Choose a Nepal trek by answering four questions in order: how many days you have, how fit and acclimatised you can be, which month you travel, and what you want to see. Short on time, look at Poon Hill or Langtang. With two weeks, Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp suit most first-timers. Restricted areas need extra permits and a guide.
Start with the days you have
Count days from landing in Kathmandu to flying home, and keep a buffer for weather delays on flights and roads. Our standard itineraries give a rough guide:
- Poon Hill, 9 days, a gentle first taste of the Himalaya.
- Langtang, 10 days, reachable by road from Kathmandu.
- Mardi Himal, 11 days, a quiet ridge walk.
- Everest Base Camp, 14 days, the classic.
- Annapurna Circuit, 18 days, a big crossing for experienced walkers.
If your holiday is shorter than the trek you want, pick a shorter route rather than rushing the acclimatisation days.
Match the trek to your fitness and experience
Most Nepal treks are long walks, not climbs, but altitude changes everything. Higher routes such as Everest Base Camp, Gokyo, Manaslu and the Three Passes ask for steady fitness, good sleep and willingness to turn around if you feel unwell. Lower routes such as Poon Hill and Mardi Himal stay at more modest elevations and suit first-timers, families and older walkers who train regularly.
A good test is whether you can walk five or six hours on hilly ground, day after day, carrying a small daypack. Build up for two or three months before you travel. Fitness helps, but it does not prevent altitude illness, so a slow pace and rest days matter more.
Let the season narrow the list
Season changes both views and comfort. October and November bring clear skies and the busiest trails. March to May is warmer and brings rhododendron blooms at mid altitude. December to February is cold and quiet, so lower treks work best. The summer monsoon brings rain, leeches and landslides to most regions, though rain-shadow areas such as Upper Mustang stay much drier.
If your dates are fixed, choose the trek that suits those dates. If the trek is fixed, choose the dates that suit it. Our monthly guides on this site go into the detail, and we can suggest alternatives if your first choice is a poor fit for the month.
Think about budget style and comfort
Trekking in Nepal can be done with a licensed guide and porter on a package, with a guide only, or with more basic arrangements. Costs depend on trek length, flights, group size, lodge standard and how much support you want, so fees change; confirm the current figure with us before you book. Our packages include permits, a licensed guide, porters and transfers, which keeps planning simple.
Remember that comfort drops as you climb. Rooms at high villages are basic, bathrooms may be shared, and hot showers or charging can cost extra. Remote routes have fewer choices than popular ones, so decide how much simplicity you are happy with.
Choose by what you want to see
Different regions give different trips:
- Everest region: big peaks, Sherpa villages, monasteries, high viewpoints.
- Annapurna region: varied scenery, rhododendron forest, Gurung and Thakali culture.
- Langtang: close to Kathmandu, glacier valleys, Tamang villages.
- Manaslu and Upper Mustang: remote, culturally rich, fewer trekkers.
Restricted areas such as Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Nar-Phu, Tsum, Dolpo and Kanchenjunga need a special permit and a licensed guide through a registered agency. Rules change, so confirm before you travel. Indian citizens do not need a visa for Nepal, but should carry valid photo ID.
Common questions
What is the best trek in Nepal for a first-timer?
Poon Hill and Mardi Himal are good first choices because they stay lower and have shorter days. Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp are popular first treks too, if you have two weeks and build in rest days for acclimatisation.
How many days do I need for a trek in Nepal?
You can see the mountains in 9 days on Poon Hill. Most classic treks take 10 to 18 days, and big routes like the Three Passes take 20. Add a spare day or two for weather delays.
Do I need a guide for trekking in Nepal?
Restricted areas legally need a licensed guide through a registered agency. Elsewhere rules change, so confirm before you travel. A guide still helps with route choice, altitude judgement and logistics, and we include one in our packages.
Can I trek if I am not very fit?
Yes, if you choose a lower, gentler route and train beforehand. Regular walking, stairs and light hill work for a couple of months help. Talk to us about your health history, and see a doctor before high altitude trips.
