Side by side
| Poon Hill & Ghorepani Trek | Upper Mustang Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 5 | 12 |
| Highest point | 3,210 m | 4,010 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Total distance | 52 km | 155 km |
| Best months | January to April and October to December | March to October |
| Typical cost | $350 to $650 | $2,500 to $4,500 |
| Starts from | Nayapul (1,070 m), 1.5 hours from Pokhara by bus | Jomsom (2,720 m) via flight from Pokhara or drive from Pokhara |
| 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 Mustang Trek if
The Upper Mustang trek is a 10 to 14 day restricted-area trek through the former Kingdom of Lo, a culturally Tibetan enclave north of the Annapurna range. The arid, wind-sculpted landscape of red and white cliffs contains ancient cave monasteries and the walled city of Lo Manthang. Because it lies in the rain shadow north of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, it is one of the few Nepal treks accessible during the monsoon season.
The altitude is not extreme by Himalayan standards. The terrain is mostly good trail with some exposed rocky sections. The challenge is the remoteness, wind, and the bureaucratic requirements.
