Poon Hill & Annapurna Panorama Trek — 10 Days

Morning drive from Pokhara to the trailhead at Nayapul. Trek through Birethanti along the Bhurungdi Khola, crossing suspension bridges through terraced farmland and subtropical forest. Reach Tikhedhunga at the base of the famous Ulleri staircase.

Climb the 3,000-step stone staircase through Ulleri (1,960 m) and continue through oak and rhododendron forest via Banthanti. Emerge onto the ridge at Ghorepani with panoramic views of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and the first glimpses of the Annapurna range.

Pre-dawn ascent to Poon Hill for the classic Himalayan panorama — Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Ganesh Himal. Return to Ghorepani for breakfast, then follow the forested ridge trail east through abundant rhododendron forest to Tadapani.

Descend through forest and Gurung settlements, crossing the Kimrong Khola before climbing to Chhomrong — the last significant Gurung village before the Annapurna Sanctuary. Stone-paved streets and outstanding views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli mark this as one of the trek highlights.

Descend the steep stone staircase from Chhomrong to the Chhomrong Khola bridge, then climb sharply to Sinuwa. Continue down through increasingly dense forest to Bamboo, where the trail enters the heart of the Modi Khola gorge. The forest is cool and atmospheric, dense with bamboo and rhododendron.

Trek deeper into the Annapurna Sanctuary through Himalaya (2,920 m) and Dovan, with waterfalls cascading from steep cliffs on all sides. The landscape transitions from forest to alpine scrub as you approach Machhapuchhre Base Camp, dramatically sited below the towering fishtail peak.

Short but spectacular final ascent into the Annapurna Sanctuary amphitheatre. The trail crosses glacial moraine fields with Annapurna I (8,091 m) dominating the skyline. Spend the afternoon and evening at ABC with 360-degree views of the highest concentration of eight-thousanders anywhere in Nepal.

Watch the dawn light transform the Annapurna massif from rose-gold to brilliant white before beginning the descent. Retrace the route through MBC and Bamboo all the way to Sinuwa, making good time on the well-defined trail.

Climb back up to Chhomrong, then descend via Kimrong Khola to Ghandruk — the largest Gurung village in the region, with a fine cultural museum, traditional stone houses and terraced fields. Views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre are superb from the village.

Final day trekking through Kimche and the lower Modi valley to Nayapul. Board a private vehicle for the 1.5-hour drive to Pokhara, arriving in time for a celebratory lunch by Phewa Lake.