Annapurna Region

Region Gandaki
Typical trip 4 – 14 days
Best time March – May, September – November

Annapurna is the most flexible trekking region in Nepal. You can walk for four days to Poon Hill or fourteen to base camp and back, and the trailheads are an hour or two from Pokhara rather than a flight away.

The scenery changes constantly — terraced farmland, then rhododendron forest, then a glacial amphitheatre with Machhapuchhre standing over it. For most first-time trekkers, this is the region we suggest.

Highlights

Poon Hill Sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, reachable in a long weekend of walking.
Annapurna Base Camp A glacial sanctuary ringed by peaks. The last morning of the walk in is the one.
Ghandruk A Gurung village of stone houses with the range filling the whole northern view.
Jhinu hot springs Natural pools by the river, and a very well-earned soak on the way down.

Things to do in Annapurna Region

Climb Poon Hill for dawn

An hour up in the dark with head torches, for the region's classic sunrise.

Stay in a Gurung village

Ghandruk or Ghorepani — teahouse rooms, dal bhat, and mountains from the doorstep.

Walk into the sanctuary

The final approach to base camp, where the peaks close in on every side.

Best time to visit Annapurna Region

January Possible
February Possible
March Best
April Best
May Good
June Possible
July Avoid
August Possible
September Best
October Best
November Best
December Possible

How to reach Annapurna Region

From Pokhara Trailheads at Nayapul and Kande are a short drive — no internal flight needed.
Short or long Four days to Poon Hill, or two weeks to base camp. Same region, very different trip.
Permits Conservation area and trekking permits are required. We arrange them for you.

Travel tips

The Poon Hill route is the best short trek in Nepal for first-timers — real mountains, no altitude drama.
Stone stairs, endlessly. Trekking poles save your knees on the descent more than on the way up.
Teahouses are basic and warm; carry a sleeping bag liner and you will sleep better.
Book a porter if you are unsure. It changes a hard trek into an enjoyable one.

Photos