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Poon Hill at sunrise: Nepal's most photographed Himalayan viewpoint

For the price of a short, gentle trek, Poon Hill delivers the sunrise shot that fills travel feeds — Dhaulagiri and Annapurna glowing gold. Here's how to do it.

LR 作者 Laxman Rawal · 2026年6月9日 · 2 分钟阅读 · 更新于 2026年6月15日

Sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks from Poon Hill, Nepal

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If you have seen one photo that made you want to trek in Nepal, there is a good chance it was taken from Poon Hill. At 3,210 metres, this grassy summit above Ghorepani serves up the Himalaya's most accessible great sunrise — a 180-degree wall of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna turning gold — and you do not need to be a hardened trekker to stand there.

Key facts

Poon Hill viewpoint sits at 3,210m
A short, gentle trek of about 4–5 days from Pokhara
Sunrise panorama over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Machhapuchhre
Suitable for beginners and families

Why it is the postcard shot

Few viewpoints on earth pack this much mountain into one frame. As the sun rises, light spills across more than a dozen peaks above 7,000 and 8,000 metres, including Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Annapurna I (8,091m), with the unmistakable fishtail spire of Machhapuchhre off to the east. It is the kind of scene that needs no filter — and because the climb to the viewpoint is short, you can be there with a tripod before the first light hits.

Poon Hill trek at a glance
Detail	Information
Viewpoint altitude	3,210m
Trek length	~4–5 days
Start point	Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul
Difficulty	Easy to moderate
Best months	Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr (clear skies)

Getting the shot

The trek climbs through some of Nepal's prettiest middle-hill country — terraced fields, Gurung and Magar villages, and rhododendron forest that blazes red in spring. The famous stone staircase up to Ulleri is the one real workout. You overnight in Ghorepani, then climb 45 minutes in the dark to the viewpoint for sunrise. For photographers: arrive early for a foreground spot, bring a wide lens for the panorama and a longer one for the peaks, and shoot the colour that lands on Dhaulagiri first.

What this means for you

If you want a genuine Himalayan trek but only have a few days — or you are travelling with family or first-timers — Poon Hill is the perfect choice. It pairs beautifully with a Pokhara lakeside stay, and the sunrise alone is worth the trip. We arrange the transport, lodges and a guide who knows exactly where to stand when the light breaks.

Some views you work for years to earn. This one asks for a few days and an early alarm — and gives back the photo of your life.

Source: Travel Himalaya Nepal trek operations.

Cover photo: sagar sintan via Pexels (Pexels License).

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