Poon Hill & Ghandruk Trek: Getting to Nayapul/Kimche from Pokhara

The Ghorepani–Poon Hill–Ghandruk loop is the most loved short trek in the Annapurna region: a few days of rhododendron forest, Gurung villages and a famous sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South from Poon Hill (3,210 m). Before the walking begins, though, you need to reach the trailhead — and that first drive from Pokhara is where a reliable vehicle really pays off.

Where do the trails start?

There are two common road heads. Nayapul is the classic starting point for the Ghorepani/Poon Hill side. Kimche (above Syauli Bazaar) is the closest road head for going straight up to Ghandruk, saving a long uphill. Which one you use depends on your route direction and how much walking you want on day one.

Trailhead transport quick facts

• Pokhara to Nayapul: ~42 km, about 1.5–2 hours by road
• Pokhara to Kimche (for Ghandruk): a little further and higher on a rougher road
• Vehicle: car for Nayapul; jeep recommended for the rough climb to Kimche
• Poon Hill viewpoint: 3,210 m; Ghandruk village ~2,012 m
• Permits: ACAP entry permit and TIMS card for trekkers — we can point you to the right offices
• Private transfer: from NPR — ask for a quote (one way or with pickup on your return)

A typical loop

A classic four to five day plan runs Nayapul → Tikhedhunga → Ulleri → Ghorepani, an early climb to Poon Hill for sunrise, then across to Tadapani and down to Ghandruk before driving back from Kimche/Nayapul. Fitter walkers compress it; others add a night to enjoy the villages. Either way, the sunrise from Poon Hill — a wall of peaks glowing pink above the ridgelines — is the highlight.

Getting the logistics right

The smart move is to arrange your drop-off at the start and your pickup at the end for the day you finish. Trekkers often misjudge the timing and end up haggling for an expensive taxi at Nayapul after a long descent. We can hold your pickup for the agreed day, and even store a bag of city clothes for you in Pokhara while you are on the trail.

Tips before you go

• Start the drive early so you begin walking in the cool of the morning.
• Carry your permits and a photo ID — there are checkposts on the trail.
• Autumn and spring give the best mountain visibility for the Poon Hill sunrise.

Whether you want a simple one-way drop to Nayapul or a fully timed drop-and-collect, we will sort the transport so you can focus on the trek.

Why start with a private vehicle?

The road to the trailheads is narrow and, above Syauli Bazaar toward Kimche, genuinely rough. Shared jeeps run when full and on their own schedule, which can eat into your walking day. A private drop means you leave when you want, keep your pack with you, and arrive fresh rather than squeezed in with strangers and their luggage. On the way back — when you are tired and just want to reach a hot shower in Pokhara — having a driver already waiting at the agreed time is worth every rupee. It is a small cost against a multi-day trek, and it removes the one bit of the trip that most often goes wrong.

Book This Trip with Pokhara Vehicles

We are a family-run car, jeep and taxi service based in Lakeside, Pokhara, driving guests safely around Nepal since 2008. Tell us your dates and group size and we will recommend the right vehicle and give you an honest, all-in quote — no surprises at the end of the day. Book your Poon Hill / Ghandruk trailhead transfer online, or message us any time on WhatsApp (or call +977 984-6737781) for a quick, no-obligation quote.