Best Treks in Nepal for 3 Weeks or More: 8 Long Routes Compared (2026)

• Longest trip hereKarma Trek, 32 days
• Highest passTeri La, about 5,595 m
• Camping treksUpper Dolpo, Dolpo to Jomsom, Dhaulagiri, Teri La, Lumba Sumba
• Teahouse treksKarma, Arun Valley to EBC, Kanchenjunga (basic lodges)
• Restricted permitsDolpo, Karma, Teri La, Kanchenjunga, Lumba Sumba
• GuideLicensed guide required (not enforced in the Khumbu)
• Best monthsMar to May, Oct to Nov (Dolpo also in summer)

This guide is part of our treks-by-duration series: a week or less · under 14 days · two weeks · three weeks or more (this page). Not sure where to start? Read which trek should I do in Nepal.

Nepal is famous for trekking. From short treks around Kathmandu and off-the-beaten-track treks to luxury tours in Nepal, this country is one of the best places for scenery, people, and mountains!

Many adventure activities are available – from mountain biking in Nepal, climbing such peaks as Mera Peak and Nuptse (7,861 m), to name just two, to bungee jumping and paragliding. Then there are the more relaxing activities such as short treks around Pokhara, Nepal yoga retreats, homestay treks in Nepal, and Everest mountain flights. In this blog, I want to concentrate on longer treks – those of 3 weeks and over. These treks are generally pretty challenging, often camping treks, and involve a lot of stamina and good fitness. Read on if you dare!

The day counts below are our trips door to door, from landing in Kathmandu to flying home. If you only have a fortnight, our two week treks guide shows which routes really fit 14 days.

Nepal's Long Treks at a Glance

Eight treks, all of them about three weeks or longer with us. Bars show each trek's highest point against the Teri La, the highest pass in this list.

Trek	Days	Highest point		Sleeping	Permits	Best season
Upper Dolpo	26	Kang La, about 5,350 m		Camping	Upper Dolpo RAP, Shey Phoksundo NP	May to Oct
Upper Dolpo to Jomsom	29	Kang La, about 5,350 m		Camping	Upper Dolpo RAP, Shey Phoksundo NP, ACAP	May to Oct
Dhaulagiri Circuit	21	French Pass, about 5,360 m		Camping and teahouses	ACAP, TIMS	Apr to May, late Sep to Nov
Karma Trek	32	Thorong La, 5,416 m		Teahouses	Manaslu RAP, MCAP, ACAP, Upper Mustang RAP	Mar to May, Oct to Nov
Teri La Pass	23	Teri La, about 5,595 m		Camping, then guesthouses	Nar Phu RAP, Upper Mustang RAP, ACAP	Spring and autumn
Arun Valley to Everest Base Camp	21	Kala Patthar, 5,545 m		Teahouses	Sagarmatha NP, Khumbu fee	Mar to May, Oct to Nov
Kanchenjunga Base Camp	30	Pangpema, 5,143 m		Basic teahouses, some camping	Kanchenjunga RAP, KCAP	Apr to May, Oct to Nov
Lumba Sumba	21	Lumba Sumba La, about 5,177 m		Camping	RAP, KCAP, Makalu Barun NP	Apr to May, Oct to Nov

West Nepal – The Hidden Valley of Dolpo

Upper Dolpo Trek / 26 days

Dolpo lies in the northwest of Nepal near the Tibetan Plateau. Upper Dolpo is the region's upper part, a remote and restricted area. There is no quota, but the permit costs USD 500 for the first 10 days, and that keeps the numbers small. Since this area is in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri mountain range, you don't have to worry about the worst time to visit Nepal, as you can come here even during the summer monsoon when other trekking routes are slippery and unpleasant.

Being so close to Tibet, the culture and lifestyle are Tibetan Buddhist. Dolpo is also one of the last places in Nepal where the Bon religion is still practised. On this long trek with its rugged trails, high altitude, steep and sometimes unstable paths, you will be rewarded with monasteries, quaint villages, big views of Dhaulagiri and Crystal Mountain, and be trekking through the Shey Phoksundo National Park with the beautiful Phoksundo Lake. This is a camping trek and tough on the body. Be prepared for that. But also be prepared for the trip of your life!

Getting in takes two flights, Kathmandu to Nepalganj and then a small plane to Juphal. Juphal flights are often held up by weather, so keep a spare day at each end. The highest point is the Kang La at about 5,350 m, crossed on the way to Shey Gompa.

• Swotah trip26 days (23 on trek), Juphal to Juphal
• Highest pointKang La, about 5,350 m
• SleepingCamping, simple lodges at Phoksundo and Dunai
• PermitsUpper Dolpo RAP USD 500 for 10 days, then USD 50 a day, plus Shey Phoksundo NP NPR 3,000
• PriceSee the trip page for current departures

Upper Dolpo to Jomsom Trek / 29 days (extendable)

If you want to push yourself, even more, you can extend your Upper Dolpo trek to include ending in Jomsom, in the Mustang region. This involves extremely tough trails and camping. Like the regular Upper Dolpo Trek, this trek starts with a flight to Nepalganj from Kathmandu and then another flight from Nepalganj to Juphal. But unlike the Upper Dolpo Trek, you end by coming out of Dolpo, over the Sangda La (about 5,100 m, though figures vary by source) into Mustang, and down to the Kali Gandaki valley at Jomsom. From Jomsom, you can fly out to Pokhara or continue to trek down through Mustang. If you decide on the latter, you can swap your tent for comfortable lodge accommodation. But all this will have to be arranged in advance, of course. This trek goes through Shey Phoksundo National Park, the largest national park in the country. There is plenty of bird and wildlife, and it is home to the rare Snow Leopard.

• Swotah trip29 days, Nepalganj to Jomsom
• Highest pointKang La, about 5,350 m (Sangda La about 5,100 m)
• SleepingCamping throughout
• PermitsUpper Dolpo RAP, Shey Phoksundo NP, ACAP for the Mustang side
• PriceSee the trip page for current departures

Treks Starting at Kathmandu, Ending at Pokhara

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek / 21 days

This challenging trek starts with a day's drive from Kathmandu to Beni and ends with a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara and then a flight or drive back to Kathmandu. You can, of course, extend your trip to Pokhara to relax and unwind. It is a mix of camping and staying in teahouses (lodges) which is an ideal way to taste both experiences. You will pass two of the highest massifs in the world – Mount Dhaulagiri and Mount Annapurna. And you will experience many more mountains over 7,000m. Aside from these vast giants, you will be in the Kali Gandaki, often called the deepest gorge in the world, which sits between the two before-mentioned massifs. There are a couple of passes to test your endurance. And your balance, as there most probably will be ice on the trail.

Crossing French Pass (about 5,360 m) and Dhampus Pass (about 5,200 m), you may need an ice axe and crampons. Dhaulagiri Base Camp, The French Camp, and the Hidden Valley are some of the places you will visit. With the many passes to traverse, there is a rest day to explore the Hidden Valley before ending the trek in the cobblestoned village of Marpha – famous for its apples and apple brandy, and the bustling market town of Jomsom. You will have lodge accommodation and more comprehensive menu items in both these locations. And perhaps some beer or brandy?

• Swotah trip21 days, Galeshwor (near Beni) to Jomsom
• Highest pointFrench Pass, about 5,360 m
• SleepingAbout 12 nights camping, the rest in teahouses
• PermitsACAP NPR 3,000, TIMS NPR 2,000
• Swotah priceFrom USD 2,295 / person

Karma Trek / 32 Days

This trek takes you through Manang via Kathmandu, ends at Mustang, and goes to Pokhara. One of the highlights of this trek is that it takes you into the Hidden Kingdom of Lo, more commonly known as Upper Mustang. And although it is a long and, in parts, laborious trek, it does not involve camping. This unique trek combines the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek and takes you to Lo Manthang, the ancient home of the King of Lo in Upper Mustang. Most of this trek takes you through Tibetan Buddhist areas in culture and traditions, and once in Upper Mustang, the land itself takes on a very Tibetan look and feel. The Karma Trek joins three well-known treks into one. And it is not many people who have undertaken this trek (as one trip), so you will be almost a pioneer! It starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola and ends with a flight out of Jomsom to Pokhara, after which you can drive or fly back to Kathmandu. It takes all the high mountains in the Annapurna range and takes you over the Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), which links Manang to Mustang. Before that, you will already have crossed the Larke La (5,106 m) on the Manaslu side. From there, you turn north towards Lo Manthang in the restricted area of Upper Mustang. This area is famous for its sky cliffs. Homes or places of worship were placed high up on cliffs, and we are not sure by whom, why, or even how they managed to climb up so high!

• Swotah trip32 days, Soti Khola to Jomsom
• Highest pointThorong La, 5,416 m (Larke La 5,106 m)
• SleepingTeahouses throughout
• PermitsManaslu RAP (USD 100 for 7 days Sep to Nov, then USD 15 a day), MCAP, ACAP, Upper Mustang RAP USD 50 a day
• PriceSee the trip page for current departures

Teri La Pass Trek / 23 days

This relatively new and exciting trek takes you off the beaten track and into the Hidden Kingdom of Lo. Otherwise known as Upper Mustang. From the lowland forests to dry, Tibetan-like landscapes, this trek is something different. You will also be camping which adds to the excitement and expedition feel. Upper Mustang borders Tibet, so you can expect to see gompas, stupas, monasteries, and thousands of prayer flags sending up prayers on the wind. Our route starts from Besisahar and Koto, climbs through the Nar Phu valley and crosses the Teri La itself at about 5,595 m before dropping into Upper Mustang. You will visit the old palace at Lo Manthang and cross several lower passes on the way back south. So be fit and prepared before you arrive.

The peaks around the Teri La are hard white against the blue skies. In Upper Mustang, there is a day to explore the Chhoser (Jhong) cave. This is part of a unique and puzzling cave complex known as the Sky Caves. There are around 10,000 artificial caves carved into the side of cliffs. Mummified bodies and skeletons over 2,000 years old have been found along with Buddhist paintings, manuscripts, and artifacts from the 12th to 14th centuries. But actually, no one knows why the caves are there. Interesting indeed! The trek ends at Jomsom, where you can fly down to Pokhara and then to Kathmandu. Or extend your stay in Pokhara.

• Swotah trip23 days, Besisahar to Pokhara
• Highest pointTeri La, about 5,595 m
• SleepingCamping on the Nar Phu side, guesthouses in Mustang
• PermitsNar Phu RAP (USD 100 a week Sep to Nov, else 75), Upper Mustang RAP USD 50 a day, ACAP
• PriceSee the trip page for current departures

East Nepal – Everest Region

Arun Valley to Everest Base Camp Trek / 21 days

At 21 days with us, this trek is an exciting twist on the usual Everest Base Camp Trek. The trek begins with a flight to Tumlingtar, where the trek starts through terraced fields and green pastures. The Arun Valley lies between the Everest region and Makalu Barun National Park. The walk starts below 500 m, so you gain more than 5,000 m by the time you stand on Kala Patthar. Less crowded than the Khumbu Valley, it's a great trek for those who like something a bit different but don't want to miss out on the main features of the Everest Base Camp Trek. The mountains are a prominent feature of this trek - Everest, Makalu, Mera Peak, Baruntse, Mt. Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku are just some you will see. The flora and fauna around the National Park are rich too. The Makalu Barun area counts 47 kinds of orchid and about 315 species of butterfly! And, if you are lucky, the shy red panda. On day 9 of our itinerary, this trek joins the EBC trail at Phakding and on to Namche Bazaar for an acclimatization day before hiking higher. Then it follows the classic route past Tengboche Monastery to Gorak Shep, Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and Kala Patthar (5,545 m), the Everest viewpoint. The trek ends with the short, dramatic flight out of Lukla.

• Swotah trip21 days, Tumlingtar to Lukla
• Highest pointKala Patthar, 5,545 m
• SleepingTeahouses, basic in the Arun, full service in the Khumbu
• PermitsSagarmatha NP NPR 3,000, Khumbu fee NPR 3,000
• PriceSee the trip page for current departures

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek / 30 days

Kanchenjunga is the world's third-highest peak at 8,586 m! Interestingly, it was thought to be the world's highest mountain until surveyors worked out the heights of Everest and K2 in the 1850s. The mountain is sacred to the people of Sikkim and eastern Nepal, so climbers traditionally stop a few metres short of the summit. That custom began with the first ascent in 1955. This trek will get you close to the mountain and the base camp. Our itinerary visits both sides, Pangpema (5,143 m) in the north and the Yalung and Oktang viewpoints in the south. Again diversity of fauna and flora is a highlight of this trek. Majestic pine and Rhododendron forests fill the first few days of the trek, along with rugged trails, raging rivers, and suspension bridges to cross. This trek has lots to offer, from cardamom farms to mountain panoramas and the Yalung Glacier. This is an excellent trek for those who want to get away from it over a more extended period.

However, this is a high-altitude trek with some long trekking days and, therefore, not to be taken lightly. A significant level of fitness is required to complete the trek. The trek starts and ends with a flight between Kathmandu and Bhadrapur, a lowland airport in the far east, and a long drive to Suketar near Taplejung. This unusual trek will undoubtedly be a great talking point among other trekkers who did not even know it existed!

• Swotah trip30 days, Suketar to Suketar
• Highest pointPangpema (North Base Camp), 5,143 m
• SleepingBasic teahouses, some camping high up
• PermitsKanchenjunga RAP USD 20 a week for the first 4 weeks, KCAP NPR 2,000
• PriceSee the trip page for current departures

Lumba Sumba Trek / 21 days

At 21 days with us, this trek just makes the three-week mark, and the mountains, the culture of the local peoples and the trail make it worth every day! Opened to trekkers in 2012, this trek lies between Mt Kanchenjunga and Mt Makalu. It is part of the Great Himalayan Trail – a trek that goes across the country from east to west and takes around 150 days to complete. Now that is some trek! The Lumba Sumba Trek takes you through two protected areas, the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and Makalu Barun National Park, and through Limbu, Sherpa, Rai, Tamang, Gurung, Magar, and Newar villages. This trek follows the trails that connect these two conservation areas. Red pandas and Snow Leopards are just two rare species living there. The high point is the Lumba Sumba La, 5,177 m on our itinerary (some maps give a lower figure). The mountains you will witness – and photograph – include those in the Makalu Himals and the Kanchenjunga Himal.

To reach this area, we fly to Bhadrapur in the country's southeast, then drive to Taplejung, the starting point of the trek. On the way, we drive through Ilam, the tea plantation center of Nepal. This unusual trek will undoubtedly be a great talking point among other trekkers you meet back in Kathmandu and your hometown.

• Swotah trip21 days, Bhadrapur to Tumlingtar
• Highest pointLumba Sumba La, about 5,177 m
• SleepingCamping
• PermitsRestricted area permit USD 20 a week (Taplejung and Sankhuwasabha border wards), KCAP NPR 2,000, Makalu Barun NP NPR 3,000
• PriceSee the trip page for current departures

Other Treks of About Three Weeks

A lot of the treks people think of as two-week routes run closer to three weeks once you add the drive in, the flights and a spare day. These are the ones we run at 19 to 22 days. Our two week treks guide covers each of them in more detail.

Trek	Days with us	Highest point
Everest Three Passes	21	Kala Patthar, 5,545 m
Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake	20	Thorong La, 5,416 m
Nar Phu Valley	19	Thorong La, 5,416 m
Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley	22	Larke La, 5,106 m
Tsum Valley	19	Upper valley, about 3,700 m
Humla Limi Valley	20	Nyalu La, about 4,940 m
Lower Dolpo	19	Numa La, about 5,190 m
Snow Leopard Trek in Dolpo	20	Baga La, about 5,170 m

Planning a Three-Week Trek

Altitude sets the pace. Above 3,000 m, the Wilderness Medical Society advises raising your sleeping height by no more than about 500 m a night, with a rest day every 3 or 4 days. Long itineraries build those rest days in, which is partly why they run to three weeks.

Flights are the next problem. Juphal, Lukla, Jomsom and Bhadrapur are all weather-bound, and a cancelled morning flight in Dolpo can cost you two days. Keep one or two spare days at the end of the trip. They also give you time to rest in Kathmandu or Pokhara if the trek runs on time.

Then there is paperwork. Of the eight treks above, all but the Dhaulagiri Circuit and the Arun Valley route enter a restricted area. Those permits are only issued through a registered agency, with a licensed guide. Since 22 March 2026 a single trekker can get one, though the guide is still required. Our trekking permits guide lists every fee.

Insurance has to cover trekking to 6,000 m and helicopter evacuation. On a camping trek in Dolpo or Kanchenjunga, a helicopter is the only fast way out. The trekking insurance guide explains what to check in a policy.

Budget follows the same lines. Restricted area permits, internal flights and a full camping crew of cook, kitchen staff and porters are what push Dolpo, Teri La and Lumba Sumba above the teahouse treks.

Feeling Daunted?

I know the experienced trekkers and adventurers among you will not be daunted but excited by the thought of weeks in the mountains! The rest of us… well, don't, you don't have to head out into the wilderness with a tent for days to enjoy Nepal! We are often asked if Nepal is a safe travel destination in Asia. Day to day, Nepal is a safe country to travel in.

But trekking and traveling in the mountains always has some risk – mainly of missing the trail or the high altitude that your body needs time to adapt to. Solo trekking is off the table on these routes anyway, because a licensed guide has been required since 1 April 2023. But there are far fewer mishaps with an experienced, licensed agency – those who can give Nepal travel advice and safety regulations. Every visitor who comes trekking should be covered for trekking, and please make sure high altitude trekking is covered in your policy.

If, after reading this blog, you think that trekking in Nepal is perhaps not for you – rest assured there are easy hikes from one day to several that anyone can do. Otherwise, there are many other activities, such as wildlife spotting in Chitwan National Park, bird watching in Bardia National Park, rafting, and even luxury tours in Nepal. And with the beautiful culture, heritage and architecture you will find in Kathmandu and beyond, Nepal has something for everyone!

Long Treks in Nepal: FAQs