Annapurna sunrise trek is one of the best treks for nature lovers and thrill seekers alike as it explores the treasures of Nepal. The short cultural and natural trek prepares trekkers for other strenuous treks in the region.
The trek derives its name from the breath-taking and memorable sunrise view from the top of Poon Hill, made worthwhile by the snow-capped mountains glistening in the sun. The panoramic Himalayan view includes Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Himchuli, and Nilgiri.
The Annapurna Sunrise trek is also called family trek for the short, easy walks (5 hours) to an elevation of 3210 m. The trek can be best experienced during the months of February to May and October to December. Rhododendron forests, terraced fields, waterfalls, streams, and traditional villages adorn the entire trail.
The cultural trek explores temples, palaces, museums and traditional villages of the trail. Ghorepani is another Magar village whose people treat the tourists with warm hospitality.
The trek explores modern cities and beautiful hilly areas. The mesmerizing mountain peaks and green sceneries make a delightful company throughout the trail. All adventure lovers should try the trek for its natural and cultural treasures.
Highlights of Annapurna Sunrise Trekking
- Panoramic views of Dhaulagiri I, Annapurna I, Nilgiri, Tukuche, Himchuli , Tarke kang, and Machchhapuchhre
- Traditional Magar and Gurung settlements
- World heritage sites of Kathmandu and Pokhara
You might want to consider Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek which are very similar trek in Annapurna region.
We take a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The flight over green hills and snowy mountains reaches another beautiful valley, Pokhara. As Pokhara is our starting point, we check into a hotel and get briefed about the trip by our guide. If we have enough time, we visit famous sites of the city and then lounge around the lakeside area. We stay here overnight.
We begin the trek from Pokhara as we drive all the way to Nayapool. As we cross a suspension bridge, we reach Birethanti. We have lunch and get our permits checked here. Then, we make a 3 hours gradual climb to Tikhedhunga. We spend the night here.
The ascent from here is a difficult one as it reaches to a higher elevation. We climb stone steps, walk past meadows, fields, and rhododendron forests. Ghorepani is a typical Magar village with small shops selling the local products. The traditional residents welcome us with warm hospitality. It is a cultural experience along with the majestic beauty of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. We stay here overnight.
We start the day early to reach Poon hill by sunrise. From Ghorepani, it takes about 45 minutes to reach the top of Poon Hill. The trek derives its name for the spellbinding sunrise from the vantage point. The view of the golden peaks as the sun colors the sky in different shades is exquisite. Capturing the beautiful scenery is a breathtaking experience that is photographed for memories.
From Poonhill, we descend back to Ghorepani and have our breakfast. Then, we proceed towards Tadapani by first heading east and climbing a ridge. Then making a descent through rhododendron forests and waterfalls, we finally reach Tadapani. We stay overnight in Tadapani.
From Tadapani, we trek through rhododendron and oak forests till we reach Ghandruk village. It takes about 2-3 hours to reach our destination. Ghandruk is a popular Gurung settlement with unique traditions. We enjoy the warm hospitality and the beautiful vistas of Annapurna range, Himchuli, Machchhapuchhre.
From Ghandruk, we continue downhill to a river and cross a suspension bridge. A short climb after that takes us to Jhinu Danda. There is a famous hot spring nearby where we relax for a while. We spend the night in Jhinu Danda.
The trek from Jhinu Danda to Potana takes about 6-7 hours. We climb up and down the hills encountering rhododendron forests, waterfalls, streams, and rivers. We also pass through other famous spots like Landruk and Tolka before we reach Potana. It is another famous destination with mesmerizing views of the Himalayas. We spend the night here.
From Potana, we trek downhill for about three hours, passing through Dhampus to Phedi. From Phedi we take a bus or car ride to Pokhara which ends our trek. We enjoy boating and music in the lakeside area in the evening.
Cost Includes
- All domestic flight, hotel/airport transfer as per itinerary
- 2 nights accommodation in Pokhara
- All ground transportation by private vehicles
- All accommodations in teahouse
- 3 meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) during the treks
- All Porter ages costs
- guide leader (First Aid and Eco trained English Speaking)
- All required major permits
- All necessary paper works and permits
- Rescue arrangements incase of emergency
- Medical Kit Bag
- All government and local taxes if necessary
Cost Excludes
- All the drinks while you are on trek
- Tips for porter and guide
- personal expenses
Q1. How difficult is Annapurna Sunrise Trekking?
Actually, Annapurna Sunrise trek is not that hard. The difficulty level depends upon your physical fitness and previous trekking experience.
However, trek route includes steep climb uphill, downhill, and rocky path. This requires physical fitness and stamina and most importantly mental fitness. Thus, a good exercise and training program is essential.
Your training program should include physical strengthening, conditioning, balancing and so on.
We have a flexible itinerary with enough acclimatization and rest days before heading to higher elevations for your easy trekking.
Q2. How long does Annapurna Sunrise Trek take?
Annapurna Sunrise Trek takes 12 to 16 days, depending on your itinerary and length of walking days. Here’s a 15 days itinerary, starting from Nayapul and ascending up to Ghorepani and the famous viewpoint at Poon Hill.
You can also extend the itinerary from 20-22 days and opt Annapurna Circuit Trek, which is rewarding in itself.
Q3. How fit do I have to be for Annapurna Sunrise Trek?
For Annapurna Sunrise trek, you don’t have to be a marathon runner, but you do have to be fit and healthy. During the trek, you may have to trek for 7-8 hours per day. For this trek, no any mountaineering skills are needed.
Q4. Do I need to bring my own sleeping bag?
If you cannot bear cold, I would suggest bringing your own sleeping bag. You can hire sleeping bags at Pokhara or Kathmandu and return after the completion of the trek. Though the tea houses provide thick blankets, in the freezing temperatures it may not be enough for you. So, carrying a light sleeping bag is wise in high altitude treks. You might want to check: what to bring for Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Q5. What type of accommodation can I expect during the trek?
Annapurna Region is the second popular trekking destinations in Nepal. There is a huge flow of the trekkers and mountaineers from 1970’s onward so the trail is well established.
There are numerous nice, cozy, and well-furnished tea houses. Most of the tea houses have western toilet facilities with hot showers.
If you’re planning to trek in the peak trekking season (Spring and Autumn) make sure to do advance booking.
Q6. What type of food is available during the trek?
In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you’ll get a wide range of food. From Chinese, Continental, Italian, Newari to typical Nepali dish- Dal Bhat.
On the trail, especially at the lower region, you’ll get a variety of food menu. But as you reach the higher elevation the choices will be limited to local food menu like Dal-Bhat-Tarkari.
Q7. Can I get safe drinking water?
On the trail, almost all the tea houses provide boiled and filtered water. Mineral water is also available throughout the trail. Since the plastic bottles do not dispose easily which cause an environmental problem, we discourage purchase of mineral water bottle.
Likewise, along the trail there are enough water taps, you can use purification tablets to purify the drinking water. It is the better, safe, and cheap option.
Q8. Do I need a travel insurance?
Yes, before trek you should get your travel insurance from your respective country.
Make sure, the travel insurance covers everything associated with trek including emergency evacuation packages. This is very essential for your safety, as the weather in the mountains is totally unpredictable.
Also, if you’re insured, it’ll save you from hassles that may arise during the trek like loss of baggage, flight cancellation or interruptions, and the like.
Q9. What is the best time for Annapurna Base Camp?
The best time for Annapurna Base Camp trek is during the month of September to Mid-December and March to May. During these months, the climate is pleasant, with clear skies. You’ll get the stunning view of Mt. Annapurna and the surrounding peaks.
Q10. Can I trek in monsoon season?
Although the best season for trekking in the Annapurna region is spring and autumn, some tourists prefer monsoon season too. As the trail is less crowded, there are abundant choices in terms of accommodation. And flight booking can be done very easily.
During Monsoon, for few days you’ll encounter heavy rainfalls. But as you ascend further the rainfall decreases.
If you plan to trek during this season, then you should be prepared for the slippery and muddy trails and road blockage due to landslides or floods. Also, make sure you carry rain gears like raincoats, umbrella, and rain poncho.
Further, monsoon means an invitation to mosquitoes and leeches. Do not forget to carry along insect repellent and salts to combat leeches and mosquitoes.
Q11. What to do if I caught with altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness is also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). It generally occurs when people ascend too quickly over 3,000 m altitudes.
The basic symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, loss of appetite, and sleeplessness. You shouldn’t ignore these early symptoms, as it may lead to more serious conditions and may even lead to death.
The best solution for altitude sickness is descending to the lower altitude. Also, to ensure a minimal risk, you can walk at a slow pace, take enough rest, and drink plenty of water.
Q12. Do I need to hire a guide/porter?
Annapurna Sunrise Trek lies within one of the most popular and well-established trails of Nepal. Thus, it can be done with or without a guide.
However, it is recommended to hire a guide. A guide is a person who will help you in every aspect of the trek. S/he will share you information regarding the local culture, places, religion, and landscapes. They’re well familiar with the locals which will help you to communicate with them more comfortably.
Likewise, a porter is one who carries your backpack during the trekking period. With the help of them, you can enjoy your trek more comfortably.
Please kindly note you don’t have to overpack just because you aren’t carrying it.
Q13. Do I have to tip my guide/porter?
In Nepal, there is no hard and fast rule for tipping the guide or porter. However, at the end of the trek, if your guide or porter has done a good job and if you feel he deserves thank you, by all means, a tip is always appreciated.
Q14. Which permits are required for Annapurna Sunrise Trek?
For Annapurna Sunrise Trek, you need to obtain an entry permit from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) as well as TIMS card. You can get both these permits in Kathmandu or Pokhara. These permits are essential as there are different checkpoints where you may be asked to disclose these permits. If you don’t have it you have to pay fine and buy these permits in higher cost.
Q15. How do I book for Annapurna Sunrise Trek?
If the given itinerary on the websites suits you, then you can book online or email us. Also, if you want to customize your trip, we can plan itinerary as per your requirements. We are always ready to help you in customizing the trip, decide the best time to travel and choose the best trekking package as well.
For detailed info, you can directly call, Viber and WhatsApp at +977 9851060902 or send us an email at himalayasonfoot@gmail.com
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