16 Great Treks in Nepal - a Short Guide to Help finding your Adventure

This is a description of great trekking routes in Nepal.

A visit to Nepal can change your life, and we want to help you pick the right trek. This list is not rated, or put in any specific order, since we just want to give you an objective description. All treks offers extraordinary views and and gets close to local culture.

You have two main trekking styles in Nepal: Tea house (lodge) trek and Camping (where more equipment is needed). The best time for trekking in this mythical country are from March to May and from September to November.

1 Everest Base Camp Trek

This is probably the most famous trek in Nepal (and the world?) due to its history and of course the mythical Mt Everest, the highest mountain in the world. This also means the route is very popular. The Everest Base Camp Trek is deserving of it´s fame because of the extraordinary view and the fantastic sherpa experience. You will walk through numerous glaciers, explore the village of the legendary Sherpas and ancient monasteries. The popularity makes the route crowded and you will be walking in line for most parts. You walk down the same way you walk up.

  • Start and finish in Lukla
  • Min 14 Days
  • Challenging
  • The highest point is Everest BC 5,364 m / 17,598 ft
  • Tea house trek style

2 Manaslu Circuit Trek

In 2010 new lodges were built to make this trek more accessible. This trek has all the features of an classic Himalayan trek, such as a great view of 8000 meters peaks, deep valleys and a pass crossing on 5000+ meters height. This trek is increasing in popularity, but still remains remote and you get the feeling of an unspoiled nature experience, compared to many of the other treks. 

  • Start in Sota Khola, finish in Besisahar
  • Min 13 Days
  • Challenging
  • The highest point is Larkya La Pass 5,106 m / 16,752 ft
  • Tea House trek style.

3 Three Passes Trek

With hiking over Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La passes all above 5000+ meters, this might be the best trek for exploring the Everest Region, if you have a minimum three weeks to spend. Included in this trek is sections of the Everest Base Camp Trek, but you will have more spectacular views over the giants in the sky. Due to it´s length and difficulty, you will have longer periods of that remote feeling. But it´s still a bit crowded when you reach the more common parts. 

  • Start and finish in Lukla
  • Min 18 Days
  • Challenging
  • Highest elevation point is Kongma La Pass 5,535 m / 18,159 ft 
  • Tea House Style Trekking

4 Annapurna Circuit Trek

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the classic bucket list treks in Nepal. By hiking in great Himalayan terrain and of course crossing the Thorong La pass, this is a great adventure. However, the trek might have lost some of it´s character due to being crowded by tourists and because of newly built roads. This means the unspoilt feeling is somewhat reduced. Still, a real experience, and it might be easier to schedule a shorter trek.

  • Start in Bhulbule, finish in Jomsom
  • Min 12 Days
  • Challenging
  • Highest point Thorong La Pass 5,416 m / 17,769 ft 
  • Tea House trek style

5 Upper Mustang Trek

Mustang used to be its own kingdom. Placed in the southern parts of the Tibetian highland it is very influenced by Tibetian culture, which gives this trek an interesting cultural aspect. The area provides a distinct different landscape compared to most parts of Nepal, the sandstone cliffs and desert like shades of brown makes this a unique trek. The Mustang area is surrounded by 35 peaks and the entire area is well-known for its out-of-the-way caves, monasteries and desolate conditions.

  • Start and finish in Jomsom
  • Min 12 Days
  • Moderate
  • Highest point is in Lo Mangthang area and about 3850 m / 12500 ft
  • Tea House style trek

6 Upper Dolpo Trek

Upper Dolpo spread throughout Shey Phoksudo National Park over an area of 3,555 sq km in the Dolpa and Mugu district in Nepal. This is an extremely remote route and you will cross three 5000+ meter passes following the old trading routes in strange and surreal landscapes. You will meet people that is very different from our modern lifestyle. Shamanistic monks living in caves and yak herders with an increasingly rarer rural lifestyle. The trek follows rain shadow territory of Nepal with unparalleled scenery of landscapes, turquoise lakes, a unique culture, Buddhist monasteries, chorten, stupa and striking views of Himalaya. This trek will not be crowded.

  • Start and finish in Juphal
  • Min 21 Days
  • Very Challenging
  • Highest point is Nagdalo La Pass 5,500 mv/ 18,044 Ft
  • Camping trek style (remote and spartan)

7 Makalu Base Camp Trek

This trek is one the most puzzling treks accessible in Nepal, and takes you to the foot of Makalu, the fifth highest peak in the world. You will be taken far away from the beaten track to a valley east of Mt Everest. On this trek you will explore tropical forest National Park hosting 3000 species of plants, 75 species of mammals, 440 species of birds, including the endangered Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Wild Boar, Himalayan Thar, Musk Deer and various more. You trek via diverse villages to scenic unbelievable Himalayan views of mountains like Lhotse, Baruntse, Chamling and Everest while getting closer to the basecamp area. Due to it´s remoteness you will avoid crowds. There are dangerous parts on this route, so make sure you have an experienced guide. 

  • Start and finish in Tumlingtar
  • Min 12 days
  • Challenging
  • Highest point is viewpoints above BC 5200 m / 17,000 ft 
  • Remote rustic lodge or camping trek style

8 Ghorepani Phon Hill Trek

This is a short and easy accessible, yet famous trek in the Annapurna Region. The Poon Hill is visited by thousands every year, so you can expect crowds in the short seasons. You can expect a great vista of the giant Himalayan mountains and the sunrise is worth the trip alone. You don´t have to be an experienced trekker to go here. 

  • Start and finish in Pokhara
  • Min 7 days
  • Moderate
  • Highest point is Ghorepani Poon Hill 3,300 m/10,824 Ft
  • Tea House Style Trekking

9 Nar Phu Valley Trek

Nar Phu Valley Trek is the latest trek in the Annapurna conservation area, and one of the hidden gems in the Annapurna Region. It used to be one of the forbidden areas until the Nepali Government opened the area up for western visitors in 2002. Since then few people have walked this trek. You will experience Himalayan culture with remote villages, ancient monasteries and a great view of the Himalayan panorama. The hardest part is crossing the challenging Kong La Pass.

  • Start and finishing point Chame.
  • Min 14 Days
  • Challenging
  • Highest point is Kong La Pass 5,280 m / 17,322 Ft
  • Camping/rustic lodge trek style

10 Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek

Dhaulagiri is the sevent highest mountain in the world, and the circuit is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal, facing continious elevation above 5000 meters for three days in a row. Mostly in snow. You better have some experience before choosing this one. But, if you are up for the challenge, this trek might be a life changing challenge. You will be trekking in the heart of some of the worlds highest peaks, and the varieties on this route is great. You will not see many tourists here.

  • Start in Darbang, finish in Marpha
  • Min 14 days
  • Very challenging
  • Highest point is French Col at 5360 m / 17,585 ft 
  • Camping style trek

11 Tsum Valley Trek

Tsum Valley Trek allows you to discover the secret Tibetan Buddhist land lying at verge of the isolated Himalayan valleys. Tsum Valley is considered one of the most remote Himalayan valleys and until recently it was a constrained county. Not many people have attempted this trek and very few of them have made it to it´s highest point because of it´s sketchy way. You will pass glacier rivers and alpine forests. A trek for the adventurous kind.

  • Start and finish in Sothi Kola
  • Min 14 days
  • Challenging
  • Highest point is Ganesh Himal Base Camp 4,300 m/14,104 Ft
  • Camping style trek

12 Rara Lake Trek

Rara Lake is the biggest and deepest fresh water lake in Nepal. The virgin and unexplored mid-western Nepal is becoming popular because of it´s hidden richness in culture and the tremendous landscapes. The area around the turqoise lake is also rich on wildlife and in the spring the rhododendron flower blossoming along with the magnolia is worth the trip alone. This is not yet a crowded area, and the logistics around, like Tea Houses are not built in big scale, so this is camping style trekking.

  • Start and finish in Jumla
  • Min 12 Days
  • Moderate
  • The highest point is Jaljal 3,270 m / 10,728 Ft
  • Camping style trek

13 Langtang Valley Trek

Langtang Valley trek is a short and easy trekking route north of Kathmandu valley. This route is rich on culture and you will walk through green forests while encountering wild animals, deep gorge of high rocky formations, a flavour of Buddhism (monasteries, stupas and praying flags), stunning extent waterfalls and the breath taking Langtang Himalayan range with its near spiritual sunrise and sunset view. Along the way you will cross several rivers and wooden bridges. 

  • Start in Kathmandu, finish in Dunche
  • Min 10 Days
  • Easy
  • Highest point is viewpoint above Tserko Ri 4,820 m/15,809 Ft
  • Tea House Trek Style

14 Gokyo Lakes Trek

The Gokyo Lakes Trek share significant sections with the Everest Base camp trek, but you will go from a valley west of Mt Everest. The beautiful Gokyo Lakes are situated around 5000 meters height and here you can climb summits like the rocky Gokyo Ri with a stunning view point of the majestetic Mount Everest. You will have an alpine experience, but don´t expect to be alone in the mountain. Especially during the first parts.

  • Start and finish in Lukla
  • Min 12 days
  • Challenging
  • The highest point is Gokyo Ri 5357 m / 17,575 ft 
  • Tea House Trek Style

15 Helambu Circuit Trek

Helambu circuit is a famous trek for people who want a short and gentle route with a beautiful scenery and a unique untouched culture. This trek also goes through a dense forest containing a rich diversity of flora and fauna. You probably see other tourists, but this is not the most populated trek. A good choice for the moderate fit trekkers with a short amount of time available.

  • Start in Chisopani, finish in Kakani
  • Min 9 days
  • Moderate
  • Highest point is Magnigoth 3,300 m / 10,826 Ft
  • Tea House Trek Style

16 Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

In this trek you enter one of the wildest and least populated parts of Nepal. Mt Kanchenjunga is the worlds third highest mountain and the trek offers excellent views over several impressive mountains. The population is mostly of Tibetan heritage and the culture is quite unique. You will not see the big crowds of tourists here.

  • Start and finish in Taplejung
  • Min 16 Days
  • Challenging
  • Highest point is 5134 meters / 17000 ft
  • Tea House Trek Style
Hiking, TrekkingHåvard UtheimNepal