National park · Nepal
Poon Hill
Pay Rs550 for the Ulleri bus (or hire a jeep), buy a TIMS card and ACAP permit (costs vary, check), then hike Ghorepani‑Poon Hill sunrise (45 min) or extend to Annapurna Base Camp; avoid the peak in monsoon (Jul–Sep).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1976
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Nepal ↗Get visa information only from the Department of Immigration; visa-service lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules differ by nationality.
- Nepal ↗At stupas walk clockwise; at temples and homes remove shoes where there is a rack or a raised floor; cover shoulders and knees.
- Nepal ↗Carry Nepalese rupees in small notes: many stalls, taxis and tea shops are cash-only, and shops rarely take foreign notes.
- Nepal ↗Strikes (bandh) and protests can close roads without notice: check the news and your hotel the night before any airport or highway day.
At a glance
- Country
- Nepal
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Park area not published; check.
- Established
- 1976
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Pokhara
Poon Hill is a popular sunrise viewpoint in the Annapurna Conservation Area, reachable via a short 2‑day trek from Pokhara. The trail passes rhododendron forests and offers panoramic views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and other 8000‑m peaks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1976.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1976
Park area not published; check.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Pokhara.
Why go
- Panoramic sunrise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri from 3210 m.
- Short 2‑day trek from Pokhara, suitable for beginners.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear skies.
- FebDry, good views.
- MarRhododendron bloom.
- AprSpring, vivid colours.
- MayWarm, occasional showers.
- JunPre‑monsoon, possible rain.
- JulMonsoon, landslides.
- AugMonsoon peak.
- SepRain tapering, still wet trails.
- OctPost‑monsoon, clear.
- NovDry, crisp mornings.
- DecCold, clear.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (e.g., rufous‑throated wren‑babblers) and butterfliesMar–May · Best spotting during spring bloom. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ghorepani village | Last teahouse stop before the summit; accommodation and meals. | Open to trekkers; overnight stay required. |
| Poon Hill viewpoint | Sunrise viewpoint at 3210 m, 45 min ascent from Ghorepani. | Free with permits; reachable by foot. |
| Annapurna Base Camp trailhead | Extended trek beyond Poon Hill for experienced hikers. | Guided or self‑guided with permits. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the viewpoint.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ulleri bus (Pokhara → Ulleri) | NPR 550 | person | Public bus, departs 8 am. |
| TIMS card | NPR 200–300 | person | Check current price. |
| ACAP permit | NPR 1,000–1,500 | person | Required for any trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
TIMS card permit or guide
ACAP permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NPR 550
- NPR 200–300
- NPR 1,000–1,500
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Permits
- TIMS card and ACAP permit mandatory for all trekkers.
- Plastic bottles
- Banned in the Conservation Area; bring reusable bottle.
- Camping
- Only in designated areas; most trekkers stay in teahouses.
Where to stay
In the park
Ghorepani teahouses
Basic rooms with shared bathrooms; meals included.
Near the park
Pokhara
Wide range of hotels and hostels, 40 km (25 mi) from trailhead.Wide range of hotels and hostels, 25 mi (40 km) from trailhead.
Safety
Altitude low
Rainfall medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Ghorepani‑Poon Hill route is steep in parts; not suitable for limited mobility.
- Trailheads reachable by vehicle from Pokhara.
Visiting lightly
- Carry reusable water bottle; refill at tap stations.
- Support local teahouses by buying meals locally.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Poon Hill?
You need a TIMS card (≈Rs200‑300) and an ACAP permit (≈Rs1 000‑1 500); plus transport (bus Rs550 or jeep). Total ≈Rs1 750‑2 300.
What are the best hikes in Poon Hill?
The classic Ghorepani‑Poon Hill sunrise trek (2 days) and the longer Annapurna Base Camp extension (4 days) are most popular.
When is the best time to visit Poon Hill?
Spring (Mar–Apr) and autumn (Oct–Nov) give clear skies and rhododendron bloom; avoid monsoon (Jul–Sep).
Do I need a guide for the Poon Hill trek?
A guide is not required for the standard sunrise trek, but mandatory for the longer Annapurna Base Camp extension.
Can I camp on Poon Hill?
Camping is allowed only in designated zones; most trekkers stay in teahouses.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Poon Hill
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