Nepal Trek Guide
15 Best Treks Covered

The perfect introduction to Himalayan trekking. Poon Hill at 3,210m offers one of Nepal's most celebrated panoramas — a sweeping 180° view of Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), all bathed in gold at sunrise. The trail passes through rhododendron forests that explode with colour in March–April, and welcoming Magar and Gurung villages where locals invite you for milk tea and dal bhat.

Accessible to anyone with moderate fitness, the entire route uses well-marked stone-paved trails with teahouses every 1–2 hours. No camping required. The trek starts and ends in Nayapul (1 hour from Pokhara), so first and last days easily fit airport connections.

• Day 1Nayapul → Tikhedhunga (1,540m) · 3–4 hrs
• Day 2Tikhedhunga → Ghorepani (2,860m) · 5–6 hrs
• Day 3Pre-dawn hike to Poon Hill (3,210m) sunrise, then continue to Tadapani (2,630m)
• Day 4Tadapani → Ghandruk (1,940m) → Nayapul · return to Pokhara

Mardi Himal is the Annapurna region's best-kept secret — a trail developed in 2012 that sees a fraction of the crowds going to Poon Hill or ABC, yet delivers equally jaw-dropping views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Mardi Himal, and the entire Annapurna massif. The route climbs through dense rhododendron and oak forests before breaking into high alpine meadows with unobstructed 360° Himalayan panoramas.

The trail is steeper than Poon Hill but the high camp at 3,580m is one of the most stunning overnight spots in the Annapurna region. From there, a ridge hike leads to the upper viewpoint at 4,500m — a truly breathtaking perch with Machhapuchhre just across the valley. Trekkers who've done both usually say Mardi Himal views are even more dramatic.

• Day 1Pokhara → Kande → Forest Camp (2,620m) · 4–5 hrs
• Day 2Forest Camp → Low Camp (2,985m) · 3–4 hrs
• Day 3Low Camp → High Camp (3,580m) · 4 hrs — stunning views
• Day 4High Camp → Upper Viewpoint (4,500m) sunrise — return to High Camp
• Day 5High Camp → Siding Village (1,750m)
• Day 6Siding → Lumre → Pokhara

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is Nepal's most beloved intermediate trek — a stunning journey into the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary, a glacial amphitheatre completely ringed by 7,000m+ peaks. The route passes through terraced rice fields, bamboo forests, rhododendron groves, and the famous hot springs at Jhinu Danda before reaching the awe-inspiring base camp at 4,130m.

The teahouse infrastructure is excellent — you'll sleep in comfortable lodges every night with menus offering pizza, pasta, and dal bhat. No camping required. Hiring a guide is strongly recommended and a porter will dramatically improve your enjoyment. Altitude sickness is possible above 3,500m but far less severe than the Everest region.

• Day 1Pokhara → Nayapul → Tikhedhunga (1,540m)
• Day 2Tikhedhunga → Ghorepani (2,860m)
• Day 3Ghorepani → Poon Hill sunrise → Tadapani
• Day 4Tadapani → Chhomrong (2,170m)
• Day 5Chhomrong → Dovan (2,580m)
• Day 6Dovan → Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m)
• Day 7MBC → Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) · acclimatise
• Day 8ABC → Bamboo (2,310m)
• Day 9–11Descent via Jhinu hot springs → Nayapul
• Day 12Return to Pokhara

Langtang is the closest major trekking region to Kathmandu (7 hours by bus), making it ideal for time-pressed travellers or those who want to avoid the cost of a Lukla flight. The valley offers dramatically diverse landscapes — from subtropical jungle to alpine meadows — and some of Nepal's richest Tamang Buddhist culture. The area was severely affected by the 2015 earthquake but has rebuilt with incredible resilience.

The trek culminates at Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m), a stunning monastery set below a glacial valley. From here you can hike up Tserko Ri (4,984m) for a panoramic view of Langtang Lirung (7,227m). The yak cheese made locally at Kyanjin is famous throughout Nepal — don't miss it.

• Day 1Kathmandu → Syabrubesi (1,460m) by bus · 7 hrs
• Day 2Syabrubesi → Lama Hotel (2,380m) · 5–6 hrs
• Day 3Lama Hotel → Langtang Village (3,430m) · 5 hrs
• Day 4Langtang → Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m) · 2–3 hrs
• Day 5Acclimatisation day · hike Tserko Ri (4,984m)
• Day 6–7Descent to Syabrubesi · 2 days
• Day 8Bus return to Kathmandu

The world's most iconic trek needs no introduction. EBC takes you through the legendary Sherpa gateway of Namche Bazaar (3,440m), past ancient Buddhist monasteries at Thyangboche, through glacial moraine to the foot of the world's highest mountain at 8,848m. You don't summit Everest — you stand at its base and feel completely overwhelmed by its enormity.

The Lukla flight (35 mins from Kathmandu) is one of aviation's most dramatic landings. The trail is well-marked and teahouses comfortable, but altitude sickness is a genuine risk above 4,000m. Never rush acclimatisation days — a guide is non-negotiable above Namche.

• Day 1–2Fly Kathmandu → Lukla (2,840m) → trek to Phakding (2,610m)
• Day 3–4Namche Bazaar (3,440m) · 2 nights to acclimatise
• Day 5Namche → Tengboche Monastery (3,867m)
• Day 6–7Dingboche (4,410m) · rest day + acclimatisation hike
• Day 8Lobuche (4,940m)
• Day 9Gorak Shep (5,164m) → EBC (5,364m) and back
• Day 10Kala Patthar sunrise (5,644m) → descend to Pheriche
• Day 11–14Descent via Namche → Lukla → fly Kathmandu

Upper Mustang is unlike anywhere else in Nepal — a dramatic high-altitude desert landscape that feels more like Tibet than the Himalaya. The region was a closed kingdom until 1992, and even now requires a special restricted area permit ($500). The walled medieval city of Lo Manthang, with its ancient monasteries and king's palace, feels genuinely untouched by the modern world.

The genius of Upper Mustang is its position in a rain shadow behind the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges — while the rest of Nepal is deluged by monsoon from June–August, Upper Mustang remains dry and trekable. This makes it Nepal's premier monsoon-season destination.

• Day 1–2Pokhara → fly Jomsom (2,720m) → trek to Kagbeni (2,810m)
• Day 3–4Chele (3,050m) → Syangboche → Ghami (3,520m)
• Day 5–6Ghami → Tsarang (3,710m) → Lo Manthang (3,840m)
• Day 7–8Lo Manthang explorations — palace, Jampa monastery, cave dwellings
• Day 9–11Return via a different valley route for new scenery
• Day 12Fly Jomsom → Pokhara

The Manaslu Circuit is Nepal's finest alternative to the Annapurna Circuit — a complete circumnavigation of the world's 8th-highest mountain (8,163m) through the Nubri and Tsum valleys. The trek crosses Larkya La Pass (5,160m), one of Nepal's most spectacular high mountain passes, with a demanding 8-hour crossing day.

Unlike Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu requires a restricted area permit and a registered guide, which keeps crowds dramatically lower. The Tsum Valley side route adds an extra 5–7 days through one of Nepal's most isolated Buddhist communities, considered by many to be Nepal's most authentic trekking experience remaining.

• Day 1–2Kathmandu → drive to Soti Khola (700m) · begin trek
• Day 3–5Machha Khola → Jagat (1,410m) → Deng (1,860m)
• Day 6–7Bihi → Namrung (2,630m) → Samagaun (3,530m)
• Day 8–9Samagaun (acclimatisation) · hike to Manaslu Base Camp (4,800m)
• Day 10Samagaun → Samdo (3,860m)
• Day 11Samdo → Dharamsala (4,460m)
• Day 12Cross Larkya La Pass (5,160m) → Bimthang (3,720m) · hardest day
• Day 13–15Descent to Dharapani → connect to Annapurna Circuit
• Day 16Drive back to Kathmandu via Besisahar

Once ranked the world's best trek by Lonely Planet, the Annapurna Circuit is a complete circumnavigation of the Annapurna massif — a 160–230km journey through every climate zone from subtropical jungle to Tibetan plateau. The trek crosses the famous Thorong La Pass (5,416m), the world's most trekked high altitude pass, and passes through the car-free medieval city of Manang.

Road construction has changed some sections, but the high route via Thorong La, the Mustang-like landscape around Manang, and the descent to the sacred temple at Muktinath remain spectacular. Finish in Pokhara for a well-earned lakeside rest.

• Day 1–3Drive Pokhara → Besisahar → trek to Bahundanda (1,310m)
• Day 4–6Chame (2,710m) → Pisang (3,300m) → Manang (3,519m)
• Day 7–8Manang acclimatisation · hike to Ice Lake (4,600m)
• Day 9Manang → Thorong Phedi high camp (4,450m)
• Day 10⭐ Cross Thorong La Pass (5,416m) → Muktinath (3,760m) · longest day
• Day 11–12Muktinath → Kagbeni → Jomsom (2,720m)
• Day 13–15Tatopani hot springs → Ghorepani → Poon Hill
• Day 16–18Nayapul → return to Pokhara

The Three High Passes trek is the ultimate Everest region challenge — crossing Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m) while also reaching Everest Base Camp and climbing Kala Patthar. This is not for first-time altitude trekkers — you must be highly fit, experienced at altitude above 5,000m, and comfortable with glacier travel and possible ice/snow on the passes.

The reward is unmatched: three completely different high Himalayan valleys, the magnificent Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri viewpoint (arguably better than Kala Patthar for Everest views), and the rare experience of traveling through the complete Khumbu region rather than just the standard EBC corridor.

• Day 1–4Fly Lukla → Phakding → Namche (3,440m) · acclimatise
• Day 5–6Namche → Tengboche → Dingboche (4,410m)
• Day 7–8Kongma La Pass (5,535m) → Lobuche → Gorak Shep
• Day 9EBC (5,364m) + Kala Patthar (5,644m)
• Day 10Cho La Pass (5,420m) → Gokyo (4,790m)
• Day 11–12Gokyo Lakes + Gokyo Ri (5,357m) viewpoint
• Day 13Renjo La Pass (5,360m) → Lungden → Lumde
• Day 14–17Descent via Thame → Namche → Lukla
• Day 18–20Buffer days + fly Kathmandu

Gosaikunda is one of Nepal's holiest Himalayan lakes — a sacred site in both Hinduism and Buddhism, perched at 4,380m in the Langtang National Park. The annual Janai Purnima festival (July–August) draws tens of thousands of pilgrims. At other times, the trail is wonderfully quiet with stunning high-altitude scenery through bamboo forests, rhododendrons, and open alpine meadows.

The trek starts from Dhunche (the same bus route as Langtang Valley) and climbs through Sing Gompa (3,330m) — famous for its excellent cheese factory — before reaching the sacred lakes. The trail can be extended to connect with the Helambu region via Lauribina Pass for a spectacular multi-region adventure.

• Day 1Kathmandu → Dhunche (1,950m) by bus · 6–7 hrs
• Day 2Dhunche → Sing Gompa (3,330m) · 4–5 hrs
• Day 3Sing Gompa → Gosaikunda Lake (4,380m) · 4–5 hrs
• Day 4Explore lakes · Saraswatikunda, Bhairavkunda, Gosaikunda
• Day 5Gosaikunda → Sing Gompa (descent)
• Day 6Sing Gompa → Dhunche
• Day 7Bus return to Kathmandu