15 Days Round Annapurna Trek with Poon Hill from Pokhara

The best part of this 15-day Annapurna trek is its changing scenery. You move from river gorges and wet forests to dry high country, cross the Thorung La pass, then finish among terraced hills at Poon Hill. It is a big Himalayan journey with plenty of village life along the way.

I like the variety of terrain and the practical support: permits, transport, guesthouses, a guide, and airport transfers are arranged. I also like that this is a private trip, so your group is not tied to strangers or a fixed large-group pace.

The main drawback is the amount of road travel. Several days use buses or jeeps, and the return to Kathmandu takes six to seven hours. You also need strong fitness, an early start for Thorung La, and patience with basic mountain accommodation.

Key points at a glance

• Thorung La at roughly 5,416 meters: The trek’s hardest and most memorable day begins around 3:30 a.m. to reach the pass before stronger winds arrive.
• Poon Hill sunrise: A pre-dawn walk from Ghorepani leads to one of the trip’s most famous Himalayan viewpoints.
• A private guided trek: Only your own group takes part, with a government-licensed English-speaking guide.
• A major change in scenery: Expect forest, waterfalls, pine groves, dry high country, river valleys, and terraced hills.
• Transport is part of the plan: Buses and jeeps connect road sections, including the long ride from Jomsom toward Tatopani.
• Good value at $790: Permits, trekking accommodation, guide costs, selected hotels, and round-trip transfers are included, but meals are extra.

What this 15-day route really feels like

This is not a gentle walking holiday. It is a point-to-point Himalayan trek with long road transfers, several six-hour walking days, one demanding high-pass crossing, and a final sunrise hike. The reward is the range of Nepal in one trip: subtropical valleys, Buddhist-influenced villages, snow-covered peaks, high desert, hot springs country, and the lower hills around Pokhara.

The route is called a round Annapurna trek, but the itinerary begins and ends in Kathmandu, with Pokhara included near the end. You reach the circuit by road from Kathmandu, then travel through the Marsyangdi Valley before crossing Thorung La and descending toward the Kali Gandaki side.

The private format matters. Your guide can keep the group together, explain what you are seeing, and help manage the pace. Guide names connected with this operation include Krishna, Biru, and Amrit, though you should confirm who will lead your departure before booking.

Day 1: Kathmandu arrival and a practical start

Your arrival day includes airport pickup by private vehicle and transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu. After check-in, you receive a briefing about the trek.

The listed meeting point is SPOT ON 376 Hotel Hazel Jadibutti, Kathmandu, with a stated start time of 9:45 p.m. That timing is worth confirming directly with CAN Travels because the itinerary also describes an airport arrival and hotel transfer on the first day. A clear pickup plan matters after a long flight.

You receive two nights in a two-star Kathmandu hotel during the trip, with breakfast included. This is a simple base rather than a luxury stay, but it keeps the package cost down and gives you time to prepare.

Day 2: The long road to Syange

The first full day is mostly transport. A roughly 190-kilometer trip to Besisahar takes about six and a half hours, followed by a jeep ride to Syange at approximately 3,609 feet.

This is not a scenic walking day, but it gets you quickly into the Annapurna region. At Syange, you get your first real taste of the trek, with a village setting and mountain scenery replacing Kathmandu traffic.

The drawback is clear: road conditions and travel times in Nepal can make this a tiring day. Keep your expectations practical. This route uses transport to reach the walking trail rather than asking you to spend several extra days on lower roads.

Day 3: River gorges and waterfalls toward Dharapani

From Syange, the road climbs above a gorge. You can look down toward thick vegetation and occasional waterfalls while snow-covered peaks begin to appear in the distance.

The route continues to Dharapani, where the scenery starts to feel more alpine. The six-hour day is mainly by road, so this section suits you if you prefer to save your walking energy for the higher stages.

The combination of dramatic drops, water, and mountain views gives this day its character. It also makes clear why sturdy shoes and careful attention matter, even when you are not walking the entire route.

Day 4: Tibetan-style villages and Chame

The trip continues through Bagarchhap, a village with Tibetan-style architecture, before reaching Chame. The forest becomes more noticeable, the air grows cooler, and the mountains feel closer.

This is one of the first days when the cultural character of the circuit becomes easy to see. Villages are not just overnight stops. Their building styles and position along the valley reflect the northern Himalayan setting.

You spend about six hours on the move. The gain in altitude is gradual enough to keep the route moving without rushing you toward the highest parts of the circuit.

Day 5: Pine forests and the climb to Pisang

The route follows the northern bank of the Marsyangdi River through pine forests and small villages. At Bratang, you cross a bridge and face a steep ascent before continuing to Pisang.

This day gives you a better sense of the physical rhythm of the trek. A river crossing, an uphill section, forest, and village stops break the walk into manageable pieces. Snow-covered peaks appear more often as you gain height.

Pisang is an important point on the route because the surroundings begin to feel much more open and mountain-focused. You should expect another six-hour day, with some uphill effort that becomes more noticeable than on the earlier road sections.

Day 6: Open views on the way to Manang

The walk from Pisang to Manang brings some of the best views so far. After about 30 minutes, the trail reaches a hilltop with wide views back across the valley, and snow-covered peaks become a regular part of the scene.

You continue through higher, drier country toward Manang. This is where the trek shifts from a forest walk to a high-altitude journey. The scenery may look more bare, but the broad views are the point.

Manang is more than a place to sleep. It is the key acclimatization stop, and the next day is set aside to let your body adjust before you climb higher.

Day 7: A necessary rest day in Manang

The rest day in Manang is not wasted time. At altitude, staying active with a short walk can help you adjust better than remaining in bed all day, but the pace should stay easy.

The itinerary leaves room for a short trip around the area. You can use the day to rest, look at the mountain views, and prepare clothing and water for the higher route.

This is also a good point to speak plainly with your guide about how you feel. The next stages are colder, more exposed, and higher. A scheduled acclimatization day is one of the strongest parts of the route design.

Day 8: High country on the way to Yak Kharka

Leaving Manang, the trail climbs for about an hour with views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and the Chuli peaks. The terrain becomes increasingly dry and arid.

The six-hour walk to Yak Kharka is a steady introduction to the high country. Trees become less dominant, the air feels thinner, and the route can appear more exposed. You are now walking for altitude as much as for distance.

Keep the pace controlled. This is not a day to race ahead because the goal is to reach Thorung Phedi and the pass safely, not simply to finish each stage quickly.

Day 9: Exposed ground and Thorung Phedi

The trail climbs steadily toward a small settlement with views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and the Chuli peaks. Farther on, the terrain becomes bleaker and more exposed to strong winds before you reach Thorung Phedi.

This is a shorter-looking stage on paper, but altitude can make a six-hour day feel much longer. The surroundings offer little shelter, so warm clothing and protection from wind are important.

Thorung Phedi is the launch point for the next morning. Get an early dinner, organize your pack, and follow your guide’s instructions about the start time. The pass crossing is the physical center of the entire trip.

Day 10: Thorung La and the descent to Muktinath

This is the major day. You start around 3:30 a.m. and climb toward Thorung La before the wind strengthens later in the day. It can be cold, blustery, and exposed, so this is where strong fitness and proper preparation matter most.

After reaching the pass, the route descends toward Muktinath. The day lasts about nine hours, making it considerably longer than most other stages.

The crossing is demanding, but the design makes sense. An early departure gives you the best chance of reaching the high point before worsening wind. If you are unsure about your ability to manage this day, discuss it with CAN Travels before paying the balance or departing.

Muktinath marks a major change in the route. After the high pass, the descent brings different views, different vegetation, and a new cultural setting.

Day 11: A long ride from Jomsom to Tatopani

After breakfast, you take a bus toward Tatopani, with the journey expected to last five to six hours. The route passes through Jomsom, where an Annapurna Conservation Area Project checkpoint is noted, before continuing by bus.

This is another day when the trip favors efficiency over continuous walking. The road links the high part of the circuit with the lower Kali Gandaki side and saves several days of trail time.

Road travel can be tiring, and the duration may vary. Still, it lets you include both the Thorung La crossing and the Poon Hill section within 15 days.

Day 12: Forest, villages, and the climb to Ghorepani

The route begins with a descent to a suspension bridge. After crossing, the trail turns uphill through small villages and terraced farmland on the way to Ghorepani.

This is a welcome change after the dry high country. Trees and cultivated slopes return, and the walking feels more like a classic lower Himalayan trail. The seven-hour day is long, but the scenery keeps changing.

Ghorepani is the staging point for Poon Hill. Plan for an early night because the next morning begins before sunrise.

Day 13: Poon Hill sunrise and the route toward Pokhara

You leave early and climb to Poon Hill for sunrise. The changing colors across the snow-covered peaks are the main event, and the viewpoint provides a final large-scale mountain panorama before the trip moves toward Pokhara.

The itinerary lists Pokhara Lakeside as the stop for this day and includes one night in a two-star Pokhara hotel with breakfast. The day lasts about eight hours, so the sunrise walk is only part of the effort.

Poon Hill is popular for good reason, but do not expect solitude. Its appeal is the accessible view after a short pre-dawn climb, not a remote mountaintop setting. Bring warm layers for the wait before dawn and a headlamp or other reliable light for the early walk.

Day 14: The long return to Kathmandu

The return drive to Kathmandu takes about six to seven hours with rest stops. After two weeks of walking and road travel, this is a useful recovery day, though sitting in a vehicle for that long can be tiring.

You may consider adding another destination, such as Chitwan, but that is not part of this 15-day package. Treat the day as the final transfer rather than an extra sightseeing day.

Day 15: Airport transfer and departure

The final transfer takes you to the airport about three hours before your flight. Airport drop-off is included, which is useful after a route with several early starts and long transfers.

The trip ends in Kathmandu rather than Pokhara. Check your flight time and airport transfer details with the operator, especially if your schedule changes.

What the $790 price covers

At $790 per person, the package offers solid value for a guided private trek, provided you are comfortable with basic accommodation and extra meal costs.

Included services are:

• Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off
• A government-licensed English-speaking trekking guide
• Two Kathmandu hotel nights and one Pokhara hotel night, with breakfast
• Guesthouse accommodation during the trek
• Trekking permits and official documents
• Shared bus or jeep transfers
• A normal emergency first-aid kit
• Guide food, accommodation, and other guide expenses

Food and drinks are not included, and tips are optional. That distinction matters because meals across a 15-day trek can add a meaningful amount to your final budget.

The use of shared buses or jeeps also helps explain the price. You are not paying for private transport on every road section. In return, you get a broad route at a lower cost than a fully private vehicle program.

Who should book this trek

I would recommend it to you if you want the classic Annapurna route with the added reward of Poon Hill, and if you can handle long days, high altitude, basic guesthouses, and road transfers.

It suits hikers who value scenery and route variety more than comfort. It also works well for a private group that wants its own guide and schedule rather than joining a large departure.

Think twice if you dislike early mornings, have limited fitness, or want every day to be a quiet walking day. The 3:30 a.m. start, the nine-hour Thorung La day, and the bus rides are central parts of the experience, not minor details.

The cancellation terms are simple: cancel at least three full days before the start for a full refund. Cancellations within three days are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

FAQ

How long is the Annapurna and Poon Hill trek?

The experience lasts approximately 15 days, including arrival and departure transfers, road journeys, acclimatization, trekking days, and hotel nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Where does the trip start?

The listed start point is SPOT ON 376 Hotel Hazel Jadibutti in Kathmandu, Nepal. The itinerary also includes airport pickup, so confirm the exact meeting and transfer plan with CAN Travels.

Does the trek start in Pokhara?

No. The itinerary begins in Kathmandu, travels by road into the Annapurna region, reaches Pokhara near the end, and then returns to Kathmandu.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A government-licensed English-speaking trekking guide is included. Guide names associated with the operation include Krishna, Biru, and Amrit, but you should confirm your assigned guide before departure.

Are trekking permits included?

Yes. Trekking permits and official documents are included in the price.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. You receive guesthouse accommodation during the trek, plus two nights in a two-star Kathmandu hotel and one night in a two-star Pokhara hotel. Breakfast is included at the Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels.

Are meals included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase and are not included in the tour price.

How early does the Thorung La day begin?

The itinerary calls for a start at about 3:30 a.m. This early departure is intended to help you reach the pass before stronger winds develop later in the day.

What fitness level is required?

A strong physical fitness level is required. The route includes long walking days, high altitude, a demanding pass crossing, uphill sections, and a nine-hour day from Thorung Phedi to Muktinath.

Is Poon Hill included in the price?

Yes. The route includes the early morning walk to Poon Hill for sunrise, and an admission ticket is listed as included for that stop.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least three full days before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within three days are not accepted or refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a broad taste of the Annapurna region in one carefully timed route. The strongest reasons are the mix of forest and high country, the Thorung La crossing, the acclimatization day in Manang, and the sunrise at Poon Hill.

I would not choose it for a soft adventure or a trip built around comfort. You need to accept basic guesthouses, extra food costs, road travel, and a very early high-pass start. If those trade-offs suit you, $790 is a sensible price for a private guided trek with permits, transport, guide expenses, and key hotel nights already arranged.