10 Best Treks in Nepal
Planning a Trip to Nepal?
Nepal is a popular trekking destination worldwide that offers sheer diversity, from the steamy jungle and Terai to the icy peaks of the world’s highest mountains, so a range of easy to challenging hiking routes is on offer.
The most popular time of the year to go trekking in Nepal is from March to May and from September to December, when there is mild weather, clear skies, days are sunny, and there is less precipitation.
Beyond the magnificent peaks and summits, there are the quaint Sherpa villages, beautiful forests, ancient monasteries and yaks grazing here and there. Nepal is truly a backpackers’ dream, an adventure lover’s delight! Well, trekking in Nepal is not new and the country has a fantastic trekking infrastructure. And the best part about treks in Nepal is that it has trails for all. There are easy ones, moderate ones as well as difficult ones. You can simply choose your trek as per the difficulty level and the number of days you can spend.
Here is the list of 10 Best Treks in Nepal that we, Raj Bala Treks & Expedition recommend.
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Everest Base Camp Trek
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Everest High Passes Trek
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Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
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Annapurna Base Camp Trek
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Ghorepani Poonhill Trek
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Manaslu Circuit Trek
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Upper Mustang Trek
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Kanchenjunga Trek
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Nar Phu Valley Trek
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Upper Dolpo Trek
The Everest Base Camp Trek starts with a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to one of the shortest runways in the world, Lukla, that will further en route to your Everest Base Camp experience. This worldwide famous trek literally brings you to the base of the world’s highest peak Mt. Everest (8,848 meters).
The main highlight of the trek is standing at the Kala Patthar, one of the best vantage point of the Everest region. From the top, you’ll get the scenic view of snow-capped peaks including Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Nuptse. You ‘ll also see the Khumbu Glacier, the highest glacier on earth. Throughout your trekking journey, you’ll have an opportunity to explore culturally rich Sherpa culture, traditions, and lifestyle.
Highlights of the Trek
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Serenity nature in Namche Bazar
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A visit to the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu Region- Tengboche Monastery
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Hike to Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters- panoramic view of the Himalayas
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Local Nepalese and Sherpa Cuisines
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Trip Facts
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Number of Days : 12-15
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Difficulty Level: Moderate
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Best Time: March-May and September-December
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Max Elevation: 5,600 meters, Kala Patthar
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Accommodation: Tea Houses
Everest 3 High passes trek is one of the most challenging and strenuous treks in the Everest region. During the high passes trek, you will climb some of the highest and most scenic passes in the region including Renjo La pass (5338m), Cho La pass (5368m), and Kongma La Pass (5545m). Because this trek is strenuous, for your own comfort you should be physically fit and previous experience of trekking/hiking.
On this trek, you can experience the breathtaking views of the highest peaks, visit the base camp of Mt Everest and bluish Gokyo lakes, hike to high viewpoints like Kala Patthar and Gokyo Ri, and also walk by the world’s largest glacier Ngozumpa will be full of thrill and excitement.
Highlights of the Trek
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Enjoy views of Khumbu Glacier
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Visit Khumbu Region’s oldest monastery, Tengboche Monastery
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Trip Facts
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Number of Days : 17-18
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Difficulty Level: Strenuous
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Best Time: March-May and September-December
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Max Elevation: 5545 meters
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Accommodation: Tea Houses
Langtang Gosaikunda Helambu Trek is one of Nepal's most famous treks. It is an easy to moderate trek. The scenic landscape, the walk along the Langtang river, and the mesmerizing view of Gosaikunda Lake during this trek will undoubtedly ease your mind at peace.
On this trek, you will witness the magnificent lakes surrounded by snow-clad, charmingly glorious mountains. The trail of this trek is also one of the prettiest among the many treks in Nepal that'll make you forget the hustles and bustles of your busy concrete city life.
Highlights of the Trek
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Explore Langtang National Park
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Visit the infamous cheese factory in Langtang
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Witness the several beautiful waterfalls along the trail
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Encounter several wild animals and rare birds
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Trip Facts
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Number of Days : 12 – 16
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Difficulty Level: Moderate
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Best Time: March-May and September-December
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Max Elevation: 4,600 meters
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Accommodation: Tea Houses
Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you at the foot of giant Annapurna massif. Beautiful Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna-I, Annapurna –IV, Gangapurna, Himchuli, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal are popular snow-fed peaks to witness. Pokhara, Poohhill, Ghorepani, Tadapani, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Jhino- hot Spring are considerably buzzwords in the mouth of travellers. Natural hot-spring at Jhino Danda and stunning sunrise from Poonhill are two must experience and they are just wow.
The place is enriched with variety of flora and fauna along with beautiful seasonal wild flowers. Annapurna base camp trek is one of Top 10 Best Treks in Nepal.
Highlights of the Trek
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Up-close view of Annapurna Massif Range
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View of Mt. Himchuli and Gangapurna among others
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Witness the several beautiful waterfalls along the trail
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Annapurna Conservation Area Project
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Witness unique culture of Gurung People
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Visit ancient and historic monasteries
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Trip Facts
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Number of Days : 8 – 14
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Difficulty Level: Moderate
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Best Time: March-May and September-December
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Max Elevation: 4139m
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Accommodation: Tea Houses
Highlights of the Trek
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Magnificent view of the sunrise over the mountains from Poonhill
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Unique culture and tradition of the Tamang, Magar and Gurung people
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Trail decorated with lush rhododendron and juniper forests
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Explore Ghorepani and Ghandruk
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Trip Facts
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Number of Days : 6 – 8
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Difficulty Level: Moderate
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Best Time: March-May and September-December
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Max Elevation: 3210m
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Accommodation: Tea Houses
Highlights of the Trek
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Larkya La Pass- the highest point of the trek
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Diverse and secluded topography
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Beautiful village Samagaun from where you'll also visit Manaslu Base Camp
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The entire trail - diverse, remote, and secluded, enriched by very different topography as a result of varying altitudes - 600 m to 5,135 m. You'll walk in a circuit and hence the trail will keep on changing, until its end
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Trip Facts
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Number of Days : 14 – 16
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Difficulty Level: Moderate to strenuous
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Best Time: March-May and September-December
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Max Elevation: 5160m
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Accommodation: Tea Houses
Upper Mustang is known as the ‘Last Forbidden Kingdom.’ and is one of the best hikes in Nepal to experience the culture of ancient Buddhism. This area only opened to foreigners in October 1991 and the trek only allows a limited number of trekkers.
The Upper Mustang Trek starts in the upper corner of the Annapurna Circut and takes you through undisturbed Tibetan Buddhist villages that have long been isolated from the outside world. While it is opening up, Upper Mustang is still one of the more remote trekking routes in Nepal and a special permit is required.
After flying into Pokorah you’ll spend a day enjoying the valley before making your way to Jomsom where the Upper Mustang trek starts. The trail follows the ancient salt caravan route where you can expect to hike 6- 7 hours per day through trails that pass through desert-like and rocky conditions. En route you will see everything from barren highlands of the Himalayan desert to snow capped peaks. The turnaround point is Lo Manthang which is a Himalayan village in the only semi-desert in Nepal known for its whitewashed mud-brick walls, the Royal Palace, and Buddhist monasteries and fortifications.
Highlights of the Trek
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Trek in the remotes trans-Himalayan region of Nepal
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Traverse the solitary trails through the treeless landscapes
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Soak in the magnificent views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri
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Gear up for a unique cultural experience in the Last Forbidden Kingdom
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Trip Facts
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Number of Days : 15 – 17
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Difficulty Level: Moderate
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Best Time: March-May and September-December
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Max Elevation: 3810m
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Accommodation: Tea Houses
8. Kanchenjunga Trek
Kanchenjunga Trekking in Nepal is another popular trek. The trek circles the world’s 3rd highest mountain, Kanchenjunga, 8,586m standing in the far northeastern corner of Nepal bordering Sikkim.
The Kanchenjunga Trek trail passes through the remote areas of the Himalayas in the eastern region of Nepal. Since it is one of the off-the-beaten trekking paths in Nepal, The trail is peaceful and less crowded. Moreover, you will be rewarded with a unique insight into the Nepali rural lifestyle and rich culture. In this trek, you will also get to experience all the climatic variations Nepal has to offer, from steamy jungles to jumbled glaciers.
Highlights of the Trek
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Experience the solitary trails in the remote eastern regions of Nepal
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Marvel at the magnificence of Mt. Kanchenjunga
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Be in awe at the unique sights of the rural Nepalese lifestyle
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Trip Facts
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Number of Days : 22 – 26
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Difficulty Level: Moderate
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Best Time: March-May and September-December
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Max Elevation: 5143m
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Accommodation: Tea Houses
9. Nar Phu Valley Trek
Highlights of the Trek
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Nar Phu Valley Trekking was opened only in 2003
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Trek to the unexplored surroundings of the Annapurna region
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Superb vistas, diverse flora, and fauna, the isolated landscape along with a pristine Tibetan culture
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Visit ancient Buddhist monasteries
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Trek through the rugged and wild trails to the enthralling valley of Nar Phu
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Pass through the high mountain passes Thorang La Pass (5,416m) and Kang La Pass (5,22m)
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Trek through the rugged and wild trails to the enthralling valley of Nar Phu
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Trip Facts
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Number of Days : 13 – 15
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Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
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Best Time: March-May and September-December
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Max Elevation: 5320m
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Accommodation: Tea Houses
Highlights of the Trek
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Visit 800-year-old Shey Gompa (monastery) also known as Crystal Monastery – made famous in the book The Snow Leopard by author Peter Matthiessen
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The Shey Phoksundo National Park & its wild animal species
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High altitude passes - Kang La Pass & Saldang La Pass
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Rugged high altitude desert-like and barren landscapes and striking valleys - Dho, Saldang and Tarakot
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Views of Dhaulagiri and other enormous Tibetan peaks
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The crystal clear turquoise waters of Phoksundo Lake (3612m)
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Trip Facts
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Number of Days : 22 – 25
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Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
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Best Time: March-May and September-December
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Max Elevation: 525m
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Accommodation: Camping