The Annapurna Sunrise Trek, also known as the Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek, is a moderately easy hike that takes you through villages and rhododendron forests. You’ll see beautiful views of the Annapurna range, especially from Poon Hill. The trek starts with a tour of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, followed by a flight to Pokhara and a drive to Hile, the new starting point for the trek. You’ll trek to Ulleri, crossing the Bhurungdi Khola and the village of Tikhedhunga. You’ll walk through rhododendron forests and ascend to Ghorepani, where you’ll stay for a night. The next morning, you’ll hike up to Poon Hill for stunning views, and then continue to Tadapani and Ghandruk, where you’ll experience the hospitality of the Gurung people and visit the Gurung Museum. Finally, you’ll drive back to Pokhara. This 9-day trek is ideal for those who want a short, beautiful trek that’s not too demanding. For longer and more challenging options, there are the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, Annapurna Circle Trek, and Annapurna Circuit Trek.
A representative from Kantipur Holidays will meet us at the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu and transfer us to our designated hotel. We might rest after checking in or go to the Kantipur Holidays office. A welcome dinner with authentic Nepali food and a quick cultural presentation will be held in a typical Nepalese restaurant in the evening.
After breakfast today, we begin a guided tour of some of Kathmandu’s most revered historical and spiritual landmarks, which are also regarded as UNESCO World Heritage sites. We go to the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square, the holy Pashupatinath Hindu temple, the well-known Swayambhunath “Monkey Temple,” and the Buddhist shrine Bouddhanath, which is also one of the biggest stupas in the world. We check our gear with our trekking guide at lunchtime, meet the other participants, and talk about our trip at the Kantipur Holidays office.
We will catch an early morning flight to Pokhara, where we can enjoy breathtaking views of the Himalayas. To get the best views, we should choose to sit on the right side of the plane. Upon arrival in Pokhara, we will be greeted by stunning views of the Himalayan Mountain range, including Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, and the five peaks of Annapurna. After a short rest, we will head to Hile, which is where our trek begins. During the trek, we will pass through sub-tropical valley forests and may have to navigate on carved trails on the side of cliffs. After having lunch, we will cross the Bhurungdi Khola via a bridge to the village of Tikhedhunga. The Ulleri Hill, which has thousands of steps and boulders that continuously go upward, will test our endurance. We should arrive in Ulleri by afternoon.
After our morning meal, we start our journey towards Ghorepani by climbing up. The name of the place, Ghorepani, translates to ‘horse-water’ in Nepali, as it was once an important campsite for traders and their horses. Today, it is a popular stop for trekkers, with small shops and stalls selling local products and crafts. The village is divided into two parts, with the higher part providing stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Annapurna South and Nilgiri mountains. As we gain altitude, the temperature drops, and we begin to feel the chilly weather, especially in the evenings.
Today is an important day for us, as we embark on an early morning hike up the steep trail to Poon Hill viewpoint, located at an altitude of 3,210m/10,529ft. Here, we can witness the breathtaking sunrise views over the Himalayas. Poon Hill is a highly popular trekking destination within the Annapurna region and offers stunning views of Mustang, Pokhara, and over 20 of the highest mountains, including the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Following some time spent taking photos and enjoying coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, we make our way back to Ghorepani for breakfast. From there, we travel east and climb a nearby ridge before descending through beautiful rhododendron forests and past spectacular waterfalls, eventually arriving at Tadapani where we will spend the night.
Today, we will depart from Tadapani and begin a steep descent through dense forests of old rhododendron trees, which transform into breathtaking gardens when in bloom. Depending on the season, we may be able to enjoy the sight of cherry blossoms on the slopes across the ravine in the afternoon. After continuing our hike, we will arrive at the village of Ghandruk, a settlement on a slope composed of stone houses mainly inhabited by the Gurung community. Here, we will be able to appreciate the close-up views of the towering Fishtail, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli mountains, as well as learn about the rich cultural traditions of the Gurung people at the Gurung Museum in Ghandruk. We will spend the night in Ghandruk.
After having breakfast in Ghandruk, we will board a private vehicle that will transport us to Pokhara in approximately two hours. Upon arrival, we will check into our designated hotel and take some time to rest. In the afternoon, we will embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of Pokhara and its surrounding areas. We will spend the night in Pokhara.
After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we will begin our drive toward Kathmandu. We will stop for lunch on the way, and once we reach our destination, we will check into our hotel rooms and take some time to relax. Later, we may explore the streets of Thamel for some souvenir shopping or a leisurely stroll. In the evening, we will celebrate the successful completion of our journey with a farewell dinner hosted by Kantipur Holidays.
Today marks the end of your adventure in Nepal! You can spend your time exchanging email addresses with your travel companions and sorting through your photos. A representative from Kantipur Holidays will accompany you to the airport about 3 hours before your scheduled flight. As you travel back home, you’ll have ample time to plan your next exciting trip to Nepal.
Not satisfied with this regular itinerary? Make your own.