Nepal is one of the world’s preeminent trekking destinations. Everything from flatlands to undulating hills to – of course – mountainous terrain can be found in this spectacularly diverse and rewarding country. There are 1,310 mountains above 6,000 meters including eight of the world’s fourteen 8,000 meter peaks, 238 which are open for business. Tourists may reach a wide array of peaks, base camps, high camps and glaciers via trekking, driving and flying, and be rewarded with vast and breathtaking scenery including mountain summits, lakes, caves, waterfalls and so many more forms of natural beauty. Treks may be as short as one day or as long as 165 days, supporting an adventurous life for travelers around the world, and for all tastes, whether that is for those seeking mountain summits or those more interested in cultural visits.
Satori Adventures & Expeditions has used its more than 20 years of tourism experience (especially trekking and mountaineering expertise including key relationships with Sherpa guides) to undertake its own in house research to determine the top 10 trekking trails in Nepal – no easy feat in a country offering endless variety and number of treks. This list of top 10 was developed based on visitors’ feedback, infrastructure of the trekking areas, number of visitors, duration of visits, categorizations of trails, and other material available to Satori through its years of expertise.
Manaslu Circuit is the classic trek in the Manaslu region and starts at the Budhi Gandaki River, winding for 177 kilometers (110 miles) through the narrow gorge between the Manaslu and Ganesh Himal ranges and skirts the Manaslu massif over the pass down to Annapurna. It is one of the most popular trekking trails in Nepal filled with waterfalls, white river, deep green forest, snowcapped peaks, horizons of endless color, rich culture and diverse flora and fauna. Manaslu has a unique, untouched environment with a rich biodiversity making the region one of the finest tourist destinations in Nepal, much more remote and secluded than other popular trails. At 8136 meters, Manaslu is the eighth tallest mountain in the world located in the west-central part of Nepal in an area called the Mansiri Himal.
The Manaslu Circuit begins with a seven-hour drive from Kathmandu to the village of Aright. Following Arughat, you enter a subtropical rainforest ecosystem and Gurung villages. The view from the Larkya La pass (5160m) is superb and here you will see Himal Chuli (7893m), Cheo Himal (6820m) and Himlung Himal (7126m). Manaslau Circuit is a great alternative to the Annapurna Circuit or Khumbu region trek. Here we can find 33 species of mammals including musk deer, snow leopard, three species of reptiles and 110 species of birds including golden eagle, Eurasian griffon, Himalayan griffon, blood, impeyan and kalij. The trek also offers panoramic views of the beautiful Mt. Manaslu.
2. Upper Dolpo Trek
Upper Dolpo is a wild 25-day trek in western Nepal bordering Tibet and offers beautiful views of hilly landscape and rich culture, which a challenging trek to the upper part of Dolpo. In fact, the Dolpo region is very isolated and strictly off-limits to tourism until recently. The Upper Dolpo is still under development, so camping is the best option for trekking and mountaineering trips. More than 16 of these trails are categorized as restricted by and protected by the Government of Nepal and Departments of Immigration, only open to tourists with special permits. The Upper Dolpo is one of these restricted routes.
Upper Dolpo treks can start with a one-hour flight from Kathmandu to the village of Nepalgunj, and further from Nepalgunj to Juphal, or it can begin from the Mustang district of Kagbeni. Here the trek winds through terraced fields to the Bheri River and a narrow canyon which will lead you to a relatively larger village called Dunai. You will also cross a few high Himalayan passes and enjoy the beauty of Phoksundo Lake. Trekking this route brings you to many mountain ranges like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Kanjiroba. You will also go through many passes like Kang la pass and Jeng la pass.
3. Kanchanjunga Circuit Trek
Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) is the third highest peak in the world and the second highest mountain in Nepal. It partly lies in the Northeast corner of Nepal and is bordered by Sikkim (India) to the east and Tibet (China) to the North. Kanchenjunga was first climbed by a British expedition consisting of Joe Brown and George Band on May 25th, 1955. This trek is challenging and referred to as the boot camp trekking trail in the Himalayas.
After a 45-minute scenic flight from Kathmandu to Sukethar, the trek starts from the village of Sukethar and follows rhododendron forests to Lali-Kharka. Tourists will pass many beautiful views of villages and visit with inhabitants. Kanchenjung Conservation Area is rich in wildlife including many endangered species of birds like the Impheyan pheasant, red-billed blue magpie and shy drogue, as well as endangered species of animals like the snow leopard and red panda, and vulnerable species like the Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard, serow and assamese macaque. Kanchanjunga Conservation Area is also renowned for its three-river valley: Simbua Khola, Ghunsa and Tamur valleys.
The Upper Mustang brings trekkers into the remote and isolated region of the Nepalese Himalaya offering awesome views of landscape and a rich Thakali cultural experience (a mix of Tibetan and Nepalese cultures). The Upper Mustang is located at the northern end of the “Mustang District” of the Dhaulagiri Zone. It was a restricted area until 1992 when the Government of Nepal released the area for tourism with a special restricted permit issued by the Immigration office.
The Upper Mustang trek begins with a 7-hour bus trip to Pokhara. After arriving in Pokhara you will then take a 25-minute scenic flight to Jomsom, the starting point of all trekking in the Upper Mustang region. A major attraction of Upper Mustang is the walled city of Lo-Manthang, which is the capital of Upper Mustang, although the entire region, hidden behind the majestic Himalayan range, is one of the most interesting and picturesque places in Nepal.
Not only one of the best trekking routes in Nepal, the Everest Base Camp trek is one of the best and most famous trekking destinations in the world. Almost 38% of trekkers arriving to the Himalayas are attempting to reach Everest Base Camp at 5200 meters (17,598ft.). It is located in the east and is in the heart of the Khumbu Region, referred to as the high altitude epicenter of the world.
The EBC trek offers breathtaking mountain panoramas and, if you like to walk, this is certainly one of the most inspiring places in the world to do it. For those trekkers who have a short vacation window and would love to see the Himalayan nature and culture this would be the best opportunity to do it. The trek can be completed in as little as 12 or as many as 17 days. Trekkers with less than 10 days may choose to trek up to EBC and descend via helicopter to Kathmandu for an additional fee of US$600 (in addition to regular trek costs).
The EBC trek begins after a picturesque flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Along the way you will be graced with your first scenic views of the mighty Himalayan range. From Lukla, climbers trek upward to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar, then enter the valley of Dudh Koshi River surrounded by the soaring peaks of Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru. The trail leads to the famous Tengboche monestary, located high on a ridge. In addition to possibly encountering several species of birds and mammals, you will be graced with scenic views of the mighty Himalayan range, including amazing views of Everest (8848m), Lhotse-Nuptse (7,861m) and Ama Dablam (6812m).
The Annapurna Circuit, also known as the Throng-la Pass (5416m), is similarly considered a top trekking destination not only of Nepal, but also the world. It is a busy trek and a popular trek for tourists located in the western part of Nepal. The Annapurna region is protected by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project which encompasses 7,639 square kilometers, the first and largest conservation area of Nepal. This is a popular trek for many reasons, including a flexible trekking period, moderately difficult trekking with great mountain views and waterfalls, and colorful rhododendron blooming in the spring season.
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp is a suitable option for those who have a short amount of time or less experience. Mount Annapurna (8091m) is the 10th highest mountain in the world.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a very popular option for trekkers, particularly because of its relatively low-level base camp. Treks starts from the foothills of Nayapul ridge which is near Pokhara. The trail winds through terraced land, beautiful rhododendron forest, the Gurung traditional community and cultural villages. Some of the villages that you will visit along the way include: Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Tadapani, Chhomrung, Deurali and lastly onto Annapurna Base Camp. The trail that follows Ghorepani-Poonhill offers amazing views of the sunrise. In the village of Jhinundada, there is natural hot spring water where you can cleanse yourself physically and spiritually. These natural hot springs with bathing areas are in the heart of the mountains. While trekking you can see the scenic view of Annapurna (8091m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Gangapurna (7455m), and Machhapuchhre(6993). Visiting the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) for a conservation permit is essential for trekkers in this area.
Gokyo Lakes are oligotrophic lakes in the Khumbu region of the Himalayas. Permits are issued from the These lakes are the world’s highest freshwater lake system comprising six main lakes. Chola pass (5420m/17782ft) is one of the most popular trekking routes in the Khumbu Region which covers not only Everest Base Camp but also Gorakshep, Kalapathar and Gokyo Lake. The focus of the trip is to interact with several Sherpa villages—allowing visitors to immerse in their everyday life activities. This trip also includes a grand view of the highest peak in the world: Mount Everest. Chola Pass trekking provides magnificent panoramas of mountains and lakes, direct interaction with Sherpa culture and hospitality, and an intimate view of the endless forests of birch and pine. The trail also gives access to several trekking peaks for avid mountaineers.
Chola Pass is considered strenuous trekking and takes 21 days to complete. Although Chola Pass is considered a 4 season trek, the best seasons are Fall (September to November) and Spring (March to May). An Everest National Park permit and visiting the TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) are required to enter this trekking area.
9. Langtang Helambu Trek
The Langtang Trekking Region is the third most popular trekking destination in Nepal (the other two being Everest and Annapurna), another region rich in natural and cultural diversity. The nearest trekking region from Kathmandu Valley, Langtang abounds in trekking routes, some leading to Helambu, and some to Gosaikunda. Langtang-Helambu-Gosaikunda Trek, as the title suggests, is the combination of all of them. Langtang lies in the central region of Nepal spreading to the Kathmandu, Rasuwa and Sindhupalchok districts.
The Langtang-Gosaikunda-Helamu trek begins after an 8-hour drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi via Nuwakot. Syabrubesi, the starting point of this trek, is a beautiful and unique village that lies in the bank of the Bhote Koshi River. While trekking to the Gosaikunda from this village, we will pass through the oak, rhododendron and bamboo forests. Traveling through Langtang (3,430m/11,253ft), we will reach the Langtang Valley and the friendly Sherpa village of Kyanjing Gompa (3,870m/12,697ft) where trekkers will experience the spiritual lifestyle of dedicated Buddhist monks performing their rituals in a monastery, as well as cherishing the panoramic view of Langtang Lirung, Langtang range, Kinshung and Yansa Tsenji.
Dhaulagiri (8,167m), located in western Nepal, is the seventh highest peak in the world. The Dhaulagiri Circuit trek explores wild and remote regions of the Himalaya and is appropriate only for trekkers with mountaineering experience including experience on high passes and challenging terrain.
The treks begin with a 10-hour drive from Kathmandu to the village of Dharbang. After beginning the trek from Dharbang, you will enjoy excellent views of Dhaulagiri I, II, III, IV, and V as you proceed over several high passes and then descend to the village of Marpha. Trekking in Dhaulagiri offers some of the most spectacular mountain views of several 7000 meter peaks. The trek passes through several remote and small villages including Gurung, Chhetri, and Magar and provides a unique opportunity to observe culture and lifestyle that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
The Dhaulagiri Circuit is a great option for those with the requisite experience and for those wanting to get off the beaten path. An experienced guide and porters will accompany you along the way.