A short teahouse loop from Pokhara through Magar and Gurung villages and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani and the Poon Hill viewpoint (3,210 m), returning via Tadapani and Ghandruk.
- Days
- 4 days
- Maximum altitude
- 3,210 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
Pokhara & Annapurna, Annapurna Region
Muldai Viewpoint Trek
A four-day loop from Pokhara via Ghandruk, Tadapani and Dobato to the Muldai viewpoint (about 3,637 m) for sunrise, returning over Ghorepani and Poon Hill.
- Days
- 3-5
- Max altitude
- 3,637 m
- Distance
- about 37 km
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best months
- Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Start / end
- Ghandruk (by jeep from Pokhara) / Ulleri or Hile (by jeep to Pokhara)
- Sleep in
- Teahouses
- Permits
- 2 required
Overview
The Muldai viewpoint is a high point at about 3,637 m on the ridge above Dobato, north of Tadapani and Ghorepani. From the top the sunrise view takes in Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas, Machhapuchhre and the hills falling away towards Pokhara, from about 400 m higher than Poon Hill and with far fewer people.
The trek is a short variation on the Poon Hill loop: up from Ghandruk to Tadapani, through forest to the ridge-top lodges of Dobato, a pre-dawn climb of 45-60 minutes to Muldai, then across to Ghorepani and down past Poon Hill and Ulleri. It suits people who have a few days and want more height and quiet than the standard loop.
Sunrise from Muldai over Dhaulagiri and the AnnapurnasQuiet ridge-top lodges at DobatoRhododendron forest around Tadapani and GhorepaniPoon Hill on the way down
Why it is rated moderate
- A night at about 3,420 m and a climb to about 3,637 m
- Daily walks of 4-7 hours with long climbs
- Basic lodges and quieter trails above Tadapani
Elevation profile
About altitudeSleeping altitude for each night. The dashed lines at 3,000 m and 4,000 m mark heights where altitude illness becomes more common. General information only, not medical advice.
Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to see each day. Shaded columns are acclimatisation days.
Show the profile as a table
| Day | Overnight | Sleeping altitude | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tadapani | 2,630 m | - |
| 2 | Dobato | 3,420 m | - |
| 3 | Ghorepani | 2,874 m | 3,637 m |
| 4 | Pokhara | 822 m | - |
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Drive to Ghandruk, walk to Tadapanisleep 2,630 m3-4 habout 6.5 km
About 2.5-4 hours by jeep to Ghandruk, then a forest climb to Tadapani, with evening views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.
Teahouse in TadapaniAbout Tadapani
Day 2Tadapani to Dobatosleep 3,420 m5-6 habout 7 km
North through rhododendron forest and open slopes to the ridge-top lodges of Dobato. The sleeping altitude rises by about 800 m, so walk slowly.
Teahouse in DobatoAbout Dobato
Day 3Muldai sunrise, Dobato to Ghorepanisleep 2,874 m6-7 habout 12.5 km
Climb 45-60 minutes before dawn to the Muldai viewpoint, return for breakfast, then walk via the Deurali pass to Ghorepani.
Teahouse in GhorepaniAbout Ghorepanihigh point Muldai viewpoint, 3,637 m
Day 4Poon Hill, down to Ulleri, drive to Pokharasleep 822 m4-5 habout 10 km
Optional sunrise on Poon Hill (3,210 m), then down the stone staircase to Ulleri or Hile and about 3 hours by jeep to Pokhara.
Hotel in Pokhara
Stages, times and altitudes vary by operator, weather and pace. Partner agencies confirm the exact plan.
Route map
Trail geometry from OpenStreetMap.
Permits
ACAP entry permit (Annapurna Conservation Area)Conservation area
Issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation, which runs the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, at its offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara or through its online e-permit system. Carry it with your passport; it is checked at trail posts.
TIMS cardTrekker card
Check whether a TIMS card is currently required; since 2023 it has been issued through registered trekking agencies.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against National Trust for Nature Conservation (Annapurna Conservation Area Project, e-permit links). Guide rule: Nepal bans solo trekking for tourists, guides mandatory from April 1 (The National, March 2023).
Nepal trekking permits explainedWhen to go
Best months: Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- September to November: October and November give clear sunrise views.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February: often clear but cold; snow is possible at Dobato and on the viewpoint, and some lodges may close.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May: rhododendron forest in flower between Tadapani and Ghorepani, with more afternoon cloud.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August: rain, leeches and cloud; not a good time for views.
Weather on the route
Forecasts for start (Tadapani, 2,630 m), highest overnight (Dobato, 3,420 m), end (Pokhara, 822 m). Mountain weather changes fast; check again on the day.
Weather in Tadapani (start)
Forecast for 2,630 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Dobato (highest overnight)
Forecast for 3,420 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Pokhara (end)
Forecast for 822 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Safety
Above about 3,000 m, a widely used guideline (CDC Yellow Book; Wilderness Medical Society) is to raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a day and to add a rest day every 3 to 4 days. This is general information, not medical advice.
Know the signs of acute mountain sickness: headache with nausea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, dizziness or poor sleep. Do not go higher with symptoms and go down if they get worse. Confusion, stumbling or breathlessness at rest are emergencies: descend at once and get help.
The pre-dawn climb to Muldai is in the dark and can be icy; use a headlamp and stay on the path.
Weather on the ridge changes quickly; carry warm and windproof layers.
Buy travel insurance that covers trekking and evacuation.
What to pack
- Headlamp for two sunrise climbs
- Warm sleeping bag for Dobato
- Down jacket and gloves for the viewpoint
- Microspikes from December to February
- Trekking poles for the long stone staircases, especially on descents.
- Cash; there are no ATMs on the trail
Side trips and alternatives
From Dobato, continue west via Bayeli Kharka to Khopra Ridge for a longer loop.
Spend a night in the Gurung village of Ghandruk before or after the trek.
Muldai Viewpoint questions
How high is the Muldai viewpoint?
About 3,637 m, roughly 400 m higher than Poon Hill.
How many days is the Muldai viewpoint trek?
Usually four days from Pokhara, using jeeps to Ghandruk and from Ulleri or Hile.
Is Muldai better than Poon Hill?
It is higher and much quieter, with a wider view, but the lodges at Dobato are basic and the night there is colder and higher.
What permits do I need for Muldai?
An ACAP entry permit; check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
Similar treks
A quieter loop west of the Annapurna Sanctuary from Ghandruk via Tadapani, Dobato and Khopra Ridge (about 3,660 m) to Swanta, Ghorepani and Poon Hill, with an optional hike to Khayer Lake.
- Days
- 7 days
- Maximum altitude
- 3,660 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
A short community-run trek from the Beni side through Magar villages to Mohare Danda (about 3,300 m), a hilltop with a community lodge facing Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.
- Days
- 5 days
- Maximum altitude
- 3,300 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Editorial draft: altitudes, permits and rules are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Muldai View Point trek, Day Tours Nepal, Annapurna Circuit (Tatopani to Nayapul via Ghorepani), Wikivoyage, National Trust for Nature Conservation (Annapurna Conservation Area Project, e-permit links), Nepal bans solo trekking for tourists, guides mandatory from April 1 (The National, March 2023)
Muldai Viewpoint · 4 days