From Pokhara: 10-Day Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp Trek
About This Experience
The first leg follows the old Ghorepani circuit. From Nayapul you walk up the Modi Khola through terraced fields to Tikhedhunga, then face the stone staircase at Ulleri — several thousand steps — before the trail levels into rhododendron forest and reaches Ghorepani at 2,874 m.
You are up before dawn on day three for the climb to Poon Hill (3,210 m), the best-known viewpoint in Nepal: the Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri lit up along the whole horizon, with Machhapuchhre off to the east. Breakfast back in Ghorepani, then a forest day to Tadapani.
From Tadapani the route drops to the Kimrong Khola and joins the Sanctuary trail at Chhomrong, and the second half of the trek is the classic ABC approach — Sinuwa, Bamboo, Deurali, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, and finally Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m with Annapurna I (8,091 m), Machhapuchhre (6,993 m) and Hiunchuli (6,441 m) around you.
Because the itinerary spends its first days between 1,500 and 2,900 m, you arrive at base camp far better acclimatised than on a five-day trek. It is a private tour with your own guide, and one traveller who developed mild altitude symptoms noted the guide simply adapted and extended the route rather than pushing on.
Highlights
- Watch sunrise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri from Poon Hill (3,210 m)
- Reach Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m with the gentlest acclimatisation profile of any ABC route here
- See Annapurna I, II, III and IV, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli on one trek
- Climb the famous Ulleri stone staircase through rhododendron and marigold forest
- Private tour — the guide sets the pace around you, not a group
What's Included
- ✓ Professional English-speaking trekking guide
- ✓ Private tour — no joining a larger group
- ✓ All trekking permits and official documentation
- ✓ Private car transfer Pokhara–Nayapul–Pokhara
- ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ✓ Guest-house accommodation for nine nights
- ✓ Poon Hill viewpoint entrance
- ✓ Emergency first-aid kit carried by the guide
Not Included
- Food and drinks (available to buy at every lodge on the route)
- Travel insurance, which must cover trekking and emergency evacuation
- Emergency rescue costs, covered by your own insurance
- Gratuities for guide and porter
- Porter hire
What to Bring
- Passport or ID card and a passport-sized photo for permits
- Comfortable, broken-in trekking shoes
- Proof of travel insurance covering trekking to 5,000 m
- Warm layers for the pre-dawn Poon Hill climb — it is cold on the ridge
- Headlamp, essential for the 4:30 am start on Poon Hill day
- Reusable water bottle; plastic bottles are discouraged in the conservation area
Good to Know & Caveats
- This is the best route on this page for anyone worried about altitude — the first four days sit well below 3,000 m
- The Ulleri staircase on day two is the hardest single section of the whole ten days
- September and October are the most reliable months, but rain still happens; one October traveller reported three wet days out of ten
- Pets and single-use plastic bottles are not permitted in the conservation area
Not Suitable For
- Travellers unable to walk 5–6 hours a day for ten consecutive days
- Anyone looking for a short trip — the shorter five- and seven-day routes suit tighter schedules
Meeting Point
Hotel pickup in Pokhara on the morning of day one, then a private car to the trailhead at Nayapul.
What Travelers Say
Rated 5.0/5 by 8 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
An incredible experience from start to finish. The 10-day trek to Annapurna Base Camp including Poon Hill offered a perfect mix of adventure, stunning scenery and authentic village life.
— Marie, 2025-10
Trekking ABC with Kris was a truly unforgettable experience. The scenery was breathtaking and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I highly recommend the 10-day option.
— WAN, 2026-04
Totally recommend trekking with these guys. Loved every minute and beautiful views all the way. I'm a slow hiker but never felt rushed — my guide Biru was kind and patient.
— Sofiia, 2025-03
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Poon Hill worth adding to the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
For most people, yes. Poon Hill gives you the wide panorama of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges that you cannot see from inside the Sanctuary, where the peaks are so close they fill the sky. Adding it also builds acclimatisation before the higher days.
How fit do I need to be for ten days of trekking?
You need endurance rather than speed — five to six hours of walking on consecutive days. Because this is a private tour, the guide can slow the pace or add a rest day if you need it.
What time does the Poon Hill sunrise climb start?
Usually around 4:30 am, to be on the summit before first light. It is a 45–60 minute climb from Ghorepani in the dark, so a headlamp and a warm layer are essential.
Are meals included?
No. Food and drink are bought at the lodges along the way. Over ten days budget roughly $250–350 for meals depending on how much you drink and snack.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, and it should specifically cover trekking at altitude and helicopter evacuation. Rescue costs are not included in the tour price and are recovered from your insurer.
