation gain: ~1,320m

Day 3: Poon Hill Sunrise — Trek to Tadapani (2,630m)

This is the reason you came.

Wake at 4:00–4:30am, layer up (it will be well below 5°C, often near freezing), and join the procession of headlamps winding up the 45-minute trail from Ghorepani to Poon Hill. You will not be alone — dozens of trekkers make the same climb every morning — but the crowd somehow does not diminish the experience. When you reach the top and the first grey light begins to separate the peaks from the sky, everyone goes quiet.

The panorama at sunrise from Poon Hill is one of the great viewpoints in Nepal. From left to right you are looking at: Dhaulagiri (8,167m), the world’s seventh-highest mountain; Tukuche Peak (6,920m); Nilgiri North (7,061m); Annapurna I (8,091m), the world’s tenth-highest; Annapurna South (7,219m); Hiunchuli (6,441m); and Machhapuchhre, the Fishtail peak (6,993m), sacred and unclimbed. As the sun rises behind you, the snow faces turn from grey to pale pink to gold. The Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre are so close they fill a substantial portion of the sky.

Allow an hour at the top before descending to Ghorepani for breakfast. After breakfast, the trail continues east through the rhododendron forest toward Tadapani, a smaller settlement at 2,630m. The walk from Ghorepani to Tadapani takes around 4 hours and passes through some of the most beautiful forest on the entire route — quieter than the Ghorepani approach, with better chances of seeing birds and langur monkeys.

Walking time: 1.5h (Poon Hill) + 4h (Ghorepani to Tadapani) | Net elevation: -230m

Day 4: Tadapani to Ghandruk to Nayapul — Drive to Pokhara

The final day descends through the Gurung heartland. From Tadapani, a 2-hour trail drops down to Ghandruk (1,940m), one of the most photographed villages in Nepal — a compact settlement of stone houses with slate roofs, flower-filled courtyards, and sweeping views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.

Ghandruk is worth exploring for an hour: the Gurung Museum, the monastery on the hill, and the main cobblestone lane lined with teahouses and craft shops. If you want to extend the trek by one day, stay overnight in Ghandruk — the morning light on the Annapurna range from here is nearly as good as Poon Hill.

From Ghandruk, the trail descends steeply to the Modi Khola valley, eventually rejoining the Nayapul road at Syauli Bazaar or Birethanti. A jeep or local bus brings you back to Pokhara in under an hour. You will be back in time for a lakeside dinner.

Walking time: 4–5 hours | Elevation loss: ~930m

Why Poon Hill Is Ideal for Beginners

The Poon Hill trek sits at the easier end of Nepal’s trekking spectrum, and that is not a criticism — it is the characteristic that makes it useful for first-time Himalayan trekkers.

• No altitude sickness risk: At 3,210m maximum altitude, you are well below the 3,500m level where acute mountain sickness typically begins. Healthy adults acclimatise to this height without difficulty if they stay hydrated and avoid rushing.
• Tea houses every 30 minutes: Unlike remote trails in Upper Mustang or the Dolpo region, the Poon Hill route has accommodation and food available at very frequent intervals. You are never far from a warm meal or a place to rest.
• Well-marked and well-maintained trail: The path is clear, regularly maintained, and walked by hundreds of trekkers daily during peak season. Getting lost is genuinely difficult.
• Short from Pokhara: The trailhead is one hour from Pokhara by road. There is no internal flight, no multi-day approach, and no complex logistics. You can start the trek the morning after arriving in Pokhara.
• Hot showers and good food: Ghorepani teahouses have hot showers (usually solar-heated), charging points, and menus covering everything from Nepali dal bhat to pasta, eggs, and filtered coffee. Roughing it is optional.

The one section that surprises first-time trekkers is the stone step climb to Ulleri on Day 2. It is steep and sustained. If you are not used to stair climbing, your quads will complain. But it is manageable at any pace, and every step is reward for what you see at the top.

For a longer and more immersive alternative in the same region, the Annapurna Base Camp trek pushes deeper into the range over 10 days, reaching 4,130m.

The Sunrise: What to Actually Expect

The Poon Hill sunrise is frequently described in superlatives, and the description is accurate — but it helps to know what you are walking into so you are prepared rather than surprised.

You wake in the dark. Ghorepani at 4am in October or November is cold, often between 0°C and 5°C. Put on every layer you have — fleece, down jacket, gloves, hat. Pick up a cup of tea from the teahouse owner who will already be awake and making hot drinks for the stream of trekkers heading up. Then join the procession of headlamps on the 45-minute climb to the viewpoint tower.

The tower at the top has a small ticket booth (NPR 100 entry fee). Arrive early enough and you can claim a spot on the railing. The sky begins to lighten around 5:30–6:00am depending on season. Clouds willing, the peaks emerge from silhouette into colour over the course of about 20 minutes. The sequence is: grey shapes, then definition, then pale gold on the highest ridgelines, then the full sunrise colour on Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre directly in front of you. Machhapuchhre is close enough that its double summit fills the frame of a standard camera lens.

On clear mornings, people applaud. It sounds slightly absurd written down, but in the moment it makes sense.

Cloud is the only variable you cannot control. October and November have the highest clear-sky probability. March and April have more cloud but the rhododendrons compensate. There is no guarantee of a clear sunrise — some trekkers see only white. If you have a flexible schedule, it is worth staying a second night in Ghorepani to give yourself two chances.

Cost Breakdown (2026)

The Poon Hill trek is one of the more affordable options in Nepal. Here is a realistic breakdown for Indian travellers:

Budget Independent Trek — ₹15,000–20,000

Item	Approximate Cost (INR)
Pokhara to Nayapul jeep (shared)	₹300–500
ACAP permit (SAARC rate NPR 200 ≈ ₹130)	₹130
Tea house accommodation (3 nights × ₹500–800)	₹1,500–2,400
Meals (3 meals/day × 4 days × ₹400–600 avg)	₹4,800–7,200
Poon Hill entry fee (NPR 100)	₹65
Miscellaneous (hot drinks, tips, water)	₹1,500–2,500
Total	₹8,295–12,695

Add Pokhara hotel (2 nights ≈ ₹2,000–5,000) and your Kathmandu–Pokhara transport (flight ~₹6,000–10,000 or tourist bus ~₹1,500) and the full independent trip comes to roughly ₹15,000–20,000.

Mid-Range Guided Trek — ₹25,000–40,000

Item	Approximate Cost (INR)
Licensed guide (4 days)	₹6,000–9,000
Porter (optional, 4 days)	₹4,500–7,000
All accommodation + meals	₹8,000–12,000
Permits + entry fees	₹200
Transport (Pokhara–Nayapul both ways)	₹1,000–1,500
Pokhara hotel (2 nights)	₹3,000–6,000
Total	₹22,700–35,700

Tea house food quality has improved significantly in the past decade. Expect proper meals — dal bhat (unlimited refills, always good value), pasta, fried rice, noodle soup, omelettes, and apple pie that has become a trekking trail staple. Bottled water is available but expensive at altitude — bring a filter bottle or purification tablets to save money and reduce plastic waste.

Permits: What You Need and Where to Get Them

The Poon Hill trek requires just one permit in 2026:

• ACAP — Annapurna Conservation Area Permit: NPR 3,000 (approximately ₹1,970) for non-SAARC nationals. For SAARC nationals including Indians: NPR 200 (approximately ₹130). This is one of the most significant cost advantages for Indian trekkers.

You do not need a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card for Poon Hill as of 2026 — the Nepal government removed this requirement for the Annapurna region in 2023.

Permits are issued at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pokhara (Damside or Lakeside) or at the ACAP counter in Birethanti. Bring a passport-size photo and your passport or Indian Aadhaar card. The process takes 10–15 minutes.

For a complete breakdown of all Nepal trekking permits, see our guide to Nepal trekking permits.

Best Time to Go

The Poon Hill trek is walkable year-round, but two seasons offer consistently the best conditions:

October–November (Post-Monsoon)

The best overall window. The monsoon ends in late September, leaving the trails washed clean and the air exceptionally clear. October and November have the highest probability of cloudless sunrises at Poon Hill. The forest is lush from the rains, temperatures are mild during the day (15–20°C at Ghorepani) and cool at night (0–5°C). This is peak trekking season — expect company on the trail and book teahouses a day or two ahead during the busy October window.

March–April (Pre-Monsoon / Rhododendron Season)

A strong second choice. March–April is when the rhododendron forests between Tikhedhunga and Ghorepani hit full bloom — reds and pinks that are genuinely dramatic, especially on the long climb to Ulleri. Temperatures are warmer (20–25°C lower down, 8–12°C at Ghorepani), which makes the walking pleasant. The trade-off is more afternoon cloud than in October–November, which reduces clear-sunrise probability. Still excellent overall.

For a full seasonal breakdown, see our month-by-month guide to visiting Nepal.

Avoid

June through August (monsoon season) — the trail is muddy, leeches are active, and visibility at Poon Hill is near-zero. December through February is possible but cold (sub-zero nights at Ghorepani, potential snow on the upper trail). Experienced cold-weather trekkers enjoy the quiet, but it is not recommended as a first trek.

What to Pack

Poon Hill requires significantly less gear than higher-altitude treks like EBC or ABC. You do not need crampons, a sleeping bag rated to -20°C, or a duffel bag full of altitude medication. Keep it light.

Clothing

• Moisture-wicking base layer (2 sets)
• Mid-layer fleece
• Down or synthetic insulated jacket (essential for Poon Hill morning)
• Waterproof rain jacket (doubles as wind layer)
• Trekking trousers (2 pairs — lightweight is fine)
• Warm hat and gloves (critical for 4am summit)
• Comfortable trekking shoes with ankle support — full mountaineering boots are unnecessary
• Camp sandals for evenings at the teahouse

Gear and Accessories

• Headlamp with fresh batteries — essential for the pre-dawn Poon Hill hike
• Trekking poles — highly recommended for knee protection on the Day 4 descent
• Day pack (20–25 litres) — keep it light; porters can carry a larger bag if needed
• Reusable water bottle with filter (Katadyn BeFree or LifeStraw)
• Sunscreen and lip balm (UV exposure at altitude is significant even on cool days)
• Camera — phone cameras work well but a compact with a zoom lens captures the summit panorama better
• Small first aid kit — ibuprofen, blister pads, anti-diarrhoeal tablets
• Power bank — charging points at teahouses often cost extra (NPR 100–200/hour)

Documents

• Passport or Aadhaar card (for permit issuance)
• Travel insurance (essential — confirm it covers trekking above 3,000m)
• Nepali rupees in cash — ATMs exist in Pokhara but not on the trail

For Indian Travellers: Practical Notes

Poon Hill is arguably the best first Himalayan trek for Indian travellers, for reasons that go beyond the scenery.

Getting to Pokhara: Pokhara is 25 minutes by domestic flight from Kathmandu (Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines — around ₹4,000–8,000 one way) or approximately 7 hours by tourist bus (~₹1,200–1,800). The flight is the cleaner option if your time is limited. Our Nepal tour from India guide covers the full journey from your home city.

No visa complications: Indian citizens do not require a visa for Nepal and can use their Aadhaar card or voter ID as travel documentation. This removes one logistical layer that other nationalities have to manage.

SAARC permit pricing: As noted above, the ACAP permit costs NPR 200 for Indian nationals versus NPR 3,000 for others. On a 4-day trek, this is a meaningful saving.

Currency: Indian rupees are accepted widely in Pokhara and at many teahouses, typically at an exchange rate of approximately 1 INR = 1.60 NPR. That said, having Nepali rupees is cleaner and avoids any rate disagreements. Exchange at the Pokhara airport or Lakeside money changers before heading to the trailhead.

Best season alignment: October–November in Nepal coincides with Dussehra and Diwali holidays in India, making it easy to combine a trekking trip with the existing break. The Nepal from India page has package options that include the Poon Hill trek.

Physical preparation: If you live in a city and are not a regular hiker, spend three to four weeks before the trek doing stair climbing or incline treadmill sessions. Day 2 (the stone steps) will feel much better if your legs have been through some preparation. That said, we have seen trekkers in their 50s and 60s complete the trek comfortably — fitness level is less the barrier than pacing.

Guided vs. Independent: What to Choose

Poon Hill is one of the few Nepal treks where an independent trek without a guide is genuinely viable. The trail is clear, the teahouses are frequent, and English is spoken widely at all stops. Solo travellers and small groups regularly complete the trek without any support.

That said, hiring a guide adds real value: local knowledge about the trail, weather patterns, and culture; someone to handle logistics while you focus on walking; and a significant safety margin if anyone in your group has a health issue. For first-time trekkers or anyone unfamiliar with Himalayan conditions, a guide is a worthwhile investment that typically costs ₹1,500–2,200 per day.

A porter (for carrying your main bag) costs roughly ₹1,000–1,700 per day and lets you walk with just a light day pack. On the Day 2 stone-step climb, having an empty pack makes a considerable difference.

Our 5-day Ghorepani Poon Hill trek package includes a licensed guide, permits, and all accommodation — a good option if you want the trek fully organised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Poon Hill worth it for just 4 days?

Yes, without reservation. The Poon Hill sunrise is one of the genuinely transformative views in Nepal — a panorama of multiple 8,000-metre peaks from a viewpoint that is accessible without technical climbing, special equipment, or extreme altitude. Four days is tight but sufficient. If you can stretch to five, the extra day in Ghandruk is a good addition.

Can complete beginners do the Poon Hill trek?

Yes, with a caveat. The trek is suitable for people who have moderate general fitness and are comfortable walking 5–7 hours in a day on uneven terrain. The Day 2 stone-step climb to Ulleri is the hardest section and will be challenging if you are completely sedentary. Light preparation — stair climbing, brisk walking — over the four weeks before the trek will make the experience considerably more enjoyable.

Do I need a guide for Poon Hill?

Not legally — Nepal does not mandate guides on the Poon Hill route. The trail is well-marked and well-trafficked, and solo trekking is common. A guide is recommended if you are a first-time Himalayan trekker, travelling alone, or want someone to handle logistics and translate at teahouses. It is also a direct contribution to the local economy.

How fit do I need to be?

You do not need to be an athlete. If you can walk for 5–6 hours on a day with elevation gain, you can do Poon Hill. The key fitness factor is leg strength for the 3,300 stone steps on Day 2 and the descents on Day 4. Cardio fitness matters less than at higher altitudes because 3,210m does not require significant acclimatisation. Train with stairs or hills for three to four weeks if you are not currently active.

Can I do Poon Hill in 3 days?

Physically yes, but it is not recommended. The 3-day version compresses Day 2 and Day 3 into a very long day (Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani, sunrise at Poon Hill, then all the way to Nayapul), which means the trek becomes an endurance exercise rather than an enjoyable experience. The 4-day structure paces the effort correctly. If you only have 3 days, consider going as far as Ghorepani and returning the same way — this eliminates the Tadapani and Ghandruk sections but keeps the core experience intact.