Head to head
Poon Hill Trek vs Ama Yangri Trek
Poon Hill Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,210 m), while Ama Yangri Trek is the bigger undertaking (Easy, max 3,771 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Difficulty
Poon: Easy
vs Ama: Easy
Max altitude
Poon: 3,210 m
vs Ama: 3,771 m
Duration
Poon: 5 days
vs Ama: 4 days
Choose
Poon Hill Trek
if you want…
- Lower max altitude (3,210 m) - gentler on acclimatization
- More time on the trail - 5 days to immerse
- Explores the Annapurna region
Choose
Ama Yangri Trek
if you want…
- Shorter trip - 4 days vs 5
- Higher summit point (3,771 m) for bigger mountain views
- Explores the Langtang region
Full comparison
| Poon Hill Trek | Ama Yangri Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Duration | 5 days | 4 days |
| Max altitude | 3,210 m | 3,771 m |
| Total distance | 45 km | 30 km |
| Elevation gain | 2,400 m | 2,400 m |
| Best season | Mar - May, Sep - Dec | Mar - May, Sep - Nov |
| Est. budget | USD 250-650 | USD 250-650 |
| Permits | Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), TIMS Card | Langtang National Park Entry Permit, TIMS Card |
| Accommodation | Teahouses and local lodges | Teahouses and local lodges |
| Mobile network | Variable by village and carrier | Variable by village and carrier |
| Safety level | Low | Low |
Planning aid only. GPX and route pages are not live trail authority. Map packs need download on Wi‑Fi; weather and SMS need connectivity when used.
Poon Hill Trek vs Ama Yangri Trek: common questions
Which is harder, which goes higher, which costs more, and which one to do first - answered from the route data in the table above.
Which is harder, the Poon Hill Trek or the Ama Yangri Trek?
Ama Yangri Trek is the harder of the two: easy versus easy, topping out at 3,771 m against 3,210 m. Poon Hill Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,210 m), while Ama Yangri Trek is the bigger undertaking (Easy, max 3,771 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Which goes higher, the Poon Hill Trek or the Ama Yangri Trek?
Ama Yangri Trek reaches 3,771 m, against 3,210 m on Poon Hill Trek - a difference of about 561 m. A higher maximum means a slower ascent profile and more exposure to acute mountain sickness.
Which takes longer, the Poon Hill Trek or the Ama Yangri Trek?
Poon Hill Trek takes 5 days against 4 for Ama Yangri Trek - 1 days more on the trail, plus buffer days for weather and flights.
Which is cheaper, the Poon Hill Trek or the Ama Yangri Trek?
Typical per-person budgets are USD 250-650 for the Poon Hill Trek and USD 250-650 for the Ama Yangri Trek, covering permits, lodging, food and local transport. Guides, porters, domestic flights and insurance are extra and usually dominate the difference.
Which should a first-time trekker choose, the Poon Hill Trek or the Ama Yangri Trek?
Poon Hill Trek is the safer first choice: easy rating, a maximum of 3,210 m, and 5 days on the trail. Save Ama Yangri Trek for after you know how your body handles sleeping above 2,500 m.
When is the best time to do the Poon Hill Trek or the Ama Yangri Trek?
Poon Hill Trek is best in Mar - May, Sep - Dec; Ama Yangri Trek is best in Mar - May, Sep - Nov. If your dates are fixed, let the season pick the route rather than forcing a route into the wrong season.
Still weighing it up? Build a side-by-side with any routes in our interactive tool.
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