A beginner’s trek in Nepal lasts 4 to 8 days, stays below 3,500 to 4,000 m, uses lodges for the nights and crosses no passes. Each stage involves 4 to 6 hours of walking. Six treks meet these criteria: the Kathmandu Valley, Poon Hill, Mohare Danda, Pikey Peak, Mardi Himal and Langtang.
People often think Nepal is only for seasoned walkers. That is wrong. Many of the trails follow village paths, through rice fields, forests and hamlets. You sleep in lodges heated by a stove, eat hot meals and carry a small bag. This guide helps you choose the right first trek, the one you will finish with a smile.
What makes a trek easy
A trek is not easy because it is short. It is easy because it meets four conditions:
- Moderate altitude. Below 3,500 m, altitude sickness is rare. Between 3,500 and 4,000 m, you have to climb slowly. Above that, it is no longer a beginner’s trek.
- Nights in lodges. A bed, a blanket, a hot meal. No tent, no stove to deal with.
- No passes. A pass such as the Thorong La (5,416 m) or the Cho La means a stage of 8 to 10 hours. The treks on this list have none.
- 4 to 6 hours of walking a day. With breaks, lunch on the way and arrival at the lodge in the early afternoon.
The ascent is still the point to watch. Nepali trails are cut into stone staircases. A day with 600 to 800 m of ascent is common, even on a so-called easy trek. Walking poles take the strain off your knees on the way down.
The 6 easy treks, from the gentlest to the highest
| Trek | Duration | Max altitude | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu Valley | 5 days | 2,200 m | Newar villages, temples, no flight |
| Annapurna Balcony and Poon Hill | 7 days | 3,250 m | Sunrise over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas |
| Mohare Danda | 8 days | 3,300 m | Community lodges, hardly anyone around |
| Pikey Peak | 6 days | 4,065 m | View of Everest with no flight to Lukla |
| Mardi Himal | 5 to 8 days | 4,300 m at base camp | Balcony ridge facing Machapuchare |
| Langtang | 8 days | 3,800 m | First high-altitude trek, 3 hours by road from Kathmandu |
1. Kathmandu Valley, 5 days, 2,200 m
The gentlest trek in the country. You walk from village to village along the ridges around the capital: Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Namobuddha. In the morning, on a clear day, you can see the Himalayan range from Langtang to Everest. No altitude risk, no domestic flight. Ideal with children or for a first taste of Nepal. See the Kathmandu Valley trek.
2. Annapurna Balcony and Poon Hill, 7 days, 3,250 m
The classic first trek. From Pokhara, you climb through Gurung villages and rhododendron forests to Ghorepani. Sunrise at Poon Hill (3,210 m) reveals Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machapuchare. The lodges are comfortable, the trail well marked. The only drawback: it is busy in October and April. See the Annapurna Balcony.
3. Mohare Danda, 8 days, 3,300 m
Same range as Poon Hill, same panorama, ten times fewer trekkers. The trail goes through lodges run by the villages, whose income funds schools and health posts. You stay with a local family in Nangi and walk through forests of mossy oaks. A very good choice if you want to escape the crowds. See Mohare Danda.
4. Pikey Peak, 6 days, 4,065 m
A trekking summit in the lower Solu Khumbu, the land of the Sherpas. From Pikey Peak, you can see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kangchenjunga. All without flying to Lukla: you leave Kathmandu by jeep. The altitude is higher than on the other treks on this list, but you climb it in three days and come straight back down. See the Pikey Peak trek.
5. Mardi Himal, 5 to 8 days, up to 4,300 m
A long ridge that climbs straight towards Machapuchare, the sacred “Fishtail” mountain. The trail stays on the ridge, like a balcony, with a view that opens up a little more each day. Base camp is at 4,300 m. On the short 5- or 6-day version, you stop at High Camp (3,550 m) or at the viewpoint: it is already magnificent. See the Mardi Himal trek.
6. Langtang, 8 days, 3,800 m
The first real high-altitude trek. The Langtang valley is 3 hours by road north of Kathmandu. You walk up a wooded gorge, then the valley opens onto high pastures and glaciers. Kyanjin Gompa (3,800 m) is the village at the head of the valley, surrounded by 6,000 and 7,000 m peaks. The ascent is gradual, which makes acclimatisation simple. A good stepping stone before Everest or the Annapurnas. See the Langtang trek.
How fit do you need to be?
If you can walk 5 hours a day in the mountains, with 600 m of ascent, you are ready for the first five treks. You do not need to be sporty. You need to be steady. The Nepali pace is slow: “bistari, bistari”, slowly, slowly. A porter takes your big bag. You keep 4 to 5 kg on your back: water, jacket, camera.
Two months before departure, walk twice a week, including one long outing with some ascent at the weekend. Take the stairs rather than the lift. Test your boots on several outings: a blister on day 2 spoils a trek. Our gear list details what to take.
Children and seniors
Children aged 8 to 10 manage the Kathmandu Valley or Poon Hill easily. We shorten the stages and plan for an extra porter. With children, stay below 3,000 m or climb very gradually: they are poor at expressing the symptoms of altitude sickness.
For seniors, age is not a barrier. Every year, Mohan guides walkers aged 65 to 75 on the Annapurna Balcony and in Langtang. What matters is being used to walking and getting medical advice before departure. The stages can be adapted: that is the advantage of a private trek.
Guide compulsory since 2023
Since 1 April 2023, Nepal has required every foreign trekker to have a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas. This applies to the Annapurnas, Langtang, Manaslu and most of the routes on this list. In the Everest region, the local municipality does not enforce the rule, but a guide is still strongly recommended. For a beginner, it is good news: the guide chooses the lodges, checks how you are every evening and handles the permits. The details of the rule are in our article on solo trekking in Nepal.
When to go for a first trek
October and November offer clear skies and mild temperatures. March and April add rhododendrons in bloom. December and January are still possible below 3,500 m, with cold nights but very clear skies. Avoid the monsoon, from June to September, except for the Kathmandu Valley. Everything is explained in when to go to Nepal. To compare all our routes, see the treks in Nepal page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest trek in Nepal?
The Kathmandu Valley trek: 5 days, a maximum altitude of 2,200 m, village paths and no domestic flight. Close behind comes Poon Hill, at 3,210 m, with lodges every kilometre.
Can you trek in Nepal without a guide?
No, not since 1 April 2023 in national parks and conservation areas. A licensed guide is compulsory. For a beginner, it is also the best way to set off with peace of mind.
How do you prepare for a trek in Nepal?
Two months of regular walking with some ascent, broken-in boots and a light bag. For paperwork: a passport valid for 6 months, a visa on arrival and insurance that covers trekking up to 4,000 m.
How long should you go to Nepal for a first trek?
Allow 10 to 12 days in the country: 2 days in Kathmandu on arrival, 5 to 8 days of trekking, 1 spare day for transport. Nepal works well in 15 days with a trek and Pokhara or Chitwan.
