The best seasons to do the Trek Ghorepani Poon Hill trek are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November).

Spring (March to May) – Best for Rhododendron Blooms
The temperatures are usually quite comfortable in the daytime and cooler in the evenings. You can expect relatively clear visibility of the mountains like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The trails are covered with blooming rhododendron forests in vibrant shades of red, pink, and white, which makes the trek more whimsical and picturesque. Traditionally stable weather conditions and limited precipitation make for smooth trekking.

Autumn (September to November) – Best for Clear Mountain Views
The monsoon season finishes around September which clears the dust and pollution, leading to lush greenery and clear mountain views. The rice fields are bright green and yellow at this time.
Festive seasons of Major Nepali people like Dashain and Tihar fall in this season, allowing trekkers to experience local culture.

Poon Hill (3,210m) offers a panoramic view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
The sun rises spectacularly over the snow-capped peaks, including Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Dhaulagiri. The trek is suitable for all kinds of people who love nature and mountains including beginners, teenagers, educational tour groups, families, and those with limited time (can be complete in 3–5 days) are all welcome to come and enjoy what Nepal has to offer. There are no technical climbing requirements or major high-altitude risks. The tea houses along the Ghorepani Poon Hill trekking route are comfortable and plentiful, offering a chance to experience local hospitality.

It’s about 40 kilometers from Pokhara to the trekking trailhead in Nayapul and takes about 1.5-2 hours to drive there via jeep.

The entire itinerary (5 days on foot) is around 50 kilometers of hiking. Ghorepani is about 20 kilometers from the trailhead in Nayapul. You hike from Nayapul to Ghorepani, then up to the Poon Hill viewpoint and descend down a different route back to Nayapul. Shorter or longer routes are available if you’d like something different.

You can trek the Ghorepani Poon Hill route as an individual, but it is highly recommended that you are accompanied by a certified, Nepali guide. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has recently updated the rules that all foreign trekkers must hire a licensed guide for treks in the Annapurna region, including Ghorepani Poon Hill. Guides are important for obtaining permits, setting the pace, booking tea houses, giving you insights into the culture and landscape and responding to emergency situations.

A porter is not a requirement (like a guide is according to the NTB), in order to complete the the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. If you have lots of trekking experience and are feeling physically and mentally confident, you likely don’t need one. Porters are recommended for anyone who is new to trekking, is nervous about the terrain or altitude, or is seeking more enjoyment instead of a challenge. Hiring a porter is a lovely way to support the local economy and have another staff member present in case of emergency.

Ghorepani Poon Hill is located in the Annapurna region of Nepal and is accessible from Pokhara, Nepal’s capital of tourism. Pokhara is a 7-9 hour bus journey or 25 min flight from Kathmandu. Ghorepani is the highest tea house stop on the trek which gives access to Poon Hill, the legendary lookout point. It is technically located in Myagdi District but is on the border of two districts, Kaski (Pokhara) and Myagdi (Beni).

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal for international trekkers. It offers breathtaking views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, with relatively easy access from Pokhara. This makes it suitable for trekkers of all levels, including those with limited time (the trek usually takes 3 to 5 days) who still want to see the Himalayas up close. During peak trekking season you can expect more people on the trails which adds to the exciting atmosphere. Some people choose to avoid the crowds and trek during off-season.

Yes, trekkers need to obtain the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP permit) and the tTrekking Information Management System (TIMS) permit before starting the Ghorepani poon hill trek. This permit can be obtained to Kathmandu or Pokhara and will be taken care of by the Himalayan Peace Treks team.

Yes, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek can be customized to suit your preferences. If you would like a shorter trek, it can be completed in as short as two days on the trails (this requires an extremely speedy pace and it’s the easiest option). It can also be extended to have rest days, half days and more time in the mountains. It is an excellent trek to add onto other treks in the region such as the Mardi Himal Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Yes, there is electricity at most tea houses but not necessarily in your room. Normally, tea houses have power outlets in the dining halls where people can charge their devices. Some tea houses charge you a few hundred rupees to charge your device. It is not uncommon for the electricity to go out unexpectedly, especially with rain or high winds.

Although we highly recommend using this golden opportunity to disconnect from the online world, there is wifi at most tea houses. Some tea houses charge a small fee in local Nepali rupees to access the wifi for the night. Similar to the electricity, the wifi is not predictable and can be slow or cut out at any time.

It is unlikely that you will experience extreme altitude sickness on the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. The maximum overnight elevation is 2860 m and the maximum elevation is 3210 m. Mild altitude sickness symptoms can occur as low as 2500 m elevation for some people including things like headache, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping. The best way to maintain your good health is to walk slowly, drink lots of water and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.

DO: ascend slowly, drink lots of water, monitor your symptoms and trek with an experienced guide
DON’T: push through severe symptoms, heavily consume alcohol, caffeinated drinks, or smoke cigarettes, take sleeping pills, ascend too quickly

Yes, a tourist visa can be obtained at immigration on arrival. Options include a 15 day visa for $30, a 30 day visa for $50, and a 90 day visa for $125. You can pay the USD equivalent in any major currency. Although credit cards are accepted, cash is recommended. If needed, you can extend your tourist visa at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Immigration Office in Pokhara. The extension cost is a minimum of $45 for up to 15 days and then an additional $3 per day.

Yes, obtaining good medical travel insurance before you come to Nepal is necessary to trek safely and worry-free. Ensure that whatever insurance you get covers high altitude activities. You can send your insurance information to Himalayan Peace Treks so we can coordinate your safe return if there are any unlikely emergencies.

To pay for your trek you can bring any major currency ($€£¥). For spending money in Kathmandu and on your trek, you’ll need local Nepali Rupees (NPR) as Nepal mostly deals in cash. You can exchange or withdraw local rupees in Kathmandu. Once you venture into the mountains there are no reliable ATMs, so any cash you might need for the entirety of the trek (for snacks, souvenirs, gear replacement, etc.) needs to have been already obtained beforehand.

To pay your initial 15% deposit, you can send a money transfer (eg. Wise) or an international bank transfer. To pay for the remainder of your trek once you have arrived in Kathmandu, you can pay by cash (in any major currency). Any fees associated with a transfer or payment are your responsibility. All prices are listed in USD.
Here you can read more about the trekking cost breakdown, our terms & conditions, and booking & paying.