The Annapurna Panorama Trek: Kathmandu to Pokhara via Ghorepani & Ghandruk is a beautifully balanced 8-day journey that combines scenic driving, cultural discovery and moderate trekking in Nepal’s renowned Annapurna region. Starting in Kathmandu, you embark on a scenic 6-8 hour drive to Pokhara, passing lush valleys, rivers and rural villages — a gentle introduction to the Himalayan foothills.
Your trek begins with a drive to Nayapul and an ascent to Ulleri, leading you through Magar villages, rhododendron forests and traditional tea houses. The next day brings you to Ghorepani, positioned at 2750 m, a well-known alpine settlement offering expansive mountain views. The highlight comes early next morning: a hike to Poon Hill at 3210 m — one of Nepal’s best sunrise spots, with sweeping 360° views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
After soaking in that mountain majesty, you descend to Tadapani and on to Ghandruk, a beautifully preserved Gurung village at 1940 m with rich culture and mountain panoramas. From there the trek continues through high-forest ridges and valley floors until Pothana, then short hike to Phedi and a drive back to Pokhara for comfort and lakeside relaxation.
The final day brings your return by road to Kathmandu via scenic passes and rivers, culminating with a farewell dinner reflecting on your journey. With maximum altitude just 3210 m and plenty of moderate- paced trekking, this itinerary suits travellers seeking majestic Himalayan views without extreme altitude stress. Along the way you experience rich culture, verdant landscapes and glimpses of Nepal’s classic mountain backdrop. Ideal for first-time trekkers, families and anyone who wants a memorable Himalayan adventure grounded in nature and tradition.
The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is a beautiful short trekking route in Annapurna Conservation area in Nepal. It is a beautiful route starting after 2 hours’ drive to Nayapul, and end at same place or Phedi, before you drive and end at Pokhara. Ghorepani Poon Hill trekking considered as most beautiful short trekking route to see the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges being lit up by the golden sunrise.
The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is easily accessible from Pokhara and one can comfortably complete within 5 days’ time however, if you have more time it can be added up to 7 days or even more days combing Jhinu Danda, Landruk, Tolkha, Dampus areas or can complete less than 5 days as well. Of course, based on your timeframe, Nature Trail can tailor-make the itinerary, and happy is to organise everything accordingly.
The altitude at Poon Hill is 3210m and it offers a spectacular panoramic view of whole Annapurna range including Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna South, Mount Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Dhampus Peak, Butterfly Peak (mountain), Himchuli, Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal, and Manaslu Ranges. Poon Hill is also one of the best place to enjoy the panoramic views of Mt. Dhaulagiri range.
In this itinerary we have planned 8 days for the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, starting from and ending in Kathmandu. If you have more time, how about enjoying the lakeside city Pokhara a bit? You can easily add few more days before or after the trek.

Best Season for Poon Hill Trekking:

Ghorepani Poon Hill trekking can be done almost throughout the year. However, views are always different in every season or month you trek. In March/April, you will enjoy the blooming of the Rhododendron flower. In December/January you will see clear white snow in Poon Hill and Ghorepani. In October/November, you can enjoy the mountain view and weather will be neither hot nor cold. In the months of May/June, weather is rather chill, which is nice to escape the hot temperature of the cities. However, it might be a little cool to walk in shadow or rhododendron forest. Overall, this is why Ghorepani Poon Hill trekking is considered one of the most popular treka one can enjoy all seasons.

Cultural Aspects of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek:

Ghorepani Poon Hill trek offers mixed cultural experiences. This region is more dominated by the Gurung and Magar community. Also, lots of Gorkha Army family live around this area and sometimes you will see some of some of them on their holidays. It is also beautiful to see farmers and their farmland on the way and their houses, their cattle, and way of their day to day life. Walking through the forest of rhododendron adds extra excitement while walking. In such a short period of time, seeing all those things makes this trek a “lifetime experience”. Ulleri, Ghorepani and Ghandruk are the main villages of this trek and all these villages has their own style of houses and livelihood.
In addition to that, you will see terraced slopes, warm villages, beautiful paddy fields, and wonderful culture and lifestyle of ethnic people like the Gurungs and Magars of the Annapurna Region. Here after if you continued further to Annapurna Base Camp, you will have less and less people or villages around. So, this short hiking gives a unique experience to observe Annapurna mountain ranges as well as foothills along with the charming settlements of ethnic communities of Nepal.