Trek Guide
Both start near Pokhara. Both have stunning Himalayan views. But Poon Hill is a classic for a reason, and Mardi Himal is what experienced trekkers…
By Travel Himalaya Nepal · Mar 10, 2026
Poon Hill and Mardi Himal are the two most popular short treks from Pokhara — and they are frequently compared as if they are interchangeable. They are not. Both are excellent, both have genuine Himalayan views, but they suit very different trekkers, and…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
There is a reason more than 10,000 trekkers do the Poon Hill trek every year. The 5:30am summit push in the dark, emerging onto the viewpoint just as the sky turns amber behind Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna massif — it is one of the most reliably spectacular…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Mardi Himal is what experienced trekkers reach for when they want the Annapurna region without the crowds. The trek approaches the base of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) more closely than almost any other route in the region — and that proximity is the…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Genuinely suitable for unfit beginners. Daily walking tops out at 5–6 hours, elevation gain per day is moderate, and trails are wide and clearly marked. The only hard part is the 45-minute push to the viewpoint before dawn — and even that is manageable for…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
This is where we will give you an honest answer rather than a diplomatic one. The Poon Hill sunrise — Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre all visible in a single panorama — is world-famous for a reason. It is genuinely exceptional, and…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Both treks sit inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so the paperwork is identical. You need an ACAP entry permit (currently around NPR 3,000 , roughly USD 22–25 for foreign nationals; SAARC nationals pay less). You also carry a TIMS card (NPR 2,000)…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Poon Hill has two ideal windows. March is best for rhododendron forests in bloom. October delivers the clearest skies and sharpest mountain views after the monsoon clears; November is also excellent. Avoid December–January (cold, possible snow at Ghorepani)…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Yes — a 7-day combined itinerary exists that links the Poon Hill circuit to the Mardi Himal trail via the Annapurna foothills. It is one of the most rewarding ways to experience both perspectives in a single trip. This is a custom routing option; contact us…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
We have been guiding these trails since 1998. Here is our straightforward advice: First time trekking in Nepal → Poon Hill. The trail is accessible, the experience is iconic, and you will finish it feeling like Nepal exceeded your expectations. Done a 4-day…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
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