The Best 12 Treks in Nepal

Best Trekkings in Nepal – Overview:

Are you planning to go for a trekking in Nepal? Let us help you with brief information of the 12 best treks in Nepal. At any rate, they are at present the most popular treks in Nepal based on number of trekkers and their satisfactions. 

Every year Nepal attracts at least 200000+ trekkers. That also means that every year 200000+ people are faced with the hard choice of selecting which trekking destination to explore in Nepal. Let’s be honest, this is one of the hardest choice, hence we are here to help using our online services. How odd it may sounds the decision of choosing your favourite trek might actually be easier made in your home country than in the bustling trekking and tourist area of Thamel, where hundreds of trekking agencies without doubt will offer you different opinions as to which trek is the best trek in Nepal for you.

Sometime the most unpleasant case, some opinions offered by Trekking agencies on the street of Thamel might be more profit driven than anything else but the best case is you will receive good and also different pieces of advice from various trekking agencies in Nepal. Because which trek is actually the best in Nepal for you?

While some may believe there’s an ultimate answer to that question it does literally come down to your own personal trekking preferences. Let us explain to you about a few relevant aspects of trekking which you need to consider, before being able to pinpoint on the best trek in Nepal, for you personally:

  • What level of trekking difficulty are you seeking?

  • How many days do you have available for trekking in Nepal?

  • Looking for a remote trekking destination, or, will a touristy one be okay as well?

  • Are you a budget traveller or is price less relevant for you?

  • During which season(s) are you trekking in Nepal? (some treks are not recommended during the monsoon and winter season)

  • Looking for remote and hard camping treks (also sometimes named ‘adventure treks’) or the simpler guesthouse treks?

  • Are you alone, or with someone? Some treks in Nepal have Restricted Permits and hence requires a minimum of two people, and the company of a Nepali guide or porter.

Below we’re listing the currently 12 most popular trekking destinations in Nepal taking into account the above mentioned trekking factors, a 3-factors scale pitch, high and low-facts, and finally the facts about the trekking. Hopefully Cross-Country trekking and travel http://www.trekkingandtravelnepal.com will have something for you to select

 

  1. Everest base camp – 12/13 days, 25,000+ trekkers/year

Great trekking terrain! You’ll stand face-to-face with the world’s highest mountain – Mountain Everest (8,850 m), and see multiple other majestic peaks. You’ll also meet the Sherpa people, renowned for the climbing skills. In short, fantastic trekking experience.

Highlights:

  • Stand face-to-face with Mt. Everest and reach to the Base Camp of Everest.

  • Kala Patthar at 5,600 meters, a view point providing fantastic views of majestic peaks such as Nuptse, Lhotse, and Mount Everest

  • Great trekking trail and excellent mountain landscapes with Sherpa cultures along the way

Lowlights:

  • You’ll trek up and down on more or less the same trail.

  • Can easily get altitude sickness if your trekking starts from Lukla

Trek Facts

  • Trekking Difficulty:  Level 3 – Medium  to hard

  • Remoteness: Not Remote

  • Pricing: Medium to high depending on seasons

  • Best Season: March-May and October-November

  • Accommodation type: Guesthouses & Lodges/camping as well

  • Restricted Permits: No. 

  • Max elevation: 5,600m, Kala Patthar

  • Accessible during winter (Dec-Jan):  Yes.

2. Annapurna Circuit – 13/14 days, the entire Annapurna Region +100,000 trekkers in a year

Good trekking landscape. Great Himalayan scenery, Comfortable trek with lots of tea-houses along the way, In recent years road building has taken place along some parts of the trek, unfortunately decreasing the overall trekking experience.

Highlights:

  • Crossing the world’s widest pass –  the Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meter

  • Diverse trekking terrain as a result of high difference in altitudes – varying from 760 m to 5,416 m

  • Developed trek giving a high degree of comfort

Lowlight

  • Road building next to the trail at some parts of the trek.

Trek Facts

  • Trekking Difficulty: Level 3 – Medium to difficult

  • Remoteness: Not Remote

  • Pricing: Cheap to expensive depending on seasons

  • Best Season: March-May and October-November

  • Accommodation type: Guesthouses & Lodges/camping as well

  • Restricted Permits: No. 

  • Max elevation: 5,416 m,  Thorong La Pass

  • Accessible during winter (Dec-Jan): Yes/ but Thorang La pass

 

3. Annapurna Base Camp – 9/10 days – Part of the Annapurna Region, 100,000+ Trekkers/year,

Annapurna Base Camp (4,320m) will allow you to stand face-to-face with the world’s most dangerous mountain to Climb (but not the trekking) – Annapurna I (8.091 m). if you have only around 10 days  or so for trekking, this trek is without doubt a great option.

Highlights:

  • A genuine and real trekking experience, considering the rather short trekking duration.

  • Great trail and landscape as the closer you get to Annapurna Base Camp.

  • In close proximity to the city Pokhara, also worthwhile exploring after the trek.

Lowlights:

  • The trail has quite a few stairs

  • This trek more or less follow the same trail for to and from base camp

Trek Facts:

  • Trekking Difficulty: Level 2 – Moderate

  • Remoteness: Not Remote

  • Pricing: Cheap

  • Best Season: March-May and October-November

  • Accommodation type: Guesthouses & Lodges

  • Restricted Permits: No. 

  • Max elevation: 4,320 m, Annapurna Base Camp

  • Accessible during winter (Dec-Jan): No, Normally too much snow

  • Risk of avalanches.

4. Ghorepani – Poonhill Trekking– 5-7 days, Part of the Annapurna Region, +100,000 trekkers/year:

Poonhill is situated (3,210m) high offers great views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain Ranges. It’s a great trek for a sneak-peak into the trekking world. This trek is highly recommended for those who have short holidays available for trekking in Nepal.

Highlights:

  • Sunrise and sunset from the top of Poonhill with a fantastic panoramic view of the Himalayas

  • Cultural trek, especially Ghandruk, an antique and culturally rich village

  • In close proximity to the city of Pokhara which also worthwhile exploring after the trek.

Lowlight:

  • The trail has quite a few stairs

  • There are new build roads at the beginning of trek

Trek Facts:

  • Trekking Difficulty: Level1/2 – Easy to Moderate difficulty

  • Remoteness: Not Remote

  • Pricing: Cheap to moderate

  • Best Season: March-May and October-November

  • Accommodation type: Guesthouses & Lodges can be camping as well

  • Restricted Permits: No. 

  • Max elevation: 3,210 m, Poonhill/Gurung hill

  • Accessible during winter (Dec-Jan): Yes.

5. Langtang Trek – 7 – 13 days trekking – 13,000+ trekkers in a year

The best trek in Nepal, if only having 7 – 8 days available. Situated in the North towards Tibet Langtang is a good trek offering cultural insights such as monasteries, local villages, and an opportunity to select and hike your own preferred 4,984 m peak.

Highlights:

  • Reaching at the top Tserko Peak at an altitude of 4,984 m.

  • A 100% authentic trekking experience, even if only going for 7 days!

  • A culturally rich trek highly influenced by Tibetan traditions.

Lowlight:

  • Up and down almost on the same trail

Trek Facts:

  • Trekking Difficulty: Level 3 – Moderate

  • Remoteness: Not Remote-Remote

  • Pricing: Cheap to meadium

  • Best Season: March-May and October-November

  • Accommodation type: Guesthouses & Lodges/camping

  • Restricted Permits: No. 

  • Max elevation: 4,984m, Tserko Ri

  • Accessible during winter (Dec-Jan): Yes.

 

6. Manaslu Trek– 14 days – 6,500 + trekkers in a year:

The Manaslu trek officially opened for trekkers in the early 90s, a excellent cultural trek, and without a doubt one of the best treks in Nepal. An appropriate name might be ‘Anaslu’ as this trek is likely to take over the popularity of the legendary Annapurna Circuit trek. Highly recommended,

Highlights:

  • The day of crossing the Larke Pass – a day of challenge and full adventure!

  • The entire trail – diverse, remote, and secluded, enriched by very different topography as a result of varying altitudes – 600 m to 5,135 m. You’ll walk in a circuit and hence the trail will keep on changing, until its end.

  • The cosy village of Samagaun from where you’ll also visit Manaslu Base Camp.

Lowlight:

  • The word has spread that Manaslu is indeed one of Nepal’s best treks.

  • Accommodation may be therefore be scarce, especially during high

Season – October – November & Mar-May,

Trek Facts:

  • Trekking Difficulty: Level 4 – Moderate to hard

  • Remoteness: Remote

  • Pricing: Medium to expensive

  • Best Season: March-May and October-November.

  • Accommodation type: Guesthouses & Lodges/camping

  • Restricted Permits: Yes. You have to be minimum 2 trekkers and accompanied by a Nepali Guide or Porter. 

  • Max elevation: 5,115m, Larke Pass

  • Accessible during winter (Dec-Jan): On and off, but mostly Yes. The obstacle is the day of crossing the Larke Pass at an altitude of 5,135 m.

  1. Everest Base Camp Trek – 18 days  – Part of the Solu Khumbu region, 36,000+ trekkers in a year

Looking for an adventure experience of a lifetime? This is the ultimate Everest quest. It is a long and challenging trek with 4 passes to climb. ALL efforts are, however, rewarded by stunning peaks, pristine nature, and excellent trails.

Highlights:

  • Crossing each of the 3 passes is a challenge, and a great adventure. Kong Ma La represents the biggest challenge of the 3 passes.

  • Fantastic trekking trail – remote, diverse and secluded. You’ll be walking in a circuit so the trail will just keep on changing.

  • Crossing Himalayas’ widest glacier – the Ngozumba Glacier – an exciting trespassing.

Lowlight:

  • There is none and we are in doubt ourselves if there is one!

Trek Facts

  • Trekking Difficulty: Level 4 – Hard

  • Remoteness: Very Remote

  • Pricing: Medium to expensive

  • Best Season: March-May and October-November.

  • Accommodation type: Guesthouses & Lodges

  • Restricted Permits: No.

  • Max elevation: 5,540m, Kong Ma La Pass

  • Accessible during winter (Dec-Jan): No. The 3 passes are not passable during winter.

 

8. Gokyo Trek – 12 days – Part of the Sulu Khumbu Region, 36,000 + trekkers in a year

Situated just west of the Everest Base Camp trek the Gokyo trek is a great alternative if looking for fewer tourists and more remote nature. The five Emerald Lakes together with majestic mountain peaks is at the core of this trek.

Highlights

  • The cosy and beautiful village of Gokyo. If possible, spend an extra day there!

  • The 5 emerald green lakes of the Gokyo region.

  • Gokyo Ri – a peak and vantage point providing the best panoramic view of the Himalayas! (compared with all other treks in Nepal)

Lowlight

  • Unless also crossing the Renjo La Pass, it’s almost the same trail up and down.

Trek Facts

  • Trekking Difficulty: Level 3 – Medium difficulty

  • Remoteness: Remote

  • Pricing: Medium to expensive

  • Best Season: March-May and October-November

  • Accommodation type: Guesthouses & Lodges

  • Restricted Permits: No.

  • Max elevation: 5,357m, Gokyo Ri

  • Accessible during winter (Dec-Jan): Yes.

 

9. Upper Mustang Trek – 14 days – 3,000 + trekkers in a year

Mustang, a former Himalayan Kingdom, is considered a last bastion of Tibetan culture, An otherwise traditional camping trek which is now available via conveniently spaced guesthouses, A great option if looking for unique Tibetan culture together with beautiful landscapes, highly Recommended!

Highlights:

  • The Mustang area’s capital city – Lo Manthang

  • Treeless and barren landscapes

  • A journey full of cultural inputs and Tibetan traditions

Lowlight

  • Relentless afternoon winds can be a challenge.

Trek Facts

  • Trekking Difficulty: Level 3,4 – Medium-Hard

  • Remoteness: Very Remote

  • Pricing: High (#USD spent/day)

  • Best Season: March-May and October-November

  • Accommodation type: Guesthouses & Lodges

  • Restricted Permits: Yes. You have to be minimum 2 trekkers and accompanied by a Nepali Guide or Porter. The Restricted Permit for Upper Mustang costs USD 500 for up to 10 days and USD 50 for each day hereafter.

  • Max elevation: 3,810 m, Dhakmar

  • Accessible during winter (Dec-Jan): Yes. 

 

10. Upper Dolpa – 22 days – 1,900 + trekkers in a year

It’s a hidden gem filled with cultural impressions – Tibetan style villages, barren landscapes, mountain peaks, and fertile rice terraces. It’s expensive but also fantastic. The mystique and uniqueness of the Upper Dolpo region was manifested by Peter Matthiessen in ‘The Snow Leopard’ written in 1979.

Highlights

  • The secluded Shey Phoksundo lake and the Shey Gomba monasteries

  • High and secluded Himalayan valleys, resembling the Tibetan plateau

  • Superb view of the Kanjirowa Himal mountain

Lowlight:

  • It’s a very remote area and as a result you will spend up to 4 days travelling to and from the trek, having Kathmandu as a starting point.

  • Trek Facts

  • Trekking Difficulty: Level 3 – Medium difficulty

  • Remoteness: Very Remote

  • Pricing: High (#USD spent/day)

  • Best Season: March-May and October-November

  • Accommodation type: Camping

  • Restricted Permits: Yes. You have to be minimum 2 trekkers and accompanied by a Nepali Guide or Porter. The Restricted Permit for Upper Dolpo costs USD 500 for up to 10 days and USD 50 for each day hereafter.

  • Max elevation: 5,250 m, Kang La Pass

  • Accessible during Winter (Dec-Jan): Not advisable. Too remote and too cold. Crossing the Kang La Pass is likely not possible.

 

11. Kanchanganga – 20 days – 650 + trekkers in a year

Camping adventure trek of a life time, You’ll be visiting one of the most rural regions in Nepal, surrounded by absolute pristine nature. It’s a hard and long trek and should only be done by rather fit trekkers. Go there!

Highlights:

  • The day of crossing the Lapsang La Pass at an altitide of 5,160 m

  • Great trekking trail, in a very secluded area of the Himalayas

  • Splendid views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Makalu, the world’s 3rd and 5th highest mountains in the world, respectively.

Lowlight

  • Transportation to and from the Kanchenjunga trek may take up to 3-4 full days.

Trek Facts

  • Trekking Difficulty: Level 4 out of 5 – Hard

  • Remoteness: Very Remote

  • Pricing: High (#USD spent/day)

  • Best Season: March-May and October-November. Not recommended during winter

  • Accommodation type: Camping

  • Restricted Permits: Yes. You have to be minimum 2 trekkers and accompanied by a Nepali Guide or Porter. The Restricted Permit for Kanchejunga costs US$ 10 per person per week.

  • Max elevation: 5,160 m, Lapsang Pass

  • Accessible during Winter (Dec-Jan): Not advisable. Too cold and too remote.

 

12. Makalu Base Camp – 17 days – 1,500 + trekkers in a year

Mt. Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world, presents you with challenging trails and unspoiled nature. Do not expect to meet other trekkers but do expect 100% communion with nature. A trek for the fit and adventurous

Highlights

  • Unspoiled trails and landscapes during the entire trek.

  • Stunning mountain scenery, inter alia the lofty vantage point Shersong ridge at 5,250 m

  • 100% authentic trekking in terms of self-sufficiency and and self-equipped

Lowlight

  • It’s the same trail up and down.

Trek Facts

  • Trekking Difficulty: Level 4 out of 5 – Hard

  • Remoteness: Very Remote

  • Pricing: High (#USD spent/day)

  • Best Season: March-May and October-November. Not recommended during winter

  • Accommodation type: Camping

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