A compact Annapurna-view walk from Pokhara climbs the Ulleri steps to Ghorepani and a pre-dawn Poon Hill sunrise. You drive to Nayapul after breakfast and sleep in foothill teahouses. Ulleri’s staircase and a Ghorepani night put you on Poon Hill before dawn.
Annapurna and Dhaulagiri catch first light from the ridge. You walk out the same afternoon and are back in Pokhara with time for the lake. Gurung dining rooms and a same-day walk out to Nayapul keep the holiday short and scenic.
You'll leave Pokhara by private vehicle for Nayapul, then walk the Modi Khola toward Tikhedhunga and the Ulleri staircase. We book Ghorepani rooms so the dark walk to Poon Hill at 3,210 m starts from a lodge already held, and your guide times first light over Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre. The arrival briefing in Pokhara covers bag weight so the first afternoon is about terraces, not logistics.
After sunrise you'll descend to Tikhedhunga for a last lodge night, then walk out through Birethanti to Nayapul. We prefer a Magar-country guide who already works Ulleri and Ghorepani, and porters still carry lodge loads at one per two guests. Our Pokhara desk can hold a city night if rain slows the staircase, because the plan is shared each evening.
We start our day in Pokhara, then choose a 1-to-1.5-hour trip to Nayapul, which is an attractive place to begin our trip. The road has pleasant scenery, with green hills, terraced fields, and local villages that are seen on the route. Nayapul, which is New Bridge, where most treks in the Annapurna region start.
Here we begin to walk on a path that is not hard, this is along the river and enters villages which are small, such as the Birethanti, where we can find local shops, tea houses, and friendly villagers. The road leads gradually but steadily up through terraced farmlands and woodlands full of the noise of birds and running water. The landscape is more serene as we approach Tikhedhunga, where there are old houses made of stone and distant hills.
We walk approximately 3-4 hours to Tikhedhunga, a small village in the midst of nature, and spend the night in a lovely house.
The present walk begins with a difficult climb out of Tikhedhunga. It is a steep ascent, and it takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach Ulleri, a Magar village that is very beautiful as well as hospitable. At Ulleri, the way gets smoother on the way to Banthanti and the groves of the rhododendrons and oaks.
On the route, we are likely to have beautiful sights of snowcapped mountains, such as Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, etc., which can justify the effort. The sound of birds and the cool mountain breeze give tranquility to the trip. As we climb further, the trail cuts through the colorful forests, which are mostly beautiful during spring when rhododendrons are in blossom.
In 6 to 7 hours of walking, we arrive at Ghorepani, a lovely village of Magar with thick woods around it. Ghorepani has views of the mountains and comfortable teahouses where we will stay for a night.
Our day begins in the early mornings when we make a brief walk-up hill to Poon Hill, which is one of the most popular sites in the Annapurna region. We can observe a spectacular sunrise against the snowy peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, as well as numerous other mountains shining in golden hue at the top. It is an amazing panorama and a place to take photos.
We take time to enjoy the scenery, after which we get back to Ghorepani for breakfast. Then we start a walk back to Tikhedhunga. The path continues to go beneath the thick rhododendron, bamboo, and oak trees and is full of the sound of birds and the view of little waterfalls.
In the process, we enter lovely villages and winding hills. It is a long, peaceful hike of approximately 6 to 7 hours. By afternoon, we get to the small and beautiful village of Tikhedhunga, on the river, and we rest the night in a pretty teahouse.
We start our last day of the trek after breakfast by descending Tikhedhunga towards Nayapul. The track is mostly down and through beautiful terraced fields, small villages, and serene woods. On our way, we follow the running river, listening to that soft murmur of water and singing of the trees by the birds.
We can sense the beauty of nature surrounding us since the path is not as challenging as it was before. We take lunch at Birethanti, a beautiful village lying along the banks of the river, where we can have good food and see the scenic view of the Modi River. We walk a little and arrive at Nayapul, where our trekking adventure ends.
With this, we embark on an idyllic journey to Pokhara on a scenic road passing through green hills and local settlements. Our trip comes to an end in our hotel in Pokhara, where we will have time to rest and look back at the great trekking experience.
Most guests fly into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Share your arrival time ahead of travel so a Thamel hotel transfer can be arranged, or make your own way to the meeting hotel.
Many departures include a road transfer to Pokhara before walking starts from Nayapul or a nearby trailhead. Allow a little extra time after the trek before international flights home.
Twin or double rooms in a comfortable Kathmandu hotel cover your first nights and your return from the trail, with breakfast on those city stays when included in the package. Briefings happen at the hotel, and airport collection from Tribhuvan is available when flight times are shared in advance.
Family-run teahouses or lodges line the route with twin beds and a shared dining room. Rooms get simpler and colder as you climb, with shared bathrooms common at higher villages. Hot water, Wi-Fi, and charging are paid at the lodge when offered.
Spring from March to May and autumn from September to November usually bring the clearest views and stable walking conditions on this route. Winter is quieter but colder at altitude, while monsoon months bring cloud and wet trails at lower elevations.
Shoulder weeks need an honest weather call before high passes or dawn viewpoints. Monsoon cloud sits lower on the hills while winter brings ice on steps above village level.
You should be comfortable on steep stone steps and forest paths for four to six hours with a daypack. Hill training and longer weekend walks in the months before travel help your legs and lungs on uphill trail days.
Hill training, stair climbing, and longer weekend hikes in the months before travel help your legs and lungs, even when acclimatisation days are built into the route. Break in boots before you fly and carry a light daypack on practice walks.
Guided trekking with licensed leaders, lodge nights on the trail, meals as described for walking days, and permits for the regions crossed are included when they are part of this trip. Domestic flights, porters, and airport transfers apply only when they are part of this trip.
Domestic flights, road transfers, porter support, and airport transfers apply only when they are part of this trip. Permits for the regions you cross are arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara when included.
International flights to Nepal, visa fees, compulsory travel insurance, personal trekking clothing, snacks and drinks outside included meals, and tips for crew are not covered. Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and battery charging in lodges are usually paid locally when offered.
Charges for hot showers, Wi-Fi, or battery charging in lodges are paid locally when offered unless your trip notes say otherwise. International flights, visa fees, and personal insurance stay outside the trek package.
Pickup can be arranged from Tribhuvan International Airport or your hotel in Thamel when you share flight times ahead of travel. Thamel hotels are the usual meet point; drivers need flight numbers to meet you at the international terminal.
Some departures brief in Pokhara after the road from Kathmandu; your trip notes state which city hosts the main kit check. Allow a little extra time after the trek before international flights home in case mountain roads or flights move.
Guides set a steady pace and watch for headache, nausea, or dizziness as you gain height. Weather can shift daily plans, so your guide keeps a steady pace with regular breaks.
Tell your guide early if symptoms appear so tomorrow's stage can shorten or descent can start before conditions worsen. Trail conditions are checked each morning before the group moves.
Road transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara and a short drive to Nayapul or another start point are common when transport is included. Your guide confirms departure times at briefing.
Motion sickness medicine helps on winding mountain roads. Your crew would rather wait for a safe window than rush marginal weather.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS registration apply on this route. The team arranges paperwork in Kathmandu or Pokhara when you provide passport copies and trek dates.
Keep copies in your daypack for checkpoint stops. Your crew would rather wait for a safe window than rush marginal weather.
Families join when children can manage the daily hours and terrain on this specific route. Pace and daily hours can be adjusted on private departures, though that may extend the calendar.
Ask our Kathmandu team if you are planning with younger walkers. Private departures can shorten daily hours, though that may add a day or two to the calendar.
Comprehensive travel insurance that covers trekking to the highest altitude on your itinerary, medical evacuation, and helicopter rescue when applicable is essential. Many standard policies exclude high altitude by name.
Read the wording before you travel so you can adjust cover if trekking above 5,000 metres is not named. Many standard policies exclude high altitude by name, so read the wording before you fly.
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About the centre
Kathmandu
You'll travel with a Kathmandu-based team that plans treks, peak climbs, helicopter flights, motorbike journeys, and cultural trips across Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. Routes range from classic teahouse walks and high passes to luxury lodge itineraries and longer expedition-style climbs, with departures shaped around how you want to pace the mountains.
Licensed guides and office staff train regularly on mountain safety and guest care. Porters are insured, fairly paid, and equipped for the trail, with sensible load limits on lodge routes. We work with remote communities through sustainable tourism, including support for education in village areas, so your booking helps local people as well as your own adventure.
Operated by Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours, a partner of adventuro.
