What Trek Can I do in Nepal in Two Weeks?
So you are coming to Nepal for a few weeks and you want to spend longer than a week but less than 2 weeks on a trek. So here are some suggestions for you on trekking in Nepal and hiking in Nepal.
In case you have less time, why not check out my earlier blog, Best Treks to do in Nepal in a Week or Less which gives you details of short treks around Kathmandu and short treks around Pokhara. You can also expand many of these shorter treks into 10 days or longer.
This blog is just a taster of what treks are available in Nepal for those who wish to keep their time on the trail down under 2 weeks. There are plenty more treks on offer!
Please note the number of days given here is actual days on the trek (and travelling to/from the start/endpoint). Most agencies, including the best travel companies in Nepal, will also include one or two days sightseeing tours in Kathmandu. Please check the dates and number of days carefully.
Treks in Nepal for under Two Weeks
Treks in the Annapurnas
The Annapurnas are the mountain ranges near to Pokhara. Treks in this area include the Annapurna Circuit Trek, Pikey Peak Trek, Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, Jomson Muktinath Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and a host of others in Mustang and Upper Mustang.
Here are a few treks you can undertake in this area in under 14 days.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek / 8–12 days
This is a very popular trek as it brings to you straight into the Annapurna Mountain Range from Day 1. Suitable for older children, this moderate trek has incredible scenery and the altitude is not too high. The mountains you will see on this trek include the wonderful Machhapuchhre (also known as Fish Tail), Mount Hinchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, and Annapurna III. At the base camp, there is a 360-degree panorama of mountains. Plus a vertical view of the south face of Annapurna. Get your cameras out! You can also start this trek directly by driving from Kathmandu to Naya Pul where you will overnight and start the trek from on day 1. Or travel to Pokhara, overnight there, and take a short drive in the morning to Naya Pul. The trek will then end in Pokhara with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the lakeside environment there.
Mardi Himal Trek / 8 days
This trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu but brings you to Pokhara at the end of the trek. This is a great trek for those who like off the beaten track treks. As this area has not been open long, it has not yet become as busy as other treks in the area. A big plus if you don’t like crowds! It also means the locals are most welcoming and hospitable. As far as nature is concerned, lush forests of pine, oak, bamboo and the colourful Rhododendron bushes are a huge part of this trek. The valleys are steep and the mountains are high but trekkers never go beyond 4,100m at High Camp.
Jomson-Muktinath Trek / 12 days
This trek is perfect for family tours in Nepal. Even for small group tours in Nepal. Adventure awaits at every corner. This trek follows an old, classic trekking route and then flies you back out from Jomson to Pokhara at the end of the exciting hike. Each village is different from the last. From natural hot springs at Tatopani to strange clay effigies at Kagbeni and 108 water spouts and an eternal flame in the Hindu pilgrimage site at Muktinath, you will never feel bored on this trek.
Annapurna Circuit Trek / 13 days
There are a couple of ways to do this amazing trek that takes you through Mustang and Manang, across the Thorong La Pass. You can either do this trek clockwise or anti-clockwise but we recommend doing it anti-clockwise to build up your altitude stamina. Driving from Kathmandu you reach Jagat in Manang where the trek begins. Crossing the Pass at 5,416m is challenging and must be done around 3 am to avoid the afternoon winds. From here the views of Thorong Peak and Mt Khatungkan are fantastic. Once over the pass, you are in Mustang with its interesting villages, temples and monasteries. There is then a choice of flying from Jomson to Pokhara or trekking all the way down (2 or 3 days more) and making a short drive to Pokhara.
Treks in the Everest Region
There are a number of treks in the Everest Region as you would expect! And as you would also expect, the terrain is tough and the trekking demanding. But hiking in Nepal is never easy!
Everest Base Camp Trek / 12 days
The most famous trek in this region is, of course, the Everest Base Camp Trek. This starts with a flight into the high altitude Tenzing Hilary Airport at Lukla. This flight is an adventure and free mountain flight all rolled into one! On this trek, you will spend time in locations you have only dreamt of before! Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery, and of course Everest Base Camp! You might not have heard however of Kala Patthar, which is the viewpoint for Everest. This ridge gets you as close to Mount Everest as you will get, unless you plan to try and summit the mountain! From the top of Kala Patthar, you gain the most stunning and wonderful views in the world! Sunrise is particularly beautiful.
Everest Base Camp Trek with Return Helicopter Flight / 10 days
Should you wish to trek to Everest Base Camp but are tight on time or are a little unsure how your body will adapt to the high altitude and trekking conditions, this might be the perfect solution! You still get to visit base camp as well as Tengboche Monastery with its magnificent views and Namche Bazaar with its bustling yet cosy atmosphere. But you don’t have to backtrack to fly back out of Lukla (you will be experiencing that fixed-wing flight on your way in!) You can helicopter out from Gorakshep. But note this trip might not be available at all times so please ask first.
Gokyo Ri with Everest Base Camp / 15 days
Strictly speaking, this trek cannot be done within 2 weeks, but what’s another day right? While at EBC, why miss the opportunity to see the amazing system of lakes which lie just beyond base camp and fall under one name – Gokyo Lake. And of course, climb up to Gokyo Ri for even more stunning views.
Treks that Start from Kathmandu. Don’t feel you have to travel long distances or get on a domestic flight to go trekking in Nepal. There are treks within a day’s drive from Kathmandu that take you into the equally as beautiful countryside as you see in other parts of the country.
Helambu Valley Trek / 7 days
This lovely trek takes you through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park through pine and bamboo forests and past waterfalls with great mountain views of course! Starting only one hours drive from Kathmandu at Sundarijal and ending about four hours from Kathmandu at Melamchi Bazaar, the time spent getting to and from the trek is minimal. This is a relatively easy trek suitable for a family tour in Nepal and you don’t need to worry too much about the best season to visit Nepal as this trek can be done almost year-round. One of the interesting and unique things about this trek is it gives you the opportunity to meet Hyolmo people – an ethnic group whose lifestyle is similar to Tibetan Buddhists. The mountains you will see include Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, and in the far distance are the tops of some of the mountains in the Everest Region.
Gosaikunda Trek / 7-9 days
Another great trek near to Kathmandu is to Gosaikunda Lake in the Langtang National Park. This popular trek has mountains, lakes, wildlife such as the shy Red Panda, and forests of Rhododendron, bamboo and oak. The Langtang Range and Ganesh Himal are just some of the mountains you will see. Since this area was the site of the first cheese factory in Nepal (with help from the Swiss), there is an opportunity to visit a cheese factory for a taste! As well as a visit to the more expected monastery of Chandan Bari Sing Gompa. This is definitely one of the best short treks around Kathmandu.
Tamang Heritage Trek / 7 days
For people who love to find out about different cultures and traditions, the Tamang Heritage Trek introduces you to an indigenous group who migrated to Nepal from Tibet generations ago. Today their culture, dress and lifestyle are still very much Tibetan. This off the beaten track trek lets you learn about the Tamang people while exploring the countryside and taking in mountain views of the likes of Langtang Lirung and Ganesh Himal. This is not a very strenuous trek with only one long walking day and at a relatively low altitude so could be suitable for a family tour in Nepal with older children.
Lower Manaslu Trek / 11 days
This trek is not as popular as some of the other, older trekking routes yet brings you into the amazing countryside with great culture and history. In fact, it brings you to the birthplace of modern Nepal. And what’s more this trek starts in a very unusual way – with a trip on a cable car! After a short drive from Kathmandu, the cable car takes you to Manakamana Temple. Make a wish as it is believed wishes can come true here! From here the trek takes you to Gorkha where you visit Gorkha Palace. It was from here that King Prithvi Narayan Shah united the many small kingdoms to bring about unification and the country now known as Nepal, around 1743. From Gorkha, there is another drive to bring you to Sirandanda where the trek begins again. By now you are truly in the heart of Gurung (an ethnic group) country. This is really a very different kind of trek which introduces you to some of the ancient and modern histories of Nepal while you travel under the watchful eye of mountains such as Annapurna I and II, Ganesh I, II, III, and Himal Chuli to name just a few of the many you will see.
Panch Pokhari Trek / 12 Days
This trek takes you into the Langtang Region, just a few hours’ drive from Kathmandu yet this trek is off the beaten trail and doesn’t see too many visitors. The main attraction here is the five (panch) lakes (pokhari) which all have religious significance to both Hindus and Buddhists, particularly during the festival of Janai Purnima held annually around the month of August. But even coming here outside of that intensely busy religious period filled with pilgrims, the lakes and the backdrop of mountains such as the Rolwaling Range, Gosaikunda, Makalu and Kanchenjunga are fascinating themselves. This strenuous trek takes you through farmland, pastures, and forests and along rivers and past the lakes.
Please note this is a camping trek in Nepal which makes it both more demanding and also more exciting and adventurous.
Other Treks in Nepal
There are dozens of treks in Nepal. Ranging from one and two days up to 30 days or more! It really is up to how long you want to spend on the trail! And they range from the luxury tours in Nepal to off the beaten track tours, and camping and basic teahouses (lodges) treks. Please check back into this blog space for a taster of what is on offer. Or check any reputable Nepal tour agency website for more in-depth information.
See you soon!