15 Days Round Annapurna Trek with Poon Hill from Pokhara

The big draw here is the full Annapurna Circuit with Poon Hill in one trip. You get river valleys, Tibetan-style villages, high mountain terrain, the Thorung La pass, Muktinath, and a sunrise over the Annapurna range, all within 15 days.

I like the built-in acclimatization day in Manang, and I like that the price includes permits, guide costs, guesthouses, transport, and airport transfers. The main catch is the amount of road travel, especially early and late in the trip, plus the demanding 17,769-foot Thorung La crossing.

Key points at a glance

• Thorung La is the physical high point: You begin before dawn on Day 10 to cross the pass before strong winds arrive.
• Poon Hill adds a memorable finish: The sunrise walk begins early from Ghorepani and ends in Pokhara.
• Manang gets a proper rest day: You stay active with a short acclimatization walk instead of simply sitting still.
• The trip includes several long vehicle rides: Expect a road journey to Syange, buses or jeeps on other sections, and a six to seven-hour return to Kathmandu.
• The package covers the essentials: A licensed English-speaking guide, permits, guesthouses, listed hotels, transport, and guide expenses are included.
• This is a private trip: Only your own group participates, with group discounts offered.

A complete Annapurna journey in 15 days

This trip is designed for someone who wants more than a short Himalayan walk. You’ll move from the lower Marsyangdi Valley into dry, high country, cross one of Nepal’s best-known mountain passes, then return through the Kali Gandaki area before climbing again to Poon Hill.

That variety is the reason I find the route appealing. In the first days, you see waterfalls, forests, steep gorges, and farming villages. Later, pine woods give way to open slopes and bare rock. You also pass through places with strong Tibetan influence, including Manang and Muktinath.

The price is $790 per person. For a private 15-day trip, that is a useful package if you want the major arrangements handled for you. It includes two Kathmandu hotel nights, one Pokhara hotel night, breakfast at those listed hotels, trek guesthouses, permits, transport, guide accommodation and meals, and airport transfers.

It does not include food and drinks during the trek, or gratuities. That matters because the 15-day headline price is not the final amount you will spend. You should budget separately for meals and personal purchases.

Days 1 and 2: Kathmandu to Syange

The first day begins with airport pickup in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. You’ll receive a briefing about the trip, which is useful because the route includes changing transport, cold high-altitude conditions, and one very early morning.

The supplied meeting information lists SPOT ON 376 Hotel Hazel, Jadibutti, Kathmandu, with a 9:45 pm start time. Since the wider plan also refers to airport arrival and hotel transfer, confirm the exact pickup time and location before departure. This is especially important if you arrive at a different hour or stay somewhere else in Kathmandu.

Day 2 is mostly a road day. You’ll travel about 190 kilometers and spend roughly six and a half hours reaching Besisahar, then continue by jeep to Syange at about 3,609 feet.

This is not the most scenic walking day, but it gets you into the route quickly. The tradeoff is comfort. Nepal’s mountain roads can make a scheduled six-hour drive feel longer, and the transfer by bus or jeep is part of the experience rather than a minor detail.

Days 3 and 4: Syange, Dharapani, and Chame

From Syange, the road follows the gorge. You’ll look down toward vegetation and waterfalls, with occasional views of snow-covered peaks. The route then continues toward Dharapani, where the setting begins to feel more alpine.

The next day brings Chame. The vegetation changes as you gain height, and the air becomes cooler. You pass forested sections and Bagarchhap, a village with Tibetan-style buildings, before continuing through the upper Marsyangdi region.

I like this part because the route changes gradually. You are not dropped straight into a barren high-altitude setting. Forest, water, village life, and mountain views arrive in stages, giving your body time to adjust.

The weak point is that some sections follow roads instead of a quiet footpath. If your ideal trek means walking away from all vehicle traffic, ask the company how much of each day will be on road or trail. The supplied plan includes road and jeep travel on several sections.

Days 5 and 6: Pisang to Manang

The route follows the northern bank of the Marsyangdi River, passing pine forests and small villages before reaching Bratang. After crossing a bridge, you face a steep climb, followed by better views from the higher trail.

Day 6 takes you from Pisang toward Manang. After about 30 minutes, the trail reaches a hill with wide views down the valley. Snow-covered peaks become a regular part of the day, and the walking feels more like the high Himalayas you may have pictured before booking.

Manang is an important stop, not simply a place to sleep. At this altitude, the extra time helps you prepare for the pass ahead. The route has been arranged with a second night in Manang, which is one of the strongest features of the schedule.

Day 7: Why the Manang acclimatization day matters

You spend Day 7 in Manang for acclimatization. The advice is to stay active, so you may take a short walk rather than spend the day resting indoors.

This is practical planning. The route rises steadily after Manang, and the later stages are exposed, cold, and physically demanding. A rest day cannot remove the effects of altitude, but it gives you time to adjust before heading toward Thorung Phedi and the pass.

You should still arrive with a strong fitness level. This is not a gentle sightseeing trip. The days are commonly listed at about six hours, but walking time varies with pace, stops, weather, and trail conditions.

Days 8 and 9: Yak Kharka and Thorung Phedi

Leaving Manang, you climb for around an hour with views toward Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and the Chuli peaks. The ground becomes drier and more open as you reach Yak Kharka.

Day 9 continues to Thorung Phedi. The climb is steady, and the terrain becomes more exposed to wind. The settlement is small, and the surroundings are stark compared with the forests near Syange and Chame.

This is where the trip begins to feel serious. Keep your day simple, follow your guide’s advice, and protect your energy for the next morning. Your guide’s role matters here. Names connected with this operation include Biru, Krishna, and Amrit, though you should confirm who will lead your group.

Day 10: Thorung La and Muktinath

Day 10 is the hardest and most memorable day. The start is around 3:30 a.m., allowing you to reach Thorung La before the wind usually strengthens later in the day.

The pass is cold, exposed, and physically demanding. From the high point, you get views across the surrounding peaks before descending toward Muktinath. The full day is listed at about nine hours, making it much longer than most other days.

You should take the early start seriously. Pack warm layers, gloves, water, snacks, and a headlamp if the operator does not provide one. The provided information confirms first-aid equipment with the guide, but it does not specify every item you need to carry, so ask before leaving Kathmandu.

Muktinath is an important religious site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The combination of high mountain terrain and religious significance gives this stop more weight than a simple overnight halt.

Days 11 and 12: Muktinath to Tatopani and Ghorepani

After Muktinath, much of Day 11 is by bus. The ride to Tatopani takes about five to six hours, with a checkpoint at Jomsom connected to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project.

This road section is a clear compromise. It saves several days of walking and allows the trip to include both the Annapurna Circuit and Poon Hill within 15 days. In exchange, you lose some quiet trail time and may spend a long stretch on a rough mountain road.

Day 12 returns to walking. From Tatopani, you descend to a suspension bridge, cross it, then climb toward Ghorepani through small villages and terraced farmland. After several days in dry, high country, the return to greener hills feels like a change of world.

The climb to Ghorepani is not an easy stroll. The route is listed at about seven hours, and the uphill section comes after the vehicle journey from Muktinath. Pace yourself, especially if you are still feeling the effects of Thorung La.

Day 13: Poon Hill sunrise and Pokhara

The Poon Hill morning starts early. You climb from Ghorepani before sunrise, reaching the viewpoint as the sky changes color over the Annapurna range.

This is one of the best reasons to choose the extended route. Poon Hill provides a clear, dramatic final mountain moment after the long circuit. The sunrise, changing light, and broad views make the early wake-up worthwhile, though you should expect cold air and a steep walk in the dark.

After Poon Hill, you continue toward Pokhara Lakeside. The day is listed at about eight hours, so the viewpoint is not the whole day’s work.

Pokhara gives you a softer finish than Kathmandu. The package includes one night in a two-star hotel there with breakfast. The lodging is practical rather than luxurious, but it gives you a chance to recover before the return drive.

Day 14 and 15: Returning to Kathmandu and the airport

Day 14 is a six to seven-hour drive back to Kathmandu, with rest stops along the way. After two weeks of walking, this road day may feel tiring, but it keeps the trip within the advertised 15-day format.

The final day includes airport transfer about three hours before your scheduled departure. The package includes round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off, which is helpful after a long trek when you may have extra bags and limited energy.

The plan is efficient, but not leisurely. If you want a free day in Kathmandu for shopping, laundry, or sightseeing, it is not included in this schedule.

What the $790 price really covers

At $790 per person, the strongest value comes from the number of major services bundled into one private trip. You receive:

• Airport and hotel transfers
• A government-licensed English-speaking trekking guide
• Two Kathmandu hotel nights
• One Pokhara hotel night
• Breakfast at those listed hotels
• Guesthouse accommodation during the trek
• Trekking permits and official documents
• Bus or jeep transfers
• Guide food, lodging, and other guide expenses
• A normal emergency first-aid kit

Food and drinks are extra, and tips are optional. You should also check what kind of room arrangements apply to your group, since the supplied details do not specify room categories or whether private rooms are available throughout.

The private format is a plus if you want your own group rather than a large mixed party. Group discounts may make the cost more attractive for several people booking together.

Guides, safety, and the practical workload

A licensed English-speaking guide is included, and the guide carries a normal first-aid kit. The operation has been associated with guides named Biru, Krishna, and Amrit. Because assignments can change, ask for your guide’s name and experience before the trek begins.

The route requires strong physical fitness. You will face long road transfers, repeated uphill walking, changing temperatures, high altitude, and the early Thorung La start. The acclimatization day helps, but it does not make the pass easy.

The most useful preparation is simple: train for sustained uphill walking, bring warm clothing, keep snacks handy, and ask clear questions about transport and daily walking time. You should also confirm the exact meeting point, since the stated start location and late evening start time may not match every arrival plan.

Cancellation is flexible only up to three full days before the local start time. Cancel at least three days ahead for a full refund. Inside that period, refunds and changes are not accepted.

Who should book this trek?

I would choose this trip if you want the classic Annapurna Circuit but also want the famous Poon Hill sunrise. It suits people who can handle a demanding mountain schedule and who value having permits, transport, guide costs, and accommodation arranged in advance.

I would think twice if you want a slow trek with short walking days, private luxury lodging, or a route free from roads. The bus and jeep sections are useful for fitting the circuit and Poon Hill into 15 days, but they reduce time on foot.

If you are comfortable with basic guesthouses, long days, an early pass crossing, and changing weather, this package gives you a strong range of Nepal’s mountain scenery and village life for a reasonable price. The best booking step is to confirm the assigned guide, exact pickup time, meal arrangements, and how much road travel to expect.

FAQ

How long is the Annapurna Circuit with Poon Hill?

The experience lasts 15 days, including arrival and departure transfers, the trek, the Poon Hill sunrise walk, and the return to Kathmandu.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the round trip, including airport transfers.

What accommodation is included?

The package includes two nights in a two-star hotel in Kathmandu, one night in a two-star hotel in Pokhara with breakfast, and guesthouse accommodation during the trek.

Is food included?

Food and drinks are not included, except for breakfast at the listed Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels. You can purchase meals and drinks during the trip.

How early does the Thorung La day begin?

The start is around 3:30 a.m. on Day 10, so you can reach the pass before stronger winds arrive later in the day.

What is the cancellation policy?

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