Nepal prides unparalleled sheer diversification from the vast jungle and the Terai to the icy peaks of the world’s highest mountains, so a wide range of trekking activities is a treat here.
Trekking in Nepal authorizes you to have a close encounter with the eye-catching mountains, gradual slopes, and fertile valleys. A Nepalese trek can be as strenuous or as easy according to your preference. Those who want it challenging can set off with a backpack, guide, and camping equipment for a probing trek. Besides that, there are a number of trails where comfortable trekking lodges line the route, getting lost is almost impossible, and there’s the consolation that at the end of the day a hot meal awaits. The terrain of the Nepalese Himalayas offers various stunning and authentic trekking routes. It is rather unfair to name one of the best treks in Nepal. As these trails are best and unique in their own way.
The best trek for one depends on their choice of difficulty. The budget and trek style also plays a role in designing your trek. Also, the number of days you spend on treks plays a vital role in your trekking experience in Nepal. Here, we have listed down some of the best treks in Nepal based on price, culture, popularity, and scenery.
Everest Base Camp Trek
Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, deploys a magnetic pull on trekkers and mountaineers from all over the world. The Everest region has long been the most popular trekking region in Nepal. The trails are well-maintained, there are a growing number of genuinely luxurious places to stay and the trekking lodges are perfect to stay. Over two weeks you will hike through stone-walled, slate-roofed villages, green foothills, past Buddhist monasteries, and right into the heart of the mountains to arrive among the crinkles of Everest Base Camp trek.
Most lodges have varied menus, separate rooms, hot showers, electricity, and even wi-fi. On the other side, you’ll never walk alone on this route. Thousands of trekkers walk this trial each year. The standard route begins from the airstrip at Lukla and follows the valley of the Dudh Koshi up to Namche, the center of trekking in the Everest Region. From Namche, the trail heads northeast for seven-eight days before reaching Everest Base Camp and the wonderful viewpoint of Kala Pattar (5,545 m), from where you can witness the breathtaking views of Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,501 m), Nuptse (7,861 m) and the Khumbu Icefall. You can also explore semi-permanent expedition tents at the base camp and enjoy the wonderful time of your life there. Most people return back the way they came but it is possible to follow parts of the Three Passes Trek over to Gokyo.
TREK INFORMATION
- Starting point: Lukla Airport (one of the most dangerous and highest altitude airports in the world).
- Maximum Elevation: 5,550 m above sea level.
- Permits: Khumbu Rural Permit and Sagarmatha National Park Permit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 10-12 days according to budget and physical fitness of the trekker
- Best Season: September-November, March-May
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
This trek is one of the most in-demand trekking destinations in Nepal. The trek starts with the stumbling perspectives of the snow-topped mountains, sunrise view from Poon Hill, Gurung villages, and ends with refreshing natural hot springs close to Jhinu Danda. Annapurna Base Camp Trek is an adventurous, vibrant, and classic trekking trail, taking you into the gorgeous range of landscapes, local settlements, and lush Rhododendrons. Mount Annapurna is the 10th highest mountain in the world, and trekking to its base is nothing less than an achievement. This is one of the perfect Himalayan treks and is a great choice if you have prior experience in trekking moderate-level trials. This trek is in close proximity to the city of Pokhara, also worthwhile exploring after the trek.
TREK INFORMATION
- Starting point: Nayapul (might take 2 hours to reach from Pokhara)
- Maximum Altitude: ABC (4,130 m) from sea level
- Permits Required: Yes
- Best Season: March-May (mild weather), and late September to early December (Cold weather)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 10-12 days
Langtang Valley Trek
This trek is considered the easy ad finest trek in the country. Looping towards charming mountain villages, various vegetations, variations of climatic conditions, challenging and inspiring experience of walking is a perfect activity on the Langtang Trail. Situated in the North, towards Tibet, Langtang is a good trek offering breathtaking views of mountains and authentic local lifestyles. This is a culturally rich trek highly charmed by Tibetan traditions.
Before the earthquake in 2015, this was one of Nepal’s most famous trekking routes. Now, the trials have been repaired and trekking lodges reconstructed. And despite the damage, this is still one of the most beautiful walks in Nepal. The standard route follows the Langtang river up a narrow valley. On day two the final passes over the Langtang village and on day three the valley opens out to arrive at Kyanjin Gompa. Langtang Valley trek offers stunning views of Langtang Lirung (7,246 m), Langtang II (6,581 m), Mount Gangechempo (6,387 m), and other beautiful peaks. Most people return back the way they came but if there is more time, it is possible to link up with the Gosaikunda and Helambu Treks.
TREK INFORMATION
- Starting Point: Syabrubeshi, Rasuwa
- Maximum Elevation: 4,440 m (Kyanjin Ri)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best Season: Autumn (Mid-September to Mid-November)
- Permit: Langtang National Park Permit
Mardi Himal Trek
If you are searching for an attractive short trekking route in the Annapurna region, then the Mardi Himal Trek can be the perfect option for you. It is the most admired short trek in Nepal in recent days. You can encounter the majestic landscape of the Annapurna range on your way along with a variety of vegetation. This trial offers the unspoiled culture and nature of the Himalayas. This trek is also considered a less crowded trek which is perfect for your peace of mind. The Mardi Himal trek features beautiful villages of the Gurung community. The mountain view of Annapurna South, Fishtail, Mount Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Dhaulagiri, and many more will surely blow your mind. The trek to Mardi Himal is not well marked and accommodation is limited, so an experienced guide is recommended along the way. This trek leads you off the beaten path away from the busy trails of the Annapurna region.
TREK INFORMATION
- Starting Point: Kande/Landruk/Ghandruk
- Altitude: 4,500 m
- Permits: TIMS and Annapurna Sanctuary Permit
- Duration:7-10 days
- Difficulty: Mild
- Best Season: March-May, September-November
Upper Mustang Trek
Mustang, a former Himalayan Kingdom, is considered the last stronghold of Tibetan culture. It's worth exploring that Mustang doesn’t offer many close-up views of the mountains as many of the other major Nepalese trekking areas. Rather, this place offers much of a cultural experience and barren lands. The standard route takes you up the western side of the Kali Gandaki river and passes many canyons and over wind-blasted passes. It takes four days to walk from Kagbeni to Lo Manthang and the same for the return trip. You can explore the town and nearby monasteries and caves. For the return trip, you can follow a much more complex route down the eastern side of the Kali Gandaki. Villages seem to be more beautiful and traditional with less number of trekkers. The view is also more beautiful than the western route, but the walking is tougher. It's worth visiting the amazing ‘Luri Gompa’, a hidden cave complex filled with Buddhist arts and 14th-century shrines. Upper Mustang is also famous for off-road bike riding.
The walled town of Lo Manthang, ancient Buddhist cave art, traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture, nomadic culture, monasteries, and colorful gorges are the major attractions of Upper Mustang Trekking.
TREK INFORMATION
- Starting Point: Jomsom
- Maximum Elevation: 4,010 m
- Permit: TIMS permit ($500 per person and a 10-day permit is required)
- Duration: 10-15 days
- Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
- Best Season: March-May, September-November
Manaslu Circuit Trek
This wonderful circuit trek was opened to trekking back in the early 1990s. There are several exhorting day trips off the main trail and the crossing of the Larkya La Pass (5,160 m) is one of the most thrilling experiences on this trek. Manaslu Circuit Trek offers an enriching mountain, a breathtaking series of vegetations heading off to the wild. This circuit also treats views of the highest peaks in the world- Manaslu, Annapurna II, Gyaji Kang, Nemjung, and Himlung Himal. This trek surely offers the raw experience of trekking into the remote and wild areas. You can uncover several wild forests and cascades along the way. If there is extra time, it's highly rewarding to enjoy the Tsum Valley trek onto the Manaslu Circuit The Larkya La Pass is generally harder than other passes in Nepal. So, if one high pass is not enough for you, you can carry on up and over the Throng La and come down to Jomsom.
Traditional village life, Tsum Valley, crystalline lake, atmospheric monasteries, and Larkya La are the major attractions that this circuit offers.
TREK INFORMATION
- Starting point: Beshisahar/Soti Khola
- Maximum altitude: 5,160 m
- Permit: Special permit is required for this trek
- Trek Duration: 15-18 days (18 days is recommended to enjoy the trip and to acclimatize properly).
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Best Season: Autumn and Spring
Makalu Barun Valley Trekking
This wonderful trek is a long and quite strenuous trek perfect for keen trekkers and nature lovers. Makalu Base Camp is situated at 5,100 m and begins from Tumlingtar in the mid-eastern region. Mt. Makalu is the world’s fifth-highest peak and a neighbor of Mt. Everest. The Makalu Barun National Park, established in 1992, is a stunning virgin land spread out over 1,500 sq km in Eastern Nepal. Located in the Barun valley, this park stretches east from Sagarmatha National Park and passes through the high plateau of Tibet and the sub-tropical gorge formed by the Arun River. This region also provides an amazing view of the eye-catching Himalayan peaks including Mt Baruntse (7,129 m), Mt Makalu (8,463 m), and Mt Chamlang (7,129 m). The Makalu Barun region has rich biodiversity and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The Makalu trek starts from Chichila, which is a 3 hours drive from Tumlingtar.
During this pristine trek, you trek from the lowlands of Eastern Nepal to one of the highest Base Camps, Makalu Base Camp at 5,000 m above sea level. From the base camp, the Barun Glacier, the south face of Mt Makalu, and a jaw-dropping panorama of Mt Lhotse and Everest are seen. On the return trip, trekkers cross the Tutu La Pass (4,125 m) which is now known by the name of the Shipton’s Pass.
TREK INFORMATION
- Starting point: Tumlingtar
- Maximum altitude: 5,100 m
- Duration: 19 days
- Trek difficulty: Strenuous
- Best Season: Autumn and Spring
- Permit: National Park Permits
Ghorepani Poonhill Trek
This classic trek is one of Nepal’s most famous short treks. This short trek gives you credentials to one of the classic viewpoints of the Annapurna Range. In this trek, one can see all the mountains lying in the Annapurna region within a week. Poonhill trek begins from Pokhara Nayapul then the trail resumes along the Modi Khola to Ghorepani. From this beautiful location, you can not only see the sunrise but also the panoramic views of Mt Annapurna I (8091 m), Mt Nilgiri (7040 m), Mt Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Annapurna South (7219 m), Lamjung Himal (6986 m), Dhampus Peak (6012 m), Mt Fishtail (6998 m) and so on.
Trekking in this area takes you to the west of the Pokhara and offers splendid views of the Himalayas. You can discover the merge of culture and traditions of different ethnic groups such as Gurung, Chhetri, Magar, and Brahmin and finally, you will return from the same route to Pokhara and after then Kathmandu.
TREK INFORMATION
- Starting Point: Nayapul, Pokhara
- Maximum Altitude: 3,210 m
- Best Season: September-December and March-May
- Trek difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Trek Duration: 8-9 days
Annapurna Circuit Trek via Tilicho Lake
This Annapurna circuit trek is viewed as the world's best classic trek with beautiful trails and diverse landscapes. With this pristine trek, trekkers submerge in mountain culture. Walking through the off roads to the highest altitude mountain lakes, Tilicho (4,920 m), and the world’s deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki Gorge is itself one of the best adventure trekking in Nepal. Ancient village squares, sacred monasteries, and walls, gorgeous green terraced farms, Throng La Pass- a high pass over 5,000 m and river-valley diversity are the major lures this trek offers.
For the high pass, you descend down towards the beautiful Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage site of Muktinath and then into a region of deepest river gorges and castle-like monasteries around Kagbeni and Jomsom. This circuit trek is endowed with the gigantic Himalayas such as Lamjung Himal, Mt Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna Massif itself. Installations in this area are immaculate with cozy and comfortable trekking lodges and good varied food. Most trekkers wander this circuit anti-clockwise, starting from Bhulbhule or Beshisahar and halting in either Jomsom or directly to Nayapul. Trekking this way lets more time for acclimatization and the push to the Thorung La Pass (5,416 m) is a little less abrupt.
TREK INFORMATION
- Starting Point: Beshi Sahar or Bhulbhule/Jomsom or Naya pul
- Maximum Elevation: 5,416 m
- Trek Duration: 12-18 days
- Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
- Best Season: Late February-April and October-early December
- Permits: TIMS and ANCAP permits
Dolpo Trek/Upper Dolpo
This trek is also considered the most remote trek in Nepal. However, the accommodation there is gradually improving every season. This trek takes you to the unattended corner near the Tibetan boundaries of Nepal. It is a preserved and remote area that has remained a virgin for many centuries. Because of the high passes trail, it infrequently gets visitors. The upper trail exploration requires a special permit. Within the Dolpo region lies the Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal’s biggest national park, also home to exclusive fauna and flora, the blue sheep and snow leopard.
After acquiring the special permit in Kathmandu, we take a flight to Juphal via Nepalganj or we can trek from east Rukum or we can drive off-road to Dunai from Surkhet. Then we trek north to Shey Phoksundo National Park to reach the pristine Phoksundo Lake. Then we make our way to Ringmo village then Shey Gompa. You can also build your itinerary only to Phoksundo Lake and finish your trek there. Beautiful valleys, local settlements, eyecatching mountains, forests of pine, oaks, and centuries-old monasteries are the major attractions this trek offers.
Permit requirements for this territory can be quite complex and costly to obtain, and all the trekkers here need a TIMS card. The Do Tarap and Phoksundo Lake treks require a Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit and a Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit. With any of the treks requiring a restricted area permit, you must be the size of at least two trekkers and be escorted by a guide.
TREK INFORMATION
- Starting point: Juphal Airport (most common)
- Maximum Elevation: 4,500 m
- Trek duration: 22 days up to Upper Dolpo
- Best Season: Autumn and Spring
- Permits: Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit, TIMS Permit, Restricted Area Permit (if required)
- Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous
CONCLUSION
These beautiful treks will surely be your best life experiences glued with you forever. In this remote section walks, local people and their authentic culture, rivers, waterfalls, landscapes, high passes, breathtaking mountains, thick forests, off the beaten tramp and legendary villages will definitely make a flattering impact on your life. These are the ultimate trekking destinations in Nepal and if you have any queries about trekking destinations feel free to contact us. We are forever at your service.
