Nepal is a great Himalayan country for mountain trekking. Hundreds of trek routes are categorized as short treks, easy, moderate, and adventurous trips. Not all trekkers can do base camps or high passes trekking with time-bound or physical conditions. So, there are numerous short hiking routes in Nepal for beginners, families, and elderlies. Here, we have tried to provide information about the trekking routes that can complete in a week or below in this post.
Poon hill Tower
The first thing you need to know is trekking in the Himalayas is not very easy, and it is physical activity. Short treks are easy hikes, so what makes them easy? Mainly, the altitude the high altitude with a lack of oxygen makes it difficult to trek. Short treks don't take trekkers to extremely high elevations. But have to walk on steep paths sometimes.
Different region has different short and easy trekking trails in Nepal. There are more short treks in the Annapurna than in Langtang and Everest.
Dhaulagiri ranges from Poon hill
Duration: 2-5 Days
Highest Elevation: 3,210m
Best Time to Visit: September to May
Trek Highlights
Ghandruk Circuit Trek Overview
Ghorepani Poon hill is a circuit trek through Ghandruk village. It is the busiest short trek in the Annapurna region. The 5-day Ghandruk circuit trek begins from a beautiful lake city Pokhara with a drive to Nayapul and walks to Tikhedhunga.
Right after crossing the Modi river, you will follow the Bhurungdi river valley, where you can see beautiful waterfalls, rice fields, and more attractions throughout the day. You will walk on the flat trail mostly today.
The second-day walk is long and pretty steep at the beginning. You will be walking inside the forest after Banthanti. Blooming cherry blossoms in November/December and rhododendron in spring make the trail prettier. Once you reach Ghorepani, you feel like you are in a wonderland with colorful buildings and magnificent mountain views.
The main attraction of the Ghorepani Ghandruk circuit trek is Poon hill. You will hike early morning with a flashlight from Ghorepani. After walking for around an hour, you reach the top of Poon hill. You can see stunning views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Brahashikhar, Annapurna south, Fishtail (Machhapuchchhre), and more big mountains with unblocking sunrise.
After a joyful Poon hill visit, the next destination is Tadapani, a hill station surrounded by a dense forest. You will have another pleasant day with outstanding views. Then, the trip goes to the biggest Gurung traditional village Ghandruk. It is a short day, so you have plenty of time to explore this typical village and visit a cultural museum. The trip ends in Nayapul after about a 5-hour walk from Ghandruk and a drive back to Pokhara. This trek can phrase in 2-5 days, but it can extend up to one week longer via Landruk and Dhampus.
Ghorepani Ghandruk Circuit Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Tikhedhyunga (1,540m) 4 hrs
Day 02: Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2,850m) 6-7 hrs
Day 03: Hike Poon Hill (3,210m) for 1 hrs, and trek to Tadapani (2,630m) 5hrs
Day 04: Trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk (2,012m) 3 hrs
Day 05: Trek from Ghandruk to Nayapul – 5 hrs, and drive to Pokhara
The best time for the Ghorepani Ghandruk trek is during autumn and spring, but it is doable in the other seasons. Because of not a very high altitude, it will be an adorable temperature in winter and offers clear visibility. Summer monsoon season has a poor view, but you can still enjoy nature and culture from this trekking trail.
Mardi high camp
Duration: 5-7 Days
Highest Elevation: 4,500m
Best time to visit: September to November and March to May
Mardi Himal Highlights
Mardi Himal Short Trek Overview
Mardi Himal trekking is a new short trek in the Annapurna region. It is becoming so much popular among internal and external trekkers. The Mardi Himal trek begins from Phedi, Kande, or Siding after a short drive from Pohara. Quick-walking trekkers can make it in a 5-days, but a one-week itinerary is perfect for most trekkers.
The most popular route to the Mardi base camp is from Kande. After about half an hour's drive from Pokhara, you reach Kande, then start walking towards Deurali via Pothana and the Australian camp. After Deurali hill, the trail goes through a dense pine, oak, and rhododendron forest for about 4 hours to forest camp.
Forest camp has numerous guest houses to stay in, but this place has no mountain views. Walking another half hour more to the Rest Camp, you can see a stunning glimpse of Annapurna and Manaslu massif. It is the open area after Badal Danda, so the Modi valley to the lower left and the view of the hills to the southern edge energize you to walk at a high altitude. Annapurna South, Hiuchuli, Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Fishtail, and many others follow prettiness to the Mardi Himal trekking trail.
Mardi Himal Trekking Itinerary
Day 01: Drive from Pokhara to Kande and trek to Deurali (2,100m) 4 hrs
Day 02: Trek from Deurali to Low Camp (2,970m) 6 hrs
Day 03: Trek from Low Camp to High Camp (3,540m) 5 hrs
Day 04: Hike to Mardi base camp (4,500m) 3 hrs and back to Badal Danda (3,210m)
Day 05: Trek from Badal Danda to Siding (4 hrs) and Drive to Pokhara
The best time for Mardi Himal short trek is from September to December and March to May. There is no snow on the trail in autumn. The winter snow covers the hiking path and makes it slippery. The summer season brings lots of rain and poor visibility. So, you might not see mountains during this season.
Kagbeni
Duration: 7 days
Highest Elevation: 3,760m
Best time to visit: September to May
The Attraction of Jomsom Muktinath Trekking
Trekking Introduction
Jomsom Muktinath is also renowned for Kali Gandaki valley trekking. It is in the lower Mustang between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayas. The territory of Kaligandaki valley is pretty similar to the Tibetan land. It is a deep valley between two massive Himalayas, so a big wind flows every afternoon. So, Kali Gandaki is a hidden windy valley.
The locals from this region are Thakali. The people staying in the Thak Khola area are called Thakali. These people are good at cocking traditional Nepali food Dal Bhat.
The Kali Gandaki trek begins with a flight to Jomsom from Pokhara and treks to Kagbeni. On the second day goes to Muktinath. Walking through the Kaligandaki riverbank, you reach Marpha the next day. You can hang around Marpha by visiting the Buddhist monastery and experiencing the Thakali lifestyle/ daily activities here. The next is Kalopani after Marpha, where you can see Annapurna I (8,091m). A natural hot spring in Tatopani relieves your tiredness from a long walk.
About a 7-hour walk from Tatopani brings you Ghorepani. It is between two big hills surrounded by a dense forest. You can see the panoramic view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massif from this place. The trek ends at Nayapul after visiting Poon hill early morning, then driving to Pohara.
If you have a day shorter holiday for the Muktinath Jomsom trek, you can drive from Tatopani to Pokhara direct rather than going through Ghorepani. Or, start walking from Nayapul to Muktinath and fly out to Pokhara from Jomsom to make longer trekking.
You can even do a jeep tour to Muktinath from Pokhara. It takes around 7 hours to drive to Muktinath. A jeep tour to Muktinath is a 2-day trip.
Muktinath Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Pokhara to Jomsom (2,720m) fight and trek to Kagbeni (2,800m) 2 hrs
Day 02: Trek fro Kagbeni to Muktinath (3,760m) 4 hrs
Day 03: Trek from Muktinath to Marpha (2,670m) 5-6 hrs
Day 04: Trek from Marpha to Kalopani (2,530m) 5-6 hrs
Day 05: Trek from Kalopani to Tatopani (1,190m) 6 hrs
Day 06: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,850m) 7 hrs
Day 07: Hike to Poon hill (3,210m) and trek to Nayapul (1,070m) for 7 hrs, then drive to Pokhara
The best time for Kaligandaki Muktinath trekking is from September to December and March to May. The winter is also doable. You will have a nice view during the winter, but the temperature will be cold. Similarly, you can trek to Muktinath in the summer.
Duration: 3 days
Highest Elevation: 1,650m
Best Time to Visit: September to May
Dhampus Sarangkot Trip Highlights
Sarangkot Trekking Overview
Dhampus Sarangkot short trek is easy trekking near Pokhara in the Annapurna region. It is the perfect hiking for beginners. Sarangkot trekking begins with a drive to Phedi/Ghattekhola from Pohara and then to Dhampus. It is about 3 hour hike, but the trail ascends. The village is open, so you see unblocked sunrise with unreal views of the high snow-capped mountains.
The second day is long, but the trail is not that difficult for Sarangkot. It is one of the best hill stations in Nepal for the sunrise. Graceful scenes of Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Annapurna South, Machhapuchchhre (Fishtail), Lamjung Himal, and Manaslu are the main attraction of the Sarangkot. Fewa lake and Pokhara city seem celestial from this hill.
The last day of the Dhampus Sarangkot trek is easy descending. You will reach the side of the Phewa lake at the lakeside. Alternatively, you can take a paragliding flight from Sarangkot to Pokhara if you would like.
Dhampus Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Drive from Pokhara to Ghattekhola and trek to Dhampus (1,650m) 3 hrs
Day 02: Trek from Dhapus to Sarangkot (1,592m) 6-7 hrs
Day 03: Trek from Sarangkot to Pokhara (820m) 3 hrs
The best time for Dhampus short trek is from September to May, although you can also do it in winter and summer. You do not have to go to a very high elevation, so winter might not be too cold. But, the monsoon has poor visibility and mostly can't see mountains.
View from Everest view hotel
Duration: 7 days
Maximum Elevation: 3,860m
Best Time to Visit: September to May
Everest Panorama Highlights
Everest Short Trek Overview
Everest panorama is the shortest trek in the Everest region that offers the gimps of the magnificent Himalayas, cultural feelings, natural beauties, and religious aspects in a short time. It starts with a scenic adventurous suttle to Lukla. Right after landing at Tenzing-Hilary airport, the trek goes to Phakding, through beautiful Sherpa settlements of the Khumbu region.
The second day of the Everest panorama trek is pretty long from Phakding to Namche Bazaar. You need to have a rest day for altitude practice on the third day and hike up to Syangboche hill. Then, the trek goes to Tengboche and turns back the same way to Monjo. On the 6th day, you walk back to Lukla and fly out the following morning to Kathmandu.
Compared to the other short treks in Nepal, the Everest panorama has the possibility of causing altitude sickness. Although, not all trekkers might have a problem with high altitudes. The other short hiking routes start from a low elevation, but this one goes directly to 2,840m above sea level.
Everest panorama Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Fly to Lukla (2,840m) for 30 minutes and trek to Phakding (2,610m)
Day 02: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) 7 hrs
Day 03: Rest day at Namche and Hike to Everest view hotel (3,880m) 4 hrs
Day 04: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,860m) 5-6 hrs
Day 05: Trek back from Tengboche to Monjo (2,835m) 6 hrs
Day 06: Trek from Monjo to Lukla (2,840m) 4 hrs
Day 07: Fly out to Kathmandu
The best time for the Everest panorama trek is from September to May. Because of not very high enough, you can even do it in winter. November and December offer the best visibilities on this trek. But summer is not a good season for the Everest panorama. Usually, the Lukla flights can't operate in the monsoon with poor visibility.
Langtang Lirung (7,225m)
Duration: 7 days
Highest Elevation: 3,870m
Best time to visit: September to May
Langtang Valley Trekking Highlights
Langtang Valley Trekking Inrtoduction
The Langtang valley is a short cultural trek in Nepal. It is the nearest mountain trail that brings you close to big mountains from Kathmandu in below one week. This cultural trip is inside a national park. There are more than 300 spaces for colorful birds. So, it is not just a trekking trip but also a birdwatching tour. This region had hit terribly by the earthquake on April 25th, 2015.
This short trek begins from Kathmandu with a long drive to Syabrubesi through the hillside road. Then, it goes to Lama hotel, Langtang/Mundu, and Kyanjin Gompa. After exploring Kyanjin Ri, the cheese factory, and more, you start returning to Lama hotel and Syabrubesi. After sending the last night in Syafrubesi, you drive to Kathmandu.
Langtang Valley Trekking Itinerary
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (1,500m) 7 hrs
Day 02: Trek from Syabrubesi to Lama hotel (2,410m) 6-7 hrs
Day 03: Trek from Lama Hotel to Mundu village (3,500m) 7 hrs
Day 04: Trek from Mundu to Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m) 3 hrs
Day 05: Trek from Kyanjin Gompa to Lama hotel (2,410m) 7 hrs
Day 06: Trek from Lama Hotel to Syabrubesi (1,500m) 6 hrs
Day 07: Drive from Syabru to Kathmandu (1,350m) 7 hrs
The best time for the Langtang valley trekking is September to May. You can also go to this region in winter, but it might be heavy snowfall sometimes and trail blocks in the higher area. But, the monsoon is not a perfect season for Langtang trekking.
View from Nagthali
Duration: 6 days
Highest Elevation: 3,165m
Best Time to Visit: September to May
Tamang Heritage Trail Highlights
About Tamang Heritage Trail
The Tamang heritage trail is in the Langtang region of Nepal. It is a short and easy cultural trek, so people who love experiencing nature and culture in Nepal can visit this trail. The same road drive to the Langtang valley trek leads to Tamang heritage on the first day from Kathmandu. Then, it goes to the left from Syabrubesi with a long ascending trail to Goljung Bhanjyang. After that, you have a flat part for the rest of your journey to Gatlang. It is a big Tamang village. You see most buildings roofed with plank in this town.
After Gatlang, the trail descends towards the Chilime river valley. Then it ascends for about 3 hours or to Tatopani. This place used to have a natural hot spring before the earthquake in 2015, but there is no more now.
Nagthali is the best hill station from where you can see stunning mountain views. Long-ranged Langtang and Tibetan massif fascinating glimpse add the worth of this trek from Nagthali hill. The beautiful valley view to the lower right is also amusing you. The last day to Syabrubesi is an easy descent and flat, then drive back to Kathmandu.
Tamang Heritage Trail Itinerary
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (1,500m) 7 hrs
Day 02: Trek from Syabrubesi to Gatlang (2,238m) 5 hrs
Day 03: Trek from Gatlang to Tatopani (2,607m) 6 hrs
Day 04: Trek from Tatopani to Nagthali (3,165m) 4 hrs
Day 05: Trek from Nagthai to Syabrubesi (1,500m) 6 hrs
Day 06: Drive back to Kathmandu (1,350m) 7 hrs
Trekkers can visit the Tamang heritage trail from September to May, but sometimes it snows in winter. Because of the not-very-high elevation, the snow melts within a few days on this trekking trail. Although! October to December and March to May offer the best views of the Tamang heritage route. The summer season is not perfect for the Tamang Heritage Trail. Lots of monsoon rainfalls make the walking path slimy in the summer. The driving road also might have problems with landslides during monsoon.
Gosaikunda lake
Duration: 6 days
Highest Elevation: 4,380m
Best Time to Visit: Autumn and Spring
Gosainkunda Trek Highlights
Gosainkunda Trek Overview
Gosainkunda lake is one of my favorite treks in the Langtang region. It combines walking through beautiful nature, culture, and religion. Tranquil holy lakes confer religious and natural beauties to the trekkers.
Gosaikunda trek begins from Kathmandu with a long drive to Dhunche through the hillside road. You walk to Thulo Syabru from Dhunche. Then it goes to Lauribinayak and Gosaikunda. After exploring the Gosainunda area, you trek to Dhunche and drive to Kathmandu.
Gosaikunda is a holy place for both Hindus and Buddhists. There will be a big festival in August. The views from Thulo Syabru and Lauribinayak offer the best Himalayan experience to visitors. You might have an opportunity to encounter a red panda on the way to Thulo Syabru in the rhododendron and pine forest.
Gosaikunda Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche (1,960m) 6 hrs
Day 02: Trek from Dhunche to Thulo Syabru (2,250m) 6 hrs
Day 03: Trek from Thulo Syabru to Lauribinayak (3,910m) 6-7 hrs
Day 04: Trek from Lauribinayak to Gosaikunda (4,380m) 3 hrs
Day 05: Trek from Gosainkunda to Dhunche (1,960m) 6-7 hrs
Day 06: Drive back to Kathmandu (1,350m) 6 hrs
There snows heavily in the Gosaikunda territory during the winter. The winter season is not a good time to visit Gosaikunda, but you can see Lauribinayak. September to December and mid-March to early May are the best time for the Gosaikunda hike.
View from Nagarkot
Duration: 3-4 days
Highest Elevation: 2,375m
Best Tie to Visit: September to May
Chisapani Trek Highlights
Chisapani Trek Overview
Chisapani trail is the nearest short trek from Kathmandu. It is a 3-day hiking trip that also can extend to 4 days. The three-day plan ends in Changunarayan, and a 4-day one goes to Dhulikhel from Nagarkot. Chisapani trek is the best package that offers long-ranged high mountains, typical village life, natural beauty, and more in a short period in Nepal.
The Chisapani trek begins with a short drive to Sundarijal from the city center, then treks to Chisapani hill through traditional villages and the national park. You can see beautiful valleys and farming terraces from the Chisapani hill station. The next destination is Nagarkot after Chisapani. You have stunning views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Gaurishankar, and Tibetan massif along the way to Nagarkot. The unblocked sunrise from Nagarkot is another highlight of this short trek.
The trek ends in Changunarayan with 4 hour hike from Nagarkot and drives to Kathmandu. If you have one or two more days, you can trek further to Dhulikhel and Namobuddha.
Chisapani Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Drive from the city center to Sundarijal (1hrs), and trek to Chisapani (2,375m) 5 hrs
Day 02: Trek from Chisapani to Nagarkot (2,175m) 6-7 hrs
Day 03: Trek to Changunarayan (1,350m) and drive to Kathmandu
You can trek to the Chisapani Nagarkot trail all year, but September to May is the best time. It is not a very high elevated area, so you can even trek during winter. November and December are the best months for Chisapani Nagarkot. You will have clear visibility all day in these months.
Finally
There are lots of other trails, but above listed short treks in Nepal are the busiest trekking packages in the Nepalese Himalayas. These help acclimatize for longer and more adventurous hikes elsewhere in the mountain region. If you like any of these trials and want more information, contact us.
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