Nepal's Main Trekking Regions

Everest Region

Home to the tallest peaks in the world, the Everest region is accessible via a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla or by hiking in from Jiri (a 6-7 jeep ride from Kathmandu). This is Nepal's most developed trekking region, with trodden stone-cut trails and a wide selection of basic and comfortable teahouses. Most travelers start their treks in Lukla, but if you have the time, consider hiking in by foot from Jiri for a more cultural experience. There is also a great selection of shorter treks.

Pikey Peak Trek (5-7 Days)
South of Lukla, in the lower Everest region, this moderate trek takes you along a ridgeline to Pikey Peak, coined as Sir Edmund Hillary's favorite view of Everest.

Everest Base Camp Trek (13 Days)
The classic Everest trek takes you on a there-and-back journey to Everest Base Camp, ground zero for all Everest expeditions from the south. You'll pass through the heart of Sherpa country and take a day hike to Kala Patthar (18,192 ft / 5,545 m) for sunset views of Everest and Nuptse.

Gokyo Lakes Trek (14 Days)
A great alternative to the popular (yet crowded) Everest Base Camp trek, this route takes you up another valley to the picturesque lakes of Gokyo, with its own panoramic vantage point in Gokyo Ri (17,575 ft / 5,357 m).

Three Passes Trek (19 Days)
For those who have the time (and are up for a challenge), this route encompasses all the highlights of the Everet region in a single trek that takes you over three 5,000m+ passes.

Arun Valley to Everest Base Camp Trek (23 Days)
A challenging, lesser-known route to Everest Base Camp for those who have the time. You'll see very few trekkers and pass through a diverse range of cultures, from Brahmin, Chhetri, Rai, and Sherpa villages.

Annapurna Region

From Kathmandu, it's also a 30-minute flight or 7-8 hours by road to the lakeside city of Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurnas. This region has a number of popular treks given its easy access and flexibility in routes ranging from easy to challenging.  The lower foothills near Pokhara have a network of trails that can be combined in numerous ways for short treks ranging from 3-10 days. 

Ghorepani & Ghandruk Trek (3-7 Days)
Nepal's most popular short trek is a loop that takes you to Poon Hill (10,531 ft / 3,210 m), a classic viewpoint overlooking the southern Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range.

Khopra Danda Trek (6-8 Days)
An extended loop that also includes Poon Hill, this trek adds on a higher ridgeline and viewpoint for a better overall impression of the lower Annapurna region. 

Nar Phu Valley Trek (9 Days)
A remote valley branching off the Annapurna Circuit, this is a great way to get off the beaten path in one of Nepal's busiest trekking regions. The valley is inhabited by Tibetan Buddhists and is similar in culture and geography to Upper Mustang.

Mardi Himal Trek (9 Days)
Quickly gaining popularity, this route takes you along a ridge line toward to the base of Mardi Himal and is a great way to get off the beaten path.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek (12 Days)
One of Nepal's classic treks, this there-and-back route follows a valley into the amphitheater of the Annapurnas, where you'll turn around once you reach Annapurna Base Camp.

Annapurna Circuit Trek (16 Days)
One of the most popular treks in Nepal, the length of this trek has been shortened due to road construction which drives deeper into the unspoiled parts of the upper regions each year. Still, a shorter version of this trek is a great option.

Mustang Region

Upper Mustang is a remote region near the Tibetan border which offers a unique, dry high altitude landscape that is distinctly Tibetan. Treks to Mustang require a restricted permit and can be done both by teahouse or camping. The region also sits in the rainshadow of the Himalaya, making it a great option during the monsoon season (June to August). Mustang is divided into Lower and Upper Mustang; the Lower region is not restricted. Jomsom, the gateway to Mustang, can be reached via road from Pokhara (a bumpy 10+ hours) or a short flight 30-minute flight.

Lower Mustang Trek (5-6 Days)
Lying just outside of the restricted region yet with a similar landscape the Upper Mustang, this is a great option for those short on time, with a limited budget, or looking for a short trek during the rainy monsoon season.

Upper Mustang Trek (12-14 Days)
This trek takes you up one side of the Mustang valley and returns via an alternate route on the other side. You'll visit the capital of the region, Lo Manthang, and experience a uniquely different side of Nepal where few trekkers go. 

Langtang Region

Easily accessible from Kathmandu, trekkers who can't commit to a very long or remote trek should consider the Langtang National Park, less than a day's travel north of Kathmandu. The Langtang Himalaya may not be as high as the mountains in some other parts of the country (a 'mere' 23,000 feet!), but treks in this area take you right to the foot on the mountains and provide a more cultural experience. 

Langtang Trek (8 Days)
Both villages and trails were heavily damaged during the 2015 earthquake, but this trek has recently re-opened and the villagers have rebuilt their homes and livelihoods. It's a wide valley with expansive views and will take you to the end of the valley and back. 

Tamang Heritage Trail (7 Days)
The opportunities for cultural treks in the area are also good, with routes like the Tamang Heritage Trail or Ruby Valley Trek.

Gorkha District

The mountains of Gorkha district, between Kathmandu and Pokhara, are less visited than other regions given they've only relatively recently developed teahouses. The region offers truly spectacular mountain scenery without the crowds of Annapurna and Everest. The Manaslu Circuit Trek, in particular, is a favorite among repeat visitors to Nepal. While there isn't the same level of development as in many other parts of the Himalaya, tourist infrastructure is increasingly being built. Despite the trek gaining in popularity it is still fairly unspoiled and feels very wild and remote.

Manaslu Circuit Trek (15 Days)
Manaslu Circuit is one of the classic treks in Nepal around Manaslu the world's eighth highest mountain followed by crossing Larkya La pass. This trek would appeal to anyone who is looking for a challenging trek in a remote region of the Nepal Himalaya.

Manaslu Circuit & Tsum Valley Trek (21 Days)
This route adds a remote (there-and-back) valley extension to the Manaslu Circuit, which takes you up to a remote monastery at the head of the valley. 

Kathmandu Valley

If you only have a short on time in Nepal and still want to go trekking, the Kathmandu Valley is a great choice. It doesn't offer anything to challenging or get you deep into the mountains (given this requires at least 5 days), but you'll have distant views of the snowy Himalaya peaks and gain a great feeling for the local culture and villages.

Balthali Village Trek (3-5 Days)
Just outside Kathmandu, you'll hike along the Kathmandu Valley rim through villages, farm fields, and spend the night in local guesthouses and monasteries (with the option of more comfortable reports).

Far West

Nepal's Far West is very remote and sees few visitors, but offers amazing national parks with abundant bird and wildlife. You also have pristine high-altitude lakes, such as Rara and Phoksundo. The tourist infrastructure in this region is almost non-existent, so trekking teams need to be self-sufficient. For repeat-visitors to Nepal, this region can be highly rewarding. Dolpo, Shey Phoksundo National Park, the Limi Valley, the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, and the Api Nampa Conservation Area are great trekking destinations, while white-water rafting or kayaking along the Karnali River and ending near the Bardia National Park is another option. Most treks require a flight from Pokhara to Nepalgunj, and then another flight to a smaller mountain airstrip nearer a trailhead, such as Simikot, Talcha, or Jumla.

Upper Dolpo Trek (8-24 Days)
Located in the rainshadow of the Himalaya, this trek can be completed year-round and be combined with the Mustang region, which makes it easy to return back to Pokhara from Jomsom.

Phoksundo Lake Trek (10 Days)

Dhorpatan Trek (11 Days)

Limi Valley Trek (18 Days)

Far East

Far Eastern Nepal is another region that is less frequently visited by travelers, though it is generally not as poor or remote as the Far West. Attractions of the Far East are the tea fields and gentle hikes with bird watching around Ilam, the challenging treks to and around Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, or the Lumba Sumba Pass Trek. Visiting in the spring and autumn is best. The nearest airport to Ilam is Bhadrapur. Far Eastern Nepal is very near to the Darjeeling and Sikkim areas of India, so is a good area for travelers on their way to Northeastern India to explore.

Lumba Sumba Pass Trek

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek (15-24 Days)