POON HILL HOT SPRING – 10 Days Trek

Poon Hill sunrise is the main event. This trek is built around big mountain payoff, starting with the climb to Poon Hill and finishing with a relaxing soak at Jhinu Danda hot spring. I also like that the route is described as fast and smooth, with a logical rhythm that helps you keep moving without getting dragged into endless technical days. One thing to plan for is the early-morning start for sunrise, and the fact that you’ll still gain and lose altitude over multiple days, so you’ll want solid moderate fitness.

What makes this trip practical is how much is handled for you. You start with Kathmandu preparation, then get to Pokhara by tourist bus, and the trek comes with permits, TIMS card, a shared porter, a medical kit, and meals counted into the package. You’re also not stuck in a big crowd situation, since it’s listed as private, meaning your group keeps its own space.

The itinerary also gives you a clear story arc: Kathmandu to Pokhara, trail up through Ulleri and Ghorepani, sunrise at Poon Hill, then down to Tadapani, onward to Jhinu Danda for the hot spring, and finally the return through Ghandruk to Nayapul and back to Pokhara and Kathmandu.

Key things I’d bet on before you go

• Sunrise hike to Poon Hill (3210m): an early uphill push for the Himalayan view from the classic viewpoint.
• Jhinu Danda hot spring stop (1780m): a real recovery moment after trekking days.
• Permits and TIMS are included: Annapurna conservation area entry and Poon Hill area permit, plus your TIMS card.
• Shared porter support: one porter between two people, plus a company medical kit.
• Pokhara comfort built in: two nights in Pokhara with breakfast, after the long bus day.
• Private group setup: only your group participates, which usually means less waiting and more calm.

Kathmandu to Pokhara: settle in before the trek grind

Your trip begins in Kathmandu with arrival and an overnight stay so you can get your head straight before the mountains take over. The meeting point is in Thamel, Kathmandu, at 8:15 pm, so expect an evening start to kick off the logistics side of things.

On Day 2, you move to Pokhara by tourist bus. The schedule lists a 12-hour ride, and that’s a key piece of your planning puzzle. If you’re the type who hates cramped seating, you might feel it, so I’d treat this as a “reset day” rather than a sightseeing day. Once you reach Pokhara, you stay overnight at the lower elevation listed at 820m, which helps you sleep and breathe easier than in Kathmandu or on the trail.

One value point here is that your package doesn’t just drop you at the trek trailhead. It also includes two nights of accommodation in Pokhara with breakfast. That matters because Pokhara can be a tough place to coordinate on your own right before hiking.

Ulleri to Ghorepani (2010m to 2874m): your first real altitude wake-up

On Day 3, the trip switches from transport to trail. You go from Pokhara to Nayapul by private transport (listed at about 1.5 hours), then start hiking to Ulleri (2010m). Even without the exact walking hours, you should expect a day where your legs work but your mind is still catching up to the altitude.

Day 4 is Ulleri to Ghorepani (2874m). Ghorepani is where the trek starts to feel very “Himalaya” because you’re higher and the air gets thinner. This is also a smart place to notice how the route is built: you’re gaining elevation step by step, not jumping from valley to view in one dramatic day.

If you’re planning your pacing, keep it steady and boring. Short breaks, consistent steps, and no hero moments.

Ghorepani to Poon Hill to Tadapani: sunrise payoff and the big descents

Day 5 is the standout because it includes an early-morning hike uphill to Poon Hill for sunrise views. Poon Hill is listed at 3210m, so yes, you’re waking up early and climbing while the rest of the world still thinks it’s sleeping. When the sky opens, you’re set up to see a wide set of peaks in the Annapurna region, and the itinerary even calls out Dhaulagiri (listed at 8167m) as part of the mountain scenario.

I love that this day is not just about standing at a viewpoint. After sunrise, you hike downhill and eat breakfast, then continue to Tadapani (2630m). Tadapani is lower than Poon Hill, which helps your body recover from the peak effort. That drop is a big part of why this trek is described as fast and smooth. You get the punchy highlight, then you work back toward more comfortable breathing.

Practical advice: sunrise days can make people rush. Don’t. The view is waiting for you even if you take it slow for 30 minutes longer. Bring warm layers for early hours. Even if the sun looks close on a map, mountain mornings can feel cold fast.

Tadapani to Jhinu Danda: the planned recovery day

Day 6 brings the hot spring. You trek from Tadapani (2630m) to Jhinu Danda (1780m), a big altitude change in one go. That descent matters. It helps reset your legs, and it sets you up for the reward portion of the trek, the Hot-Spring stop listed right on this day.

This is the kind of included moment I love in trekking packages because it’s not just scenery. It’s an actual comfort break. After hours of walking and carrying your own small load (or sharing porter support), a warm soak can make tomorrow feel possible.

One consideration: hot springs sometimes involve basic facilities and limited comfort compared with a hotel. Since personal expenses like hot shower are listed as not included, assume you’ll want to keep expectations realistic and use the hot spring as a recovery treat, not a spa day.

Jhinu Danda to Ghandruk: villages, backdrops, and a sense of place

Day 7 hikes from Jhinu Danda to Ghandruk (1940m). Ghandruk is the cultural and scenic payoff point many people remember. The trek overview describes historic ethnic villages on an evergreen trekking course, and this is where that idea becomes real. Expect village streets, local life, and that steady Himalayan backdrop that makes you stop more often than planned.

Ghandruk also sits at a middle altitude compared with the earlier highs. That’s helpful after the cold and early push of sunrise day. You’re still trekking, but you’re not constantly dealing with the harshest thin-air moments.

If you like photos, this is a good day to slow down. Not for long, just enough to enjoy the details: how people live in a mountain valley, how the trail connects homes, and how viewpoints change with each bend.

Ghandruk to Nayapul to Pokhara: ending the trail without losing the plot

On Day 8, you trek from Ghandruk down to Nayapul (1070m). Then you take private transport back to Pokhara (820m). This day feels like closure. The trail ends, the valley opens up, and you transition from hiking rhythm to travel rhythm again.

Pokhara makes the return feel less abrupt because it’s a base city with services and easy logistics. It’s also why the itinerary keeps two separate Kathmandu-Pokhara legs, with a bus ride at the start and another bus ride at the end.

Day 9 is Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus, listed for 9 days total schedule and returning to Kathmandu at 1336m. It’s another long transport day. I’d plan for a calm evening in Kathmandu after you arrive, not a frantic schedule.

Price and value: what your $1,099 really buys

At $1,099 per person, this trek sits in a mid-range package category for Nepal trekking, but the value comes from what’s included rather than the headline price.

Here’s what you get that reduces your workload:

• Transfers: airport pickup and drop plus Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by tourist bus, and private transport to and from Nayapul.
• Permits and administration: TIMS card and Annapurna conservation area trekking entry permits, including Poon Hill park.
• Trek support: porter service, listed as one porter between two people, plus a medical kit.
• Guiding framework and trip proof: the trip is described as trip certified, and the company provides a duffel bag and a t-shirt.
• Food and lodging basics: two nights in Pokhara with breakfast, plus meal counts listed as breakfast 10, lunch 6, dinner 5.

What’s not included is also important to price-check:

• travel medical insurance and emergency evacuation costs
• Nepal entry visa fee and international airfare
• personal equipment
• tips for guide and porter
• personal expenses like alcohol and hot shower

My take: if you want fewer moving parts, this package makes sense. If you already have trekking permits, your own logistics plan, and a strong support system, you could potentially save money DIY. But for most people, paying for included permits, porter support, and meal planning buys time, less stress, and smoother pacing.

Guides and organization: the human part of the trek

The reviews attached to this company highlight a consistent theme, the guides being accommodating and able to explain what you’re seeing. One review specifically mentions meeting Nikesh Dhakal during an Annapurna Circuit Trek in 2012, describing him as amazing and keeping in touch. When the reviewer later chose another Himalaya trek, Nikesh handled pickup and showed strong guiding ability.

I can’t promise the guide you get on your exact dates is Nikesh, because the tour data here doesn’t name your specific day guide. Still, the fact that the company has a named guide with long-term clients is a good sign that they take guiding seriously, not just moving people along.

That matters on a trek like this because sunrise viewpoints are crowded and weather-dependent. A good guide helps you read the situation, manage timing, and understand what peaks or landmarks you’re looking at.

Who this trek fits best, and who should think twice

This tour is aimed at people with moderate physical fitness. That wording is accurate. You’re trekking multiple days, including an early start for sunrise and a hot-spring day that includes a big altitude drop and then another climb later.

This trek is a good match if you:

• want classic viewpoints without a super long trek timeline
• like the idea of village scenery plus one major sunrise highlight
• want a built-in recovery moment at Jhinu Danda
• prefer a private group setup for a calmer experience

You might want to think twice if you:

• struggle with early mornings or long transport days like the 12-hour bus ride
• have limited altitude tolerance, since the route rises up to 3210m at Poon Hill and then fluctuates through several elevation changes

Should you book the Poon Hill Hot Spring 10 Days Trek?

Book it if you want a high-reward trek with clear structure: Poon Hill sunrise, a supported route with permits and meals, and a practical reset at the hot spring. The package also makes sense if you value organization and hate dealing with permits, transport timing, and last-minute trail logistics.

Skip or consider alternatives if you want a slower, more flexible experience where you choose your own start times and meals. Also, if you get worn down by very long road days, plan for that bus time mentally.

If you go, do two things well: train lightly before you arrive, and keep your pace steady on climbing days. Then you’ll enjoy the best part of this trek, waking up early, earning the view, and rewarding yourself with warm water at the end of the work.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point and what time does the tour start?

The meeting point is Thamel, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal, with a start time listed as 8:15 pm.

How do we travel between Kathmandu and Pokhara?

You travel by tourist bus for Kathmandu to Pokhara, and later by tourist bus for Pokhara to Kathmandu.

Does the trek include airport pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Airport pick up and drop are included by car/van/bus.

What are the trek’s key altitude points?

The itinerary lists Pokhara at 820m, Ulleri at 2010m, Ghorepani at 2874m, Poon Hill at 3210m, Tadapani at 2630m, Jhinu Danda at 1780m, Ghandruk at 1940m, and Nayapul at 1070m.

Is Poon Hill sunrise included?

Yes. Day 5 includes an early morning hike uphill to Poon Hill to see the sunrise view, followed by a downhill walk and breakfast.

Do you visit Jhinu Danda hot spring?

Yes. Day 6 includes trekking to Jhinu Danda for the hot-spring stop.

Are trekking permits included?

Yes. Included permits are for the Annapurna conservation area trekking entry, including the Poon Hill park, plus the TIMS card.

Is there a porter?

Yes. Porter service is included, listed as 1 porter between 2 person basic, along with a medical kit.

What meals are included?

Breakfast is listed as 10, lunch as 6, and dinner as 5.

What is not included in the price?

Not included are travel medical insurance and emergency evacuation costs, Nepal entry visa fee, international air fare, personal equipment, and tips for guide and porter. Personal expenses like alcohol and hot shower are also not included.