Best Short Treks from Pokhara: 1 to 7 Day Routes, Permits and Views (2026)

• ShortestSarangkot, 1 day
• ClassicPoon Hill, 4 to 5 days
• Highest pointMardi Himal BC viewpoint, about 4,500 m
• QuietestSikles, Mohare Danda
• PermitsACAP + TIMS + guide, or none near the city
• Best monthsOct to Nov, Mar to May

Nepal is widely acknowledged for its wide array of tourist destinations, and Pokhara is one of them. This city is a paradise for millions of nature lovers and adventurers, but have you ever considered taking a short trek from Pokhara? With big mountain views, forest trails and Gurung and Magar villages within a couple of hours' drive, it is no wonder this lakeside city in western Nepal draws so many visitors. But what about the nearby destinations?

Not everyone has two weeks for Annapurna Base Camp. Short treks give you the same mountains in one to seven days. These short treks provide the perfect balance of adventure and tranquility. Some are busy and some are very quiet, and the table below tells you which. Here's our list of the best short treks from Pokhara.

1. Poon Hill Trek

2. Sarangkot Trek

3. Mardi Himal Trek

4. Kali Gandaki Rafting-Trek

5. Sikles Village Trek

Short Treks From Pokhara at a Glance

Days are walking days from Pokhara. Altitude is the highest point you reach. Permit rules match our Nepal permits guide and permit-free treks list.

Poon Hill Trek

If you are seeking short treks near the beautiful city of Pokhara, the Poon Hill Trek is an ideal choice. This trek is positioned as the first on our list. It is particularly suitable for beginners due to its moderate difficulty level, yet it still gives you one of the best sunrise views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

Photo: Incredible View of Annapurna Mountain Range from Poon Hill

The Poon Hill Trek typically takes four to five days, covering roughly 40 to 50 km depending on where your jeep drops you. This trek is relatively easy, showcasing magnificent views of the Himalayas while immersing oneself in traditional Nepali villages and local cultural experiences.

Highlights of Poon Hill Trek

• Visit Ghandruk Village

• Explore the beauty of Poon Hill and the viewpoint

• Get to know Gurung and Magar village life in Ghandruk, Ulleri and Ghorepani

• Cross-culture exchange with the local inhabitants

• Sunrise view of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges, including Dhaulagiri I, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre

Poon Hill starts from Nayapul, which is around 1.5 to 2 hours' drive from Pokhara, though jeeps now go on to Birethanti, Ulleri and Ghandruk. You will then pass across beautiful landscapes and places. First, you will reach Ulleri, where you will trek to Ghorepani at an altitude of 2,860 meters (9,383 feet). From Ghorepani you climb Poon Hill (3,210 m) before dawn for the famous sunrise, then hike to Tadapani and finally reach Ghandruk Village.

In Ghandruk, you can visit the Gurung Museum and soak up one of the most photogenic villages in the Annapurna foothills.

You will need two permits when you hike to Poon Hill. The first is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) at NPR 3,000 per person, and the second is the TIMS card at NPR 2,000, issued through a registered trekking agency. A licensed guide has been compulsory on this route since 1 April 2023.

Sarangkot Trek

The Sarangkot hike is the easiest mountain view near Pokhara. It lasts around a day, or you can stay the night for sunrise. Sarangkot sits at about 1,600 m, and a road and a cable car reach the top, so expect company at dawn. The hike is relatively easy and looks straight across at the Annapurna range. Along with incredible views of the Himalayas, this trek also provides an opportunity to explore traditional Nepali villages and experience local culture.

Photo: Panoramic View from Sarangkot

Highlights of Sarangkot Trek

• 360 View of Pokhara City

• Exploring the view of Machhapuchhre and several other peaks from the Annapurna Range

• Explore the local culture of the village and local people

• Paragliding

Your trek to Sarangkot starts from Pokhara. First, you will ride to the Khahare area at the north end of Lakeside, and then you will take an uphill hike to Sarangkot. It takes around 2 to 3 hours on foot to reach the top of Sarangkot, and 1 to 2 hours back down. From the top you can view Pokhara city and try fun activities like paragliding.

Sarangkot is the perfect viewpoint to view the cinematic views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and many other famous peaks. After completing your Sarangkot Trek, you can enjoy sightseeing activities around Lekhnath, Begnas Lake, Davis Falls, and many other attractive destinations. You can also visit the white World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) above the lake, one of the best sunset spots in Pokhara. Sarangkot sits outside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need no trekking permit and no guide, though a small local fee is sometimes collected at the viewpoint.

If you have only one free morning in Pokhara, this is the walk to do.

Mardi Himal Trek

Next is the Mardi Himal trek, which most trekkers complete in five to six days. It isn't effortless, since you sleep at High Camp (about 3,580 m) and hike to a viewpoint near 4,500 m, but fit beginners manage it. The reward is a close-up view of Machapuchare, popularly known as Fishtail mountain.

Photo: View of Fishtail Mountain from Upper Viewpoint of Mardi Himal

In addition to the incredible sightings of Machapuchare and the Annapurna range, the Mardi Himal trek also encompasses glimpses of customary Nepali settlements and rural lifestyles.

Highlights of Mardi Himal Trek

• Exploring the beauty of the Annapurna Range

• Explore local culture and cuisine

• Cross-culture activities

To go for Mardi Himal Trek, you drive from Pokhara to Kande and walk up to Australian Camp (about 2,060 m). From there the trail climbs through forest to Forest Camp (about 2,520 m), Low Camp (about 2,970 m) and High Camp (about 3,580 m), usually by day three. Next morning you hike up to Mardi Himal Base Camp viewpoint (about 4,500 m) and back.

Ascending to Mardi Himal Trek is completed here. Most groups then descend to Siding, or back through Forest Camp toward Landruk. If you want to mix up the Annapurna Base Camp trek in it, you will have to divert your route to the Base Camp. From Landruk, you cross to Jhinu Danda and Chhomrong, then climb via Sinuwa and Bamboo over the next two days.

From Deurali, you will make the final ascent through Machapuchare Base Camp to reach Annapurna Base Camp. But this option is optional; you can return to Pokhara from Landruk if you want to avoid going to Annapurna Base Camp.

Kali Gandaki Rafting-Trek

The Kali Gandaki rafting trip is the wildcard on this list, a river journey rather than a walk. Most operators run it as three days on the water from Maldhunga to Mirmi, about four to five days with the drives and short hikes. The rapids are mostly Class III to IV, and you sleep in tents on sandy beaches, far from the trekking crowds.

Photo: Kali Gandaki River

The most important thing is engaging in adventurous activities like river rafting in the Kali Gandaki river, which will be memorable for a lifetime.

Highlights of Kali Gandaki Rafting-Trek

• River rafting in Kali Gandaki River

• Paddling through remote canyons downstream of the Kali Gandaki gorge

• Look for shaligram, the sacred black ammonite fossils that come from the upper Kali Gandaki in Mustang (they have deep religious value for Hindus)

• Explore the local culture and lifestyles of people

To start your Kali Gandaki rafting and trekking trip, you will drive about three hours west of Pokhara, through Kusma, to the put-in point at Maldhunga near Baglung. 

Over the next two to three days you raft downstream through remote canyons to the take-out at Mirmi in Syangja, camping on white-sand beaches along the way and watching the gorge scenery drift past between rapids.

After you finish your trip, you will engage in taking short hikes around the Kali Gandaki river. Then, you will return to Pokhara, and this sums up your Kali Gandaki Rafting Trek. Book with a licensed rafting company, and go between October and November or March and May, when the water is at a safe level.

Sikles Village Trek

The Sikles Village Trek is another excellent option for those who avoid crowds while still getting fantastic views. This trek takes around 5 to 7 days to complete, and you sleep mostly in homestays. It looks up at Annapurna II, Annapurna IV and Lamjung Himal, and Sikles is one of the largest Gurung villages in the Annapurna area.

Photo: View of Mansiri Himal Rang from Sikles Village

Highlights of Sikles Village Trek

• Views of Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Lamjung Himal and, from the ridges above the village, the Manaslu range

• Exploring Sikles Village, its people, and culture

• Exploring Yangjakot and Kalikasthan

To start your trek to Sikles Village, you must ride from Pokhara to Bhurjung Khola. From there, you will take a hike to Ghale Kharka, which takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach.

From Ghale Kharka, you will pass through several stops like Hilltop and finally reach Sikles Village at an altitude of 1,980 meters (6,495 feet). After completing your Sikles Village Trek, you will now descend to Yangjakot, which takes around 5 to 6 hours of hike. After that, your next stop is Kalikasthan, at an altitude of 1,370 meters (4,494 feet). You will rest in Kalikasthan before you make your way toward Pokhara and sum up your trek. Operators run this route in different orders, so check the day plan when you book. Sikles lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need ACAP, a TIMS card and a licensed guide. Add a side trip to Kapuche Lake (about 2,450 to 2,550 m) if you have two spare days.

Few foreign trekkers come this way, and the welcome in Sikles is warm. For quiet trails close to Pokhara, it is hard to beat.

More Short Treks Near Pokhara

Panchase Trek (2 to 4 days)

Panchase Hill (2,517 m) is a forested ridge southwest of Pokhara with five small ponds at the top and a view across to Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas. The main trail from Pokhara is permit-free, but the Kande end lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so your route decides whether you need ACAP. Read more in our quiet Annapurna treks guide.

Australian Camp and Dhampus (2 to 3 days)

This is the softest taste of the mountains. You drive to Kande, walk an hour or two up to Australian Camp (about 2,060 m) and watch sunset over Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. Day two drops through Dhampus to Phedi. It sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so ACAP, TIMS and a guide apply.

Mohare Danda (4 to 6 days)

Mohare Danda (3,300 m) faces the same Dhaulagiri and Annapurna peaks as Poon Hill, with community lodges and far fewer people. It is the quiet alternative if Poon Hill feels too busy.

Permits and Guide Rules for Short Treks

Any trek inside the Annapurna Conservation Area needs ACAP (NPR 3,000, or NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals) and a TIMS card (NPR 2,000). Since 1 April 2023 the TIMS card is issued only through a registered agency with a licensed guide. ACAP bought at a trail checkpoint costs double. Sarangkot, the World Peace Pagoda walk and the main Panchase trail sit outside the conservation area. Full details are in our Annapurna permits guide.

Which Short Trek From Pokhara Should You Choose?

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced hiker, these short treks from Pokhara offer something for everyone. Pick Sarangkot for a single morning, Poon Hill for a classic four days, Mardi Himal for higher views, and Sikles or Mohare Danda if you want quiet trails.

So, what are you waiting for? Tell us how many days you have and we will match you to the right route, with a licensed guide and permits arranged.

Short Treks From Pokhara: FAQs