10-Day Poon Hill Trek from Kathmandu with Pokhara and Patan

Meet your guide at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to your hotel. After you have had time to settle in and freshen up after your long flight, you will be invited to visit our office for a briefing about your program. Meet your trekking guide, discuss the equipment needed for the trek, and get help checking your gear and arranging other necessary items such as National Park permits and special permits.

If you arrive at night, the same discussion will take place the next day after breakfast.

• After breakfast, leave for a full-day sightseeing tour around Kathmandu Valley. Visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple and Swayambhunath Temple.
• See the biggest Buddhist stupa in Nepal at Boudhanath.
• Admire the ancient architecture of Kathmandu Durbar Square, reflecting ancient Nepalese culture.
• Continue to Patan City, famous for its fine arts and historical architecture.
• On returning to your hotel, have dinner and perhaps take a stroll through the popular streets.

• After breakfast, take a tourist bus to Pokhara for a 6-7 hour drive, exploring and enjoying the scenic beauty along the way. Or, if you wish, go to the domestic airport and take a 25-minute flight to Pokhara. During the short flight, you will have majestic views of the glorious Manaslu peaks, the snow-capped Annapurna mountain range, and the Langtang Himalayan range.
• After checking in at your hotel and having lunch, begin a sightseeing tour of Pokhara. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, the five peaks of Annapurna, and others. The tour includes a visit to Devi's Falls, the gorge of the Seti River, the Tibetan Refugee Camp, Mahendra Cave, and many more spots.
• In the evening, take a boating trip on Phewa Lake, where you can enjoy the spectacular views of the Annapurna Himalaya Range reflected in all its glory in the calm, green water of the lake.
• Visit Barahi Temple, which lies in the middle of Phewa Lake.

• Enjoy a scenic 1-hour drive from Pokhara to the starting point of your trek.
• Cross the suspension bridge over the Modi Khola River and ascend gradually through terraced fields and classic mountain villages. Along the way, encounter mule or goat caravans carrying supplies to the mountains, heralded by the chime of the musical bells they wear. The stunning peaks of Machhapuchhare and Annapurna, rising above the green ridges, will greet you from time to time as you continue up to Tikhedhunga.

• Begin with a steep ascent, followed by a more gradual uphill walk to the camp at Ghorepani. Pass through some delightful villages and beautiful, dense rhododendron forests that are characteristic of Nepal at these altitudes. If the weather is clear, you will see stunning mountain views from Ghorepani, making the climb well worth the effort.
• At Ghorepani, join the main Annapurna Circuit route. There are likely to be many travellers passing through this ridge-top settlement in both directions. Ghorepani literally means "horse water" and is a popular stopping place for the mule trains that ply the Pokhara route to Jomsom and beyond. The impressive peak visible across the broad valley of the Kali Gandaki to the northwest is Dhaulagiri.

• Hike up to the celebrated viewpoint of Poon Hill [3195m], which overlooks the village. Dawn is the best time to go, so a wake-up call for 5 AM is arranged, and you head up the well-marked track under torchlight. The first light of dawn illuminates Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak with a surreal pink glow. You may be able to buy coffee and breakfast from an enterprising local.
• Return to Ghorepani for breakfast before trekking on to Tadapani through a rhododendron forest. If you are lucky, you may see wild animals such as langur monkeys climbing through the trees. Admire excellent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhare from Tadapani.

• From Tadapani, descend through beautiful forests to Ghandruk, a stunning village of the Gurung people, one of Nepal's most famous ethnic groups. They are known for their distinctive dialect, culture, costume, and lifestyle. Ghandruk is also home to many soldiers from the famous Gurkha regiments. Behold stunning views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, and Fishtail.

• Enjoy a final 5-hour downhill walk through the forest and villages to Nayapul.
• From here, drive for about 1 hour back to Pokhara, where your trek ends. Or, with an additional payment, you could take a flight. Enjoy a shower and relax in this stunning lakeside town.

• Return to Kathmandu by flight (extra charge) or tourist bus (as part of the package).

• Set off for your next destination or begin your journey back home.