Trekking and Hiking in Nepal

Nepal is a south-Asian country that is landlocked by the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau to the North and the Indo-Gangetic plain to the South, and is a prime destination for adventure sports enthusiasts, hikers, trekkers, and leisure travellers from across the world.

Popular treks in Nepal

Apart from the majestic Himalayan peaks that tower and reach into the sky, the country is blessed with stunning natural beauty, rich biodiversity and flora and fauna, which you will experience while hiking through the national parks, conservation areas and the river-valleys.

Trekking, hiking, and mountain climbing are the most popular activities in Nepal. While some tourists may embark upon shorter, single-day hikes, others engage in multi-day treks across high mountain passes and river valleys. The more adventurous ones may even consider climbing to the summit of some of the most fabled peaks in the world.

The Everest and the Annapurna regions are the most popular trekking areas in Nepal and are frequented by tourists and adventure-seekers. The Everest Base Camp Trek and the Everest Three Passes Trek will familiarize the adrenaline junkie in you to the Great Himalayan Trails' challenges. If you intend to venture on the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek, you will find spectacular freshwater lake systems at an elevation of 4700 to 5000 meters. The natural beauty of the Annapurna Massif is something that must be experienced for you to believe its grandeur. You can enjoy it to the fullest if you choose to embark on the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

People, culture, and food while hiking in Nepal

Whenever you embark on a trek in the Nepalese Himalayas, you will get an opportunity to soak in the local culture, experience the traditions, and see first-hand the lifestyles of the local inhabitants, including many ancient tribes such as the Magars, Sherpas, Kirats, and Tamangs, who have lived in this region for centuries.

You will get touched by their hospitality when you are going on the fabled tea-house treks like the Annapurna Base Camp Trek or the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Though most of the accommodations are basic and the food is not grand or luxurious, their warmth, affection, and care will move you.

Apart from the humble yet cherishable contact of the Nepalese people in the teahouses, you will experience their company as porters and expert mountain guides as you walk along the adventurous Himalayan trails. You can also embark on the not-so-popular trails of the Upper Mustang Trek, Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, and the Mardi Himal Trek to enjoy the bliss of peace and solitude.

En-route to the Everest Base Camp, you will pass through the ancient Tengboche Monastery, a picturesque and enchanting Buddhist spiritual site in the Khumbu region, situated in the lap of the Ama Dablam. You may even decide to hike the Monastery Circuit Trail and relish the age-old Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

How difficult is trekking in Nepal?

While Nepal houses many moderate and easy treks like the Langtang Trek with an average altitude of 2500 meters, you can also set forth on some of the most challenging treks on the planet like the Makalu Base Camp Trek, the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, and the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. Some of these trails will take you significantly above 5,000 meters and will involve weeks of wandering in remote mountainous routes.

If embarking on a challenging trek is your cup of tea, high altitude climbing, or mountain climbing could be something worth your attention and time. Mera Peak climbing and Island Peak climbing can be considerably thrilling, adventurous, and a memory worth cherishing. These two peaks are amongst the highest trekkable peaks in Nepal and do not require advanced technical climbing skills. Having said that, these two adventures will certainly require you to be supremely fit.

Upper Mustang Trek

Best time to go for hiking in Nepal

The Everest, Annapurna, Kanchenjunga, and Langtang regions offer immersive views and enjoyable weather in the pre-monsoon period of February to May and the post-monsoon period of September to November. Same is mostly true if you would like to visit other remote Himalayan regions of Nepal. Hence, these are the best times to go trekking and hiking across Nepal.

Gear guide & checklist for trekking in Nepal

Packing every essential hiking and trekking gear is as important as training and getting acclimatized for such high-altitude treks.

If you desire to go camping on your trek, you, or the operator, as the case may be, will need carry the tents. However, for the usual tea-house treks, you can just carry your personal essentials and hiking accessories like backpack/rucksack, shades, sleeping bags, hiking boots, lightweight trekking pants and shorts, thermals, underwear, lightweight wool t-shirts / base-layer, wool socks, etc. For extremely frigid expeditions, winter gloves and hat, sweater, fleece jackets, waterproof jackets and pants, heavy down jacket, etc., are necessities.

Apart from these, carry certain essentials like a hiking pole, water bottles, and water purification tablets, hand sanitizers, toiletries, biodegradable soaps, throat lozenges (for protection against Khumbu cough), sunscreen, lip balm, and medications for altitude sickness, digestion issues, vomiting, etc.

For your safety and security, carry headlamps, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, extra photos, and photocopies of your passport.

You may refer to Checklist for adventure trips for a detailed list of items to carry for various multi-day adventure activities.

Getting fit for trekking in Nepal

Without proper fitness training and preparation, you may exhaust yourself while navigating the trails of Nepal. It could rob you of the enjoyment and thrill that you so wanted to experience when you planned to embark on these trails.

Also, at a higher elevation, you may face altitude sickness and acute mountain sickness. To deal with this, your itinerary should include adequate time for acclimatization. You may also consider taking medications after consulting your doctor.

You may refer to Fitness guide for adventure trips for grade wise fitness plans for hiking, mountaineering and other adventure sports.

Gokyo Lakes Trek Image

Synopsis of popular hikes in Nepal

To know more about the most popular routes for trekking in Nepal and to decide the one you want to embark on, do your research and if possible, interact with those who have undertaken such excursions before. Here is a summary of the most popular hikes in Nepal.

Everest Base Camp Trek.

The Everest Base Camp Trek offers unique attractions in every season. However, the best time is considered from late February to April and late September to November.

For this moderate trek, you must reach Lukla from Kathmandu via a flight or drive to Jiri/Salleri. From there, you have to trek for 11 to 12 days (7 to 10 for highly experienced trekkers) and reach the Everest Base Camp at roughly 5,300 meters or 17,600 feet. From the highest altitude of 5,645 meters at Kala Patthar, you can get picturesque views of the fabled Mount Everest and other lofty Himalayan peaks.

The trek will take you across the biodiverse Sagarmatha National Park and will allow you to stay in teahouses, come in touch with the Sherpas and enjoy the beauty of the Everest region.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek, or ABC Trek as it is popularly known, is a moderate trek that takes you to the base camp of Mount Annapurna (8091 meters), across a length of 67 to 115 km for roughly 7 to 9 days. The sheer altitude gain and loss increase the level of difficulty of the ABC Trek.

You will cross the rhododendron, fern, and bamboo forests from Ghandruk to Chomrung and then enter the Annapurna sanctuary where the forests turn from subtropical (after Sinuwa) to alpine (near the Machhapuchhre Base Camp). From the ABC, you can view the mighty Himalayan peaks like Annapurna I, III and Annapurna South, Macchapuchhre, Gangapurna, Gandharvachuli, etc., and enjoy the scenic splendour of the Annapurna sanctuary and the Massif.

The best time to embark on this trek spans from late September to late October.

Annapurna Circuit Trek.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek that requires about 160 to 230 km of travel, is one of Nepal's most popular treks. It takes you around the massive Annapurna Massif and across two major river valleys in Nepal. This trek is moderate to challenging, with lots of elevation gains and drops along the way.

The highest point of the trek is when you reach the Thorung La Pass. The average trek duration is 15 to 20 days, counted from when you leave Kathmandu for Besisahar in the Marshyangdi river valley and conclude it at the Kali Gandaki Gorge, returning to the capital.

This trek is amongst the most cherished treks as it takes you from paddy fields, Sherpa villages, subtropical forests, gigantic cliffs, waterfalls, etc. and gives you a captivating view of the Annapurna I to IV, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, Machhapuchhare, Pisang Peak, Paunga Danda, etc.

Makalu Base Camp Trek.

This less-frequented route of Makalu Base Camp Trek is one of the fascinating offerings of Nepal. This base camp is located at around 4870 meters, almost 3,600 meters below the summit of Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world. It attracts trekkers who love to travel across the less-beaten trails and relish bigger challenges.

The Makalu Base Camp Trek, which usually stretches for approximately 24 days, takes you across terraced farms, authentic Nepalese villages, glaciers, and waterfalls. It offers sights of lofty Himalayan peaks like the Kanchenjunga and Everest from its eastern Kangshung face, a unique angle!

If you are fortunate enough, you can spot a Red Panda too!

Gokyo Lakes Trek.

Spanning roughly 20 to 21 days, the Gokyo Lakes Trek is a less frequented, yet superb adventure that you can embark on. It is also a side-trek en-route to the EBC.

After reaching Lukla via a flight from Kathmandu, you need to follow the Dudh Kosi river valley and the Khumbu valley. Finally, you will reach the Gokyo Lakes, a cluster of oligotrophic lakes located in the Solukhumbu district of the Sagarmatha National Park, with a surface elevation of 4700 to 5000 meters.

Apart from the lakes and other Himalayan peaks' scintillating views, you can get a close-up of Everest from the Kala Patthar summit. The descent takes you across the Tengboche Monastery, Khumjung village, Namche Bazaar, and back to Lukla.

Everest Three Passes Trek.

The Everest Three Passes Trek is one of the most challenging and scenic treks that you can participate in while leaving the crowds behind on the EBC trek! This challenging trek offers seasoned trekkers the ultimate experience while taking them across three 5000 meter-plus passes: Renjo La, Kongma La, and Cho La.

Immersive scenery and stunning views of the highest mountains in the world is a big bonus. This ~20-day trek enables you to wander across the entire Everest region. But you should only embark on this trek if you have good fitness and considerable high-altitude trekking experience.

Manaslu Circuit Trek.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you through the jaw-dropping scenery of the Nepalese Himalayas. At the same time, you make your way around the eighth largest mountain in the world. Starting from Soti Khola, the trek lasts for approximately 13 days before you conclude it at Syange and take a different route to Kathmandu.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the oft-travelled trails that takes you across Samdo and Larkya Phedi to the maximum ascent at Larkya La Pass ((5165 meters). From this altitude, you can witness the picturesque views of Manaslu, Cheo Himal, Himal Chiuli, Himlung Himal, Annapurna II, and Kang Guru. Good equipment and adequate preparation for multi-day walking are a must.

Upper Mustang Trek.

The semi-arid deserts, colorful rock formations, snow-capped peaks, and dangerously deep ravines are some of the distinguishing features of the Upper Mustang valley, a semi-independent, Nepali-Tibetan kingdom. The Upper Mustang Trek has a usual 14-day trekking itinerary.

After starting your ascent from Kagbeni, you can enter the Upper Mustang region and trek up to Lo Manthang and Namgyal. These are in the legendary, mythological, and mysterious end of the Tibetan plateau at the northern end of the Kali Gandaki gorge. The Upper Mustang Trek is beautiful and preferred by trekkers who love peace and solitude.

Around Dhaulagiri Trek.

The Around Dhaulagiri Trek, also known as the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, is a massively challenging adventure that takes you around a remote, beautiful, and less-frequented region of Nepal. It is a camping-based trek and is ideal for seasoned trekkers.

The trek duration is around 19 days. It takes you to the Dhaulagiri base camp up to the Dhampus Peak, located at an elevation of 6012 meters. From the lush green landscapes of rural Nepal to the barren, alpine regions of the Himalayas, Dhaulagiri offers a myriad of attractions!

Ghorepani Poonhill Trek.

The Ghorepani Poonhill Trek is a nice alternative to the gruelling and long treks across the Nepalese Himalayas. This trek is low to moderate on difficulty level and takes you on a 4 to 5-day hike in the Annapurna region. Hence, hiking with moderate fitness is quite feasible.

The highest point of the trek is Poon Hill, at 3210 meters. Watching the majestic sunrise from Poon Hill is one of the biggest takeaways of this trek. You can also hike to the scenic village of Gandhruk.

Mardi Himal Trek.

One of the lesser-known treks in the Annapurna Sanctuary, especially compared with the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek, this majestic adventure is almost a side-trek from the Annapurna Base Camp Trek or the Makalu Base Camp Trek. The 40 km trekking route usually starts from Gandhruk, after you complete the Poonhill trek. The highest point of this trek is 4500 meters, the Mardi Himal base camp.

This 4-days trek is a challenging one and can be done independently or with guides and porters. The trek entails a cumulative descent of 3700 meters, and you can conclude this adventure at Siding or Landruk.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek.

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is a 24 to 26-day trek that takes you through 220 km of a diverse landscape, from tropical jungles to rhododendron forests and eventually to the glaciated, snow-capped Himalayan region of the third highest peak in the world.

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek covers a cumulative area of 2035 square kilometers. It takes you across the stunning landscape of the Arun valley. The North and South base camps of the Kanchenjunga offer you superb views of the Tent Peak, Cross Peak, and Nepal Peak before witnessing Kanchenjunga's magnificence. The trek starts from Taplejung, and once you cross the Mirgin La Pass and move over to the south side of the Kanchenjunga, you can get brilliant views of the mountain's southwest face.

Langtang Trek.

The Langtang Trek is an easy to moderate trek that usually lasts for 10 days and takes you to an altitude of 4773 meters. The best time to trek the Langtang Valley is between March to May and September to November.

The trek starts from Syanphrubensi and takes you across the Langtang Valley to the Langtang Glacier. You can also hike to the Tsergo Ri summit at 4984 meters and enjoy its natural beauty before descending to Syanphrubensi.

Climbing Island Peak.

Climbing Island Peak is a challenging venture, especially for beginners and intermediate level trekkers and climbers. It will give you a taste of the high and mighty Himalayas. You might like to acclimatize before climbing the 6,189-meter-high Island Peak by summitting the Kala Patthar at 5,643 meter and practice your climbing skills in the Himalayan Khumbu.

The Island Peak is also an exciting place to soak in the views of the majestic Makalu, the south face of Lhotse, and the northern side of Ama Dablam.

Mera Peak Climbing.

Mera Peak is the highest trekkable peak in Nepal. While Climbing Mera Peak may not require advanced technical ability, you will still need to be supremely fit and know some basic mountaineering skills. While being an arduous task meant for seasoned hikers, the journey to the summit of Mera Peak offers immersive views of the adjacent Himalayan sceneries.

Mera Peak has 3 summits, the highest being 6,476 meters. Most experienced trekkers believe that acclimatization and physical conditioning are the keys to success. All this hard work will not go waste, as you will pass through a trail that consists of hanging glaciers, frozen lakes, and other picturesque details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is trekking in Nepal?

While many trekking activities in Nepal are meant for beginners, there others that require intermediate or advanced level skill and fitness, and hence are suitable for more seasoned trekkers. A person’s prior trekking experience, physical conditioning, degree of acclimatization, and prior planning play a big role on how hard a trekker finds a particular trail. You can refer to the difficulty level of each adventure in the quick facts section of the adventure page (e.g., for Everest Base Camp Trek, see https://www.reccytravel.com/hiking-in-nepal/kathmandu/everest-base-camp-trek.) and look up what the difficulty level means in Reccy fitness guide.

Is it safe to go trekking in Nepal?

Trekking in Nepal is an overall a safe and enjoyable activity. The fact that trekking and hiking in Nepal attracts thousands of people from across the world, is a testimony of this. You should still be prepared for any exigency and take proper precautions, like carrying all accessories and essentials mentioned in the checklist, carry a basic first-aid kit and medications as prescribed by your doctor, and having trained guides as well as porters as per your requirement.

How do I choose a trek in Nepal?

If you are embarking on a trekking or hiking activity in Nepal, you should choose a trek according to its difficulty level. For this, it is essential to judge yourself and your trekking expertise honestly.

If you are a beginner, then treks like the Ghorepani Poonhill and the Upper Mustang Trek are ideal for you. Intermediate trekkers might go on more immersive adventures like the Annapurna Circuit Trek or the Everest Base Camp Trek. If you are a seasoned campaigner, the Everest Three Passes, Makalu Base Camp Trek, climbing Mera Peak, etc., should be a good challenge for you.

Which is the best trek in Nepal?

Each trek in Nepal packs a certain level of allure that is unique. While most trekkers will find classics like the Annapurna Circuit Trek and the Everest Base Camp Trek to be the best, the upcoming and not-so-popular ones like Manaslu Circuit Trek and the Langtang Trek can also pack a punch, especially if you value wilderness and would like to avoid the crowd of the more popular trails.

When can you hike in Nepal?

The best seasons to go hiking and trekking in Nepal are Spring and Autumn. Ideally, late February to early May and late September to November are the best times that attract flocks of tourists from different places across the world.

Winter and Monsoon seasons are usually avoided for trekking due to extreme weather conditions and the associated dangers. But these days, expert adventure enthusiasts who are duly experienced also trek in the Nepalese Himalayas during the frigid winter to enjoy a scenic splendor that is different altogether.

How much does trekking cost in Nepal?

Travel and trekking costs in Nepal are amongst the lowest in the world. Though there are various tour operators and agencies with different rate charts, you can expect your guides to cost anything between 30 to 40 USD per day while the porters cost around 15 to 25 USD daily. The cost of food, tea-house lodging, medical insurance, special permits, etc., are extra and should be discussed with the concerned operators and travel agencies.

Is trekking in Nepal safe?

Trekking in Nepal is overall a safe activity. Generally, guides and porters are involved, and there are times when people go trekking in groups. Very few people face difficulties en-route. However, acclimatization at high altitudes could indeed be a problem, for which you may want to hire a local operator or guiding agency to plan the itinerary and provide other support. Many well known global and local Nepalese agencies offer group departures on predefined dates, which are typically well organised with the added benefit of meeting co-hikers from across the world.

Which is the best month to visit Nepal?

October is unarguably the best month to visit Nepal. The skies are clear, the weather is superb, and you can witness spectacular views all around.

Is food expensive during hiking in Nepal?

If you are not carrying your rations, eating local food cooked in teahouses is the best way to save money while hiking in Nepal. If you are gorging on the tasty Nepalese cuisines like daal-bhaat, momos, and mixed noodles, your daily meal price should hover between 10 to 15 USD.

Though the average meal prices vary, breakfasts are the cheapest meals compared to lunch or dinner. The costs increase with elevation as well as your atrocious desires like Coca-Cola, chocolate bars, etc. On average you should budget USD 50 – 80 per day for food on trails that are supported by teahouses.

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Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Pokhara | Nepal

From INR 30,000 | From 9 Days • Moderate

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Annapurna Circuit Trek

Pokhara | Nepal

From INR 65,420 | From 10 Days • Moderate

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Everest Base Camp Trek

Kathmandu | Nepal

From INR 45,000 | From 13 Days • Moderate

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Gokyo Lakes Trek

Kathmandu | Nepal

From INR 51,000 | From 17 Days • Moderate

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Makalu Base Camp Trek

Kathmandu | Nepal

From INR 122,663 | From 18 Days • Moderate

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Everest Three Passes (High Passes) Trek

Kathmandu | Nepal

From INR 122,663 | From 16 Days • Intermediate

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Manaslu Circuit Trek

Kathmandu | Nepal

From INR 106,308 | From 14 Days • Moderate

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Upper Mustang Trek

Pokhara | Nepal

From INR 143,106 | From 13 Days • Moderate

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Around Dhaulagiri Trek

Pokhara | Nepal

From INR 114,485 | From 17 Days • Moderate

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Ghorepani Poonhill Trek

Pokhara | Nepal

From INR 32,710 | From 4 Days • Introductory

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Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Kathmandu | Nepal

From INR 147,195 | From 24 Days • Moderate

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Langtang Trek

Kathmandu | Nepal

From INR 49,065 | From 8 Days • Moderate

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Trekking and Hiking in Nepal

Popular treks in Nepal

People, culture, and food while hiking in Nepal

How difficult is trekking in Nepal?

Upper Mustang Trek

Best time to go for hiking in Nepal

Gear guide & checklist for trekking in Nepal

Packing every essential hiking and trekking gear is as important as training and getting acclimatized for such high-altitude treks.

For your safety and security, carry headlamps, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, extra photos, and photocopies of your passport.

You may refer to Checklist for adventure trips for a detailed list of items to carry for various multi-day adventure activities.

Getting fit for trekking in Nepal

You may refer to Fitness guide for adventure trips for grade wise fitness plans for hiking, mountaineering and other adventure sports.

Gokyo Lakes Trek Image

Synopsis of popular hikes in Nepal

Everest Base Camp Trek.

The Everest Base Camp Trek offers unique attractions in every season. However, the best time is considered from late February to April and late September to November.

The trek will take you across the biodiverse Sagarmatha National Park and will allow you to stay in teahouses, come in touch with the Sherpas and enjoy the beauty of the Everest region.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

The best time to embark on this trek spans from late September to late October.

Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Makalu Base Camp Trek.

If you are fortunate enough, you can spot a Red Panda too!

Gokyo Lakes Trek.

Spanning roughly 20 to 21 days, the Gokyo Lakes Trek is a less frequented, yet superb adventure that you can embark on. It is also a side-trek en-route to the EBC.