Side by side
| Poon Hill & Ghorepani Trek | Tsum Valley Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 5 | 14 |
| Highest point | 3,210 m | 3,700 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | |
| Total distance | 52 km | 100 km |
| Best months | January to April and October to December | March to May and September to November |
| Typical cost | $350 to $650 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Starts from | Nayapul (1,070 m), 1.5 hours from Pokhara by bus | Soti Khola or Machha Khola |
| 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 Tsum Valley Trek if
The Tsum Valley Trek is a cultural journey into a hidden Himalayan valley near the Tibetan border. Known for its ancient Buddhist monasteries, traditional stone villages, and sweeping views of the Ganesh Himal, this restricted area offers a tranquil, deeply spiritual alternative to the busier Manaslu Circuit nearby.
Requires a good level of physical fitness.
