Nepal is one of the most stunningly beautiful countries
on the planet. It’s a place where towering white peaks
touch the sky, monks peacefully meditate in ancient
mountainside monasteries, and lumbering yaks haul goods
to quaint villages largely disconnected from the outside
world. To put it simply, Nepal is a backpacker’s dream
come true.
For all it’s grandeur and immensity, planning a trek in
Nepal isn’t as difficult as you might think. Trekking
tourism has been popular in Nepal for decades and
Nepalis are excellent hosts. Kathmandu has hundreds of
quality guiding companies and “teahouse” lodges bring an
entirely new level of comfort to the backcountry. Even
for those with little backpacking experience, trekking
in Nepal is likely to be accessible, affordable, and
absolutely unforgettable.
So if you enjoy stunning views, radiant culture, and
epic adventure, chances are you’ll fall in love with
Nepal. We hope you find this guide useful for planning
your next trip.
Check out our Nepal
Trekking Gear Checklist to help you with planning your
adventure.
BEST TIME TO TREK
Technically you can hike in Nepal year round, but most
trekkers choose between the two peak hiking seasons of
fall and spring. If it’s your first time trekking in
Nepal, we recommend visiting during one of these peak
seasons. The trails will be more crowded, but the
benefits tend to be worth it in our opinion.
Fall (October - November): This is the most popular
trekking season in Nepal. During this time you’ll have
the best chance for clear mountain views, sunny skies,
mild temperatures, and little precipitation. The
downside is that you’ll be sharing the trail with
throngs of other tourists and teahouses will be bumping,
especially along the most popular routes.
Spring (March - April): Spring is the second most
popular time of year to trek in Nepal. As the snowpack
melts on high mountain passes, giant rhododendron trees
bloom across the hillsides of Nepal. Temperatures are
generally mild this time of year and it’s a good time
for viewing wildlife too. The two main downsides to
spring hiking are busy trails and the possibility of
hazy skies, which can obscure mountain views. That said,
hazy skies tend to be less of an issue as you climb in
elevation.
Off Peak Season: Trekking outside the peak seasons in
Nepal can be rewarding as well. Solitude is easier to
find, prices are cheaper, and befriending locals is
easier too. That said, there are significant downsides
to trekking outside the peak seasons in Nepal, so don’t
be too cavalier when choosing your travel dates.
Experienced winter travelers (December - February) can
find sunny days and brilliant mountain views this time
of year. That said, temperatures can be bitter cold,
daylight hours are shorter, and harsh winter storms can
disrupt travel plans with little warning. Also, many
popular trails will not be accessible this time of year
due to heavy snowfall at high elevations.
Trekking during monsoon months (May - September) is not
usually advised. Monsoon rains bring landslides and
leaches to Nepal. The former makes mountain travel very
difficult (if not dangerous) and the latter is just
gross and obnoxious. The weather can also be hot and
humid this time of year and the mountains are often
obscured by clouds.
TEAHOUSE TREKKING
One of the reasons Nepal is such an amazing place to
hike is the teahouse trekking culture. “Teahouses” are
essentially small mountain lodges frequently spaced
along popular trails. On most trails in the Everest,
Annapurna, Manaslu, and Langtang regions you’ll pass a
teahouse every hour or two. They’re a great place to
meet other travelers, eat a home-cooked meal, warm your
toes by the fire, and bed down for the night.
On a teahouse trek you’ll sleep in one of these lodges
every night and you’ll eat almost all of your meals in
teahouses too. Accommodations are usually simple,
comfortable, and very affordable. It’s expected that
you’ll eat your meals wherever you stay, which is one of
the reasons rooms are so cheap. Teahouses also sell
snacks, candy, hot showers, beer, and sometimes even
halfway decent wifi.
Most teahouses cost around $3-5 per night and can be
booked upon arrival. The usual setup is a small room
with two twin beds and a shared bathroom down the hall.
Some teahouses have rooms with attached bathrooms, but
you’ll likely pay a premium for the upgrade. Blankets
may be provided, but we recommend hiking with a sleeping
bag for warmth, comfort, and cleanliness (learn more:
Nepal Equipment Guide).
For those looking to hike in Nepal’s more remote areas,
camping treks can be arranged through most trekking
agencies in Kathmandu. This option will add cost and
complexity, but could lead to a unique and rewarding
trek. That said, camping treks aren’t nearly as popular
as teahouse treks and camping won’t be necessary on any
teahouse trekking route.
POPULAR TEAHOUSE TREKS
It would be impossible to list all the fantastic and
unique trails in Nepal. So instead, we wanted to
highlight a few of our favorites and some popular
recommendations. These teahouse trekking routes are all
exceptional hikes, and they’re a great place to start.
Everest Base Camp
14-16 Days
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Best Time: March-April & October-November
This is the most popular trekking route in Nepal, and
with good reason. Walk in the footsteps of the world’s
most famous climbers and gain a spectacular view of
Everest from the peak of nearby Kala Patthar.
Annapurna Circuit
12-16 Days
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Best Time: March-April & October-November
An extremely popular and stunning trek with lots of
variety. This route combines spectacular mountain
scenery with Tibetan-influenced culture and culminates
at one of the highest trekking passes in the world, the
Thorong La.
Annapurna Base Camp
7-10 Days
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time: March-April & October-November
A fantastic trek for those with limited time still
wanting to experience a stunning Himalayan amphitheater
of mountains. This is also a lower elevation hike, which
may make it better for those worried about altitude or
hiking off-peak season.
Everest Three Passes Loop
18-20 days
Difficulty: Difficult
Best Time: March-April & October-November
For those with the time and physical ability, this is
one of the most spectacular trekking routes on the
planet. Hit the highlights of the Everest Base Camp
route and the stunning Gokyo Lakes on this epic and
increasingly popular loop.
Langtang Valley
7-9 Days
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time: March-April & October-November
Once among the most popular trekking routes in Nepal,
this area was hit hard by the 2015 earthquake, but it’s
on the rebound. Trekkers looking to avoid crowds on a
hike filled with Tibetan culture, natural diversity, and
fantastic Himalayan scenery should definitely take a
closer look.
Manaslu Circuit
16-18 Days
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Best Time: March-April & October-November
This trek features spectacular mountain scenery coupled
with a rich and authentic Tibetan culture. Though
Manaslu is gaining in popularity, it still sees a
fraction of the travelers drawn to the Everest and
Annapurna treks. Also, if you have the time, a side trip
up the Tsum Valley should not be missed.
Gokyo Lakes
10-12 Days
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Best Time: March-April & October-November
This is a great trek for those looking to avoid the
crowds of hikers headed to Everest Base Camp but still
seeking majestic Everest scenery. The views from atop
Gokyo Ri may be the finest in all the Himalayas.
Upper Mustang
10-12 Days
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Best Time: May-October
This heavily Tibetan-influenced district oozes with
culture and panoramic Himalaya views. The uniquely arid
mountain landscape of this region makes it a good choice
when other areas are soaked in monsoon rains. This is a
restricted area though and permits are pricy.
Poon Hill
4-5 Days
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Best Time: March-April & October-November
This lower altitude trek is a popular option among
hikers looking for a shorter taste of Nepal’s trekking
culture. The route isn’t nearly as remote as many treks,
but the views from Poon Hill are still stunning.
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About Nepal
