For travelers who want to explore the Himalayas, there’s no better destination than Nepal. Our country is home to more than half of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks, and there are countless trails winding from the subtropical lowlands and foothills to the most spectacular high-altitude mountain passes. But choosing your next trek in Nepal is no easy endeavor! With a plethora of life-changing hikes ranging from the accessible to the challenging, you may have a hard time figuring out which route is the best for you. To help you decide, we’ve broken down our list of the 25 best treks in Nepal by region.
Trekking in the Khumbu (Everest Region)
Everest Base Camp Trek: the world-famous Khumbu is rightly renowned as the most celebrated trekking region in the country, and the Everest Base Camp Trek is its undisputed crown jewel. There’s nothing quite like coming face-to-face with the highest mountain in the world, and Alpine Ramble Treks has many different itineraries to bring you here. This classic alpine adventure is perhaps best represented by our 12-day Everest Base Camp Trek.
Everest Gokyo Lake Trek: this unique Everest trekking itinerary begins by following the same route as the Everest Base Camp Trek, but it soon diverges onto a different path altogether. This is an especially exciting 10-day trek that will bring you to the high-altitude Gokyo Lakes, where you’ll savor magnificent views of sparkling waters, timeless mountain villages, and incredible panoramas of skyscraping Himalayan peaks.
Everest View Trek: trekking in Nepal often takes several weeks, and most Everest treks are no exception. Many classic itineraries take about two weeks to complete, bringing you from the quirky airport town of Lukla to the world’s most magnificent base camp. But our accessible Everest View Trek can be completed in as little as five days, making it the perfect package for travelers with less time to spare. Instead of hiking all the way to Everest Base Camp, you’ll savor spectacular views from the Hotel Everest View at the culmination of this itinerary. If you would like to combine with the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek: this exciting Everest trek will whisk you away from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and take you straight into the heart of Khumbu. After flying to the little mountain town of Lukla, you’ll trek all the way to Namche Bazaar: the trading and trekking hub of the entire Khumbu region. But this is where things really get interesting! Instead of trekking further, you’ll board a helicopter and experience an impossibly scenic flight to Everest Base Camp. All told, our five-day Everest Base Camp Helicopter Trek certainly deserves its place on any list of Nepal’s best treks.
Everest High Pass Trek: if you’re looking for a truly epic adventure, our 18-day Everest High Pass Trek is hard to beat. You’ll get to visit Everest Base Camp, explore the mesmerizing shorelines of the Gokyo Lakes, and ascend the breathless mountain passes of Cho La and Renjo La. This is a challenging but rewarding hike that will introduce you to wonders of the Khumbu that other travelers take two or even three trips to experience—Everest trekking doesn’t get much better than this.
Trekking in the Annapurnas
Annapurna Base Camp Trek: The Annapurnas are found in the western Himalayas, where visitors also have the chance to visit Nepal’s tourism and adventure capital, Pokhara. Trekking in the Annapurnas gives you the chance to visit the 10th-highest mountain in the world, Annapurna I. Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek, sometimes called the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, will bring you into the heart of these western mountains over the course of eight exciting days. You’ll get to visit not only Annapurna Base Camp but also Machapuchare Base Camp. This itinerary is therefore perfect for travelers who want to see as much as possible in just about one week.
Annapurna Circuit Trek: The cultural diversity in the Annapurna region of Nepal is second to none, and we generally recommend spending as much time here as possible. That’s why our 12-day Annapurna Circuit Trek is a great choice. You’ll get to see iconic mountains like the Annapurna massif, Machapuchare, and Dhaulagiri—but you’ll also have the opportunity to explore lesser-known geological attractions. The Annapurna Circuit Trek will allow you to visit the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest of its kind in all the world. You’ll even get to relax in some natural hot springs!
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek: the western Himalayas are home to some truly epic hikes, but that doesn’t mean that the region is off-limits for travelers who are short on time. The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek strikes the perfect compromise between accessibility and awe-inspiring mountain sights. A combination of driving and trekking will allow you to visit the villages of Ghorepani and Tikhedhunga before ascending to Poon Hill for a spectacular sunrise. On a clear day, the view from Poon Hill rivals the best scenery anywhere in the country.
Mardi Himal Trek: this exciting Himalayan trekking itinerary is something of a newcomer to our list. The Mardi Himal trekking route was established in 2012, and it’s been growing in popularity ever since. The star of the show on our 10-day Mardi Himal Trek is the mighty Machapuchare, whose fishtail-shaped summit is instantly recognizable to anyone who’s seen a postcard of the Annapurnas. This trekking itinerary will also bring you through evocative forests of rhododendron, pine, hemlock, and oak, and each night’s accommodations are situated in unusually gorgeous surroundings.
Pokhara Sarangkot Hike: we’d be remiss if our list of the 25 best treks in Nepal didn’t include some considerations for trekkers with less time to spend winding their way in and out of the mountains. Our Pokhara Sarangkot Hike can be accomplished in just two days, and the relatively gentle terrain makes this trek a great choice for families and visitors of all ages. The path starts from Pokhara and leads us through a number of serene mountain villages before arriving at Sarangkot. Along the way, you can anticipate great views of Machapuchare, Annapurna I, and Dhaulagiri.
Nar Phu Valley Trek: trekking in the Annapurnas leaves visitors spoiled for choice; with all of these enticing trekking itineraries, which one should you choose? Allow us to propose an unexpected choice: a fascinating 16-day hike to the remote villages of Nar and Phu near the Tibetan border. This is the Nar Phu Valley Trek, where you’ll visit Buddhist monasteries, become acquainted with Gurung culture, and earn impressive views of the giants of the Annapurnas: Machapuchare, Dhaulagiri, and even Manaslu. This is a reasonably challenging trek that reaches about 5,500 meters in altitude, but the sublime Himalayan views are worth the struggle!
Khopra Ridge (Danda) Trek: this pleasant Himalayan trek is named after the Khopra Ridge, or Khopra Danda, where you’ll get a good look at the mighty Annapurna massif and its attendant peaks. You’ll also get to visit Poon Hill, one of the best viewpoints in the entirety of the Annapurnas. The Khopra Danda Trek follows gentle paths and stays well below 4,000 meters in elevation, so it’s a great choice for first-time trekkers or families with children. The trail is also slightly less crowded than the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, which gives it the edge for travelers looking for a bit of solitude in the mountains of Nepal.
Trekking in the Langtang Valley
Langtang Valley Trek:
It might not (yet) have the name recognition of Everest Base Camp or the Annapurnas, but when it comes to memorable trekking destinations, the Langtang Valley is no slouch. How would you like to explore a national park where red pandas can be found, visit a yak cheese factory, and earn breathtaking views of the Ganesh Himal and Langtang mountain ranges? Our popular Langtang Valley Trek will give you the chance to do all of this and more in just eight days.
Helambu Circuit Trek: this Langtang trekking itinerary is possibly one of the best treks for beginners in all of Nepal. While the trail itself can be steep and challenging like any hike in the Himalayas, this itinerary begins just a short drive from Kathmandu and only reaches about 4,000 meters in altitude. Our eight-day Helambu Circuit Trek also passes through Tamang, Hyolmo, and Gurung villages with fine mountain views, and you’ll enjoy the opportunity to visit Buddhist gompas in scenic alpine locales.
Langtang Gosaikunda Trek:
If you’ve ever wanted to embark upon a Himalayan trek with a decidedly spiritual bent, the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek will be right up your alley. This epic 12-day itinerary will bring you through the Langtang National Park, ascending from lush forests to stark mountain ridges on the way to the holy Gosaikunda Lake. Its cold alpine waters are revered by people of the Hindu faith, and they visit the lake on pilgrimages at different times of the year. This trek actually overlaps with much of the Langtang Valley and Helambu Treks, so it’s also a great way to see as much of the Langtang region as you can in a single trip.
Tamang Heritage Trail: as its name suggests, the Tamang Heritage Trail is a hiking itinerary designed specifically for travelers who’d like to learn more about the Tamang culture of the Langtang Valley. Uniquely, trekkers on this itinerary will enjoy the hospitality of homestay accommodations—there’s no better way to make fast friends with the warm and welcoming folks you’ll meet in the villages of Tatopani and Thuman, among others. Like the Langtang Valley Trek, the Tamang Heritage Trail also leads to the fantastic Himalayan viewpoint at Kyanjin Gompa, so lovers of mountain scenery are sure to walk away satisfied.
Langtang Valley Short Trek: it’s okay if you’re short on time—the wonder and allure of the Langtang Valley remain well within your reach. Our Langtang Valley Short Trek takes just six days from start to finish, including transportation to and from Kathmandu. This accessible itinerary even reaches all the way to Kyanjin Gompa, where you’ll get to soak up incredible views of the mountains you’ve come so far to see. With the added opportunity to meet some local villagers and experience life in the mountains, this is a winning trek for travelers of every kind.
Trekking in Mustang and Dolpo
Upper Mustang Trek: the Mustang valley has long represented a coveted destination for international trekkers. This region was formerly off-limits to visitors, and the chance to explore the high-altitude alpine deserts that characterize the valley is a rare opportunity you won’t want to miss! Our epic 15-day Upper Mustang Trek takes you through authentic villages untouched by time to arrive at the famous walled city of Lo Manthang. If you want to embark on an adventurous trek and see some of the most unique scenery in all of the Himalayas, make no mistake: this is the trek for you.
Upper Dolpo Trek: are you looking for a hiking itinerary that’s even more challenging and remote than the Upper Mustang Trek? Look no further than our 24-day Upper Dolpo Trek. You’ll get to spend more than three weeks exploring the length and breadth of this fascinating region, where the ancient Bon religion still holds sway and villagers still rely on trade with Tibet. Teahouse accommodations in this part of Nepal are a little more basic, but the rugged scenery (think alpine lakes and high-altitude mountain passes) have few equals anywhere in the world.
Rara Lake Trek: the cold, still waters of the largest freshwater lake in Nepal’s Himalayas are a perennial draw to travelers on the hunt for high adventure. This 12-day itinerary winds through some of northwest Nepal’s most spectacular scenery, and it can even be combined with the Upper Dolpo Trek for a genuinely long-form trekking expedition. But the Rara Lake Trek is a highly recommended standalone hike in its own right, where you’ll encounter far-reaching forests of blue pine, colorful rhododendron blooms, and mountain villages of surpassing beauty.
Trekking in Manaslu
Manaslu Circuit Trek: if there’s one thing this region is known for, it’s Manaslu itself. The mighty mountain is the eighth-highest in the world, and any good trekking itinerary in the region will make sure you get first-rate views of its indisputable majesty. Our 12-day Manaslu Circuit Trek is one such option. With comfortable teahouse accommodations, an exciting ascent to the pass of Larkya La, and the chance to approach within a stone’s throw of the Tibetan plateau, this itinerary has a little something for everyone. Nature lovers and culture aficionados in particular won’t want to miss this hike!
Tsum Valley Trek: if you’re looking for the road less traveled, the Tsum Valley Trek is sure to live up to even your wildest expectations. You’ll visit immaculately maintained Buddhist monasteries, catch dazzling views of Manaslu and the Ganesh Himal, and explore a pristine wilderness of waterfalls, rivers, and caves. Best of all, you’ll probably complete our entire 15-day Tsum Valley Trek without seeing more than a handful of other travelers. This makes the Tsum Valley a prime destination for trekkers who want more than anything to leave the beaten path firmly behind them.
Tsum Valley Manaslu Circuit Trek: are you ready for a serious challenge? What about taking the highlights of both the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the Tsum Valley Trek, and combining them into a single unforgettable long-distance hike? If the mere prospect of hitting the trail for more than three weeks has already got you packing your bags, then you’ll definitely want to consider our 23-day Tsum Valley Manaslu Circuit Trek. You’ll circumnavigate Manaslu itself, climb to the scenic pass of Larkya La to enjoy far-reaching alpine views, and plunge into the breathtaking paradise of the Tsum Valley to encounter undiluted Buddhist culture. There are plenty of epic hikes in Nepal, but this one stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of them.
Ruby Valley Trek: the up-and-coming Ruby Valley Trek is actually sandwiched between the Langtang Valley and the Manaslu region, which perhaps explains how it’s managed to stay under the proverbial radar for so long. But we’re happy to announce that more travelers have begun to discover the region’s beauty. Ruby Valley trekking will introduce you to rolling green hills rising to snowcapped mountains, lush forest glades where alpine rivers gently flow, and scenic mountain villages where you’ll meet lots of friendly people. This is a comfortable trek that stays below 4,000 meters in altitude, making it the perfect introduction to trekking in Nepal.
Trekking in Eastern Nepal (Kanchenjunga Region)
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek: trekking in Nepal often combines spectacular natural settings with the chance to learn about local cultures, but few expeditions can match the mesmerizing combination of adventure and folklore surrounding the world’s third-highest mountain. Legends abound here in this part of the country, and a Kanchenjunga trek represents your chance to hear them firsthand. Our Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek, or Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, takes place over the course of nearly four weeks, allowing you to explore the hidden valleys and alpine heights of eastern Nepal to their fullest.