Nepal is home to many mountains and it offers beautiful treks. Some of the popular treks like Everest Base Camp, Round Annapurna including Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang Valley Trek, and Round Manaslu Trek are very popular trek in Nepal. Besides that, there are many basic as well as demanding treks that Nepal can offer. We have listed the top 10 major trekking routes in Nepal for you to decide on your next adventure.
Round Annapurna Circuit Trek
Round Annapurna is one of the most popular and spectacular treks in the world that has a lot to offer. This is 2 weeks long and connects two Himalayan districts of Nepal called Manang and Mustang. Throng La (5416 m) pass is the highest point of this trail that rewards you with a beautiful view. Round Annapurna trek has been listed as top 5 best trekking destinations in the world by many big magazines. Trekking in these lands gives you a great opportunity to encounter many giant mountains, beautiful old civilizations, forests, agriculture fields and one of the highest altitude glacier lakes in the world called Tilicho 4990m as well if you take a small detour.
Three Pass / Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the best treks anyone can do in their life. This trek offers varieties of options for trekkers who want to wander in the Everest region. Some wanderers who want to explore the Everest region fully can take three passes trek. This is 3 weeks long trail that allows you to cross three high passes over 5000m (Renjo La, Khongma La and Cho La). Trekkers enjoy beautiful views of big and wild mountains very closely. The only Everest Base Camp trek takes 2 weeks and 18 days if do it through Gokyo Valley. Doing the Everest Base Camp trek may take time and effort but the happiness you get after accomplishing it is indescribable.
Manaslu Circuit Trek
Manaslu trek is just getting popular among many tourists. This trek is still considered remote trekking in Nepal. There have been many tea houses built in previous years. Manaslu trek offers varieties of diversity that blow the trekker’s mind. Anything from low elevation to 5000m, there is a combination of beautiful valleys, forests, rivers, streams, culture and villages. Trekkers can experience the Tibetan culture of the rural mountain and people who are still protecting their ancient culture by following their religion. Manaslu Circuit Trek is overall a very organic trek that one can explore in 10-12 days.
Langtang valley Trek
Langtang Valley trek is a short but astonishing trek in Nepal. After a devastating earthquake in 2015, Langtang Valley is back with beautiful tea houses. Langtang Valley is a week trek that can please any trekkers. Wonderful hospitality, friendly people, beautiful yak sheds, forests and amazing monasteries make this place heavenly. Kyanzing Valley is the last stop of this trek but trekkers can take one day to hike up to either Kyanzing Ri 4779m or Cherkhuri 4984m.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp is a very popular trek in Nepal. Starting from a very touristy place called Pokhara, the hike gets steep throughout the trail. Unlike the other trail, the valley is narrow and you are mostly looking vertically at the mountains. You also get to Machhapuchhre Base Camp before reaching Annapurna Base Camp. This trail could get very busy during peak season.
Upper Mustang Trek (Lomanthang)
If you are thinking of doing something different than any other trek in Nepal, the Upper Mustang could be one. Also known as the desert land of Nepal, the upper Mustang is hugely influenced by Tibetan culture. Previously known as the forbidden Buddhist kingdom of Mustang had its kings and rules. Mustang has very interesting ancient caves on the mountain walls which are very sacred. Exploring this sacred place might give you a chance to feel back to ancient times.
Mardi Himal Trek
The Mardi Himal trek is the best in Nepal for Beginners in Annapurna Region. Relatively shorter than other trails, this trail gives you breathtaking views of many mountain ranges. Reaching Mardi Himal base camp gives you a feeling of being right in the lap of Mardi Himal and Machhapuchhre Mountain. The best view of this trail starts from the Australian base camp. You will pass through beautiful rhododendron forests and spectacular landscapes before you reach base camp.
Makalu Base Camp Trek
A totally unbeaten, challenging and very remote Makalu base camp trek lies in the eastern part of Nepal. Beautiful villages, varieties of rhododendron trees, beautiful scenery and friendly people make this trek very good. This is one of the toughest treks in Nepal because you will be crossing multiple high passes in a very short duration. During this trail, you will encounter most of the highest mountains in the world including Everest.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp
Another unbeaten, remote and challenging trek is the Kanchenjunga base camp. This trek is very challenging yet beautiful. Kanchenjunga is the 3rd highest mountain in the world that lies in eastern Nepal. 18 days trek to Kanchenjunga is worth doing. Beautiful lush and rhododendron forest, scenery, mountains, villages and yak sheds add sweetness to this wonderful place.
Dolpo (Shey Phoksundo Lake)
Dolpa district lies in far west Nepal. Fascinating Shey Phoksundo is one of the largest and deepest lakes in Nepal that lies in a very beautiful place of Dolpa. The trek to Phoksundo is 10 days long. Lots of flora and fauna can be found around the lakes. Just like the upper Mustang, Dolpa is very much influenced by Tibetan culture. Many old monasteries in this region seem to have a significant role in depicting the culture and traditions of the Tibetan people. . Dolpa is also known as the land of Caravan where the famous movie Caravan was filmed.