Annapurna Base Camp with Poon Hill Trek

13-day Annapurna Base Camp with Poon Hill Trek starts with an arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. You’ll be met by one of our company representatives and transferred to your hotel. Kathmandu is the main gateway of Nepal and holds over 1.5 million people within the valley. Your hotel will be in a convenient area with easy access to gear shops, money exchange, and travel services.

After check-in, you’ll have time to rest and refresh. In the evening, you’ll join a welcome dinner at your hotel. The meal is full of local food made with rice, lentils, and seasonal vegetables. During dinner, you’ll receive a full briefing about the Annapurna Base Camp with Poon Hill trek route, safety, and daily routine. Your permits (ACAP), is also reviewed and finalized.

The day begins as you leave the Kathmandu Valley in a tourist bus. You’ll pass Nagdhunga, which is the main western exit of the valley. This road connects the capital to western Nepal and supports daily transport for thousands of people. 

The road follows the Trishuli River for half of the journey and reaches the Marsyangdi River, which carries meltwater from the Annapurna and Manaslu regions. You’ll see small hydroelectric stations on the banks of the river as well. 

You’ll stop at highway towns like Naubise and Mugling for a lunch break. Mugling is known for fresh river fish. These towns are key river junctions and handle large trade movements every day. The drive helps you understand the geography of Nepal before you enter the trekking region. 

The journey begins with a drive from your hotel in Pokhara to Nayapul, the official trailhead. The road is mostly paved and offers glimpses of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) mountain. You’ll be taken in a private jeep up to Nayapul. Upon reaching Nayapul, you will begin your trek. The initial part of the trail is a dirt road that leads to the village of Birethanti, where you’ll cross a large suspension bridge over the Modi Khola (river). This is where your permit (ACAP) will be checked at a checkpoint.

From Birethanti, the trail follows the Bhurungdi Khola river and passes rural villages like Matathanti and Hile until you reach Tikhedhunga. It has many teahouses and lodges available for overnight stays. This is a good place to rest before tackling the steep stone staircase (over 3,000 steps) leading up to Ulleri the next morning.

The day begins with the most physically demanding section of the trek: a seemingly endless stone staircase (over 3,000 steps) leading up to the large Magar village of Ulleri. This section is exhausting but manageable at a slow speed. As you ascend the steps and reach Ulleri at 2,050 m (6,725 ft), you’ll get your first glimpses of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.

After Ulleri, the trail becomes less steep and enters a forest of oak and rhododendron trees. From there, you’ll reach Banthanti and Nangethanti, which are good rest stops for lunch and tea breaks. By afternoon, you’ll arrive in Ghorepani. It is the perfect place to acclimatize before the early morning hike to Poon Hill.

You’ll wake up before dawn (around 4:30-5:00 AM) for a pre-dawn hike to the Poon Hill viewpoint. As the sun rises, you can witness a panoramic view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, such as Dhaulagiri I 8,167m (26,795 ft), Annapurna I 8,091m (26,545 ft), Annapurna South 7,219m (23,684 ft), and the “Fishtail” peak of Machhapuchhre 6,993m (22,943 ft). After enjoying the views and taking photos, you’ll hike back down to your teahouse in Ghorepani for breakfast.

Once breakfast is done, you’ll start your trek towards Tadapani. First, you’ll climb the Deurali Pass 3,090 m (10,138 ft) and then trek downhill to reach Tadapani. Deuarali pass offers another beautiful view back towards the mountains. During the downhill trek from the pass, it’s best to use a trekking pole to lessen the pressure on your knees.

The day begins with a trek from Tadapani down to the valley floor at the Kimrong Khola river. After the descent, you’ll cross a large suspension bridge over the Kimrong Khola river. This is the lowest point before the climb to Chhomrong. The second half of the day is a long climb up thousands of stone steps and terraces to reach Chhomrong village. This section is considered one of the more difficult parts of the trek as well.

Chhomrong is one of the last permanent settlements before reaching the higher alpine areas. Its location makes it a central hub and the official gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Upon arrival in Chhomrong, you can observe Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the Machhapuchhre peak again.

The day starts with a trek via stone steps from the upper part of Chhomrong to the riverbed of the Chhomrong Khola. You’ll cross the bridge over the Chhomrong Khola and start the ascent on the other side of the valley until you reach Sinuwa. This is a good place for a short break.

The trail from Sinuwa to Himalaya takes you through uninhabited forests of bamboo, oak, and rhododendron. Much of the path after Sinuwa follows the Modi Khola river valley and enters the small cluster of lodges known as Himalaya Hotel or simply Himalaya. It is situated below the Hiunchuli peak and near the Hinku Cave, a landmark for mountaineering expeditions.

Shortly after leaving Himalaya, you will pass the overhanging rock formation known as Hinku Cave. The green forests of the lower regions give way to alpine shrubs and a more rugged, open landscape as you ascend higher into the sanctuary. Soon you’ll reach a popular lunch stop known as Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) at 3,700 m (12,139ft). Here, you can enjoy the views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) mountain, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, and Gangapurna.

The final trek from MBC to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) is the most spectacular, as you enter a natural amphitheater. Reaching the base camp is the pinnacle of the trek. You will be surrounded by mountains and glaciers. The teahouses at ABC offer a chance to witness a star-filled night sky free from light pollution.

You’ll start your day by catching another sunrise at ABC. The morning light washing over Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhre is a final view before heading down. The descent is much faster than the ascent, as gravity works in your favor. As you descend below 3,000 m (9,843 ft) around the Himalaya/Deurali area, you’ll re-enter the lush green bamboo forests.

The day ends at the settlement of Bamboo. This area is appropriately named for the bamboo groves that are all over the river valley. The teahouses here are cozy, and the air is noticeably warmer and oxygen-rich compared to ABC.

The first part of the trek is climbing back up through the forest from Bamboo to Sinuwa, then descending to the Chhomrong Khola river, and finally climbing the long stone steps back up to the upper part of Chhomrong village. You’ve completed this section on Day 6 and Day 7, so it will be a familiar path. Instead of heading towards Tadapani and Ghorepani from Chhomrong, you will take a different route that leads towards Jhinu Danda.

From Chhomrong, the trail drops down many steps to the riverside village of Jhinu Danda, located beside the Modi Khola (river). This is the main highlight of the day. A short, approximately 20-minute walk from your teahouse in Jhinu Danda takes you to natural hot spring pools right beside the river. The hot springs are a perfect way to relax and soothe tired muscles after days of walking. There are three small pools of varying temperatures.

The day starts with a trek from Jhinu Danda to Siwai, the current road head for local transportation. From Siwai, a jeep will take you back to Pokhara on an off-road section and then a paved road. After arriving in Pokhara and settling into your hotel, you can head out to explore the main attractions of the city. The sites are open from early morning until sunset.

You can begin your Pokhara sightseeing with Devi’s Fall and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, two places located right next to each other. Devi’s Fall is a waterfall that drops into a gorge and vanishes underground. Just across the road, you’ll step into Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. It is a sacred site with a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. 

Next, you’ll enjoy a boat ride on Phewa Lake. You’ll row across the lake to reach Tal Barahi Temple, which is located on a small island between the lakes. To end the day, you’ll visit the World Peace Pagoda, set high on a hill above the city. From here, you’ll see Pokhara city, Phewa Lake, and the mountains.

The drive is a scenic route that takes you on mountain roads, terraced fields, and riverside towns like Mugling and Kurintar. Most tourist buses are air-conditioned and make stops for breakfast and lunch at clean restaurants. The road between Pokhara and Kathmandu is currently undergoing construction and widening projects in several sections, which can cause delays and bumpy rides. Travel time can vary widely (from 6 to 9 hours or more) depending on traffic and road work.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu and checking into your hotel, you can relax before heading out for a special farewell dinner. It is a good opportunity to reflect on your trek, celebrate your achievements, and enjoy a final taste of Nepali cuisine.

Note: If you want to skip the road journey, you can choose a flight instead. Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Shree Airlines run several daily non-stop flights between Pokhara Airport (PKR) and Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu.

If you are flying out of Nepal on Day 13, then we’ll pre-arrange a vehicle that will transfer you from your hotel in Kathmandu to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Make sure you leave for the airport at least 3 hours before your international flight departure time to allow ample time for check-in, immigration, and security procedures.

If your flight is scheduled for the next day or later in the evening, you have a full day to explore the cultural heritage of Kathmandu Valley at your leisure. The main tourist hubs are Thamel (for shopping and food) and the various historical sites.

Depart Nepal with memories of a fantastic trek through the Himalayas!