swotah logo
HOME
DESTINATIONS
ACTIVITIES
SPECIAL OFFERS

ABOUT US

swotah whatsapp
swotah whatsapp
Swotah Travel
Online Payment
ACTIVITY

Hiking

Short Walks, Big Views

Not everyone has 2 weeks for the Annapurna Circuit. Nepal's shorter hikes — 1–5 days, accessible by car from Kathmandu or Pokhara — deliver Himalayan views and culture in time you can fit into a holiday.

20+Day-hike trails
1–7 daysShort treks
30 min driveFrom Kathmandu
View all trips
Hiking
HIKING TRIPS

All Hiking trips

6 hand-crafted hiking itineraries — from short tasters to multi-week expeditions.

About this activity

The Himalaya in a Long Weekend

While the famous treks take 2-3 weeks, Nepal has an extraordinary network of short trails and day hikes accessible from Kathmandu and Pokhara. Within 30 minutes of either city you can be walking ridge-top forest with views of 7,000m peaks.

Popular short options include Nagarkot to Dhulikhel (1 day), the Shivapuri Nagarjun traverse (1 day from Kathmandu), Australian Camp from Pokhara (2 days), and the Pikey Peak trek (5 days) — which Edmund Hillary called the finest view of Everest in Nepal. These are perfect for first-time visitors, families with children, and travellers with limited holiday time.

1–5 Day ItinerariesFit between flights and longer trips. Day hikes start from city hotels.
Teahouse LodgingEven short routes use the same teahouse network as the major treks
Family-Friendly RoutesMost hikes are suitable for children 8+ and trekkers in their 60s and 70s
Year-Round AccessibleMost short hikes sit below 3,000m and remain trekkable through winter
Hiking
Featured peaks

Featured hiking sites

#NameAltitudeRegionLevelPermit
01
Pikey Peak Hike
Solukhumbu
4,065mSolukhumbuTechnical$25
02
Mardi Himal Short
Annapurna
3,300mAnnapurnaTrekking Peak$30
03
Nagarkot–Dhulikhel
Kathmandu Valley
2,175mKathmandu ValleyTrekking Peak$10
04
Shivapuri Nagarjun
Kathmandu
2,732mKathmanduTrekking Peak$10
05
Australian Camp
Annapurna
2,060mAnnapurnaTrekking Peak$30
06
Poon Hill Short
Annapurna
3,210mAnnapurnaTrekking Peak$30
07
Sarangkot Walk
Pokhara
1,600mPokharaTrekking PeakFree
08
Champadevi Hike
Kathmandu Valley
2,278mKathmandu ValleyTrekking Peak$10
Planning

Best season & permits

When to go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Prime Good Not recommended
Short hikes work nearly year-round. Autumn (Oct–Nov) has the clearest mountain views. Spring (Feb–Apr) brings rhododendron bloom. Monsoon (Jul–Aug) is fine for valley walks but mountain views are clouded.

Permits

  • Shivapuri National Park
    For Kathmandu Valley north-rim hikes
    $10
  • ACAP
    Required for all short treks in the Annapurna region
    $30
  • TIMS Card
    Standard trekkers' permit (not needed for some day hikes)
    $20