Nepal's treks side by side: how many days, how high, when to go, which permits you need, and whether you need a licensed guide. Then the main sightseeing places, with entry fees. Every fee and rule links to its source.
Treks
Everest Base Camp (Everest region): 12–14 walking days · highest point Kala Patthar 5,545 m · Strenuous · best months Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri (Everest region): Days vary · highest point Gokyo Ri 5,357 m · Strenuous · best months Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Everest Three Passes (Everest region): Days vary · highest point Kongma La 5,535 m · Strenuous · best months Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Annapurna Circuit (Annapurna region): 15–20 walking days · highest point Thorong La 5,416 m · Challenging · best months Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Annapurna Base Camp (Annapurna region): 5–12 walking days · highest point Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m · Moderate · best months Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Ghorepani Poon Hill (Annapurna region): 2–6 walking days · highest point Poon Hill 3,210 m · Easy · best months Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Mardi Himal (Annapurna region): 5–7 walking days · highest point Mardi Himal Base Camp 4,500 m · Moderate · best months Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Langtang Valley (Langtang region): 7–8 walking days · highest point Tserko Ri (optional) 4,984 m · Moderate · best months Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Manaslu Circuit (Manaslu region): 14–21 walking days · highest point Larkya La 5,106 m · Strenuous · best months Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Upper Mustang (Mustang): 12–16 walking days · Challenging
Kanchenjunga Base Camps (Kanchenjunga region): 21–28 walking days · highest point Pangpema (North Base Camp) 5,140 m · Strenuous · best months Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Khopra Ridge (Annapurna region): 7–14 walking days · highest point Khayer Lake (optional) 4,638 m · Moderate · best months Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Helambu (Langtang region): 5–8 walking days · highest point ridge near Tharepati 3,650 m · Moderate · best months Sep, Oct, Nov
Sightseeing
Temples, old royal squares, lakes and wildlife, with each site's entry fee and its source.
Kathmandu Valley: Three old royal cities, Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, and the temples and stupas around them. Seven of the valley's monument zones together form one UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1979.
Pokhara: A lakeside city about 200 km west of Kathmandu and the gateway to the Annapurna treks, with mountain views over Phewa Lake.
Chitwan National Park: Nepal's first national park, founded in 1973 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, in the lowland Terai. It is home to greater one-horned rhinos and about 145 Bengal tigers in and around the park.
Lumbini: The birthplace of the Buddha, in southern Nepal near the Indian border, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997: the Maya Devi Temple, the Ashoka Pillar and monasteries built by many countries.
Since 31 March 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board requires foreign trekkers on listed routes in the Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu and Kanchenjunga regions to walk with a licensed guide and carry a TIMS card. Both are arranged through a government-registered trekking agency. Nepali citizens are not affected.
In the Everest region the local government said in 2023 that guides were not compulsory there, which conflicts with the Tourism Board's rule. Check the current position with a registered agency before you go.
Restricted areas
Manaslu, Upper Mustang and Kanchenjunga are restricted areas. On top of the usual permits you need a restricted-area permit, charged in US dollars and issued only through a registered agency, and you must trek with a licensed guide. Since March 2026 one trekker alone can get the permit; one guide can lead up to seven trekkers.
Permits and fees
Sagarmatha National Park entry permit: NPR 3,000 for foreigners, NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry fee: NPR 3,000 for foreigners, NPR 2,000 for SAARC nationals
Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit: NPR 3,000 for foreigners, NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals
Langtang National Park entry permit: NPR 3,000 for foreigners, NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals
TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System): NPR 2,000 for foreigners, NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (Gorkha, Chumnubri wards 1–4): US$100 for the first week, then US$15 per day (Sep–Nov); US$75 for the first week, then US$10 per day (Dec–Aug) for foreigners
Manaslu Conservation Area entry permit: NPR 3,000 for foreigners, NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals
Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit: US$50 per day for foreigners
Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (Taplejung): US$20 per week for the first 4 weeks, then US$25 per week for foreigners
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area entry permit: NPR 2,000 for foreigners, NPR 500 for SAARC nationals
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry permit: NPR 1,000 for foreigners, NPR 600 for SAARC nationals
The Annapurna permit costs double if bought at a check-post on the trail. Fees change; check the official source before you go. Fees and rules checked on 2026-11-02.
Weather and closures
Storms, floods and landslides can close trails at short notice. Check the Nepal Tourism Board's travel updates before you set off. Nepal Tourism Board travel updates
Altitude
Most of these treks go above 3,000 m. The US CDC advises: once above 3,000 m, sleep no more than 500 m higher each night, add an extra day for every 1,000 m you gain, never go higher with symptoms (headache, nausea, dizziness), and go down if they get worse.
Insurance
Make sure your travel insurance covers trekking at the altitude you'll reach and helicopter rescue. Many policies stop at a set altitude. Compare travel insurance
Flights to Kathmandu
Every trek here starts from Kathmandu. See which dates tend to cost less to fly there. Compare dates to Kathmandu
General guidance from the sources listed, not a guarantee. Rules, fees and trail conditions change; confirm with the official source or a registered trekking agency before you go.