Best Circuit Treks In Nepal For 2026

The Kanchenjunga Circuit is a least trekked area located on the eastern border of Nepal. The trails of this trek lead you to Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the third-highest peak in the world. Although it was opened to trekkers in 1988, it remains underrated to this day. The two primary reasons might be its remoteness and its being a restricted trekking area. There are two base camps in the region, the North and South base camps. The Kanchenjunga Circuit covers both the Kanchenjunga North and South base camp treks simultaneously, circling the area. The rugged trail, remoteness, and opportunities for camping make this trek an ideal destination for adventure seekers.

For the trek to Kanchenjunga Circuit, most groups fly to Badrapur from Kathmandu and then drive to Taplejung. The trekking start point is Taplejung, and the ending point is Khebang. Two separate routes head northeastward from Taplejung, one to the north base camp and the other to the south base camp. These routes can be combined into a circuit, making the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek.

Initially, you will head towards the North Base Camp and return to cross the Sele La Pass (4,290 m) and reach the South Base Camp. You will return via the Tortong route to get to Khebung before driving to Bhadrapur. The Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the less crowded treks, making it suitable for those seeking solitude while trekking. Read along to know more about the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek.

The Annapurna Circuit has become one of the most popular treks in Nepal since its inception in 1977 A.D. As the name suggests, this trek is located in the Annapurna Region, inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. The trail circles the Annapurna massif, meaning you can witness the views of the Annapurna mountains from multiple angles. The trek begins in the lush valley and leads to the arid landscape of Manang, culminating in the ascent to Thorong La Pass (5,416 meters), the highest point of the trek. Along the route, you will encounter traditional villages inhabited by the Gurung, Lama, Thakali, and Magar communities.

It used to take more than 20 days to complete the entire trek. However, the development of the road in the lower section has reduced the trek to 15 days or more. Despite the changes, the core of the treks, which are Manang, Muktinath, and Throng La Pass, are not affected, and you can still get the ultimate Himalayan trekking experience from this trek. After reaching Thorong Pass, you will descend to the Muktinath Temple, a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists. Besides, there are other popular side treks like Tilicho Lake Trek, which you can combine with Annapurna Circuit Trek to make it more challenging and rewarding.

Around 80 kilometers from Kathmandu, in Nepal, is the highland area of Helambu. The Helambu area is the location of a 7-day trek offered by Himalaya Guide Nepal Pvt. Ltd. It is simple to reach the Helambu Circuit trek from Kathmandu.

Trekking the Helambu Circuit Trek takes a week. For hikers with short vacations, it is the ideal journey. Similarly, If you hike in this area, you’ll enter and pass through the Langtang National Park for this journey, we must present our trekking permits at the checkpoint at Magen Goth, 3280 meters.

The Himalayan Rescue Dog team is based in Sundarijal (1,390 m (4,560 ft), a small dam and hydropower facility in the northeastern portion of Kathmandu Valley, where the Helambu trek starts. The route starts at Shivapuri National Park near the end of the auto road, where the enormous water pipe emerges from the hills to the west of Sundarijal.

There is now a bus service from Boudhanath Kathmandu to Sundarijal. Likewise, you can choose to walk or hail a taxi. From Sundarijal to Pati Bhanjyang. However, jeep service is now available every day.

The majority of the journey is upstairs as you continue along its west side after crossing beneath the pipe. After 40 minutes, go left to pass a dam (1,585 m (5,200 ft)) of a water reservoir, Continue climbing after passing the watershed management road, which snakes around the slope, across the dam.

The lodge is not far from here. In an hour, you may ascend through a damp subtropical forest, through oak woodland, and reach Mulkharkha, a dispersed Tamang town with lodges and a view of the Kathmandu Valley behind you.

The region to the north of Mulkharkha has occasionally seen assaults, so don’t go there alone. To reach the Sherpa settlement of Melamchi Ghyang, one must continue along the overall ridge system, traveling north. On the east side of the river, Tarke Gyang is located opposite Melamchi Ghyang.

The other travels east falls to the Melamchi Khola and then climbs its east (left) bank. Similarly, the ridgeway ascends significantly higher than the other route (about 3,700 m (12,000 ft)), and in the late winter or early spring, there may be snow on its highest sections.

Between Khutumsang and Melamchi Ghyang, there are no permanent communities, but if you leave Kutumsang in the morning. You may go to Tharepati, where there are lodges. This section of the trail has some of the best mountain vistas. Consider spending the night high up in a seasonal lodge or hoping for views in Tharepati if it is overcast.

It is common in the late afternoon. Then, pray for clear skies the following morning. Additionally, Helambu is a Buddhist pilgrimage location and is well-known for its delicious apples and gorgeous Buddhist buildings. The founder of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet, Padmasambhava, is thought to have lived in Helambu.

However, We can instead begin in the Melamchi Khola valley, in Kiul or Thimphu. This Helambu Circuit Trek begins in Sundarijal, 1,350 meters above sea level, and continues through Chisapani, 2,300 meters, Golphu Bhanjyang, 3,640 meters, Tharepati, 2,530 meters, Tarke Gyang, 2,590 meters, Thimphu, 1,580 meters, and ends with a drive back to Kathmandu.

The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a two-week-long adventure in Nepal’s Himalayas that goes around the eighth-highest mountain peak in the world, Mount Manaslu. Opened to trekkers in 1992, the route is less crowded than the other well-known Everest and Annapurna treks. Still, the Manaslu trek is gaining popularity yearly for its raw beauty, peaceful trails, and personal experience with the Himalayas.

The journey to the Manaslu Circuit is a moderate-to-strenuous trek that starts with a drive to Machhakhola and ends in Besisahar, taking in the exciting Larkya La Pass (5,106 m) also called Larke Bhanjyang . Although the trek doesn’t involve any technical climbing skills, it does require a good fitness level, and having previous trekking experience is helpful. This is because the trek takes you through varied terrain, long trekking days, challenging passes, and continuous elevation gain.

The trek to the Manaslu Circuit is stunning because it takes place within Manaslu Conservation Area, a protected mountain region with 11 distinct forest types ranging from lowland sal and pine forests to high alpine meadows and glaciers. Likewise, the protected area is home to 33 species of mammals and shelters over 110 bird species and 2000 species of flowering plants. Besides, it’s home to about 9,000 residents, primarily of Gurung, Tamang, Tsumba, and Nubri-Tibetan ethnic groups. Thus, the trek lets you experience Buddhist culture and its traditions throughout the adventure.

One unique aspect of the Manaslu treks is that it borders Tibet. Therefore, trekking in this region requires a restricted area permit, along with the MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Permit), ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit), and Chumnubri Rural Municipality Entry Permit. Also, trekking in the region requires you to be accompanied by a licensed guide through a registered trekking agency.

The best trekking time for the Manaslu Circuit is March-May (spring) and September-November (autumn), when skies are clear, and Larkya La is most reliably open and safe to cross. The major highlights of the trek involve walking along the Budhi Gandaki River gorge while enjoying views of Mount Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Himlung Himal, and Annapurna II. Manaslu Circuit trek is a 14-day moderate trek starting with a drive to Machha Khola, highlighting Larkya La Pass (5,106 m) at just $746.

The Manaslu Circuit with Serang Gompa Trek is a 15-day journey through the restricted trails of the Gorkha District and stands as a quieter alternative to Nepal’s commercial Himalayan routes. The route encircles Mount Manaslu (8,163 M), the world’s eighth-highest peak, and passes through a wide range of landscapes. At lower elevations, dense subtropical forests and waterfalls line the Budhi Gandaki River, while alpine terrain and glacial moraines dominate the approach to Larkya La Pass (5,160 M). The trail crosses Gurung and Tibetan-origin villages where architecture, customs, and daily life reflect long-preserved Himalayan traditions.

This itinerary gains its distinct character through its spiritual extension into Kyimolung Beyul, known as the “Hidden Valley of Happiness,” with a visit to the sacred Serang Gompa at 3,100 M. Blessed by Guru Rinpoche, the 500-year-old monastery remains an active center of Tibetan Buddhist practice in the Nubri region. The journey includes an overnight stay at the monastery, where trekkers observe rituals, practice meditation, and experience monastic life. This extension adds cultural depth and spiritual meaning to a demanding high-altitude trek.