Whether you like rock climbing or bird watching, are on a tight budget, or have the money to hire porters and guides, you can always find a suitable trekking route in Nepal. A trip to the Himalayas of Nepal is a fantastic experience for most of us, offering views of snow-capped mountain peaks and the chance to meet the indigenous mountain people who live in near isolation from the rest of the world.
All that is required of you is that you like to walk in nature. You don’t have to be super fit for every hike, but the better you are, the easier your hike will be. The best season for trekking in Nepal is from October to November and from February to April. In the summer months monsoon clouds obscure the magnificent views most of the time and in the winter months the high mountain passes are closed by heavy snowfall. But with the right knowledge, you can always find a good trek in Nepal. Just browse this list for an overview of your options.
Western Region of Nepal
1. Simikot, Humla
You can fly from Nepalganj and maybe read…spy on the roof of the world— by Sydney Wignall before you go. Permits are $90 per person per week.
2. Rare Lake
4 days trek from Jumla to this the largest lake in Nepal. However, getting to Jumla is a multi-day plane/helicopter or jeep ride over a mountain road that is still under construction, and will be for the foreseeable future.
3. Alto Dolpo
First, watch the movie…Himalayan Caravan: A Chef’s Childhood— (Eric Valli 1999, Oscar nominee). It’s mandatory! You might want to pick up one of his books too. Once that’s done, you’ll want to go to Phoksundo Lake, which you can do in 1 week or as part of the 15-day Dolpa Experience circuit or the 20-day Dolpa Heritage Trek, all from Juphal –airport– . Another couple of week-long activities are the Sundaha Nature Trek and the Sahartara Tour. Expensive permit required as in Upper Mustang it is $70/person/day with a 10 day minimum. No hostels. The annual number of visitors is in the low hundreds.
4. Bass Dolpo
Permits are $10 per person per week. You may have to fly from Nepalgunj. Don’t expect hostels here, so bring your own camping gear.
5. Top Mustang
10 days. Home of the ancient kingdom of Lo, still in existence, more or less. A substantial permit is required north of Kagbeni, $70 per person per day with a 10 day minimum.
Annapurna Region
6.Dhaulagiri
20-30 days to complete the circle around this 8000+’er. Bring good boots and a sleeping bag!
7. Annapurna Circuit
2-3 weeks minimum. This is where they all go. Except me. In high season it gets very crowded and it is more appropriate to call it Annapurna Circus. Lodges and tea houses are everywhere. The Thorung La high pass (5400 m) is usually closed at the end of November. If you bring your own camping equipment, there are also good possibilities for excursions off the beaten path. The entrance fees to ACAP are 2000 rupees.
8. Jomsom and Muktinath
You can fly to or from Jomsom, a day’s walk from Muktinath, and walk to or from Pokhara in about 1 week. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site located at 3800 m. It is on the Annapurna circuit.
9. Annapurna Sanctuary and ABC
10-14 days, 2000 rupee note. Another popular option, as it is shorter and slightly less demanding than doing the full Annapurna Circuit.
10. Ghorepani, Poon Hill
5 days out of Pokhara, it reaches 3200 meters and is accessible all year round. Famous for its views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and rhododendrons in spring.
11. Panchase and Ghandruk Peak
Another holy mountain, it is a couple of days walk west of Pokhara. Ghandruk is 3 days away and is home to the Annapurna Conservation Project and a lot of Gurung people.
12. The Royal Journey
4 days out of Pokhara. With an altitude not exceeding 2000 meters, it is open all year.
13. Siklish, Begnas Lake, Lamjung
1 week round trip from Pokhara, 10-12 days via Lamjung to Besisahar. Cottages must be available, ACAP permit of Rs 2000 is required.
14. Manaslu
3 weeks, circle this 8000+m twin peak that can be seen from Kathmandu. Pass over Larkya La at 5110 m. There are no shelters and the required permit costs almost $100 per person per week.
central nepal
15. Trishuli-Gorkha
The easy trail – 4 days along the route taken by Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1768. Apparently has village lodges and stays below 2000m the entire way. The hard way: 2-3 weeks remotely, off the beaten track. It passes over Sing La (3570m) and Jogeshwar kund (4500m). Camping equipment is required.
16.Ganesh Himal
No cabins, rough and remote. But wow, I wouldn’t want to go there! The highest peak is over 7,000 meters, and its prominent view from Kathmandu makes it worthwhile if you like to show off your adventures when you return to civilization.
17. Tamang Heritage Trail
8 days, the shelters are still under construction.
18. Langtang and Gosaikunda / Panch Pokhari
1-2 weeks minimum. Third most visited in Nepal, after Annapurna and Everest. Fairly easy, not too crowded, especially in the Gosaikunda Lake (4400m) area, which is arguably the most scenic. Langtang valley has lodges every hour or so up to Kyanjing Gompa (3900m), Gosaikunda trail has fewer but still enough for short days. Gosaikunda hosts the annual Janai Purniam festival and from there, you can walk back to Kathmandu in 2-4 days. Entrance fee 1000 rupees.
19. Helambu
½-1 week, more jungle than mountains, but still a rough road. Tea houses available if you don’t get lost like that Australian guy. Distant but awesome views of the mountains before getting too close to the mountain bases. –Walking Distance– From Kathmandu, Sundarijal Circuit to Nagarkot (4 days).
20. Namobudda
1 day, one of the few quickies you can do when the noise and pollution of Kathmandu start to get on your nerves. Take the bus to Dhulikel and start walking.
21. Rolwaling and Gauri Shankar
2 weeks or so. Get up close and personal with Gauri Shankar (7130m) and its glacial lakes. Good view of Everest etc. Untouched landscape, permit still required but check with the Nepal Tourism Board when you get here. There are rumors that they are making this permission free.
22. Chitwan Chepang Hills
7 days in the Middle Hills. There is no Himalayas and it does not exceed 2000 meters, so it could be a good possibility for winter trekking. Good view of (distant) Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Ganesh Himal, Gauri Shankar, Gurja Himal and Manaslu, but the main attraction is the nomadic Chepang people who live as hunter-gatherers. There is also a fort, a waterfall and some caves along the route along with 400 species of birds. Start at Hugdi on Prithvi Hwy, finish Shaktikor at Chitwan. Homestays are on the way.
Everest Region
23. Everest Base Camp and Kala Pathar
2 weeks out of Lukla, 3 out of Kathmandu/Jiri with return flight from Lukla. If you don’t have an extra $50,000 for an Everest climbing permit, you can settle for this base camp trek. Most people seem to choose the Tengpoche to KP route, which is at 5630m.
24. Mera Peak
2-3 weeks out of Lukla, 6500m. A popular expedition/climb that requires some basic mountaineering skills, but without being too technical. Long driveway, 2 high camps.
25. Island Peak
3 weeks out of Lukla. At 6,100 meters, this hike is not for everyone. Although not very technical, it is a demanding snow climb. The views are everything you could dream of.
26. Gokyo, Peak and Renjo La Lakes
2 weeks out of Lukla. High pass at 5400m. Lakes at 4800m, peak at 5500m. Some cabins along the way. Great views of Everest.
27. Pikey and Dudhkunda Trail
1 or 2 weeks in the less -much less- visited southern part of Solukhumbu. Both the Chiwong and Thuptenchoeling Buddhist Monasteries are world renowned, the former famous for the Mani Rimdu dance festival, the latter being the largest monastery in Nepal.
Eastern Region of Nepal
28. Valley of Arun – Makalu Base Camp
3 weeks out of Tumlingtar/Khadbari. You will climb to 5,000 meters and still have 3,500 meters to go to reach the summit! Return the same way or climb a couple of 6000’ers to the Khumbu region.
29. Kanchenjunga
3 weeks off Taplejung, the third highest mountain in the world. Do not rely on finding accommodations here. Permits are $10 per person per week.
30.Patibhara
1 week out of Taplejung. The Pathibhara Devi shrine is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists alike. There are cabins along the way.
