Poon Hill / Ghorepani-Ghandruk
The classic Annapurna sunrise — 3,210 m Poon Hill viewpoint, rhododendron forest, Gurung villages. The most accessible Nepal trek.
The route, mapped
The route
Poon Hill is the most-walked viewpoint in Nepal and the easiest way to see the Annapurna massif at sunrise. The standard loop from Nayapul climbs through Ghorepani's rhododendron forests (blazing pink in April) to Poon Hill at 3,210 m, then descends via Tadapani and the Gurung village of Ghandruk. Five days, well under altitude-sickness territory, with teahouses on every spur.
- Starts
- Nayapul (1,070 m)
- Ends
- Nayapul (1,070 m)
Day by day
- Day 1Pokhara → Nayapul → TikhedhungaDrive in, gentle first afternoon12 km · 4h1,540 m
- Day 2Tikhedhunga → Ghorepani3,000+ stone steps to Ulleri8 km · 6h2,860 m
- Day 3Ghorepani → Tadapani via Poon HillSunrise from Poon Hill11 km · 7h3,210 m
- Day 4Tadapani → GhandrukGurung village stay9 km · 4h1,940 m
- Day 5Ghandruk → Nayapul → PokharaFinal descent and lakeside10 km · 4h1,070 m
More in Annapurna
★ 4.7 Annapurna Circuit
A complete loop crossing Thorong La pass — paddy fields to high desert, pine forests to apple orchards in a single trek.
★ 4.8 Annapurna Base Camp
A direct route into the Annapurna Sanctuary, a glacial amphitheatre walled by eight-thousanders.
★ 4.7 Mardi Himal
A short, sharp ridge walk with the closest possible view of Machapuchare's fishtail summit.