Quick picks
- Iconic first choice: Everest Base Camp Trek
- First Himalayan trek at moderate altitude: Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Shortest trip with big views: Mardi Himal Trek or Langtang Valley Trek
- Greatest variety of landscapes: Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Remote trails and Tibetan Buddhist culture: Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Hardest high-altitude challenge: Everest Three Passes Trek
New to trekking in Nepal? Read our complete guide to trekking in Nepal first for seasons, permits, altitude and costs.
The treks, route by route
These are the treks Himalera currently runs. Facts and starting prices come straight from each trek's itinerary page.
Everest region
Everest Base Camp Trek
Best for: Trekkers who want to stand beneath the world's highest mountain
- Duration
- 14 days
- Highest point
- 5,545 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Best seasons
- Spring, Autumn
Why go: Sherpa villages, Tengboche monastery, the Khumbu Glacier and a sunrise view of Everest from Kala Patthar. It is the most famous trek in Nepal for good reason, and the lodge network makes it accessible to determined first-time high-altitude trekkers.
Things to consider: Most of the trek is above 4,000 metres, so acclimatisation days are essential. Lukla flights can be delayed by weather, and the main trail is busy in October, November and April.
Annapurna region
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Best for: A first Himalayan trek with a spectacular finish
- Duration
- 9 days
- Highest point
- 4,130 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Best seasons
- Spring, Autumn
Why go: The trail climbs from Gurung villages and bamboo forest into the Annapurna Sanctuary, an amphitheatre ringed by Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli. It delivers big-mountain scenery at a more moderate altitude than Everest.
Things to consider: Thousands of stone steps make for hard days on the knees. The upper sanctuary can be exposed to avalanche risk after heavy snowfall, so guides adjust plans in late winter and early spring.
Annapurna region
Annapurna Circuit Trek
Best for: Variety — the widest range of landscapes on one trek
- Duration
- 16 days
- Highest point
- 5,397 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Best seasons
- Spring, Autumn
Why go: The circuit climbs from subtropical valleys through Manang to cross Thorong La, then drops into the arid Kali Gandaki valley and the pilgrimage town of Muktinath. Few treks change character as completely.
Things to consider: Pass day is long and cold, and snow can close Thorong La, especially in winter. Roads now reach parts of the route, and good itineraries use side trails to avoid them.
Manaslu region
Manaslu Circuit Trek
Best for: Experienced trekkers who want remoteness and culture
- Duration
- 13 days
- Highest point
- 5,106 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Best seasons
- Spring, Autumn
Why go: The route follows the Budhi Gandaki gorge into the Tibetan Buddhist villages of Nubri, circles Manaslu and crosses Larkya La. Restricted-area rules keep numbers far below Everest or Annapurna.
Things to consider: Requires a restricted-area permit, a licensed guide and at least two trekkers. Teahouses are simpler and the days are long.
Everest region
Everest Three Passes Trek
Best for: Fit, experienced trekkers wanting the ultimate Khumbu challenge
- Duration
- 18 days
- Highest point
- 5,550 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Best seasons
- Spring, Autumn
Why go: Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La link the Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo Ri, Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar into a single high loop — the most complete way to see the Everest region.
Things to consider: Sustained time above 5,000 metres, glacier crossings and steep, loose pass descents. Best attempted after at least one earlier high-altitude trek.
Langtang region
Langtang Valley Trek
Best for: A shorter trip with high mountain scenery close to Kathmandu
- Duration
- 10 days
- Highest point
- 4,984 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Best seasons
- Spring, Autumn
Why go: Reached by road rather than flight, the valley rises through Tamang villages and forest to Kyanjin Gompa beneath Langtang Lirung, with optional climbs to viewpoints such as Tserko Ri.
Things to consider: The drive to Syabrubesi is long and rough. The trek goes in and out the same valley rather than making a loop.
Annapurna region
Mardi Himal Trek
Best for: Short on time, or wanting a quieter alternative to Annapurna Base Camp
- Duration
- 8 days
- Highest point
- 4,450 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Best seasons
- Spring, Autumn
Why go: A forested approach from near Pokhara leads onto an open ridge with close views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli, finishing at Mardi Himal Base Camp.
Things to consider: Teahouses on the upper ridge are small and fill quickly in peak season, and the ridge is exposed in bad weather.
Side-by-side comparison
Sorted from shortest to longest, using the duration listed on each itinerary.
| Trek | Region | Duration | Highest point | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mardi Himal Trek | Annapurna | 8 days | 4,450 m | Challenging |
| Annapurna Base Camp Trek | Annapurna | 9 days | 4,130 m | Challenging |
| Langtang Valley Trek | Langtang | 10 days | 4,984 m | Challenging |
| Manaslu Circuit Trek | Manaslu | 13 days | 5,106 m | Strenuous |
| Everest Base Camp Trek | Everest | 14 days | 5,545 m | Challenging |
| Annapurna Circuit Trek | Annapurna | 16 days | 5,397 m | Strenuous |
| Everest Three Passes Trek | Everest | 18 days | 5,550 m | Strenuous |
Other notable treks in Nepal
Nepal has many more outstanding routes than any one list can hold. Himalera does not currently publish itineraries for the treks below, but they are worth knowing about as you plan — and you are welcome to ask us about them.
- Ghorepani Poon Hill: A short, lower-altitude loop in the Annapurna foothills known for its sunrise view over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South.
- Gokyo Lakes: Turquoise glacial lakes and the Gokyo Ri viewpoint in the Everest region — included in the Everest Three Passes route.
- Upper Mustang: A restricted area in the rain shadow north of the Annapurnas, with eroded canyons, cave dwellings and walled Lo Manthang.
- Nar Phu Valley: Restricted-area side valleys off the Annapurna Circuit with medieval villages and very few trekkers.
- Kanchenjunga: Long, remote treks to the north and south base camps of the world's third-highest mountain in far-eastern Nepal.
- Makalu Base Camp: A rugged route through the Barun valley to the foot of Makalu, with basic facilities.
- Dolpo: Remote high-desert trekking in western Nepal, usually requiring camping and restricted-area permits.
To see where these routes sit among Nepal's great peaks, read our guide to the Himalayas in Nepal.
Good to know
Frequently asked
What is the most popular trek in Nepal?
The Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna region treks — Annapurna Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit — are the most popular. They combine world-famous mountains with well-developed teahouse networks.
Which Nepal trek has the best mountain views?
It depends on the view you want. Kala Patthar on the Everest treks faces Everest, Nuptse and Pumori; Annapurna Base Camp puts you inside a ring of peaks; Gokyo Ri, on the Three Passes route, shows four 8,000-metre mountains on a clear day.
What is the best short trek in Nepal?
Mardi Himal and the Langtang Valley are good choices when you have about a week and a half in Nepal including travel days. Both reach high viewpoints without crossing a pass.
What is the hardest popular trek in Nepal?
Among the routes on this page, the Everest Three Passes Trek is the most demanding, with three passes above 5,300 metres. The Manaslu and Annapurna circuits are also strenuous because of their long pass days.
Can I combine two treks in one trip?
Sometimes. Treks in the same region can be linked — for example, Gokyo and Everest Base Camp in the Khumbu. Combining regions usually means extra transport days, so ask us to check what is realistic for your dates.
Find your era in the Himalayas
Talk to a Kathmandu-based trek planner
Tell us how many days you have, when you want to travel and what kind of trek you have in mind. We'll reply with an honest recommendation, including when a different route would suit you better.