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.
Below are the seven treks we run from Pokhara that take six days or fewer, each with a published price. The table compares them side by side, and each section says who the route suits.
Key takeaways
- Ghorepani Poon Hill is the cheapest of the seven, from US$210 per person, and the most cultural, famous for its sunrise from 3,210m.
- Mardi Himal gives the closest mountain views in five days, with an early push to base camp at 4,500m.
- Kapuche Glacier Lake, Khumai Korchan and Kori Hill each take four days.
- Khopra Ridge (6 days, 3,660m) and Hidden Lake (5 days, 4,372m) share the trail via Tadapani and Dobato.
- All seven start and end in Pokhara with no domestic flights.
The seven short treks at a glance
| Trek | Days | Max altitude | Best season | From (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek | 4 | 3,210m | Mar to May, Oct to Nov | US$210 |
| Kapuche Glacier Lake | 4 | 2,546m | Oct to May | US$260 |
| Khumai Korchan Trek | 4 | 3,682m | Oct to May | US$270 |
| Kori Hill Trek | 4 | 3,800m | Year-round, Jun to Sep for wildflowers | US$290 |
| Mardi Himal Trek | 5 | 4,500m | Oct to May | US$290 |
| Hidden Lake (Tridevi Tal) | 5 | 4,372m | Oct to May | US$340 |
| Khopra Ridge Trek | 6 | 3,660m | Oct to May | US$400 |
Days follow our standard itinerary from Pokhara and back. Prices are the lowest published rate: Backpacker tier, 3 to 5 people. All seven are rated Moderate.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
The classic, and the one we suggest for first-timers and families. It is famous for the sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from Poon Hill at 3,210m. The 4-day route climbs from Ulleri to Ghorepani, makes the pre-dawn climb to the viewpoint, then descends via Tadapani and Ghandruk through Gurung and Magar villages. From US$210 per person (Backpacker, 3 to 5 people).
Mardi Himal Trek
The best short trek for close-up mountain views. Our 5-day itinerary climbs from Pritam Deurali through Low Camp (2,600m) to High Camp at 3,550m, then makes an early push to the Upper Viewpoint at around 4,200m and Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500m before descending. Machhapuchhre fills the skyline for most of the ridge. It is rated moderate and suits fit first-timers. From US$290 per person (Backpacker, 3 to 5 people).
Kapuche Glacier Lake
The lowest of the seven, to a glacier-fed lake at 2,546m. Day one drives to the Gurung village of Sikles, day two walks on to Hugu, and day three is a two-hour hike to the lake and back to Hugu. On the way there are views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal. Altitude is not a concern on this route. 4 days, from US$260 per person (Backpacker, 3 to 5 people).
Khumai Korchan Trek
A quiet ridge trek above Ghachowk village, roughly 20 kilometres from Pokhara. You walk through rhododendron forest to Khumai Danda at 3,245m, then wake around 4:00am for a two-hour climb to Korchan (3,682m) and a 360-degree sunrise over Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri. Teahouses and homestays are more basic than on the main Annapurna trails. 4 days, from US$270 per person (Backpacker, 3 to 5 people).
Kori Hill Trek
A less-commercialised hill trek above the Gurung village of Sikless, climbing via Tasa to Kori at 3,800m for views of Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal and Machhapuchhre. It can be walked year-round and is best known for its monsoon wildflowers from June to September. 4 days, from US$290 per person (Backpacker, 3 to 5 people).
Khopra Ridge Trek
A high ridge trail facing Dhaulagiri. The 6-day route goes from Pokhara to Tadapani (2,630m), then up through Dobato and Chistibung to Khopra Danda at 3,660m, and descends via Swanta. With one more day you can reach Khayer Lake at 4,660m on our 7-day Khayer Lake Trek (from US$480). Khopra Ridge is from US$400 per person (Backpacker, 3 to 5 people).
What the starting prices include
Every price in this guide is the Backpacker tier for 3 to 5 people. Backpacker covers a licensed guide, shared transport and a teahouse room with breakfast; permits, lunch and dinner are paid separately. The Standard tier adds permits and the TIMS card, private transfers and all meals on the trek. Solo and 2-person rates are higher, and each trek page lists every rate.
How to choose
- Cheapest, gentlest and most cultural: Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.
- Closest mountain views for the effort: Mardi Himal Trek.
- Lowest altitude, with a glacier lake as the goal: Kapuche Glacier Lake.
- A quiet four-day ridge with a sunrise summit: Khumai Korchan Trek.
- Trekking in the monsoon, for the wildflowers: Kori Hill Trek.
- A longer ridge with Dhaulagiri views: Khopra Ridge Trek.
- A remote high lake in five days: Hidden Lake (Tridevi Tal).
- Cannot decide between Mardi Himal and Poon Hill: see our Mardi Himal vs Poon Hill comparison.
