PlanningOnly 4 days until the Nepal Autumn (September) trek season. Prepare your gear lists and download offline maps early!

Head to head

Poon Hill Trek vs Pikey Peak Trek

Poon Hill Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,210 m), while Pikey Peak Trek is the bigger undertaking (Easy, max 4,065 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.

Difficulty

Poon: Easy

vs Pikey: Easy

Max altitude

Poon: 3,210 m

vs Pikey: 4,065 m

Duration

Poon: 5 days

vs Pikey: 5 days

Choose

Poon Hill Trek

if you want…

  • Lower max altitude (3,210 m) - gentler on acclimatization
  • Explores the Annapurna region

Choose

Pikey Peak Trek

if you want…

  • Higher summit point (4,065 m) for bigger mountain views
  • Explores the Everest region

Full comparison

Poon Hill TrekPikey Peak Trek
DifficultyEasyEasy
Duration5 days5 days
Max altitude3,210 m4,065 m
Total distance45 km45 km
Elevation gain2,400 m2,200 m
Best seasonMar - May, Sep - DecMar - May, Sep - Nov
Est. budgetUSD 250-650USD 250-650
PermitsAnnapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), TIMS CardSolu-Khumbu Local Permit
AccommodationTeahouses and local lodgesTeahouses and local lodges
Mobile networkVariable by village and carrierVariable by village and carrier
Safety levelLowMedium

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 Pikey Peak 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 Pikey Peak Trek?

Pikey Peak Trek is the harder of the two: easy versus easy, topping out at 4,065 m against 3,210 m. Poon Hill Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,210 m), while Pikey Peak Trek is the bigger undertaking (Easy, max 4,065 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.

Which goes higher, the Poon Hill Trek or the Pikey Peak Trek?

Pikey Peak Trek reaches 4,065 m, against 3,210 m on Poon Hill Trek - a difference of about 855 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 Pikey Peak Trek?

Both the Poon Hill Trek and the Pikey Peak 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 Pikey Peak Trek?

Typical per-person budgets are USD 250-650 for the Poon Hill Trek and USD 250-650 for the Pikey Peak 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 Pikey Peak Trek?

Poon Hill Trek is the safer first choice: easy rating, a maximum of 3,210 m, and 5 days on the trail. Save Pikey Peak 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 Pikey Peak Trek?

Poon Hill Trek is best in Mar - May, Sep - Dec; Pikey Peak 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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