Planning
Best Short Treks from Pokhara (Under a Week)
Pokhara is the launchpad for some of the best short treks in Nepal. Within a couple of hours of the lakeside you can be on a forest trail or a high ridge, and back within a week with time to spare.
Here are the short treks we run most often from Pokhara, what each is best for, and how to choose between them.
Key takeaways
- Poon Hill is the easiest and most cultural, famous for its sunrise.
- Mardi Himal is the standout for close mountain views with modest effort.
- Australian Camp and Kori suit those with only two or three days.
- All of these start and end near Pokhara with no domestic flights.
Mardi Himal Trek
The best short trek for dramatic, close-up mountain views. The ridge climbs to High Camp at 3,550m and an Upper Viewpoint around 4,200m, with Machhapuchhre filling the skyline. It is quieter than Poon Hill and rated moderate, ideal for fit first-timers. Read our full Mardi Himal trek cost and itinerary guides to plan it.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
The classic and the easiest of the group, famous for its sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from Poon Hill. It is the most cultural option, passing through large Gurung and Magar villages, and the gentlest on the legs. A great first Himalayan trek for families.
Shorter options: Australian Camp and Kori
If you have only two or three days, Australian Camp offers a quick taste of the Annapurna views with an easy walk, while the Kori trek climbs to a quieter high viewpoint above the Kapuche valley. Both pair well with a relaxed few days in Pokhara.
How to choose
- Want the easiest trek and the famous sunrise: Ghorepani Poon Hill.
- Want the closest mountain views with moderate effort: Mardi Himal.
- Only have two or three days: Australian Camp or Kori.
- Cannot decide between the two big ones: see our Mardi Himal vs Poon Hill comparison.
