High altitude treks in Nepal are the most famous activity done by foreign travelers. Nepal has numerous hiking and trekking routes with different difficulty levels. Some trek routes are well-established because of their popularity, whereas some lack even the basic tourist infrastructures. Among the bazillions of trekking options in Nepal, we are going to introduce you to the top 5 high altitude treks in Nepal for 2024/2025. Along with that, you will have also provided some tips before you join a trek and also shared how to join a trek in Nepal.

Things you should know before joining a high-altitude trek in Nepal

There are many things that a trekker should know before joining a high-altitude trek in Nepal. First thing, high-altitude treks are not an easy endeavor. It demands both physical and mental effort. Whether you are considering joining a beginner-friendly or advanced trek in Nepal, you will face high altitudes in both cases.

High altitude comes with thin and low oxygen levels. As most of the trekkers come from sea level to do a high-altitude trek in Nepal, many of them suffer from altitude sickness during the trip. Altitude sickness is one of the common high-altitude sicknesses that travelers see if they are not well adjusted to the elevation.

We have seen even the fittest bodies suffering from altitude sickness, so do not underestimate it. There are simple things that you can do to avoid altitude sickness. For instance, have acclimatization days in your itinerary and drink plenty of water daily. There are also other things that you can do in order to avoid altitude sickness that we have shared in our Altitude Sickness blog.

Then, you have to pick the right time to trek to match your expectations. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best time of the year to trek in the Himalayas. However, you can also do some selected treks in summer/monsoon (June to August) and winter (December to February). Every season has pros and cons. Weigh your options and choose the best for you.

And the final thing is preparing for the trek. No trek is easy in Neal, even the one that says beginner-friendly. You have to understand the Himalayan terrain. It is not flat. The terrain ascents and descends throughout the Himalayas. Some sections are steep and complex. Check the difficulty level of your selected trek and prepare accordingly.

Top 5 high-altitude treks in Nepal For 2024 / 2025

If you are in search of top high altitude treks in Nepal 2024/2025, then check out the below suggestions. We have hand-picked these five trekking packages according to their popularity, adventure level, tourist infrastructure, and mountain views.

Everest Base Camp Trek

Trekking region: Khumbu region (Everest region)
Restricted area: No
National Park: Sagarmatha National Park
Highest altitude: Everest Base Camp (5,364 m/17,598 ft) and Kala Patthar (5,545 m/18,192 ft)

Everest Base Camp (5,364 m/17,598 ft) is a world-class trekking destination and a must-do for every adventure enthusiast. Every year thousands of individuals embark on Everest Base Camp trekking. This trek takes you to the base of the tallest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest. The highest point is Kala Patthar, located at 5,545 meters (18,192 ft) from sea level.

We have many itineraries for the EBC trek. You can pick the one that best suits your time, fitness, budget, and other requirements. Among all the itineraries, the Everest Base Camp trek 14 days, the Everest Base Camp trek with helicopter return, the Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Lakes, and the Everest Three Passes trek are the most famous. All these packages have different difficulty levels.

Highlights of the EBC trek

• Start and end the journey with thrilling Lukla flights. It will be a short 30-35 minutes flight, overlooking an aerial panorama of the Himalayas.
• Trek through lush forests of rhododendrons and magnolias, crossing many suspension bridges. The trail gradually ascends above the tree line, and you will walk via glaciers and glacier moraines.
• On the way, spend nights in Sherpa villages and get to see their everyday lifestyle and culture.
• Visit ancient monasteries and come across stupa, chortens, and prayer wheels along the trail. If you are following the mainstream EBC trail, you will get to visit the Tengboche and Pangboche monasteries.
• Enjoy stunning mountain views throughout the trek and witness diverse landscapes ranging from lush valleys to barren hills.
• Go on acclimatization hikes to the Hotel Everest View and Nagarjuna Hill.
• Explore Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Trekking region: Annapurna region
Restricted area: No
National Park: Annapurna Conservation Area
Highest altitude: Annapurna Base Camp (4,380 m/14,370 ft)

Annapurna Base Camp is another famous base camp trekking destination in Nepal. This trek takes you across the mesmerizing Annapurna region. Compared to the EBC trek, the Annapurna Base Camp trek sees less altitude gain, but the journey is equally adventurous. On this trek, you will ascend up to 4,380 meters (14,370 ft) from sea level. Annapurna Base Camp, the lap of the tenth-highest mountain in the world, is situated at this height.

The classic Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary lasts usually 12 to 14 days long. However, there are also shorter and longer itineraries available for this trek. These are some of the popular Annapurna Base Camp trek packages – Short Annapurna Base Camp trek, Annapurna Base Camp trek 11 days, Annapurna Base Camp trek with Annapurna Circuit trek, Annapurna Base Camp trek with Khopra Danda, etc.

Highlights of ABC trek

• You will start the ABC trek by traveling from Kathmandu to Pokhara by road or air. Pokhara is the gateway of the Annapurna region. From here, you will reach the trailhead in one hour of driving.
• You will get to spend one night in Pokhara before and after starting/ending the Annapurna Base Camp trek. It is a fantastic opportunity to explore the beauty of this city.
• The Annapurna Base Camp trek route is adventurous and ascends through picturesque villages and dense forests of pine, fir, rhododendron, bamboo, etc.
• On the way, come across beautiful waterfalls and cross many bridges.
• Meet with different communities and experience authentic traditional Nepali mountain lifestyle.
• Witness mountain views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, Tukuche, Machhapuchhare, etc. Likewise, you will see diverse landscapes.
• Explore the exotic flora and fauna of Annapurna Sanctuary and pass by Machhapuchhre Base Camp before reaching ABC.
• Spend the night at Annapurna Base Camp.

Langtang Valley Trek

Trekking region: Langtang region
Restricted area: No
National Park: Langtang National Park
Highest altitude: Tserko Ri (5,033 m/16,512 ft)

Langtang Valley trek is known as the best beginner-friendly trek in Nepal. It is a moderately difficult trek in the beautiful Langtang region, so all ages of travelers can join. Even though the trek sees quite a high altitude, the overall pace and everyday elevation gain are fantastic. Therefore, compared to other trekking programs in Nepal, avoiding altitude sickness on the Langtang Valley trek is much more attainable.

There are two most famous itineraries for this trek- Langtang Valley trek and Langtang Valley trek with Gosaikunda Lake. You also have the option to join a bit more challenging Langtang Valley trek with Lauribina Pass or Langtang Valley trek with Ganja La pass packages. In general, the Langtang Valley trek is considered a short trekking program near Kathmandu. So, the standard itinerary is 10 to 11 days long.

Highlights of Langtang Valley trek

• If you are looking for a quick trek near Kathmandu, then the Langtang Valley trek is the ideal package. You can reach the starting point of the trek in 7 to 8 hours driving from the city.
• The Langtang Valley trek route is inside the Langtang National Park, which is home to many wild species. Even though you will not come across any wildlife along the trail, you can see a range of vegetation and birds.
• The trail goes through lush rhododendrons and bamboo forests. You will cross many suspension bridges on the way.
• The trail is dotted with stupas, chortens, mani walls, prayer wheels, and prayer flags. Kyanjin Gompa is the main religious point in the Langtang Valley. It is also the last settlement area.
• For the final hike, you will ascend to Tserko Ri. It is the viewpoint from where you can see a gorgeous sunrise and jaw-dropping mountain panorama.
• On the Langtang Valley trek, you will meet with Tamangs and Sherpas. Tamangs are the main inhabitant of Langtang region. Get to see their lifestyle and culture.
• Overall, the Langtang Valley trek is very adventurous and presents picture book-like sceneries.

Upper Mustang Trek

Trekking region: Mustang region
Restricted area: Yes
National Park: None
Highest altitude: Lo La pass (3,950 m/12,959 ft)

Upper Mustang trek is known for its adventurous journey and semi-desert landscapes. Located close to the Nepal-Tibet border, Upper Mustang is one of the restricted areas in Nepal. Only trekkers with special permits and at least two people in a group can do the Upper Mustang trekking in Nepal. On this trek, you will travel to Lo Manthang, the last forbidden kingdom.

This trek is on the challenging side and is only recommended to trekkers with previous experience. The Upper Mustang trek itinerary is usually 14 to 16 days long. Check out our Upper Mustang trek package for more information. Some trekkers also like to do the Upper Mustang jeep tour or Upper Mustang biking instead of the trek. For your information, the Upper Mustang is the only section of the Himalayas in Nepal that can be explored entirely on a four-wheeler or two-wheeler.

Highlights of the Upper Mustang trek

• The Upper Mustang was closed to foreigners for a very long time. The region was first opened for foreign travelers in 1992. Today, the Upper Mustang stands as a restricted area in Nepal and requires expensive permits and additional regulations for any travel activity.
• Upper Mustang is a restricted area to maintain border security. Likewise, the archeological, architectural, natural, and cultural magnificence of this region has also resulted in a restricted area.
• You will start the Upper Mustang trek by traveling from Kathmandu to Pokhara and taking a short flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. Jomsom is the trailhead.
• From Jomsom, you will trek to Kagbeni and enter the restricted area that leads to Lo Manthang. You will spend nights in villages like Chele, Shyanbochen, Tsarang, Lo Manthang, Dhakmar, Ghiling, Samar, etc.
• The Upper Mustang trek route is offbeat and steep. You will cross many mountain passes under 4,000 meters along the way. The trail goes through canyons, rocky gorges, and semi-deserts.
• The Upper Mustang is a rain shadow area, so rain does not fall here. It makes it a semi-desert. You can do the Upper Mustang trek between June to August.
• The trek offers views of unique rocks, grassy meadows, mud houses, sand deserts, and canyons.
• You will visit many ancient monasteries and sky caves on this trek. Get to know the rich Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage of the locals.

Manaslu Circuit Trek

Trekking region: Manalsu region
Restricted area: Yes
National Park: Manaslu Conservation Area
Highest altitude: Larkya La pass (5,106 m/16,752 ft)

Manaslu Circuit is a demanding trekking program in Nepal. This trek is for experienced trekkers with strong physical and mental fitness. On the Manaslu Circuit trek, you will ascend to the Manaslu Base Camp, the lap of the eight-highest mountain in the world. The highest point of this trek is Larkya La pass. It is also the most challenging part of the trail that trekkers have to cross in order to complete the journey.

The Manaslu Circuit trek is generally 14 to 17 days long. It is a restricted area trek in Nepal. Some of the famous Manaslu Circuit trek packages are- the standard Manaslu Circuit trek and the Manaslu Circuit trek with Tsum Valley. Some trekkers also do the Manaslu Circuit trek with the Annapurna Circuit. All these itineraries are challenging and not recommended to beginner trekkers.

Highlights of the Manaslu Circuit trek

• The Manaslu Circuit trek route is restricted because it is located close to the Nepal-Tibet border. Likewise, a part of the trail is also within the Manaslu Conservation Area. Toward the end of the trek, you will enter the Annapurna Conservation Area.
• Witness a wide variety of flora and fauna as you traverse via different climate zones on the Manaslu Circuit trek.
• Trekking through dense forests and rugged hillsides, you will ascend to meadows and pass by landslide debris. The upper part of the trail has glaciers, lakes, and moraines. The overall terrain is steep.
• You will meet with indigenous Nepali communities like Gurung, Nubri, and Tsumba, along with Tibetan refugees. Get to see their unique lifestyle and Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage.
• It is a very remote and untouched trekking region. The tourist infrastructure is not that great, like famous trekking regions.
• Hike to Pun Gyen Gompa, Birendra Lake, and Manaslu Base Camp.
• Come across alpine lakes while on the way to Larkya La pass.
• Get to see jaw-dropping landscapes and mountain vistas.

How to join a trek in Nepal?

To join a trek in Nepal, you can contact us or book your preferred trip through our website. We, Nepal Treks and Tour, are one of the oldest Nepali travel companies. Our team has been organizing treks, tours, and climbing expeditions in Nepal for a very long time. With our expertise and knowledge, you can take your trekking adventure in Nepal to the next level.

We have top treks in Nepal. You will get both famous and unheard trekking programs with us. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trekker, trekking solo or with your family, our team will make sure you will have a hassle-free experience with us. Get the best price and service with us in Nepal. You can join our offered trip or customize the journey as per your requirements.