A short Annapurna foothill trek drives from Pokhara to Nayapul and climbs the Ulleri steps through rhododendron to Ghorepani. The pre-dawn walk to Poon Hill is the centrepiece: Annapurna and Dhaulagiri catching first light. Ulleri’s stone staircase, Ghorepani’s dining room, and the dark walk to Poon Hill are the three days people book.
Gurung villages, Magar hospitality, and teahouse dining rooms fill the rest of the days. You walk out to Nayapul and return to lakeside Pokhara the same afternoon. Ghandruk or Tadapani village lanes on the way down, with rhododendron in spring, finish the foothill loop.
Our crews are insured while they are on duty from the Nayapul road to Ghorepani on this short foothill week. You'll climb the Ulleri steps through rhododendron, then sleep where the pre-dawn walk to Poon Hill starts. Our Pokhara desk times the tourist-bus or private drive so you arrive in daylight.
Your guide knows the staircase and which dawn is worth first light on Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. We'll keep the rest of the days in Gurung and Magar teahouses. You walk out to Nayapul and return to lakeside Pokhara the same afternoon.
Welcome everyone! We will be present at TIA to welcome you and transport you to your lodging. Please take some time to acclimate in your hotel room.
We have scheduled no activities for today so if you have arrived early, you can start exploring the surroundings on your own. Meanwhile, we will be waiting for all participants of our Ghorepani Poon Hill sunrise trek. Now that we have all our guests checked in, our guide will give you a preliminary briefing about the travel program.
Please rest early to get ready for the long journey to Pokhara the next day.
Today, we will take a 7-hour long road journey to reach the heavenly unique destination of Pokhara. A spacious and comfortable tourist bus will transport us out of Kathmandu through the Kalanki and Thankot checkpoints.
We will now travel along the winding road of the Prithvi Highway alongside the lively Trishuli River. Soon, the Trishuli market will come into view where we will take a brief break for some refreshments.
Resuming our journey, this time, the broad Mugling-Narayanghat Highway will be taking us toward the pleasant town of Bandipur. It certainly worth a small visit with the majestic Annapurna range standing as its protector.
A taxi will take us early in the morning to Nayapul (New Bridge). The short one-hour drive will travel us north towards Nau Danda (Nine Hills) before we reach Nayapul to begin our trek. After walking a short distance, we will meet the high-suspended steel bridge over the meeting point of two torrential rivers: the Modi and the Bhurungdi.
Once we cross the river, our trail starts to rise gradually guiding us through the calm Gurung settlements of Matathanti, and Ramgai before we reach Birethanti (1070 m). It is a large prosperous town that also has the checkpoint of Annapurna Reserve.
After a leisurely breakfast, we will set off from Ulleri to make our way up to Ghorepani. The first half hour of our trek will be beside the river along the frequently rising and falling path. Then, we will reach to a long staircase that will offer us glimpses of day-to-day local life.
Now, passing through the forests of flowering trees like rhododendrons, oak, and bamboo, we will approach a small stream that will lead us to Banthanti (2300 m). The vegetation and forest become more and more denser as we move forward to climb a few more stairs till we reach 2520 m high Nagathanti Village.
Starting early at daybreak, we will set off for one hour climb through the dense vegetation of rhododendron to reach the Poon Hill. We will be on time to see the first sun rays over the Himalayan heights of Tukuche Peak, Annapurna I, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna II, Varaha Shikhar, Annapurna IV, Manaslu, and Annapurna South.
After this best dawn view, we will now climb down towards Ghorepani for breakfast. Now, after packing our bags we will set off for Nayapul.
Following the same circular route through Banthanti, Ulleri, Tikhedhunga, and Birethanti, we will arrive at Nayapul, where we will take a taxi to return to Pokhara. After a long and exhausting hike today, we will just rest in our rooms for the evening.
Our brief Annapurna Poon Hill sunrise trek will conclude today as we travel back to Kathmandu from Pokhara. Our transportation will again be the comfortable tourist bus that will take us along the twisting Mungling and Prithvi Highway to Kathmandu.
In the evening, we will enjoy a delicious farewell Nepali dinner with our team and raise our glasses to celebrate the success of our journey we have just undertaken.
After breakfast, if you have some remaining time free, you can go for some last-minute city tours.
At the appropriate time, we will transfer you to the airport for boarding to your city of origin.
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.
March to May rhododendron bloom and October to November crisp air are peak windows for this itinerary. July and August mean leeches and cloud on lower slopes; December to February can ice steps above village level.
Your guide reads the forecast before long cols or sunrise hikes. Shoulder weeks need an honest weather call before high passes or dawn viewpoints.
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.
Airport collection to your Kathmandu hotel is available when flight times are shared in advance. Thamel hotels are the usual meet point; drivers need flight numbers to meet you at the international terminal.
Pokhara hotel meet applies when your package starts lakeside; allow a full day for the drive from the capital if that sector is included. 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. Monsoon cloud sits lower on the hills while winter brings ice on steps above village level.
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.
