Poon Hill with Muldai Peak trek

Today you’ll drive to Pokhara. You’ll stop at least once along the way, including at a picturesque spot by the river for lunch.
You’ll arrive in Pokhara in the afternoon, where there’s plenty to do. Pokhara is situated on beautiful Phewa Lake. On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range from here.
Take a lovely walk along the riverbank and watch the locals fishing or repairing their boats. You can also take a small boat to the tiny island, where you can visit the Tal Barahi Temple.

After a ride in a private car, you’ll begin your beautiful trek in the Annapurna region. You’ll start in the village of Kimche.
Today offers a lovely mix of nature and culture. You’ll get a glimpse into the daily lives of the local people. Some sections of the hike take you past terraced fields, while others lead through bamboo forests and past rhododendrons and oak trees.
You’ll walk partly on a dirt road and then take the stairs up until you arrive in Ghandruk. In this picturesque Gurung village, you can enjoy a stunning view of Hiunchuli and Machapuchhre.
After lunch, follow the path uphill past the traditional homes of Ghandruk and first climb to a teahouse with a stunning view of Annapurna. From here, continue through a rhododendron forest until you reach Bhaisi Kharka.
A final short, steep climb brings you to Tadapani.

After breakfast, you’ll leave the beaten path and hike through a beautiful rhododendron forest in a more remote region. This less-traveled trail takes you past several unspoiled Nepalese villages and stunning natural scenery.
After a short climb followed by a descent, you’ll be ascending almost the entire way. Along the way, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Annapurna South mountain range. You continue through the forest, which gradually transitions into a mix of oak and coniferous trees. Another half hour further on, you arrive in Meshar Danda, where you’ll have incredibly beautiful views from a ridge.
You continue along the trail through the forest, and after passing an open slope, you climb further to a small pass where you’ll also see a beautiful temple.
After the pass, you descend briefly through an open valley before re-entering the forest and walking along the ridge. You descend again to a small river and then climb back up to Dobato.
If you wish and the weather is clear, you can hike another 45 minutes and enjoy a sunset over Muldai Peak.

You’re up early today! After an early breakfast, you’ll hike to Muldai Peak, where you’ll enjoy a breathtaking sunrise over the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas.
From Muldai, you’ll hike along a steep trail to Banthanti. This is a beautiful and secluded part of the trek: you’ll encounter few, if any, other hikers.
You’ll hike along a steep trail through a rhododendron forest to Deurali. After crossing a small pass, you’ll descend to Ghorepani. Here you’ll rejoin the main trail and see plenty of other trekkers again.
Ghorepani was a popular stop for caravans heading to Tibet. From here, you have a view of the impressive Dhaulagiri (8,167 m)! Did you know that Dhaulagiri is the seventh-highest mountain in the world?

Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters) is the seventh highest mountain in the world and was once the highest mountain known to the Western world.
Dhaulagiri was thought to be the highest mountain on Earth until 1848, before Kangchenjunga and later Mount Everest were charted. The name means “White Mountain” in Sanskrit, which is a perfect fit for the imposing, snow-capped peak that can be seen on many treks in the Annapurna region.

Today you’ll be up early again. You’ll leave your luggage at the lodge and hike for around 45 minutes up to Poon Hill (3,210 m) to admire the stunning views of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri at sunrise.
After enjoying the view, you’ll walk back to Ghorepani for breakfast.
Today’s walk is mainly downhill: a long descent through beautiful rhododendron and oak forests takes you to Birethanti. You’ll continue on to the village of Ulleri. After climbing a long, steep stone staircase, you’ll finally reach Hile.

Het pad vanuit Hile daalt vandaag op de zijkant van de vallei. Je wandelt op de oever van de Bhurungdi rivier. Het pad loopt door bamboebossen, langs een mooie waterval en een zwemput.
Je passeert de laatste checkpost en wandelt verder naar het dorp Birethanti (1000m). Na Birethanti neem je een brug en volg je de oostelijke over van de Modi Khola rivier. Je steekt de rivier opnieuw over en volgt het pad naar omhoog tot in Nayapul.
In Nayapul word je opgewacht door een privé-wagen die je terug naar Pokhara brengt. De rest van de dag kun je vrij besteden in Pokhara.

Your journey has come to an end. It’s time to head back to Kathmandu! You’ll make the return journey in a private car. You’ll stop at least twice along the way. You can sample some locally caught fish at a small local restaurant by the river!

The Poon Hill trek, including Muldai Peak, is a gentle to moderately challenging trek, with daily stages averaging 4 to 6 hours of walking. There are steps and the occasional steep section, but no technical sections. The altitude remains relatively low (max. approx. 3,637 m at Muldai Peak), so the risk of altitude sickness is low.

No, this walk is suitable for beginners who are in reasonably good physical shape. Some walking experience is helpful, but not essential. We do, however, recommend that you practise walking on hills or stairs regularly beforehand.

Yes, families with children aged around 8 and above will find this trek manageable, especially if they enjoy walking. The variety of scenery, villages and views keeps the trek interesting. Children do need to be able to walk independently for a few hours a day.

You’ll stay in charming, simple lodges, often run by local families. You can expect a comfortable bed, a hot meal and usually a hot shower (for a fee). Bathrooms may be shared. Electricity and Wi-Fi are available in most places, but aren’t always reliable.

The best months are October–November and March–April. The weather is clear and dry then, and the rhododendrons (especially in spring) are in bloom. The winter months are also an option, but it is cooler. During the summer months (June–September) it is the monsoon season and therefore wet and misty; however, the path is well-maintained and this trek is also possible during the monsoon.

The trek is led by a local, English-speaking guide, who takes care to ensure the group’s pace and comfort. Porters are also available to carry your luggage, so you’ll only need to carry a daypack.

Yes, for this trek you will need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card. We will arrange these documents for you before the trek begins.

As well as the iconic sunrise view from Poon Hill (3,210 m), you’ll also enjoy the peace and quiet and the panoramic views from Muldai Peak (3,637 m). The trails are less crowded than the classic Poon Hill route, and you’ll pass through charming Gurung villages along the way.

Yes, this tour can be easily adapted. Those who walk at a brisker pace can shorten the trip by a day; those who prefer a more leisurely pace can add an extra night. This makes the itinerary ideal for travellers who value comfort and flexibility.

A good day rucksack, sturdy walking boots, layered clothing (for colder mornings), a rain jacket and sun protection are essential. We’ll provide you with a handy packing list in advance, tailored to the season of your trip.

Both viewpoints offer spectacular panoramic views of the Himalayas, but there are clear differences:

Poon Hill (3,210 m) is the most famous viewpoint in the region. From here, you can see Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and Nilgiri, amongst others. As it is so popular, it can get busy during the high season, especially at sunrise.

Muldai Peak (3,637 m) is situated a little higher up and is much quieter. From here, you can see not only the peaks visible from Poon Hill, but also additional peaks such as Annapurna I and Lamjung Himal. As fewer people visit, the view here feels more intimate and authentic.

In short: Poon Hill is famous and bustling, whilst Muldai Peak is quieter and offers views that are just as impressive, and often even more sweeping. So it’s ideal to include both on your trek!