By The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is the classic short trek in the Annapurna region: nine days from Kathmandu, a high point of 3,210 m, and a sunrise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri at the top. It needs no trekking experience, so it is the usual first Himalayan trek for Indian travellers. This guide sets out what it costs from India, what the package covers, the day-by-day itinerary, permits, season and difficulty.
The short answer
- Package price: Rs 60,000 per person based on two sharing, for nine days from Kathmandu, with permits, guide, porter, lodges, three meals a day on the trek, and hotels and the bus in both cities.
- Realistic total: about Rs 72,000 to Rs 88,000 once city meals, extras, tips and a weather day are added. This excludes your journey to Kathmandu and travel insurance.
- High point: Poon Hill, 3,210 m. Trekking days run 3 to 6 hours.
- Permits for Indian citizens: Annapurna Conservation Area entry Rs 1,000 (NPR) and TIMS card Rs 1,000 (NPR), both included in the package.
- Best seasons: March to May and September to November.
Last checked: 26 October 2026. Prices, permit fees and trail conditions change, so confirm them for your dates. The budget scenarios below are planning figures, not quotes.
Ghorepani Poon Hill trek at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trek | Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, Annapurna region, Nepal |
| Duration | 9 days from Kathmandu (5 trekking days) |
| Price from India | Rs 60,000 per person, two sharing |
| Highest point | Poon Hill, 3,210 m |
| Highest night | Ghorepani, about 2,750 m |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate, no experience needed |
| Daily walking | 3 to 6 hours |
| Best season | March to May, September to November |
| Permits | ACAP and TIMS, included |
| Stay | Teahouses, twin rooms, shared bathrooms |
Sunrise from Poon Hill, the high point of the trek at 3,210 m.
In this guide: Cost | Budget scenarios | Extras | Itinerary | Each day | Packing | Sunrise | Permits | Season | Difficulty | Poon Hill vs ABC | FAQ
How much does the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek cost from India?
The nine-day package is priced at Rs 60,000 per person, based on two people sharing. The price covers the trek and the stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Here is what is and is not in it.
| Included in Rs 60,000 | You pay on top |
|---|---|
| Airport transfers, arrival to departure | Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara |
| Two nights deluxe hotel in Kathmandu and two nights in Pokhara | Drinks, snacks, hot showers and device charging |
| Tourist-class bus between Kathmandu and Pokhara | Tips for the guide and porter |
| Private round trip between Pokhara and Nayapul | Travel insurance (mandatory) |
| Lodge stay and three meals a day while trekking | Extra days if weather holds you (Rs 6,000 a day) |
| Licensed English-speaking guide | Solo support fee (Rs 1,500 a day) if you are the only booking on a fixed departure |
| Porter service, with a 15 kg allowance per person | Your journey to Kathmandu |
| Annapurna Conservation Area permit and TIMS card, and government taxes | Card fees (13% in Nepal), avoided by paying cash |
| First-aid kit | Personal purchases and gear rental |
Total Poon Hill trek cost: three budget scenarios
The package is the biggest cost, but it is not the whole bill. The table adds the usual extras on top of the Rs 60,000 package. All figures are per person and are planning allowances.
| Scenario | Package | City meals | Trail extras | Tips | Weather day | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lean | Rs 60,000 | Rs 4,000 | Rs 4,000 | Rs 4,000 | – | Rs 72,000 |
| Typical | Rs 60,000 | Rs 6,000 | Rs 6,000 | Rs 6,000 | – | Rs 78,000 |
| Cautious | Rs 60,000 | Rs 8,000 | Rs 8,000 | Rs 6,000 | Rs 6,000 | Rs 88,000 |
Total per person, by scenario
Not included in any scenario: your journey from home to Kathmandu, travel insurance and personal purchases. Insurance is mandatory and must cover trekking at altitude, emergency treatment and helicopter evacuation.
Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), one of the peaks seen on the trek.
Extra costs on the Poon Hill trek
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hot shower | Rs 200 to 300 | Usually paid per shower, and rises with altitude |
| Device charging and Wi-Fi | Extra, per device or per hour | Usually at the dining-room socket |
| Tips | About 10% of the trip price, around Rs 6,000 | Shared between guide and porter, given at the end |
| Extra trekking day if weather holds you | Rs 6,000 a day | Includes stay and three meals. Also used for a second sunrise attempt at the guide’s discretion |
| Snacks and drinks | Your choice | Prices rise with altitude |
| Card payments in Nepal | 13% added | Paying in cash avoids it |
| Gear rental | Varies | A warm sleeping bag and down jacket can be rented. See buying gear in Kathmandu |
Your own cash budget for extras and tips is Rs 17,000 to Rs 25,000 (USD 200 to 300) for the whole trek. The balance of the package is paid at the Kathmandu office, and a small deposit secures the booking from India, by bank transfer or UPI.
Ghorepani Poon Hill trek itinerary: 9 days, day by day
The route climbs to Ghorepani, goes up Poon Hill for sunrise, then circles through Tadapani and Ghandruk back to Nayapul. Distances and times are approximate.
| Day | Route | Altitude | Time | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu | – | – | Kathmandu hotel |
| 2 | Tourist bus to Pokhara | Pokhara 1,000 m | 6 to 8 hrs by road | Pokhara hotel |
| 3 | Drive to Nayapul, trek to Tikhedhunga | 1,050 m to 1,540 m | 45 min drive, 3 to 4 hrs walking, 7 km | Tikhedhunga |
| 4 | Up the Ulleri steps to Ghorepani | 1,540 m to 2,750 m | 5 to 6 hrs, 10 km | Ghorepani |
| 5 | Poon Hill sunrise, then to Tadapani | Poon Hill 3,210 m, Tadapani 2,590 m | 1 hr up, then 5 to 6 hrs, 12 km | Tadapani |
| 6 | Tadapani to Ghandruk | 2,590 m to 2,000 m | 4 to 5 hrs, 6.5 km | Ghandruk |
| 7 | Ghandruk to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara | 2,000 m to 1,050 m | 5 to 6 hrs, 10.5 km | Pokhara hotel |
| 8 | Drive to Kathmandu, farewell dinner | Kathmandu | About 6 to 8 hrs by road | Kathmandu hotel |
| 9 | Departure | – | – | – |
The hard day: Day 4 climbs about 1,200 m, much of it on the Ulleri staircase of thousands of stone steps. The rest of the trek is gentler, with a long downhill on days 6 and 7. The highest night is Ghorepani at about 2,750 m, so altitude risk is low but not zero. The guide checks every trekker daily.
On the trail in the Annapurna foothills.
What each day of the Poon Hill trek is like
- Days 1 and 2, Kathmandu and Pokhara: arrival, a night in Kathmandu and a long daytime bus ride to Pokhara, the lakeside city that is the gateway to the Annapurna region.
- Day 3, Nayapul to Tikhedhunga: a short drive to the trailhead, the permit check at the ACAP and TIMS checkpoint, then an easy walk beside the Bhurungdi river to the first lodge.
- Day 4, Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani: the hardest day. The Ulleri staircase climbs through terraced fields, then oak and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani, a village of lodges at about 2,750 m.
- Day 5, Poon Hill and Tadapani: up before dawn for the sunrise, back to the lodge for breakfast, then a long forest day to Tadapani.
- Day 6, Tadapani to Ghandruk: a shorter day down to Ghandruk, a large Gurung village with an optional visit to the Gurung museum.
- Day 7, Ghandruk to Nayapul: a long descent to the road, with a local jeep available from Kimche at extra cost, then the drive back to Pokhara.
- Days 8 and 9: the drive to Kathmandu, a farewell dinner and departure.
A typical trekking day
Trekkers wake around 6 am, eat breakfast at the lodge, and walk for three to four hours before a lunch stop. The afternoon walk is shorter, and the group reaches the next lodge by mid-afternoon. Dinner is early, and most people are in bed by 8 or 9 pm. Order breakfast and dinner at the lodge where you sleep, as explained in the teahouse guide.
What to pack for the Poon Hill trek
- Boots: broken-in hiking boots with good grip, since the steps are slippery when wet.
- Layers: thermal base layers, a fleece, a waterproof jacket and a down jacket for the sunrise.
- Warm accessories: hat, gloves and a headtorch for the 4:30 am start.
- Sleeping bag: rated to 0 C, which can be rented in Kathmandu.
- Daypack: the porter carries your bag, so you only carry water, a rain jacket and a camera.
- Trekking poles: optional but helpful on the Ulleri steps and the long descent.
- Cash and a power bank: for showers, charging and snacks.
The full list is in the packing checklist, which also works for this trek.
Who should do the Poon Hill trek?
| You are | Poon Hill is a good fit if |
|---|---|
| A first-time trekker | You want a first Himalayan trek with no experience needed |
| Short on time | You have about nine days including travel from Kathmandu |
| A family or older trekker | You can walk 4 to 6 hours a day at an easy pace |
| On a budget | You want a Himalayan trek at the lower end of trek prices |
| After big mountains | You want to stand beside the giants. Choose Annapurna Base Camp instead |
Poon Hill sunrise: time, tips and what you see
The sunrise from Poon Hill is the highlight of the trek. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) lists Poon Hill at 3,210 m and describes Annapurna and Dhaulagiri glowing golden at dawn.
- Start time: about 4:30 am from Ghorepani.
- Walk: around one hour on a well-made path.
- Dress: down jacket, hat, gloves and a headtorch, since it is cold before dawn.
- Cloud: a sunrise lost to cloud is not refunded.
- Second chance: the guide may offer another attempt for an extra day at Rs 6,000.
Poon Hill trek permits for Indian citizens
Two permits apply, and both are included in the package price. Fees are charged at the SAARC rate for Indian citizens.
| Permit | Indian (SAARC) citizens | Foreign nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Conservation Area entry | NPR 1,000 per entry | NPR 3,000 per entry (children under 10 free) |
| TIMS card | NPR 1,000 | NPR 2,000 |
NTB says trekkers in protected areas such as Annapurna are required to travel with a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card. Poon Hill does not need a restricted-area permit. Carry a valid passport and confirm entry documents with Nepal’s Department of Immigration before you travel. See also permits and entry.
Best time for the Poon Hill trek
NTB lists March to May and September to November as the best seasons for the Annapurna Conservation Area. Spring brings rhododendron blooms on the lower trail, and autumn gives the clearest views. Winter nights at Ghorepani are cold and often near freezing, and the monsoon months bring leeches, mud and cloud that hides the sunrise.
Tea houses in the Annapurna region.
How difficult is the Poon Hill trek?
The trek is graded easy to moderate. Most days are 4 to 7 hours, with steep stone steps at Ulleri and on the way down from Ghandruk. No previous trekking experience is needed, and the trek is often completed by families and older trekkers at a slower pace. Train by walking uphill or climbing stairs several times a week for six to eight weeks, and break in your boots. See the training guide and the kids, seniors and solo women safety guide. Accommodation is in simple teahouses with twin rooms and shared bathrooms, as explained in what to expect in a teahouse.
Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp?
Poon Hill is shorter, lower and easier. It tops out at 3,210 m, against 4,130 m at Annapurna Base Camp, and the trek takes nine days against ten or fourteen. Choose Poon Hill if you have limited time, are new to trekking or want a first taste of the Himalaya. Choose Annapurna Base Camp if you want to stand inside the sanctuary, surrounded by peaks. Many trekkers combine both: the Annapurna Base Camp itinerary includes the Poon Hill sunrise. Read the Annapurna Base Camp cost and itinerary, trekking options in the Annapurna region and the best short treks in Nepal.
FAQ
How much does the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek cost from India? Rs 60,000 per person based on two sharing, for nine days from Kathmandu. A realistic total with extras is about Rs 72,000 to Rs 88,000.
What is included? Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, the tourist bus, lodges and three meals a day on the trek, a licensed guide, porter service, permits and TIMS, and airport transfers.
What is not included? Meals in the cities, drinks, showers, charging, tips, insurance and your journey to Kathmandu.
How many days does the trek take? Nine days from Kathmandu, with five trekking days.
How high is Poon Hill? 3,210 m.
How hard is it? Easy to moderate. The steep Ulleri steps on day 4 are the hardest part.
Do I need trekking experience? No. It is a common first Himalayan trek.
Which permits do I need? An Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card, both included in the package. Indian citizens pay NPR 1,000 for each at the SAARC rate.
When is the best time? March to May and September to November.
What if the sunrise is clouded out? There is no refund, but the guide may offer a second attempt for Rs 6,000 for an extra day.
Is altitude sickness a risk? The risk is low because the highest night is about 2,750 m, but it is not zero. Tell your guide about headaches, nausea or poor sleep.
Can children and seniors do it? Often yes, at a slower pace. Share age and health details with the team before booking.
Is a porter included? Yes, with a luggage allowance of 15 kg per person.
Can I pay by UPI? Yes. A small deposit can be paid by bank transfer or UPI from India, and the balance is paid in Kathmandu.
How early do we leave for Poon Hill? About 4:30 am from Ghorepani, for roughly an hour of walking up a well-made path.
What should I wear at sunrise? A down jacket, hat, gloves and a headtorch. It is cold before dawn.
Can I extend the trek to Annapurna Base Camp? Yes, the Annapurna Base Camp trek follows the same route up to Tadapani and continues into the sanctuary.
Book the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek
For dates and a quote, see the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, or message the team on WhatsApp or phone at +91 932 595 1234 (9 am to 7 pm IST), write to info@basecamphikes.com, or use the enquiry form.
Sources
- Nepal Tourism Board: park entry fees
- Nepal Tourism Board: TIMS card
- Nepal Tourism Board: Annapurna Conservation Area
- Nepal Tourism Board: top trekking destinations
