The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is one of the most popular short treks in Nepal because it fits inside a long weekend or a short holiday and still delivers a sunrise panorama over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range. It starts and ends near Pokhara and uses simple village lodges all the way. Below are a compact 4-day and a more relaxed 5-day plan. Altitudes are approximate and walking times depend on pace and weather.
The classic 4-day version
Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, walk through Birethanti and begin climbing toward Tikhedhunga, or stay low at Hile depending on your starting time. Expect three to five hours of walking. Day 2: This is the demanding day. You climb the long stone staircase above Ulleri, enter oak and rhododendron forest and reach Ghorepani at about 2,860 m after six to seven hours. Day 3: Start before dawn to walk up to Poon Hill at about 3,210 m for sunrise, return for breakfast, then cross to Tadapani or descend toward Ghandruk, a long and rewarding day. Day 4: Walk out via Ghandruk and Nayapul and drive back to Pokhara.
The easier 5-day version
A five-day plan spreads the climbing. Day 1 reaches Tikhedhunga or Ulleri. Day 2 gets to Ghorepani comfortably. Day 3 is Poon Hill sunrise then Tadapani. Day 4 descends to Ghandruk and day 5 returns to Pokhara. It is gentler on knees and gives time for photographs, tea breaks and conversations in the villages.
Where the effort is
The first full day is the hardest because of the Ulleri steps, which climb for hours in a series of staircases cut into the hillside. The second is long but gentler on altitude. The final day is mostly downhill, which is hard on knees but lighter on breath.
Timing the sunrise
Sunrise at Poon Hill is the headline of the trip. Most trekkers leave Ghorepani by headlamp roughly 45 to 60 minutes before first light so that they are on the viewpoint ahead of the crowd. The climb takes 45 minutes to an hour and the temperature can be near freezing in winter, so dress warmly and carry a hot drink.
Useful extensions
- Add Tadapani and Ghandruk, as above, for a rewarding loop.
- Add a night in Chhomrong and continue to Annapurna Base Camp if you have time.
- Combine with Mardi Himal for a longer Annapurna-region trek.
Booking and buffers
Leave a spare day in Pokhara before any onward flight, because mountain weather and road delays do occur. Ask what the price includes for transport, permits and meals, and confirm the number of nights in each village so you are not surprised by the pace.
What each village is like
Nayapul and Birethanti are busy roadhead towns with permit checks, shops and tea houses. Tikhedhunga is a quiet cluster of lodges beside a stream, a pleasant place for a first night. Ulleri is a hillside village with stone houses and wide views over terraces. Ghorepani is a lively crossroads of trails, with stone lodges, bakeries and a bustling dining scene. Tadapani is quieter and surrounded by forest. Ghandruk is a large Gurung village with a museum, traditional houses and neat paved lanes.
How to pace the stairs on day two
Start early, take regular rests, sip water and eat snacks every hour. The staircase feels shorter when you break it into small goals, such as reaching the next terrace. If someone in your group is slower, let them lead, since the whole group arrives at the same time anyway. Aim to reach Ghorepani by mid-afternoon so you have time to rest before the cold evening.
Suggested daily rhythm
- Wake at six, breakfast by seven and start walking by half past seven.
- Stop for a longer lunch around midday and allow time for rest.
- Arrive at the lodge by three or four o'clock.
- Eat dinner early and sleep by nine in preparation for the early start.
What to do if the view is cloudy
If cloud covers the peaks on the first morning, do not despair. Spend the time enjoying the forest and the village atmosphere, and use any spare time on the way down to look back. Many trekkers see clear mountains on the descent, especially from Ghandruk or Tadapani.
