10 Trekking Routes in Nepal You Will Fall in Love With

  • Last Updated on Jun 25, 2023

For a small landlocked country, Nepal has a countless number of trekking routes. Every other hilly location in this mountainous country is worthy of a hiking trip. The country is home to eight 8000-ers and countless other mountains. Trekking along the beautiful landscape of Nepal, you will immediately get transported back in time while you are admiring the natural beauty and the primitive lifestyle of the Himalayan people. 

From friendly and easy routes worth a day or two or strenuous and challenging routes worth months, Nepal has it all. You can trek to one or two unique destinations every year and will still be exploring places after 20-30 years. 

Here are the best trekking routes in Nepal. If you are interested in shorter treks, check out the 9 best short treks in Nepal.

Table of Contents

Everest Base Camp Trek

The trek to Everest Base Camp is one of the best in the world. This walk will certainly become the most rewarding experience of your life, with stunning vistas of Mount Everest and other 8000-ers, native Sherpa culture, amazing monasteries, and high-altitude flora and fauna.

This 15-day trekking tour will take you to Mount Everest base camp, which is located at 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) above sea level, and Kala Patthar, which is located at 5545 meters (18,192 ft). Every turn will reveal a scene that will please all of your senses. The Everest base camp trek is the crown gem of the trekking industry of Nepal.

  • Duration: 12 to 14 Days
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Manaslu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu circuit trip is one of Nepal's top hikes. It takes you around the Manaslu Conservation Area and provides a stunning view of the world's eighth-tallest mountain. This hike may be a good substitute if you've already done the Annapurna Circuit. The Manaslu Circuit Journey is a 14-day excursion that begins in Soti Khola and concludes in Beshi Sahar. It can be extended to 22 days by adding a side trek to the Tsum valley.

It is one of the most graceful of the 8000-meter giants, flanked to the west by the Annapurnas and to the east by the Ganesh Himal. Different from the Everest Base Camp Trek, which attracts trekkers from all over the world, the Manaslu Circuit Trek typically sees fewer people along its route. It's isolated and physically taxing, but it's also culturally enriching and scenically beautiful.

  • Duration: 15 Days
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Langtang Valley Trek

Langtang Valley Trek is a short and enjoyable excursion in the Langtang region. It is well-known for its breathtaking views of the mountains, native secret culture, and the Langtang Himalayas ranges. The Langtang Trekking Trail in Nepal is a stunning and fascinating destination not far from the capital city of Kathmandu.

The Langtang Lirung peak and the particular lifestyle of the famed ethnic group Tamang add authenticity to this journey. The trail takes you to an elevation of 4,000m/13,123 ft, and if you want to go higher, you won't want to miss witnessing the dawn from the Tserko Ri, which is located at 5,000m/ 16,404 feet. This trek offers amazing views of Dorje Lakpa (6,990m / 22,933 ft), Langtang Ri (6,370m / 20,898 ft), and Langtang Lirung (7,245m / 23,769 ft).

If you want, you can include Gosaikunda in your itinerary and make it an ultimate trekking experience. 

  • Duration: 10 Days
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Nar Phu Valley Trekking

The Nar Phu trip brings you to the distant settlements of Nar and Phu in the Annapurna area, near Chame. It is one of Nepal's most remote and picturesque areas. Nar and Phu are two distinct but nearby villages inhabited by Khampas (Tibetan refugees), and you will have the opportunity to learn about their way of life firsthand.

In addition to these communities, you may see snow-capped mountains, yaks, deep gorges, tight valleys, gorgeous forests, stunning glaciers, and the high passes, Kang la (5,200m) and Thorong la (5,416m). You will also bathe in Tatopani's natural hot springs.

We begin the trek in Jagat after driving from Kathmandu. We hike up the Annapurna circuit trek to Meta. We leave Meta by crossing a bridge across the Marshyangdi River, which goes to Nar Phu Valley.

  • Duration: 19 Days
  • Difficulty: Difficult

Annapurna Base Camp Trekking

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most magnificent hikes on the planet, taking you through a variety of climates, landscapes, and culturally fascinating communities. Views of Fishtail, Hiunchuli, Annapurna Massif, Dhaulagiri, Tilicho, Pisang, Pungda Danda, and countless other peaks can be seen from the Annapurna Base Camp. You'll stop by the famous Poon Hill viewpoint and rest in the natural hot water pool at Jhinu Danda along the route.

Mt. Annapurna (8091m) in Nepal is the world's 10th tallest mountain, and the trek to its base camp (4130m/13549ft) is one of the most popular hikes on the planet. Furthermore, we arrive at our destination via Mt. Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), which the Nepalese venerate for its distinctive beauty.

  • Duration: 14 Days
  • Difficulty: Strenuous

Gokyo Lake Trek

The Gokyo Lake Walk is an alternative to the typical Everest Base Camp trek, but it still includes breathtaking vistas of Everest and overnight accommodations in Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the Khumbu Region.

The Gokyo Lakes are actually six bodies of water, or lakes, found in the Gokyo Valley at elevations ranging from 4700 to 5000 meters. Gokyo Valley is part of the Sagarmatha National Park.

The lakes are the world's highest freshwater lake system, a Ramsar site (wetlands of international importance), and are important to both Hindus and Buddhists.

  • Duration: 15 Days
  • Difficulty: Strenuous

Upper Mustang Trek

The Upper Mustang hike leads to the Kingdom of Mustang, also known as Lo, and its hidden Buddhist society. This distant trans-Himalayan mountain region borders Tibet and has a distinct Tibetan character, both in terms of people and culture, as well as an arid scenery of high cliffs and rocks with peculiar shapes and colors.

The walk begins in Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang, and continues across a harsh landscape in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri mountain to Lo-Manthang, the seat of the Kingdom of Lo's former Kings.

Explore caverns, rock paintings, monasteries, and gompas to learn about the local culture. This fascinating journey includes panoramic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and other peaks.

  • Duration: 17 Days
  • Difficulty: Strenuous

Shey Phoksundo Trek

The Phoksundo Lake Trek brings you to the wild lower Dolpo region, one of Nepal's least frequented areas. The turquoise-colored lake in Shey Phoksundo National Park will take your breath away.

This lonely location, made famous by Peter Matthiessen's book "The Snow Leopard," has only been accessible to hikers since 1989. Its most appealing attraction, Phoksundo Lake, is revered by Buddhists and Bonpo adherents. This reasonably simple hike winds through Himalayan woods and traditional Tibetan communities, with no high passes.

On your way to Chhepka hamlet, pass through villages and magnificent green forests densely forested with pine, fir, and juniper trees. Continue your climb through deep forest on a narrow trail to Chunuwar. On your route to Ringmo village, hike through a beautiful waterfall and catch a sight of the majestic Phoksundo Lake.

If you want to reach even less explored places, try Upper Dolpo trekking.

  • Duration: 10 Days
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is one of the great Himalayan paths that run through Nepal's eastern region. The climb to Kanchenjunga Base Camp takes you through the Arun Valley, one of Nepal's most scenic hiking destinations. 

The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, which encompasses an area of 2035 square kilometers, is one of the trek's key highlights. The area is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, as well as species such as Himalayan black bears, musk deer, snow leopards, red pandas, wild boars, and many others.

The road to basecamp passes through alpine grasslands, subtropical trees, a low river valley, a glacial moraine, and rocky scree slopes. Trekkers can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of enormous mountain peaks like as Lhotse (8516m), Everest (8848m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), Makalu (8481m), and many others throughout the journey.

  • Duration: 22 Days
  • Difficulty: Strenuous

Pikey Peak Trek

Pikey Peak Trek is an outstanding trekking track that was recently found in the Everest area. It is still less popular with tourists. Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Annapurna, Gaurishankar, Lhotse, Numbur, Sishapangma, Nuptse, Thamserku, and Mera Peak can all be seen from Pikey Peak.

Edmund Hillary, the first person to summit Mount Everest, stated that the greatest views of the mountain can be had from Pikey Peak (4067m), which is located in Solu Khumbu, the lowest area of the Everest Region. It is not as strenuous as the Everest Base Camp Trek. Within a week, you can get a peek at the Everest region.

  • Duration: 7 Days
  • Difficulty: Moderate
Mandip Parajuli

Mandip Parajuli

Mandip has been a trekking enthusiast all his life and hops on every chance to pack a bag and be together with the mountains. He has been working as a writer in the tourism industry for over 10 years. He has been on all major trails in Nepal and enjoys other outdoor sports like camping, mountain biking, canoeing, football, canyoning, rafting, and more.