15 Best Treks in Nepal

Are you craving for an adventure? A change of scene or maybe a whole new meaning to life?

Go trekking in Nepal! You will get a lot more than you have ever dreamt.

Yes, trekking can be one of the most wonderful experiences you can have which might seem like just walking, but is a lot more. Trekking in Nepal lets you get in touch with nature, experience different traditional and indigenous lifestyles and treat your mind and body to peace and tranquility.

While in Nepal you have multiple options for treks. You can either choose to spend long days on the vicinity of the snow-covered peaks. Or, you can go for short and easy treks for a few day’s vacations.

15 best treks in Nepal

Arranged in no particular order, here is a list of 15 best treks in different regions of country that offer a variety of options according to your trekking expectations, preferences and physical condition:

1. Everest Base Camp Trek

Reaching the top of the world is a great feat in itself. But, achieving that through a challenging trek that tests your limits is a life-changing experience.

This 14-day Everest Base Camp trek takes you to a height of 5545 m. It exposes you to the lives of the Sherpa, Rai and Tamang people, the natives of this region. And, you get to walk past the Rhododendron forests with diverse flora and fauna.

Plus, the Buddhist monasteries make this trek both a natural and spiritual journey.

2.Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek

This 12-day long trip up to an elevation of 5416 meters is one of the most famous treks in Nepal. Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake includes the diverse culture, flora, and fauna in varied landscapes in the Annapurna region.

This trek lets you witness the rich diversity, religious sites with a mesmerizing view of the peaks while traveling through forests, valleys to the alpine landscapes.

Muktinath temple, Tilicho Lake and Buddhist monasteries are a bonus to this already exciting trip.

It might be a trying trek, but this circular trip around the 10^th highest mountain in the world helps in acclimatization for the other harsher treks.

3. Ghorepani – Poonhill Trek

This 4-day long trip, popular during the Autumn and Spring season, takes you to a maximum height of 3210 meters. It is among the easy treks in Nepal in the Annapurna region.

The Poon Hill trek is a much shorter trek to experience the Annapurna Region’s Mountains changing colors between sunsets and sunrise and the glacier basin formed by the Annapurna mountain range.

One gets to witness the famous “Gorkha warrior” clan and their lifestyles. Along with the forests full of rhododendrons, Oak trees and a variety of bird species. At a certain point from the Poon Hill one can get a glimpse of the entire mountain range and in the entire trek witness the changing topography from rice fields, forests to low land villages.

Plus, the stunning views of the mountain peaks during the sunrise is not to miss the feature of this trek.

4. Manaslu Circuit Trek

This trail that recent got popular will take you through dramatic valleys and mesmerizing views with a comparatively unpopulated route provide us a circular trip around Mount Manaslu, 8^th highest peak in the world.

The highest point of the trek is Larkya la Pass, which provides a full view of Manaslu. And if you extend your Manaslu Circuit Trek by 5 days you get to spend a night at the Tibetan Buddhist Monastery of Mu to wake up your spiritual side.

This is a moderate to difficult level trek which is quite challenging with the novel routes in the Manaslu region.

5. Langtang Valley Trek

This is a shorter (6 days of trekking in Langtang Valley), low altitude (3900m) trek, to the northern side of Kathmandu, the capital city. This trek provides a more intimate contact with the lives of the natives especially Tibetans and Tamangs with their distinct costumes, language, and lifestyles.

The trek is also known for its more immersion into vegetation and lifestyles, but still provides an enthralling view of the Annapurna and Makalu mountains.

Despite its proximity to the cities, Langtang Valley trek still provides a wild natural glimpse into the Himalayan region filled with glaciers and its landscape, rural lifestyles and Buddhist culture.

6. Upper Mustang Trek

It is a 12-16 days long trip across the former Kingdom of Lo, also known as the desert kingdom due to less/no rainfall being a rain shadow region.

Upper Mustang Trek isn’t as difficult, but the weather with harsh winds and cold winters can make it a bit arduous.

The region’s original inhabitants are the Manangi people who have their own rich and unique culture and traditions because of the isolation from the rest of the world till recent times.

The trek still uses horses/mules to carry loads and passes through a rocky trail up and down the hill to see a panoramic view of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and other peaks.

Buddhist Monasteries, caves hidden into cliff walls and Tiji festivals are the main attractions of this region making the trek worthwhile.

7. Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Also known as the Annapurna Sanctuary trek, this is the second most famous trek in the region. This is a short trek that transports you to the base of the 8000m range peaks and introduces you to the diverse geographic structures, flora and fauna and the life of Gurung and Thakali communities.

The walk through valleys passes, and mountain villages all seem like a light walk for what awaits you – the amphitheatric view of the Annapurna range.

The maximum elevation of this Annapurna Base Camp trek is 4130 m and the trip takes a total of 2 weeks.

8. Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek

This is the route for those willing and wishing to explore the unexpected and the unexplored.

This is the trek which involves off the main road traveling through the rugged trails to absorb all the beauty, diversity, indigenous culture, and solitude in a floral adorned path.

This mixture of mountaineering and trekking takes you through the deepest gorge to the highest point of 5300m. This dramatic isolated trail is only for those with a sense of great adventure.

9. Upper Dolpo Trek

Dolpa, most remote and underdeveloped part of Midwest Nepal inside the Shey-Phoksundo National Park, is still a part of the Tibetan Plateau with cold dry climate.

The vegetation is sparse here so people follow animal husbandry and trade as their main occupation. Due to the isolation, the lifestyle of people is very traditional and almost ancient. They still follow their old rituals and living styles.

The destination is a treasure of plants and wildlife and old Buddhist traditions. With three passes with long ascents and descents and few days at high altitude, it is a very harsh trek for those searching for rural challenges. The Upper Dolpo trek is worthwhile by the breathtaking scenery, spiritual value and a mysterious, peaceful vibe as if the time has stood still in this mystical place.

 10. Gokyo Lake Trek

Gokyo Lakes Trek is a relatively shorter trek in Nepal that provides an adventure to people with time and budget constraints.

It is specifically the journey to the six sacred lakes in the Gokyo valley through a journey that provides us an insight into the exotic wildlife, rare sceneries, suspension bridges, Buddhist shrines, and glaciers.

From the top of the Gokyo Ri, one can enjoy the spectacular view of the ice ridge between Cho Oyu and Gyachung regions, the majestic Mount Everest and the uniqueness of the Himalayan region.

Reaching Gokyo Lakes is going to be one of the best trips of your life. This is a novel trek that reflects a different perspective of the villages and landscapes in the Everest region.

11. Makalu Base Camp Trek

The destination of this famous trek is the fifth highest mountain in the world – The Makalu Mountain with an elevation of 5120m.

So, it requires people with determination and endurance. Famous for its diverse flora and fauna and farming villages, this inaccessible journey is a favorite among those seeking a cultural experience.

12.Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

This trek takes you to the 3rd highest peak in the world – Mount Kanchenjunga (8586 m).

It is a challenging trek around the villages of the Rais, Limbus and Tibetan Buddhists. This region houses the most exotic wildlife in Nepal and also retains orikginality due to the lack of influence by the outer world.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is a trek into this untouched restricted area is more a journey of self-discovery as it takes determination to explore the entire permitted trail, and an unparalleled experience to see the livelihood and pastures grazing in such high altitudes.

13. Nar Phu Valley Trek

Nar Phu Valley trek passes through the villages of Nar and Phu requires trekkers of great fitness to cross through canyons, forests, and monasteries. The Tashi Lakhang Gompa is a great pilgrimage site for Buddhists of Nepal.

The 17-day long trip is like a travel back in time to the unaffected by modernity, untouched, rural and traditional villages of this region.

The view of the Annapurna circuit is the main highlight of this colorful journey to the timeless Tibetan culture.

14. Rara Lake Trek

This trip to the remote Karnali region of Nepal, to the largest lake of the country is a blessing to those who seek wilderness and solitude. The region is a sanctuary to the treasures of the country like a rare Red Panda, Musk Deer, Black Bear, Ghorals, Leopards and many more.

The clear high altitude allows for great bird watching and soaking in the cultural delights with beautiful bloomers during the migration season.

The 5 km long and 2 km wide lake, mirroring the great Himalayas is a captivating sight that sees many pilgrimages in the summer season.

15. Mardi Himal Trek

The Pokhara To Mardi Himal Trek is becoming ever more popular as the best overall trekking route in Nepal. What makes it special compared to most of the other treks is that it allows you to take in so much of the giant Himalayan mountains within a relatively short space of time. And it’s still considered something of a ‘hidden gem’, lying as it does on the east side of another popular trek to Annapurna Base Camp.

Summary

Each of the above 15 best treks in Nepal caters to your needs and expectations of a perfect trekking journey by meeting your time, budget and physical limits. Each provides you with an unparalleled access to exotic flora and fauna, traditional settlements, diverse cultures with splendid and captivating landscapes and heartwarming sceneries.

Your trekking experience will be a memory to cherish that will leave you with an appetite for adventure!