Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek — 5 Days

The 5-day Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is Nepal's most popular short trek — and for good reason. Poon Hill (3,210 m) at sunrise delivers one of the greatest mountain panoramas in the world: 30+ Himalayan peaks illuminated simultaneously by the first light, from Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) on the left to Manaslu (8,163 m) on the right, with Annapurna South and the sacred Machapuchare (Fishtail) dominant in the foreground. The approach through Nayapul, Tikhedhunga, Ulleri, and Ghorepani passes through dense rhododendron forest that at peak bloom (March–April) turns the entire hillside crimson and pink.

The 5-day itinerary is specifically designed to give the Poon Hill experience proper breathing room — two nights at Ghorepani rather than a rushed one-night version, with an optional second sunrise for trekkers who want different light conditions. The descent via Tadapani and Ghandruk adds a final day through the Gurung heartland and the finest cultural village on the route. Appropriate for any trekker with basic fitness; maximum altitude 3,210 m, stages of 4–6 hours.

Best seasons: October–November and March–May (rhododendron). Start: Pokhara (private jeep to Nayapul). Max altitude: Poon Hill 3,210 m.