The 11 Best Short Treks in Nepal

Nepal has a diverse range of trekking trails and caters to the needs of every kind of trekkers. Want to trek in Nepal but don’t have many days to spare? No worries. Here is a list of the 11 best short treks in Nepal which range from 3 days to 9 days.

Short treks of Nepal are best for those who are short on time but want to experience the joy of trekking in Nepal. Bask in the picturesque beauty of verdant hills and mountains and walk on trails that pass-through villages, farmlands, forests and alongside the river. Experience warm local hospitality and get an insight into the local culture.

Well, if you think short treks in Nepal are going to be easy, think again. Some short treks are easy which first-time trekkers will enjoy. But there are some short treks which are easy to moderately difficult as well. In this blog, we aren’t only recommending Nepal's popular treks but also the off the beaten path treks whose popularity is rising. Moreover, you can trek in seclusion while going on a short trek in Nepal as well.

1. Ghandruk Trek

Trip Facts

Enjoy a scenic trek in the foothills of Mount Annapurna with Ghandruk Trek. The quaint village of Ghandruk offers an amazing panoramic view and you can see mountains like Fishtail, Annapurna South, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli and others.

The three-day short Ghandruk trek starts from Pokhara and the journey begins with a drive from Pokhara to Ghandruk. Savor the majestic views of Annapurna range along the way. You will be walking on a trail lined with rhododendron trees and farmland and climbing stone stairs.

The village nestled in the lap of mountains is Ghandruk and enjoy a mesmerizing sunrise. Continue your trek past paddy fields and wonderful views to Pothana. A walk on a scenic trail with spectacular Himalayan views and verdant forest will take you to Phedi. Further, you will be driving back to Pokhara from Phedi.

2. Mardi Himal Trek

Trip Facts

Take an exciting ridgeline hike with awe-inspiring views with Mardi Himal Trek. The off the beaten path trek offers a majestic view of mountains quickly, which adds to its popularity.  Enjoy the close-up views of mountains like Mardi Himal, Fishtail Peak, Annapurna South, Lamjung Himal and others.

You will be flying to Pokhara from Kathmandu and the short Mardi Himal trek starts with a drive to Kande the trailhead of the trek. Further, you will be trekking to Badal Danda via Pothana and Forest Camp. A walk through the thick forest will ultimately lead you to the stunning view of the popular Fishtail Peak. You can stargaze and view the constellation from Badal Danda on a night with a clear sky. Continue your hike to High Camp and savor the 360-degree view of the Himalayas and verdant hills. Moreover, you will be trekking to Mardi Himal Base Camp which overlooks the breathtaking views of mountains like Annapurna South, Huinchuli, and Fishtail. You will be trekking to Sidhing via Low Camp followed by a drive to Pokhara. On the next day, you will be flying to Kathmandu.

Short treks in Nepal give you a taste of trekking in Nepal. Nepal offers a variety of short treks, so if you want to choose the best one per your requirements, it drops us a message. Our Travel expert will help you to pick the best one. Make most of your Nepal travel and create memories for a lifetime by choosing a good travel partner like Third Rock Adventures.

Recommended Read: Mardi Himal Trek Travel Blog - In The Shadow Of The Fishtail

3. Dhampus Sarangkot Trek

Trip Facts

Dhampus Sarangkot Trek is one of the best and popular short treks in Pokhara. Savor the incredible views of mountains including Annapurna, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri. Walk on a forest trail that opens up to stunning mountain views. The trek rewards you with amazing mountain views in a short period of time. Get a taste of trekking in Nepal and get an insight into local culture and tradition. You will come across the Gurung ethnic group during the trek.

Short Dhampus Sarangkot Trek starts with a drive to Phedi from Pokhara followed by a hike to Australian Camp via Dhampus. The magnificent views of the Annapurna range and Manaslu will keep you entertained. On the following day, you will be trekking to Sarangkot, a popular viewpoint to see magical sunrises and sunsets over the Annapurna range. Also, the viewpoint of Sarangkot offers a close-up view of Fishtail Peak and Pokhara valley, including Phewa Lake. Your 3-day trek ends with a trek from Sarangkot to Pokhara.

4. Ghorepani Trek

Trip Facts

Ghorepani Trek is a popular short trek in Pokhara. The trek gives you the taste of trekking in Nepal and a sneak peek into the rich local culture. A magical Himalayan sunrise from the vantage point of Poon Hill is the highlight of Ghorepani Trek. Savor the gorgeous panoramic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from Poon Hill.

Ghorepani trek begins from Nyapul and you will be climbing the steep stone staircase to Ulleri. Further, a jungle walk filled with rhododendron trees will take you to Ghorepani. After watching a beautiful sunrise from Poon Hill, you will be trekking the quaint village of Ghandruk. On the next day, you will be heading back to Pokhara. The trek is culturally enriching as you will be trekking past Gurung and Magar villages. You can also visit the Gurung Culture Museum of Ghandruk if you wish to know more about the local culture. It is an easy trek which is famous also a family trek with kids.

5. Kalinchowk Trek

Trip Facts

Kalinchowk Trek is one of the famous short treks near Kathmandu. The trek is named after a hilltop temple of Kalinchowk Bhagawati. It is a revered temple where thousands of Hindu pilgrims pay a visit every year. Enjoy the panoramic view of snowcapped mountains. Moreover, you will get to savor the awe-inspiring mountain ranges located on the Nepal Tibet border from Langtang to Numbur.

Kalinchowk Trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Charikot. On the following day, you will be walking to Kuri village and exploring it. Further, you will be trekking to the hilltop temple of Kalinchowk Bhagwati which offers breathtaking panoramic views of mountains. A wonderful hike on a trail filled with rhododendron and hemlock trees will be etched in your memory forever. If you want to try local treats, then you should not miss Tongba- a millet-based alcoholic drink, dried yak meat and Chhurpi- a special kind of cheese found in the Himalayan region. 

6. Khopra Danda Trek

Trip Facts

Khopra Danda Trek is a great alternative to the popular Ghorepani Poon Hill trek if you wish to avoid the crowd. The trek, also known as Khorpa Ridge trek, is a wonderful trek that offers you a stunning view of the majestic Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The off-the-beaten-path trek is one of Nepal's newly opened trekking routes in the Annapurna region. It was introduced to uplift the economic cognition of the villages along the trail. 

Bask in the breathtaking views of mountains like Annapurna Massif, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli and other peaks from the vantage point of Khopra danda. Moreover, you will be trekking past vantage points like Poon Hill, Khopra Ridge, and Muldai's viewpoints, which are famous for their magical sunrises. Visit the sacred high altitude Khayer Lake situated at an elevation of 4,500 meters which is the highest point of the trek as well. You can enjoy the close-up view of Annapurna South from Khayer Lake. The Khopra Danda short Trek is a good opportunity to enjoy a trek in solitude in the Himalayas' foothills and get an insight into rural Nepal.

7. Helambu Trek

Trip Facts

A short trek in the lower hills of the Langtang region near Kathmandu is the Helambu trek. The trek is blessed with natural beauty and culturally rich. The trail overlooks snowcapped mountains and verdant hills and you will be walking past waterfalls, rivers, glaciers, forests and farmlands. Bask in the beauty of astounding mountains like Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Gauri Shankar and others. The trek will give you an insight into Tamang and Sherpa culture which share similarities with Tibetan culture.

Helambu short trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Chispani via Sundarijal.  You will be walking on a forested trail to Kutumsang followed by a walk on a steep trail to Tharipati. You will be crossing Tharipati Pass (3,650 meters) which offers awesome views of mountains like Dorje Lakpa, Langsisa and Gauri Shankar. Walkthrough Sherpa villages on your way to Tarkeghyang which has one of the largest and oldest monasteries in the region. You will be walking on a forested trail and crossing small streams on your hike to Shermathang. A hike to Melamchi Pul Bazaar marks the end of your trek.

8. Lower Mustang Trek

Trip Facts

Enjoy the stark beauty of Mustang with a short trek. You will see a variety of landscapes from the subtropical jungle to the high-altitude desert-like Tibetan Plateau during the trek. Take an ancient trade route to Tibet up the Kali Gandaki River. You will be trekking on the trail with the backdrop of two high mountains Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

Lower Mustang short trek begins with a wonderful flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. On the next day, you will be flying to the popular town of Jomsom. The town caters to tourists' needs and has many hotels, banks, shops, and other government offices. Your next stop is the village of Kagbeni, located on a confluence of two rivers Kagbeni and Jhong. Continue your trek from Kagbeni to the holy temple of Muktinath, which is a pilgrimage site for both the Hindus and Buddhists.

Muktinath is a sacred place of salvation for the Hindus. It is believed that bathing under 108 water spouts and dipping in waters of two kundas will bestow salvation after death. Moreover, Buddhist believes that the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, Guru Rimpoche meditated in Muktinath. Further, you will be trekking back to Jomsom and flying back to Kathmandu via Pokhara.

9. Everest View Trek

Trip Facts

Get the taste of short trekking in the Everest region with Everest View Trek. It is one of the best short treks which offer a stunning view of high mountains including Everest. You will be visiting the famous Sherpa town, Namche Bazaar which caters to the needs of the tourists visiting the Everest region. The small colorful town sells trekking and mountaineering equipment, Tibetan artifacts that you can take back home as a souvenir.

Everest View short trek starts with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla followed by a trek to Phakding. You will be trekking alongside the pristine Dudhkoshi River to Phakding. On the next day, you will be hiking on a trail lined with pine and rhododendron treks to Namche Bazaar.  Savor the incredible view of the snowy mountains like Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and others from Namche Bazaar. Your next stop is Everest View Hotel which offers a stunning panoramic view of the Himalayas including Everest, Ama Dablam and Thamserku. Further, trek back to Lukla and flying back to Kathmandu.

10. Peaky Peak Trek

Trip Facts

You can enjoy the majestic view of Everest during the Peaky Peak Trek. Sir Edmund Hillary’s favorite place to bask in the beauty of Everest is Peaky Peak. It is one of the best short treks of the Everest region which can be completed in 9 days. Savor the stunning views of high mountains like Makalu, Dhaulagiri, and Kanchenjunga. You will see Buddhist sites like monasteries, stupas, and gompas during the trek. 

Peaky Peak short trek begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Dhap followed by a trek to Japre. Further, you will be trekking to Pikey Base Camp and the next morning will be beautiful with an amazing sunrise from Peaky Peak. Continue your trek to Junebesi via Loading. On your way, you will be visiting Thubtenchoeling Monastery and Chiwong Monastery. You will get a taste of trekking in the Everest region with Peaky Peak Trek and get insight into the local culture and tradition.

Recommended Read: Where To See Mount Everest and Annapurna - Nepal's Top 12 Viewpoints

11. Balthali Village Trek

Trip Facts

Enjoy a short trek of 3 days near Kathmandu with Balthali Village Trek. It is one of the best treks if you are short of time. Your trip starts with a drive from Kathmandu to the beautiful Panauti village with edifices in Newari architecture. Moreover, you will be hiking from Panauti to the village of Balthali. You will be trekking through forested ridges and terraced fields. Explore the Balthali village which offers stunning views of snowcapped mountains, verdant hills and terraced villages.

Further, you will be trekking to Namo Buddha which is a holy site for Buddhists. It is the site where Prince Mahasattva offered his body to a starving tigress with her cubs lying on the ground. Gautam Buddha was born as Prince Mahasattva and he saves the life of the tigress and her cubs, sacrificing him. The incident is engraved in a black stone slab. 

The short Balthali Village trek in the lower hills near Kathmandu is also perfect as a family trek with kids. Moreover, you will get a sneak peek into the daily life of locals in rural Nepal. Accommodations on this trek are good and you can opt for more standard teahouses.