Self-Launched Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Nepal

Make your way from Kathmandu to Pokhara, the gateway city to the Annapurna region. The cheapest option is a tourist bus (~£6–8, book at any Thamel agent the day before, departs Kantipath ~7am, ~7 hrs) or a public bus from Gongabu bus park (~£4). If you prefer speed, fly with Yeti Airlines or Buddha Air (~£40–55 one-way, 25 minutes). Arrive in Pokhara and check into a budget guesthouse in Lakeside. Spend the evening strolling the Phewa Tal waterfront, browsing Lakeside shops, and fuelling up for the trek ahead.

🚌Tourist bus Kathmandu → Pokhara (~£7) or domestic flight (~£45). Local taxi from bus park to Lakeside (~£2).

🛏Budget guesthouse in Lakeside, Pokhara — e.g. Hotel Butterfly or similar (~£8–12/night dorm or basic private)

• →Take tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara (~£7, departs Kantipath ~7am, ~7 hrs) or fly (~£45)
• →Check into a budget guesthouse in Lakeside, Pokhara (~£8–12/night)
• →Stroll along Phewa Tal waterfront and browse Lakeside market
• →Pick up any last trekking supplies (snacks, layers, walking poles) from gear shops on Lakeside main street

After breakfast, take a local bus or shared jeep from Pokhara's Baglung Bus Park to Nayapul (~£1.50–2, 1.5 hrs). Before you begin trekking, purchase your TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System, ~£8) and ACAP permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, ~£22) — both available at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pokhara or at the Birethanti checkpoint. Trek from Nayapul to Birethanti (30 mins flat walk), register your permits at the checkpoint, then follow the Modi River trail through teahouse stops to Tikhedhunga (3–4 hours total trekking). Teahouses at Tikhedhunga serve dal bhat, noodles, and chai — fuelling classics for the days ahead.

🚌Local bus/shared jeep Pokhara → Nayapul (~£1.50). All trekking on foot.

🛏Teahouse/guesthouse in Tikhedhunga (~£3–5/night, meals extra)

• →Take local bus/shared jeep from Baglung Bus Park, Pokhara to Nayapul (~£1.50, 1.5 hrs)
• →Purchase TIMS card (~£8) and ACAP permit (~£22) at Pokhara NTB office or Birethanti checkpoint
• →Trek Nayapul → Birethanti (30 mins, flat)
• →Register permits at Birethanti checkpoint
• →Trek along Modi River through teahouse stops to Tikhedhunga (~3–4 hrs)

Today is the most physically demanding day of the trek — a steep stone-stepped climb rewarded by ever-growing mountain views. Start early from Tikhedhunga and tackle the long stone staircase up to Ulleri village (~2 hrs, steep). Pause to catch your breath and take in views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Continue through the pretty village of Banthanti and into dense rhododendron and oak forest before arriving at Ghorepani (2,874m). Set your alarm tonight — tomorrow's pre-dawn Poon Hill sunrise is the highlight of the entire trek.

🚌All on foot.

🛏Teahouse in Ghorepani — e.g. Forest Hill Lodge or similar (~£3–5/night, meals extra)

• →Trek Tikhedhunga → Ulleri via steep stone staircase (~2 hrs)
• →Rest and refuel with tea/snacks at Ulleri teahouses
• →Trek through Banthanti village and rhododendron forest
• →Trek to Ghorepani (2,874m) — total ~5–6 hrs trekking
• →Set alarm for pre-dawn Poon Hill start (aim to leave ~4:30–5am)

Rise before dawn and make the 45-minute climb to Poon Hill viewpoint (3,210m) — entry fee ~£1.50 payable at the gate. Watch the sunrise ignite the Annapurna massif (Annapurna I, II, III, IV, South), Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and the iconic fishtail of Machapuchare in alpenglow. Return to Ghorepani for breakfast, then continue trekking east via Deurali to Tadapani (2,590m) through more rhododendron forest (~4–5 hrs). Tadapani teahouses are simple but comfortable with excellent mountain views.

🚌All on foot.

🛏Teahouse in Tadapani (~£3–5/night, meals extra)

• →Pre-dawn hike to Poon Hill viewpoint (~45 mins, depart ~4:30–5am)
• →Pay Poon Hill entry fee (~£1.50) at the gate
• →Watch sunrise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from 3,210m
• →Return to Ghorepani for breakfast
• →Trek Ghorepani → Deurali → Tadapani (~4–5 hrs)

A shorter, beautiful day through oak and rhododendron forest descending to Ghandruk (1,940m), one of the largest Gurung villages in Nepal and a cultural highlight of the trek (~2–3 hrs). Spend the afternoon exploring the village's stone-paved lanes, visiting the Ghandruk Gurung Museum (entry ~£1) which showcases traditional Gurung culture, jewellery, and military history. Don't miss the small Buddhist monastery above the village and the spectacular views of Annapurna South and Machapuchare. Excellent dal bhat available at village teahouses.

🚌All on foot.

🛏Teahouse/guesthouse in Ghandruk — e.g. Ghandruk Village Resort or similar (~£4–6/night)

• →Trek Tadapani → Ghandruk through oak and rhododendron forest (~2–3 hrs)
• →Visit Ghandruk Gurung Museum (~£1 entry)
• →Explore stone-paved village lanes and traditional Gurung architecture
• →Visit the Buddhist monastery above the village
• →Enjoy sunset views of Annapurna South and Machapuchare from the village

Trek down from Ghandruk via stone-stepped terraced fields to Syaula Bazaar and then to Nayapul (~3–4 hrs). At Nayapul, catch a local bus or shared jeep back to Pokhara's Baglung Bus Park (~£1.50). Return to a Lakeside guesthouse, shower off the trail dust, and celebrate your trek with a lakeside dinner. The evening is yours — walk along Phewa Tal, enjoy a rooftop bar with Annapurna views, or simply rest.

🚌Trekking on foot to Nayapul, then local bus/jeep to Pokhara (~£1.50).

🛏Budget guesthouse in Lakeside, Pokhara (~£8–12/night)

• →Trek Ghandruk → Syaula Bazaar → Nayapul via terraced fields (~3–4 hrs)
• →Take local bus/shared jeep Nayapul → Pokhara (~£1.50)
• →Check back into Lakeside guesthouse
• →Celebratory dinner and sunset stroll along Phewa Tal lakeside

Return to Kathmandu by tourist bus (~£7, departs Lakeside ~7–8am) or domestic flight (~£45). If you fly, you'll have plenty of time to explore Kathmandu — head to Thamel for last-minute shopping and souvenir hunting, or venture out to the Kathmandu Valley's iconic temples: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath Stupa, or Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple). End your adventure with a rooftop dinner in Thamel before departure.

🚌Tourist bus Pokhara → Kathmandu (~£7) or domestic flight (~£45).

🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel if overnight needed (~£8–12)

• →Take tourist bus Pokhara → Kathmandu (~£7, ~7 hrs) or domestic flight (~£45)
• →Explore Thamel neighbourhood for souvenirs and street food
• →Optional: Visit Boudhanath Stupa or Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) (~£2–4 entry each)
• →Rooftop dinner in Thamel to celebrate the end of the trek