Best Short Treks in Nepal

Nepal is one of the best trekking destinations in the world. Nepal’s geographical landscape together with some of the world’s highest mountains, including Mt. Everest, lush green valleys, high Himalayan passes, and emerald lakes makes trekking a different and out-of-this-world experience. 

Trekking holidays in the Himalayas take you to such a setting where it seems that the earth meets the skies with the view of some of the world’s highest mountain series. The trekking trail passes through remote high Himalayan villages, lush green forests, Himalayan-fed ragging rivers, Buddhist monasteries and chhortens, and glacial valleys. Along with that trekkers get to witness the unique culture and traditions of the people living and thriving in the high Himalayas for centuries. 

There are a plethora of trekking trails in Nepal with varying difficulties, durations, and distinctive adventurous experiences. From almost a month-long trek in Kanchenjunga to a 3-day trek around Kathmandu, the sheer amount of trekking options that Nepal provides can easily overwhelm a person. 

Here we talk about short treks and some of the best ones you can enjoy in Nepal. A short hike is one of the best and easiest ways to explore Nepal and soak in its natural and cultural beauty. Let’s dive deep into it.

What are Short Treks?

Short treks are any treks that can be concluded within a week. The treks are usually easy and are a perfect endeavor for beginners. Short treks don’t surpass elevations beyond 4,500 meters or 14,763 feet beyond sea level and also don’t cover long distances deep in the Himalayas. 

Short treks don’t require extensive training, packing list, and planning. But despite this, the experience itself is very enriching. The beauty of the trails, geographical marvel, pristine culture, and natural beauty can be savored in short treks as well. For anyone with time constraints and a limited budget, Short Treks can be the best option with which they can unfold the adventure and unravel the obfuscated beauty of the Himalayas. 

Some of the Best and Popular Short Trek in Nepal

1. Everest View Trek.

Trek Days: 07 Days (1-day cultural sightseeing)
Trip Grading: Moderate
Maximum Elevation: 3,880 meters

Everest View Trek is one of the most popular short treks in Nepal. As the name suggests, the key highlight of the trek is the magnificent view of Mount Everest. The trek is organized at the Everest region and allows trekkers a chance to witness the glory and grandeur of the Himalayas, which subsume the view of the mighty Everest. Along with that trekkers also get to observe and experience the unique Sherpa culture and traditions. 

Everest View short trek trail extends to Tengboche Monastery from Lukla. Trekkers are flown to Lukla from either Kathmandu or Ramechhap. From Lukla, the hiking begins, traverses through bucolic Sherpa villages, and assumes stops at Phakding and Namche Bazaar. 

A breathtaking panorama of the Himalayas, which includes the view of Mt. Everest, can be observed from Tengboche Monastery. Everest panorama view trekking then traces the same trek route to Lukla and flies back to Kathmandu. The trek days are just seven days and it’s ideal for anyone who wishes to trek into the Everest region but still doesn’t want to hike till the Everest Base Camp. 

There is also a Luxury Everest View Trek where one stays at the luxury mountain lodges located wherever on the trek trail and at the best lodges available where luxury lodges aren’t available i.e. only at Tengboche and the rest of the other overnight stays are at luxury lodges such as Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Monjo.

2. Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Trek Days: 05 Days (1-day cultural sightseeing)
Trip Grading: Moderate
Maximum Elevation: 3,210 meters

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a hike into one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal, ‘Annapurna’. Trek into the Annapurna region usually starts from the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara. The Ghorepani poon hill trek itinerary follows some of the beautiful trek trails in Nepal hiking along gushing rivers, green countryside, alpine meadows, valleys, and glaciers the main feature of the trek is hiking to poon hill early in the morning from Ghorepani. 

Poon Hill is the most popular Himalayan viewpoint to witness a great mountain panorama of the peaks like Annapurna, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Dhaulagiri, Himalchuli etc. Trekkers begin to scramble up to Poon Hill from Ghorepani, in the early dawn to catch a mesmerizing sunrise over the magnificent Annapurna. 

Ghorepani poon hill trek from Pokhara then ends after driving back to Pokhara and relaxing at this natural wonder of Nepal where age-old caves, lakes, and gorges are located.

3. Ghandruk Loop Trek

Trek Days: 03 Days
Trip Grading: Moderate
Maximum Elevation: 2,870 meters

The Ghandruk Loop trek is an easy short and sweet trek into the Annapurna region. The prime objective of the trek is to get to the beautiful mountain village of Gurung community ‘Ghandruk Village’. 

The village offers some spectacular mountain panorama of the Himalayas like Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre Himal. One can Explore the local culture and tradition of the Gurung community in Ghandruk besides, hiking past the exotic landscapes and geography. The trek is ideal for any age group and also for those who haven’t had any trek experience in the past, but a basic level of physical fitness is required since the trek involves hiking up and down along the undulating trails.

4. Nagarkot Trek

Trek Days: 03 Days
Trip Grading: Moderate
Maximum Elevation: 2,175 meters

The Nagarkot Trek is one the best and most popular short treks that can be done closer to Kathmandu City. The trek consists of 3 days of hiking through rustic villages, greenery, and viewpoints, situated on the outskirts of Kathmandu. One of the prime attractions is Nagarkot – the most famous Himalayan viewpoint- which is just a stone’s throw away from Kathmandu Valley. 

The trek begins at Sundarijal, from where trekkers hike to Chisapani, then to Nagarkot, and finally to Changunarayan Temple. The Nagarkot trekking route passes through beautiful villages, lush green forests, and terraced farmlands. Chisapani is a village on a tri-junction of 3 districts- Kathmandu, Sindhupalchok, and Nuwakot. Chisapani viewpoint offers an amazing view of the Langtang range and surrounding landscape. 

From Nagarkot’s viewpoint, one can witness breathtaking Himalayan panorama including Mt. Everest on a clear day. After Nagarkot, the trek hike downhill to the ancient Hindu temple of Changunarayan which is one of the several UNESCO World Heritage Sites inside Kathmandu Valley. Sundarijal Chisapani Nagarkot trek is the best hiking trail in Kathmandu.