Side by side
| Poon Hill & Ghorepani Trek | Khopra Danda Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 5 | 8 |
| Highest point | 3,210 m | 4,660 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Total distance | 52 km | 78 km |
| Best months | January to April and October to December | March to May and October to December |
| Typical cost | $350 to $650 | $680 to $1,150 |
| Starts from | Nayapul (1,070 m), 1.5 hours from Pokhara by bus | Nayapul or Ghandruk, near Pokhara |
| 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 Khopra Danda Trek if
The Khopra Danda trek is an 8 day ridge trail in Nepal's Annapurna region reaching 3,660 m at the lodge and 4,660 m at holy Khayer Lake. It offers close panoramic views of Mount Dhaulagiri across the Kali Gandaki gorge without the heavy foot traffic of Poon Hill.
Steep forest trails and an exposed ridgeline. The excursion up to Khayer Lake at 4,660 m requires good fitness, early morning departures and steady footing over loose stone paths.
