Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Trek Overview

A quick look at what awaits on the trail.

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek follows the classic trail through the lower foothills of the Annapurna region, beginning with a drive from Pokhara toward the trailhead at Birethanti or Nayapul. From there, the route ascends through terraced farmland, traditional Magar settlements, and dense oak and rhododendron forests toward Ulleri and Ghorepani. The trail steadily climbs through the Modi and Bhurungdi Khola valleys, where the landscape transitions from cultivated lower hills to rich temperate forest.

As the route reaches Ghorepani, the surrounding forest gives way to panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. An early morning ascent leads to the summit of Poon Hill at 3,210 m, providing panoramic mountain views before the route descends through Tadapani and the historic Gurung village of Ghandruk. After traversing dense forests and scenic terraced hillsides, the trek descends back toward Birethanti before returning to Pokhara.

Trek Timeline

Day-by-day breakdown of your journey

5 - day itinerary

A morning drive from Pokhara takes you toward Nayapul and Birethanti, where the trekking route follows the Bhurungdi Khola through terraced farmland and small settlements. From Tikhedhunga, the trail becomes steeper as you climb a long series of stone steps toward Ulleri. The sustained ascent gains significant elevation, with occasional openings offering views toward Annapurna South and Hiunchuli on clear days.

The day ends in Ulleri at approximately 1,960 m, a traditional Magar settlement and common overnight stop on the Poon Hill route.

4-5 hrs

10km

1,960m

NPR 3,500 (Transport: 1,500, Accommodation: 500, Meals: 1,500)

Loading ghorepani-poon-hill-trek Route...

We're currently preparing a detailed cost breakdown for this trek to help you plan better.

When Should I go?

Month-by-month conditions to help you plan your trip.

Monthly Window

Conditions vary through the year with the seasons.

Note: Peak Season to visit Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is March-May, September-November

October

Optimal

October is one of the best times to go. Conditions are shaped by sharpest visibility, bringing most reliable sunrise. Skies are typically stable and visibility is good, and visitor numbers tend to be high.

Select the current month to see today’s live forecast.

What to Expect

Understand rhythms before you go

“Trek through the lower Annapurna region, passing Gurung and Magar villages, rhododendron forests, and terraced fields on the way to Poon Hill.”

The Poon Hill PanoramaOne of the most celebrated sunrise viewpoints in the Himalayas: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Nilgiri, and Machhapuchhre all visible across 180 degrees of horizon as first light turns the snowfields gold.

Rhododendron ForestsThe ancient forest between Banthanti and Ghorepani is one of the densest rhododendron forests in Nepal, in March and April the canopy turns a deep crimson and pink, blooming in near-silence above the trail.

Magar and Gurung VillagesTrek through traditional hill communities with a proud Gurkha military heritage stone-flagged lanes, prayer wheels, and the Gurung Museum in Ghandruk offer a genuine window into Himalayan culture.

Accessible Himalayan AdventureAt 3,210m maximum elevation with well-maintained stone-paved trails, this trek is achievable for reasonably fit beginners while delivering mountain views that rival anything Nepal has to offer.

Altitude & Safety

Comprehensive health guidance and immediate response tools for the high altitude trekker.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

What it is?

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), often called High Altitude Sickness, occurs when your body doesn't have enough time to adjust to lower oxygen levels at higher elevations. It is a natural physiological response, but one that demands immediate attention and respect. Think of it as your body's signal to slow down and breathe.

Symptoms

Headache

Rapid heartbeat

Breathless

Dizziness

Insomnia

Fatigue

No appetite

Nausea

Severity Levels

mild

Rest at current altitude. Do not ascend further until symptoms clear.

moderate

Immediate descent required (300-500m). Use oxygen if available.

severe

Life-threatening. Immediate emergency evacuation via helicopter.

Prevention Tips

Ascend slowly (no more than 300-500m per day above 3,000m)
Stay hydrated (3-4 liters per day)
Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills
Eat light, high-carb meals
Listen to your body and rest when needed

High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

What it is?

High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a dangerous build-up of fluid in the lungs caused by altitude-related low oxygen, not by heart failure. It usually appears 24-96 hours after a rapid ascent, often above about 2,400 m, and it can occur with or without AMS. Early diagnosis matters because HAPE can progress quickly and may be more rapidly fatal than HACE.

Symptoms

Chest congestion

Rapid heartbeat

Breathless

Dry Cough

Blue Lips

Energy less

Rapid breathing

Breathless at rest

Severity Levels

Possible HAPE

Cough, chest tightness, unusual breathlessness on exertion, or a sudden drop in walking performance after ascent.

Probable HAPE

Breathlessness with mild activity, marked fatigue, rapid breathing, crackles/rales, or clearly reduced oxygen saturation compared with others at the same altitude.

Severe HAPE

Breathlessness at rest, respiratory distress, cyanosis, or pink/bloody sputum.

Prevention Tips

Ascend gradually.
Once above 3,000 m, increase sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m per night.
Add an extra acclimatization night for every 1,000 m of sleeping-altitude gain.
Avoid overexertion during the first 48 hours at altitude.
Known HAPE-prone trekkers may need preventive medication from a clinician familiar with altitude medicine.

High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

What it is?

High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is a severe altitude illness in which the brain swells. It is generally considered the end-stage of AMS and is defined by neurologic symptoms, especially altered mental status and ataxia. It is rare, especially below about 4,300 m, but once it starts it can deteriorate rapidly to coma within hours if untreated.

Symptoms

Severe Headache

Drowsiness

Confusion

Loss of coordination

Unsteady walking

Altered behavior

Stupor

Coma in late disease

Severity Levels

Possible HACE

A trekker at altitude develops a severe headache plus confusion, unusual behavior, or clumsy walking. Action: Treat as HACE until proven otherwise. No further ascent. Start descent urgently.

Probable HACE

Clear ataxia, altered mental status, marked drowsiness, or difficulty walking normally. Action: Immediate descent, oxygen if available, and dexamethasone if trained and equipped to use it.

Severe HACE

Stupor, inability to walk, or coma. Action: This is a life-threatening emergency. Immediate evacuation is required. If descent is not feasible right away, oxygen and a portable hyperbaric device can be lifesaving.

Prevention Tips

Ascend gradually and avoid going too high too fast.
Once above 3,000 m, limit sleeping-altitude gain to about 500 m per night.
Add an acclimatization day for every 1,000 m of sleeping-altitude gain.
Do not ascend with worsening AMS symptoms.
Dexamethasone is used mainly for treatment or emergency backup, while acetazolamide is preferred for prevention of AMS during ascent.

3,210m

Maximum altitude · Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

moderate risk above 3000m

Call Emergency (100)

Request Helicopter Rescue

Reach Out To

Specialist Hospitals

CIWEC Hospital01-4524111,01-4524242,01-4535232

Star Hospital01-5552227,01-5550198,01-5540478

Sumeru Hospital01-5275377,01-5275088,01-5275099,9801203070

Alka Hospital01-5970795,01-5455555

Norvic Hospital01-5970032

Vayodha Hospital01-4281666,01-5385013,9801019576

Helicopter Rescue

Heli Everest Serviceinfo@helieverest.com

01-4112353, 01-4112414, 9801066647, 9801088812Dabur Building (4th floor), Tinkune

Mountain Helicoptersinfo@mountainhelicoptersnepal.com

01-4111031, 9712082949Sinamangal, Kathmandu

Altitude Airreservation@altitudeheli.com

01-4113352, 01-4116665, 01-4116666Sinamangal, Kathmandu

Simrik Airinfo@simrikair.com.np

01-4155341, 01-4155342, 01-4155343, 9851010695Puspa Marg, Subidhanagar, Tinkune

Fishtail Airoperation@fishtailair.com, sales@fishtailair.com

01-4111815, 01-4111816, 01-4111802, 9802302614, 980230261Sinamangal, Kathmandu

Air Dynastybooking@airdynastyheli.com

9801089843, 01-4497418, 01-4468802Sinamangal, Kathmandu

Shree Airlinescontact@shreeairlines.com

01-4598200, 01-4596700Sinamangal, Kathmandu

Helicopter Rescue

01-4418824, 9851035514Naxal

Carry this on your Trek

Download this offline altitude safety card before trek. Includes AMS, HAPE, and HACE symptoms and preventions.

Download Safety Card

Gallery

Memories made during adventure

Poon Hill sunrise panorama with Dhaulagiri and Annapurna

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trivia

How well do you know Ghorepani Poon Hill?

8 Questions~ 2 minutes

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Trek Overview

Trek Timeline

5 - day itinerary

When Should I go?

Monthly Window

October

What to Expect

Altitude & Safety

Gear Checklist

Essential

Gallery

How well do you know Ghorepani Poon Hill?

Trek Timeline

5 - day itinerary