List of treks in Nepal


Listed in duration order, here are some of the most popular treks in Nepal. Duration days are marked with a + to signify that you can take longer if you wish. Please note all treks durations start from their starting point, not arrival into Nepal.

  • Short treks (2-5 days)
  • Medium treks (5-12 + days)
  • Long treks (12 + days)

Please note: the maps on this page are not to be used as physical trekking maps, they are here only to show the rough outline and region of a trek. Full maps are available in my trekking in Nepal guidebook.

Short treks in Nepal

Dhampus Village Trek: A small Gurung village with a mountain view of the Annapurnas.

Duration: 2 days 1 night - A bus or car ride brings you to a trail followed by a short 2-3 hour trek to Dhampus.

Starting point: Pokhara

Max Altitude: 1, 516m

Difficulty: V. Easy

Highlights: Local village overnight stay. Nepalese valley trail. On a clear day the Annapurna Mountain range.

A full guide to this trek is available in my guidebook to Nepal.


Panchase Trek: A short trek near Pokhara with panoramic views of the Annapurna range..

Duration: 2 days 1 night - Optional extra day of rest. Stopping off at Bhadaure and Bhanjyang.

Starting point: Pokhara

Max Altitude: 2, 500m

Difficulty: Easy/Medium

Highlights: One of the widest panoramic views of Macchapuchare, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Lamjung and Manaslu. Trekking through forest, farmland and rural stone villages up to Panchase Peak.

Here's a full guide to the Panchase trek


Royal Trek: An easy trek made famous by Britains Prince Charles.

Duration: 3 days 2 nights - Stopping off at Kalikathan, Chisopani.

Starting point: Pokhara

Max Altitude: 1, 700m

Difficulty: Easy

Highlights: Local village over night stay. Nepalese valley trail. On a clear day the Annapurna Mountain range. Following a route Prince Charles once took with a 40 + support team.


Nagarkot Dhulikhel Trek: A short comfortable trek with good accommodation and several well known lookouts over the Himalayas.

Duration: 3 days 2 nights a bus or car ride plus a 4 + hour trek to Nagarkot. Sunrise viewing before another short day trek to Dhulikhel for a closer look at Everest then back again. There are several extendable days treks you can do from here.

Starting point: Kathmandu

Max Altitude: 2, 170m

Difficulty: Easy

Highlights: Two sunrises over looking Everest. Good clean accommodation.


Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek (Poon Hill): One of the most popular short treks that's good for those unsure about trekking, on a short break or don't want anything too strenuous.

Duration: 4-5 days 3-4 nights + A bus or car ride takes you to Nayapul where the trek begins. Alternatively you can take a car further up the trek, though you'll miss out on villages and trails. Most people prefer to trek to Tikhedunga, then Ghorepani the next day followed by an early morning trek up to Poon Hill. One the way back you can stop off for a day enjoying some forests and hot springs at Tatopani.

Starting point: Pokhara

Max Altitude: 3, 210m

Difficulty: Easy

Highlights: Easy trek for the whole family. Enjoy several views of the Annapurna mountains. Early climb up Poon Hill for a great view.

Here's a full guide to the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek it is also available in greater detail  in my guidebook to Nepal.


Muldai Trek: A short trek which offers the same views as Poon Hill but with none of the crowds. Tea house accomodation is basic.

Duration: 4+ days. This trek can be extended depending on your fitness and goals. It's a part of the Khopra Danda trek (listed below) but is also a trek in its own right. Beginning in Nayapul you reach Ghandruk for the night. The following day it's up through famous Annapurna mountain trails to Dobato. It's here you can visit Muldai Peak with the same views as Poon Hill but with no crowds or commercial tours.

Starting point: Pokhara

Max Altitude: 3,637m

Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Highlights: The highlights of the Muldai trek are topped off my Muldai Peak itself surrounded by rolling hills view great views of the Annapurnas but with no crowds like Poon Hill. With that in mind the accommodation near Muldai will not be as comfortable as Ghorepani but then some people like the old school tea house feel on the Muldai Trek!

Here's a full guide to the Muldai trek


Mohare Danda Trek: One Nepal's few permit free community lodge treks that only takes a few days for great mountain views.

Duration: 2-5 days 2-4 nights. Starting from Beni near Pokhara you journey up through farming villages and orange groves. Fit trekkers good at stone steps and continue on to another community lodge. The next day is moderate trek up to Mohare Danda where you can watch sunset. Having breakfast over sunrise is a treat while there's a hidden view point a little further on.

Starting point: Pokhara

Max Altitude: 3, 313m

Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Highlights: A permit free community lodge trek that's easy to reach. Aside from the steps at the start the Mohare trek is relatively easy and delivers a viewpoint over a forest similar but not quite the same as Poon Hill.

Here's a full guide to the Mohare Danda trek

 


Medium treks in Nepal

Please note that not all treks follow the same route and so duration and village stays may change.

Mardi Himal Trek: Trek through lush forest until you reach the snowcapped ridge that overlooks Annapurna Base Camp.

Duration: 4-7+ days. Stopping in Australian Camp, Forest Camp, High Camp and Base Camp.

Starting point: Pokhara

Max Altitude: 4, 450m

Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights: This relatively new trek is full of pristine forest while at the top of the trek are stunning views of the Annapurna range. Do not take short cuts on this trek, and go with a guide, as people have gone missing.

Here's a full guide to the Mardi Himal Base Camp trek it is also available in greater detail  in my guidebook to Nepal.


Annapurna Base Camp Trek (Annapurna sanctuary): Trek down a valley and up into one of the most spectacular base camps in Nepal.

Duration: 8-10+ days. Stopping in Ghorepani, Tadapani, Sinuwa, Deurali

Starting point: Pokhara

Max Altitude: 4, 090m

Difficulty: Moderate (quite a few stone steps need to be climbed which are difficult in the off season)

Highlights: The main valley can be spectacularly beautiful when in full bloom. The base camp itself is impressive.

Here's a full guide to the Annapurna Base Camp trek it is also available in greater detail  in my guidebook to Nepal.


Khopra Danda Trek: An off the beaten path ridge trek that combines great views with relatively low altitudes.

Duration: 7-8 + days. Stopping in Ghandruk, Chistibang, Khopra Ridge, Tatopani and back to Pokhara. There's an optional extra day to Khayer Lake

Starting point: Pokhara

Max Altitude: 3,660m/4,500m

Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights: Average accommodation with buses and jeeps from Tatopani if need be. Excellent views with very few tourists.


Jomsom to Muktinath Trek: One of the most popular treks in the Annapurna region of Nepal which includes a flight.

Duration: 9 -10 + days. Stopping in Ghorepani, Tadapani, Kalopani, Marpha, Kagbeni, Muktinath and Jomson for a flight back to Pokhara

Starting point: Pokhara

Max Altitude: 3, 800 m

Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights: Good accommodation with jeeps available en-route. Excellent views and villages along the trail.


Langtang Valley Trek: A magical short valley trek with several viewpoints available a mere 6 hours from Kathmandu.

Starting point: Kathmandu

Max Altitude: 4, 300 m

Difficulty: Easy

Highlights: Snow capped valley ridges, low altitude viewpoints across the Himalayan mountain ranges.

 

Langtang was badly damaged in the 2015 earthquake. In 2016 there were still landslides. Over the past few years I've closed monitored the Langtang Valley and with several treks am happy to say that the region is once again good to trek again. However it is in my opinion solo trekkers who've never trekked before in Nepal should take a guide. Likewise due to landslides it's best to keep the Langtang Valley trek for peak seasons.

Here's a full guide to the Langtang Valley trek


Longer treks in Nepal

Please note that not all treks follow the same routes for longer treks so duration and village stays will change.

Everest Base Camp Trek: A famous landmark that's the starting point for the summit mountaineers scaling Mount Everest.

Duration: 12 + days. Fly into Lukla then begin the trek through Phakding, Namche Bazzar, Tyangboche, Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorakshep.

Starting point: Kathmandu

Max Altitude: 5, 545 metres (18, 192 ft)

Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

Highlights: The name itself. The flight to Lukla, one of the world's shortest runways on the side of a mountain. Or simply trek from Jiri. Climbing Mount Kala Patthar (5, 545 metres (18, 192 ft).

Here's a full guide to the Everest Base Camp trek it is also available in greater detail  in my guidebook to Nepal.


Gokyo and Everest Base Camp Trek: Take an extra couple of days on the way to Everest Base Camp to visit the spectacular views of the Gokyo region.

Duration: 16 + days. Fly into Lukla then begin the trek through Phakding, Namche Bazzar, Dole, Machermo, Gokyo, Thangnang Kharka, Dzongle, Lobuche and Gorakshep.

Starting point: Kathmandu

Max Altitude: 5, 364 metres (17, 598 ft)

Difficulty: More Moderate to Hard

Highlights: The name itself. The flight to Lukla, one of the world's shortest runways on the side of a mountain. A side trip to Gokyo. Crossing Cho-La pass at 5, 330m. Climbing Mount Kala Patthar (5, 545 metres (18, 192 ft).

 


Annapurna Circuit: One of Nepal's most famous treks. There's road in places these days, but a good guide will help you avoid it. Otherwise you can shorten the trek down or link it to other Annapurna treks and extend it!

Duration: 10 - 21+ days. Stopping in Bahundanda, Chamje, Bagarchhap, Pisang, Manang, Yak Kharka, Thorng Phedi, Muktinath, Jomsom, Kalopani, Tatopani, Ghorepani.

Starting point: Pokhara

Max Altitude: 5, 416 metres Thorong La pass

Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

Highlights: A trekking region that takes you all around the Annapurna range. The alternating landscapes from green forest to remote mountains. Due to its relative ease early on in the trek along with new roads many people fail later on due to not taking enough acclimatization days. Do not drive further than Chame.

If you are interested in this trek here's a guide to the Annapurna Circuit and it is also available in greater detail  in my guidebook to Nepal.


Rarer treks in Nepal

Please note permits for these treks are often required and terms change frequently.

Manaslu Trek: Trek into the area close to the remote Tibet border with several permits needed. You'll need two people, a guide, and several permits for this trek.

Duration: 16+ days. Stopping in Sama Gaon, Samdo, Larke Bazar, Karche, Jagat.

Starting point: Kathmandu

Max Altitude: 5, 213m

Difficulty: Moderate - Hard

Highlights & Special Requirements: The Manaslu region of Nepal is off limits to anyone without a permit. Permit fees start at US$90 per person for a period of 7 days starting from when you enter the region. Additional days are US$15. At the time of writing there was an additional single supplement fee though it's often not enforced. You cannot cross into Tibet on this Trek.

If you are interested in this trek, here is a guide to the Manaslu trek.


Mundum Trek: Venture into far east Nepal with this camping and tea house trek. Very few trekking companies offer this trek. This means less tourists, but it's harder to find a guide.

Duration: 10-12 + days. Stopping in Diktel, Chakhewa, Dhotre, Maiyung, Rawadhap, Salpa Bhanjyang, Hyakule, Hanspokhari, Bhojpur.

Starting point: Kathmandu

Max Altitude: 4, 153m

Difficulty: Moderate (camping)

Highlights & Special Requirements: The far east of Nepal is a relatively unexplored or trekked part of Nepal. The Mundun trek The is a community driven trek with highlights on culture, ridge trekking and adventure. Over 30 peaks are visible from Everset to Makalu and Lhotse.

If you are interested in this trek here's a guide to the Mundum Trek


Upper Mustang Trek: Trek into the less frequented and protected Mustang area of Nepal. At a price. There's a two person minimum requirement, and compulsory guide.

Duration: 10-13 + days. Stopping in Jomsom, Kagbeni, Chele, Geling, Charang, Lo Manthang, Ghami, Samar

Starting point: Pokhara

Max Altitude: 4, 230m

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Highlights & Special Requirements: The Upper Mustang region of Nepal is off limits to anyone without a permit. Permit fees start at US$500 per person for a period of 10 days. The permit starts from Kagbeni once you enter restricted area. Additional days in the restricted Mustang area are charged at US$50 per day. You also need two trekkers for the permit.

If you are interested in this trek here's a guide to the Upper Mustang Trek.


More information on Trekking in Nepal

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The above list of treks in Nepal is continually being added too based on popularity or request.

If looking for a trekking guide I recommend you read my article on How to find a trekking guide in Nepal.

If you want to book a trek here is a list of recommended treks to book online.


Get my Trekking in Nepal Guidebook

Liked this page? You'll love my trekking book (which includes all of these treks)! It's a hands-on, fully comprehensive trekking guidebook that's better than the rest. Yes, really!

In the book, I cover over 28 treks in Nepal with step-by-step accuracy using scalable maps, photographs and travel-tested up-to-date trekking information.

Just like my other guidebooks to Nepal you can download it instantly now or order a paperback copy. An up-to-date guidebook like no other.


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