In Nepal trekking, hiking, and mountaineering are by far the most popular adventurous activities. There are countless treks to indulge yourself in the Himalayas and all offer an incredible experience. So, pick any of these treks and experience some real mountains and trekking!
1. Everest Base Camp Trek
Max Altitude: 5.555 meters, Kala Patthar
Best Season: March-May and October-November
Starting Point: Lukla
Trekking Permits: TIMS
Highlights: Hike to the famous vantage point, Kala Patthar for astonishing views of Mt. Everest, Tengboche Monastery, and Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp Trek is a dream of any avid adventurer! Even though you’re not climbing Mt. Everest don’t think that the hike to base camp is an easy task. Although the trek is challenging at some point the scenery along the trail is truly breathtaking!
The classic hike to Mount Everest Base Camp takes 14-16 days to complete on 130 km trip. Starting from the exciting flight to Lukla, you’ll begin your trek through the lush green farmland and dense forests. The trail passes through beautiful Dudh Koshi river, Sherpa valleys, and highest ancient monasteries.
Further, you’ll get the opportunity to explore varieties of flora and faunas while sightseeing Sagarmatha National Park which is also listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Apart from the magical Himalayan beauty, you’ll also experience the ethnic Sherpa culture, lifestyle, and traditions.
Everest Base Camp Trek is moderately difficult trek because of continuous walking at the high altitude. So, you need to be fit to complete this trek without any health trouble.
2. Annapurna Circuit Trek
Max Altitude: 5,416 meters, Thorong La Pass
Best Season: March-May and October-November
Starting Point: Besisahar
Trekking Permits: ACAP, TIMS
Highlights: Visit religious temple Muktinath Temple, Awe-inspiring views of Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Annapurna, Machhapucchre, and Hiunchuli Peak
Annapurna Circuit is a horseshoe-shaped trekking route which covers 211 km and lasts between 17-19 days. But it depends on your walking speed and acclimatization day. The trek begins from the hill town of Besisahar at 820 m and takes to the highest point Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters.
Throughout this adventurous trekking journey, you’ll experience the dramatic variations in topography. As the trail goes through the jungle, alpine meadows, and arid hills. Enroute you can also enjoy the sight of colorful prayer flags, mani walls, and chortens.
You’ll experience the natural as well as the cultural diversity of the Annapurna region. When walking through the world deepest Kali Gandaki Valley, you’ll enjoy the remarkable views of the entire Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massif.
3. Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Max Altitude: 4,130 meters
Best Season: March-May and October-November
Starting Point: Trikhedhunga
Trekking Permits: TIMS, ACAP
Highlights: Get a close insight of ethnic Gurung culture and lifestyle, beautiful diverse landscapes, natural hot spring and awe-inspiring sunrise view over Mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp
Annapurna Base Camp Trek also known as ABC or Annapurna Sanctuary is the most popular and beautiful treks in Nepal. Every year a number of adventure seekers visit Nepal for this classic trek. If you’re traveling for a short time you can choose the short ABC itinerary.
The Annapurna Base Camp trail leads you to the base of Mt. Annapurna eight highest mountain in the world. The base camp offers you the majestic view of some highest peak like Mt. Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli.
This wonderful trail run through the greenery hills, beautiful terraced fields, and different ethnic Gurung settlements. The ABC trail offers remarkable natural as well as cultural beauty. You’ll pass through traditional Gurung village and learn about the ethnic Gurung culture and lifestyle.
4. Langtang Valley and Gosaikunda Trek
Max Altitude: 4,984 meters, Tserko Ri
Best Season: March-May and October-November
Starting Point: Syabru Besi
Trekking Permits: TIMS
Highlights: Jaw-dropping views of Langtang Ri, Dorje Lakpa, and Khumjung Glacier, explore the unique culture of Tamang community, visit oldest Buddhist monastery in Kyanjin Gompa
Langtang Valley Trek is relatively short and lower altitude trek lies only 19 miles directly north of Kathmandu and near the Tibetan border. Thus, it is one of the closest Himalayan treks from the capital city of Kathmandu. Despite being close to the city the Langtang region is still untouched and unspoiled by the modernization.
The Langtang valley is beautifully surrounded by Langtang Lirung, Langtang Ri, Langtang Himal, and Dorje Lakpa. The trek offers an opportunity to pass through the ancient monasteries, beautiful waterfalls, glaciers, wildlife, and ethnic Tamang villages.
The Langtang trails can also be incorporated with holy Gosaikunda Lake and the culturally rich village of Helambu. The climatic zones of the trail vary from subtropical to alpine. A picturesque landscape, rich Tamang culture, and exotic wildlife of the region make Langtang Valley Trek one of the best treks in Nepal.
5. Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Max Altitude: 3,210 m
Best Season: March-May and October-November
Starting Point: Nayapul
Trekking Permits: TIMS and ACAP
Highlights: Sunrise and sunset view from the Poon Hill, stunning view of 360-degree snow-clad peaks
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is famously renowned short treks of Nepal. It is probably one of the easy treks in the Annapurna region. That’s why it is perfect for people of all age groups. It is also a great trekking route to walk for novice trekkers. The trek can be easily done in 3 or 4 days depending on how much you can walk.
Upon reaching the Poon Hill viewpoint, you’ll be rewarded with the most spectacular mountain views on Earth. From the top of the hill, the view at sunrise is a joy to behold which justify your exhausting trek before you reach there. You’ll catch the mesmerizing view of the Himalayan giants including Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I.
The Ghorepani Poonhill trail is well-marked and there are many teahouses in entire trekking route. The facilities on the trek are also quite good as every teahouse serve good hygienic food with comfortable accommodation, hot shower, and WiFi.
6. Upper Mustang Trek
Max Altitude: 3,840 meters, Lo Manthang
Best Season: March to December
Starting Point: Jomsom
Trekking Permits: ACAP, RAP
Highlights: Lo Manthang, Hidden caves, ancient monasteries, and Tibetan culture
Upper Mustang Trek in Nepal offers quite different trekking experiences. Unlike terrains of other classic treks, Upper Mustang trail offers dry and barren landscape. Consider as one of the most exotic trekking regions in Nepal, it is remote and isolated with well-preserved Tibetan Buddhist culture and tradition.
During this trek, you’ll also visit Lo Manthang, capital of the Upper Mustang region. The Upper Mustang trail traverse through mysterious caves, several Buddhist monasteries, and unique landscapes surrounded by brown arid mountains.
Moreover, the Upper Mustang region lies in the rain-shadow area of Mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, it is doable all year round because there are little rain and snow.
7. Manaslu Circuit Trek
Max Altitude: 5,213 meters
Best Season: March-May and October-November
Starting Point: Soti Khola
Trekking Permits: ACAP, MCAP, RAP
Highlights: Breathtaking views of Mt. Manaslu along with Sringi Himal, Himlung, and Cheo Peak and Crossing the dramatic Larkya La Pass
Manaslu Circuit Trek is another most popular adventurous trek in Nepal that offers an exclusive trekking experience. This trek encircles around Mt. Manaslu, the 8th tallest peak in the world. In this trek, you’ll get the opportunity to see Manaslu Conservation Area which is home to several varieties of flora and fauna.
The trail winds through dramatic valleys, picturesque waterfalls, and green lush forests. Besides the magical Himalayan beauty, you’ll have the opportunity to explore and experience the ethnic Tibetan Sherpa culture.
8. Upper Dolpo Trek
Max Altitude: 5,350 meters, Shey La Pass
Best Season: March-May and October-November
Starting Point: Jhuphal
Trekking Permits: RAP
Highlights: Shey Phoksunda National Park, Shey Phoksunda Lake, and Shey Gompa
Upper Dolpo camping trek will lead you to the high and remote Himalayan valleys which resemble Tibetan highlands. Situated in remote western Nepal, the trek commences with a flight from Kathmandu to Jhuphal via Nepalgunj.
The major highlight of the trek is Shey Phuksundo Lake, which is the deepest lakes in Nepal with a depth of 600 m and length of 4.8 km. The lake is beautiful as well as it holds a great religious value. Hundreds of pilgrims visit the lake from Nepal and India.
During this adventurous trek, you’ll also come across three highest passes including Nagdalo La (5,250 m), Jeng La (5,110 m), and Shey La (5,350 m) along the way.
The Dolpo trekking trail offers you the best view of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Churen range in the east and south. Besides the best mountain views, you’ll also see the ancient and remote villages, rich wildlife and vegetations, Buddhist ancient monasteries and wonderful lake.
9. Rara Lake Trek
Max Altitude: 4,039 meters, Chuchemara Pass
Best Season: March-May and October-November
Starting Point: Nepalgunj-Jumla
Trekking Permits: TIMS, Rara Lake Trekking Permit
Highlights: An eye-catching view of the deep blue clear lake surrounded by hillside forest and the snowcapped mountain
Rara Lake Treks lead you to the beautiful Rara Lake also known as “The Queens of Lake”. It lies in the Rara National Park at an altitude of approximately 2,990m above sea level. Lake is three miles long and one mile wide and 548ft deep. The trekking trail is often known as off-the-beaten-path and offers exotic mountain sceneries.
The Rara National Park, green hills, and mountain surround the Rara Lake. The Chuchemara hill is the best place to have a stunning view of Rara Lake, the lush forest surrounding it and snow-capped peak soaring up to the skyline.
The starting point of the trek is Jumla. You can either take a flight to Jumla from Kathmandu via Nepalgunj or by the jeep or bus via Karnali highway. The best time to visit Rara Lake is in April to May or September to October. During the monsoon, June to August the heavy rainfall makes the trek difficult.
10. Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
Max Altitude: 5,240 meters, French Pass
Best Season: April to May and September-November
Starting Point: Beni
Trekking Permits: TIMS and ACAP
Highlights: Close up view of several highest mountain above 7,000 m, highest mountain pass; French Pass and Dhampus Pass
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is another challenging and best trek in Nepal. The Dhaulagiri trail is challenging with rugged and rough terrain. The trail around the world’s seventh highest peak, Mt. Dhaulagiri. The starting point of this challenging trek is in Beni, a few hours drive from Pokhara.
The trail leads through the pristine highland valley of Myagdi, green lush hillside, pasture lands, traditional villages, beautiful glaciers, and high passes. During the whole trek, you have to walk on off-the-beaten-path which add extra challenge and adventure. You might need to spend many of the nights in the tents. So, make sure to pack a comfortable backpacking tent with yourself.
Asides from majestic mountain beauty, the trail also pass through two highest snowy pass i.e, French Pass (5,240 m) and Dhampus Pass (5,155 m). The well-preserved trekking trail offers you a peaceful, pristine, adventurous, and thrilling trekking experience.
11. Mardi Himal Trek
Max Altitude: 4,500 m, Mardi Himal Base Camp
Best Season: March-May and October-November
Starting Point: Phedi
Trekking Permits: TIMS, ACAP
Highlights: Experience the lifestyle, culture, and hospitality of Gurung people; Stunning views of Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mt. Manaslu, and Mardi Himal
Mardi Himal Trek is a relatively unknown trail of famous Annapurna trekking region. It is one of the short off-the-beaten trails in Nepal. It lies in the east of the Annapurna Base Camp. The Mardi Himal trail offers you excellent views of the Mt. Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Mardi Himal, and Mt. Machhapuchhre.
The trek starts from Phedi an hour drive from Pokhara. The major highlighted places of the trek are Low Camp, Forest Camp, High Camp, and the Mardi Base Camp. You’ll pass through the several traditional Gurung villages and witness Buddhist culture. The trek ends in Lumre, approximately 3 hours drive to Pokhara.
You can plan this trek any time of the year. However, the best seasons offer you favorable weather and the best mountain views. Further, Mardi Himal Trek is suitable for people of all ages. You need to have a basic level of fitness for comfortable and enjoyable trekking.
12. Goko Valley Trek
Max Altitude: 5,357 m, Gokyo Ri
Best Season: March-May and October-November
Starting Point: Lukla
Trekking Permits: TIMS
Highlights: Gokyo Ri, one of the best viewpoint of the Everest region, Ngozumpa Glacier, one of the largest glacier of the Everest region.
Gokyo Valley is a small and beautiful valley in the Solukhumbu region. It lies at the foot of Gokyo Ri and near the Gokyo Lake-Dudh Pokhari. Main inhabitants of this isolated village are Sherpa people.
The major attraction of this wonderful trek is the turquoise blue chain of lakes stays next to the majestic highest mountain. Situated at an altitude of 4,790 m above the sea level is one of the highest freshwater lake systems.
Enroute you’ll pass through numerous river, suspension bridges, forests, lakes, and glaciers. You’ll also hike to Gokyo Ri one of the best viewpoints for awe-inspiring views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt, Nuptse, and Mt. Makalu.
The most suitable time for the Gokyo Valley Trek is spring and autumn. So, if you’re craving for lakes, mountains, and isolated trail at all once then you can opt this trek.
The Final Words
Undoubtedly, Nepal is one of the best trekking destinations in the world and thanks to the alluring Himalayas. Thousands of people visit Nepal for the sole purpose of course trekking!
From novice to the experienced trekkers, Nepal offers a suitable trail for everyone. No matter which trek you choose the natural and cultural beauty of the trekking region will impress you at each and every corner.
