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Looking for adventure? Between amazing hikes, high mountains, a unique culture, and many remote villages, it’s time to visit Nepal for your next hiking trip. From camping treks to trekking company trips to day hikes and full adventures, trekking in Nepal needs to be on any avid hiker’s bucket list. Check out our list for the best hiking in Nepal.
1. Gokyo Lakes Trek
The full 16-17 day trek through the Gokyo Lakes region of Nepal, located in Sagarmatha National Park, is one of Nepal’s most fantastic hikes. The trek is not meant for the inexperienced hiker, as it is one of the more intense hikes in the region, located in the same park as Mount Everest itself. The Gokyo Lakes trek takes you through the Cho La Pass, Dudh Koshi Valley, Khumbu Valley, and the Gokyo Valley. You’ll get the most breathtaking views of towering mountains, including Mount Everest, and the clear, vibrantly turquoise Gokyo Lake. While on the treks, you can also climb Gokyo Ri, at 17,575 feet. The mountain is known for its unrivaled views of the Mount Everest region, and of course, the mountain itself.
2. Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is up to 17 days of trekking in the Annapurna Region in northern-central Nepal. Since it’s opening to foreigners and hikers, the Annapurna trail has been one of the most popular treks in Nepal, but that doesn’t mean you should cut it out of your list just yet. The full circuit trek takes you through the jungle, canyon, forest, and Himalayan landscapes, and mountains rising to nearly 20,000 feet. The trek is heavily traveled, logging in around 40,000 hikers annually, and as such, has some great food stops along the way. The Annapurna Circuit Trek is best in October, to avoid the monsoon season and wet weather.
3. Upper Mustang Trek
While part of the greater Annapurna region, the Upper Mustang trek is an experience on its own. The hike goes through the mountains to the isolated, old Buddhist Kingdom of Lo. Lo is very much not connected to the outside world, allowing the Tibetan customs and culture to survive and thrive. The trek takes you along the ancient trails in the region and can take up to nearly two weeks, with the final stop at Lo Manthang, the capital of the Kingdom of Lo. The trek is great for someone looking to combine a love of nature with ancient culture and history.
4. Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
This popular trek through the Ghorepani Poon Hill area of the Annapurna region is a great option for those looking for a smaller excursion. The pleasant and charming paths take you through forest paths, nature trails, and local villages along the route. The trek is popular as it’s easy to reach from the city of Pokhara and is relatively easy compared to many of the country’s other treks. The hike in Poon Hill can easily be done in a four-day adventure. The hill ultimately rises to a full 10,000 feet and gives you views of the snowy peaks of the Annapurna Range.
5. Manaslu Circuit Trek
The Manaslu Circuit Trek sits in the northern part of Nepal, close to the Tibetan border. The hike is a hidden gem, considered one of the best in the country while still being far less crowded and less popular than many other hikes in Nepal. Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you around the mountain of Manaslu, which rises to over 26,000 feet. Trek through tropical jungle climate, river gorges, foothills of the Himalayas, and the Larkya La Pass. The trails feature teahouses so you don’t have to sleep in a tent along the way.
6. Makalu Base Camp Trek
If you’re a real adventurer, check out the Makalu Base Camp Trek. The full adventure takes around three weeks and climbs up to extremely high altitudes — over 15,000 feet. The mountain is the fifth hardest to climb in the world and features unique, remote sights and sounds that you may not see on other treks in the country, including Rai and Sherpa cultures. Makalu Base Camp Trek is most popular amongst solo trekkers and is far less crowded than many other paths.
