Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Your Ghorepani Poon Hill adventure begins as you check in for your international flight from Zurich, bound for Kathmandu, the vibrant capital of Nepal, nestled in a valley ringed by hills at the edge of the Himalayas. Depending on your routing, the journey may include a layover, giving you time to relax before the trek ahead.

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1,400 m/4,593 ft) and transfer to your 4-star hotel. With the rest of the day free, take time to rest after your flight, meet your trekking guide, review the days ahead, and do any last-minute shopping for trekking gear in the Thamel district.

Set off on a scenic 7 to 9-hour tourist bus journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara (900 m/2,953 ft), following the Prithvi Highway as it winds alongside the Trishuli River and through terraced hillsides and small roadside villages. Arrive in Pokhara, Nepal's laid-back lakeside gateway to the Annapurna region, and check in to your hotel in the Lakeside area, with views over Phewa Lake and, on clear days, the Annapurna and Machapuchare peaks.

After breakfast, drive around 1 to 1.5 hours from Pokhara to Birethanti (1,039 m/3,409 ft), a lively riverside village and the official starting point of the trek, where your ACAP permit is checked at the entry checkpoint. From here, begin trekking through farmland and forest, following the Bhurungdi Khola valley, before climbing the long stone staircase to the Magar village of Ulleri (2,020 m/6,627 ft), a walk of around 4 to 5 hours that offers an early, honest introduction to the up-and-down nature of Himalayan trekking.

Continue trekking from Ulleri to Ghorepani (2,810 m/9,219 ft), a 5 to 6-hour walk through increasingly dense forests of rhododendron, oak, and magnolia, alive with birdsong and, in spring, vivid seasonal blooms along the trail. As the trail gains height, the surrounding views open up, with your first proper glimpses of the Annapurna range appearing above the tree line as you approach the ridge-top village of Ghorepani, a popular overnight stop known for its position beneath Poon Hill.

Rise well before dawn for the short, steep hike up to Poon Hill (3,210 m/10,531 ft), one of the finest viewpoints in the Annapurna region, where sunrise paints the peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Nilgiri, and Machapuchare in shades of gold and pink across the horizon. Return to Ghorepani for a well-earned breakfast, then continue trekking to Tadapani (2,610 m/8,563 ft) through rhododendron forest and along scenic ridgelines with continuing mountain views, a combined trekking day of around 6 to 7 hours.

Trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk (1,940 m/6,365 ft), a 4 to 5-hour descent through lush forest, passing terraced fields and small farming settlements as the trail steadily loses altitude. Ghandruk is one of the largest and most traditional Gurung villages in the Annapurna region, with well-preserved stone architecture, a small local museum, and fine views back toward Annapurna South and Machapuchare from the village itself.

Trek from Ghandruk down to Syauli Bazaar (1,170 m/3,839 ft), a 3 to 4-hour walk that marks the final stretch of trekking on this journey, passing through farmland and small villages as the trail gradually levels out toward the valley floor. From here, transfer by private vehicle back to Pokhara, a drive of around 2 to 3 hours, and check back in to your hotel in the Lakeside area, where a hot shower, comfortable bed, and views over Phewa Lake await as a fitting reward for completing the trek.

Travel back to Kathmandu (1,400 m/4,593 ft) by tourist bus, a 7 to 9-hour journey retracing the route along the Prithvi Highway, past the same rivers, terraced hillsides, and roadside villages seen on the outward journey. Arrive in the late afternoon or evening and check in to your 4-star hotel, with time to reflect on the trek over dinner in the city.

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport in good time for your international flight, ready to begin your journey home with unforgettable memories of Poon Hill's sunrise panorama, the villages along the trail, and the warmth of local Gurung and Magar hospitality.

Arrive back in Zurich, bringing your Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek adventure to a close, with the peaks, villages, and hospitality of the Annapurna region left as lasting memories of a rewarding short Himalayan journey.