Poon Hill Trek: Nepal's Best Short Trek for Sunrise Lovers
The Poon Hill trek is Nepal's most famous short trek, offering a jaw-dropping panoramic sunrise over the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges from Ghorepani in just 4-5 days.
Poon Hill: Nepal's Best Short Trek
The Poon Hill trek is the classic introduction to trekking in Nepal. In just 4-5 days, you experience lush rhododendron forests, traditional villages, and one of the most spectacular sunrise panoramas in the Himalayas.
Trek Overview
- **Duration:** 4-5 days
- **Maximum altitude:** 3,210m (Poon Hill viewpoint)
- **Difficulty:** Easy to moderate
- **Best seasons:** October-November and March-May
The Sunrise
The pre-dawn climb from Ghorepani to Poon Hill viewpoint (about 45 minutes) rewards you with a 360-degree panorama. As the sun rises, it illuminates Dhaulagiri (8,167m), the entire Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, and dozens of other peaks. It is one of Nepal's most iconic moments.
Typical Itinerary
- **Day 1:** Pokhara to Nayapul, trek to Tikhedhunga
- **Day 2:** Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (via a challenging stone staircase)
- **Day 3:** Sunrise at Poon Hill, trek to Tadapani
- **Day 4:** Tadapani to Ghandruk
- **Day 5:** Ghandruk to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara
Rhododendron Season
If you trek in March-April, the forests between Tikhedhunga and Ghorepani explode into bloom — entire hillsides of red, pink, and white rhododendrons create a spectacular natural show.
Permits
- TIMS card
- ACAP permit (NPR 3,000)
The Poon Hill trek packs an enormous amount of beauty into a short timeframe — perfect for travellers with limited time who still want a genuine Himalayan trekking experience.