If you are looking for a trekking holiday in Nepal, you have already made the best decision. The Himalayas have more variety packed into a small country than anywhere else on earth. But with 57 different treks and tours available from Nepal, choosing the right one takes some thought. Here is a guide based on what we see from the hundreds of trekkers we work with every year.
The Three Classic Treks (Where Most People Start)
Everest Base Camp Trek (12 days) — The most famous trek in the world. You fly to Lukla, walk through Sherpa villages, and stand at the foot of Everest. Moderate difficulty. Best October-November or March-May.
Annapurna Circuit Trek (12 days) — Cross the highest trekking pass in Nepal (Thorong La, 5,416m) with landscapes that shift from rice paddies to Tibetan desert. More variety than EBC. Same difficulty.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek (9 days) — Shorter, lower, and beautiful. Walk into the Annapurna Sanctuary surrounded by 7,000m+ peaks. Good for first-time trekkers or anyone with limited time.
Short Trekking Holidays (7 Days or Less)
Not everyone has two weeks. These treks fit into a single week:
- Poon Hill Trek (6 days) — Sunrise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. The most popular short trek in Nepal.
- Mardi Himal Trek (7 days) — Quieter alternative to Poon Hill with closer mountain views. Gaining popularity fast.
- Everest View Trek (7 days) — See Everest without going above 4,000m. Good for families or anyone cautious about altitude.
- Gosaikunda Trek (5 days) — Sacred alpine lakes near Kathmandu. Least crowded of the short treks.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Treks
If you have done Everest and Annapurna, or simply want fewer people on the trail:
- Manaslu Circuit (12 days) — Nepal's best-kept secret. Larkya La Pass at 5,160m, Tibetan villages, and a fraction of Annapurna's crowds. Restricted area permit required.
- Langtang Trek (8 days) — The closest major trek to Kathmandu. Rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake, the valley is quieter and more personal than the big two.
- Upper Mustang Trek (15 days) — A restricted Tibetan kingdom north of Annapurna. Desert landscapes, cave monasteries, and Lo Manthang's walled city. Best in monsoon (June-August) when the rest of Nepal is wet.
- Kanchenjunga Base Camp (19 days) — Nepal's most remote major trek. You might not see another foreign trekker for days.
Nepal Trekking Holidays That Are Not Treks
Nepal is not only mountains. These holidays combine culture, wildlife, and adventure without high-altitude trekking:
- Kathmandu-Pokhara-Chitwan Tour (8 days) — UNESCO temples, Fewa Lake, and Chitwan jungle safari with rhinos and tigers.
- Nepal Motorbike Tour (7 days) — Ride through the hills on Royal Enfields.
- Everest Helicopter Tour (1 day) — See Everest from the air. Back in Kathmandu for lunch.
- Photography Tour (12 days) — Bardia, Lumbini, and Chitwan for wildlife photographers.
How Much Does a Nepal Trekking Holiday Cost?
A guided trek in Nepal typically costs USD 80-150 per day depending on the region and tier. This includes accommodation, meals, permits, guide, and porter. Here is what to expect:
| Trek | Days | Budget | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poon Hill | 6 | ~USD 500 | ~USD 750 |
| Langtang | 8 | ~USD 650 | ~USD 950 |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 9 | ~USD 700 | ~USD 1,050 |
| Everest Base Camp | 12 | ~USD 1,000 | ~USD 1,400 |
| Annapurna Circuit | 12 | ~USD 900 | ~USD 1,300 |
| Manaslu Circuit | 12 | ~USD 1,100 | ~USD 1,500 |
International flights, Kathmandu hotels, travel insurance, and personal gear are extra. For detailed cost breakdowns, see our individual trek pages.
When to Go
October-November: Clear skies, stable weather, peak season. The best time for most treks but also the busiest.
March-May: Rhododendron bloom, warming temperatures. Second-best season. April can have haze at lower altitudes.
June-August: Monsoon. Most trails are wet, but Upper Mustang sits in a rain shadow and is best in summer.
December-February: Cold but clear. Lower treks like Poon Hill work well. High passes are often closed.
Why Book Directly with a Nepal Trekking Company?
International travel agents add 20-40 per cent before passing your booking to a local operator in Kathmandu. When you book with us, your money goes directly to the people who run your trek — the guides, the porters, the teahouse owners.
We are The Everest Holiday, a family-run company registered with the Nepal government (Reg: 147653) and TAAN (Member #1586). Three generations of Himalayan experience. 360+ reviews across TripAdvisor, Google, and Trustpilot. Every booking supports the Nagarjun Learning Center — free education for 70 children in rural Nepal.
Browse all our Nepal trekking holidays or get in touch to start planning.
