Side by side
| Poon Hill & Ghorepani Trek | Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 5 | 22 |
| Highest point | 3,210 m | 5,350 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Extreme |
| Total distance | 52 km | 220 km |
| Best months | January to April and October to December | May to October |
| Typical cost | $350 to $650 | $2,800 to $4,400 |
| Starts from | Nayapul (1,070 m), 1.5 hours from Pokhara by bus | Juphal (via Nepalgunj flight) |
| 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 Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek if
The Upper Dolpo Circuit trek is an epic 22 day expedition in western Nepal crossing high passes above 5,000 m including Kang La and Jeng La. The trail explores the deep waters of Shey Phoksundo Lake, 11th century Shey Gompa, and isolated Bon and Tibetan Buddhist communities.
Rugged wilderness expedition crossing multiple 5,000 m mountain passes. Requires full camping logistics, self-sufficiency, and high endurance in remote trans-Himalayan desert country.
