Wondering what the 15 greatest treks in the Himalayas are? Home to the world’s highest mountains most trekkers head straight for Everest Base Camp and while it’s a great option the opportunities for adventure abound among the peaks of the Himalayas of which over 100 exceed 7000m or 24000 feet. Here is a quick rundown of 15 great treks from Bhutan to India starting with Nepal.
The Greatest Treks of Nepal
Nepal lies almost in the middle of the Himalaya and while it’s a small country it hosts 8 of 14 of all the world’s mountains over 8000m.
#1: Everest Base Camp
This has to be our all time favorite trek in the Himalayas. Great views of Everest, a good trail, wonderful tea houses to stay in and almost continuous views of some of the tallest peaks in the world will keep your attention during what is typically an 11 day trek. The trail ends at Everest Base Camp where you can look directly up the ice fall of the Khumbu Glacier towards the peak of Everest which is still an impressive 3500m above you. On the way you will see 3 of the worlds 10 tallest peaks which asides from Everest also include Cho Oyu (8201m/26,906ft) and Lhotse (8,516m/27,940ft). Just as spectacular although not as tall are the ice laden walls of Pumori (7,161m/23,494ft) and Ama Dablam (6,812m/22,349ft). Trekking is possible from September to June and although it’s cold in December and January its probably one time of year you can find solitude.
#2: Poon Hill and the Annapurna Base Camp
This is really two treks that can either be done separately or together. Like the Everest Base Camp trek this one offers a great trail and fabulous tea house lodging for those looking for a little comfort. If you have just four or five days the trek to Poon Hill is one of the best short treks in the Himalayas and offers fantastic up close views of Annapurna. If you have a little more time make the journey to Annapurna Base Camp lying in the famed Annapurna Sanctuary where you can see a fantastic view of the south face of Annapurna I (8,091 m/26,538 ft) the 10th tallest peak in the world. The route approaching the base camp provides great views of the hanging glaciers and sheer cliff face of Machapuchare (6,993m/22,943ft) known locally as “Fish Tail or the Matterhorn of Asia.” Fish Tail is sacred to the locals and off limits to climbers.
#3: Manaslu Circuit
The Manaslu Trek is a 14 to 16 day tea-house trek which encircles the world’s 8th highest peak. In recent years the tea houses and trail have been improved and the trek is quickly becoming a popular alternative to the Annapurna Circuit. The total number of visitors in the past few years has been around 2000 with most coming in October. This is one of Nepal’s great treks and it gets you away from the crowds at the same time. The trek remains in a restricted area meaning that a $50 per/week fee is charged to trekkers.
#4: Makalu Base Camp Trek
It’s a 16 day trek to the base camp of Makalu (8463m) the worlds 5th tallest peak. Unlike the treks mentioned so far this is not a tea house trek and it requires organizing for camping. The trek starts from 435m and so transverses through a range of environments as it heads up the Barun Valley to the Makalu base camp. It’s a true wilderness experience with some of the last remnants of untouched forests and beautiful alpine meadows.
#5: Upper Mustang Trek
The Upper Mustang Trek highlights the desert beauty and ancient Tibetan cultures of Nepal. The 18 day trek heads north from Jomsom on the far side of the Annapurna Range. A special permit is needed to enter the area and the trek needs to be arranged as a combination tea house and camping trek. Very few tourists (maybe 1000 a year) make the journey to see this remote part of Nepal. Some of the highlights of the trek include the ancient “Forbidden City” and the ancient monasteries and caves. The dry mountainous landscape might seem more similar to Ladakh in India then the other treks in Nepal.
