Annapurna Sunrise | Himalayan Weekend at Poon Hill, Nepal

Few places on Earth reveal such extraordinary contrasts as quickly as the Annapurna region.

In the peaceful city of Pokhara, colourful wooden boats drift across the glassy waters of Phewa Lake while, above them, the razor sharp summit of Machhapuchhre appears to float in the sky, reflected almost perfectly in the water below. Within only a day's walk, lush rice terraces and subtropical forests begin an astonishing ascent toward the icy realm of the Himalayas. This remarkable transition takes place inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal's largest protected landscape and one of Asia's richest biodiversity hotspots, where hundreds of species of birds, orchids, mammals, and butterflies thrive. Every step along the trail reveals another layer of a landscape shaped by powerful geological forces, monsoon rains, and centuries of human life lived in harmony with the mountains.

The trail winds through a living mosaic of cultures and ecosystems, where each village tells a different story. Ancient stone staircases climb through dense forests of rhododendron, oak, and bamboo before emerging onto sunny ridges lined with terraced farms and timeless mountain settlements.

In spring, entire hillsides erupt into brilliant shades of red, pink, and white as Nepal's national flower transforms the forests into one of the Himalayas' greatest natural spectacles, while in autumn the crystal clear post monsoon skies reveal razor sharp Himalayan panoramas stretching from Dhaulagiri to the Annapurna massif, with crisp mountain air and golden terraced hills creating the region's finest trekking season.

The villages of Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, and Ghandruk have been home to the Gurung and Magar peoples for centuries, preserving traditions, architecture, and ways of life that remain deeply connected to the rhythms of the mountains. Standing atop Poon Hill at dawn, the first rays of sunlight ignite a breathtaking amphitheatre of Himalayan giants, from Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to the unmistakable pyramid of Machhapuchhre, creating one of the most celebrated mountain panoramas anywhere in the world.

These mountains have shaped not only extraordinary landscapes but extraordinary people. The Gurung villages scattered across these valleys became the birthplace of many of the legendary Gurkhas, soldiers whose courage, endurance, and loyalty earned worldwide respect while serving in the British, Nepali, and Indian armies. Their resilience was forged on these steep trails, where every journey demanded strength, discipline, and an intimate understanding of the mountains. Today, travellers are welcomed into the same villages by families who share stories, traditions, and warm Himalayan hospitality over simple meals in traditional teahouses. While trekking through the Annapurna foothills, you will quickly notice that, despite the overwhelming views wherever you look, the landscape is, in fact, only a part of the experience. Equally compelling are the villages, the people who have adapted to life in these mountains for generations, and the traditions that continue to shape daily life. Together, they offer a rare opportunity to understand the relationship between nature, culture, and history in the Himalayas.

By the time you return to Pokhara, you will already be planning your next Himalayan adventure...

Let's go! DAY 0 // Departure

Meeting at airport for a direct flight to Pokhara, Nepal. Immigration, check in to hotel, dinner and overnight in hotel. DAY 1 // Pokhara – Nayapul – Tikhedhunga (1,540 m)

After breakfast, we leave Pokhara for the scenic drive to Nayapul, the traditional gateway to the Annapurna region. The trail begins with a gentle walk along the Modi Khola before reaching the village of Birethanti (1,065 m) - entrance to the Annapurna Conservation Area. Continuing through terraced farmland and traditional villages, the route follows the Bhurungdi Khola before gradually climbing to Hile and finally to Tikhedhunga. Surrounded by lush…