Head to head
Poon Hill Trek vs Manaslu Circuit
Poon Hill Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,210 m), while Manaslu Circuit is the bigger undertaking (Strenuous, max 5,106 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Difficulty
Poon: Easy
vs Manaslu: Strenuous
Max altitude
Poon: 3,210 m
vs Manaslu: 5,106 m
Duration
Poon: 5 days
vs Manaslu: 14 days
Choose
Poon Hill Trek
if you want…
- Less demanding - Easy vs Strenuous
- Shorter trip - 5 days vs 14
- Lower max altitude (3,210 m) - gentler on acclimatization
- Explores the Annapurna region
Choose
Manaslu Circuit
if you want…
- Higher summit point (5,106 m) for bigger mountain views
- More time on the trail - 14 days to immerse
- Explores the Manaslu region
Full comparison
| Poon Hill Trek | Manaslu Circuit | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Strenuous |
| Duration | 5 days | 14 days |
| Max altitude | 3,210 m | 5,106 m |
| Total distance | 45 km | 160 km |
| Elevation gain | 2,400 m | 8,200 m |
| Best season | Mar - May, Sep - Dec | Mar - May, Sep - Nov |
| Est. budget | USD 250-650 | USD 900-2,200 |
| Permits | Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), TIMS Card | Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, TIMS Card |
| Accommodation | Teahouses and local lodges | Teahouses and local lodges |
| Mobile network | Variable by village and carrier | Patchy in upper sections |
| Safety level | Low | High |
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 Manaslu Circuit: 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 Manaslu Circuit?
Manaslu Circuit is the harder of the two: strenuous versus easy, topping out at 5,106 m against 3,210 m. Poon Hill Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,210 m), while Manaslu Circuit is the bigger undertaking (Strenuous, max 5,106 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Which goes higher, the Poon Hill Trek or the Manaslu Circuit?
Manaslu Circuit reaches 5,106 m, against 3,210 m on Poon Hill Trek - a difference of about 1,896 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 Manaslu Circuit?
Manaslu Circuit takes 14 days against 5 for Poon Hill Trek - 9 days more on the trail, plus buffer days for weather and flights.
Which is cheaper, the Poon Hill Trek or the Manaslu Circuit?
Typical per-person budgets are USD 250-650 for the Poon Hill Trek and USD 900-2,200 for the Manaslu Circuit, 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 Manaslu Circuit?
Poon Hill Trek is the safer first choice: easy rating, a maximum of 3,210 m, and 5 days on the trail. Save Manaslu Circuit 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 Manaslu Circuit?
Poon Hill Trek is best in Mar - May, Sep - Dec; Manaslu Circuit 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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