Nepal has become a popular trekking destination for backpackers worldwide in recent years. Nepal offers everything from easy walks to challenging climbs, so there’s a trek for everyone. When you trek in Nepal, you experience stunning mountains, gentle slopes, and beautiful valleys up close. Whether you want a tough or simpler trek, Nepal has options for both. You can go with a backpack, a guide, and camping gear for a tough trek. Alternatively, there are many trails with cozy lodges where you can stay and enjoy a hot meal at the end of the day.
The Nepal Himalayas provide many amazing and authentic trekking routes, so it’s hard to choose just one as the best. The difficult level you choose will determine the best trek for you. Your budget and trekking style will also influence your trip. How long you spend trekking in Nepal will shape your experience. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best treks in Nepal for 2024, considering cost, popularity, culture, and scenery.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best Treks in Nepal
Everest Base Camp Trek
- Starting point: Lukla
- Maximum Elevation: 5,545 meters
- Permits: Khumbu Rural permit and Sagarmatha National Park Permit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration 10-12 days
- Best Season: Spring and Autumn
Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, attracts trekkers and climbers from all over the globe. The Everest region is known for some of the best Himalayan treks in Nepal. The trails are well-maintained, and there are more luxurious hotels and comfortable trekking lodges in which to stay. To get to the Everest Base Camp Trek, you must trek for about two weeks, passing through villages with slate roofs and stone walls, lush slopes, Buddhist monasteries, and the stunning Himalayas. EBC has one of the best trekking routes.
Most accommodations offer a range of food, private rooms, hot showers, electricity, and even Wi-Fi. You won’t be alone on this path, as thousands of trekkers see it daily. The classic trek starts at Lukla’s airport and goes through the Dudg Koshi Valley to Namche, a central spot for hiking in the Everest region. From Namche, the trail heads northeast for seven to eight days to reach Everest Base Camp and the Kala Patthar viewpoint (5,545 meters), where you can enjoy stunning views of Everest (8,848.86 meters), Lhotse (8,501 meters), Nuptse (7,861 meters), and the Khumbu Icefall,
Annapurna Circuit Trek via Tilicho Lake
- Starting point: Besi Sahar or Bhulbhule / Jomsom or Nayapul
- Maximum Elevation: 5,416 meters
- Permits: TIMS and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)
- Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
- Duration 12-18 days
- Best Season: Spring and Autumn
The Annapurna Circuit trek is one of Nepal’s best treks. You can immerse yourself in mountain culture while exploring this incredible route. The trek includes walking through unpaved areas to reach Tilicho Lake (4,920 meters), one of the highest mountain lakes in the world, and Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. Highlights of this trek are the diverse river valleys, ancient villages, sacred monasteries, beautiful green terraced farms, and Thorung La Pass, which is over 5,000 meters high.
After crossing the high pass, you descend to the sacred pilgrimage site of Muktinath and enter a region with the deepest river gorges and castle-like monasteries near Kgbeni and Jomsom. The trek offers stunning views of the Himalayas, including the Annapurna Massif, Mt. Dhaulagiri, and Lamjung Himal. The area has good infrastructure, comfortable lodges, and tasty, varied food. Most trekkers go the opposite way, starting in Bhulbhule or Besisahar and ending in Jomsom or Nayapul. This direction allows more acclimatization time and makes climbing to Thorung La Pass (5,416 meters) less difficult.
Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Starting point: Soti Khola
- Maximum Elevation: 5,160 meters
- Permits: TIMS, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Duration 13-18 days
- Best Season: Spring and Autumn
The Manaslu Circut trek is one of Nepal’s most beautiful and less-traveled journeys. It’s often overlooked but is one of the most popular restricted treks in the Manaslu region. The trek’s hardest and most exciting part is the Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters. You can see stunning views of the Manaslu, Manaslu North, Samdo Peak, Naike Peak, Larke Peak, and Cheo Himal.
The Larkya La Pass is between Dharmasala and Bimtang and is the trek’s highest point. The trek follows a well-used path, although it can be rocky and uneven. The trek covers 180 km, and a fit person can expect to walk for 6 to 7 hours on several days. Accommodation is in lodges and tea houses run by local families unless you prefer tents.
Langtang Valley Trek
- Starting point: Syabrubeshi, Rasuwa
- Maximum Elevation: 4,440 meters
- Permits: Langtang National Park Permit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration 5-7 days
- Best Season: Spring and Autumn
Langtang Valley Trek is considered one of the best and easiest in Nepal. The trek is great for seeing beautiful mountain villages, different plants, changing weather, and an exciting trekking experience. Langtang is located north, near Tibet, with rich Tibetan cultural traditions. Before the 2015 earthquake, this was one of Nepal’s most popular trekking trails. The damage has been repaired, and trekking lodges have been rebuilt.
Despite the past destruction, it’s still one of Nepal’s most beautiful treks. The usual route follows a narrow valley along the Langtang River. You will pass through the Langtang village and reach Kyanjin Gompa. You’ll see stunning peaks like Langtang Lirung (7,246 m), Langtang II (6,581 m), and Mount Gangechempo (6,387 m).
Upper Mustang Trek
- Starting point: Jomsom
- Maximum Elevation: 4,010 meters
- Permits: TIMS
- Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
- Duration 10-15 days
- Best Season: Spring and Autumn
The former Himalayan Kingdom of Mustang is known as the last stronghold of Tibetan culture. Mustang doesn’t offer many close-up mountain views, unlike many trekking spots in Nepal. Instead, it has a rich cultural history and dry landscapes. The usual trail follows the west bank of the Kali Gandaki River, passing through valleys and windy passes. It takes four days to walk from Kagbeni to Lo Manthang and back.
You can explore the town, caves, and nearby monasteries. On the way back, you can take a more challenging path on the east side of the Kali Gandaki. Tough harder, the views are more stunning than on the western path. It’s worth visiting the Luri Gompa, a hidden cave complex with 14th-century Buddhist art and temples.
Gokyo Lakes Trek
- Starting point: Lukla
- Maximum Elevation: 5,340 meters
- Permits: Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration 8 days
- Best Season: Spring and Autumn
The Gokyo Lake Trek offers a stunning view of Everest and overnight stays in the iconic town of Namche Bazaar. This less crowded route gives trekkers a glimpse into local village life, breathtaking views of icy rivers and glacier debris, snow-capped mountains, and the dazzling turquoise waters of the Gokyo Lakes. The Gokyo Lakes consist of six bodies of water located at altitudes between 4,700 and 5,000 meters in the Gokyo Valley within the Sagarmatha National Park.
An extra day in the valley allows for a visit to the 5th and 6th lakes at the foot of Cho Oyu, the world’s 6th highest mountain. The trek involves around 5 hours of walking daily, with highlights including a steep climb to Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for views of Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Makalu, and Nepal’s largest glacier, Ngozumpa. For those unable to hike, a helicopter tour is an alternative to experience the beauty of Gokyo Lake.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Starting point: Nayapul
- Maximum Elevation: 4,130 meters
- Permits: TIMS and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration 10-12 days
- Best Season: Spring and Autumn
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of Nepal’s most popular trekking routes. It starts with amazing views of snow-capped mountains, sunrise from Poon Hill, and visits to Gurung villages, ending with a dip in natural hot springs near Jhuni Danda. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you through the Himalayan landscape to majestic mountains like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Machhepuchhre, and Hiunchuli. You will come across many Gurung villages like Ulleri, Ghorepani, and Chhomrong, where you can experience the Gurung lifestyle and traditions.
Pikey Peak Trek
- Starting point: Dhap
- Maximum Elevation: 4,065 meters
- Permits: TIMS and Solu-Khumbu (Everest) National Park Permit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration 11 days
- Best Season: Spring and Autumn
The Pikey Peak trek is a lesser-known trek in the Everest region, with few people on the trail. This off-the-beaten-path trek has fewer accommodation options than other routes in Nepal. Starting from Dhap, which is a 7-hour drive from Kathmandu, the trek takes you to Pikey Peak Base Camp. You can enjoy clear views of Mt Everest, Mt Makalu, Mt Chamlang, and other peaks. The Peaky Peak Trek is moderate, making it a great choice for those who want to experience the Himalayan landscape quickly. The best trekking season for Pikey Peak is spring and autumn.
Poon Hill Trek
- Starting point: Nayapul
- Maximum Elevation: 3,210 meters
- Permits: TIMS, Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), and Poon Hill View Point Entrance Permit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration 3 days
- Best Season: Spring and Autumn
The Poon Hill Trek is ideal for those with limited time or anyone looking for a relatively short trek in Nepal with amazing views. It is one of the popular trekking destinations in Nepal. The trek offers stunning Himalayan scenery, especially at sunrise from poon Hill. It starts and ends in Nayapul, looping through Ghorepani and Ghandruk. Along the way, you’ll experience the tranquility of the high mountains and glimpse traditional Nepali life.
You’ll climb 3,300 steps up to Ulleri, follow the Bhurungdi River past rice fields and dense jungle, and see monkeys and various bird species. The trek offers views of Annapurna South, Barasikha, Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain), the Dhaulagiri range, and Tukuche Peak.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
- Starting point: Taplejung
- Maximum Elevation: 5,160 meters
- Permits: Special restricted area permit (SRAP) and Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project permit (KCAP)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Duration 21 days
- Best Season: Spring and Autumn
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is a fantastic hike in Western Nepal. Kanchenjung, which means “crystal clear” in Nepali, is the third-highest mountain in the world at 8,586 meters. It’s also known as the “Five Treasures of the Great Snow,” which refers to Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, Grain, and Holy Scriptures. Located in North-East Nepal, Kanchenjunga is close to the borders of India, Bhutan, and Tibet, so it can be seen from these places as well.
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek takes you through the Arun Valley, one of Nepal’s most beautiful trekking regions. A key feature of the trek is the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. You can enjoy stunning views of peaks like Lhotse, Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu.
Conclusion
Nepal has some of the world’s best treks. From the classic Everest Base Camp trek with its breathtaking views and Sherpa culture to the diverse Annapurna Circuit and the peaceful Langtang Valley, there’s something for everyone. The Gokyo Lakes Trek offers stunning lake views, while the Manaslu Circuit provides a more remote adventure. For a shorter trek, the Mardi Himal and Poon Hill treks are great choices. Each trek provides a special experience of Nepal’s beauty and culture. The best time for a trekking experience in Nepal is autumn and spring.
FAQs
Which trek in Nepal is the best?
The best treks in Nepal are the Langtang Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Upper Mustang, Gokyo Lake, and Mardi Himal Trek.
Which is the hardest hike in Nepal?
The hardest hikes in Nepal are the Three Passes trek, the Island Peak trek, the Makalu to Everest trek, and many more.
What is the easiest trek in Nepal?
The easiest trek in Nepal is often considered to be the Poon Hill Trek. This trek is relatively short, taking about 4 days, and doesn’t require technical climbing skills.
What are the 4 trekking region of Nepal?
The four trekking region of Nepal are Kanchenjunga, Everest, Manaslu, and Annapurna.
Which is the hardest trekking peak in Nepal?
The hardest trekking peak in Nepal is Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.
