Head to head
Poon Hill Trek vs Annapurna North Base Camp Trek
Poon Hill Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,210 m), while Annapurna North Base Camp Trek is the bigger undertaking (Moderate, max 4,190 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Difficulty
Poon: Easy
vs Annapurna: Moderate
Max altitude
Poon: 3,210 m
vs Annapurna: 4,190 m
Duration
Poon: 5 days
vs Annapurna: 5 days
Choose
Poon Hill Trek
if you want…
- Less demanding - Easy vs Moderate
- Lower max altitude (3,210 m) - gentler on acclimatization
Choose
Annapurna North Base Camp Trek
if you want…
- Higher summit point (4,190 m) for bigger mountain views
Full comparison
| Poon Hill Trek | Annapurna North Base Camp Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Max altitude | 3,210 m | 4,190 m |
| Total distance | 45 km | 23 km |
| Elevation gain | 2,400 m | 1,300 m |
| Best season | Mar - May, Sep - Dec | Mar - May, Aug - Nov |
| Est. budget | USD 250-650 | USD 350-900 |
| Permits | Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), TIMS Card | Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) |
| Accommodation | Teahouses and local lodges | Teahouses and local lodges |
| Mobile network | Variable by village and carrier | Variable by village and carrier |
| Safety level | Low | Medium |
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 Annapurna North Base Camp 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 Annapurna North Base Camp Trek?
Annapurna North Base Camp Trek is the harder of the two: moderate versus easy, topping out at 4,190 m against 3,210 m. Poon Hill Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,210 m), while Annapurna North Base Camp Trek is the bigger undertaking (Moderate, max 4,190 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Which goes higher, the Poon Hill Trek or the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek?
Annapurna North Base Camp Trek reaches 4,190 m, against 3,210 m on Poon Hill Trek - a difference of about 980 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 Annapurna North Base Camp Trek?
Both the Poon Hill Trek and the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek run about 5 days on the standard itinerary, before flight buffers or extra rest days.
Which is cheaper, the Poon Hill Trek or the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek?
Typical per-person budgets are USD 250-650 for the Poon Hill Trek and USD 350-900 for the Annapurna North Base Camp 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 Annapurna North Base Camp Trek?
Poon Hill Trek is the safer first choice: easy rating, a maximum of 3,210 m, and 5 days on the trail. Save Annapurna North Base Camp 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 Annapurna North Base Camp Trek?
Poon Hill Trek is best in Mar - May, Sep - Dec; Annapurna North Base Camp Trek is best in Mar - May, Aug - 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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