Regd. No: 198664/075/076 · Govt. of Nepal Licensed · TripAdvisor Award Winner
Annapurna Short Trek
Annapurna Region

Annapurna Short Trek

7 days 3,210 m
Duration7 Days
Max altitude3,210 m
DifficultyModerate 4-6 hours/day
Group size1-10

Overview

Why you’ll love this trek

  • Catch sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210m), one of Nepal's most celebrated viewpoints, with Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges spread out in full panorama.
  • Walk through classic Gurung villages Ulleri, Ghorepani, and Ghandruk with terraced fields and traditional thatch-roofed houses along the way.
  • See snow-capped giants including Annapurna I, II, III, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Dhaulagiri from multiple vantage points on the trail.
  • Pair the trek with time in Pokhara, Nepal's lakeside adventure hub, known for boating, paragliding, and mountain views from Sarangkot.
  • A genuinely compact introduction to the Annapurna region big mountain views and real Gurung culture without committing to a multi-week circuit.

Annapurna Short Trek is the amazing trek that allows you to view the sights of the Annapurna region is a short period of time. This trek helps you to see the amazing culture of the people of this region. This trek also presents you with the separate Himalayan diversity of the Annapurna.

You can see the red forest due to rhododendron and the various religious monasteries and Gumba. This trek is the best experience of the Nepali culture and the mountains in a short period of time. You will experience the amazing sight of Annapurna Ranges and Dhaulagiri Himal. Throughout this trek, you will be able to see the various natural resources and make your mind and body relaxed.

Throughout this trek, you will be able to see the various mountains, natural beauty and the ethnic culture of the indigenous people. This is one of the best treks that are loved by many visitors and must be visited once in a lifetime. This trek is also like visiting the live museum. You will find the perfect example of the unity in diversity in this region and the culture of the people living in this area are also interesting. 

In the morning when you will reach up to Poon Hill(3230m) then you can see the best panoramic view of the sunrise on the whole amazing Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The combination of tiny thatch-roofed house and the terrace field with the snowcapped mountains ranges makes this trek much beautiful. This trek will help you to meet different ethnic groups. This trek is also like visiting the live museum. You will find the perfect example of the unity in diversity in this region and the culture of the people living in this area are also interesting.

In this trek, you will be able to see many snowy mountains like Annapurna I, II, III, Annapurna South, Fishtail, etc. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and many other snowy mountains can be seen from Sarankot which is a popular viewpoint. Pokhara is a very famous touristic city. From Pokhara, many mountains can be seen and the weather of Pokhara is also good so that many tourists visit this place. It is also famous for boating, trekking, rafting and other sports like canyoning and bungee jumping. 

You can also see the trees decorated with many religious flags. colorful prayer flags are used to decorate the religious places and mini walla that lies on the way to this trekking trail.  In this trek, you will visit the awesome Manang valley and also the famous Muktinath temple. You will also visit the Kali Gandaki gorge and from there you will be able to see the best scenery of the high mountains. 

Jomsom is mainly the habitat of the Rai and Limbu people. You can see their culture in that place. You can find many ethnic groups people throughout this trek. You can also experience the culture of the Tamang, Gurung, and Magar people. The highest mountain pass in the world is Thorong La Mountain Pass. This trek is loved by many visitors due to the view seen of mountains ranges throughout the trek. 

Itinerary

1DayArrival in Kathmandu (1,300m), transfer to hotelDay 1 of 7
Today we arrived in Kathmandu by flight and went to the hotel. During the flight, we were at a height of 1300 m above sea level. From the airplane, we saw beautiful Kathmandu valley.
2DayDrive from Kathmandu to PokharaDay 2 of 7
The next day we go to Pokhara by bus from Kathmandu. We saw many mountains, hills and the road were awesome and we did singing and sightseeing on the way.
3DayDrive Pokhara to Tikhedhunga (1160m) / Ulleri (1,960m) via Nayapul (1,010m) – 3 to 4 hours and trek to Ghorepani (2,840m) – 5 to 6 hoursDay 3 of 7
We wake up early in the morning and have our breakfast. Then we start moving towards Tikhedhunga from Pokhara. Tikhedhunga is at a height of 1160 m from sea level. Then we had lunch and a hotel there and saw many mountains from there.
4DayHike up to Poon Hill (3210m) – 45 minutes to Tadapani (2520m) – 4 to 5 hoursDay 4 of 7
Today we woke up early to see the sunrise from Poonhill. We walked around 45 minutes and reached there. We had coffee at the tea stall at top of poon hill. Then we head towards Tadapani. Poonhill is at the height of 3210 m above sea level and Tadapani is at height of 2520 m above sea level. It took nearly 4-5 hours for us to reach Tadapani.
5DayTrek Tadapani to Kimche (1640m) via Ghaundrung – 4 to 5 hours, Drive to Pokhara (950m) – 2 to 3 hours, then your own destination.Day 5 of 7
We woke up and had light breakfast and start the trek from Tadapani to Kimche. We went to Kimche through Ghaundrung. Ghaundrung is a very famous trekking trail in Annapurna ranges. Kimche is at a height of 1640 m above sea level. It took us nearly 4-5 hours to reach Kimche. We saw many mountains of the Annapurna ranges from Ghaundrung. Then we drive back to Pokhara and this takes nearly 2-3 hours.
6DayDrive back to KathmanduDay 6 of 7
Early morning after having light breakfast we drive back to Kathmandu. We visited many temples and durbar square at Kathmandu. And we booked our ticket for returning back to home.
7DayFinal DepartureDay 7 of 7
Today is the day of departure and we packed our lodges and head towards the Airport. Before that, we got a warm greeting and love by the hotel. This trek will remain with us for a lifetime.

What's included

Included

  • Airport picks up and drops off by the private vehicle.
  • Three-time Meal During trekking(Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
  • All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara by bus/private vehicle
  • Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehicle
  • An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader (10 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
  • Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, food and accommodation Down jacket and sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion)
  • All necessary paperwork and trekking permits and TIMS.
  • Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
  • All government and local taxes
  • Trekking map
  • Trekking certificate after trek.

Not included

  • Nepalese visa fee
  • Excess baggage charge(s)
  • Private transportation except what is mentioned in the What Is Included section
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason like natural disaster and your own problems) than the scheduled itinerary Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary) International flights
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Trekking equipment
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.) Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)

Before you book

The realities of this route, told straight, so nothing surprises you later.

A genuinely accessible trek

At 3,210m, Poon Hill sits below the altitude where AMS becomes a serious concern, and the trek is rated Moderate for good reason approachable for reasonably fit trekkers without technical experience. The real physical test is the sustained stone staircase out of Ulleri on Day 3, not altitude  trekking poles make a genuine difference there and on the knee-testing descent through Ghandruk on Day 5.

No flights involved

You’ll travel entirely by bus or private vehicle between Kathmandu and Pokhara on both ends of the trip, so there’s no mountain-airstrip flight risk to plan around. The trekking days themselves also involve no flights  just road transport connecting Pokhara to the trailhead at Nayapul and back.

Simple teahouses throughout, comfortable but not luxury

Expect basic twin-share rooms with shared bathrooms at Ghorepani, Tadapani, and along the route hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging typically cost extra, more so the higher up you go. A down jacket and sleeping bag are included as part of the package and should be returned at the end of the trip.

Insurance isn't included

Travel and rescue insurance is explicitly excluded from the trip cost. Given the modest 3,210m high point, standard travel insurance with trekking cover is generally sufficient rather than a high-altitude/helicopter-specific policy — but it’s still worth arranging before you arrive.

Guide and porter are included

An English-speaking, government-licensed trek leader and porter service are built into the package, along with all TIMS and ACAP permit paperwork. Solo trekking without a guide is possible here given how well-established the route is, but the included guide adds real value for pacing and local insight into the Gurung villages along the way.

Useful Info

Permits required

A TIMS card and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) are both required, arranged for you and included in the trip cost as part of the standard permit paperwork.

Visa

Nepal tourist visas are available on arrival at Kathmandu airport for most nationalities, or in advance at a Nepali embassy. Not included in the trip cost.

Recommended gear

Sturdy, broken-in trekking boots (the Ulleri stone staircase is hard on ankles and knees both up and down), trekking poles, warm layers for the pre-dawn Poon Hill climb, sun protection, a headlamp, and a personal first-aid kit. A down jacket and sleeping bag are provided as part of the package and should be returned at trip end.

Group size and crew

Runs for groups of 1–10, with an English-speaking, government-licensed trek leader (plus assistant guide for groups of 10) and porter service (one porter per two trekkers) included as standard.

Money and connectivity:

Carry Nepali rupees in cash for personal expenses ATMs are limited once you leave Pokhara. Wi-Fi and charging are available at most teahouses along the route but typically cost extra.

FAQ

Does this trek visit Muktinath or cross Thorong La Pass?

No, despite some outdated overview text suggesting otherwise, the actual itinerary is a Poon Hill and Ghandruk loop trek. Muktinath, Jomsom, and Thorong La are part of the much longer Annapurna Circuit, a separate trip.

How difficult is this trek?

Rated Moderate, with 4–6 hours of walking most days. The steepest section is the stone staircase climb out of Ulleri on Day 3 — trekking poles help considerably on both that climb and the descent through Ghandruk.

Do I need prior trekking experience?

No, this is a good option for reasonably fit beginners, combining big mountain views with a manageable 7-day structure, including travel days to and from Pokhara.

Is a guide required, or can I trek independently?

A guide isn’t strictly required on this popular, well-marked route, but one is included in the package as standard and adds real value for pacing, permit handling, and local knowledge of the Gurung villages you pass through.

Is travel insurance included?

No, travel and rescue insurance is explicitly excluded from the trip cost and should be arranged independently before departure.

From $449 / person
Book direct, no middle-man markup
  • Duration7 days
  • DifficultyModerate 4-6 hours/day walking
  • Max altitude3,210 m
  • Group size1-10
Book now
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure. No booking fees.
We accept
  • VISA
  • AMERICANEXPRESS

Trekked this route with us? Share your experience →

Book direct with the team in Kathmandu

  • No middle-man markupYou book with the local operator who actually runs this trek, and save the agency cut.
  • Licensed & bondedGovernment of Nepal registered operator (No. 198664/075/076); NTB, TAAN and NMA affiliated.
  • Flexible & fairFree cancellation up to 30 days before departure. No booking fees. No payment is taken online.

4.9 from 90+ Google reviews

Our overall Google Business rating
You might also like

Related Annapurna Region journeys