A wandering spirit with a love for storytelling, Neera has 250+ articles in her travel playbook. She’s currently working on her latest insider guides from a secluded Mauritian beach.
Contrary to popular belief, Nepal’s trekking scene goes way beyond Everest Base Camp. Don’t get me wrong, though: the Everest Base Camp trek is popular for good reasons. But if you’re looking for something more straightforward, rest assured that the best treks in Nepal offer something for every type of adventurer.
Whether you’re after jaw-dropping mountain views, cultural immersion in ancient Buddhist kingdoms, or just want to push your limits at a high altitude, this Himalayan nation has routes that’ll stay with you long after your boots are back in the closet.
What makes Nepal special isn’t just the mountains. I’ll agree that having 8 of the world’s 14 highest peaks certainly helps, though! The thing about trekking in Nepal is that the journey is as diverse as you can imagine: you can be sweating through subtropical jungle one day and crunching across glacial moraine the next before emerging smack dab in the middle of a terraced meadow. Some routes led to hidden monasteries dating back several centuries, while others led to traditional Sherpa villages where you can fuel up over a scrumptious plate of dal-bhat. Then, of course, you’ve got those incredible glaciers, alpine forests, and mountain peaks at every turn.
With that, here is my ultimate guide to the best treks in Nepal.
Take it from someone who spent countless months navigating the best treks in Nepal: your trekking season can make or break your trip. Literally!
October to November is prime time. Sure, the trails get super busy then (especially on popular routes like Everest and Annapurna), but there’s a reason everyone comes then. You’ll enjoy clear skies, stable weather, and the kind of mountain views that’ll make your camera work overtime. Spring (March to May) is my second favorite, with rhododendrons blooming like crazy and decent weather.
I recommend that you obtain your permits in Kathmandu or Pokhara before your treks to avoid tracking down tourism offices along the way.
Most treks don’t require technical skills, but you do need a decent level of fitness. Think 5-8 hours of walking daily, often uphill, while carrying 10-15kg on your back. As such, you really want to start training months ahead of time.
Okay, enough with the practical stuff now, and let’s check out some of my favorite treks in Nepal!
Best treks in Nepal: Ultimate guide
Everest Base Camp via Gokyo: Best Treks In Nepal For A Tranquil Route
Let’s start off with the most famous trek in Nepal: the legendary Everest Base Camp!
Now, most trekkers tend to go for the classic route (Lukla to Base Camp and back). But as you probably can tell from this Nepal itinerary, there’s nothing I love more than to go off-grid. So if you don’t mind venturing off the beaten path, I strongly recommend that you opt for the less-popular Gokyo Lakes route.
(Credit: Alex L)
Not only will you get to avoid those large crowds of overly eager tourists, but the Everest Base Camp-Gokyo route is more scenic. On the flip side, it does take longer than the classic trek, though. I suggest you set aside between 16 and 18 days to complete this route.
This route splits off from Namche and cuts west through Dole and Machhermo before joining the main trail at Thagnak or heading over Cho La Pass. My favorite spot on the route is Gokyo Ri, a stunning lake that stands at over 5,000 meters above sea level. Personally, I always try to get there just before sunrise for the best views.
Speaking of views, you’ll not only get to admire Mount Everest in all her glory, but also Cho Oyu and Makalu.
(Credit: Ozgur K)
Just a quick heads-up: this is a challenging trek, so you really don’t want to hit the trails unprepared.
Local tip: If you’re a foodie like me, be sure to stop by the Base Camp Caféwhich is known for its scrumptious local dishes like the wild boar momos. They also make real Sherpa-style gundruk soup, not the watered-down version some teahouses serve for tourists. With homeopathic properties, this super hearty soup may not look super appealing, but I promise it hits all the right spots in that cold, high-altitude weather. In Gokyo, try yak cheese slices with roti and chili achar.
Annapurna Circuit: A Great Trek For The Views
I just can’t talk about the best treks in Nepal without mentioning the iconic Annapurna Circuit. After all, this is one of the most immersive adventures you’ll ever have in the country.
I suggest that you start in Jagat and really take your time to get the full sweep. Most trekkers can complete this moderately challenging route in under two weeks. Personally, I took 18 days to complete the route, mostly because I wanted to embark on some side treks like Tilicho Lake.
(Credit: Pravin Adhikati)
One of the things I love the most about this route is the sheer variety of terrains. You’ll pass by rice terraces, pine forests, dry valleys, and even the Thorong La Mountain Pass that stands at 5,416m above sea level.
The altitude really starts to creep in as you pass through Manang, but so do the views. In spring, Mount Gangapurna tends to glow blue in the sunlight, offering quite a unique spectacle. You’ll know you’re approaching the Yak Kharka alpine meadow by the soft ringing of the yak bells.
Food-wise, you’ll find the usual dal-bhat all along the trail. While this rice and lentil staple is super moreish and filling, I suggest you try gyuma if you’re feeling particularly adventurous. A specialty in Manag, gyuma is a rare blood sausage that’s usually made during festival season. It’s fried crisp and served with boiled potatoes and hot salt-chili powder.
Local tip: You’ll need to apply for the Annapurna Conservation Area Permitto be allowed on the trail. Also mandatory is the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS card) which is available at the tourism boards in Pokhara and Kathmandu.
Langtang Valley: Best Treks in Nepal For The History
Not only is Langtang one of the most beautiful places in Nepal, but it’s also rooted in the local history.
Completely annihilated by the 2015 earthquake, Langtang gradually rebuilt itself from the ground up. The trail has slowly healed, and while the valley welcomes trekkers once more, you can still see the remnants of the devastation it once experienced. The earthquake’s impact was so bad that out of all the lovingly built wooden houses in Langtang Village, only a single one survived.
(Credit: Marcello K)
For this reason, I love staying at one of the unnamed homestays in the village so I could connect with the inhabitants and learn more about their experience and resilience in the face of impossible odds.
You can complete the trek in a week to 10 days. While it’s a moderately challenging trail that doesn’t really ask for any technical climbing knowledge, you need to pause often to allow your body to get used to the high altitude. There are some steeper, uphill sections, especially when you’ll cross from the Lama Hotel to Langtang Village.
Local tip: Be sure to check out Kyanjin Gompa, a 600-year-old Tibetan monastery located just a 3-hour hike from Langtang Village. This monastery houses a cheese factory where you can sample yak cheese and watch the fermentation process from start to finish.
(Credit: Sanjay Kumar)(Credit: Sanjay Kumar)
Mardi Himal: Best Treks in Nepal To Get Away From It All
If you’re short on time and want something quieter than the buzzing Annapurna Base Camp, try Mardi Himal. The trail starts from Kande (you can also kick off from Dhampus) and snakes through rhododendron forests on the way to High Camp (3,580m).
From there, the ridge walk to Mardi Viewpoint is one of the most photogenic sections of any trek I’ve ever done in Nepal. Believe me when I say you’ll almost feel like you’re floating somewhere between Machhapuchhre and South Annapurna! Best of all, it’s still relatively unknown to tourists, although it’s starting to get more popular.
(Credit: Juliette P)
Because there are no high passes or technical sections, this trek has a moderate difficulty level. It’s pretty short too, since most people can complete it in four days to a week.
Local tip: In Forest Camp, you’ll find small teahouses offering local specialties like kodo ko roti (finger millet flatbread) with local honey. I suggest that you ask for a side of ghee to smear across the roti so you’re perfectly fueled up to tackle the climb up to High Camp. After your expedition, you can also unwind with a steaming mug of tongba. This hot millet alcoholic beverage is something of a specialty in the area. It’s usually served in a wooden mug and sipped through a bamboo straw.
Upper Mustang: Trekking Across The Last Tibetan Kingdom
If you’re more interested in exploring monasteries and meeting locals than bagging peaks, this definitely is the best trek in Nepal for you!
The altitude tops out at 3,840m, which is manageable for most reasonably fit folks. You’ll be walking 5-7 hours a day on average, but it’s not technical. Just dusty. Really dusty.
If you don’t mind a challenging start, you can always kick off your trek from Jomsom. I was in the mood for something gentler, though, so I started mine from Kagbeni. The route is pretty historic since it was an ancient trade road that once linked Nepal to Tibet and India.
What I love the most about this trek is the dramatic contrast in scenery. As you plough on, the lower green valleys open to Upper Mustang’s stark, high desert. Think dramatic red and orange cliffs and man-made caves that house ancient meditation chambers and houses.
What never fails to impress me is Lo Manthang, a walled capital where the last king of Mustang lived until 2008. Inside the walls, you’ll find narrow alleys, three main monasteries, and a small handful of inhabitants.
Food-wise, Upper Mustang is especially known for its skyu, a hearty stew with hand-pulled dough, root vegetables, and sometimes dried yak or buffalo meat. Trekkers usually start their mornings with tsampa, which is roasted barley flour mixed with salty yak butter tea. It’s an acquired taste, but it’ll definitely fuel you until lunch!
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