.png)
Main Navigation
This circular Annapurna Panorama Trek offers a wonderful introduction to trekking in Nepal. It is ideal for families groups who want to gain a ‘taste and feel’ of the Himalayas at comfortable altitudes and pace; requiring only moderate fitness. Also known as Poon Hill trekking, the highlight of the trek is the heavenly view from the grassy ridge at Poonhill consisting of a panorama of Annapurna (8091m), Dhaulagiri (8167m), Manaslu (8157m) and Machhapuchhre (6993m) among other peaks. The trek also includes a delightful area not visited on the shorter treks.
Annapurna Panorama Trek commences from your hotel in the holiday playground of Pokhara (nestling between beautiful Phewa Lake and the Annapurna Range). After a short drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, the trek begins as you pass through Ulleri on your way towards Ghorepani. The paths of trekking take you through terraced farmlands and ancient rhododendron, oak and bamboo forests. From ridges there are amazing views of the 6 000m/19 600ft snow clad peaks of the 50km Annapurna Himal.
Hindu Brahman and Chhetri, Buddhist farmers inhabit these regions, along with two Tibeto-Berman groups: the Magars (skilled craftsmen in stone and wood who farm the lower slopes) and the Gurungs (originally herders from Tibet who farm and tend sheep higher up). The distinctive architecture of these community and the opportunities for experiencing their friendly hospitality in the teahouses adds a special dimension to the trek.
A highlight is the early morning walk from Ghorepani to Nepal’s most visited physical landmark: the grassy summit of Poon Hill (3 210m/10 530ft). It offers magnificent sunrise views that include Dhaulagiri I, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, the fish-tailed peak of sacred Machhapuchhare and Manaslu.
The three day return route includes close up views of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre (fishtail) along with a night at the modern Gurung village of Ghandruk. The Ghandruk Cultural Museum is a popular attraction nearby, which provides an insight into Gurung culture and history. Cross the Modi Khola (carrying water from the Sanctuary above) and explore the eastern side for the valley. From Pothana an easy morning’s walk leads to the car and short drive back to Pokhara. The Annapurna Panorama Trek comes to an end with a scenic flight back to the capital.
If you are looking for a more challenging/lengthier and rewarding experience in the Annapurna region, take a look at our popular Annapurna Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit Trek packages!
The best times of the year to perform the Annapurna Panorama Trek are during spring (March to May) and autumn (last week in September to mid-December) seasons. During these periods, the weather remains stable and the mountain views are good leading to the best experience. Rhododendrons in full bloom on the hills with clear skies and crystalline mountains in the back drop is classic sight. In monsoon, the weather can be unpredictable and the rain can make the trails slippery and perilous.
This 11 Days Annapurna Panorama Trek is a moderate difficulty trek that takes you up to altitudes of 3210m (Poon Hill). You will be trekking for 5-6 hours on average everyday, over steep hilly terrain, for most of the trek. Prior trekking experience is not a necessity for this trek. While the trails require no more than minimal fitness and stamina, being fit will certainly make the trek easier.
After completing passport, immigration and visa requirements, we will meet you outside the terminal building (look for your name board) and transfer you to your hotel: afternoon free. Evening: a welcome dinner, introduction to your guide and a briefing on the trek with a check on necessities. Overnight at hotel.
Take a day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites: Swayambhunath, the famed “monkey temple;” the city’s historical Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art, architecture, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar Square; the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the world’s largest stupa.
A car and driver will take you to each site-entrance and wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not included.)
After breakfast, drive to Pokhara along the Prithvi Raimarg which offers fascinating glimpses of rural Nepal as you pass through Middle Hill scenery and along major rivers such as the Trisuli Nadi, which rises in Tibet north east of Kathmandu. The route passes through the lower Gorkha region (beneath Manaslu).
Transfer to your hotel. An afternoon City Tour includes: Devi’s waterfall and Shiva’s Cave. Enjoy an evening cruise on tranquil Lake Phewa before dinner. Overnight in Pokhara.
From your hotel, we drive north through farmland and forest to the trail head at Nayapul. Trek to the prosperous riverside village of Birethanti (1 000m) at the meeting point of the Modi and Bhurungdi Kholas. Then follow the Bhurungdi Khola to Sudame (1 340m) before climbing regularly up the side of the valley, to Tikhedhunga(1 510m), After that a long and step and steep climb on rock staircases to the village of Ulleri (2 080m).where we spent overnight.
The day starts early in the morning with an amazing landscape and marvelous views of Annapurna South (7 219m) and Hiunchuli (6 441m). The ascent continues through lush and ancient rhododendron and oak forests for several hours, with rest breaks, to the large village of Ghorepani. From here there are nice views of Dhaulagiri I 8 172m and the Annapurna Himal. Overnight in Ghorepani.
An early, ¾ hr, steep trek leads to Poon Hill’s grassy knoll. This landmark viewpoint offers unobstructed vistas of the high Himalaya from Dhaulagiri I (8 172m) and Upper Dolpo in the west, across the Annapurnas (Annapurna I, 8 019m), to Machhapuchhare (6 997m, Fish Tail) and east to Manaslu (8 156m). Behind: an ocean of Sal forests stretch to lowland India.
After breakfast, the eastward trail to Tadapani crosses numerous ridges through thick pine and rhododendron forest with uphill and downhill sections and magnificent views of the snow peaks to the north from high ground. Overnight in Tadapani.
Today’s trail is fairly short and largely downhill through forest and farmland. A fork then offers a choice of routes to Ghandruk. This is a densely settled, clean and modern Gurung village. Explore the surrounding area and visit the traditional Gurung museums. Overnight in Ghandruk.
The trail descends to go to the Modi Khola. This is the river that flows from the Annapurna South Glacier in the glorious Annapurna Sanctuary (a ring of enormous ice peaks that surround the Annapurna Base Camp, built on its moraine).
Then we cross the river on a suspension bridge and climb steep up to Landruk (1 620m): and good views of Hiunchuli, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare. The trail continues through scattered trees and flowering shrub to Tolka (1 790m), after which it ascends gradually, for ~2 hrs, to the ridge village Deorali (2 150m). Excellent views of Phewa Lake and Pokhara are possible from here and the last beautiful views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and the right side of the range. The trail then downhill along a red-earth path (that is lethal when wet) to Pothana. Overnight in Pothana.
The last day offers an easy walk down a point to the large farming rural village of Dhampus (1 700m). It then steep descends through scattered villages and rice paddies to Dhampus Phedi on the Pokhara – Baglung highway. A short drive will return you to your hotel in Pokhara. Afternoon free: consider a visit the Mountain Museum. Overnight in Pokhara
Pokhara – Kathmandu (1 300m/4 260ft), 25 min flight over night in Kathmand
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.
It has been an amazing trip for us even it rained a lot during our visit in Nepal. We received very good services and enjoyed the trekking trip very much. I certainly will recommend the Landmark Discovery Treks to my friends when they go visit the Nepal.
wanwken1
25th Apr, 2022
Anytime you book something on the internet from another country you are very worried that you may show up and were scammed, especially when you compare prices from a US based company for the same tour and the local company is so much less. Well this company is legit.
From the time I landed to the time I took off Prem was there the entire time. He was always looking out for my well being at all times. He was always checking with me to see if he could do anything else. The trip was very well planned and he knows all the owners at the place we stay. The other thing that really surprised me was that the tour was just for the 3 of us. There were plenty of other travelers to talk to each night but during the day we could do our own thing. We happen to be very fast hikers so we were able to go our speed. I plan on going back soon and doing another trek with Prem and plan on bringing some more friends. For the money this is the best value I have found in all my travels for such an awesome adventure. Feel free to contact me if you want a first hand rating glennz@mowermeter.com
Glennz 882
25th Apr, 2022
'We took our 6 month old baby on the Poon hill trek with Landmark Discovery Treks. As we had the baby we were a little nervous but the team at Landmark took absolute care to secure the safety of our family. They understood what was an unacceptable risk and advised accordingly.
Shiva was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable and friendly. I really enjoyed my days with him. Although we were trekking for 5 days as part of a bigger 5 week trip we felt we could rely on Prem and Landmark discovery for advice throughout our time in Nepal. They picked us up from the airport and welcomed us to the country.
Excellent, I can’t recommend enough.
5 stars'
Iain Niblock
28th Dec, 2022
'We took our 6 month old baby on the Poon hill trek with Landmark Discovery Treks. As we had the baby we were a little nervous but the team at Landmark took absolute care to secure the safety of our family. They understood what was an unacceptable risk and advised accordingly.
Shiva was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable and friendly. I really enjoyed my days with him. Although we were trekking for 5 days as part of a bigger 5 week trip we felt we could rely on Prem and Landmark discovery for advice throughout our time in Nepal. They picked us up from the airport and welcomed us to the country.
Excellent, I can’t recommend enough.
Iain Niblock
8th Jan, 2023
