Best treks in Nepal
Ghandruk Loop, Ghorepani Poon Hill and Pikey Peak lead a list of 14. Every trek in Nepal in this guide, from the easiest to the hardest.
Ranked from our own destination data on season, difficulty, altitude, cost and who each place suits. Not paid for, and not the same as “most popular”.
- 1Nepal · Kaski, GandakiGhandruk LoopEasy to moderate; 1,940 m, about 30 km, 4–5 days.A short, low-altitude teahouse loop through Gurung villages below the Annapurna South face.Best months: Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec, Feb · Why not: Popular with domestic Nepali groups on weekends; can be busy.
- 2Nepal · Myagdi, GandakiGhorepani Poon HillEasy to moderate; 3,210 m, about 40 km, 4–5 days.A short teahouse trek to a famous sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South.Best months: Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec · Why not: The sunrise viewpoint is crowded in peak season.
- 3Nepal · Solukhumbu, KoshiPikey PeakModerate; 4,065 m, about 45 km, 6–7 days.A low-altitude ridge trek with a 180° panorama taking in Everest, Makalu and the Annapurnas.Best months: Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov · Why not: The drive from Kathmandu to Jiri or Dhap is long and rough.
- 4Nepal · Kaski, GandakiAnnapurna Base CampModerate; 4,130 m, about 110 km, 8–10 days.A teahouse trek into the Annapurna Sanctuary, surrounded by 7,000–8,000 m peaks.Best months: Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov · Why not: Thousands of stone steps; the Chhomrong section is hard on knees.
- 5Nepal · Kaski, GandakiMardi HimalModerate; 4,500 m, about 40 km, 5–6 days.A ridge trek straight at the face of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), quieter than ABC.Best months: Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov · Why not: Basic teahouses at high camp; the viewpoint day is long.
- 6Nepal · Rasuwa, BagmatiLangtang ValleyModerate; 4,773 m, about 65 km, 7–8 days.A glacier valley north of Kathmandu, rebuilt after 2015, ending at the Kyanjin Gompa monastery.Best months: Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov · Why not: The bumpy 7–8 hour drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi.
- 7Nepal · Dolakha, BagmatiTsho RolpaDifficult; 4,580 m, about 80 km, 9–10 days.One of the largest glacial lakes in Nepal, at 4,580 m at the snout of the Trakarding glacier.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Rough access road to Beding and several days of high walking.
- 8Nepal · Gorkha, GandakiManaslu CircuitDifficult; 5,106 m, about 177 km, 12–14 days.A restricted-area circuit around the world's eighth-highest mountain, over Larke Pass (5,106 m).Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Restricted area — minimum two trekkers, a registered agency, and a special permit.
- 9Nepal · Taplejung, KoshiKanchenjunga Base CampDifficult; 5,140 m, about 180 km, 14–16 days.A long, remote trek to the base of the world's third-highest mountain, in far eastern Nepal.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Three weeks, restricted-area permits, and a domestic flight or long drive to Taplejung.
- 10Nepal · Manang, GandakiNar Phu ValleyDifficult; 5,320 m, about 90 km, 10–12 days.A restricted side-valley off the Annapurna Circuit, with medieval villages and the Kang La pass.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Restricted area, and the Kang La crossing is a serious pass.
- 11Nepal · SolukhumbuGokyo LakesDifficult; 5,357 m, about 120 km, 11–13 days.A chain of six turquoise glacial lakes in the Everest region, with the Gokyo Ri viewpoint at 5,357 m.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: High throughout, with several days above 4,500 m and steep climbs to the Ri.
- 12Nepal · SolukhumbuEverest Base CampDifficult; 5,364 m, about 130 km, 13–15 days.The bucket-list trek through Sherpa villages to the foot of Everest and Kala Patthar.Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Two weeks at extreme altitude, with Lukla flights that are often delayed.
- 13Nepal · Lamjung–Manang–Mustang, GandakiAnnapurna CircuitDifficult; 5,416 m, about 160 km, 12–14 days.The original teahouse circuit — sub-tropical valley to the arid rain-shadow over Thorong La (5,416 m).Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Road-building has eaten into several sections; parts are now jeep-track walking.
- 14Nepal · SolukhumbuEverest Three PassesDifficult; 5,545 m, about 150 km, 16–18 days.The full Everest circuit, crossing Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La, with Gokyo and EBC in one route.Best months: Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Why not: Roughly 18 days, three 5,300 m+ passes, and continuous high altitude.
Treks in Nepal: quick answers
Best treks in Nepal: which are the top picks?
Ghandruk Loop, Ghorepani Poon Hill and Pikey Peak come first of 14 places. Every trek in Nepal in this guide, from the easiest to the hardest.
Which of these is the easiest?
Ghandruk Loop, in Nepal: it reaches 1,940 m and needs 4 days on the ground.
Which is the cheapest?
Ghandruk Loop, at about ₹2,800 per person per day on the ground.
Which goes the highest?
Everest Three Passes, at 5,545 m.