Pokhara: 9-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Poon Hill
About This Experience
Day one is a two-hour drive from Pokhara to Nayapul and a three-hour walk beside the Modi Khola to Tikhedhunga, through rhododendron forest and villages. Day two takes on Ulleri — more than three thousand stone steps — and finishes at Ghorepani at 2,840 m.
The Poon Hill sunrise comes on day three: up at dawn to 3,210 m for the panorama across Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri, then a forest descent to Tadapani or Chuile. Day four crosses the confluence of the Kimrong and Modi rivers to Sinuwa, joining the main Sanctuary trail.
Days five and six climb through the gorge to Deurali (3,200 m) and then into the Sanctuary to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m), the pinnacle of the route, ringed by glaciers and snow walls. The descent takes you back down the valley with a stop at the natural hot springs to loosen up before the drive home.
The operator runs the trek on tea-house accommodation throughout. Meals are included only on the full package — worth comparing carefully against the base price before you book.
Highlights
- Sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210 m) over Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre
- Reach Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m on the glacial floor of the Sanctuary
- Village life and Gurung culture through Ghorepani, Tadapani and Chhomrong
- Natural hot spring stop to recover on the descent
- Full-package option with every meal included
What's Included
- ✓ English-speaking trekking guide and all staff expenses on the trail
- ✓ Trekking permits, paperwork and government taxes
- ✓ Transportation during the trek
- ✓ Tea-house accommodation for eight nights
- ✓ Poon Hill viewpoint access
- ✓ All meals on the full-package option
Not Included
- Meals on the base package — included only on the full package
- Soft and alcoholic drinks
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Tips for the guide and any porter
- Personal expenses: phone calls, laundry, bar bills, charging, hot showers, bottled or boiled water
- Trekking poles, sleeping bag and crampons
What to Bring
- Comfortable, broken-in trekking shoes
- Weather-appropriate layers — the Ghorepani and base camp nights are cold
- Sunscreen and sunglasses for the exposed ridge and moraine
- Your own sleeping bag and trekking poles, which are not supplied on this package
- Cash for drinks, charging and hot showers
- Long trousers and repellent if trekking in monsoon
Good to Know & Caveats
- During monsoon (June–August) the weather is erratic with heavy rainfall; bring the right gear and follow your guide's advice on timing
- Leeches appear on the lower trails in monsoon — long trousers tucked into gaiters and repellent keep them away
- Sleeping bag, poles and crampons are not supplied on this package; rent them in Pokhara before you leave
- Compare the base and full-package prices carefully — the meal difference over nine days is substantial
Not Suitable For
- Pregnant women
- Anyone with a history of altitude sickness
- Travellers over 70 years of age
Meeting Point
Pickup in Pokhara on the morning of day one, followed by a two-hour drive to the trailhead at Nayapul.
What Travelers Say
Rated 5.0/5 by 8 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
One of the best experiences of our lives. From the very first day everything was well organised — permits, lodges, the lot. Our guide made the whole trek feel effortless to manage.
— Delal, 2025-10
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp with Poon Hill was the highlight of our trip to Nepal and one of my favourite experiences ever. Morning milk tea looking out over the trees and rivers is hard to beat.
— Kevin, 2025-06
We booked this trek for mid-October and had an amazing time. The team made sure we had everything we needed, including the permits, and supported us throughout the trek.
— Marina, 2025-11
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this differ from the 10-day Poon Hill and ABC trek?
It covers the same two highlights in one fewer day, so the daily stages are slightly longer. Choose the ten-day version if you want more slack for weather or acclimatisation, and this one if your schedule is tighter.
Is the full package worth the extra cost?
It includes every meal for nine days. Lodge food gets more expensive the higher you go, so on a nine-day route the full package often works out close to what you would spend anyway — with the advantage of not carrying nine days of cash.
Do I need my own sleeping bag?
Yes on this package. Sleeping bags, trekking poles and crampons are not supplied. All three are easy and cheap to rent in Pokhara's Lakeside area before you set off.
How cold does it get at Annapurna Base Camp?
Night temperatures at 4,130 m regularly drop below freezing even in the main trekking seasons, and the lodge rooms are unheated. A four-season sleeping bag and a warm insulated jacket make the difference.
Is the hot spring stop included?
The stop is part of the descent itinerary. There is a small local entrance fee paid at the pools, which is not covered by the tour price.
