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Annapurna Regionउल्लेरी

Ulleri

A Magar village at the top of the long stone staircase from Tikhedhunga, on the main trail to Ghorepani and Poon Hill.

The Magar village on the Ghorepani trail above Tikhedhunga in Kaski, not the Ulleri neighbourhood in Rupa Rural Municipality east of Pokhara.

Plan a trip here
Altitude
2,010 m*
Best months
Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec
Type
Trek stop
District
Kaski, Gandaki
Permit
Permit required

Why go

Ulleri spreads along a ridge at about 2,010 m on the trail from the Bhurungdi Khola valley to Ghorepani. It is known among trekkers for the staircase of several thousand stone steps that climbs to it from Tikhedhunga, about 500 m below.

The village has views east to Annapurna South and Hiunchuli and makes a good first night on the Poon Hill trek, splitting the climb to Ghorepani into two shorter days. A jeep road now reaches Ulleri, so some trekkers drive up and start walking here.

Above Ulleri the trail continues through Banthanti and Nangethanti into rhododendron and oak forest towards Ghorepani.

History and culture

Ulleri is a Magar village, many of its families of the Pun clan, with a long tradition of service in the Gurkha regiments. A small museum of Pun Magar culture is mapped in the village. Terraced fields of millet, maize and potatoes still surround the houses and lodges.

Things to do in Ulleri

  • Evening views

    Annapurna South and Hiunchuli are often clear in the late afternoon from the upper village.

  • Village walk

    Walk through the lanes between stone houses and terraced fields.

Weather and the best time to visit Ulleri

Weather in Ulleri

Forecast for 2,010 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.

Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.

Best time to visit

Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Good month: Mar
  4. Good month: Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Good month: Oct
  11. Good month: Nov
  12. Good month: Dec
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
October and November bring clear mountain views and dry trails; lodges are busiest in these months.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
December to February is cold at night and often clear; snow and ice are possible on higher sections.
Spring (Mar-May)
March to May brings rhododendron flowers in the forest, warmer days and more afternoon cloud.
Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
June to August is wet, with leeches, slippery trails, landslide risk and peaks often hidden by cloud.

Where to stay

TeahousesLodges

Several trekking lodges along the trail through the village.

No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.

Getting there

Ulleri is on the trail from Nayapul to Ghorepani; jeeps now reach the village.

Nearest hub: Pokhara

  • jeepPokhara to Ulleri by jeep via Nayapul and Hile, roughly 3-4 hours depending on road condition.
  • trekTikhedhunga to Ulleri, a steep staircase climb of about 1.5-2.5 hours.
Mount Everest 8,848.86Kangchenjunga 8,586Dhaulagiri I 8,167Manaslu 8,163Annapurna I 8,091UlleriKathmandu
Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Permits and fees

Permit required

Ulleri is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area; an ACAP permit is required and is checked at Birethanti or on the trail.

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation in Kathmandu and Pokhara or online; checked on the trail.
  • TIMS card: Check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
  • Guide rule: Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas are generally required to go with a licensed guide; check the current rule.

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).

On the trail

On the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, Khopra Danda trek.

Previous stop:
Tikhedhunga
Next stop:
Ghorepani
A typical day:
From Tikhedhunga, about 1.5-2.5 hours and 500 m of climbing on stone steps.

Practical tips

  • There is no ATM; carry cash from Pokhara.
  • Mobile signal is usually available.
  • Use poles on the staircase, especially when descending.

Treks through Ulleri

Wide morning panorama from Poon Hill across rhododendron-dotted grassland to the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

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

Questions about Ulleri

How many steps are there to Ulleri?

Figures of 3,000 to over 3,500 steps are quoted; the climb from Tikhedhunga gains about 500 m.

Can you drive to Ulleri?

Yes, jeeps reach Ulleri, though the road is rough and conditions vary with the season.

Do I need a permit for Ulleri?

Yes, an ACAP permit; check the current TIMS and guide rules.

More in Annapurna Region

All of Annapurna Region
Manang village in the upper Marsyangdi valley with Annapurna III and Gangapurna behind.

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Manang

A high stone village in the upper Marsyangdi valley below Annapurna III and Gangapurna, where Circuit trekkers stop to acclimatise.

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Annapurna Base Camp

Lodges at about 4,130 m in the glacial basin of the Annapurna Sanctuary, below the south face of Annapurna I.

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Mountain pass · 5,416 m

Thorong La

The 5,416 m pass between Manang and Muktinath, the high point of the Annapurna Circuit.

Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range above forested ridges, seen from Australian Camp.

Trek stop · 2,060 m

Australian Camp

A grassy clearing at about 2,060 m above Kande with a wide view of the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre, an easy walk from the road.

Trek stop · 2,310 m

Bamboo

A group of lodges in the bamboo forest of the Modi Khola gorge, the first overnight stop above Chhomrong on the way to Annapurna Base Camp.

Chhomrong village spread across a steep hillside, seen from Lower Sinuwa across the valley.

Trek stop · 2,170 m

Chhomrong

The last permanent Gurung village before the Annapurna Sanctuary, built on a steep staircase facing Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.

Trek stop · 1,650 m

Dhampus

A Gurung hill village above Phedi with views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas, close to Pokhara.

Nearby

Evening light on the peaks above Annapurna Base Camp, with the lodges of the camp on the moraine below.

National park or conservation area

Annapurna Region

Nepal's largest protected area, from Gurung hill villages and rhododendron forest to the dry valleys behind the Annapurna range.

Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Annapurna Circuit (Tatopani to Nayapul via Ghorepani), Wikivoyage, OpenStreetMap, Muldai View Point trek, Day Tours Nepal