How to Choose a Trek in Nepal?

How to choose a trek while you travel to Nepal? You can find them on the internet search. But, selecting a suitable tour plays a big appearance in a successful mountain trip. Choosing a trek in Nepal depends on your interest, time frame, physical fitness, and budget. If you are a first-time trekker, elderly, or going to trek with family, you can choose a short and easy trek. The base camp treks are for regular and intermediate trekkers. But the adventure treks are for extreme and advanced trekkers. You can find some trekking packages that suit you and which will be easy to plan your mountain trip. So, pick one from the available packages below.

Choosing a Short and Easy Trek

Short and easy trekking in Nepal is the trail 2 - days to a week long. These trekking packages have no highly high altitudes and freezing temperatures so you can do this type of trek all season. But trekking in Nepal in summer is not so good.

Short and easy trekking trails don't take trekkers to the mountain base camps. But, These trekking packages offer beautiful views of long-ranged mountains. These trekking routes offer comfortable hikes compared to moderate and adventure trekking trails. These trek packages offer Views of farming terraces, river valleys, green hills, vegetation, traditional villages, and much more attraction to the trekkers. Here, you can see the short and easy treks bag below. So it will be easy to choose your desired trekking destination.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Ghorepani Poon Hill trek has a massive number of trekkers compared to the other trekking trails in Nepal. This trek is doable by all types of trekkers and offers one of the best views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massif from a close distance.

Ghorepani Poon Hill was more popular than Ghorepani Ghandruk circuit trekking. There is a hill station called Poon hill from where you can see unblocking sunrise and amazing Mountain views. It was named after a tower made in memory of Tek Bahadur Poon and named Poon hill.

This trek can be done from a 2-5 day itinerary starting from Nayapul. 2 days of the tour drive direct to Ulleri and treks to Ghorepani on the first day. You will enjoy the view from Poon Hill and trek back to Ulleri or Hile, from where you can drive back to Pokhara. This trekking itinerary is a rush one, so if you can walk fast and don't have enough time, you can use this itinerary.

3 - days of the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek will be slightly less rushed than doing it in 2 days. You can follow the regular itinerary until Ghorepani takes two days. You will drive to Nayapul from Pokhara and trek to Tikhedhunga or Ulleri on the first day. After that, you will trek to Ghorepani the next day and enjoy the view on the following morning from Poon hill and trek back to Nayapul, then drive to Pokhara. The last day trek will be a long descent, which can cause knee pain. Four days trek itinerary will be the best if you are worried about knee pain from a long downhill.

There are two different itineraries of 4 days Ghorepani Poon Hill trek itinerary. Either you can make a circuit via Ghandruk or return the same way. If you would like to make a circuit trek with a four-day trek itinerary, it can be tiring with a hike to Poon Hill and a long walk to Ghandruk. So, five days Ghorepani Ghandruk circuit trek is more comfortable and relaxed. It is a regular trek itinerary that most trekkers follow. 

Everest View Trek for the Quickest Everest Look

The Everest view trek is also known as the Everest panorama trek. It is the shortest available trek in the Everest region. It is a week or eight days trek from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. If you do not have enough time to trek to the base camp or are scared of altitude sickness, the Everest view trek is perfect for seeing the world's highest mountain and exploring the region.

The Everest view trek starts with a flight to Lukla and leads through the main trail to the Everest base camp. You will trek to Phakding after you land at Lukla airport on the first day. After that, you will hike until Tengboche passes Namche Bazaar, then back to Lukla and fly out to Kathmandu.

You will see massive snow-capped mountains such as Kusum Kangaroo, Thamserku, and Amadablam. On this trek, Lhotse, Nuptse, and other beautiful mountains, including Everest. Not only the mountains, wildlife, vegetation, rivers, waterfalls, and many more natural beauties can be seen on this trek. You even can do this trek during winter, not only in autumn and spring. But summer is not recommended.

Mardi Himal Trek for the Best Short Experience

Badal Danda

A new and beautiful trekking trail in the Annapurna region is the Mardi Himal trek. It is a short trek, but the highest elevation of this trek is over 4000m above sea level. The Mardi Himal trek can finish from Pokhara to Pokhara in 5-7 days. This trek offers one of the best views of Annapurna massif, a beautiful valley, a long-ranged edge, and many more natural beauties.

Driving from Pokhara to Kande, the trek begins and goes to Deurali on the first day. After that, you will trek through a dense forest of rhododendron, pine, oak, and other big trees for around 4 hours to forest camp. Then you will ascend to low camp, pass rest camp, and trek to Badal Danda and high camp. After a night at the high camp, you will trek towards the Mardi Himal base camp via the upper viewpoint. Badal Danda and upper-viewpoint are the places that offer amazing views.

After enjoying the view of the Mardi Himal trek, you will start descending a few days to Siding or Phedi to finish the trek and drive back to Pokhara.

Langtang Valley Trek to Reach Mountain in a Short Time

The Langtang valley trekking trail was affected terribly by an earthquake in 2015. But it is rising now with a better facility. Langtang valley trek is about a week or eight days long trek from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. It is the nearest short trek from the capital city of Nepal, which takes trekkers closer to the big mountains.

Driving on public or private transport from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi, the trek starts. The Langtang valley trek goes through the Langtang national park following the Langtang river valley. This national park has more than 300 – spaces for the birds. So, Langtang national park is a great place for birdwatchers.

You will trek to Lama Hotel on the first day of this trek and trek to Langtang village and Kyanjin Gumba at the end. Exploring beautiful views from Kyanjin Ri or Tserko-Ri, you will hike back to Syabrubesi following the same trail and drive back to Kathmandu.

Gosaikunda Lake Trek For Religion and Nature

The Gosaikunda Lake trek is one of my best treks in Nepal. Although, there are fewer trekkers than on above listed short trekking trails of Nepal. You can blindly choose this trek if you are looking for a panoramic mountain view, birds, cultural monuments, glacial lakes, and more natural beauties.

The Gosaikunda Lake trek goes a little higher elevation than the other treks, but it is not that difficult. This beautiful trek begins from Kathmandu, driving on a public bus or private transport to Dhunche and trekking to Thulo Syabru, Lauribinayak, and Gosaikunda. After exploring beautiful lakes, you will descend to Dhunche and drive to Kathmandu. This trek can be done from Kathmandu to Kathmandu in 6 to 7 days.

Viewing from Lauribinayak and walking to this place on the third day of this trek is unreal. Gosaikunda is a pilgrimage site of Buddhist and Hindu people, so there will be a big festival in August. Many pilgrimages go here for religious purposes.

Tamang Heritage Trek for Cultural Experience

The Tamang heritage trek is a new cultural trek in the Langtang region. There are fewer trekkers compared to the other tours in the Langtang region. Tamang heritage trek can be done in a week or a few days more. This trek provides cultural feelings of this region with beautiful mountain views.

Tamang heritage trek also begins as Langtang valley trek driving to Syabrubesi. Langtang valley trek goes right from Syabrubesi, but this trek goes on the left, climbing a big hill to Goljung. After reaching Goljung, you will trek on a flat road until Gatlang.

After a night in this big Tamang village, you will trek to Tatopani. There used to be a natural hot spring, but not after the earthquake in 2015. Then you will have a short trek to Nagthali, the best hill station on this trek, and see beautiful panoramic mountain views.

The following day, you can hike to the viewpoint, which takes 3-4 hrs both ways and trek down to Thuman and Syabrubesi. After staying the last night of this trek in Syabrubesi, you will drive back to Kathmandu.

Chisapani Nagarkot Trek

View from Nagarkot

Chisapani Nagarkot is a short and easy trekking trail near Kathmandu Valley. This trek is 3-4 days and is the nearest short trek from Kathmandu. This trek is suitable if you have less than a week's holiday in Nepal and don't want to go to higher elevations. October to December is the best time for this trek, but you can do this any time.

Chisapani Nagarkot trek offers long-ranged panoramic mountain views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Gauri Shankar, and some peaks of the Everest region on a clear day. Not only the mountain views, terraces, green hills, valleys, and traditional villages are the attractions of this trek.

Around an hour's drive to the north from the city center, the trek begins with ascending trails to Chisapani, passing some traditional villages. After a night in this place, you will trek to Nagarkot the next day. From here, you can see unblocking sunrise and lots of high mountains. You can finish hiking to Changunarayan and drive back to Kathmandu from Nagarkot or trek further until Dhulikhel, adding one extra day.

Dhampus Sarangkot Trek

The Dhampus Sarangkot trek is a bit far from Kathmandu, but it is closer to Pokhara. It is the shortest available trek in the Annapurna region. Dhampus Sarangkot is a three days trek which is in a lower elevation. This should be perfect if you have a week's holiday and would like to trek easily with the decreased elevated area.

The Dhampus Sarangkot trek starts with a drive to Phedi or Ghattekhola and outings to Dhampus on the first day. After that, you will trek to Sarangkot, a long day trek for around 6 hours. Sarangkot is a hill station that offers a panoramic mountain view of the Annapurna and Manaslu range with the best sunrise. After enjoying the view from Sarangkot, you will hike for a few hours to Pokhara or can fly by paragliding.

Choosing a Moderate Levelled Trek

Everest base camp

Intermediate trekkers can enjoy moderately leveled trekking trails. These trekking trails are acceptable for trekkers who often trek through the mountain route. Base camp treks are in this category, going from 4000m elevation to 5000m or a bit higher height without any high pass.

The Everest base camp trek, Annapurna base camp trek, Langtang Gosainkunda trek, Gokyo valley trek, and a few more others are examples of this type of trek. Let's check the basic information of available moderate-leveled trekking trails in Nepal which are famous.

Everest Base Camp Trek

The most popular trek in Nepal is the Everest base camp trek. The most popular trek in Nepal is the Everest base camp trek. Lonely Planet recommends this trek as the '4th best trek in the world.' Mt. Everest is the highest mountain in the world, so to visit its base camp and see it from a closer distance, thousands of trekkers come to Nepal every year. Everest base camp trek can be done with basic physical training and some mountain trekking experience. The trekking trail to the Everest base camp is not very difficult, but the altitude can make it difficult for the trekkers.

The Everest base camp trek is east of Kathmandu, connecting by a short flight to Lukla. After landing at Lukla airport, the trekking trail leads to the base camp through Phakding, Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep. It is a 12 - days trek from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. Six days trek plus two altitude practice rest days take you to the base camp. Then, three days travel back to Lukla before flying out to Kathmandu. See more blogs and information about the Everest region trek here.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The amazing Annapurna base camp trek is also famous as the Annapurna sanctuary trek. This trek is in the Annapurna conservation area in the Annapurna region. Annapurna base camp trek will have fewer chances of getting altitude sickness.

10 - days Annapurna base camp trek itinerary is regular. But it has an available plan from 6 days and can be extended up to 12 days. This trek is west of Kathmandu and closer to the third most beautiful lake, Pokhara. The walk begins with a short drive to Nayapul and treks to Tikhedhunga or Ulleri on the first day. After that, you will travel to Ghorepani and visit Poon Hill, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massif.

Further, you will trek to Tadapani, Chhomrong, Dovan, Deurali then Annapurna base camp. Annapurna base camp trek brings you very close to the high mountains and sees the fantastic Annapurna glacier. After exploring Annapurna base camp, you will trek back the same way until Chhomrong and descend to Jhinu Danda, where you can enjoy a hot bath in a natural hot spring. Spending the last night of the Annapurna base camp trek in Jhinu Danda, you will trek more to Siwai or Nayapul, from where you can get transportation to reach back to Pokhara.

Gokyo Lake Trek

Don't be confused if you have heard of the Ghoko Valley trek or the Gokyo Ri trek! It is the same as the Gokyo Lake trek. This trek is also in the Everest region. Gokyo lake trek is an alternative Everest base camp trek with a similar time frame. The Everest base camp trek is more popular than the Gokyo Valley trek, but this trek offers better views. More high mountains, beautiful big glacial lakes, and the biggest glacier in the Everest region are the main attractions of this trek.

Gokyo Lake trek also leads with a flight to the same place where trekkers fly in. After that, the trail also leads through the base camp part till the 4th day and splits the left valley climbing towards Mong Hill. Before reaching Gokyo, you will trek through a beautiful Dudhkoshi valley and pass Dole, Meshmmermo, and other small towns. Exploring tranquil Gokyo lakes and 360° mountain views from Gokyo Ri could be one of the best Himalayan experiences and a lifetime memory.

You will trek back the same way from Gokyo or go over Renjo La pass. You can see a similar view from Renjo La top as Gokyo Ri.

Langtang Gosaikunda Trek

Are you looking for a long trek over two weeks that can be done with a low budget? If yes, the Langtang Gosaikunda trek should be the best option. This trek has one high pass but less than 5000m in elevation. Langtang Gosaikunda trek is a combined trek of Langtang Valley and Gosaikunda Lake trek.

You can do this trek in two different directions. Starting from Sundarijal and finishing in Syabrubesi or from Syabrubesi and finishing in Sundarijal is the opposite. From Syabrubesi, visiting Langtang Valley and Gosaikunda to end the trek in Sundarijal is a regular itinerary that most trekkers follow. Using this way is a lot easier with less climbing.

Mountain views from Kyanjin Gumba and Lauribinayak are unreal. Gosaikunda Lake and other lakes are amazing during this trek. This trek covers two different national parks: Langtang and Shivapuri Nagarjun National.

Go for Adventure or Strenuous Trek

Kongma La pass

Are you a trekker with advanced physical levels and regularly trekking to higher elevated trekking routes? Some adventure trekking packages in Nepal can be on your hit list. Adventure treks are usually strenuous leveled treks which will be very difficult for intermediate trekkers.

Adventure treks are usually long and need more than two weeks' holiday. Everest high passes trek, Annapurna circuit trek, Manaslu circuit trek, and Kanchenjunga circuit trek are popular adventure trekking trails in Nepal.

Everest High Passes Trek

The Everest High Passes trek covers 3 - major high passes in the Everest region. It is one of the most intrepid lodge treks in Nepal. But rather than doing all three passes simultaneously, you can do one or two instead of covering all if you don't have enough time. The high passes included on this trek are the Kongma La pass, Cho La pass, and Renjo La Pass.

All available high passes from this 3-pass trek are over 5000m above sea level. It is, of course, not an easy trek, but it offers one of the best adventure Everest trek experiences. This trek goes through the Sagarmatha national park flying into Lukla. You should have three weeks of holiday in Nepal to do this trek.

Everest High passes trek covers a beautiful view of the Everest Himalayas, tranquil lakes, giant glaciers, and all-natural and cultural beauties. The four highest peaks out of 8 mountains above 8000m can see from this trek.

Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho-Oyu are the highest mountains. The mountains, glaciers, and lakes can also see wildlife, birds, vegetation, and many other natural beauties.

Annapurna Circuit Trek

Annapurna circuit trail has more sum of trekkers during each high trekking season. There is road construction now, reducing the number of trekkers to a few years ago. But still, hundreds of trekkers go to this trail every day in autumn and spring.

Annapurna circuit trek offers different sceneries every day and every single hour. This trek begins from lower than 1000m of elevation and goes up to 5416m. Throng La pass is the highest point of this trek, the most prominent high pass in the world.

Annapurna circuit trek can take 12 to 16 days as a half circuit and an entire circuit trek. The half-circuit tour ends with a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, and the full one also ends in Pokhara, but you need to walk a few days more through the Ghorepani Poon hill trail.

The world's highest lake Tilicho remains in this region. So, you can visit this lake by adding a few more days to the regular Annapurna circuit trek. This trek is also beloved as the Throng La Pass trek you will cross. Also, people say around the Annapurna trek because you will trek around the Annapurna mountains.

Manaslu Circuit Trek

Larke la pass

A rising adventure trek in Nepal is the Manaslu circuit trek. This trek is restricted, so you must issue a special trekking permit from the Department of Nepal immigration office. Only a convincing number of trekkers are allowed to this trekking trail each year because it is a protected area.

Many trekkers nowadays are attracted to this trekking trail after the road was constructed on the Annapurna circuit trekking trail. Manaslu circuit trek also has a high pass Larke La, making this trek more adventurous. Larke La pass can be a little bit difficult if there is snow, but without snow should not be much difficult.

Trekking to the Manaslu circuit starts walking from Sotikhola after a few hour's drive from Kathmandu. This trek is about 16 days, but it can be done in 12 days if you drive from Dharapani when you arrive in the Annapurna conservation area. Visiting Birendra Lake on exploration day from Samagaun is worth it. You can see Marmot in this trek which you can't see on other trekking trails in Nepal.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

Kanchenjunga circuit trek is a lengthy adventure circuit trek in Nepal. It is located in far eastern Nepal, and it takes a few days to drive to reach the starting point of the trek. Because of the long driving journey and not regular flights from Kathmandu to connect with the trek, it is less famous than other high passes trek.

You must drive around 24 hrs to Taplejung from Kathmandu to start the trek or fly to Biratnagar and Suketar. You can have regular flights to Biratnagar from Kathmandu but not to Suketar. So, driving to Taplejung could be better than waiting for aviation to Suketar. Starting to walk from Taplejung, you can either visit the north base camp before crossing Miring La and Sele La or the south base camp first. Mt. Kanchenjunga has two base camps, as mentioned above. There are no proper lodges like other regular commercial trekking trails. So, most nights, you will get a place to sleep in a small inn. Foods are also very primary. Nepali dishes, bread, and noodles are mostly found on the trek.

Less Crowded Off the Beaten Tracks 

Indigenous peoples trail

The trekking packages listed above are the treks with lodges and foods well facilities. But, there are numerous trekking routes in Nepal where you have to sleep in a house, community-based lodge, or homestay and get primary foods available. These trekking are not long, challenging, and highly elevated.

The beaten tracks trekking trails are some in the famous trekking region because those trails are not well-known and newly opened. Not being famous doesn't mean that it is not lovely. These are beautiful trekking destinations, but some facilities that you can get from a regular trekking route, which you may not get from these.

Trekkers from luxury life going to these areas could not feel comfortable. But, it depends on the desire of the people. If you would like to have a genuine rural experience and looking for treks that have fewer trekkers, these off-the-beaten-track trails could be perfect.

Mohare Danda Trek, Khopra Danda Trek, Jyamrung Trek, Gorkha Trek, Indigenous peoples trail, and others are available off the beaten trekking trails in Nepal. This type of trek is a very cheap trekking destination compared to the other regular commercial trekking routes in Nepal.

Conclusion

Trekking in Nepal and the Nepalese Himalayas is a challenging physical activity. So, a meaningful thing when choosing a trek in Nepal comes with your physical stamina, the time duration of your holiday, the budget you would like to spend, and your interest. Even if you are a usual hiker hiking a long-distance and multi-day trek at home, trekking in Nepal still cannot be painless. It can be more challenging to trek at high altitudes but don't give up.

You can choose a trek in Nepal from the listed trekking packages above that suits you. The information provided with each trekking package here is prior knowledge. So, you can find the links to every trekking bag where you can get a complete idea and itinerary, which help you know more about those trekking packages you would like.

I hope this post helps you to plan your Nepal trekking according to your time, budget, interest, and experience. And you know about different leveled trekking trails with it. You can share this post with your friends after reading it, which can be meaningful and helpful also for them.