A large number of travelers visit Nepal for the sole reason of trekking and adventure activities. The nation is home to the most significant part of the tallest mountain, including Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world on the planet. So, trekking in Nepal also means reaching the Himalayas. Nepal’s trekking diversity means discovering a simple, short trail or a month-long, rough trekking route.
Choosing the trek that suits your wants, experience, and physical fitness can get confusing when provided with diverse options. So, we are here to assist you with choosing the best trekking destination in Nepal. In this article, we have provided the list of the top 5 best treks in Nepal based on popularity, length, and the experience they provide. Read along to find the trek that perfectly fits you.
Top 5 Best Treks in Nepal
Everest Base Camp Trek
- Location: Sagarmatha National Park, Everest Region, Solukhumbu District
- Duration: 12-14 days
- Trek Distance: ~130 Km
- Starting Point: Lukla
- Highest Point: Kala Patthar (5,545 m)
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
- Accommodations: Teahouses and lodges
- Required Permits: Sagarmatha National Park Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit
While selecting the best Treks in Nepal, missing the Everest Base Camp Trek of the Everest Region is not an option. It is the ultimate Himalayan Trekking experience, taking you through mountains like Everest, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, and more. This trek offers a thrill like no other trek because of the rugged terrain and the risk involved. Also, through this trek, you can follow the pioneer mountaineers’ footsteps.
Above all else, you shouldn’t just decide on this trek for the beautiful mountain to see but also to encounter the life of Sherpas living in the Himalayan. On this trek, you can also visit various monasteries, including Tengboche Monastery, adding a spiritual angle to the trek. Moreover, you will have a chance to see the most fantastic dawn from Kala Patthar (5,545 m). Subsequently, this trek is a blend of everything.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Location: Annapurna Region, Nepal.
- Duration: 7-12 days
- Trek Distance: ~67 Km
- Starting Point: Nayapul
- Highest Point: Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m)
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Accommodations: Teahouses
- Required Permits: TIMS Card and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
If there is one trek that trekkers pick more than the Everest Base Camp, it is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. This Himalayan trek takes you to the two base camps: 1) Annapurna Base Camp and 2) Machhapuchhre Base Camp. The views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges during the trek will never leave your sight. Moreover, ABC Trek is also famous among birdwatchers as it hosts more than 450 species of birds.
Like any other remote trek, this Annapurna Region Trek is also a cultural trek, as you will encounter a variety of ethnic groups. The trail path is lined with villages of Gurungs, Magars, Chhetris, Brahmins, and many others. Besides the positive social experience, you will appreciate the delight of being in nature. The trek involves trekking through rhododendron blossoms, wildflowers, and lush forests. On this trek, you will walk through stream banks, traditional villages, farmlands, and forests.
Langtang Valley Trek
- Location: Langtang National Park, about 120 Km north of Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Duration: 8 days
- Trek Distance: ~70 Km
- Starting Point: Syabrubesi
- Highest Point: Kyanjin Ri (4,773 m) / Tserko Ri (5,000m)
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Accommodations: Teahouses and lodges
- Required Permits: TIMS Card and Langtang National Park Permit
Even though Langtang Valley is one of the nearest trekking destinations to Kathmandu, it remains underrated. The Langtang Valley Trek offers excellence in the rhododendron and bamboo timberlands, thundering cascades, and stunning snow-bested mountains like Langtang Liring and Ganesh Himal. This trek will reach 5000m at Tserko Ri, where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Langtang and the town on the lap of the Himalayas.
Like any other Himalayan Trek, this one is also culturally rich. It allows you to witness the Tibetan Buddhist culture of the Tamang and the Sherpa people. Since the trek lies inside the Langtang National Park, you might glimpse endangered creatures such as the red panda and Himalayan Tahr. The park is known for hosting the highest number of red pandas.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Location: Annapurna Region, Nepal.
- Duration: 12-21 days
- Trek Distance: ~ 160 Km to 230 Km
- Starting Point: Dharapani
- Highest Point: Thorong La Pass (5,416 m)
- Difficulty Level: Strenuous
- Accommodations: Teahouses and lodges
- Required Permits: TIMS Card and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
Annapurna Circuit Trek is a mainstream but the best trek in Nepal. It is a fascinating adventure that takes you to some of Nepal’s isolated regions, where you can experience a great combination of culture and nature. This diverse trekking route covers lush valleys, high passes, landscapes, and the Tibetan-influenced village. The trekking route takes you through the Kaligandaki Gorge and to Thorong La Pass at 5,416m. During this trek, you can enjoy a relaxing experience in the natural hot springs of Tatopani.
The trek additionally incorporates visiting the Muktinath Temple, a pilgrimage for Buddhist and Hindu devotees. In like manner, the tour proceeds through the uncommon and exciting towns of Jomsom, Kagbeni, Marpha, and Manang. This is a flexible trek as it allows you to do multiple treks at once. For example, you will also do Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek in this trek. Not only that, you can also combine the ABC Trek from Ghorepani for extra cost and days.
Mardi Himal Trek
- Location: Annapurna Region, Nepal.
- Duration: 5-7 days
- Trek Distance: ~40 Km
- Starting Point: Kande
- Highest Point: Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500 m)
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Accommodations: Teahouses
- Required Permits: TIMS Card and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
The Mardi Himal Trek is one of the recently opened trails, made accessible to trekkers in 2012. It is the least visited trekking trail in the Annapurna Region, so it is an excellent trekking goal for individuals who don’t prefer crowds. You can appreciate the quiet environment and have an immersive trekking experience. On this trek, you can get an up-close view of Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, and the Annapurna range.
The Mardi Himal Trek has recently become an alternative to the ABC Trek. It reaches a height of 4,500 m, higher than the ABC Trek. Moreover, the trail consists of a scenic ridgeline through the rhododendron forests. You can also witness sunrise and sunset views of the great Himalayas from the high camp. This may be a short trek, but it offers everything a trek should.
Best Time to Trek in Nepal
Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May) are considered the best time to trek in Nepal because of the comfortable temperatures and the stable weather conditions. However, this doesn’t mean that the other two seasons are not trekable. It is just that winter and spring season comes with risks and added difficulties.
Like deciding on the best treks in Nepal, deciding on the best time to do the trek is also confusing. So, look at the table below to determine a suitable time for you.
| Season | Weather Conditions | Max Temperature | Min Temperature | Notes |
| Spring (March to May) | Clear skies, moderate temperatures, blooming flowers. | Max: 20°C – 25°C (68°F – 77°F) | Min: 5°C – 10°C (41°F – 50°F) | Ideal for most treksStunning views of the mountainsRhododendron forests. |
| Autumn (September to November) | Clear skies, mild temperatures, stable weather. | Max: 20°C – 25°C (68°F – 77°F) | Min: 5°C – 10°C (41°F – 50°F) | Cold and snow can make high-altitude treks tough; lower-altitude treks are still possible |
| Summer/Monsoon (June to August) | Heavy rainfall, humid, occasional landslides. | Max: 20°C – 30°C (68°F – 86°F) | Min: 10°C – 15°C (50°F – 59°F) | Challenging due to rain and slippery trails. Avoid high-altitude treks. |
| Winter (December to February) | Cold temperatures, snow at higher altitudes. | Max: 5°C – 15°C (41°F – 59°F) | Min: -10°C – -5°C (14°F – 23°F) | Cold and snow can make high-altitude treks tough,lower-altitude treks are still possible |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the list of the top 5 best treks in Nepal offers insight into treks that offer adventure and challenge. If you are confused between these five treks, choose Mardi or Langtang Trek if you are a beginner and prefer a smaller crowd. Choose ABC Trek for moderate difficulty, EBC to challenge yourself, and Annapurna Circuit Trek for length and diverse landscapes. Each of these treks offers something the others don’t. Having said that, trekking in Nepal provides unmatched Himalayan beauty and cultural immersion, regardless of your route.
