The Poon Hill trek is one of the most popular and accessible hikes in the Annapurna mountain range of Nepal. It’s renowned for its breathtaking views and cultural experiences.
This trek, typically lasting four to five days, offers hikers the opportunity to walk through lush forests, terraced rice fields, and picturesque villages like Ghorepani and Ghandruk. These villages are home to a few cozy tea houses, which are essentially small hotels with warm beds and tasty food. In the evenings, we really enjoyed drinking our tea by the fire after a long day of hiking and chatting with other trekkers!
The highlight of the journey is reaching Poon Hill itself (situated at an altitude of 3,200 meters). We recommend getting here at sunrise, when you’ll have a panoramic view of the majestic Himalayan peaks, including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
The nearest city to the starting point of this trek is Pokhara, which is a super-pretty lakeside town. And most people stay here before taking on this popular hike.
Why is Poon Hill so special?
One of the reasons Poon Hill is so popular is that it’s easy to reach – the starting point for the hike is just a 1.5-hour drive from Pokhara, and as it only takes 3-4 days to complete, it’s much shorter than most other hikes in Nepal.
So, really it’s the perfect hike to ease yourself into hiking here!
Plus, you get to see the Himalayan peaks without needing to climb too high.
As I said, the best time to get to the summit is at sunrise. Early in the morning, before the sun comes up, you walk up to the top of Poon Hill. It’s cold but exciting! When the sun rises, it lights up the snowy mountains. You can see mountains like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and Machapuchare, which look like a fish’s tail.
The sky turns a rainbow of orange, pink, and gold. It’s so magical! And many people say the sunrise from Poon Hill is one of the best in Nepal.
Why choose Poon Hill instead of the Annapurna Circuit?
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is super-famous in Nepal. It goes all the way around the Annapurna mountains. But it is much longer – it takes a whopping 12 to 18 days to complete! The highest point, Thorong La Pass, is 5,416 meters (17,769 feet) above sea level, so you have to get used to the thin air slowly.
Poon Hill is much shorter. Most people do it in 3 to 5 days. The summit isn’t as high (it’s 3,200 meters!), so you don’t have to worry much about altitude sickness. That’s why it’s good for people who:
- Have only a little time
- Want to try trekking for the first time
- They are with their family
- Don’t want to carry lots of heavy stuff
What will you see on the way?
Nepal is one of the most popular places to go hiking in the world, and for good reason! That’s because the scenery is seriously epic, and the Annapurna region (where the Poon Hill Trek is located) is especially pretty. Because it’s home to many different ecosystems, like alpine meadows and subtropical forests.
And the highlight of this trail isn’t just watching the sunrise from the summit! The trail is beautiful all the way. Here’s what we saw along the way –
- Subtropical Forests: You’ll walk through lush, thick forests on this hike. In spring, the rhododendron flowers bloom red, pink, and white. It feels like you’re walking in a fairy tale.
- Villages: You’ll pass by friendly villages. Local people from the Gurung and Magar communities live here. You can check out stone houses, prayer flags, and people farming or carrying baskets in these tiny villages.
- Birds and Animals: You might see monkeys in the trees, pretty birds, and sometimes mountain goats.
- Tea Houses: Every few hours, you can stop to drink hot tea, eat warm food, and rest your legs. It will definitely feel good to sit by a fire after a long walk!
How hard is it?
The trek is suitable for people with average fitness and requires no specialized climbing skills, making it an ideal choice for both beginner and experienced hikers who wish to experience the beauty of the Nepalese mountains.
Although the Poon Hill Trek is rated as moderate, you WILL have to walk up lots of steps! Yup, there are a couple of sections where you’ll have to conquer stone stairs that go up and down. You need to be ready to sweat a little.
But you don’t need ropes or special gear. Just good shoes, warm clothes, and a can-do attitude! As I said earlier, even kids and older people can complete it if they take their time.
What’s cool, too, is that each night, you’ll get to sleep in a teahouse. Yep, you don’t have to sleep in a tent. This made this hike very appealing to me when we were planning our Nepal vacation.
When is the best time to go?
Most people hike to Poon Hill in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). Personally, spring is my favorite and recommended season to complete the Poon Hill Trek.
- Spring is nice because the rhododendrons are blooming and the weather is mild.
- Autumn is clear and dry – the skies are blue, so you can see the surrounding mountain ranges clearly.
A less popular time to go is in winter (December to February). The air is fresh and the sky is blue during the day, but it can be very cold at night. So, you’ll need to pack appropriately if you plan to hike it in the winter.
What should you pack?
You don’t need too much! Pack light so you can walk easily.
- A warm jacket for the cold mornings
- Comfy hiking shoes
- A raincoat in case it rains
- Water bottle
- Snacks like chocolate or nuts
- A hat and gloves for the sunrise
- A small backpack
You need a simple permit: the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) – this will set you back NPR 3,000 (approximately $25 USD) for foreign nationals. You can buy this in Pokhara or Kathmandu through registered trekking agencies.
A TIMS card is no longer needed.
Many people hire a guide or porter for this hike. A guide helps you find the way and tells you about the villages. A porter can carry your heavy bag, so your shoulders don’t get too tired. It also gives local people jobs – so it’s a win-win for everyone!
Please note, as of early 2023, the Nepali government has mandated that international trekkers must be accompanied by a licensed guide for most trekking regions. However, this isn’t strictly enforced across the whole country, from what we’ve read!
Poon Hill, the Annapurna Circuit, or both?
If you want a short yet scenic trek, Poon Hill is the best option for you. You’ll get to see amazing mountain views, meet friendly people, and walk through subtropical forests and small, local villages – all in just a few days.
If you’re keen for more of an adventure, then you’ll love the Annapurna Circuit Trek. It’s much longer (minimum of 12 days), with high passes (boasting epic views) and more local villages to see.
Some people also like the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, which is considered the “middle option.” It’s not as long as the Circuit but goes deeper into the mountains than Poon Hill.
So, my recommendation – start with Poon Hill, fall in love with trekking in Nepal, then come back for a bigger trek (like the Annapurna Circuit) the next time!
Final thoughts on the Poon Hill Trek!
The Poon Hill Trek is like a small window into the big, beautiful world of the Himalayas. As I said above, you don’t need weeks or lots of gear, just good shoes, warm clothes, and a can-do attitude.
If you enjoy short yet scenic adventures like the Poon Hill Trek, you might also be inspired by other breathtaking routes around the world, such as this beautiful road trip from Queenstown to Mount Cook in New Zealand. Both journeys offer unforgettable mountain views, cozy accommodations, and a perfect mix of adventure and accessibility.
You can also check out some of my favorite blog posts here –
Best Road Trips in Madeira (+ My Guide to Renting a Car in Madeira)
The ULTIMATE One Month in Italy Itinerary
Best Day Trips From San Francisco Without A Car
Last Updated on July 24, 2025 by snaphappytravel
One thought on “My Guide to the Poon Hill Trek in Nepal: Everything You Must Know”
great place to visit, thank u for creat this article