Quick answer: Choose the Poon Hill Trek for a short, easy 4 to 5 day sunrise trek (3,210 m). Choose the Annapurna Base Camp Trek for a longer 7 to 12 day walk to 4,130 m in a ring of giant peaks. Both start near Pokhara, and many trekkers combine them in one trip.
Choose Poon Hill for a short, easy sunrise trek; choose Annapurna Base Camp for a longer walk into a ring of giant peaks. Both start near Pokhara, in the same Annapurna region. Poon Hill is shorter, lower, and cheaper. Annapurna Base Camp is longer, higher, and grander. You can also add Poon Hill to the start of a Base Camp trek.
Key Takeaways
- Poon Hill: 4 to 5 days, easy, tops out at 3,210 m. Best for families and first-timers.
- Annapurna Base Camp: 7 to 12 days, moderate, tops out at 4,130 m. A grander goal.
- Both start near Pokhara, with no flight.
- Poon Hill is cheaper and lower; Base Camp is longer and higher.
- Many people combine both in one trip.
This guide compares the two so you can choose with confidence. For the wider picture, see our Annapurna region guide.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Poon Hill | Annapurna Base Camp |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 to 5 days | 7 to 12 days |
| Grade | Easy to moderate | Moderate |
| Highest point | Poon Hill 3,210 m | Base Camp 4,130 m |
| Altitude risk | Very low | Low to moderate |
| Walking distance | about 35 to 45 km | about 110 km |
| Scenery | Sunrise panorama | A ring of giant peaks |
| Best for | Families, first-timers, short trips | A bigger goal, more time |
What is the Poon Hill Trek like?
The Poon Hill Trek is a short, easy walk to a famous sunrise viewpoint. So it is about big views with little effort.
You climb through forest and Gurung villages to Ghorepani. Then you hike up to Poon Hill (3,210 m) for dawn. The sun lights up Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), and the Fishtail peak. So you get a world-class view in just a few days.
The trek stays low, so altitude sickness is rare. It also suits families and first-timers. For the full plan, see our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek guide.
What is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek like?
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a longer walk deep into a ring of giant peaks. So it is about grandeur and a famous goal.
You walk through villages, terraces, and bamboo forest, up the Modi Khola valley. The trail climbs to the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130 m. There you stand in a natural amphitheatre, ringed by giants like Annapurna I (8,091 m). So the views are wide and dramatic.
It is one of the most iconic treks on Earth. For the full plan, see our Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Which is harder, and how do the altitudes compare?
Poon Hill is much easier, while Annapurna Base Camp asks for more fitness and time at altitude. So your experience should guide the choice.
Poon Hill is graded easy to moderate. It tops out at 3,210 m, so altitude sickness is rare. The one hard part is the Ulleri staircase. So a fit beginner or a family can handle it.
Annapurna Base Camp is graded moderate. It climbs to 4,130 m over more days, with lots of stairs. So it needs decent fitness and a slow pace for the altitude. Most fit beginners can still do it with time. For more, see our Poon Hill difficulty guide.
How do time and cost compare?
Poon Hill is shorter, so it costs less and fits a tighter schedule. Annapurna Base Camp needs more days, so it costs more.
Poon Hill takes 4 to 5 days. Annapurna Base Camp takes about 7 to 12 days. Neither needs a flight, since both start near Pokhara. So both are good value compared to Everest.
The longer trek simply means more days of guiding, food, and lodging. For a full breakdown, see our Poon Hill Trek cost guide. The permits are the same for both: the ACAP permit (NPR 3,000) and a TIMS card (NPR 2,000), per the Nepal Tourism Board (retrieved 2026-06-24).
Can you combine both?
Yes, and many people do, because Poon Hill sits on the way to Base Camp. So you can add the sunrise to the bigger trek.
A combined Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill trek usually runs about 10 to 12 days. First, you climb to Ghorepani and Poon Hill for the dawn view. Then you carry on to Ghandruk and up the valley to Annapurna Base Camp. So you get the famous sunrise and the grand Sanctuary in one trip.
This is a great choice if you have about two weeks. So just tell Spade Himalaya your dates, and we plan the combined route.
Which trek is right for you?
- Choose Poon Hill if you have under a week, you travel with family, or you want a gentle first trek with a famous sunrise.
- Choose Annapurna Base Camp if you have more time, you want a grander goal, and you are ready for more days and altitude.
- Combine both if you have about two weeks and want the sunrise and the Sanctuary together.
There is no wrong choice. Both are beautiful Annapurna treks near Pokhara. So pick the one that matches your time and fitness. For a quieter option, see our Khopra Danda Trek guide or Kori Trek guide.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 4-Days
FAQs
Is Poon Hill easier than Annapurna Base Camp?
Yes, clearly. Poon Hill is easy to moderate and tops out at 3,210 m. Annapurna Base Camp is moderate and climbs to 4,130 m over more days. So Poon Hill is the gentler, shorter trek.
Which trek is better for beginners?
Both suit beginners, but Poon Hill is the easiest. It is short, low, and family-friendly. Annapurna Base Camp is still doable for fit beginners, but it needs more time and a slower pace for the altitude.
Which has better views?
Both are stunning. Poon Hill gives a famous sunrise panorama over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Annapurna Base Camp gives a wide ring of giant peaks from the Sanctuary. So it depends on whether you want a viewpoint or an amphitheatre.
Which trek is cheaper?
Poon Hill is cheaper, because it is shorter and stays low. Annapurna Base Camp costs more, since it adds days of guiding, food, and lodging. Neither needs a flight, so both are good value.
Can you do Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp together?
Yes. A combined trek runs about 10 to 12 days. You do the Poon Hill sunrise first, then carry on to Annapurna Base Camp. So you get both highlights in one trip. Spade Himalaya can plan it for you.
How many days do I need for each?
Poon Hill takes 4 to 5 days. Annapurna Base Camp takes about 7 to 12 days. So if your time is short, Poon Hill is the better fit. With two weeks, you can do both.
Accuracy note: official fees, rules, and hard facts in this guide are cited inline from their sources; trail and price details are Spade Himalaya field research; route details reviewed by Yubaraj Katel, government-licensed trekking guide (Licence No. 19827) with 10 years of experience leading treks in the Annapurna region.
