Poon Hill Trek: Multiple Itineraries, Tips & Cost Breakdown

Poon Hill, located in the Myagdi District of Nepal, has been one of the most popular short trek destinations among both locals and international tourists.

It’s a relatively easy trek with no major challenges. The trail is well-maintained, short, and still provides breathtaking views of the Annapurna range.

The elevation is also just 3,210 meters, which means you don’t have to worry about altitude sickness. Plus, there are plenty of lodging services available. All of this makes it a beginner-friendly adventure for those looking for a short escape.

For me, doing just the Poon Hill trek wasn’t my regular cup of tea. I had to go and explore the uniqueness of the trail that many might miss. And guess what? I’ve got you covered on just that!

Most of you are probably unaware of Mohare Danda, which is situated at an even higher altitude of 3,313 meters. And there’s also Kokhe Danda, the highest point of Parbat District (at 3,309 meters).

My trek to Poon Hill included both of these major locations as well. My partner and I started our hike from Banthanti, Kaski, headed to Kokhe Danda, Parbat, followed by Mohare Danda, Myagdi, and then to Poon Hill, Myagdi.

During the return, we passed through Ghorepani and Nangethati before eventually reaching Banthanti. This completed a circuit of that part of the Annapurna trail. Doesn’t it sound exciting?

The sad thing is that we missed out on the views, even though we did the trek in April, which is considered an optimal month.

With these experiences, I have brought you an in-depth guide with different routes, a budget breakdown, and essential tips that you’ll need for the Poon Hill Trek.

Key Facts About Poon Hill Trek

Poon Hill Trek Route Map

2-Day Poon Hill Trek Itinierary From Pokhara

If you’re already in Pokhara, visiting Poon Hill just feels like a short hike.

But if you’re coming from Kathmandu or any other district, make sure to reach Pokhara first by any means comfortable to you. It could be an early morning flight, a night bus, or you could even arrive one or two days prior.

This short 2-day itinerary starts and ends in Pokhara. Without further delay, let’s dive into the details.

Day 1: Drive From Pokhara to Banthanti and Trek to Ghorepani

The first step is to head to Hari Chowk, Pokhara, as early as possible. Here, you’ll find jeeps lined up that head toward Banthanti.

If you’re in a big group (>7), you can reserve a jeep and proceed without waiting. Make sure to negotiate the price here, as there’s no fixed rate for the jeep services.

But if you’re solo or in a small group (<7), find others who are also heading in the same direction. Once the vehicle is filled with passengers, the ride should begin. The cost will be divided among all the members.

The drive from Pokhara to Banthanti (2,160m) takes about 3 hours (with only a pee break included).

Note: A local bus also departs at 8 AM from Hari Chowk. However, it only goes up to Ulleri, meaning you’ll have to hike extra to get to the actual starting point, Banthanti. But this way, you can certainly reduce your costs.

Have your breakfast or brunch at one of the hotels in Banthanti before starting your hike.

The stone-paved trail is well-maintained all the way up to Poon Hill. You won’t encounter any obstacles at all, and the entire trek is pretty easy, even for beginners.

You’ll reach Nangi Thanti (2,350m) within 2 hours, and from there, it takes another 2–3 hours to reach Ghorepani (originally called Ghode Pani, 2,874m). Meaning, the overall hike for this day should be no more than 5 hours, unless you’re taking it super slow.

You may spend the night in one of the lodges here. There are many options, so you don’t have to worry even if you’re doing the Poon Hill trek in the peak season.

Note: A manageable road has been constructed up to Nangi Thanti, so private vehicles can now reach this point.

Day 2: Ghorepani to Poon Hill, Back to Banthanti and Drive to Pokhara

On this day, you’ll need to rise early (by 5 AM). Freshen up and head to Poon Hill (3,210m) to watch the beautiful sunrise over the mountains.

It takes about a 1-hour uphill hike to get there. Once again, the trail is well-maintained with no challenges at all.

After you reach the top, don’t forget to climb the view tower, from where the views of the mountains are even better.

Since our visit to Poon Hill was a complete disappointment, we couldn’t see the sunrise or the mountains.

Trekking two days to reach the destination and missing out on the breathtaking views is indeed a sad thing. There were many others who had come this far and had to leave disappointed.

One particular group I remember were travelers from China. They were hopeful that the weather would clear up, so they decided to stay for a few more days. I don’t know if they eventually got the views they were looking for.

However, you shouldn’t be discouraged. I suggest visiting at the right time; don’t just rely on the season.

Remember, this trail is also famous for its rhododendrons, which we were lucky enough to see!

After visiting Poon Hill, head back to Ghorepani for breakfast. Then, push yourself a little faster to return to Banthanti, which should take about 2 to 3 hours.

For those in big groups, you can easily manage a jeep. But for those looking for jeeps on a shared basis, try to stick with the same group throughout the trip.

Never mind the jeep. If you’re able to hike down to Ulleri (an extra 1.5-hour hike from Banthanti) by 2 PM, you can even catch the local bus back to Pokhara.

Alternative 3-Day Poon Hill Trek Via Mohare Danda

Sharing my personal story, I had arrived with my partner two days prior to doing the trek. We enjoyed quality time around Lakeside and visited some of the best spots in Pokhara before heading out for the short trek on the third day.

And it was a unique approach. So unique that only the two of us were walking the trail towards Mohare Danda.

We did suffer a bit later, as we couldn’t find any other group returning to Pokhara the same day.

Nonetheless, this itinerary is much better, as you can cover three major destinations within the same trip. Allow me to get into the details.

Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Banthanti and Trek to Mohare Danda Via Kokhe Danda

From Kathmandu? As with the earlier approach, make sure to reach Pokhara a day prior. You can stay at Lakeside or book a hotel near Hari Chowk too.

On the first day, get to Hari Chowk and, on a shared or privately reserved jeep, head to Banthanti (2160m) as early as possible.

After reaching here in about 3 hours, skip the brunch and start the hike by taking the left path, where the board says ‘Kokhe Danda’.

In about 1.5 hours, you’ll reach Taprang (2717m). There’s a hotel here where you can stop by for breakfast. We only took light snacks (Nepali noodles), which was enough for the day. 

Continue onwards to Doya Ple (2850m), Tutan (2950m), Danfe Hill (3150m), and finally to Kokhe Danda (3309m) within 3 to 4 hours. There’s one cottage available here, where you can stop for tea or even end today’s hike if you prefer.

Why I’m saying this is because many locals repeatedly told us that the 360-Degree Hill in Kokhe Danda offers much better sunrise and sunset views than from Mohare Danda (3313m). The images and videos on the internet speak for themselves.

This viewpoint is just about a 5-minute hike from the cottage. You’ll pass through beautifully lined-up flags from different countries.

Unfortunately, we were not favored by the weather here. Despite being in the spring season (mid-April), the weather in Nepal had taken a turn. So, no views for us!

And since it didn’t look like the weather would clear up by the evening for sunset, we decided to move ahead to Mohare Hill, which was just a 30 to 40-minute hike away.

There’s one mountain lodge here with different blocks. And usually, the place has many guests, especially foreigners who take another trail from Nangi to reach here.

So, if you’re a Nepali, know that you won’t be given much priority there. Another reason to stay at Kokhe Danda, perhaps?

Day 2: Mohare Danda to Poon Hill to Banthanti/Ulleri

Wake up early to watch the beautiful sunrise from Kokhe Danda or Mohare Danda (wherever you’ve spent the night). We couldn’t, but I sincerely hope you will be able to witness it.

Once that’s done, have your breakfast and start the hike early. You’ll pass through a beautiful trail lined with rhododendron trees. In spring, the forest should bloom with the national flower of Nepal.

Don’t pluck them, though. It’s prohibited in the Annapurna Conservation Area. 

While some say that plucking rhododendrons will prevent them from blooming the next time, there hasn’t been any scientific research to prove this point. So, it’s a myth, but still, let’s be responsible and follow the forest rules.

Note: If you have a valid point on whether rhododendrons fail to bloom after being picked, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

You should reach Poon Hill (3210m) within a total of three hours after passing through a lodge that housed idols of serpents. For my Hindu brothers and sisters, don’t forget to take blessings before proceeding forward.

Once you’ve spent enough time at Poon Hill, take the other trail to reach Ghorepani (2874m). You can stop at any one of the lodges here for a quick snack before proceeding on a 3-hour downhill trek to Banthanti via Nangi Thanti (2350m).

It’s unlikely that you’ll reach Banthanti by noon. Even though we were back here only by 4:00 PM (the rain had made the trail slower and slightly challenging).

If you’re lucky to find jeeps available here, you can reserve one and proceed to Pokhara the same day. But remember: jeeps can cost beyond NPR 8000, which can be expensive for smaller groups.

In that case, you could stay in Banthanti itself and wait for other group members until tomorrow for the return. Otherwise, continue your hike up to wherever you can reach. That’s exactly what we did!

What I didn’t like about this trek is the unreliability of jeep or bus services. There’s only one bus available to head back to Pokhara, and that’s only at 2 PM. So, for those who are late, the waiting game begins.

I’ll tell you what went wrong for us, and it might help you be more prepared.

We had decided to walk up to Nayapul because there was no point in waiting for the jeep or bus service until the next day. It would have been too much of a time waste, and for just the two of us to pay that much for the jeep was also pointless.

While everything was fine initially, my partner’s ankle got sprained. Even my knees had taken a hit; after all, we had walked for more than 10 hours that day.

We could only reach up to Tikhedhunga (1480m), about a 2-hour hike from Ulleri (1960m). And with that sprained ankle, it was impossible to continue walking the next day as well.

The silver lining? We got to explore a small, beautiful waterfall right next to the only suspension bridge we encountered during the entire trek.

Day 3: Drive Back to Pokhara

If you’re staying in Banthanti, you’ll need to wait for the jeeps to arrive. And more importantly, find other travelers who are also heading to Pokhara to share the cost.

But if you decide to continue walking, just like we did, your goal will be to reach Birethanti (1100m), followed by Nayapul (1070m). According to the locals, it takes about 3 to 4 hours to hike down from Tikhedhunga.

Continuing with our personal story: we didn’t have many options, so we sought help from the lodge we were staying in. Thankfully, the didi here helped us find a local jeep service to Nayapul, from where we switched jeeps to reach Pokhara.

In your case, you can easily find a taxi or even catch a local bus from there to reach Pokhara.

While it’s possible to return to Kathmandu the same day, I highly suggest taking the day to unwind in Pokhara. 

Visit the lakeside, explore nearby places, or go for an adventure activity. I personally went for kayaking, and it was totally worth it!

Longer 4-Day Poon Hill Itnineary From Nayapul

If it were up to me, I’d honestly consider the Poon Hill trek as just a long 2-day hike. That’s because it’s short and relatively easy.

For us Nepalese, it’s usually about reaching the destination as quickly as possible. But I completely understand that it’s a different story for our international guests visiting Nepal.

I’m sure many of you are looking for a real adventure — a longer hike where you can truly feel the achievement of reaching the top.

If you don’t have much time in Nepal but still want to experience a short yet beautiful trek, the Ghorepani-Poon Hill trail has been an absolute favorite for decades!

So, let’s take a look at a slightly longer itinerary that feels more refreshing and gives you a better connection with nature:

• Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul and hike to Tikhedhunga
• Day 2: Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani
• Day 3: Visit Poon Hill and return to Tikhedhunga
• Day 4: Tikhedhunga to Nayapul, then drive back to Pokhara

If you’d like me to cover this itinerary in full detail, just let me know in the comments below! I’ll be happy to update this article accordingly.

Best Time and Season to Visit Poon Hill

The absolute best time to visit Poon Hill is during the early spring season, from the end of February to early April. The weather is usually clear, offering stunning mountain views, and the trail is lined with blooming rhododendrons.

However, we did this trek in mid-April 2025, and it was a complete disappointment due to the unexpected cloudy weather. The rhododendrons weren’t as plentiful as expected by that time either, but there were still enough to be the highlight of our trip.

So, it’s crucial to check the weather before embarking on the Poon Hill trek (even other treks in Nepal)!

If you’re not a fan of rhododendrons, the best alternative would be during the autumn season, from late September to early December. This is when the weather is typically clear, and you can enjoy breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchre, Hiunchuli, Nilgiri, and other nearby mountains.

Even winter (December to February) can be a great time for the trek, unless the weather turns cloudy. Also, Ghorepani and Poon Hill experience snowfall at least once every year, which can be great for snow-lovers!

On the other hand, trekking during the monsoon season (June to mid-September) is not ideal. The rain brings leeches, and believe me or not, even in mid-April, I was bitten by one during a rain shower.

How Much Does Poon Hill Trek Cost? Budget Breakdown

The overall budget for Nepali trekkers on the 3-day Poon Hill trek can comfortably be covered under NPR 5000. This budget includes both the Ghorepani-Poon Hill trek and the extended trek to Mohare and Kokhe Hills.

To help you better manage your own expenses, let me share a breakdown of our costs on a per-person basis:

For my readers traveling from outside Nepal, you’ll need to obtain the necessary permits, including the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) and TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Information Management System). 

Additionally, hotel charges can be higher for you, which can significantly increase your overall budget.

Many travelers prefer to collaborate with a reliable travel agency. While it is possible to organize everything yourself, I personally recommend choosing an agency that fits within your budget and covers all necessary aspects of the trek.

Don’t worry! I’ll be sharing a separate article soon specifically for international tourists trekking to Poon Hill, with more detailed information.

Final Words

There you have it! A short yet adventurous trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area that brings you closer to the mountains and offers one of the best rhododendron trails in the country.

While you could opt for the classic Ghorepani to Poon Hill route, I highly recommend considering the alternative route via Kokhe Danda and Mohare Danda for a more unique experience. Of course, the choice is yours!

If you have any questions or need clarification, feel free to drop your queries in the comments below. I’m always happy to help.

Happy travelling to Myagdi!

About The Author

Bhishu

Bhishu Acharya is the founder of Travel Nepal Today. A CSIT graduate with over 6 years of experience in content writing and blogging, Bhishu has worked in the tech, trending news, and travel domains. At TNT, his goal is to provide readers with comprehensive information on every travel destination in Nepal. Bhishu is on a mission to travel to all 77 districts of Nepal, sharing his journey and insights through this website. He aims to help travelers make informed decisions and explore Nepal’s beauty in a more meaningful way. He’s active on social media creating informative and entertaining travel videos under the username ‘safarnamawithvis’.

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