Side by side
| Poon Hill & Ghorepani Trek | Gokyo Ri Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 5 | 12 |
| Highest point | 3,210 m | 5,357 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | |
| Total distance | 52 km | 100 km |
| Best months | January to April and October to December | March to May and October to December |
| Typical cost | $350 to $650 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Starts from | Nayapul (1,070 m), 1.5 hours from Pokhara by bus | Lukla |
| Permits | 2 | 2 |
Choose the Poon Hill & Ghorepani Trek if
The Poon Hill trek is a 4 to 5 day easy-to-moderate loop from Pokhara that gives beginners an authentic Himalayan trekking experience without extreme altitude or long duration. The centerpiece is the pre-dawn hike to Poon Hill at 3,210 m for the most celebrated mountain sunrise in Nepal, with views across Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre.
The altitude is low enough that acclimatisation is rarely an issue, but the stone staircase sections above Tikhedhunga require good knee strength. This is a genuinely accessible first Himalayan trek.
Choose the Gokyo Ri Trek if
The Gokyo Ri Trek is a spectacular alternative to Everest Base Camp, leading you up the tranquil Dudh Kosi valley to a series of turquoise glacial lakes. The ascent of Gokyo Ri offers breathtaking panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, making it a visual masterpiece.
Requires a good level of physical fitness.
