Nepal is home to some of the most spectacular treks in the world. While the most famous treks such as Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit have earned their reputation for a reason, they’ve become a victim of their own success and are no longer the most highly ranked treks due to large crowds of adventure Trekkers . These treks still make the list but are no longer on top. Up and coming treks, such as the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the Three Passes Trek, are now considered better options for those hikers who seek the ultimate Himalayan experience.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek has become more accessible since new lodges were built in 2010. It earns the top spot in this list because the trek has all the great features you’d expect from a classic Himalayan trek—deep lush valleys at lower elevations, amazing views of 8,000m peaks, and a 5,000m+ pass crossing—all the while remaining largely unspoiled by visitors.
Despite its rising popularity, the Manaslu Circuit still feels very remote, and has fewer trekkers than the more established classic treks of Nepal.
Getting to the trail-head: an 8-hour drive from Kathmandu.
Fast facts
Min. duration 13 days
Max. elevation 5,106 m / 16,752 ft
(Larkya La pass)
Start/finish Soti Khola/Besi Sahar
Difficulty Challenging
Trek style Tea house
Mt. Everest as seen from Renjo La
Mt. Makalu as seen from Renjo La
The Three Passes Trek takes you over three 5,000m+ passes and is the best way to truly experience the Everest Region for those who have the time to spend 3 weeks on the trail. The trek includes sections of the Everest Base Camp Trek, but offers even more spectacular views of the giants in the heart of the Himalaya as you cross the Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La passes. The Three Passes trek can be combined with other variations of the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Getting to the trailhead: a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.
Fast facts
Min. duration 18 days
Max. elevation 5,535 m / 18,159 ft
(Kongma La pass)
Start/finish Lukla/Lukla
Difficulty Challenging
Trek style Teahouse
Himalayan peaks, Annapurna Base Camp
Dramatic mountains views en route to the amphitheater of the Annapurna’s
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you deep into the Annapurna Massif to the foot of Annapurna South. The scenery is quite different from most other classic treks because the views are less expansive and more vertical: you find yourself looking almost straight up to see the mountains towering above you.
Getting to the trailhead: a 25-minute flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by a 2-hour drive; or an 8-hour drive from Kathmandu.
Fast facts
Min. duration 12 days
Max. elevation 4130 m / 13,550 ft
Start/finish Nayapul/Nayapul
Difficulty Moderate
Trek style Teahouse
Desert hills, Upper Mustang
The arid desert landscape of the Upper Mustang Valley
The arid valley of the Upper Mustang Trek features a distinct landscape compared to almost all other treks in Nepal. With its many shades of brown and crumbling sandstone cliffs, this region lies in the desert rain shadow of the Himalaya. Mustang used to be its own kingdom, and its strong Tibetan-influenced traditions make this a culturally very interesting trek.
Getting to the trailhead: you’ll need to take two connecting flights: Kathmandu to Pokhara (25 minutes), and Pokhara to Jomsom (20 minutes).
Fast facts
Min. duration 12 days
Max. elevation 3810 m / 12,500 ft
Start/finish Jomsom/Jomsom
Difficulty Moderate
Trek style Teahouse
Upper Dolpo
Chortens along the trail of the Upper Dolpo trek
With three 5,000m+ passes, the extremely remote Upper Dolpo Trek follows centuries old trading routes leading trekkers through surreal landscapes. You’ll meet Yak herders who lead rural lifestyles that are increasingly rare in our connected world.
Getting to the trailhead: you’ll need to take two connecting flights: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (90 minutes), and Nepalgunj to Juphal (45 minutes).
Fast facts
Min. duration 21 days
Max. elevation 5350 m / 17,552 ft
(Nagdalo La pass)
Start/finish Juphal/Juphal
Difficulty Very challenging
Trek style Remote (camping)
Gokyo village
Looking down on the lake and village of Gokyo from Renjo La
Like the Three Passes Trek, the Gokyo Lakes Trek shares significant sections with the classic Everest Base Camp Trek but takes you into a valley west of Everest. Its main attraction are the beautiful lakes at Gokyo, at around 5,000 meters. From there, trekkers can climb Gokyo Ri (5,357m /17,575 ft), a rocky peak with one of the best expansive views on Mt Everest.
Getting to the trail-head: a 30-minute flight Kathmandu to Lukla.
Fast facts
Min. duration 12 days
Max. elevation 5357 m / 17,575 ft
(Gokyo Ri)
Start/finish Lukla/Lukla
Difficulty Challenging
Trek style Tea house
View from the Ganesh Himal Trek
You do not have enough time but still wants your dreams to come true to Nepal ? Then the Ganesh Himal- Nepal Guide info Trek could be for you, with dramatic nature passing through a number of unspoiled villages, unbelievable culture and magnificent Mountain View.
Ganesh Himal- Ruby Valley , which we call nature trek , lies on the central region of Nepal and Northern side of Kathmandu, offering spectacular views, untouched splendor nature and getting in contact with lots of ethnic culture.
After we take a bus ride out of the valley and cross over the hills, the first glimpse of Ganesh Himal greets us. After 4-5 hours bus ride we reach at the trek starting point Betrawati (town). Our Guide gives a short lesson of trekking on the first night. He also explains about all the beautiful spots from where you can have an excellent view of mountains.
During the trek, we observe the different ways of inhabitation, and come in contact with different people following various caste, creed and culture, and thereby pass through the dense forest. The Gangajamuna Top {3000 Meters} offers an excellent view of the massif Ganesh Himal (7406 m), Manaslu (8163 m),Annapurna, Fishtail, and more. On the last day of the trip we take a bus ride back to Kathmandu from Gorkha where we spend the final night of our trip.
Min. duration 15 days
Max. 4100m
Difficulty : challenging
Trek style Remote (camping)
Makalu region, Nepal
Following the trail at the lower altitudes, en route to Makalu Base Camp
The trek to Makalu Base Camp takes you far from the beaten path to a valley east of Mount Everest that receives few travelers due its remoteness. The trek features diverse local villages, and the elevation ranges from a tropical, humid 400m in Tumlingtar to over 5,000m at the foot of Mt. Makalu, the world’s 5th highest mountain.
Getting to the trailhead: a 40-minute flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar.
Fast facts
Min. duration 12 days
Max. elevation 5200 m / 17,000 ft
(Viewpoints above Base Camp)
Start/finish Tumlingtar/Tumlingtar
Difficulty Challenging
Trek style Remote (rustic lodges or camping)
View from Kala Patthar, Everest region
The classic view from Mt. Everest and Nuptse from Kala Patthar
The Everest Base Camp Trek is among the most famous treks in the world. It certainly deserves its reputation thanks to its history, its great views and the Sherpa culture you experience during the trek. However, since the trek is so popular, its main trails tend to be quite crowded. This is why we list other treks in the Everest region (Three Passes Trek and Gokyo Lakes) higher on our list. Yet despite the crowds, Everest Base Camp continues to be a great trek that deserves to be listed among Nepal’s best treks.
Getting to the trailhead: a 30-minute flight Kathmandu to Lukla.
Fast facts
Min. duration 14 days
Max. elevation 5,364 m / 17,598 ft
(Everest Base Camp)
Start/finish Lukla/Lukla
Difficulty Challenging
Trek style Teahouse
Annapurna Circuit
Beautiful villages and mountains along the Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit trek is another quintessential Himalayan trek that has lost a bit of its character due to the crowds, and, in this particular case, recently constructed roads. The roads that have reduced the “unspoiled” part of this trek to about 12 days of hiking. Despite all that, the trek remains a great adventure with the crossing of the 5,416m Thorong La pass.
Getting to the trailhead: a 25-minute flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by a 2-hour drive; or an 8-hour drive from Kathmandu.
