Trekking in Nepal – Best Trekking Places in Nepal

Trekking in Nepal Himalayas- The 4 Best Trekking Places in Nepal

Nepal has won over many a traveller’s heart, and this comes as no surprise given the heady combination of culture and landscape. Well-known for the quality of trekking opportunities the only question which stands if you only have time for one trip is where are the opportunities for the best trekking in Nepal?

Nepal is in many ways a cross-road in Asia, culturally and geographically. A visit to Nepal could make a logical start or end diversion after travelling on the Southeast Asia backpacking route. Furthermore, within Nepal’s borders, they cradle some of the most challenging and exciting trekking in the world. What’s not to love?

The south of the country is a mere few hundred meters above sea level. Boasting a tropical environment with a plethora of wildlife including Bengal tigers. Then to the north, the Himalayas soar towards the skies culminating in peaks which clock in at over 8,000 meters (+ 25,200 feet.) In between, these two extremes the “hill” regions have altitudes between 300 and 3,000 meters (984 to 9,800 feet.)

In a relatively small country, the possibilities for trekking are almost endless. Here are my favorite picks for the best trekking places in Nepal:

#1 Everest Base Camp

Challenge – 12 days – High Traffic

How can we mention Nepal without also mentioning Everest? The highest mountain in the world has been sending out her siren call to hikers since Everest was discovered by a little-known Indian mathematician 166 years ago. Since the discovery, more than 375 people have died trying to climb the mountain. For me personally, Everest doesn’t appeal. I love scrambling and trekking but the kind of mountaineering which Everest requires fills me with dread. If you have any doubts about how serious an undertaking climbing Everest is, then try spending an afternoon reading the book “Into Thin Air.” After which you should have a better appreciation of how siren-like and deadly Everest really is.

Nevertheless, mere mortals with heads firmly on our shoulders can consider the hike to Everest base camp, and admire her from “afar.” There are actually two base camps. One to the north of Everest (5,150 m) and one to the south of Everest (5,364 m.) Let’s put those heights in perspective, the highest mountain in the European Alps (Mont Blanc) is 4,808 m high. Mount Elbert, the highest mountain in the American Rockies is a little lower than Mont Blanc. This means the hike to either of Everest’s bases camps is still a very respectable challenge and will give you a taste of the truly epic environment of Nepal.

#2 Nepal Annapurna Trek Circuit

Challenge – 16 to 20 days – High Traffic

If you are like me and a sucker for long-distance multi-day trekking then the Annapurna circuit trek will make an excellent choice for your trip to Nepal. Overall the trek is very accessible with teahouses along the route making logistics and practicalities easier than some long-distance routes. Spectacular scenery and opportunities to visit small communities along the way make the circuit one of the most popular in the world.

The whole route takes about 16 – 20 days and starts at Besisahar around a day’s journey from Katmandhu. The circuit takes you around one of Nepal’s other very deadly mountains – Annapurna. If you have time you can include an approximately 5-day diversion to the Annapurna base camp. In recent years, road building has meant the trek route has suffered a little, however, there are now new NATT-trails which take you away from the roads without getting too far off the Nepal Annapurna circuit.

#3 Upper Dolpo Trek

Challenge – 21 days – Very Low Traffic

For those of you who want to avoid the vastly popular treks, enjoy remote areas, and still explore some of the high-altitude areas of Nepal, then consider the Upper Dolpo Trek which ticks all those boxes. While not flirting with the 8,000-meter mountains the majority of the trail is above 3,000 m and includes a 5,150 m pass called Kang La (crazy! I can never get over this the PASSES are higher than the highest mountain in Europe.) This hike takes you through a unique region of Nepal and has the added benefit of very few other travelers taking up the challenge. Around 1,400 hikers per year take on the Upper Dolpo trek in comparison to 25,000 hikers who do the Nepal Everest base camp trek.

The circuit takes around 21 days and requires a lot of camping due to the remoteness of the hike. You also need to factor in around 4 days traveling to get there. One of my favorite places along this circuit was Shey Phoksundo lake and the little Shey Gomba monastery, wow just wow. I’ve traveled to some isolated places in my life but this hike and these places really touched my heart. You are left simply in awe of nature and the environment after this hike. While you are in this area you may notice a distinctly more Tibetan feel to the area and this is no coincidence. The Dolpo-pa people make a bi-annual journey across the Himalayas into Tibet to trade, and they share culture with the Tibetans.

And if that hasn’t convinced you then pull up a chair and read “The Snow Leopard” the famous book detailing American Peter Matthiessen’s journey through the region.

#4 Langtang Trek

Medium – 7 to 13 days – Medium Traffic

Not everyone can find time for these 15-20 day epic Nepal treks (as much as we would like to.) If your short on time then consider the 7-13 day Langtang trek. A downside of this trek is the route isn’t fully circular so you cover the same ground on the return. However, I personally find coming back the same way is always an opportunity to gain new perspectives, and you can take time to appreciate views which you didn’t notice or appreciate on the way up when focused on your goal.

Moreover, on this trek, the altitude does get high, but the height is not sustained for such a long period over 3,000 m.  In fact, the majority of the route is under 3,500 m and only the last 2-3 days are above. Once you get to the Kayanjin Gompa campground you can choose one of two mountains to the summit – Kayanjing Ri at 4,980 m or Tserko Ri at 5,055 m. Or if you have time you could even do both mountains. These fairly modest summits (for Nepal) mean this hike is a great option for people who don’t feel confident taking up one of the more challenging hikes in Nepal.

Nepal has some of the world’s most stunning and breathtaking scenery. Nepal adventure tours organized by these Nepal treks and tours companies offer various Nepal trekking packages. Nepal trekking tours are organized by many trekking companies in Nepal and one can plan and choose Nepal treks from Kathmandu.  Trekking in Nepal costs depends on the trek you choose.

Take me with you?

I haven’t visited Nepal for a few years now, and I still feel the tug of the mountains when my thoughts wander back to my trekking days there. When you go can you take me with you?! Once you’ve chosen your trek you only need to get booked, prepared, packed and then head to the skies and I’ll just sneak into the suitcase.! Only joking! Whichever trek you choose in Nepal you are sure to have an amazing time and the landscape and people are very likely to blow you away.

Have you ever been to Nepal? Have you done trekking in Nepal? Where was your favourite trek? How many times did you get over 5,000 meters? Let us know in the comments.

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