Ghorepani (Poon Hill)
The Short Trek to the Dhaulagiri–Annapurna Sunrise
Ghorepani is the teahouse village at 2,860 m below Poon Hill (3,210 m), whose sunrise over Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre is the most famous short-trek view in Nepal. A jeep from Pokhara reaches Hile or Ulleri in 2-3 hours; from there it is a day's climb up about 3,300 stone steps through rhododendron forest (red in March and April), then the dawn climb to the hill, and down via Tadapani to Ghandruk. The days here include those walks.
Highlights
- Dawn on Dhaulagiri and Annapurna from Poon Hill
- Rhododendron forest in bloom (March–April)
- The Ulleri staircase
- Teahouse evenings round the stove
- Tadapani's close view of Machhapuchhre
Things to do
- Pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill for sunriseMorning · 3h
- Trek through rhododendron forest towards TadapaniAfternoon · 5h
- Teahouse evening & dal bhatEvening · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: October – April
Worth knowing
Monsoon on the Trails: Leeches, Landslides, Cloud
June to September is the monsoon. Trails are wet and slippery, leeches are everywhere below about 3,000 m (carry salt and leech socks), landslides block roads and paths, and cloud hides the mountains most days. Flights to Lukla are cancelled often. Treks are possible but this is the worst time for views; October–November and March–May are the seasons.
Heads up
Peak Trekking Season
October–November (clearest skies) and March–May (warmer, rhododendrons in bloom, some haze) are the trekking seasons. Trails and teahouses are at their busiest: book flights and lodges in advance, walk early, and expect higher prices for rooms with attached bathrooms.