Nature · Ghorepani & Poon Hill
Rhododendron ridge from Ghorepani to Tadapani
After Poon Hill, follow the ridge east to Deurali at about 3,100 m and descend through some of Nepal's densest rhododendron forest to Tadapani, with Dhaulagiri behind you and Annapurna South ahead.
From Ghorepani the trail climbs again, gently, to the ridge at Deurali, a short climb that rewards you with a last broad view of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas. Some walkers who missed sunrise on Poon Hill find a quieter view here. Then the path turns east along and down the ridge into deep forest.
This is the heart of rhododendron country. In mid-March to mid-April the trees, some tall and twisted with age, turn red with lali gurans, with pink and white flowers at higher points. Fallen petals carpet the trail. Streams cross the path in shaded gullies, and in the stillness you hear birds and occasionally langurs.
The descent to Tadapani at about 2,630 m is long and can be muddy after rain. Tadapani's lodges face Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre; sleep there for another sunrise before going down to Ghandruk. Walk with your guide and stay with the group: forest sections are quiet.
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Questions
When is rhododendron season on the Poon Hill trek?
The main bloom is usually mid-March to mid-April, starting lower in late February and reaching the highest trees by late April. Timing varies by year and altitude. The forest between Ghorepani, Deurali and Tadapani is the best section. October and November have green forest and clearer views but no flowers.
How long is the walk from Ghorepani to Tadapani?
Allow 5–6 hours, including the climb to Deurali on the ridge and a long, sometimes muddy descent through forest to Tadapani at about 2,630 m. There are tea houses on the way. It is generally considered the most beautiful day of the Poon Hill loop, especially in spring.
Is the forest between Ghorepani and Tadapani safe?
It is a well-used trail, but long forest sections are quiet, and there have been rare incidents with walkers alone. Walk with your licensed guide, as required for foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area since 2023, start in the morning and do not linger after dark. Trails can be icy in winter and muddy in spring rain.
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