Head to head
Poon Hill Trek vs Gosaikunda Trek
Poon Hill Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,210 m), while Gosaikunda Trek is the bigger undertaking (Moderate, max 4,380 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Difficulty
Poon: Easy
vs Gosaikunda: Moderate
Max altitude
Poon: 3,210 m
vs Gosaikunda: 4,380 m
Duration
Poon: 5 days
vs Gosaikunda: 5 days
Choose
Poon Hill Trek
if you want…
- Less demanding - Easy vs Moderate
- Lower max altitude (3,210 m) - gentler on acclimatization
- Explores the Annapurna region
Choose
Gosaikunda Trek
if you want…
- Higher summit point (4,380 m) for bigger mountain views
- Explores the Langtang region
Full comparison
| Poon Hill Trek | Gosaikunda Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Max altitude | 3,210 m | 4,380 m |
| Total distance | 45 km | 44 km |
| Elevation gain | 2,400 m | 3,200 m |
| Best season | Mar - May, Sep - Dec | Mar - May, Sep - Nov |
| Est. budget | USD 250-650 | USD 350-900 |
| 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 | 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 Gosaikunda 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 Gosaikunda Trek?
Gosaikunda Trek is the harder of the two: moderate versus easy, topping out at 4,380 m against 3,210 m. Poon Hill Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,210 m), while Gosaikunda Trek is the bigger undertaking (Moderate, max 4,380 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Which goes higher, the Poon Hill Trek or the Gosaikunda Trek?
Gosaikunda Trek reaches 4,380 m, against 3,210 m on Poon Hill Trek - a difference of about 1,170 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 Gosaikunda Trek?
Both the Poon Hill Trek and the Gosaikunda 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 Gosaikunda Trek?
Typical per-person budgets are USD 250-650 for the Poon Hill Trek and USD 350-900 for the Gosaikunda 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 Gosaikunda Trek?
Poon Hill Trek is the safer first choice: easy rating, a maximum of 3,210 m, and 5 days on the trail. Save Gosaikunda 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 Gosaikunda Trek?
Poon Hill Trek is best in Mar - May, Sep - Dec; Gosaikunda 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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