Side by side
| Poon Hill & Ghorepani Trek | Nar Phu Valley Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 5 | 10 |
| Highest point | 3,210 m | 5,320 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Strenuous |
| Total distance | 52 km | 115 km |
| Best months | January to April and October to December | March to May and September to November |
| Typical cost | $350 to $650 | $1,100 to $1,850 |
| Starts from | Nayapul (1,070 m), 1.5 hours from Pokhara by bus | Koto (near Chame) |
| 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 Nar Phu Valley Trek if
The Nar Phu Valley trek is a 10 day restricted route north of the Annapurna Circuit reaching 5,320 m at Kang La Pass. It leads into medieval stone hamlets, ancient monasteries, and dramatic trans-Himalayan gorges near the Tibetan border, requiring special permits and a registered guide.
Remote trails chiseled out of vertical canyon cliffs, sustained altitude in Phu village, and an early morning pass crossing over Kang La at 5,320 m.
