The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is an exciting journey that offers a mix of stunning mountain views, rich culture, and diverse landscapes. This trek is special because it allows you to visit both Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill, experiencing both high-altitude trekking and the beauty of the lower foothills.
Highlights:
Annapurna Base Camp: Located at 4,130 meters, ABC is a beautiful, secluded spot surrounded by towering peaks, including Annapurna I (8,091 meters) and Machhapuchhre (6,993 meters). The 360-degree views of the mountains are breathtaking, making this a major highlight of the trek.
Poon Hill Sunrise: After visiting ABC, the trek takes you to Poon Hill (3,210 meters), where you’ll wake up early for a spectacular sunrise. The view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges at sunrise, with the peaks glowing in shades of gold and pink, is unforgettable.
Cultural Immersion: Along the way, you’ll pass through traditional Gurung and Magar villages, where you can learn about the local cultures, traditions, and the lifestyles of people who call these mountains home.
Biodiversity: The trek passes through the Annapurna Conservation Area, a protected region filled with a rich variety of flora and fauna. The lush rhododendron forests are especially beautiful during the spring when they are in full bloom.
Trek Overview:
The trek begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by a trek starting from Nayapul. You’ll begin the journey with a gradual ascent through forests and terraced fields, heading towards ABC. After reaching ABC and enjoying the incredible views, the trek will take you down to the Modi Khola valley and then head up to Ghorepani. From Ghorepani, you’ll make an early morning ascent to Poon Hill to watch the sunrise before descending back to Tikhedunga and returning to Pokhara.
Best Time to Trek:
Spring (March to May): The weather is mild, and the rhododendrons are in full bloom, adding to the beauty of the landscape.
Autumn (September to November): The skies are clear, and the weather is stable, providing the best conditions for trekking and stunning mountain views.
Difficulty Level:
This trek is classified as moderate. You’ll be walking 5-7 hours a day with some steep ascents and descents, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
The Annapurna Base Camp and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is an amazing way to explore the beauty of the Annapurna region, offering a mix of high-altitude trekking, cultural encounters, and incredible natural beauty.
Outside the terminal of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, our airport agent will be waiting for you with a sign bearing the name of the Company. Then, you will transfer to the Hotel after you arrive at TIA. If you arrive at TIA on time, you can visit the nearby Hotel area (depending on the arrival time) or you can rest after the long air flight. On this day, our staff or your trip guide will meet and greet you at the Hotel and brief you about the day ahead journey. You will stay overnight.
Following an early breakfast at the hotel, you will drive towards western Nepal along the Prithivi Highway. After a one-hour drive, you will reach the Trishuli River, where you will witness a typical Nepali house, terrace, farmland, hotel, and Khaja Ghar along the way. During the journey, you will have your lunch at a riverside restaurant.
Continuing along the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway, you will cross-diverse landscapes, flora, fauna, and culture. Upon reaching Pokhara, you will drive towards Dhampus Phedi. After arriving at Dhampus Phedi, covering a long bus journey you will stay overnight. We will provide you with a private bus or jeep (Bus and a jeep depends on the group size).
After a delightful breakfast at Dhampus Phedi, your next day’s trek will commence. Dhampus village is a renowned location, serving as the gateway to Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal trek. On this day, you will trek and encounter picturesque houses along the way. You will witness the entire Annapurna view, including Annapurna I (8091m), Fishtail (6993m), Annapurna (7455m), Lamjung Himal (6983m), and the Dhaulagiri range. Take a break along the way to Lunch. Resume your trek after lunch, ascending while encountering the unique culture and farming land, with a warm welcome from local people. Continue your trek up to Landruk, a beautiful village renowned for honey hunting. In this village, you can observe the Gurung tradition and culture. From here, enjoy a stunning sunset view over the Annapurna range. After reaching Landruk in the late afternoon, you will stay overnight.
Following the morning breakfast in Landruk, you will trek to Chhomrong, a beautiful village situated at an elevation of 2175m. The predominant ethnicity in Chhomrong is Gurung, and the residents speak both Nepali and Gurung languages. Here, you can immerse yourself in the unique culture of the Gurung people, who will warmly welcome you with smiles on their lips. Chhomrong boasts a settlement with a history of 100 years, one of the oldest villages in the region. The villagers of Chhomrong adhere to the Bon religion.
There is a notable myth associated with Bon religion: In 1957, the first climbers, Wilfrid Noyce led by the famous British mountaineer and explorer, Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Roberts accompanied by the pioneer of trekking in Nepal, encountered a peculiar event. The group ascended from Camp I to Camp II, but when they woke up the next morning at what they believed was Camp II, they discovered they were actually back at Camp I. This event led the villagers to believe in the power of nature, and as a result, they began worshiping Bon. Since then, the Nepal government has prohibited climbing mt. Machhapuchhre. Thus, you have the opportunity to experience the Bon religion in this region.
On this day, you will ascend 535 meters in elevation. During the trek, you will pause for lunch, where you can enjoy authentic Nepali dishes. After lunch, resume your trek, reach Chhomrong, and spend the night at a lodge.
After the morning breakfast in Chhomrong, your trek will commence. On this day, you will cover a distance of approximately 9 km from Chhomrong to Dovan. Dovan is situated at an elevation of 2520m. You will pause for lunch along the way, and after lunch, your trek will resume. The steep descent to Chhomrong Khola and the subsequent steep ascent towards Upper Sinuwa constitute the most challenging part where caution is required. The overnight stay will be at a lodge in Dovan.
You will start your trek early in the morning from the village of Dovan, which is located at an altitude of approximately 2520m. The trail from Dovan follows the course of the Modi Khola River. As you hike alongside the river, you will gradually gain altitude and leave behind the dense forests. After walking for a while, you will come across Hinku Cave, a large rocky overhang.
The path will lead you uphill to Deurali, a small settlement located at an altitude of around 3,230 m. After refueling at Deurali, the trail continues through attractive alpine forests. After approximately 4 hours, you will reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC), located at an elevation of about 3,685meters. From there, you will get excellent views of the majestic Machhapuchhre along with Mt. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Gandharvachuli and Gangapurna.
You will have breakfast with the view of magnificent Machhapuchhre peak in the early morning. After having Breakfast, you will be ready for the awaited Annapurna Base Camp. It takes approximately 2 hours to reach ABC from MBC. After reaching Annapurna Base Camp, you will have Lunch with the view of Mt. Fishtail (6993m), Mt. Annapurna I (8091M), Annapurna South (7219m), Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m), Mt. Gangapurna (7455m), and Mt. Mardi Himal (5587m).On this day you will be staying overnight at ABC.
You will wake up early in the morning and hike to a viewpoint to witness another sunrise over the majestic mountains in the Annapurna region. This breathtaking view will mesmerize your heart and soul. After enjoying this beautiful moment, you will continue our trek back to Bamboo, passing through Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Deurali, and Dovan. The trail will take you through a forest of oak, bamboo, and rhododendron and you will spend the night at Bamboo.
After an early breakfast at Bamboo, you will start your trek for the Tadapani where you will ascend 390m. You will have lunch at Tadapani. It is a beautiful village situated at an elevation of 2700m. You will stay overnight at tadapani.
After having breakfast at Tadapani ,you will be ready for the Ghorepani early in the morning .On this day you will gain 180m only, it shows that the trek will be short .This place used to be a rest stop where ancient traders found water( Pani in nepali) for their horses(Ghoda in nepali). Thus leading to the name Ghorepani. You will have your Lunch at Ghorepani .It is a famous stop point for the Poon Hill trek. You will experience natural beauty, Cultural richness and warm hospitality here. Here you will find numerous teahouses, Lodges and Hotels. This place will offer you beautiful Mountain views of Annapurna South, Himchuli, and Mt Machhapuchhre. You will stay overnight here.
Early in the morning, you will be ready for a sunrise hike up to Poon hill. It takes approximately 1 hour to reach and enjoy the sunrise of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, Tukuche Peak, Fishtail, and Nilgiri. After enjoying view, you will continue hike down to Ghorepani and you will have lunch there, after lunch you will trek back toTikheDhunga. Tikhedhunga is the home of Magar and Gurung people, which is rich in cultural heritage. It is the gateway to different routes in the Annapurna region, surrounded by greenery and terraced fields, attracts trekkers with its peaceful and traditional beauty. Today will be the last day for the trek and you will stay overnight here.
After having breakfast at Tikhedhunga you will be ready to drive to pokhara (822 m) and you will have lunch in pokhara. After lunch, you will explore the lakeside area or you will rest, depending on your choice and stay overnight at Hotel.
After your breakfast, you will be ready for driving to Kathmandu and your lunch will be on the way. You will reach Kathmandu in the late afternoon. There will be a farewell dinner at night and stay overnight at the hotel.
You will enjoy your breakfast in the early morning and proceed with your departure from Tribhuvan International Airport according to your planned schedule.
At Rise Expeditions, we handle every detail of your Annapurna Base Camp and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable journey. With experienced guides and top-notch gear, you can focus on enjoying the stunning Annapurna region.
Download our detailed trek overview!
The trek to Annapurna Regions is an incredible experience, combining breathtaking scenery with a chance to explore Nepal’s rich culture. It’s a moderately challenging trek, with steep trails and high altitudes, so good physical fitness and some prior trekking experience are important.
The journey takes you above 4,000 meters, where the air gets thinner, and altitude can become a factor. We’ll guide you on how to prepare, from fitness tips to packing the right gear. If needed, we can recommend practice hikes to help you feel more confident on the trail.
With our experienced team supporting you every step of the way, you can focus on enjoying the adventure and making it to the stunning Annapurna Regions safely and comfortably.
Proper equipment is essential for a safe and comfortable trek to Annapurna Base Camp and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. At Rise Expeditions, we make sure you’re fully prepared to handle the varying conditions of the Annapurna region.
When you book your Annapurna Base Camp and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, we’ll provide a detailed gear list to ensure you have everything you need for the journey.
You can also download the full gear list [here] to start getting ready.
To confirm your spot, a 30% deposit is required at the time of booking. An additional 40% must be paid at least one month before you arrive in Nepal, and the remaining balance is due upon your arrival. Payments can be made via cash or credit card, with credit card fees covered by the participant.
Cancellation Policy
Additional Costs for Cancellations
We would recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance for added protection. For more details, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us or refer to our full booking policy.
