9-Day Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill

Annapurna Base Camp is the big prize here: a high mountain bowl ringed by snow-covered peaks, reached on foot after a steady climb through villages, forests and river valleys. This nine-day route adds Poon Hill’s sunrise views before continuing to base camp, so you get two very different mountain vantage points in one trek.

I like the route’s mix of village walks and high-altitude scenery, and the chance to ease tired legs in Jhinu Danda’s natural hot springs near the end. The route also comes with a guide, permits, transport and lodge stays, which takes some major planning tasks off your plate.

The main drawback is the effort: the itinerary includes long walking days, a climb of more than 3,000 steps to Ulleri, and a high point of 4,130 meters. Meals are not included in the lower-cost service package, and the pricing shown for different packages needs a careful check before you book.

The useful details at a glance

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• Poon Hill adds an early start and a second mountain viewpoint. The viewpoint is at 3,210 meters, above the village of Ghorepani.
• Annapurna Base Camp sits at 4,130 meters. Expect the route to become more demanding as you climb from Deurali toward the high camp.
• You pass through a string of villages. Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Tadapani, Chuile, Sinuwa, Deurali, Bamboo and Jhinu Danda break up the walk.
• The descent includes a hot-spring stop. Jhinu Danda’s natural pools offer a change of pace after the return from base camp.
• The service package excludes meals. A full package that includes meals is also offered, at a higher price.
• A guide and permits are included. Round-trip transfers, lodge accommodation, staff costs, ACAP permits and TIMS fees are listed as part of the service package.

From Pokhara to Tikhedhunga: the first walk

The trek begins with a car journey from Pokhara to Nayapul, followed by a walk to Tikhedhunga at 1,570 meters. The schedule gives about two hours for the drive and roughly three to four hours for the first hike, so expect to spend much of the day getting from the lakeside city to the trail.

This first section introduces the rhythm of the trip: walking between villages, crossing rivers and passing through forest. Tikhedhunga is your first overnight stop, and the lodge stay gives you a place to rest before the route climbs more sharply the next day.

The start time is listed between 6:00 and 10:00, with the operator confirming your pickup time in advance. Because the drive and walk make up a full opening day, ask for that time before your trek and plan your morning around it.

Ulleri and Ghorepani: the stairway to Poon Hill

The climb from Tikhedhunga toward Ghorepani is one of the route’s tougher early tests. You’ll tackle more than 3,000 steps on the way to Ulleri, then continue uphill to Ghorepani at 2,840 meters. The day is scheduled for about six hours of walking.

This is where a measured pace matters. The stair climb can feel relentless, particularly if you set out too fast, so use the day to find a steady rhythm that you can maintain. Ghorepani is a scenic village and a practical overnight stop before the early start for Poon Hill.

The schedule places Poon Hill on the Ghorepani portion of the trek, while the trip description calls for waking early to see sunrise from the viewpoint. Poon Hill stands at 3,210 meters. Confirm with your guide exactly when the visit falls, since the daily schedule does not spell out the timing in detail.

Sunrise at Poon Hill, then on to Tadapani and Chuile

Poon Hill is a short but meaningful detour in a trek already full of mountain views. The early start is part of the deal: you go up for sunrise, then return to the route as the day’s walk continues through forests toward Tadapani and Chuile.

The route description gives this day about six hours of walking, with Tadapani at the center of the stage and Chuile at 2,400 meters as the overnight stop. Forest paths provide a change from the more exposed mountain setting ahead, while the steady movement between villages gives you a closer look at daily life along the trail.

This is a long day after the climb to Ghorepani, and the sunrise outing adds to its demands. If you are a slow walker or prefer a gentler pace, tell your guide early. One trekker praised guide Siahir for adjusting to a slower walking speed and being patient about the schedule, a useful sign that a conversation about pace can matter.

Chuile to Sinuwa: rivers, forest and a change in altitude

From Chuile, the trek continues to Sinuwa at 2,170 meters, with about five hours of walking scheduled. The route passes rivers and quieter stretches of countryside, a welcome change after the climb to Ghorepani and the early Poon Hill start.

Sinuwa is lower than Chuile, but the trail is still part of a longer route that keeps moving toward the high mountains. Treat this as a chance to rest and prepare for the next stage rather than assuming the coming days will be easy. Your overnight lodge is included, but meals are not covered in the service package.

The walk is guided, and the operator lists staff expenses, including staff meals, accommodation, salary, equipment, insurance and transportation, among the included costs. That is different from your own meals: check which package you are booking and budget accordingly.

Sinuwa to Deurali: the climb toward high country

The next stage climbs from Sinuwa to Deurali at 3,200 meters, taking about six hours on foot. By now, the route is moving into higher terrain, and the mountain setting becomes a more constant presence.

This is a useful point to check in with yourself and your guide about how you are feeling. The itinerary marks a clear rise in altitude, from 2,170 meters at Sinuwa to 3,200 meters at Deurali. The provided information does not specify a particular altitude-safety plan, so ask the operator how the guide handles pace and any concerns on the ascent.

Deurali is the last listed overnight stop before base camp. Rest here with the next day’s goal in mind: Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 meters. The high point is the heart of the trek, but reaching it is a physical effort, not simply a scenic stroll.

Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 meters

The walk from Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp is scheduled for about six hours. At the end, you reach 4,130 meters, surrounded by snow-covered peaks, including views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre, also known as Fishtail.

The appeal is the setting itself: you have walked from Pokhara through villages and forest into the mountains, and now stand among the peaks that have framed the journey. Give yourself time to take in the view and the scale of the place. This is the highest point of the trip, so it is also where the effort of the earlier days comes into focus.

A trekker who went with M.T.A Trekking described guide Siahir as supportive on the higher route, including offering to carry a small daypack when the altitude made the walk harder. That is a thoughtful example, not a service you should assume is guaranteed. Travel light enough to manage your own essentials, and ask your guide if you need help.

The descent through Bamboo to Jhinu Danda

After the base camp overnight, the route descends to Bamboo at 2,300 meters in about six hours. The change in direction brings welcome relief from the climb, though a long downhill walk can still tire your legs.

The following day continues to Jhinu Danda at 1,600 meters, with about five hours of walking. Here, the hot springs provide one of the route’s most distinctive finish-line treats. The natural pools are a chance to rest sore muscles before the final return to Pokhara.

The springs are a highlight, but keep expectations grounded: the information provided does not give details about facilities or what to bring. Ask your guide what to expect on the day, and allow time to enjoy the stop without rushing through it.

Back to Pokhara: a final walk and drive

On day nine, you walk from Jhinu Danda toward the road, then take a car back to Pokhara. The schedule lists about two hours of walking and two hours by car, with the return expected between 15:00 and 17:00.

That timing makes the final day a travel day, not an extra sightseeing day in Pokhara. If you have a flight or other fixed plan, leave room for changes: the schedule can shift because of traffic or weather. The tour does not include extra nights in Pokhara if you arrive early, leave late or return from the mountain earlier than planned for a reason outside the scheduled itinerary.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The advertised price starts at $337.85, but the package details give two different starting prices: $293.75 for the service package, which excludes food, and $681.25 for the full package, which includes meals. Check the exact package and final price at booking rather than assuming the advertised figure covers everything.

The service package includes a guide who speaks English, Hindi or Nepali, lodge accommodation, round-trip transfers, attraction admission, trekking permits and paperwork, including ACAP and TIMS fees. Staff expenses are also covered. Those inclusions are valuable: permits and transport can take time to arrange, and a guide helps you focus on the route instead of managing every detail yourself.

Your own meals and drinks are not included in the service package. Tips are also extra, as are international flights, Nepalese visa fees and travel and rescue insurance. The full package includes meals, but you should confirm exactly what is covered before paying.

One trekker described the service from M.T.A Trekking as helpful before and after the walk, including pre-trip advice, currency exchange assistance and help arranging a Pokhara hotel. Coordinator Bijay was named for that support, while guide Siahir was praised for patience and care on the route. It is one personal account, but it points to a practical strength: clear communication with the operator can make a long trek easier to manage.

Who will get the most from this trek

I’d consider this route if you want more than a quick visit to base camp and have nine days for a demanding walk. Poon Hill adds a dawn viewpoint, the villages make the route feel connected to local life, and the hot springs give the descent a satisfying pause.

It is less suited to anyone looking for a low-effort mountain outing. The trek includes several days of five to six hours on foot, a steep stair climb, and an overnight high point above 4,000 meters. The activity has no age limit, but that does not mean the walking is easy for everyone. Think honestly about your fitness and comfort with long days before booking.

The route is guided and includes lodge stays, but the provided details do not state group size or luggage delivery arrangements. Luggage delivery is not provided, so ask what you need to carry yourself and what transport arrangements apply to any bags you do not take on the trail.

Should you book the Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill trek?

Book it if you want a guided, nine-day mountain trek that pairs Poon Hill with Annapurna Base Camp and includes village stops and a hot-spring finish. The combination gives you a broad experience of the route rather than a dash to one viewpoint.

Before you commit, confirm the package price, meals, pickup time, Poon Hill timing and luggage arrangements. If you are comfortable with long walking days and the climb to 4,130 meters, this trek offers a lot of variety for the time you spend on the trail. If you need a gentler schedule or a fully clear all-in cost, get those details settled first.

FAQ

How long is the trek?

The trek lasts nine days, starting in Pokhara and returning there from Jhinu Danda.

How high is Annapurna Base Camp?

Annapurna Base Camp is at 4,130 meters. Poon Hill is at 3,210 meters.

Is transport from Pokhara included?

Yes. Round-trip transfers are included, with a car ride from Pokhara to Nayapul at the start and a return car ride from the Jhinu Danda area.

Are meals included?

Meals are not included in the service package. A full package that includes meals is also offered.

What languages can the guide speak?

The included guide speaks English, Hindi or Nepali.

Are trekking permits included?

Yes. ACAP permits, required paperwork and TIMS fees are included.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. Lodge accommodation is included during the trek.

Is there an age limit?

No. The activity information states that there is no age limit.