Annapurna Panorama Trek

A network of local village trails and established teahouse trekking routes provide for a variety of custom itineraries, from the classic Ghorepani / Poon Hill trek to the less-beaten paths that lead to Khopra Danda (and beyond!). Below are few great options that can all be customized to match your preferred number of days and difficutly.

Suggested Routes

There are various routes to access the great vantage points and villages of this region, all which can be tailored to fit your desired pace and duration. Most routes start with a jeep or bus ride from Pokhara to Nayapul, where you'll start your trek.

Classic: Ghorepani / Poon Hill (5 days)

The classic route up the stone steps through villages, rhododendron jungle, to the teahouse village of Ghorepani, perched on a ridge line at the base a short climb to Poon Hill. 

Day 01: Pokhara to Hile
Day 02: Hile to Ghorepani (early morning hike to famous Poon Hill)
Day 03: Ghorepani to Tadapani
Day 04: Tadapani to Ghandruk
Day 05: Ghandruk to Pokhara

More Remote: Khopra Danda (6 days)

After following the same route to Ghorepani, this route takes you higher still to another viewpoint at 3600 m., across the valley from Poon Hill. This new route still receives far less travelers than other routes in the region, yet delivers some of the best views you'll find in Nepal. You'll stay at a single teahouse perched atop the ridge with 360 degree views of the Himalaya massifs that come to light at sunrise and sunset. (A new teahouse is currently being built and expected to be completed by 2018.)

Day 01: Pokhara to Hile
Day 02: Hile to Ghorepani 
Day 03: Ghorepani to Swanta (early morning hike to Poon Hill)
Day 04: Swanta to Khopra Danda (option to add an extra day for a day-trip to sacred Khayer Lake)
Day 05: Day trek to Khayer Lake
Day 06: Khopra Danda to Tatopani

Three View Points: Poon Hill / Khopra Danda / Muldi Peak (9 days)

Day 01: Pokhara to Ghandruk
Day 02: Ghandruk to Tadapani
Day 03: Tadapani to Dobato
Day 04: Dobata to Chistibung (early morning hike to Muldi Peak)
Day 05: Chistibung to Khopra Danda
Day 06: Khopra Danda to Swanta
Day 07: Swanta to Ghorepani
Day 08: Ghorepani to Hile (early morning hike to Poon Hill)
Day 09: Hile to Pokhara 

Elevation Profile

In a short amount of time, you can acces three great vantages points which are normally only reached after numerous days of trekking and proper acclimitization - Poon hill (3200m), Khopra Danda (3600m), and Muldi Peak (3647m) - all of which offer panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, and Macchupucharre (the last can be seen only from Muldi Peak).

Difficulty

Trekking anywhere in Nepal poses a challenge given the often steep climbs to reach vantage points and the altitude. Generally, however, treks in the lower Annapurna region offer a mix of both easy and moderate trekking, given the lower elevation compared to other treks. 

Knowing The Seasons

Spring - March to May

The second best time to trek, given it's a bit warmer than the fall but still a good chance of clear skies.

Monsoon - June to September

The heavy monsoon rain starts in June and continues (around one per day) until early September. Generally, not the best time for trekking given the heat and leaches in the jungle.

Fall - September to December

It starts to get clear in mid-September and the temperature is great for trekking. Be sure to bring a little more extra clothing for the cold and windy weather.

Winter - December to February

You'll still have great views, but will have the cold nights, chance of snowy weather, and some slippery patches of trail to contend with.

Permits

You'll need to arrange a TIMS and ACAP permit from one of the Nepal Tourism Board offices in either Kathmandu or Pokhara. There are checkposts along the way where you'll need to display these permits and log your name, both for safety and to help monitor activity on the trails. If you organize your trek through an agency, they will arrange these permits for you.