GHT Blog

Top 8 treks to explore in Nepal

May 31, 2017

As the spring trekking season comes to a close we can’t help but look longingly to October when the monsoon clouds part to reveal the Himalayas again and trekkers flock to the trailheads once more. For those planning on coming to Nepal for the autumn trekking season it can be a daunting task to select the perfect section of the Great Himalaya Trails to explore. To help you along we’ve listed 8 of our favorite treks to visit next season. (Massive thanks to our lovely Instagrammers who provided stunning imagery for this post).

1) Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes

Everest Base Camp is on most hikers’ to-trek-list, but few combine it with the equally incredible Gokyo Lakes trek. This option is ideal for those who want to wander off the busy EBC trail and add a bit more challenge to the journey. The trail follows the traditional EBC trek until Namche Bazaar where it diverts north west to the string of turquoise lakes surrounding Gokyo. A climb up to Gokyo Ri (5357m) offers spectacular panoramic views of 4 of the 14 tallest mountains in the world  (Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu) on the horizon and the glittering Lakes and Ngozumpa glacier below. From Gokyo the trail crosses the challenging Cho La pass (5,420m) bringing you back to the Khumbu Valley and joining up with the EBC trail again.

Duration: 17 Days
Level of difficulty: Hard
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2) Mardi Himal Trek

Neighboring one of the most popular treks in Nepal, the Annapurna Base Camp trek, the Mardi Himal trek is truly a hidden gem. The trail winds through vibrant rhododendron forests until leaving the tree line at 3,300m and entering into a rugged high altitude mountain landscape. One highlight of the trek is reaching Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) offering spectacular views of the Annapurna mountain range including a close-up of the iconic Machapuchare (Fishtail) mountain.

Duration: 8 Days
Level of difficulty: Moderate
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A post shared by Enish Rai (@enishrai) on

3) Manaslu Circuit

The Manaslu Circuit trek has long been popular amongst adventurous trekkers seeking secluded wilderness, insights into authentic Hindu and Tibetan culture and spectacular views of the region’s namesake, and eighth tallest mountain in the world, Mount Manaslu. The trail follows an ancient salt trading route around the base of the iconic two-horned mountain. Crossing Larkya Pass at 5,125m is a challenge, however, the natural environment and the stunning views of Ganesh Himal Range makes it more than worth the effort.

Duration: 13 Days
Level of difficulty: Hard
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4) Upper Mustang Trek

Mustang, or the Kingdom of Lo as it was once known, was an independent fiefdom closely tied by geography, language and culture to Tibet. The Upper Mustang region was closed to foreigners until 1992. Its remote location and isolation from the outside world has contributed to a highly preserved Tibetan culture and unspoiled nature, adding much to its allure as a trekking destination today. The trail follows an ancient salt caravan route to the capital of Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang. One can spend days wandering down the narrow alleyways of this walled city, discovering hidden chortens and visiting the royal palace and Thugchen Gompa monastery built in the 15th century. Outside of the city, century old cave dwellings are only a Tibetan pony ride away. This trek is a great option in monsoon season as the region lies sheltered in the rain shadow.

Duration: 14 Days
Level of difficulty: Moderate
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5) Phoksundo Lake Trek

To this day Dolpa receives a fraction of the visitors coming to Nepal for trekking. It remains an incredible natural and cultural experience for those longing for a bit of adventure and off-the-beaten-track exploration. One of the main highlights of trekking in the Dolpa region is a visit to one of Nepal’s deepest lakes, Shey Phoksundo (146m). The lake lies at an elevation of 3,620m within the Shey Phoksundo National Park, the largest national park in Nepal. With the surrounding forests and snow-capped mountains reflecting in the velvet blue waters it is no surprise this region has been described as one of the world’s “Natural Hidden Wonders”.

Duration: 8 Days
Level of difficulty: Moderate
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6) Rara Lake Trek

Rara and Jumla is one of the best destinations for trekking in western Nepal. The region is an adventurer’s dream as it has remained a relatively unexplored part of the country by foreign travelers. Those who do make it out there are rewarded with uncrowded trails, authentic culture and a wealth of natural beauty. The highlight of the trek is the glittering waters of Rara Lake, the biggest lake in the country. This trekking region lies in the rain shadow making it a perfect trek to do in monsoon season.

Duration: 13 Days
Level of difficulty: Moderate
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7) Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

In Tibetan, ‘Kanchenjunga’ means ‘the five treasures of snow’, named so after the massif’s five high peaks. The highest peak (8,586m), is the third tallest mountain in the world. Few trekkers make their way out to the easternmost part of the Great Himalaya Trails, but for those who do, cascading waterfalls, mountain views, lush vegetation and thousands of species of plants await those who take the long trail to Kanchenjunga Base Camp. The trek is laid out as a circuit, including a visit to the Pathibara Temple, an important religious site for many Nepali and Indian pilgrims. The highlight of the trek for many is walking through the high alpine landscapes to reach the Kanchenjunga Base Camp at 5,143 meters.

Duration: 26 Days
Level of difficulty: Hard
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A post shared by Michelle Marie (@mchellemarie) on

8) Makalu to Everest via 3 cols

The Makalu to Everest Traverse includes some of the highest and most challenging trails in the Great Himalaya Trails network. As the name suggests the trail traverses the mountain range between Mt Makalu (8463m), the fifth tallest mountain in the world, and Everest, crossing over three high passes of which two are over 6,000m. Because of the challenging terrain and its remote location Makalu is a rarely visited gem. The spectacular mountain views, empty trails and vast wilderness is waiting to be explored by the adventurous trekker prepared to forgo the comforts of the traditional teahouse treks.

Duration: 26 Days
Level of difficulty: Extreme
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Explore more magnificent treks on the Great Himalaya Trails with our trek finder tool “Find a Trek“.

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