Introduction and Overview
Short Treks in Nepal offers wide range of enchanting and pleasant destinations that one can choose from without any hassle of problem catching high altitude or AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) as some treks leads to less than 3,000 m high or little over for only short time as per the itinerary days.
Visitors can enjoy views and walk in great comfort of nice mountain local village lodge with rooms facing wonderful scenery of high snow peaks and rolling green hills to capture and soaking in within local interesting culture with memorable time and experience.
All types of interested travelers can join short adventure in Nepal Himalaya. The area of trekking destination is perfect for cultural and botanical education, culture suitable for family, school and college groups and to corporate people. One can release themselves from hectic way of daily life routine and walk around fresh cool mountain air of Himalayas during short treks in Nepal.
One can choose various scenic and marvelous destinations as per their interest and delights that best suits their time frame. Some of the best short treks in Nepal are listed below:
Poon Hill Trek
A short Poon Hill Trek starts from beautiful Pokhara, which is 220 km distance from Kathmandu. One can reach Pokhara taking overland journey of 5-6 hrs or take short and smooth flight to land at Pokhara, a scenic city on the laps of Annapurna and Machhapuchare ‘Fish Tail’ peaks with serene lakes.
Where walk leads you to high green hills covered with rhododendron and pines forest to reach at nice Ghorepani village and at Poon Hill above 3,210 m high. The famous view-point of Poon Hill offers spectacular sunrise views over chain of Mid and Western Himalaya.
Poon Hill Trek is thus one of the shortest walks of less than week duration from the city of Pokhara where all treks starts and ends.
Poon Hill Trek Preview:
Accommodation: Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara with local nice lodges on treks
Trekking Grade: Moderate with ups and down hills walk
Highest Altitude: On top Poon Hill at 3,210 m / 10,531 ft high
Trekking duration: 04 Nights and 05 Days (from Pokhara to Pokhara)
Total Trip: 09 Nights and 10 Days (from arrival to departure)
Trekking Region: Nepal North Mid-West around Annapurna Himalaya
People and Culture:
Lower area mix hill tribes with Gurung and Magar include Hindu Brahmin, Chettries and Dalits. Similarly around high hills it is populated with Poon / Magar and Gurung people of both Hindu and Buddhist religions with various interesting cultures and customs.
Short Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Morning tour around Kathmandu at places of interest.
Day 03: Drive or Fly to Pokhara (860 m) - 06 hrs and transfer to hotel.
Day 04: Drive to trekking point and walk to Tirkhedhunga (1450 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Ghorepani (2,880 m)- 06 hrs.
Day 06: Hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani (2,630m) - 06 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Ghandruk Village (1,940 m) - 04 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to road head and drive to Pokhara - 05 hrs.
Day 09: Drive / Fly to Kathmandu - 06 hrs.
Day 10: Final Departure
Mardi Himal Trek
Mardi Himal is located at Nepal North Mid-West Himalaya within massive Annapurna mountain range. The walk starts from the foot hills after short drive from the city of Pokhara to begin the trek. Route leads past farm villages and beyond into dense cool forest of rhododendron and pines.
After few days walks uphill reaching to the highlight of the adventure at Mardi Himal base camp and close beneath of towering Machhapuchare Himal the famous Fish-Tail peaks that dominates the Pokhara valley and on walks.
A short trek of week duration, takes you into beautiful remote corners of Annapurna Himalaya away from main trails and villages for some days. This
off the beaten path is an interesting and scenic trek to enjoy where leads walk back at beautiful Pokhara to complete the trek.
Mardi Himal Trek Preview:
Accommodation: Hotels in Kathmandu / Pokhara with local lodge trekking.
Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous walks.
Highest Altitude: At Mardi Himal Base Camp 4,500 m / 14, 763 ft.
Trekking duration: 06 Nights and 07 Days (Pokhara to Pokhara)
Total Trip: 11 Nights and 12 Days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
People and Culture:
Low warm farm areas of Nepal Mid West are of mixed ethnic tribes of people with mostly Gurung, Magar with some Tamang including Hindu Brahmin, Chettries and Dalits with various cultures and custom with same farm traditional life of both Hindu and Buddhism religion.
Higher mid hill around Annapurna region where villages are populated by Gurung ethnic tribe of Annapurna and Western part of Nepal. The local people follows Buddhism religion along with their ancestral heritage rites, worshipping nature and mountain spirits.
Short Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Morning tour around Kathmandu at places of interest.
Day 03: Drive or Fly to Pokhara (860 m) - 06 hrs and transfer to hotel.
Day 04: Drive to Kande 1,700 m or to Dhampus and trek to Deurali (2100 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Jungle Camp (2,520 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to High Camp (3,600 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 07: At High Camp for hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m)
Day 08: Trek to Low / Jungle Camp - 05 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Siding (1,700 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 10: Drive back to Pokhara - 02 hrs.
Day 11: Drive or fly to Kathmandu - 06 hrs ride or 30 mins by flights.
Day 12: International Departure to respective country.
Panchase Hill Trek
Panchase Hill Panorama Trek is one of shortest that leads you to most scenic walks after reaching beautiful city of Pokhara from Kathmandu, where route leads to high hills west of the Pokhara valley and on high ridge with wonderful views of Annapurna range of peaks.
Walking into cool serene woodland to reach a small village at Panchase Bhanjyang at the bottom of Panchase Hill. The morning hike of less than two hours reaches you on top of the hill of Panchase with glorious panorama covers views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu as far to Ganesh Himal range with majestic Mt. Machhapuchare the ‘Fish Tail’.
An enjoyable walk with climb and much downhill with scenic country on less visited area by few trekkers where adventure ends back at scenic Pokhara.
Panchase Hill Panorama Trek Preview:
Accommodation: Hotels in Kathmandu / Pokhara with local lodge trekking.
Trek Grade: Moderate with up and downhill walks.
Highest Altitude: On top Panchase Hill at 2,510 m high.
Trek duration: 04 nights and 05 days (Pokhara to Pokhara)
Total Trip: 09 nights and 10 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
Short Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Morning tour around Kathmandu at places of interest.
Day 03: Drive or Fly to Pokhara (860 m) - 06 hrs and transfer to hotel.
Day 04: Short drive and trek to Bhumdi village (1500 m)- 05 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Panchase Bhanjyang (2200 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 06: Hike to Panchase hill top (2509 m) and trek to Bhadaure (1,670 m)
Day 07: Trek to Sarankot (1460 m) via Naudanda village - 05 hrs.
Day 08: Walk back to Pokhara via Lake Phewa - 04 hrs.
Day 09: Drive / Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 10: Depart Kathmandu for international flight homeward bound.
Everest Panorama Trek
Everest Panorama Trek truly fulfills dreams catching glimpse of world highest Mt. Everest with array of giant peaks of Mid Eastern Himalaya with cultural harmony of local Sherpa immense colorful traditions and custom of Buddhism religion.
A scenic walk that starts with short air-flight from Kathmandu as route follows Dudh Kosi River valley and past lovely Sherpa farm villages. It follows with a climb to high colorful Namche Bazaar with rest days to explore local Sherpa culture and custom then on scenic path within green forest surroundings.
Finally reaching the highest spot at Tengboche Monastery with awesome panorama of Everest and other giant peaks that surrounds this beautiful spot, with time to visit its monastery of great interest before heading back to Lukla for flight to reach Kathmandu.
Everest Panorama Trek Preview:
Trip Mode: Hotels in cities with local lodge on treks.
Trek Grade: Moderate walks with touch of high altitude.
Highest elevation: At Tengboche Monastery 3,867 m high.
Activities: City Tour and exciting flight with scenic walks.
Trekking Duration: 06 nights and 07 days (Lukla to Lukla)
Total Trip: 10 Nights / 11 Days (Arrival to Final departure)
People and Culture:
High Khumbu populated by Sherpa people indigenous tribes of Everest and high eastern Himalaya interwoven with Buddhism religion of impressive age-old culture.
Short Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Morning tour around Kathmandu at places of interest.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2,820 m) and trek to Phakding (2,640 m) - 04 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 05: Rest day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization and excursion.
Day 06: Trek to Tengboche (3,867 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Monjo (2,880 m) via Namche Bazaar - 06 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Lukla - 04 hrs.
Day 09: Fly back to Kathmandu afternoon free at leisure.
Day 10: Spare extra day as contingency and for individual activities.
Day 11: Final departure for homeward bound or to respective countries.
Kathmandu Valley Hill Trek
The closest and impressive scenic short walks is trek on high mid-hills within the valley rim of Kathmandu. It is an interesting and most rewarding shortest trek to enjoy as walk begins after a short drive from your hotel in Kathmandu reaching you at north east of valley rim at Sundarijal town.
Walk leads to climb towards serene small forest of Sundarijal with cascade of waterfalls and streams with uphill past few farm villages to reach at scenic Chisapani. The highest Chisapani spot offers panorama of mountains with sunrise and sunset glorious views.
Trek continues walking on high ridge with dense alpine woodland to reach at famous Nagarkot view point. Nagarkot is a popular touristic spot for glamorous sunrise and sunset views over range of peaks of Central and Langtang Himalaya with views of Everest in the comfort of nice hotels and resorts.
Next morning walk along with views after catching stunning sunrise views over Himalaya peaks to reach at Dhulikhel town to complete the scenic and wonderful trek with drive back to Kathmandu.
Kathmandu Valley Hill Trek Preview:
Trip Mode: Hotel, Lodge and Resorts
Trek Grade: Moderate with up and downhill walks
Trek duration: 03 Nights & 04 Days
Highest altitude: At Chisapani Hill and Ridge 2,165 m / 7,103 ft high.
Total Trip: 06 Nights & 07 Days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
Short Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Morning tour around Kathmandu at places of interest.
Day 03: Drive to Sundarijal and trek to Chisapani (2,300 m) - 04 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Nagarkot (2,100 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Dhulikhel (1,550 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 06: Drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 07: Transfer for international departure
Short Treks in Nepal Highlights
- Enjoy your time on high green hills of Himalaya with awesome panorama of snow-clad peaks
- Explore local village culture and age-old traditional farm life
- Enchanting woodland of tall rhododendron-magnolia-oaks-hemlocks with pines and fir tree lines
- Exceptional panorama of high mountains with stunning sunrise views from scenic view point hills
- Great change in climate and vegetation with short duration of time on wonderful Himalayan trails
- Walk on foot of Himalayan peaks and around high mid green hills with close mountain backdrops
Best Season for Short Treks in Nepal
Short Treks in Nepal can be done in nearly all months of the year except the wet times of monsoon seasons from June to mid September during rainy months.
March to May is one of the best season in spring with clear views of mountains and for pleasant walks, where days are longer cold in the morning and night times. This is the time when wild flowers are in full bloom with rhododendron, national flower of Nepal.
Another best time is from October till January during autumn / fall and winter season. The daylight hours are short but promising with clear blue sky most of the day. It can be freezing cold around higher altitude above 1,800 m high with chances of snow sometimes.
