Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek from Pokhara, So you’re in Pokhara, gazing at the distant, snow-capped peaks from Lakeside. The mountains are calling, and the legendary Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is your answer. But before you lace up your boots, practical questions need answering: Exactly how far is it? Where does it start? How long will it really take?
This guide cuts through the confusion. We’ll map out every kilometer, explain your transport options from Pokhara, and give you realistic timeframes for each day of trekking. Whether you’re a planner who needs precise details or a beginner seeking clarity, you’ll find the answers here. By the end, you’ll understand not just the distance of the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, but the rhythm of the journey itself.
Where Does the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Start?
The trek does not start in Pokhara. Pokhara (827m) is the beautiful lakeside gateway city where you’ll organize permits, do last-minute shopping, and take a well-deserved rest before and after your adventure.
The official trailhead is at Nayapul (approximately 1,070m). This is a bustling village about 42 kilometers (26 miles) from Pokhara, where the paved road ends and the mountain footpath definitively begins. All treks, regardless of their duration or variation, begin with the drive from Pokhara to Nayapul.
How to Reach Ghorepani from Pokhara: Your Transport Options
Getting from your Pokhara hotel to the trailhead is straightforward. Here are your options, from budget to comfort:
1. Private Jeep or Taxi
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Cost: $50 – $70 for the vehicle (can be split 4 ways)
- Best For: Groups of 3-4, families, or those wanting to start early and comfortably. Your guide or trekking agency will arrange this. It offers door-to-door service from your hotel to the trailhead.
2. Tourist Bus / Shared Jeep to Nayapul
- Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Cost: $5 – $10 per person
- Best For: Solo travelers or pairs on a budget. These depart from Baglung Bus Park in Pokhara. You may need to take a short taxi to the bus park. It can be crowded but is a classic local experience.
3. Drive to Alternative Start Points (for shorter itineraries)
For the very short 2 or 3-day itineraries, some opt to drive further to reduce walking time on the first day.
- To Hile: A drive of about 2 hours bypasses the initial flat section, starting the climb immediately.
- To Ulleri (via Jeep): In the dry season, 4WD jeeps can sometimes reach Ulleri (2-3 hour drive on a rough road), drastically cutting out the famous stone steps but also missing the sense of gradual entry into the mountains. This is controversial as it bypasses local teahouse economies.
Our Recommendation: For the authentic trekking experience, start from Nayapul. The initial walk along the Modi Khola river is a gentle and beautiful warm-up.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Distance: A Day-by-Day Breakdown
Forget a single number. The total Ghorepani Poon Hill trek distance varies based on your chosen itinerary (2, 3, or 5 days). Here, we break down the classic 5-day loop, which covers the most ground and offers the complete experience. Distances are approximate, as trails meander.
Total Loop Distance (5-Day Classic): Approximately 40-50 kilometers (25-31 miles).
Daily Distance & Elevation Profile:
- Day 1: Pokhara (Drive) → Nayapul → Tikhedhunga
- Trekking Distance: ~10 km (6.2 mi)
- Elevation: Nayapul (1,070m) to Tikhedhunga (1,570m)
- Gain: +500m
- Terrain: Paved and dirt road, then a well-graded uphill trail following the river. A gentle introduction.
- Day 2: Tikhedhunga → Ghorepani (via Ulleri)
- Trekking Distance: ~8 km (5 mi)
- Elevation: Tikhedhunga (1,570m) to Ghorepani (2,870m)
- Gain: +1,300m
- Terrain: The famous 3,300+ stone steps of Ulleri, then a steep but more consistent climb through forests. The shortest but toughest day in terms of effort.
- Day 3: Ghorepani → Poon Hill → Tadapani
- Trekking Distance: ~14 km (8.7 mi) including the Poon Hill side trip
- Elevation: Ghorepani (2,870m) to Poon Hill (3,210m) back to Ghorepani, then to Tadapani (2,630m).
- Gain/Loss: +340m to Poon Hill, then -1,450m total for the day.
- Terrain: Steep climb to Poon Hill, then a long, beautiful descent through rhododendron forests with some ups and downs.
- Day 4: Tadapani → Ghandruk
- Trekking Distance: ~7 km (4.3 mi)
- Elevation: Tadapani (2,630m) to Ghandruk (1,940m)
- Loss: -690m
- Terrain: Almost entirely downhill on stone steps and trails through forests, opening to magnificent village views.
- Day 5: Ghandruk → Nayapul → Pokhara (Drive)
- Trekking Distance: ~11 km (6.8 mi)
- Elevation: Ghandruk (1,940m) to Nayapul (1,070m)
- Loss: -870m
- Terrain: A long, steady descent on a combination of stone steps and wider trails, passing through several small villages and terraced farms.
How Long Is the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek? Duration Explained
This has two answers: the total trip duration (including travel to/from Pokhara) and the net walking time on the trail.
1. Total Trip Duration from Pokhara:
- 2-Day Itinerary: 2 days, 1 night. Extremely rushed.
- 3-Day Itinerary: 3 days, 2 nights. Popular short option.
- 5-Day Itinerary: 5 days, 4 nights. The classic, recommended duration.
2. Net Walking Time on the Trail:
This is the cumulative time you will spend actually hiking during the classic 5-day loop.
- Total Walking Time: Approximately 20-25 hours over the 5 days.
- Important: This is moving time only. It does not include the countless hours you’ll spend enjoying tea breaks, taking photos, eating lunch, or simply catching your breath while admiring the view. A 5-hour walking day typically translates to a 6-7 hour day on the trail.
Walking Hours Per Day Explained: What “4-6 Hours” Really Means
Trekking itineraries always list “walking hours.” Here’s what that practically means for your daily schedule on the 5-day trek:
- Day 1 (4-5 hours): Leave Pokhara at 8 AM, drive to Nayapul by 9:30 AM. Start walking by 10 AM. Arrive in Tikhedhunga by 2-3 PM, with a leisurely lunch break included.
- Day 2 (6-7 hours): A full day. Start at 7:30 AM after breakfast. You’ll reach Ulleri by late morning (a good lunch spot), and arrive in Ghorepani by mid-afternoon (3-4 PM). This allows time to rest before the next day’s early start.
- Day 3 (5-6 hours + sunrise hike): Wake at 4:30 AM for the 1-hour hike to Poon Hill. Sunrise ~6 AM. Return to Ghorepani by 7:30 AM for breakfast. Depart for Tadapani by 8:30 AM, arriving by 1-2 PM. A long but incredibly rewarding day.
- Day 4 (3-4 hours): A short, sweet day. Leave Tadapani at 8 AM and you’ll be in stunning Ghandruk by lunchtime (11 AM – 12 PM). This gives you a full afternoon to explore the village.
- Day 5 (4-5 hours + drive): Final descent. Leave Ghandruk by 8 AM, reach Nayapul by 12-1 PM. Have lunch there, then drive back to Pokhara, arriving by 3 PM.
The schedule is well-paced, ensuring you have ample time to enjoy the journey, not just endure it. For more on what each day entails, see our detailed Ghorepani Poon Hill trek itinerary guide.
Shortest Route Options: Cutting Distance & Time
If you are genuinely pressed for time or seeking the most direct path to the Poon Hill sunrise, here are the abbreviated routes:
- The Direct 3-Day Route (Nayapul-Ghorepani-Nayapul): This is the classic short route described earlier. You go up and back the same way, missing the scenic loop through Tadapani and Ghandruk. Total Trek Distance: ~36 km.
- The 2-Day “Express” (Drive to Ulleri, Hike to Ghorepani & Back): Involves a rugged 4WD jeep ride to Ulleri, then a 3-4 hour hike to Ghorepani. Next day: Sunrise at Poon Hill, hike back to Ulleri, and jeep back to Pokhara. Total Trek Distance: ~10-12 km. This sacrifices the trekking experience for efficiency.
Trade-off Warning: Shorter routes mean steeper daily ascents/descents, less time for acclimatization, and missing the cultural and scenic highlights of the full loop. The shortest option is not necessarily the best.
FAQs: How Long Does the Poon Hill Trek Take?
What is the total distance of the Poon Hill trek?
The classic 5-day loop covers approximately 40-50 km (25-31 miles) from Nayapul back to Nayapul.
How long is the drive from Pokhara to the trek start?
The drive from Pokhara to the standard trailhead at Nayapul takes about 1.5 hours by private vehicle.
Can I measure the trek in kilometers per day?
While possible, it’s more useful to think in elevation gain and walking hours. For example, Day 2 is only 8 km but involves a strenuous 1,300m climb.
Is the trek a loop or do I backtrack?
The recommended 5-day itinerary is a scenic loop, so you see new landscapes every day. The shorter 3-day itinerary typically involves backtracking on the same trail.
How many hours will I actually be hiking each day?
Between 3 and 7 hours of actual foot-on-trail time. With breaks, plan for each day’s journey from breakfast to teahouse arrival to be 5 to 8 hours long.
What is the shortest possible Poon Hill trek?
A 2-day, 1-night trek is the shortest possible, but it is very demanding and involves significant driving. The shortest recommended trek is 3 days.
Does the distance include the Poon Hill sunrise hike?
Yes, in the daily breakdowns, the side trip to Poon Hill summit (about 1 hour up from Ghorepani) is included in that day’s total distance and time.
Final Insight: The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek from Pokhara is a masterclass in condensed Himalayan beauty. The distances are manageable, the time commitment is flexible, and the journey from the lakeside city to the rooftop viewpoint is seamless. Don’t just think of it as a number of kilometers; think of it as a 5-day story you’ll walk through, step by step, from the moment you leave Pokhara until you return, forever changed by the mountains.
