Side by side
| Poon Hill & Ghorepani Trek | Langtang Valley Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 5 | 8 |
| Highest point | 3,210 m | 4,984 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Total distance | 52 km | 65 km |
| Best months | January to April and October to December | March to May and October to November |
| Typical cost | $350 to $650 | $500 to $900 |
| Starts from | Nayapul (1,070 m), 1.5 hours from Pokhara by bus | Syabrubesi (1,550 m) |
| 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 Langtang Valley Trek if
The Langtang Valley trek is a 7 to 9 day moderate route in the Langtang National Park, north of Kathmandu. It climbs through rhododendron forest to the high yak pastures of Kyanjin Gompa at 3,870 m, with optional side trips to Tserko Ri at 4,984 m. No internal flight is needed, which makes it the most practical short Himalayan trek from Kathmandu.
The valley trail is well-graded and the altitude gain is gradual. Tserko Ri is a genuine high-altitude day hike that demands a careful start and good acclimatisation.
