Luxury Annapurna Trek: Ghandruk and Poon Hill
Eight days in the Annapurna foothills: five days on foot through Ghandruk, Tadapani and Ghorepani to the Poon Hill sunrise, then two nights in Pokhara at Hotel Barahi by Phewa Lake or, on the Luxury level, The Pavilions Himalayas.
8 days · Annapurna · From US$ 1,500
Enquire- Duration
- 8 days
- Max altitude
- 3,210 m (Poon Hill)
- Group size
- Private — from 2 guests
- Best season
- Oct–Apr
Overview
This is the gentlest of the classic Himalayan treks: stone staircases between villages, forest that turns red with rhododendrons in spring, and a wall of 7,000 and 8,000 m peaks above you. It never goes higher than 3,210 m, so altitude is rarely a problem.
You walk for five days at your own pace with a private guide, from Birethanti to Ghandruk, Tadapani and Ghorepani, and climb Poon Hill before dawn for the famous sunrise over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.
At the end, a private jeep takes you to Pokhara for two nights — at Hotel Barahi by Phewa Lake on the Comfort level, or in a villa at The Pavilions Himalayas outside the town on the Luxury level — before you fly back to Kathmandu.
Highlights
- Sunrise over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas from Poon Hill, 3,210 m
- Ghandruk, a Gurung village with views of Annapurna South
- Rhododendron forest between Tadapani and Ghorepani
- Machhapuchhre, the “Fishtail”, above the trail
- Two nights in Pokhara to finish (The Pavilions Himalayas on the Luxury level)
Gallery
Day by day
Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, a private car to Nayapul (about 1.5 hours) and a short walk along the river to Birethanti (about 1,050 m).
Up the Modi Khola valley and a long stone staircase through terraced fields to Ghandruk (1,940 m), a Gurung village facing Annapurna South. About 5–6 hours. Visit the small Gurung museum if you like.
A shorter day up through rhododendron and oak forest to Tadapani (2,630 m), with Machhapuchhre straight ahead. About 3–4 hours.
Through forest and along the ridge past Deurali to Ghorepani (2,860 m), with views of Dhaulagiri in the evening. About 5–6 hours.
An early climb of about an hour to Poon Hill (3,210 m) for sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. Breakfast in Ghorepani, then down the stone steps to Ulleri (about 2,050 m). About 4–5 hours in total.
A private jeep from Ulleri to your hotel (about 3 hours): Hotel Barahi in Lakeside (Comfort) or The Pavilions Himalayas near Pokhara (Luxury). Afternoon at leisure.
A day to rest: the lakeside and a boat on Phewa Lake, or at The Pavilions the spa, a walk through the organic farm and the mountains from your villa.
Transfer to Pokhara airport and fly to Kathmandu.
Choose your comfort
| Comfort tier | Lodging | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | The best lodge in each village with all meals, then two nights at Hotel Barahi in Lakeside, Pokhara (deluxe room, breakfast and dinner). | From US$1,500 |
| Luxury | The best lodge in each village with all meals, then two nights in a villa at The Pavilions Himalayas (breakfast and dinner). | From US$1,690 |
Where you stay
What’s included
Included
- Airport pickup and drop by private car
- Flights Kathmandu–Pokhara and Pokhara–Kathmandu
- Private car to Nayapul and private jeep from Ulleri to your Pokhara hotel
- Five nights in the best lodges on the trek, with all meals
- Two nights in Pokhara with breakfast and dinner: Hotel Barahi (Comfort) or a villa at The Pavilions Himalayas (Luxury)
- Licensed, professional trekking guide
- One porter for every two guests (carries 20–25 kg in total)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Hotel in Kathmandu before and after the trek (we can arrange it)
- Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover (required)
- Drinks, hot showers, Wi-Fi and battery charging in the lodges
- Spa treatments, tips for your guide and porter, and personal expenses
Dates & departures
October–November has the clearest views and March–April the rhododendrons in flower. December to February is quiet and cold but often clear. June to September is the rainy season, with cloud and leeches on the trail. The price shown is for the Comfort level; the Comfort and Luxury table on this page shows what the Luxury level adds. Price per person, based on two guests travelling together and sharing a room. Ask us for solo or larger-group prices.
Questions, answered
How hard is this trek?
It is the easiest of our treks: 3–6 hours of walking a day, with many stone steps up and down. It stays below 3,210 m. Good general fitness is enough; regular walking or stair training beforehand helps.
What are the lodges like?
Lodges here are simple mountain teahouses, not hotels. We book the best room in each village, with a private bathroom wherever there is one, and all meals. The comfort comes at the end, with two nights in Pokhara: Hotel Barahi by the lake, or The Pavilions Himalayas on the Luxury level.
What time is the Poon Hill sunrise?
You leave Ghorepani about an hour before sunrise with a head torch. The climb takes about an hour; it is cold at the top before the sun comes up, so bring a warm layer.
Can we add days in Pokhara?
Yes. Extra nights in Pokhara, paragliding over Phewa Lake or a helicopter flight to Annapurna Base Camp are easy to add — ask us for a quote.
Is the price per person?
Yes. The price shown is per person for two guests travelling together and sharing a room. Tell us your group size and dates and we will send an exact quote.
Luxury Annapurna Trek: Ghandruk and Poon Hill: the complete guide
The route at a glance
Kathmandu → Pokhara (flight) → Nayapul (car) → Birethanti (about 1,050 m) → Ghandruk (1,940 m) → Tadapani (2,630 m) → Ghorepani (2,860 m) → Poon Hill (3,210 m) → Ulleri (about 2,050 m) → Pokhara (jeep) → Kathmandu.
Permits
You need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). It is included and arranged for you.
Altitude
The highest point is Poon Hill at 3,210 m and you sleep no higher than 2,860 m, so most guests feel little or no effect. Drink plenty of water and walk at an easy pace.
Luggage
Your porter carries the main bags (20–25 kg in total for two guests); you carry a small day pack with water, a warm layer and a rain jacket.
Enquire about this journey
Share a few details for a private, tailor-made proposal.
You may also like
Luxury Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return
Six days to Annapurna Base Camp: fly to Pokhara, drive to Jhinu, walk through Chhomrong and the Modi Khola gorge to the foot of Annapurna I, then fly back to Pokhara by helicopter.
From US$ 2,690 per person
Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return
From US$ 6,390 per person
Luxury Everest View Trek with Helicopter Return
From US$ 4,970 per person