Trekking Partners NepalGhorepani Poon Hill Trek
A short trek through rhododendron forest to the famous Poon Hill sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Great for first-timers.
- Duration4–5 days
- Highest point3,210 m
- DifficultyEasy
- Best seasonOct–May
Prefer to go with a local guide? The full Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary, cost and dates are on Discover Parbat, the Parbat-based company that runs our fixed departures.
Trekkers looking for partners
No open partner posts for Ghorepani Poon Hill yet. Be the first – post your dates and others heading this way will find you.
Post a tripWho the Poon Hill trek suits
Poon Hill is Nepal's favourite short trek, and for good reason. In four or five days you climb through Magar and Gurung villages and thick rhododendron forest to Ghorepani, then wake up early for the walk up Poon Hill (3,210 m) to watch the sun hit Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.
It's rated easy, and it's the trek we'd suggest for first-timers, families and anyone short on time. The climb from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri is a famous wall of stone steps, so expect one hard morning. Otherwise the days are short and the altitude is low enough that sickness is rarely an issue.
Do you need a guide or permit?
No guide is needed and no TIMS card. You need the ACAP permit, which you can get yourself at the Nepal Tourism Board in Pokhara. See the 2026 rules.
The trail is busy and well signposted, so it's one of the easiest treks to follow on your own. Even so, a local guide adds a lot here: the stories behind the Magar and Gurung villages, the food and the people you'd otherwise walk past.
Best months, and when it's easiest to find a partner
Poon Hill works for most of the year. October–December gives the clearest sunrises. March–April is when the rhododendron forest turns red and pink. January and February are cold but often crystal clear. In the monsoon, views are a gamble.
Because it's so popular and starts close to Pokhara, it's the easiest trek to find company for, often at a day's notice. Check the posts on this page, or ask around in Lakeside.
Doing Poon Hill with a partner
- Where to meet: Pokhara Lakeside. Get your ACAP permits together and share a taxi or jeep to the trailhead.
- What to share: transport to and from Pokhara, which costs the same for one or three people, and twin rooms in Ghorepani, which fill up in peak season.
- Where you can split up: Ghorepani and Tadapani are junctions. One of you can continue to Annapurna Base Camp or Khopra Danda while the other heads down to Ghandruk and back to Pokhara.
- Bring head torches for the pre-dawn walk up Poon Hill, and go up together.
Want something quieter than Poon Hill? Mohare Danda and Kokhe Danda offer similar Dhaulagiri views with far fewer people.
Trek Ghorepani Poon Hill with a local guide
A licensed guide isn't mandatory on Ghorepani Poon Hill, and the rule isn't enforced on most of Nepal's trails, but we still recommend trekking with a local guide.
An experienced guide isn't only there to show you the way. They know the families who run the teahouses and homestays, explain the villages, monasteries, festivals and food you'd otherwise walk straight past, help you talk with local people, watch for altitude sickness and changing weather, and handle rooms, permits and transport so you can simply enjoy the walk. Many trekkers say their guide was the best part of the trip.
Discover Parbat is a licensed local trekking company from Parbat, near Pokhara, with experienced guides who know these trails and the people along them. Trekking with a partner? Share one guide and split the cost.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with Discover Parbat →Contact Discover Parbat
Ghorepani Poon Hill: frequently asked questions
Do I need a guide for Poon Hill?
No. Poon Hill is one of the easiest treks in Nepal to do independently. You only need the ACAP permit, which you can get in Pokhara.
How many days is the Poon Hill trek?
Usually four or five days from Pokhara, depending on your route and whether you return via Ghandruk.
Is Poon Hill good for beginners?
Yes. It is short, low in altitude and well marked, which makes it the most popular first trek in Nepal.
Heading to Ghorepani Poon Hill? Post your dates and find someone to trek with. It's free.
Questions about Ghorepani Poon Hill
Trail conditions, permits and gear, answered by trekkers who were just there and our local team.
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