Nepal is home to eight of the world's fourteen highest mountains, and no two trekking regions here feel alike. Choosing where to trek matters as much as choosing when: the Everest region rewards trekkers chasing the world's most famous mountain view, the Annapurna region offers the greatest variety of landscape and culture in a single trek, Manaslu delivers a wilder, less-crowded alternative to both, and half a dozen smaller regions (Langtang, Mustang, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Ganesh Himal, Makalu) cover everything from three-day introductions to three-week expeditions into genuinely remote territory.
This page is built to help you choose the right one. Below, each region has its own breakdown: what the trek actually feels like, who it suits, what it costs, and how it compares to the alternatives, followed by every individual package available in that region. For a broader walkthrough of how to narrow it down, see our guide on how to choose the right Nepal trekking package.
Every Nepal trekking package from Outshine Adventure includes a licensed English-speaking guide, porter support, all required permits, teahouse or lodge accommodation along the route, full board meals during the trek, airport transfers, and surface transport to and from the trailhead. Nothing about permits, guides, or logistics is left for you to arrange separately; that's true across all 12 regions on this page, not just the flagship routes.
Packages start from US$830 per person (Manaslu Circuit, groups of 13+). A standard Everest Base Camp package starts from US$1,300; Annapurna Circuit from US$1,025. Exact pricing depends on route, group size, trek duration, and accommodation category; each region section below has specifics.
| Region | Best For | Typical Duration | Max Altitude | Starting Price | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everest | Iconic views, bucket-list trekkers | 12–18 days | 5,545m | US$1,300 | Strenuous |
| Annapurna | Landscape & culture variety | 7–18 days | 5,416m | US$1,025 | Moderate–Strenuous |
| Manaslu | Remote, less crowded alternative | 14–16 days | 5,106m | US$830 | Strenuous |
| Langtang | Closest to Kathmandu, shorter trips | 7–10 days | 3,798m | US$650 | Strenuous |
| Mustang | Rain-shadow, Tibetan-plateau landscape | 10–14 days | 4,200m | US$1,545 | Strenuous |
| Kanchenjunga | Remote, far-eastern Nepal | 26 days | 5,530m | US$2,290 | Very Strenuous |
| Dolpo | Very remote, least-trekked | 22 days | 5,190m | Price on request | Very Strenuous |
| Ganesh Himal | Off-the-beaten-path, uncrowded | 14 days | 4,200m | US$1,595 | Strenuous |
| Dhaulagiri | Technical, experienced trekkers only | 21 days | 5,350m | Price on request | Strenuous |
| Makalu | Remote eastern expedition-style trek | 16 days | 4,853m | Price on request | Strenuous |
| Chisapani Nagarkot | Short, beginner, near Kathmandu | 3 days | 2,300m | US$295 | Easy |
| Luxury | Premium lodges, EBC route | 15 days | 5,545m | Price on request | Strenuous |
10 packages
The Everest region is Nepal's most recognized trekking destination, and for most first-time visitors to Nepal, it's the trek that brought them here. The classic route to Everest Base Camp climbs through Sherpa villages, Buddhist monasteries, and increasingly dramatic mountain scenery over 12–14 days, culminating at Kala Patthar for the closest non-technical view of Everest available anywhere. Variations include the Everest High Pass Trek for experienced trekkers wanting three high passes instead of one, Everest Gokyo for turquoise glacial lakes instead of (or alongside) base camp, and a Budget EBC option from US$975 for trekkers prioritizing cost over comfort. A Luxury EBC trek is also available for those wanting the same route with upgraded lodges. For a full price breakdown, see our Everest Base Camp trek cost guide.
Best for: first-time Nepal trekkers, anyone prioritizing the single most iconic mountain view in the Himalayas.
11 packages
No other region in Nepal packs as much landscape variety into a single trek. The Annapurna Circuit crosses from subtropical valleys to high alpine desert over Thorong La at 5,416m before descending into the Kali Gandaki, the world's deepest gorge: genuinely different scenery every few days. Our guide to crossing Thorong La covers what that day actually involves. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is shorter and more accessible, ending inside a natural amphitheater of 7,000m+ peaks. For trekkers with less time, Ghorepani Poon Hill delivers a genuine Himalayan sunrise in as little as 3–4 days.
Best for: trekkers wanting the widest range of scenery and culture in one region, anyone with flexible time (options run from 3 to 18 days).
3 packages
Manaslu offers what Everest and Annapurna increasingly can't: solitude. The Manaslu Circuit Trek circles the world's eighth-highest peak through a restricted region requiring a special permit, a minimum group of two, and a licensed guide booked in advance, all included in Outshine packages. Fewer teahouses and far fewer trekkers than the two larger regions, with a similarly dramatic high pass at Larkya La (5,106m). See our Manaslu Circuit difficulty guide for a realistic sense of what the trail demands.
Best for: experienced trekkers who've done EBC or Annapurna before and want something wilder; anyone who wants Himalayan scale without Himalayan crowds.
6 packages
The only major trekking region reachable by road directly from Kathmandu: no mountain flight required, which also makes it the most schedule-reliable option on this page. Langtang Valley Trekking tops out at 3,798m at Kyanjin Gompa, with strong Tamang cultural heritage along the route and Langtang National Park's forests and alpine meadows on either side of the trail. The region is also home to Gosaikunda; if timing allows, trekking to Gosaikunda for Janai Purnima is a striking way to combine the route with a major Hindu festival.
Best for: shorter trips, trekkers who want to avoid flight-cancellation risk entirely, first-timers wanting a lower-altitude introduction.
2 packages
Upper Mustang sits in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, meaning it stays trekkable through the monsoon months when most of Nepal doesn't. Eroded sandstone cliffs and a landscape that resembles the Tibetan plateau more than lowland Nepal, genuinely unlike anywhere else on this page. The main Upper Mustang Trekking route runs 14 days and centers on the walled medieval city of Lo Manthang.
Best for: monsoon-season trekkers (June–August), anyone drawn to Tibetan Buddhist culture and high-desert scenery over forest and farmland.
1 package
Nepal's far-eastern trekking region, circling the world's third-highest mountain in territory that sees a fraction of the traffic of the country's main routes. The Kanchenjunga Circuit is a full 26-day expedition-style trek reaching 5,530m near the North Base Camp.
Best for: experienced, remote-trek-seeking trekkers wanting genuine off-the-beaten-path Nepal and with three-plus weeks to spare.
2 packages
The shortest trip on this page: a 3-day trek within easy reach of Kathmandu, combining hill-station mountain views with minimal time and altitude commitment. The Chisapani Nagarkot Trek tops out around 2,300m and finishes at the historic Changu Narayan Temple.
Best for: short layovers, beginners, anyone combining trekking with a broader Nepal/Tibet/Bhutan itinerary who doesn't have two weeks free.
2 packages
An uncrowded region between Langtang and Manaslu, offering genuine village-trail trekking without the restricted-area permit requirements of its higher-profile neighbors. The Ganesh Himal Trek runs 14 days and crosses Shingla and Pansang passes above 4,000m.
Best for: trekkers wanting an authentic, low-crowd experience without Manaslu's restricted-permit logistics.
1 package
Nepal's most technically demanding standard trekking region, circling the world's seventh-highest peak. The Dhaulagiri Circuit is a 21-day trek crossing French Pass and Thapa Pass, both above 5,000m, on icy terrain that genuinely calls for prior high-altitude experience.
Best for: experienced, fit trekkers with prior high-altitude experience, not a first Nepal trek.
1 package
The most remote region on this page: the Lower Dolpo Trek runs 22 days through some of the least-visited trekking terrain in Nepal, past Phoksundo Lake and Shey Gompa, with limited evacuation options and minimal infrastructure.
Best for: highly experienced trekkers with significant time available and a genuine preference for remoteness over comfort.
2 packages
Eastern Nepal, circling the world's fifth-highest peak, with an expedition-style feel closer to Kanchenjunga or Dolpo than to the country's main trekking corridors. The Makalu Base Camp Trek reaches 4,853m at the base camp itself, with views of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu from the same point.
Best for: experienced trekkers seeking eastern Nepal's remote terrain as an alternative to Kanchenjunga.
1 package
Premium-lodge trekking on the classic Everest Base Camp route: same trail, same permits, upgraded accommodation and service level throughout. The Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek runs 15 days and uses named premium lodges (Yeti Mountain Home, Everest Summit Lodge, and similar) rather than standard teahouses.
Best for: trekkers wanting the Everest Base Camp experience without teahouse-standard lodging.
First time trekking in Nepal? Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, or Langtang Valley are the most infrastructure-supported options, with well-established teahouses and predictable trail conditions. Our guide to easy beginner treks in Nepal goes into more detail on which of these suits a first trip best.
Short on time? Chisapani Nagarkot (3 days), Ghorepani Poon Hill (3–4 days), or Langtang Valley (7–10 days) fit into a shorter trip without sacrificing genuine mountain scenery.
Trekked in Nepal before and want something different? Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Dolpo, and Makalu see a fraction of the traffic of Everest and Annapurna.
Traveling during monsoon (June–August)? Upper Mustang and Dolpo sit in the Himalayan rain shadow and remain trekkable when the rest of the country doesn't.
Budget-conscious? Manaslu Circuit (from US$830, 13+ group), Chisapani Nagarkot (from US$295), and the Budget EBC package (from US$975) offer the lowest entry points without cutting guide, permit, or safety standards.
Most trekking areas require a TIMS card and a conservation area or national park entry permit: Sagarmatha National Park for Everest, ACAP for Annapurna, Langtang National Park for Langtang. Restricted regions (Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Kanchenjunga, Dolpo) require additional special permits, a minimum group size, and a licensed guide arranged in advance through a registered agency; solo or independent trekking isn't permitted in these areas regardless of experience level. Outshine Adventure handles every permit application as part of every package listed on this page, standard or restricted. For a worked example of what restricted-area permits actually cost, see our Manaslu Circuit permit cost breakdown.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the two primary trekking seasons in Nepal. Spring brings rhododendron blooms in the lower forests and stable pre-monsoon weather. Autumn is post-monsoon with exceptional visibility, firm trail conditions, and the highest concentration of trekkers on popular routes. Winter from December to February is cold but viable for experienced trekkers on lower altitude routes. The monsoon season from June to August is generally avoided on standard routes due to heavy rainfall, though the rain shadow regions of Upper Mustang and Dolpo remain accessible year-round. See our month-by-month best time to trek guide for a region-specific breakdown.
Q: Which Nepal trekking region should I choose for my first trek? A: Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, and Langtang Valley are the most beginner-accessible options, each with well-developed teahouse infrastructure and predictable trail conditions. Ghorepani Poon Hill is the best choice if you want mountain views in under a week. Our beginner trek guide covers this comparison in more depth.
Q: Can I trek in Nepal during monsoon season? A: Yes, in the rain-shadow regions. Upper Mustang and Dolpo sit behind the main Himalayan range and stay largely dry through the June–August monsoon, while routes like Everest and Annapurna see heavy rainfall and reduced visibility during these months.
Q: What's the difference between a standard and a restricted-area trekking permit? A: Standard permits (TIMS, ACAP, Sagarmatha, Langtang National Park) apply to Nepal's main trekking corridors and have no minimum group size. Restricted-area permits, required for Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Kanchenjunga, and Dolpo, cost more, require a minimum group size (usually two trekkers), and must be arranged in advance through a licensed agency. Manaslu's permit cost is a useful real-world example of what that adds up to.
Q: How much does a Nepal trekking package cost? A: Prices on this page range from US$295 for a 3-day trip near Kathmandu (Chisapani Nagarkot) up to US$2,290 for a 26-day expedition-style trek (Kanchenjunga Circuit). Most standard 12-to-16-day treks in the main regions fall between US$830 and US$1,600. Dolpo, Dhaulagiri, and Makalu are quote-only rather than fixed-price, since group size and logistics vary more on those routes. For a line-by-line breakdown on one of our most-booked routes, see how much the Annapurna Circuit costs.
Q: What's included in the price? A: Every Outshine Adventure package includes a licensed English-speaking guide, porter support, all required permits, teahouse or lodge accommodation, full board meals during the trek, airport transfers, and surface transport to and from the trailhead. Nothing about permits or logistics is left for you to arrange separately, on any of the 12 regions listed on this page.
Q: How fit do I need to be to trek in Nepal? A: It depends heavily on which trek you pick. Easy-rated trips like Chisapani Nagarkot suit most reasonably active travelers with no trekking background. Moderate-to-Strenuous treks like Annapurna Base Camp or Langtang Valley require several weeks of pre-trip cardio training but no technical skill. Very Strenuous treks like Kanchenjunga, Dolpo, and the high passes of the Everest and Dhaulagiri circuits call for prior high-altitude trekking experience and a solid fitness base.
Q: Do I need previous trekking experience? A: Not for the beginner-friendly regions: Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang Valley, Ghorepani Poon Hill, and Chisapani Nagarkot are all done regularly by first-time trekkers. For Very Strenuous routes such as Kanchenjunga, Dolpo, and Dhaulagiri, prior high-altitude experience is strongly recommended given the remoteness and limited evacuation options along those trails.
Q: How do I choose between two similar treks, like Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp? A: Everest Base Camp is the choice if the summit view itself is the priority; it's a single iconic destination and generally the more strenuous, higher-altitude trek. Annapurna Base Camp covers more varied terrain and culture for a comparable time commitment, and is typically rated slightly easier. If you're deciding between an entire region rather than two specific treks, see the "Choosing between regions" section above.
Q: How far in advance should I book? A: For standard regions (Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Chisapani Nagarkot), booking 4 to 8 weeks ahead is generally enough, though peak season (spring and autumn) fills guides and lodges faster. For restricted regions requiring special permits (Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Kanchenjunga, Dolpo), book further ahead, ideally 2 to 3 months, since permit processing and minimum group coordination take longer.
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