- 4 daysThe classic loop: Ulleri, Ghorepani, Poon Hill, Tadapani, Ghandruk. Everything seen, nothing walked twice. Five products, USD 230–611 for two
- 5 daysThe same loop with a night in Ghandruk and shorter stages. Outfitter Nepal, USD 450 for two
- 3 daysOut and back via Ulleri, without Tadapani and Ghandruk. Nepal Wilderness, USD 448
- 2 daysJeep to Ulleri, one night, sunrise, jeep back. Swami Narayan, USD 200 for two, no meals
- Recommendation4 days if at all possible; 2 days only if the sunrise is the sole goal
4 days: the loop the trek is made for
Day 1 Nayapul–Ulleri, day 2 Ghorepani, day 3 Poon Hill and Tadapani, day 4 Ghandruk and back. The loop has it all: the villages at the start, the forest, the sunrise, the stretch to Tadapani with Annapurna South in your face and Ghandruk to finish. No trail is walked twice, the descent is spread over two days. Five of the seven products run this loop; they differ in meals, transport and price, not in the route.
5 days: the same loop, one more village
Outfitter Nepal splits the last day: Tadapani–Ghandruk as a short day with an afternoon in the village, then on day five the descent to Birethanti and the drive. Worthwhile if Ghandruk is to be more than a lunch stop – the Gurung museum, the terraces, the evening with a view of Annapurna South. And worthwhile for anyone who prefers to spread the long descents over two days. The price for two is USD 45 above Sisne Standard, but sleeping bag and down jacket are on loan – the porter is not.
3 days: out and back, without Ghandruk
Ulleri, Ghorepani, Poon Hill, then the same way back to Nayapul. Saves a day and skips the most scenic stretch. Going back down the Ulleri staircase is the least pleasant part of the whole region. Nepal Wilderness runs this version – with the most complete inclusions list, but non-refundable and for at most two people. If you have three days, ask whether the operator runs the loop in three (Ghorepani–Ghandruk in one long day); several do.
2 days: the jeep to Ulleri
Since the track reaches Ulleri, the Poon Hill has become a weekend: morning jeep from Pokhara, three to four hours to Ghorepani, up at four, sunrise, down to Ulleri, jeep back. You see the sunrise and the forest – not the villages, not Tadapani, not Ghandruk. And you have two long days with a very short night. For anyone who only wants the view or only has a weekend, it is the right choice. Swami Narayan offers it for USD 200 for two, meals extra.
The versions side by side
| 2 days | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nights | 1 (Ghorepani) | 2 (Ulleri, Ghorepani) | 3 (+ Tadapani) | 4 (+ Ghandruk) |
| Ulleri staircase | no (jeep) | up and down | up | up |
| Tadapani, Ghandruk | no | no | yes | yes, with a night |
| Longest day | Day 1: Ulleri–Ghorepani after the drive | Day 3: Poon Hill + descent | Day 3: Poon Hill + Tadapani | Day 3: Poon Hill + Tadapani |
| Products | Swami Narayan | Nepal Wilderness | Sisne, Nepal High Trek, MDA, MTA | Outfitter Nepal |
| For two from | USD 200 | USD 448 | USD 230 | USD 450 |
Per person for two travellers, as of 23 Sep 2026.
Questions about duration
Can I do the 4-day loop from Kathmandu?
Yes, but it costs two travel days: six to seven hours by bus or 25 minutes by plane each way. Products from Kathmandu (such as the 8-day package by Pariwar Holidays for USD 820) include sightseeing, bus and hotel nights. We compare products from Pokhara here because that is where the trek starts.
Is Poon Hill also part of longer treks?
Yes: as the opener to Annapurna Base Camp (10 to 12 days) or combined with Mohare Danda and Khopra Danda (5 to 7 days, far emptier). We have not checked either yet.
Is the 5-day version good for children?
Yes, it is the most relaxed: shorter stages, one more night in a village. Outfitter Nepal books from age ten; for younger children ask the operator directly.
Sources and check status
Show 5 sources
- www.viator.com/tours/Pokhara/2-Days-Short-Poon-Hill-Trek/d22291-101915 – Swami Narayan: 2-day itinerary with jeep to Ulleri (accessed 23 September 2026)
- www.viator.com/tours/Pokhara/Poon-hill-Trek-3-days/d22291-104921P5 – Nepal Wilderness: 3 days out and back (accessed 23 September 2026)
- www.viator.com/tours/Pokhara/Ghorepani-Poon-Hill-Trek-3N-4D/d22291-153 – Sisne Rover: 4-day loop via Tadapani and Ghandruk (accessed 23 September 2026)
- www.viator.com/tours/Kathmandu/Annapurna-Ghorepani-Poon-Hill-Trek-10-D – Outfitter Nepal: 5 days with a night in Ghandruk (accessed 23 September 2026)
- docs.viator.com/partner-api/ – Viator Partner API: list prices (accessed 23 September 2026)