Destinations

Trekking Destinations in Nepal: where the legendary routes are

The trekking destinations in Nepal range from gentle forest trails to high passes above 5,000 metres. Some of these routes have shaped trekking as we know it. The regions that draw the most visitors are legendary for a reason, and rightly so. Find the Nepal trekking regions on our trekking destinations map on the Trekking in Nepal page.

The Annapurna region is the most diverse of all Nepal trekking destinations. The southern foothills are lush and green, with Hindu farming villages, terraced rice fields and lower trails that suit families, first-time trekkers and anyone who wants to combine a trek with a jungle safari in Chitwan. The further north you go, the more the landscape changes. Subtropical forests give way to high alpine terrain, the culture shifts from Hindu to Buddhist, and the route gradually climbs toward the Thorong La pass. Along the way, a detour leads to the electric-blue waters of Tilicho Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world. At Muktinath, a sacred site revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, the route crosses into the dry plateau of Mustang. Few treks in Nepal offer this kind of variety in a single journey.

The Everest region draws trekkers from all over the world, and the reason is simple: nowhere else puts you this close to the highest peaks on earth. Including the majestic Mount Everest. The route passes through the heart of Sherpa culture, with ancient monasteries like Tengboche set against a backdrop of Lhotse, Nuptse and Everest itself. It is less culturally layered than the Annapurna region, but the mountain scenery is unmatched. Most trekkers walk to Base Camp and back the same way. We think that’s a shame. With a few extra days, you turn it into a loop via Gokyo Lake and the Cho La pass, and every day brings a new landscape.

The Langtang valley sits closest to Kathmandu of all major Nepal trekking regions, which means no domestic flight and a relatively short drive to the trailhead. The valley is quieter than both Annapurna and Everest, with Tibetan-influenced villages, dramatic ridgelines and a landscape that was deeply affected by the 2015 earthquake. Visiting Langtang today means contributing directly to a region still rebuilding. That alone makes it worth the trek.

Trekking Regions in Nepal: where the trail gets quiet

Beyond the classic routes lie destinations that most trekkers never reach. These are the trekking regions we know well, and the ones we love to share.

The Manaslu Circuit is what the Annapurna Circuit used to be. A restricted-area trek around the world’s eighth-highest mountain, it passes through the Nubri and Tsum valleys, home to Tibetan Buddhist communities whose traditions have changed little over centuries. The villages of Samagaon and Samdo sit deep in high-altitude terrain, with ancient monasteries, mani walls and a way of life that feels genuinely untouched. The trail is rougher than Annapurna or Everest, teahouses are simpler, and the Larkya La pass at 5,106 metres demands a very early start. That is exactly the point. This is the trek if you have already walked the classic routes and want something rawer.

Dolpo is the most remote of all our trekking destinations in Nepal. There are almost no teahouses here. We travel with a self-sufficient caravan: tents, mules, a cook and a full camp setup. The region is home to one of the world’s deepest lakes, Shey Phoksundo, and to communities that still follow the Bon religion, the ancient spiritual tradition that predates Buddhism in the Himalayas. Getting here involves a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, followed by a small aircraft to a remote airstrip. It is logistically complex, physically demanding and unlike anything else we offer.

Mustang opens up a world entirely its own. This high-altitude desert kingdom on the Tibetan plateau receives almost no rain, which means trekking here is possible even during the monsoon season. The walled city of Lo Manthang, with its ancient palaces, monasteries and cave dwellings carved into the cliffs, is unlike anything else in Nepal. The landscape is wind-carved and otherworldly: ochre canyons, eroded rock formations and a silence that feels ancient.

Kanchenjunga sits in the far east of Nepal, on the edge of the world’s third-highest peak. The region passes through the territories of the Limbu, Rai and Sherpa peoples, each with their own distinct culture, language and traditions. Lower trails wind through cardamom fields and rhododendron forests; higher up, the landscape opens into glacial valleys and high alpine terrain. The entire area is protected within the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, and visitor numbers are kept low by permit requirements. This is one of the last true wilderness treks in the Himalaya.