Top trekking routes

Can’t decide on a trek? Here’s an overview of some of the most popular routes in Nepal.


Emile Young / Prayer wheels in Marpha, Annapurna Conservation Area.

Okay, so you’ve decided you might want to trek in Nepal. Now what?

For starters, where should you go? There’s a dizzying range of trekking routes in Nepal, from 3-4 day treks at lower elevations to 20+ days at altitude. Here’s an overview of some of the more popular treks in Nepal.

Overview

This table contains an overview of some popular trekking routes. Below, find terrain notes and a brief description of each trek.

TrekDurationElevationTerrainAccomodationDifficulty
Annapurna Circuit8-18 days5416m★★★★Fairly comfortable guesthouses on the entire trail. Charging for electronics generally available. Wifi availability most days.★★★★
Everest Base Camp14 days5380m★★★Very comfortable guesthouses on the entire trail. Charging for electronics generally available. Wifi availability most days. ★★★
Ghorepani / Poon Hill3-7 days3210mVery comfortable guesthouses on the entire trail. Charging for electronics generally available. Wifi availability most days.
Manaslu Circuit12-14 days5106m★★★★Very basic guesthouses on the trail. One day of sleeping in provided tents at Dharmasala. Charging for electronics generally not available. Wifi generally not available.★★★★
Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley19-23 days5106m★★★★Very basic guesthouses on the trail. Expect less amenities in the Tsum Valley. One day of sleeping in provided tents at Dharmasala. Charging for electronics generally not available. Wifi generally not available.★★★★
Mardi Himal4-7 days4500m★★Fairly comfortable guesthouses on the entire trail. Charging for electronics generally available. Wifi availability most days.★★
Annapurna Base Camp7-10 days4130m★★Fairly comfortable guesthouses on the entire trail. Charging for electronics generally available. Wifi availability most days.★★★
Nagarkot2-3 days2175mFairly comfortable guesthouses on the entire trail. Charging for electronics generally available. Wifi availability most days.

On small screens, scroll sideways to view the entire table.

 

Annapurna Circuit

Emile Young / Top of Thorong La Pass, Annapurna Conservation Area.

The Annapurna Circuit is not easy, but it is a very well-supported trek. This makes it easier to do as an unguided trek, if you desire.

The trail is generally wide and even, increasing at a low grade until you reach the pass. The descent from Thorong La pass is long but not too steep.

An exception is if you choose to add on a side trip to Tilicho Lake. The terrain increases in difficulty, as you will be walking across a very large, shifting landslide/rockfall area.

 

Manaslu Circuit

Emile Young / Fresh snow seen from Ribung Monastery outside of Lho, Manaslu Conservation Area.

The Manaslu Circuit is a newer trekking area. The route is a bit more exposed than the Annapurna Circuit. The difficulty rating accounts for the rougher nature of this trek. However, in return, you are exposed to a rich local culture.

This trail is more exposed as it winds along the sides of mountains. There is one small landslide area. The path leading up to Larke La pass proceeds at a gentle gradient. While the descent is short, it is quite icy and steep.

As a restricted area, a guide is required for this trek.

 

Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley

Emile Young / Mu Monastery in Tsum Valley.

This is a variation of the Manaslu Circuit, extending the trek by about 7 days through a side trip into Tsum Valley.

As with the Manaslu Circuit, the difficulty rating for this trek accounts for the rougher amenities on this trail. However, in return, you are exposed to a rich local culture. This is especially true of Tsum Valley. Sanitation standards in the Valley need some work, but the culture of a valley along the Tibetan border is unmatched.

The trail is more exposed as it winds along the sides of mountains. There are two small landslide areas on the trail, but one may be avoided as the trek is rerouted in Fall 2018. The path leading up to Larke La pass proceeds at a gentle gradient. While the descent is short, it is quite icy and steep.

As a restricted area, a guide is required for this trek.

 

Everest Base Camp

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Annapurna Base Camp

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a very well-supported trek walking in the shadows of the towering Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Himchuli, and Macchapuchre mountains. This trek shares a large part of the route with the Poon Hill trek with sidetrip to Annapurna Base Camp. This is possible to do as an unguided trek, if you desire.

The trail is generally wide and even, starting with stairs but then continuing at a low grade after Poon Hill. If you have time, you can add in a dip at the Jhinu danda hot springs on your way back from the Base Camp.

 

Ghorepani / Poon Hill

Emile Young / Sunset in Tolka, Ghorepani / Poon Hill trek.

Ghorepani / Poon Hill is a very comfortable, well-supported trek. It is a great introductory trek, if you’ve never hiked a lot before. I’ve joked about it before, but I would be comfortable in taking my mom on this trek. This was my cousin’s first trek and she had a very positive experience.

Stairs are the defining characteristic of this trek. The trail consists of stairs and large, low angle sections. There is a short segment leading through the forest, but in general footing is pretty even. While the stairs can be a bit tiring, the terrain is not particularly rough. Even still, the views from Poon Hill at sunrise are worth it — provided there’s no cloud cover!

 

Mardi Himal

Emile Young / Trail to High Camp, Mardi Himal trek.

Mardi Himal offers some of best views of the Annapurna range and Fishtail Mountain.

The trail steadily increases in grade throughout a forested area for the first few days. Then, it opens onto a narrow, protected path at the top.

This is a younger trekking route, so the trail isn’t very groomed. Tree roots and rocks present some difficulties on the forest trail.

As this becomes more developed, the trail will probably become more groomed.

As it is, it contains some of my favorite terrain.

 

Nagarkot

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