Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek (9 Days)

The trek is easy to moderate, with four consecutive walking days on stone steps, forest paths and uneven ground. The staircase to Ulleri requires sustained uphill effort, while the sunrise stage combines an early climb with further trekking. Prepare for consecutive walking days and extended descents.

Previous hiking experience is helpful. First-time trekkers should build endurance before departure and become comfortable walking uphill and downhill regularly with a daypack.

Prepare with regular walks and hill hikes before departure, allowing longer if you have limited walking experience. Include simple strength exercises, practise in your trekking boots and become comfortable descending steps with a daypack before beginning the trek.

Ghorepani, around 2,874 m, is the highest overnight stop before your sunrise hike. Poon Hill reaches 3,210 m during the day, followed by breakfast and onward trekking to Tadapani.

This route stays below Nepal’s high pass and base camp treks, but altitude illness is possible. Tell your guide about headaches, nausea, dizziness or fatigue. Avoid ascent with altitude illness, and descend if symptoms worsen despite rest at the same elevation. Fitness cannot prevent altitude illness.

If you have an existing medical condition, seek advice from a healthcare professional before booking. Discuss the walking terrain, planned elevations, trekking days and any medicines you take.

Travel insurance is recommended and excluded from the price. Choose cover for the full route, including the 3,210 m viewpoint, medical treatment and emergency evacuation in Nepal. Check activity and altitude exclusions, assistance procedures and excess charges. Carry your policy details and contacts.

You stay two nights in Kathmandu and two in Pokhara, plus four mountain nights. Ulleri, Ghorepani, Tadapani and Ghandruk each have one overnight stay in a teahouse along the walking route.

Mountain rooms generally have basic furnishings, and shared bathrooms are common. Facilities differ between lodges and during busy periods. Confirm your room arrangements before departure. Bring warm layers for Ghorepani evenings and personal items for teahouse stays.

Days 3–6 include breakfast, lunch and dinner, with seasonal fruit during trekking. Lodge menus commonly include dal bhat, noodles, soups and bread.

Tell us about allergies or dietary requirements before booking so we can discuss what can be arranged along the route. Explain strict requirements clearly, including any concerns about shared cooking equipment.

Carry reusable bottles and drink boiled or appropriately treated water. Stream water and untreated tap water may still contain germs that cause illness.

Boiling is the most reliable way to kill germs. If boiling is unavailable, filtration followed by disinfection offers broader protection than many portable filters alone. Follow the instructions for your water-treatment equipment or tablets.

A licensed guide and porter support are included. Confirm porter allocation, baggage allowance and solo arrangements before packing. Carry water, weather protection, medicines, valuables and items needed during the walk in your daypack.

Hot showers, Wi-Fi and device charging cost extra, with availability varying between lodges. Mobile reception and internet can be unreliable along forested sections and hills. Carry a power bank and let family know that contact may be limited. Ask your guide about facilities at overnight stops.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is included. Confirm the TIMS arrangement and any Poon Hill entrance charge in your final written quotation. Carry your passport, insurance details and permit copies for checking along the trekking route.

Rain, roadworks and landslides can affect the Kathmandu–Pokhara journey and local transfers. Snow or ice around Ghorepani can also alter walking times and access.

The scheduled return to Kathmandu is on Day 8 before Day 9 departure. Allow flexibility and discuss contingency arrangements if road delays affect travel.