Tour Overview
| Duration | 5 Days / 4 Nights |
|---|---|
| Destination | Nepal — Pokhara, Ghorepani, Poon Hill (3,210m), Ghandruk |
| Price From | $385 per person (group of 4+), $495 (2-3), $650 (solo) |
| Tour Style | Short & Sweet Trekking — The Ultimate Himalayan Introduction |
| Best Season | March-April (rhododendron bloom), October-December (clearest views) |
| Max Altitude | Poon Hill viewpoint: 3,210m (10,531 ft) |
| Data Source | Nepal trekking market 2026 verified pricing |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Pokhara to Ulleri — 3,200 Steps to the Himalaya
Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul (1.5 hours, 1,070m), the trailhead. Begin trekking along the Modi Khola River, passing through Birethanti village with its traditional Gurung houses. Then the challenge: climb 3,200 stone steps to Ulleri village (1,960m). The steps — endless, relentless, character-building — were built by hand by local villagers as part of a community trail improvement project. Every step burns, but the views backward toward Pokhara Valley improve constantly. Arrive in Ulleri, a Magar village, by late afternoon. The Magar people are one of Nepal’s largest ethnic groups, traditionally soldiers (the renowned Gurkha regiments of the British and Indian armies recruit heavily from Magar communities). From Ulleri, your first views of Annapurna South (7,219m) and Hiunchuli (6,441m) appear — the peaks seem to float above the hills. Overnight in teahouse.
Day 2: Ulleri to Ghorepani (2,860m) — Into the Rhododendron Forest
A gentler day: approximately 5-6 hours through the world’s largest rhododendron forest. In March-April, this is one of the most beautiful walks on Earth — the entire forest explodes in red, pink, and white rhododendron blooms. The trail climbs gradually through oak and rhododendron, with occasional clearings revealing Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain, 6,993m — sacred to the Hindus, never climbed to its summit because of its religious significance. The last attempt was in 1957 by a British team led by Jimmy Roberts. They reached within 50m of the summit, honored a promise to the King of Nepal not to set foot on the summit, and turned back. No summit attempt has been made since). Arrive in Ghorepani, a bustling trekking hub of teahouses and shops at 2,860m. Ghorepani’s name means “horse water” — it was historically a watering stop on the ancient salt trade route between Tibet and the lowlands, where caravans of mules and yaks rested. Overnight in teahouse.
Day 3: Poon Hill Sunrise (3,210m) — Trek to Tadapani
Rise at 4:30 AM for the 45-minute pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill (3,210m) — bring your headlamp and all your layers, it’s cold at 5:00 AM at 3,000m. The climb is steep but short, and timed to arrive before sunrise. At the summit, a viewing tower and a sea of trekkers from every nation, all waiting for the same thing. And then it happens — the sun crests the eastern horizon and the Himalayas ignite. The view from Poon Hill is the single greatest mountain panorama in Nepal accessible to ordinary trekkers: Dhaulagiri (8,167m, the world’s 7th-highest) dominates the western sky, the entire Annapurna range stretches from Annapurna South (7,219m) to Annapurna I (8,091m), with the sacred Machhapuchhre in the center, and on exceptionally clear days, you can see Manaslu (8,163m) to the east. Over 30 peaks above 6,000m are visible. The golden light sweeps down the range from the highest peaks to the foothills over approximately 15 minutes. Return to Ghorepani for breakfast, then continue trekking to Tadapani (2,610m). The trail traverses more rhododendron forests and offers continuous mountain views. Arrive in Tadapani by afternoon — a small settlement with stunning sunset views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. Overnight in teahouse.
Day 4: Tadapani to Ghandruk — The Gurung Cultural Capital
Approximately 4-5 hours, descending through forests to Ghandruk village (1,940m), one of Nepal’s most beautiful villages and the cultural heartland of the Gurung people. Ghandruk is a model of sustainable community tourism — the village has its own hydroelectric plant, a Gurung cultural museum, and well-preserved traditional architecture. The Gurung Museum showcases traditional Gurung life: household implements, traditional dress (the distinctive Gurung marriage choli — a velvet blouse with silver coin necklaces), and the history of Gurkha recruitment (Gurung men have served in the British Army’s Brigade of Gurkhas since 1815, and their remittances built the stone houses and schools you see today). Explore the stone-paved lanes between traditional houses, visit a viewpoint overlooking the Modi Khola Valley with Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre towering overhead, and experience a traditional Gurung cultural show in the evening — the Ghatu dance (performed by unmarried girls during the Baisakh Purnima festival), the Sorathi dance, and the famous Dohori (call-and-response love songs). Overnight in Ghandruk teahouse.
Day 5: Ghandruk to Pokhara — Return to the Lake
Morning: explore more of Ghandruk or visit the nearby Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) visitor center to learn about the park’s biodiversity — the Annapurna region is home to 1,226 plant species, 102 mammals (including snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, and red pandas), and 474 bird species. Then descend to Nayapul (3-4 hours) where your vehicle waits. Drive back to Pokhara (1.5 hours). Afternoon free in Pokhara: rent a boat on Phewa Lake (the second-largest lake in Nepal), paraglide from Sarangkot (one of the world’s best paragliding sites — 30-45 minute tandem flights with views of the Annapurna range, $85-120), or simply relax at a lakeside cafe watching the mountains reflected in the water. Overnight in Pokhara.
Included
- 5 nights: teahouses on trek (4) + Pokhara hotel (1)
- All meals during trek
- Licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- ACAP & TIMS permits
- Pokhara-Nayapul & Nayapul-Pokhara transport
- Sleeping bag & down jacket rental
- Pulse oximeter & first aid kit
- All government taxes
