A fuller introduction to the route, pace, terrain, and overall trip style.
The Ghorepani, Poon Hill with Ghanruk Trek is a very popular short trekking route in the Annapurna region that is designed to offer trekkers an absolute balance of the great himalayan views (the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range), natural beauty and the cultural immersion.
This route includes two major destinations: Poon Hill, at 3,210meters, is the best lookout to enjoy spectacular mountain sunrise view and the panoramic views of the several highest peaks in the world including Annapurna I, Dhaularigi, Annapurna South as well as Machhapuchhre and Ghandruk at 1,940 meters, is a very picturesque and traditional Gurung (ethnic group in Nepal) settlement of traditional stone houses surrounded by terraced fields and incredible views of the Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre and offers great opportunity to learn about the culture and lifestyle of Gurung people. Thus, the combination of Poon Hill and Ghandruk makes this trek very suitable for people who want to experience the best of nature, culture and grand mountain views in one go. The Ghorepani, Poon Hill and Ghandruk Trek is rated as a moderate trek and the highest you will go on this trek is only 3,210 meters. Therefore, this also makes the best trekking option for novice trekkers, student groups as well as families with physically fit senior citizens and children.
To best enjoy Ghorepani-Poon Hill Ghandruk trek plan your holiday around Spring (March-May) or Fall (October- Early December). If cold weather is not a problem for you, you can also do this trek in Winter (December to end of February). However, it’s good to avoid the monsoon season (June to September).
This 8-day Ghorepani Poon Hill with Ghandruk Trek is a perfect one week holiday in Nepal that starts with your arrival in Kathmandu and ends with your departure from Kathmandu. As per the package, you will spend two 2 nights in Kathmandu, 3 nights in Pokhara and the remaining nights in the Annapurna region. The trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then to Ulleri and ends with a drive from Ghandruk to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu. One day extension to visit and relish the attraction in Pokhara is a perfect way to end the trek, however, this is also optional if this isn’t your first time in Pokhara and are also bound by time. Nevertheless, this package is a fully customizable package, thus, we can completely craft a new package to meet your specification.
Trekkers who are already in Pokhara can also choose to join the group or start the trek from Pokhara.
If bound by time, but are looking for an easy trek with great mountain views, our Ghorepani-Poon Hill Trek might meet your requirements. However, if you are seeking for a longer trek with more challenges, you can extend your journey to Annapuran Base Camp. Nevertheless, if you are planning to explore more areas of the Annapurna region and experience more nature and culture variation, we highly recommend our Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Trip Includes
Airport transfer service upon arrival and departure (private car/jeep/minivan-depending on the group size)
2 Nights twin-sharing accommodation with breakfast in Kathmandu (3 Star Standard Hotel)
3 Nights twin-sharing accommodation with breakfast in Pokhara (3 Star Standard Hotel)
Luxury tourist bus transportation Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu (Private car/jeep/minivan or flight can be arranged at extra cost)
Shared jeep transportation from Pokhara to Ulleri and Ghandruk to Pokhara
All required trekking permits
Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), during the trek
3 cups tea/coffee (served in cups only) during the trek
Seasonal fruits served after dinner during the trek
Purified drinking water (unlimited) during the trek
All accommodation on twin-sharing basis in normal standard lodges during the trek
One government-licensed, English-speaking, knowledgeable and experienced guide and his entire expenses (Guide-Guest ratio 1:6)
One porter (for each two trekkers) and his entire expenses
Private car/jeep/minivan (depending on group size to explore attractions in Pokhara
Insurance of guide and porter
All required local and government taxes
Duffle bag and trekking route map (souvenir)
Down Jacket and sleeping bag (if required)
Adventure certificate on completion of the trek
Basic First Aid Kit
Farewell dinner
Trip Excludes
Nepal arrival visa
Lunch and dinner (except farewell dinner) in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Personal expenses such as mineral water, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, extra meals, hot water for drinking or any other purposes, laundry service, any other drinks except tea and coffee etc.
WiFi, battery charging and hot shower services etc.
Private transportation-car/jeep/minivan/bus (depending on group size) to and from Pokhara (can be arranged at extra cost)
Flight to and from Pokhara (can be arranged at extra cost)
Any extended trips, accommodation and meals
Meals and accommodation in Pokhara and Kathmandu in case of early return from the trek
Any adventure activities like bungee jumping, paragliding, hot air balloon ride, rafting, zip lining, cable car ride, ultralight flight in Pokhara (can be arranged at extra cost)
Travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation over 3000 meters, trip cancellation and the treatment cost caused by unforeseen illness/disease/situation
Tips (as an appreciation) to the service providers
Trip Snapshot
Route
Annapurna Region, Nepal
Trip Style
Tea Houses
Best Months
March-May September-December
Next Start
Private dates on request
Why Book With AME
Well-paced itinerary with acclimatization-friendly flow
Licensed local guides, porter support, and 24/7 operations team
Private customization available for pace, dates, and comfort level
Gallery
Trail gallery
A quick look at the landscapes, lodges, and trail atmosphere before you move into the itinerary.
1 Photos
Next up
Day-by-day itinerary and pacing
Scroll into the detailed itinerary to review daily movement, overnight stops, elevation, and practical route flow.
Ghorepani Poon Hill with Ghandruk Trek – Day-by-Day Itinerary
Click any day to expand full details, elevation notes, meals, and overnight stops.
Your Ghorepani-Poon Hill with Ghandruk Trek starts with your arrival at the Tribhuvan international Airport in Kathmandu. One of the company representatives will meet and greet you at the airport and help you transfer to the hotel booked for you in Kathmandu. After a quick hotel check in formalities you will check into the hotel, rest for some time and freshen up. In the afternoon/evening, a short meeting will be conducted at your hotel in which you will be briefed about the upcoming trek and introduced to your trekking guide by one of the company representatives. In the same meeting, your guide will also check your trekking equipment to see if it is sufficient for the upcoming trek or not. After the meeting, the remaining day is at your leisure. Overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu.
Your drive to Pokhara today is on a luxury tourist bus that leaves Kathmandu at 7:00am. Pokhara is another very beautiful tourist destination that is located roughly 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. Carrying packed breakfast, you will start your journey from the tourist bus station in Kathmandu. Leaving the beautiful Kathmandu Valley, you will drive to Pokhara, which is another valley more beautiful than Kathmandu. The 200 kilometer drive is on the Prithvi Highway, that winding through the hills goes through one of the most picturesque landscapes. You can enjoy mountains, green hills, terraced farms, tiny hamlets and traditional villages throughout the drive. The highway also runs parallel to the very famous Trisuli river for about 50 kilometers. There are a number of motels, lodges and restaurants options along the highway that serve the meal and accommodation needs of the day and night travelers. Thus, the bus will stop at one of the restaurants along the highway for lunch and a few toilet breaks, before continuing to Pokhara. You can buy your lunch or snacks here and also stretch out your legs.
Provided that the road is in good condition and is not affected by the highway traffic, you will reach Pokhara in 6-7 hours. Once in Pokhara, your bus will drop you off at the tourist bus station from where you will be transferred to the hotel booked for you in Pokhara. Your guide will help you check into the hotel after which you can spend the remaining time at leisure. The best way to spend the evening is to take a stroll around the lake area or even enjoy a boat ride in the Phewa Lake and visit the Tal Barahi temple. You will get back to your hotel for overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
After a hearty breakfast with a fantastic mountain view, you will start your journey to Ghorepani. Your guide will arrange for you to transfer you from the hotel to the jeep station in Pokhara where you will take a shared jeep to Ulleri. Starting from Pokhara, the drive to Nayapul is on the Pokhara-Beni highway. It’s a smooth drive on a tarmac road that goes through Bagar, Hyangja, Phedi, Naudanda, Kande and Lumle and presents magnificent views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre piercing the sky. Nayapul is a small town located near the bank of the Modi River that has lively local shops and eateries. The road to Ulleri branches off north from the Pokhara-Bedi road at Nayapul. Following this road, which is comparatively narrow, rough and dusty, you will first drive to Birethanti to complete the ACAP formalities. After the formalities you will continue your drive west to Ulleri. The narrowing road gradually ascends offering some of the best examples of rural landscape and unbelievable mountain vistas that grow larger in size and more prominent as the journey progresses. A 4 hour scenic drive will take you to Ulleri, a traditional Magar Village, that serves as the gateway to your Ghorepani-Poon Hill and Ghandruk trek.
Once in Ulleri, you will finally embark on your trekking journey that starts with a steep climb on stone steps. At times it gets challenging, but the views of the mountains invigorate you time and again. Observe the lifestyle of local people as they go about in their daily life and continue to hike further. Soon, you will enter a very beautiful forest of Rhododendron, Oak and Pine. This forest grows more vibrant during spring as the different shades of Rhododendron bloom making the entire area very delightful. The views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli show their best faces throughout the trek providing ample photo opportunities. There are several small tea houses along the way where you can enjoy short breaks and warm tea/coffee, while still taking in the miraculous scenery. After about a 4 hour walk you will reach Ghorepani, which is a gateway to the infamous Poon hill and your night stop for tonight. Ghorepani is a very beautiful and friendly Gurung village, where you can find lots of lodges. Once in Ghorepani, you will check into the lodge booked for a warm meal and comfortable night stay. You can spend the evening either exploring the settlement of Ghoreani or simply resting and enjoying the mountain views from the lodge. Overnight in a lodge in Ghorepani.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
You will start this day with an early morning adventure, that is, a hike to Poon Hill, which is famous for its breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas, especially at sunrise. This hike takes about 30-45 minutes depending on your pace. Thus, you will start one hour before sunrise. Leaving Ghorepani, you will begin the hike, which initially is on a series of stone steps that goes up through the forest of Pine and Rhododendron. It’s a steady uphill climb that gets steeper at times, but the well kept stone steps ease the climb. This climb allows you to to feel the morning coolness and freshness in the air. You will continue to hike until you reach the viewpoint. This lookout will greet you with a panoramic view of the peaks that make the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range and the enthralling view of the sun rising over these peaks. You will spend some time enjoying the view, before hiking down to Ghorepani for breakfast.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at Ghorepani, before starting your journey to Tadapani, located about 9 kilometers east of Ghorepani. As you commence this journey, the trail gradually enters a very soothing forest of Rhododendron. The hike before approaching the Deurali pass is fairly easy. However, as you approach the Deurali pass the hike is on a steeply ascending trail on stone steps. Deurali pass is the highest point of this day’s trek. The pass presents a very beautiful view of the mountains. The section onwards is a heaven for bird lovers as one can spot varieties of birds. From the pass, the trail only levels out once you’ve descended roughly 3 hours and ascended roughly one hour after that. You will stop for lunch at Deurali. About 6 hours of hiking up and down, enjoying the green forest, pass and the mountain views, will finally bring you to Tadapani, located roughly 200 meters lower in altitude than Ghorepani. In Tadapani, you will check into the lodge for a warm meal and accommodation. Overnight in a lodge in Tadapani.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
njoy satisfying breakfast with a mesmerizing view of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South at Tadapani, before starting the journey. Today you first hike to a very typical Gurung (ethnic group in Nepal) settlement of Ghrandruk before ending your journey in Pokhara. This village lies approximately 5.5 kilometers south-east of Tadapani. Leaving Tadapani, following the Ghandruk trail, you will continue your hike on a descending stone-step trail that runs through the forest of Oak and Rhododendron. About 3 hours downhill on an easy and pleasant trail will take you to the settlement of Ghandruk. You can also take a walk around this village to get insight on the settlement, lifestyle, housing style, culture , religion and tradition of the inhabitants, that is, mostly Gurung people.
You will have your lunch and continue your journey to Pokhara, but now in a shared- jeep (private can be arranged at extra cost), which you will catch from a jeep station at Ghandruk. Ghranduk to Pokhara is roughly 2-3 hour drive and the drive is very scenic. The mountain views, terraced lands with seasonal crops and vegetables accompany you for quite a long time. Bidding farewell to the very elegant Annapurna region, you will now drive back to the lake city, Pokhara. In Pokhara, you will be dropped off at the hotel booked for you, which will mostly be around the lake area (unless you have a special preference). Check into the hotel and spend the remaining time at leisure. Overnight in a hotel in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Apart from the lake and the mountain views, Pokhara offers a number of attractions, worth visiting, to spend the day. Thus after breakfast at the hotel, you will set out to visit some of these attractions. A car and a driver will be provided for the city tour.
You will mainly visit Pumdikot, a hill station near Pokhara that has a viewpoint at the altitude of 1500 meters above sea level and the second tallest (51 feet) statue of lord Shiva in Nepal. The view point offers a very stunning view of the Pokhara Valley, the Himalayas, World Peace Pagoda as well as the Phewa Lake.
Next you will visit the Shanti Stupa (one of the 80 Peace Pagodas in the world), which is a buddhist monument situated at the altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level. It provides a panoramic view of the Annapurna Mountains, Pokhara city and the Phewa Lake.
After the Peace Pagoda, you will visit Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave and the infamous Devi’s Fall, located just opposite the cave.
After quickly grabbing your lunch, you will also visit the International Mountain museum that records, documents and exhibits the past and present developments related to mountain and mountaineering around the world and allows visitors to enjoy the exhibition of famous peaks, description of famous mountaineers, flora, fauna, geology as well as the culture and lifestyle of mountain people.
In the evening, enjoy a one hour boat ride in the Phewa Lake and visit the Tal Barahi Temple. After the tour, your driver will drop you back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Please note: You can also choose to start this day with a Sarangkot Sunrise trip at extra cost. You will go to the viewpoint in a cable car.
Meals: Breakfast
Your journey to Kathmandu begins after breakfast at the hotel in Pokhara. From the hotel in Pokhara, you will be transferred to the tourist bus station to catch your bus to Kathmandu. You will drive to Kathmandu in a very comfortable luxury tourist bus. The drive is on the Prithvi Highway and the journey takes around 7 hours (provided the highway is in good condition and is also not affected by traffic). Enjoying the scenic drive one more time, you will drive back to Kathmandu. The bus will drop you off at the bus station from where you will be transferred to the hotel booked for you in Kathmandu. Check-in to the hotel, take a short rest and in the evening one of the company representatives will meet you for farewell dinner and feedback.
If you prefer a private vehicle to a luxury bus or even flight we can also arrange that at extra cost.
Meals: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
Today is the last day of your trip with Adventure Mountain Explore Treks and Expedition. Thus, as per your airport reporting time, you will be transferred to the airport from your hotel in Kathmandu to help you board your onward flight.
Itinerary PDF
Take the full plan offline with day-by-day details, trip facts, inclusions, and planning notes.
Want this paced differently? We can shorten, extend, or make it private.
Ghorepani Poon Hill with Ghandruk Trek – Dates & Pricing
Compare scheduled departures or request a private version tailored to your group.
No group dates are listed right now, but private departures can usually be arranged for the dates that suit you.
Need a different date or a private departure?
Make it your own
Private departures can usually start on the dates that work for you, with the pace, route style, and group setup adjusted around your plans.
You can adjust the traveller count again in the booking form if needed.
Trip Includes & Excludes
A clearer breakdown of what is covered and what you should plan separately.
Included
Included services will be confirmed once this product setup is completed in the admin panel.
Not Included
Personal extras and excluded services can be reviewed with our team before you confirm your booking.
Before you book
Travel insurance, personal mountain gear, and international flights are usually arranged separately. If you want help reviewing gear or insurance before you book, our team is happy to guide you.
Ghorepani Poon Hill with Ghandruk Trek – Frequently Asked Questions
Practical planning questions generated from this route, itinerary, and trip setup.
The Ghorepani Poon Hill with Ghandruk Trek is generally planned as a Moderate trek in Annapurna Region, with route pacing, altitude gain, and overnight stops shaped around the published itinerary. If you want a lighter or more private pace, our team can usually customize the plan.
You should plan around 8 days for the full trek, including the published route flow, acclimatization needs, and arrival-to-departure logistics. If you need extra buffer days for weather or private extensions, we can map that out before booking.
This journey reaches around 3210 and is usually best enjoyed in March-May September-December. Trail conditions in Nepal can change quickly with weather, so we recommend preparing for cool mornings, layered clothing, and flexible mountain timing.
The advertised rate starts from $1,039.00 and typically covers the main trip services such as guide support, accommodation, and the core logistics listed in the itinerary. Items commonly handled separately include international flights, insurance, and personal spending, unless your custom quote says otherwise.
The Ghorepani Poon Hill with Ghandruk Trek is a strong fit for travelers looking for small, flexible groups, local lodges and trek accommodation, and a guided Himalayan experience in Annapurna Region. If you are unsure about fitness, private departures, or the right route style, send us your preferred dates and we will guide you to the best option.
Useful Information
Extra planning notes, route expectations, and pre-trip guidance for this journey.
Travel insurance, personal mountain gear, and international flights are usually arranged separately. If you want help reviewing gear or insurance before you book, our team is happy to guide you.
Recent guest reviews
Recent guest reviews from similar active journeys while this product gathers its first direct reviews.
Fresh route feedback
These are recent approved reviews from comparable journeys in the same destination or trip style.
Great people who arranged my trip with in my budget
"Several months ago, a friend of mine came back from world-round-trip and said, “A.B.C trekking is what you cannot see in any other places but Nepal”, and excitingly showed me a lot of incredibly beautiful pictures from t..."
"Several months ago, a friend of mine came back from world-round-trip and said, “A.B.C trekking is what you cannot see in any other places but Nepal”, and excitingly showed me a lot of incredibly beautiful pictures from the mountain and the country, Nepal. The story he shared caught my heart and strongly made me want to visit this country. And now, I also strongly recommend this adventure into wild nature. This is the reason why I am here, coming back from 10days Annapurna base camp(A.B.C) to write a review for one of the best agency (Adventure Mountain Explore Treks & Expedition P. Ltd) in Kathmandu and for you. What I have found during this trip is that this trip is therapeutic, educational, and exciting. First of all, in the mountain area, there are no such things as mobile, familiar TV show, disturbing noise, and annoying friends. You are literally surrounded by nature and all you can trust is your guide and your heart. You also have much free time in the mountain, which makes you think a lot about your future. Second, trekking is educational. You may see a various people from around the world as well as local people. This, I believe, is the best way of getting to know each other, as you will see them again and again during the trail. Exchanging their personal story and back ground helps you grow your personality as well. Third, it is exciting. There is no question about it. When I saw the panorama view from A.B.C, I got so excited that I could not take my camera away (I am sure I took more than 100 pictures and video there). That was defiantly worth it. Now, I am going to share a bit about my trekking partner, my guide, Lok Bhatta. He is friendly guy. He is not only experienced guide, but he knows how he can entertain us during the whole trip. His caring and his humor take up my good memory of trip. Since Lok and I spent 11days together, it is no wonder we became a best friends. Also he persistently looks after me. When I wanted him to take pictures, he always s..."
"My mother and I arrived in Kathmandu with just 2 days to prepare for a trek around Annapurna Circuit. We feel very lucky to have met Mr. Tika Regmi and through Adventure Mountain Explore treks we were able to hire a port..."
"My mother and I arrived in Kathmandu with just 2 days to prepare for a trek around Annapurna Circuit. We feel very lucky to have met Mr. Tika Regmi and through Adventure Mountain Explore treks we were able to hire a porter-guide to facilitate exactly the kind of trek we wanted, a self-directed trek with Nepali assistance. Our porter-guide Sujan was a trusted and integral part of our little trekking party. He was very knowledgeable about the route, its hotels and side trips, and he even introduced us to local people and gave us interactions with local Nepalese that we could not have experienced on our own, like a tea in the home of a local family! We couldn’t be any more pleased with our trek. Shanna Simmons 1152 Crescent Avenue Klamath Falls, OR 97601 USA shannasimmons@hotmail.com"
"Urspruenglich hatten meine Freundin und ich geplant, das Annapurna Base Camp in Angriff zu nehmen, doch Tika Regmi, Direktor von Adventure Mountain Explore hat uns den Langtang Trek empfohlen. Es war definitive eine gute..."
"Urspruenglich hatten meine Freundin und ich geplant, das Annapurna Base Camp in Angriff zu nehmen, doch Tika Regmi, Direktor von Adventure Mountain Explore hat uns den Langtang Trek empfohlen. Es war definitive eine gute Entscheidung, in eine der weniger frequentierten Gegenden Nepals zu gehen, wo sich die Anzahl der Touristen in Grenzen haelt. Das Langtang Tal bietet sowohl eine beeindruckende Bergwelt als auch urspruengliche Doerfer und somit einen Einblick in die Lebensweise der Tamang. Der Hoehepunkt unserer 8 taegigen Tour war der Aufstieg auf den 4984 Meter hohen Tsergo Ri, der eine atemberaubende Panoramasicht auf weisse Bergriesen bietet. Auf Empfehlung der Company haben wir einen Guide und einen Traeger gebucht. Beide waren ausserst zuvorkommend und freundlich, stets hilfsbereit und ortskundig. Durch sie bekamen wir nicht nur tatkraeftige Unterstuetzung beim Tragen und Pfadfinden sondern auch Kontakt zu den Einheimischen sowie Einsicht in Kultur und Braeuche. Rico Grass & Tiziana Margelist 8050 Zuerich, Switzerlanda rchico7@hotmail.com"
Lifetime experienced with Adventure Mountain Explore Treks.
"Thanks Tika We arrived in Kathmandu on November 4, 2011 with hopes to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek to Muktinah. We had no firm guide or porters arranged as yet but were lucky to stay at the Blue Horizon Hotel in Thamel..."
"Thanks Tika We arrived in Kathmandu on November 4, 2011 with hopes to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek to Muktinah. We had no firm guide or porters arranged as yet but were lucky to stay at the Blue Horizon Hotel in Thamel where we met Tika Regmi at the Hotel Blue Horizon. Tika is the director of Adventure Mountain Explore which wa located across the street. With Tika's expert help, our trek was arranged with an extraordinary guide, Sittal "Hom" Simkhada and two equally adept porters, Santosh Uperkoti and Sanjeep. Sittal knew the trail very well having done it more than 25 times. He provided information and insights about each peak and landmark along the way. He guided us up and down with care and confidence, setting a good pace that worked for each of us, our ages being 69, 67, and 30 years old. Sittal also got us to our teahouse rooms promptly and made sure we got our meals on time. We never had to ask for service; it was always provided with a smile. We enjoyed the camaraderie or our guide and porters and spent time playing cards together and exchanging stories. Clearly Sittal loved what he was doing and was experienced with every aspect of being a guide. When our daughter became ill along the way in Manang, Sittal conferred with Tika and we took an extra day to make sure all was well before continuing. There was no pressure to move on before we felt ready. When we reached the summit at Thorang la Pass we all celebrated together. It was a group achievement as well as a personal one for each of us. We are pleased to recommend Tika Regni as trek organizer and Sittal Simkhada as guide with our highest esteem and respect. Sincerely, Bob, Linda and Laura Bekes Robert Bekes Dept. of Mathematics and C.S. Santa Clara University Phone: (408) 554-4883 Fax: (408) 554-2370 rbekes@scu.edu"
