Lying on the lap of the Himalayas, Nepal is one of the best trekking destinations in the world. Ranging from world-renowned trekking like the Everest base camp trek, Annapurna base camp trek, and Manaslu circuit trek to less explore high pass treks such as the Upper Dolpo trek and Kanchanjunga trek. To cover one of the types of places to visit in the country, we have short-listed the top 10 best treks in Nepal.
Check out this list and if you ever feel like traveling to any of these places, we would be very happy to become your travel companion by providing everything you might need during your visit there.
The Everest base camp trek is one of the best treks in Nepal. Many tourists such as domestic and international, find it the most beautiful and amazing trekking route in the country, and that is the reason it ranks in our top 10 best treks in Nepal.
The Everest base camp trek starts from Lukla, which is just a 25-minute flight away from the capital, Kathmandu. The mesmerizing view of the Gokyo Lakes, Khumbu Glaciers, and Himalayan ranges such as Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Cho-Oyu is the rewarding landscape view you get on this trek.
Apart from these, you also get to see different glaciers, hanging icicles, and other glamorous terrains. Alongside these beautiful landscapes, you get to see the typical Sherpa culture and antique monasteries such as the Tengboche monastery. Other major points of attractions in this area trek include Namche Bazar – the gateway to Mount Everest, Kala Patthar – the highest point of the trek and a vantage point for the Everest view and the Hillary school - established by Sir Edmund Hillary himself, in Khumjung village.
The Manaslu circuit trek revolves around Mount Manaslu (8163 m) which is the eighth(8th) highest mountain in the world.
This circuit trek involves the scenic view of the Himalayas, cultural heritage sites which include old monasteries, diverse mountain flora and fauna, extensive forests along with Hindu and Tibetan style culture and traditions of people.
The route itinerary of the Manaslu circuit trek is diverse, remote, and secluded and includes protected wildlife, rhododendrons, and wildflowers.
The highest point during this trek is Larkya La Pass (5106 m) went through the Budi Gandaki River and various mountains. This includes mount Himchuli (6441 m), Manaslu (8118 m), Ganesh Himal (7422 m), and many more. Due to these many beautiful landscapes, cultural diversity, extensive forests, and much wildlife, the Manaslu circuit trek is on 3rd of our list of top 10 best treks in Nepal.
TheLangtang Gosaikunda trek is a well-known trekking destination in the north of Kathmandu valley. Langtang national park is a home for red pandas and snow leopards.
This trek is about exploring the beautiful villages, natural and cultural diversity, and the beautiful trails offering breathtaking views of the Langtang mountain range.
The trek begins from Syabrubesi, goes via the Langtang village, and ends in Gosaikunda (4361m) – the highest point to spend a night during the trek. During the trek, trekkers are rewarded with a mesmerizing walk along the banks of the Langtang river and breathtaking views of mountains and lakes.
Langtang valley trek with Gosaikunda lake traverses through the Langtang National Park, crossing various Tamang villages like Rimche, and Langtang, and reaching Thulo Syabru. Langtang National Park conserves various species of animals such as Himalayan black bears, Himalayan Thar, Rhesus monkeys, and red pandas. And the holy lake Gosaikunda.
The indigenous people of this region are Tamangs whose culture closely represents that of Tibetan culture. This trek follows the path through a series of forests of rhododendron, oaks, pine, and bamboo, passing through the narrow gorge of Langtang River, the holy lake Gosaikund and the alpine grassland of Kyanjin Gompa where the glacier meets the meadow.
Trek Distance: 160 to 230 Kilometers (100 to144 miles)
The Annapurna circuit trek brings you to the foothill of the entire Annapurna range and traverses a variety of terrain in the Annapurna region. This circuit trek gives an opportunity to the trekkers to explore the rich natural and cultural diversity.
During the trek to the Annapurna circuit, you can enjoy the stunning view of Mt. Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Langtang. Alongside the beautiful view of these Himals, we walk through the land of Lamjung, Manang, Jomsom, and Muktinath region and the world’s deepest gorge – Kali Gandaki(5571m).
Annapurna circuit trek begins at Dharapani in the Matshyangdi river valley and concludes in the Kali Gandaki Gorge. The trek reaches its highest point at the Thorung La pass(5416m), touching the edge of the Tibetan plateau.
Annapurna circuit trek has often been voted as the best long-distance trek in the world, as it combined a wide variety of climate zones from the tropics at 600 m to the arctic at 5416 m. And includes the cultural variety from Hindu villages to Tibetan culture.
The Poon Hill Trek, also known as the Annapurna sunrise trek, is a classic Himalayan trek in the Annapurna region. It is an easy and short trek in Nepal and is best suited for people who want to experience trekking with beautiful scenes but have a limited time.
The trek begins from Nayapul which is a 45-minute drive from Pokhara city. This trek allows the trekkers to view mountains such as Annapurna South (7219 m), Machapucchre (6993 m), Dhaulagiri (6167m), Himchuli, and many other snowcapped peaks.
The Ghorepani Poon hill trek itinerary involves walking along the terraced farmlands, the beautiful rhododendron forest, and villages of ever-welcoming and smiling indigenous tribes - Poon and Gurung villages. The trek is quite beautiful in the spring when the Rhododendron Forest is blooming.
The main attraction of this trek is the spectacular view of the sunrise over the Annapurna range and snow-capped peaks from the top of Poon Hill (3210 m) – maximum elevation during the trek. All these beautiful things create a deep and ever-lasting impression in the trekkers’ minds and memory.
Gokyo valley lies in the Solukhumbu district – in eastern Nepal. Gokyo is a valley of iced lakes and glaciers. The trail passes through the Rhododendron and oak forests with diverse flora and fauna. Another beautiful attraction of this trek is the waterfalls which are mostly frozen.
The Gokyo valley trek offers an amazing panoramic view of four peaks – Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, and Mt. Cho-Oyu. The trek enables travelers to enjoy the view of five Emerald Lakes in the shadow of the majestic mountain peaks.
With all these glaciers, lakes, Himalayan ranges, forests, and waterfalls, the trek to Gokyo valley is one of the must-travel places in the country. The Gokyo lake trek can be done as a part of the Everest Base Camp trek or can be done solo in the Gokyo valley.
The Annapurna base camp trek offers both walking and drives to take you to the base camp of Mount Annapurna. The trail passes through the Ghorepani Poon Hill, Tadapani, and Deurali and finally, reaches the base camp.
The trek allows you to enjoy the majestic view of the Himalayan ranges that include Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhre. Also, the Kali Gandaki river, which is very famous for rafting lies in this trekking region. There is an alternative trekking route like the Annapurna base camp short trek which can be completed within 7 days.
The trek also takes you through the beautiful villages of Gurung and Magar people in the far-off locations of the region. This provides you with good insight into the lifestyle and culture of these ethnic’s groups of the country.
Annapurna Base Camp trek offers travelers, majestic and close views of the Himalayas like Dhaulagiri (8167m), Nilgiri (7041m), Macchapucchre(6998m), Mt. Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Mt. Himchuli, Lamjung Himal, Tukuche peak (6920m) and many more.
Other major highlights of the trek include hills and dense forests with Rhododendron, pine, oak, and bamboo trees, rivers (Chomrong and Modi), cattle, waterfalls, and so on.
Dolpo is a high-altitude, remote, and culturally Tibetan region in the far-western mountains of Nepal. The Dolpo region has centuries-old cultures untouched by the modern world. The trail includes stunning barren landscapes, picturesque mountain peaks, beautiful lakes, prehistoric and remote villages, rich flora and fauna, Buddhist monasteries, and people with mixed Tibetan and Nepalese cultures and traditions.
The Lower Dolpo trek starts from Juphal (2285 m) followed by a stride passing through Dunai, Tarakot, Sanu her village, and beautiful Phoksundo lake. Phoksundo lake lies in the Shey Phoksundo National Park – the largest National Park in Nepal. During the trek, it requires crossing through three high passes Nagdalo La, Shey La, and Jeng La.
The trail provides the traveler with a stunning view of Dhaulagiri and Tibetan peaks, Shey Gompa – 800 years old monastery, snow leopard, blue sheep, and Shey Phoksundo Lake which is in the Phoksundo National Park.
The Upper Mustang trek is the remote trekking route south of Kagbeni with Tibetan-influenced culture. The best part of this trek is the untouched and centuries-old cultures and landscapes which is due to its isolation from the world.
The 16th-century Buddhist monasteries and the caves carved into the cliff walls in mustang are among the few magnets that draw many tourists into this region.
On the trek, you will have a panoramic view of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and other Himalayas. The trek starts from Jomsom – where you can travel by flight. It enters the treeless zone of the rainshadow of Nepal traversing through the world’s deepest gorge – KaliGandaki and the valley of Lo Manthang also known as the city of walls.
On the trail, treeless barren landscapes, glaciers, steep rocky trails up, and downhill and many peaks offer an amazing view and experience to travelers. With these many things to offer to travelers, Mustang is a hidden paradise in Nepal.
This is the best trek for those who are craving to explore the fascinating landscapes and the rich Tibetan culture.
The Kanchenjunga circuit trek is a journey to both, the north and south base camp of the world’s third-highest mountain, Mount Kanchenjunga also known as the “Five Treasures of the Snow”. The trekking route lies on the eastern border of Nepal.
Kanchenjunga provides a great opportunity to experience remoteness, amazing mountain views, mixed flora and faunas, and tumultuous flowing rivers from the mountains, traditional villages, and the cultural beauty of Eastern Nepal. This trek is not for the faint-hearted.
The Kanchenjunga circuit trek starts from the Taplejung district and is followed by the trek to Chauki through the villages of Mitlung, Ghunsa, Khambachen, and Lhonak to Pangpema (5140 m) which is the base camp for the expedition. There are four main glaciers that radiate from the peak.
This region is home to some of Asia’s most exotic wildlife. The trek offers the unspoiled wonderful nature and the local culture of Rai and Limbus – the major ethnic people residing in the region.
Raj is an enthusiastic traveler who enjoys discovering new places and breathtaking natural beauty. He was born and raised in the mountain town of Gorkha, and he has done most of the trekking routes in Nepal. Follow him on Facebook
