Side by side
| Poon Hill & Ghorepani Trek | Manaslu Circuit Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 5 | 16 |
| Highest point | 3,210 m | 5,106 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Challenging |
| Total distance | 52 km | 177 km |
| Best months | January to April and October to December | March to April and October to November |
| Typical cost | $350 to $650 | $1,400 to $2,800 |
| Starts from | Nayapul (1,070 m), 1.5 hours from Pokhara by bus | Soti Khola (700 m) or Machha Khola |
| Permits | 2 | 3 |
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 Manaslu Circuit Trek if
The Manaslu Circuit is a 14 to 18 day restricted-area trek in the Gorkha District of western Nepal, circumnavigating Manaslu (8,163 m), the world's eighth highest mountain. The route crosses the Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m and offers a rawer, less-crowded alternative to the Annapurna Circuit with comparable cultural depth and mountain scale.
The route is long and the Larkya La crossing demands proper acclimatisation. The trail is well-worn but involves some exposed rocky sections and glacier moraines near the pass. A restricted area permit and mandatory guide are required.
