Side by side
| Poon Hill & Ghorepani Trek | Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 5 | 22 |
| Highest point | 3,210 m | 5,143 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Strenuous |
| Total distance | 52 km | 225 km |
| Best months | January to April and October to December | March to May and October to November |
| Typical cost | $350 to $650 | $2,500 to $4,500 |
| Starts from | Nayapul (1,070 m), 1.5 hours from Pokhara by bus | Taplejung (1,820 m) — via flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar then to Taplejung, or overland |
| 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 Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek if
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is a 20 to 25 day challenging remote trek in far-eastern Nepal, approaching the third highest mountain in the world (8,586 m) from both north and south base camps. It requires a restricted area permit, a licensed guide, and significant logistical preparation. The reward is some of the most pristine wilderness and authentic cultural encounters in all of the Himalaya.
One of the most demanding teahouse treks in Nepal due to the remoteness, altitude, duration, and the physical demand of the full north-to-south traverse. Not recommended for first-time Himalayan trekkers.
