10 Oct 2026
Twin share
£695pp
Single from £765
Escorted tour
Annapurna Foothills Trek: Poon Hill & Ghandruk from Kathmandu – 9 Days
Kathmandu, Pokhara and a five-night teahouse trek to the sunrise view from Poon Hill, in a small group of up to 12.
9 days
From £635
Tour overview
This 9-day small-group trip combines a taste of Kathmandu with a classic teahouse trek in the foothills of the Annapurna range. Groups have no more than 12 travellers aged 15 and over, led by a local leader with assistant guides, and porters carry your trek bag throughout. You stay in hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and in simple local teahouses on the trail, with 4 breakfasts and 2 dinners included. The trek covers six days of walking at moderate altitude, reaching 3,210 m at Poon Hill. The trip is land-only, starting in Kathmandu and ending in Pokhara.
Kathmandu is the starting point, with time to wander its narrow lanes and courtyards of carved balconies and shrines before a welcome dinner. Next morning you drive to Pokhara, a lakeside town on the old trade route between India and Tibet, in the land of the Gurung and Magar people, famed for their courage as Gurkha soldiers.
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From the trailhead at Nayapul, the trek climbs through pastures and villages to Ulleri, then on through forests of oak and rhododendron to Ghorepani, at 2,840 m. Before dawn you hike up Poon Hill for sunrise over the high Himalaya, with a panorama that takes in Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, both among the ten highest mountains in the world. The trail then follows forested ridges to Tadapani and down to Ghandruk, a traditional Gurung village of stone houses looking straight onto the mountains.
From Ghandruk, the path climbs and drops through forests, terraced fields and small villages to Pothana. The last morning is a short downhill walk past Dhampus to Phedi, where you meet the vehicle back to Pokhara for a hot shower and a celebration dinner with your group. The trip ends in Pokhara, where many travellers stay on to relax by Phewa Lake, paraglide or take a boat out to the island temple.
The physical rating is medium. Days on the trail involve several hours of walking with steep steps up and down, and the teahouses are basic, with shared facilities. This trip suits active travellers who want a first trek in the Himalaya without camping or high altitude.
Trip highlights
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The lanes and shrines of Kathmandu (Day 1)
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Lakeside Pokhara (Days 2 and 8)
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Rhododendron forests on the climb to Ghorepani (Day 4)
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Sunrise over the Himalaya from Poon Hill, 3,210 m (Day 5)
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The Gurung village of Ghandruk (Day 6)
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Five nights in local teahouses, with porters carrying your bag (Days 3–7)
Your route
10 stops from Kathmandu to Dhampus
- Kathmandu Day 1
- Pokhara Days 2 & 8–9
- Nayapul Day 3
- Ulleri Day 3
- Ghorepani Day 4
- Poon Hill Day 5
- Tadapani Day 5
- Ghandruk Day 6
- Pothana Day 7
- Dhampus Day 8
Why choose this tour
A classic short trek with mountain views every day, without camping or high-altitude passes. Porters carry your bag and local guides lead the way, all at a very good price.
Best suited to
- First-time trekkers in the Himalaya
- Active travellers who enjoy several hours of walking a day
- Mountain photographers
- Travellers interested in village life in Nepal
Day-by-day itinerary
9 days from Kathmandu, Nepal to Pokhara, Nepal
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Day 1 · Kathmandu Arrive in Kathmandu
Welcome to Nepal. There is a welcome meeting at 2pm, so arrive early to explore Kathmandu's narrow lanes and small courtyards, with carved wooden balconies overlooking shrines. In the evening, enjoy dinner with the group.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2 · Pokhara Drive to Pokhara
An early start for the drive to Pokhara, a lakeside town on the old trade route between India and Tibet. This is the land of the Gurung and Magar people, known worldwide for their courage as Gurkha soldiers.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Nayapul, Ulleri Trek to Ulleri
Drive to Nayapul and start trekking through pastures and villages, with the Annapurna range rising ahead, to your first teahouse at Ulleri.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Banthanti, Ghorepani Trek to Ghorepani
The trail climbs gently through forests of oak and rhododendron via Banthanti and Nangethanti to Ghorepani, a village at 2,840 m with wide mountain views.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
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Day 5 · Poon Hill, Tadapani Poon Hill sunrise and Tadapani
Set off before dawn to climb Poon Hill, at 3,210 m, for sunrise over the Himalaya, including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Return to Ghorepani for breakfast, then follow the forested ridge to Tadapani.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Ghandruk Trek to Ghandruk
Walk through the forest to Ghandruk, a traditional Gurung village of stone houses and terraced fields with views straight onto the mountains. Spend the afternoon exploring its lanes.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
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Day 7 · Pothana Trek to Pothana
A day of steep climbs and descents through lush forest, terraced fields and small villages, rewarded with more mountain views at Pothana.
- Hotel
- Teahouse
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Day 8 · Dhampus, Phedi, Pokhara Back to Pokhara
A short downhill walk past Dhampus brings you to Phedi and the end of the trek. Drive back to Pokhara for a hot shower and a celebration dinner with your group.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 9 · Pokhara, Phewa Lake Trip ends in Pokhara
The trip ends after breakfast. Many travellers stay on in Pokhara to relax by Phewa Lake or try paragliding. Transport back to Kathmandu can be arranged when you book.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Kathmandu (1 night) Hotel
- Pokhara (1 night) Hotel
- Ulleri (1 night) Teahouse
- Ghorepani (1 night) Teahouse
- Tadapani (1 night) Teahouse
- Ghandruk (1 night) Teahouse
- Pothana (1 night) Teahouse
- Pokhara (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation — 8 nights 3 in hotels and 5 in teahouses
- Meals 4 breakfasts and 2 dinners
- Trek a guided six-day Annapurna foothills trek, including the sunrise hike to Poon Hill
- Porters to carry your trek bag, and a duffel bag for the trek
- Transport private vehicle between Kathmandu, Pokhara and the trailheads
- Local leader throughout, with assistant guides on the trek
Not included
- International flights to Kathmandu and home from Nepal
- Return from Pokhara to Kathmandu, available on request
- Nepal visa
- Meals not listed, drinks and hot showers in teahouses
- Single supplement, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want flights included — they are not
- You need comfortable hotels every night — teahouses are basic with shared facilities
- You have knee or mobility problems — the trail has many steep stone steps
- You want most meals included — 4 breakfasts and 2 dinners
Good to know
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Nepal
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £635 per person, twin share, tour only. 14 upcoming departures.
31 Oct 2026
Twin share
£700pp
Single from £770
14 Nov 2026
Twin share
£670pp
Single from £740
05 Dec 2026
Twin share
£635pp
Single from £705
20 Mar 2027
Twin share
£695pp
Single from £765
03 Apr 2027
Twin share
£695pp
Single from £765
17 Apr 2027
Twin share
£695pp
Single from £765
01 May 2027
Twin share
£665pp
Single from £735
25 Sep 2027
Twin share
£665pp
Single from £735
09 Oct 2027
Twin share
£665pp
Single from £735
16 Oct 2027
Twin share
£665pp
Single from £735
30 Oct 2027
Twin share
£695pp
Single from £765
13 Nov 2027
Twin share
£695pp
Single from £765
04 Dec 2027
Twin share
£665pp
Single from £735
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How hard is the trek?
The physical rating is medium. You walk for several hours a day on trails with many steep stone steps, reaching 3,210 m at Poon Hill. No technical skills are needed, but good fitness and knees help.
Who carries my bag?
Porters carry your trek bag, using a duffel bag provided for the trek. You carry a daypack with water, layers and a camera. Your main luggage can be stored in Pokhara.
What are the teahouses like?
Simple, family-run lodges with twin rooms, mattresses and pillows. Bathrooms are shared and basic, hot showers may cost extra, and nights can be cold, so bring a sleeping bag.
Does the trip end in Kathmandu?
No, it ends in Pokhara. The return to Kathmandu by flight or road is not included but can be arranged in advance.
What meals are included?
4 breakfasts and 2 dinners. On the trek you buy meals at the teahouses, usually dal bhat, noodles, soups and pancakes, which are good value.
When is the best time to go?
Spring, when the rhododendrons bloom, and autumn, after the monsoon, usually bring the clearest mountain views. Winter is cold at night but often clear.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary