Nepal is renowned as a trekking mecca thanks to its unique trails and its spectacular Himalayan scenery, attracting thousands of avid trekkers from across the globe every year.
The most popular trekking trails in Nepal are by far the Everest Base Camp Trek in the Everest region and the Annapurna Circuit Trek in the Annapurna region, but that's not to say that's all this gorgeous country has to offer!
In this article, we'll be taking a closer look at trekking in Nepal and highlighting some of our top picks in the country's best trekking regions.
Nepal is a trekker's paradise and, while it's impossible to sum up why in just a few words, there are a couple of unique reasons that make trekking in Nepal such an amazing experience.
First, its awe-inspiring mountainous landscape definitely helps Nepal stand out from other trekking destinations. With the Himalayas home to eight of the world's highest mountains, it should come as no surprise that many of the country's trekking trails are focused around this legendary mountain range.
What's more, Nepal is one of the most welcoming countries in the world. Despite the place receiving thousands of visitors every year, the charming locals are always happy to see new travelers and you'll be greeted with a comforting smile wherever you go.
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The season and time of year you visit Nepal can make or break your trekking holiday. Below are the different conditions you can expect at different times of the year:
February to April: Valleys are full of blooming rhododendrons and other flowers as the weather starts to warm up, making February to April one of the best times to go trekking in Nepal.
May to June: Trekking during Nepal's hot season is generally hot and sticky, with the occasional threat of rain as the monsoon season draws closer.
June to September: Nepal's monsoon season is the least popular time for trekking. Landslides are not unheard of and trails become very muddy.
October to December: The best time to go trekking in Nepal. Mild weather and green valleys, what more could you want?!
November to February: Nepal's cold season. Be prepared for snow and paths blocked due to avalanches, particularly on the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp Treks.
With a variety of treks ranging from easy to challenging, it's worth keeping in mind the different conditions you might come across when trekking in Nepal. So, be sure to properly evaluate your fitness and determine your limits before picking a trail.
Additionally, you're going to want to consider other factors such as the length of the trek itself, which can range from 3 to 30 days, before embarking on your Nepalese trekking adventure.
The following are brief descriptions of each difficulty level to help you better understand what kind of trekking trip you would be most comfortable with.
| Difficulty Level | Easy | Moderate | Challenging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration (days) | 3–4 | 5–7 | 8–14 |
| Trekking (hours/day) | 4–5 | 5–6 | 7–8 |
| Max Altitude (m) | 3,200 | 4,500 | 5,500 |
| Max Altitude (ft) | 10,500 | 14,800 | 18,000 |
| Fitness Requirements | Average | Moderately Fit | Extremely Fit |
Easy — For Beginners
If you're not 100% sure if trekking is right for you but are willing to give it a try, we'd recommend starting with an easy trek. A typical day involves around 4 hours' trekking, including breaks, and most treks will take place at altitudes below 4,000m (13,000 ft); so, there's little chance of altitude sickness.
A good example of an easy Nepal trek would be the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.
Moderate — For Experienced Trekkers
Moderate treks are ideal for experienced trekkers and take place at altitudes between 3,900m and 4,800m (12,800–15,700 ft), with an average of 5–6 hours' trekking per day. While not particularly challenging, moderate trails tend to involve a few tough climbs to the best views, so make sure you're comfortable with uphill walking before selecting a moderate level trek.
Popular moderate treks include the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the Upper Mustang Trek.
Challenging — For Fearless Adventurers
Experienced trekkers in good shape looking for a challenge will often opt for challenging treks. These treks are a true test of strength and involve an average of 7 hours' trekking per day, taking place at altitudes between 4,800m and 5,600m (15,700–18,400 ft).
Examples of challenging treks include the infamous Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
The best trekking regions in Nepal are without a doubt the Annapurna region, the Everest region, and the Upper Mustang region, each with its own impressive range of landscapes dotted with rugged hills, imposing mountains, primitive forests, and isolated villages.
Annapurna Base CampFamous for the Annapurna Massif, the Annapurna region is situated in the middle of northern Nepal, roughly 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Kathmandu.
The main trekking area is located in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal's largest wildlife reserve covering approximately 7,629 square kilometers (2,946 square miles), including 30 peaks — of which Annapurna I, II, III, and IV are the most popular among trekking enthusiasts.
The Annapurna region is one of the world's most amazing trekking destinations and features a wide range of trails. The most popular trails include the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the Annapurna Circuit and, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
| Min. Duration | 8 days |
|---|---|
| Max. Altitude | 4,000m (13,000 ft) |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Best Time | March to May, October to November |
| Start / Finish | Phedi / Naya Pul |
Also known as the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular treks in Nepal. Due to its relatively low altitude and short duration, the trek tothe base camp is the perfect Himalayan experience for first-time trekkers.
Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit is an iconic trekking route and has become synonymous with trekking in Nepal. Beginning in Besisahar's farmland hills, you'll make your way through pristine forests until they eventually give way to spectacular mountains.
Travel up a high pass with unrivaled views and then descend into the culturally unique Mustang region and its magnificent valleys. A great trail for more experienced trekkers.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
| Min. Duration | 3 days |
|---|---|
| Max. Altitude | 3,200m (10,500 ft) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Best Times | October to November, March to April |
| Start/Finish | Birenthanti / Phedi via Poon Hill |
The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a superb journey through a verdant rural landscape and the ideal option for travelers with only a week or so in Nepal.
The main destination on this trek is undoubtedly Poon Hill, with its stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna Massif, lush forests, and the rhododendron-filled valleys that perfectly embody rural Nepal.
Otherwise known as the Khumbu region, Nepal's Everest region is located in the northeastern part of the country. Most of the region's trekking is focused around the Sagarmatha National Park, which occupies an area of 1,148 square kilometers (443 square miles) and offers views of spectacular mountain peaks including Lhotse, Cho You, Makalu, and, of course, Everest.
The majority of the trekking in the Everest region takes place at an altitude of above 3,000m (9,800 ft) in the Khumbu and Imja Khola valleys — where you'll visit ancient temples, learn about the impact of Buddhism on the Sherpas' life and traditional farming methods.
The most popular treks in the area include the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Three Passes trek.
Everest Base Camp Trek
| Min. Duration | 12 days |
|---|---|
| Max. Altitude | 5,500m (18,000 ft) |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Best Times | October to December, February to May |
| Start/Finish | Lukla / Lukla |
The Everest Base Camp Trek is a world-class trek through the heart of Sherpa country and to the Everest Base Camp. It's a bucket list journey that draws thousands of trekkers from all walks of life to Nepal.
The trek follows the same path that leads to the very top of the world and rewards trekkers with unique views of glaciers, valleys, and some of the Earth's tallest mountain peaks.
Three Passes Trek
| Min. Duration | 16 days |
|---|---|
| Max. Altitude | 5,500m (18,000 ft) |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Best Times | October to November, March to Ma |
| Start/Finish | Lukla / Lukla |
This is an off-the-beaten-track trail in the Everest area. From the Everest base camp to the remote valley and the high mountains, the views throughout this trek as you travel through the untouched Khumbu valley and the iconic three passes (Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La) are incomparable to anything you've ever seen before.
Sharing borders with both Tibet and, China, Upper Mustang is a remote region in northern Nepal with a highly preserved Tibetan culture completely hidden from the outside world. Boasting unspoiled nature and landscapes ranging from snow-capped mountains to desert plains, Nepal's Upper Mustang region has gained a reputation as the "Grand Canyon" of the Trans-Himalaya.
Once a restricted demilitarized zone, the Upper Mustang region was opened to foreign visitors in 1992, yet, to date, only 1,000 visitors are allowed per year, making it one of the most exclusive trekking regions in the country.
Because of this, trekkers are required to hold a government-issued permit before being allowed into the area. The most popular trail in the region is the eponymously named Upper Mustang Trek.
Upper Mustang
| Min. Duration | 10 days |
|---|---|
| Max. Altitude | 4,300m (14,100 ft) |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Best Times | May to October |
| Start/Finish | Jomsom/Jomsom |
This exciting journey will help you discover some of the most remote corners of the former Mustang Kingdom. Walking along the west side of the Kali Gandaki Valley brings you to the walled city of Lo Manthang, from where you'll set out to further explore this mysterious region, its spectacular scenery, and fascinating history.
There's no need to bring a tent or camp out when trekking in Nepal and basic lodges, known as "teahouses," can be found on most trails. Most teahouses are run as professional operations, with English signs, hot food, and English-speaking staff.
Some, like those in the Annapurna and Everest regions, include comforts such as lectricity, kerosene heaters, telephone services, Western-style bathrooms, and even Wi-Fi. The majority of teahouses offer a choice between shared dormitories or private rooms.
The majority of the teahouses in the Annapurna and Everest regions are equipped with amenities like solar or electric hot water showers and even private bathrooms, though accommodation tends to be more basic on shorter or less popular trails.
It's worth noting that private rooms on popular trails tend to get booked out early during busy seasons, so we'd recommend booking in advance or joining a pre-arranged group trek for peace of mind.
When trekking in Nepal, you'll likely spend at least one night in a teahouse. Meals in teahouses are very affordable the standard fare includes “Dal Bhat”, steamed rice and lentil soup accompanied by vegetables or a vegetable curry, as well as international and Western dishes such as pizza, pasta, French fries, and even apple pie.
Breakfast typically consists of porridge, pancakes, bread, eggs, and hot drinks while lunch on the trails is usually a simple meal and a hot drink on the go.
After a long day trekking, you'll be pleased to learn that dinner is generally a three-course affair, including soup, a main dish, and a dessert such as canned fruit or homemade cake and custard.
Hot tea with lemon is a staple drink in Nepal, though coffee, bottled water, snacks, soda, and even alcohol can be easily purchased at the various stops along the trails, with prices increasing the farther you travel.
On that note, bear in mind that bringing food with you to a teahouse or eating somewhere other than the place you're staying tends to be frowned upon since most teahouses make very little, if anything at all, from the accommodation.
Even though you're able to trek most trails without a guide, we'd highly recommend hiring one especially if it's your first-time trekking in Nepal. You'll also have the option of hiring a porter or even someone who serves as both a porter and a guide throughout your journey.
Most guides speak fluent English and, apart from assisting you in navigating the trail, can prove to be invaluable in helping you understand the local history and culture, acquire any necessary permits, make sure your accommodation and meals are covered, and even act as first responders in emergencies.
Porters, on the other hand, are there to simply lend a hand carrying your gear and can be useful should you choose to tackle the trail independently. To get the most out of your experience, consider hiring both a porter and a guide or a porter-guide combination.
Mules hauling goods in the HimalayasAfter you've chosen the best adventure for you, it's time to prepare and plan for it. We understand that proper preparation enhances trips by eliminating potential obstacles so we hope that our suggestions can contribute to your Nepal trekking plan.
1. Nepal is politically stable and one of the safest places you could visit, but that's no excuse to let your guard down especially in remote areas.
2. See your doctor a few months before you depart to ensure you're up to date on all the necessary vaccinations and well informed on traveling at high altitudes.
3. Choose the right travel insurance policy.
4. Don't pack too much equipment, but hiking boots with good ankle support are a must. Choose the appropriate gear for the trail conditions and the weather at that time.
5. Use a refillable water bottle and consider packing a portable water filter to avoid unnecessary plastic waste while trekking.
6. Chocolate in Nepal is more expensive than you think. Bring your own to save a little bit of cash!
Check out Asia Highlights' trekking expeditions if you're interested in a unique way to discover Nepal. Our expert travel advisors will help you pick the trek that best suits you and ensure you're well taken care of throughout your trip.
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.
1-to-1 Expert PlanningYour tour will be tailor-made to suit you by a destination expert. Your personal travel advisor will always reply within 24 hours. |
Personal JourneysEnjoy having your own personal local guide and ride. Explore destinations at your own pace. Have as much flexibility as possible. |
Authentic ExperiencesGo beyond the sightseeing. Understand the destinations by practicing the local culture and interacting with local people. |
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