The Annapurna Poon Hill Sunrise Trek is a well-known and highly-regarded trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal. The Annapurna Poon Hill Sunrise Trek provides an excellent opportunity to witness some of the most stunning mountain vistas in the world and to gain an appreciation of the local culture and lifestyle.
Starting in Nayapul, the Annapurna Poon Hill Sunrise Trek takes about 5 to 7 days to complete and takes you through lush forests of rhododendron, picturesque villages and terraced fields. The highlight of the Annapurna Poon Hill Sunrise Trek is reaching the Poon Hill viewpoint, which offers breathtaking views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, including the iconic peaks of Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri I, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). To get the best view, it is recommended to reach Poon Hill early in the morning to witness the sunrise over the mountains.
The Annapurna Poon Hill Sunrise Trek is relatively easy, with well-defined trails and gentle inclines. This makes it accessible for people of all ages and fitness levels. The trail takes you through the traditional villages of the Gurung community, providing a chance to learn about their way of life and to immerse yourself in their rich culture.
Poon Hill Sunrise Trek Highlights:
Itinerary
You will be picked up at the airport by one of the Real Journey Nepal staff and driven to your Kathmandu host family or a hotel. Here you will be welcomed into the family, be given your own room and be provided with all your meals while in Kathmandu. This will be your home during your orientation and volunteering in Nepal. With easy bus routes into town and the surrounding countryside, this quiet and safe suburb is the perfect base for your time in Nepal. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
We tour Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath stupa and Bouddhanath stupa which are all world heritage sites. The Durbar Square sheds light on the life of the royals in ancient times. Pashupatinath temple is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for all Hindus. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple and Baudhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, we are introduced to our fellow participants and discuss our trip at the Tour and Trekking Nepal office. Overnight in Kathmandu. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
At the beginning of the journey today we head to Pokhara. The journey to the city of lakes begins from the valley heading out of its twisty roads and reaching Prithvi Highway and the thrashing Trishuli River. The tranquil journey gives us a peek at the majestic Himalayas right as we enter the mesmerizing Pokhara valley. Overnight stay at a hotel in Pokhara. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
We are rewarded with magnificent views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, the five peaks of Annapurna and several others. We pass through sub-tropical valley forests, sometimes on the carved trail on the side of the cliff. We cross the Bhurungdi Khola via a bridge to the village of Tikhedhunga. The Ulleri Hill with thousands of steps and boulders that continually go upward will really prove a test of our stamina. Overnight stay in Ulleri. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
We make our way ascending towards Ghorepani. The name Ghorepani in Nepali means ‘horse water’ due to it being an important campsite for traders before it became a trekker’s stop. Ghorepani is an interesting place with small shops and stalls for selling local products and crafts. The town has two parts: one in a saddle and the other a few hundred feet lower. We stop at the higher part of the Ghorepani village that offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains including Annapurna South and Nilgiri mountains. Since Ghorepani lies quite higher than our previous stop, we begin to feel the chilly weather, especially in the evenings. Overnight stay in Ghorepani. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Today is a big day for us, so we make an early morning climb along the steep trail to Poon Hill viewpoint (3,210m/10,529ft.) to witness the most amazing sunrise views over the Himalayas. Poon Hill is the most popular trekking destination of the Annapurna region. It is also a great vantage point to enjoy the amazing views of Mustang, Pokhara and more than 20 of the highest mountains, including the close-up views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. After spending some time taking pictures and having coffee, tea or hot chocolate, we return to Ghorepani for breakfast. Then we head east and climb a nearby ridge. We descend through rhododendron forests, pass by spectacular waterfalls along the way and reach Tadapani to spend the night. Overnight stay in Tadapani. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
We leave Tadapani making a steep descent through the dense forests of old rhododendron trees. When the rhododendron trees are in bloom, these forests actually turn into amazing gardens. Depending on the travel season, by afternoon we get to enjoy cherry blossoms in bloom on the slopes on the other side of the ravine. After hiking for some more time, we enter the village of Ghandruk, which is a slope settlement comprising stone houses, mostly inhabited by the Gurung community. Enjoying the stunningly close-up towering views of Fishtail, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli mountains, we also acquaint ourselves with the simple but rich cultural traditions of the Gurung people at the Gurung Museum in Ghandruk. Overnight stay in Ghandruk.
We leave Ghandruk and enjoy the final leg of the hike on the beautiful hilly landscapes of western Nepal. On reaching Matque, we will begin our drive back to Pokhara in a private vehicle. It will take us around 2 hours to reach the city of lakes. We have lunch on the way. The actual trek to the Annapurna Poon Hill Sunrise and back end today. On reaching Pokhara, we check in at our hotel and rest for a while. In the afternoon, we will set out for a half-day sightseeing tour of Pokhara. Overnight stay in Pokhara. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to the Tourist bus station and 07: 30 am drive back to Kathmandu by tourist bus. This scenic drive offers fascinating glimpses of rural Nepal as you pass through Middle Hill scenery along the famous rafting Trishuli River originated from Tibet northeast of Kathmandu. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! A Tour and Trekking Nepal representative will drop us off at the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way to home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
