Head to head
Poon Hill Trek vs Khopra Danda Trek
Poon Hill Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,210 m), while Khopra Danda Trek is the bigger undertaking (Easy, max 3,660 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Difficulty
Poon: Easy
vs Khopra: Easy
Max altitude
Poon: 3,210 m
vs Khopra: 3,660 m
Duration
Poon: 5 days
vs Khopra: 5 days
Choose
Poon Hill Trek
if you want…
- Lower max altitude (3,210 m) - gentler on acclimatization
Choose
Khopra Danda Trek
if you want…
- Higher summit point (3,660 m) for bigger mountain views
Full comparison
| Poon Hill Trek | Khopra Danda Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Max altitude | 3,210 m | 3,660 m |
| Total distance | 45 km | 48 km |
| Elevation gain | 2,400 m | 3,100 m |
| Best season | Mar - May, Sep - Dec | Mar - May, Oct - Nov |
| Est. budget | USD 250-650 | USD 250-650 |
| Permits | Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), TIMS Card | ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area 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 Khopra Danda 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 Khopra Danda Trek?
Khopra Danda Trek is the harder of the two: easy versus easy, topping out at 3,660 m against 3,210 m. Poon Hill Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,210 m), while Khopra Danda Trek is the bigger undertaking (Easy, max 3,660 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Which goes higher, the Poon Hill Trek or the Khopra Danda Trek?
Khopra Danda Trek reaches 3,660 m, against 3,210 m on Poon Hill Trek - a difference of about 450 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 Khopra Danda Trek?
Both the Poon Hill Trek and the Khopra Danda 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 Khopra Danda Trek?
Typical per-person budgets are USD 250-650 for the Poon Hill Trek and USD 250-650 for the Khopra Danda 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 Khopra Danda Trek?
Poon Hill Trek is the safer first choice: easy rating, a maximum of 3,210 m, and 5 days on the trail. Save Khopra Danda 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 Khopra Danda Trek?
Poon Hill Trek is best in Mar - May, Sep - Dec; Khopra Danda Trek is best in Mar - May, Oct - 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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