Keen to escape civilization and commune with nature? Then trekking in Nepal is for you!
If you can’t think of anything better than trekking in the mountains, where the snow-blanketed giant mountains caress the sun-lit skies, then a visit to Nepal is in order. This is exactly what awaits you when you go trekking in Nepal, a real Shangri-La on Earth, and explore it on foot alone or with friends.
Nepal boasts unique trekking infrastructure such as networks of “teahouse” mountain lodges and superb guiding so characteristic of a perfect Nepal trek. Nepal’s cost of living is one of the world’s most affordable, locals are friendly and English speaking, and its nature is pristine with the Himalayas being one of the world’s main marvels of nature and perfectly suited for trekking Nepal.
All in all, it is one of the world’s most amazing destinations but it is almost certainly the planet’s best for trekking. Go a-trekking Nepal to find peace and leave the worries where they belong, home.
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10 Best Treks in Nepal
Three Passes Trek
- When to go: March to May and September to November
Probably the most renowned trek in Nepal is Three Passes Trek. It features over three 5,000m+ passes and is best to explore the region of Everest. The fearsome Nepal trek requires a high degree of proficiency and has been rated “challenging”. It is not just the high crossings that make it an accomplishment to have trekked Three Passes, it is also the long duration of the journey: 3 weeks with mass elevation being 5,535m at Kongma La Pass.
For those intrepid trekkers that will venture on it anyway it offers gob-smacking panoramas of the Himalayan giants at Renjo-La, Cho-La and Kongma La Pass; a section of the famed Everest Base Camp Trek, and a plethora of mountain lodges, so-called tea-houses, where you can spend the night and enjoy the convivial company of fellow trekkers, one of the best things trekking Nepal brings to you as a person.
Note that to do the trek you are required to have Solukkumbu Regional Permit and a Sagarmatha National Park permit (30$), with TIMS not required for the moment(2020); it is best to contact an agent to get all the required paperwork or follow the following advice.
| Maximum Elevation: | 5,535m |
| Trek Duration: | 18 days |
| Best Season: | March to May, September to November |
| Trek Category: | Difficult |
| Accommodation Type: | Tea house |
| Trek Permits: | SRP and SNP with TIMS temporarily not required |
| Price | Medium-to-High(1800$) |
Chisapani Nagarkot Trek
- When to go: all year round
Chisapani-Nagarkot Trek is just what a recent convert to trekking Nepal needs, with its maximum elevation being just 2175m at Nagarkot and approximate trekking duration only 3 days. Arguably, the easiest long trek in Nepal, it takes you through the forests with foliage green all year round and is known for Nepal’s best sunsets and sunrises. It features more upscale accommodation offers so it is a great Nepal trek to trek in comfort in communion with nature.
Note that the trek requires an SNP permit, covering an area of 124,400 hectares in the Solu-Khumbu district of Nepal
| Maximum Elevation: | 2175m, Nagarkot |
| Trek Duration: | 3 days |
| Trek Category: | Easy |
| Accommodation Type: | Hotels, Resorts, lodges |
| Best Season: | All year round |
| Price: | Affordable(190$) |
| Trek Permits: | SNP |
Mansalu Circuit Trek
- When to go: From March to May and September to November
This formerly somewhat unknown Nepal trek is an often overlooked jewel in the Nepalese trekking treasure trove. Even though rated challenging, it has become significantly easier to travel along since new lodges were completed in 2010. It features what you usually expect from a Nepal trek, namely low areas smothered in lush greenery, mind-blowing vistas of 8,000m peaks; a 5,000m+ pass crossing, and pristine nature yet unspoiled by mass tourism.
Note that the picture-perfect trek lasts over two weeks with comfortable accommodation at lodges known as teahouses situated along the route and the maximum elevation standing at 5,106m at Larkya La Pass. It starts at Stoi Khola and ends at Besishara, two far-flung locations travelling between which will make your trekking in Nepal an experience of a lifetime for its sheer beauty and serenity.
Note as often with trekking in Nepal that the trek requires a bunch of permits which are easiest to get through an agent; also it is worth noting that the trekking experience can be extended by a week by going for a side trip to Tsum Valley, 3 weeks all in all.
| Maximum Elevation: | 5,160m, Larkya Pass |
| Trek Duration: | 14 days |
| Best Season: | March to May, September to November |
| Trek Category: | Difficult |
| Accommodation Type: | Tea house |
| Trek Permits: | TIMS, MCAP, RAP |
| Price | Medium (1000-1200$ depending on the facilities) |
The Royal Trek
- When to visit: March to May and September to December
One more fairly easy-to-do-trek is the weeklong Royal Trek. It is well suited for those not willing to scale ether-bound elevations with the highest point situated at only 1,730meters. What is more, it is a trek in Nepal with no trek restrictions or permits needed.
It begins from the paradisiac lakeside city of Pokhara, with Gurung villages and ancient local architecture sites coming next and the route featuring not only lodges but also hotels, a chance to make your trekking Nepal not just a path to something new but a comfortable one at that.
| Maximum Elevation: | 1,730 meters |
| Trek Duration: | 7 days |
| Best Season: | March-May, and September- December |
| Trek Category: | Easy |
| Accommodation Type: | Tea houses and hotels |
| Price | Medium(680$) |
| Trek Permits | No |
Ghandruk Trek
- When to go: all year round
Ghandruk plunges you into the Rhododendron and pine-scented lush forest environment with villages of hillside Gurungs still keeping their pristine way of living. It is one of the easiest ways to get to Anapurna Base Camp Trek.
It can be done all year round and trekking here requires no permits with no restrictions. Note that the accommodation is exclusively teahouse type, a great way to find new friends whilst trekking in Nepal.
| Maximum Elevation: | 1,940 meters |
| Trek Duration: | 5 days |
| Trek Category: | Easy |
| Accommodation Type: | Teahouse |
| Best Season: | All year round |
| Price | Affordable(250$) |
| Trek Permits: | No |
Dhampus Village Village Trek
- When to go: all year round
Another village trek that is fairly elementary and can be done no matter what season it is is Dhamus Village Trek. Taking only 5 days, it is a popular short trek in Nepal to enjoy the beauty of the mountains. It provides mind-blowing panoramas of the Pokhara Valley, with Fewa Lake and the World Peace Stupa being its other attractions.
With no restrictions in place and no trek permits, it is a great trek to make your trekking in Nepal to do on a shoestring in no time.
| Maximum Elevation: | 1,700 meters |
| Trek Duration: | 5 days |
| Trek Category: | Easy |
| Accommodation Type: | Teahouse |
| Best Season: | All year round |
| Price | Affordable (280$) |
| Trek Permits: | No |
Nar Phu Valley Trek
- When to go: March to May and October to November
This challenging Nepal trek takes you across rugged terrain and enchants with the wilderness of the Annapurna region. Along the way, you not only get to marvel at the unrivalled natural richness of the region but also at the unique ancient Tibetan culture one can find at the pristine hills and distant historical settlements of the Nar Phu Valley.
The foot journey itself begins at Jagat and runs along the much-prized Annapurna Circuit Trail, swerving from Koto to Nar Phu Valley. It takes around 18 days and is studded with homely wilderness-enveloped “teahouse” lodges. Note that the trek requires RAP and ACAP permits, so it may be best to use the services of an agent to make all the arrangements around trekking Nepal the least time-consuming.
| Maximum Elevation: | 5416 meters |
| Trek Duration: | 18 days |
| Best Season: | March-May, and October- November |
| Trek Category: | Difficult |
| Accommodation Type: | Teahouse |
| Trek Permits: | RAP, ACAP |
| Price | Medium(1200$) |
Mustang Kingdom (de-facto the Mustangese monarchy was abolished in 2008) aka Upper Mustang Trek
- When to visit: March to December
The mysterious kingdom of Mustang, a state within a state is a far-off barely accessible piece of arid sunlit land with unique culture and historical artifacts. One of the best ways to visit this former royal domain shrouded in the secret aura of its past along the Northern stretches of Silk Road is a medium-to-high difficulty Upper Mustang Trek.
Enjoy the unique pristine nature and unveil the magic of one of the most pristine culture reserves on the two-weeklong trek. It starts at Jomsom and leads you into the rain-shadow area of Nepal, now and then featuring unique ancient white-walled settlements, barley fields, historical gompas (Buddhist places of learning), prayer flaglets and monuments to distinguished lamas. Trekking Nepal is always worth it, especially here!
It could easily be a stage for a Kipling story or a film about reaching Shangri-La, choose what story to make yours on the Nepal trek. Note that this teahouse-only trek can be done only with TACAP and RAP permits.
| Maximum Elevation: | 3,810 meters, Dhakmar |
| Trek Duration: | 14 days |
| Best Season: | March to December |
| Trek Category: | Moderate to difficult |
| Accommodation Type: | Teahouse |
| Trek Permits: | TACAP, RAP |
| Price | Medium-to-High(from 1785-to-3500$) |
Upper Dolpo Trek
- When to visit: From March to December
Explore enigmatic Upper Dolpo, a Western Region of Nepal with the Tibetan culture and unique nature. Just as Mustang Kingdom Trek it features trekking through a no-rain area and into the most far-off corners of Nepal, where can be found the unique remnants of the great Tibetan civilization, such as 800 years old Shey Gompa, an 800 years old monastery, with its soul-warming past.
Those that visit the region in Spring may well witness the Hunt for Miraculous Yorsogunba, a unique caterpillar-fungus hybrid, one of the world’s most overlooked natural miracles. Note that to do the Nepal trek you need 25 days and TACAP& RAP permits, best arranged through an agent to make your trekking Nepal as nonchalant as possible.
| Maximum Elevation: | 5,250 meters, Kang La Pass |
| Trek Duration: | 25 days |
| Best Season: | March to December |
| Trek Category: | Moderate to difficult |
| Accommodation Type: | Camping |
| Trek Permits: | TACAP, RAP |
| Price | High(4000$ being the average) |
Gokyo Valley Trek
- When to go: March to May and October to November
Gokyo Valley Trek is one of the most scenic, and unique on the trekking in Nepal list for its stern but enthralling landscape. Its most famous stretches are scattered with ice-laden lakes and are lined by mountains under thick blankets of snow and ice, with the world’s biggest glacier nestling on one of the giants and five emerald lakes being one of the world’s most introspective spots to reach on a trek.
While some parts of the route cross this rugged and bleak terrain, others cover rhododendron and oak forests that are home to unique plants and animals, which can be quite romantic. Note that this 12 day tour is considered challenging and requires special permits such as Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit, please contact an agent for access documentation.
| Maximum Elevation: | 5357 meters, Gokyo Ri |
| Trek Duration: | 12 days |
| Best Season: | March-May, and October- November |
| Trek Category: | Difficult |
| Accommodation Type: | Teahouse |
| Trek Permits: | Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit |
| Price | Medium(ranging from 900$ to 1100$) |
Nepal is a country offering the world pristine nature, hospitable people and one-of-its-kind architecture. One of the ways to combine all the three and enjoy a veritable communion with nature is to go trekking in Nepal. Go trekking Nepal for the utmost tourist experience in an authentic setting brimming with adventure both for the most intrepid trekkers and those just initiated to the all-enveloping transcendental beauty of mountains.
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Love,
SSW
I want to express my gratitude to the author of this blog for curating such an exceptional guide to the 10 best treks in Nepal. It serves as an inspiration for trekkers worldwide, offering valuable insights, practical advice, and a glimpse into the extraordinary landscapes and cultures that await in Nepal. Thank you for unveiling Nepal’s treasures and fueling our passion for adventure and exploration.