With the highest and most magnificent mountains on planet Earth, Nepal is the best trekking destination. It is not surprising that this tiny country called Nepal attracts more and more visitors year on year.
If you are visiting Nepal for a trekking experience, it is one of your life-changing moments. Being at the base camp of any majestic giants is such a wonderful adventure. Before embarking on the treks in Nepal, you have to consider which is the best trek for you and your family. It is never easy to pick because the magnificent Himalayas provide an enticing array of trekking options.
Keeping things simple, three central trekking regions cater for the vast majority of trekkers who visit Nepal. The Everest Region, the Annapurna Region, and the Langtang Region are the most visited regions in recent years.
Here, we provide information on Eight Popular Treks to Consider in Nepal.
A trek to Everest Base Camp is a wonderful trekking experience in Nepal. You will follow in the footsteps of the iconic mountaineers Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. Most people have desired to see Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, when they are in Nepal. The best way to see Mount Everest from close range is by trekking to Everest Base Camp.
The other option is doing a short trek around Kathmandu Valley, which offers Mount Everest at a far distance. You can also take an Everest Mountain Flight to see Mount Everest or a helicopter tour of Everest.
Some people choose the comfort of a plane seat on one of the many daily mountain sightseeing trips from Kathmandu. However, there is only one way to achieve the ultimate Everest experience. A trek up to Kalapathar in the early morning before sunrise is the best view of Mount Everest. When your muscles may be aching, and the air is thin, stand face to face with the last earthly rung on the journey to the heavens.
Without a doubt, it is a very special experience that more than makes up for any discomfort along the way. Mounts Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse are reaching out to touch and welcome you to their ice-clad party, if just for a while.
The trek-up is not too demanding, but it does have some “toughish” days. However, if you are reasonably fit, E.B.C. is very likely. It is a high-altitude trek, so make sure you take two days to acclimate on the way up. One day at Namche Bazaar and one at Dingboche.
Getting there is often as necessary and enlightening as the destination itself. As you trek up towards your goal, you enter into the unique and colourful mountain world of the Sherpa people. These people are hardy folk, weathered and shaped by the harsh mountain environment.
Soak up their interesting monasteries and way of life. The abundance of wildlife and nature on the way all add to a magnificent trekking journey.
Note: A classic trip providing the ultimate trekking experience and one to tick off the Bucket List.
This journey of Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes is more remote in Everest Trek. Although challenging and physically demanding at times, it takes you off the beaten Everest trail. It provides the ultimate adventure experience in the region. A trek that promises spectacular views as you hike the grandest mountain scenery on this earth.
The route goes even deeper into the heart of Nepal’s hardiest people, with Sherpa culture at its best. Take time to visit the largest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu region at Tyangboche. You will appreciate the beauty of both its gompa and its setting. The power of nature is so apparent here.
You will trek to the pristine blue Gokyo Lake to experience the breathtaking panoramic scenery. The Gokyo Ri offers an incredible view of four peaks over 8,000 meters, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. The view of Nagzompa glacier with tortoise Gokyo lakes is magnificent.
After exploring stunning views from Gokyo Ri, you cross the Cho La pass to reach Everest Base Camp. At your final destination, you experience hundreds of tents in climbing season and meet many climbers, too. You will be overwhelmed by the sight of the snow-capped giants dominating the skyline all around.
The following day, you climb to Kalapathar early morning for a sunrise view. You will witness the massif face of Mount Everest along Mount Lhotse and Nutpse. The 360-degree views from Kalapathar are incredible, with Khumbu glacier and icefall. It is like a life-changing experience for everyone.
Note: If you are looking for a challenging trek away from the crowds with fantastic scenery, this trek is well worth considering.
This is another challenging and often strenuous off-the-beaten-track trekking experience in the Everest region. The Everest Three High Passes Trek meanders through remote valleys and over high passes with superlative scenery every step of the way. All three passes are over 5,000m, offering amazing scenery and views.
The trek links the Everest Base Camp and the Gokyo Lakes trek with two additional trails to the east and west of the region. It is very important to acclimatize your body to complete this high-altitude trek in Everest. So, build in acclimatization days as you go, especially during the three long and demanding pass trekking days. Many hardened trekkers rate this trek as the best one to do in Nepal.
The best time to do the trek is spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November). It is possible to do it in the monsoon season (June – early September); however, the weather is less predictable. Some people choose this time as it fits better with their vacation schedule.
The Winter season (December – February) is quite cold, and there is a good possibility that snow may block the passes. It is best to do the Three Passes trek counter-clockwise. Although it is possible to do this trek clockwise due to the steep altitude gain of crossing the Renjo La first. Make sure to add an extra day to visit the remote Gokyo Lakes farther up the glacial valley.
Note: This is a challenging and strenuous trek, so you need to be fit and resilient, given its high pass crossings. It is much more challenging than a trek to Everest Base Camp but not quite as challenging as Three High Passes Trek.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is beautiful and very rewarding in the Annapurna Region. It provides stunning mountain vistas with exceptional views of some of the highest mountains on earth. It is an excellent introduction to trekking and Nepalese mountain culture at its best. The trek winds through picturesque villages and dense forests of Oak and Rhododendron.
The scenery changes dramatically as you gain altitude with much more rugged terrain on the push-up to Base Camp. The final destination, Annapurna Base Camp, lies deep in the heart of Annapurna. It is also known as the Annapurna Sanctuary. It is a vast ice-clad amphitheatre situated at an altitude of 4130 m.
Be prepared for a magical experience with the mountains towering almost vertically above you. You will witness breathtaking views of Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhre. If you consider this trek make sure you combine it with Poon Hill for perhaps the best sunrise anywhere in the world.
Note: For spectacular mountain views, ABC Trek is a really good option without too much effort.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is still highly popular even though there is road access. The major valleys that cut through the Himalayas to the east and west of the Annapurna Massif improve each year. Although the road is not that busy, it is worth trying to avoid hiking on it as much as possible.
Nowadays, many people choose to fly back to Pokhara from Jomsom. It is still a journey full of surprises and, in many ways, encompasses the very best of what Nepal has to offer. The complete circuit from Dhumre took between 18 and 21 days in the past, and without a doubt, it was a better trek then. However, the circuit still retains enough for any adventurous trekker to enjoy.
The Manang Valley alone is well worth a visit; it is a very beautiful valley and one of many reasons to consider this trek. The valley is heaped in culture and tradition and remains devoutly Buddhist. Crossing the magnificent Thorung La 5416 meters is still the same challenge. You will see stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna, Manaslu, and the Dhauligiri massif.
The pass is spectacular on a clear day, with peaks around you. Descend to The temple at Muktinath directly after crossing the pass for another highlight. It is an extremely important pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists. The Temple is surrounded by rugged mountain landscapes with unparalleled views of Dhaulagiri.
From here, you have choices, either trek one day to Jomsom and fly back to Pokhara or continue to Tatopani. You can either walk or drive by Jeep to Tatopani. Tatopani has natural hot spring ponds where you can go and soak your body to relaxation.
From Tatopani, you can trek up to Ghorepani and Poonhill. Poon Hill is the best viewpoint to witness a beautiful sunrise over both the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan ranges.
Note: Well worth the effort despite the changes in fantastic views and deep Buddhist culture.
This is the most popular trek in Nepal and is ideal if you are short on time or have young children. The trek covers an area of outstanding beauty, and the lodges are very good. Poon Hill is the best sunrise place in Nepal.
You will see sunrise over both the Annapurna Himalaya and Dhaulagiri Himalaya. These are the highlights of this short Himalayan journey, adding to what indeed is the most scenic short trek in Nepal. There are some great ridges that provide spectacular Himalayan panoramas, which have outstanding beauty.
This Ghorepani Poonhill Trek can be done in three days, but we don't recommend it because you cannot enjoy nature and mountains. The best timeframe for this trek is 5-6 days, which lets you enjoy and have quality time with your family. The lush sub-tropical forest rich with wildlife and pretty villages with neatly terraced rice fields stands out.
Note: An ideal introduction to trekking in Nepal, with excellent facilities and good food.
The Mardi Himal Trek is a good choice for people looking for an ‘off-the-beaten-path trekking experience. It used to be a quieter part of the Annapurna region of Nepal, but nowadays, it is getting crowded. It is a lovely journey to Mardi Himal Base Camp and finally to the high camp.
There is some beautiful nature to appreciate on the way, with verdant forests and interesting villages to stop in. The trail offers great views of the valleys, terraced farms, and dazzling rivers down below. The vistas are outstanding, especially Annapurna, Machhapuchre (Fishtail), and Hiunchuli. One benefit of this trekking route is that you don’t have to backtrack over the same terrain.
Note: If you are short on time and are looking for a more solitary experience, Mardi Himal Trek is the best option.
Upper Mustang Trek is set within arid and haunting wilderness amongst wind-eroded hills and cliffs on the border with Tibet. As it is situated within the Himalayan Rain Shadow, it makes for a great trekking experience during the monsoon from July to October.
The area was first opened to tourists in 1992 with strict limits on the number of people allowed to travel there. The permit is pretty stiff at $500 for ten days, but if you are looking for something very different in Nepal, the trek certainly provides that.
The destination is Lo Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang. The town was built on the orders of the first King of Lo in 1380 A.D.ThKali. A recent road has been built, so to avoid this as much as possible, trek up The Gandaki Valley and look for the occasional excursions high above the valley walls.
The region in the main is arid, settlements in Mustang are scattered with little sign of cultivation between villages. It's not a particularly hard trek but one to test your stamina at times, and Lo Manthang is a joy to behold.
The town stands as a monument to Lo Manthang’s rich history and cultural heritage that flourished centuries ago due to its prominent position on the major ancient salt trade route from Tibet to Nepal.
Many gompas (religious shrines) and houses surround the king’s palace, and Lo Mangtang itself is contained within the eight-meter-high and 700-meter-long boundary wall. Along the boundary wall, there is a series of 14 guard towers built to protect the town from its many envious enemies of the past.
Note: The Upper Mustang trek is both fascinating and eye-opening in a very different setting than the more established trekking regions of Nepal.
