The 10 Best Short Treks in Nepal

I love short and easy treks in Nepal! If you are not sure about trekking to Everest or Annapurna Base Camp, there are many other, shorter and easier routes to choose from.

When choosing a short trek, also make sure to check the difficulty and altitude of the trek. Some treks can be short and low altitude, which are easier. While, some treks can be short but difficult, as it goes uphill a lot and gains a lot of altitude.

If it is your first time trekking, it is good to go with a guide or to go with trekking buddies for safety reasons. The most popular trekking routes are usually well-marked but the trails can be slippery.

Some of the best short treks in Nepal are the Australian Camp, Poon Hill Trek, Panchase Trek, Kapuche Lake Trek, Pikey Peak and Panch Pokhari Trek.

So, here are all the best short treks in Nepal!

The 10 Best Short Treks in Nepal

Panchase Trek

• Starting Point: Pokhara
• Duration: 2-3 days
• Permits: Not needed
• Approximate Costs: USD 33 for 3 days (excluding trekking guide costs)

The Panchase Trek is a great choice if you want to go on a short trek which is peaceful and not so busy with other trekkers. Some trekking routes near Pokhara can get really crowded, but the Panchase Trek provides a great alternative.

The Panchase Trek route is located on the south side of Lake Phewa in Pokhara, so when you see the mountains, you don’t see them very up close. Nevertheless, on a clear day, you can get pretty nice views of the Annapurna range.

It is a great trek for beginners, and the highest altitude, Panchase Peak, is 2,517 meters (8,258 feet), so you don’t have to worry about altitude sickness.

The Panchase Trek can be done in 2-3 days, depending on where you start. If you have the time, it is the best to go for 3 days so you can spend more time in nature.

The most popular version of Panchase Trek starts from Bhadaure (you can take a bus from Pokhara) and end in Bhumdi. Some people also just start from Ghatichhina, go to Panchase for a day, and come back down the same way to Ghatichhina.  

You do not need a permit for Panchase and if you are an experienced trekker, you can also trek on your own. If you have never trekked before it is best to go with a guide or find trekking buddies and team up with other people.

I went on the Panchase Trek on my own, and really enjoyed the quiet, peaceful trails. I barely met anyone else on the trail which I loved. However, if you have never trekked before, don’t go by yourself for safety reasons.

✅ Read my complete guide to Panchase Trek, including the itinerary, what to pack, and costs here!

Australian Camp Trek

• Starting Point: Pokhara
• Duration: 2 days
• Permits: Not needed
• Approximate Costs: USD 20 for 2 days (excluding trekking guide costs)

The Australian Camp is the shortest trek in Nepal. It is only a 2-day trek from Pokhara and you only have to trek 1-4 hours (depending on where you start) to reach the Australian Camp.

It is such a short trek that it can even feel more like a hike, and not a proper trek. It is an easy trek, great for beginners, or if you are very short on time but want to go on a short trek.

You can start the Australian Camp Trek either from Kande or Phedi. There are buses from Pokhara to both Kande and Phedi, so it depends which way you want to go.

I find it is better to start the route from Phedi to Australian Camp, and then finish in Kande. The trail from Phedi to Australian Camp is around 4 hours maximum, with a break in Dhampus. Then, from the Australian Camp to Kande it is only 40 minutes downhill on stairs.

Whether you start from Phedi or Kande, most people stay at the Australian Camp for the night, and then see the sunrise over the Himalayas the next morning.

You don’t need a permit, or a mandatory guide for the Australian Camp, but if it is you first time trekking, it is better to find some trekking buddies for safety reasons.

The costs can be also kept to a minimum on the Australian Camp. I paid around USD 20 for the whole trip, including accommodation, food and transportation. It excludes guide costs as I went on my own.

From the Australian Camp, you can also join the trail to Mardi Himal. If you want to go to Mardi Himal, you have to plan it ahead. Such as, you need to get a permit for Mardi Himal beforehand, plus you’d have to pack for more days.

✅ Read my complete guide to the Australian Camp Trek, including the itinerary, what to pack, and costs here!

Poon Hill Trek

• Starting Point: Pokhara
• Duration: 3 days
• Permits: ACAP
• Approximate Costs: USD 100 for 4 days (excluding trekking guide costs)

The Poon Hill Trek is probably the most popular short trek in Nepal. It is located in the Annapurna range and you can get to the starting point from Pokhara.

It is very touristy, so you find a lot of trekkers on this trail. Some people only trek to Poon Hill, but if you have more time, you can go to the Annapurna Base Camp too.

Ultimately, Poon Hill is always busy with trekkers, as not only the trekkers who come to Poon Hill are there, but also all the other trekkers who stop here on the way to the Annapurna Base Camp.

When budgeting for the Poon Hill Trek, it is best to budget around USD 25-30 per day for food and accommodation. Plus, if you go with a guide, the trekking guides charge around USD 25 per day.

I will never forget the Poon Hill Trek, as it was my very first trek in Nepal 10 years ago. I just got to Nepal and decided spontaneously to go on a trek.

I did not know much about trekking, but I thought it would be an easy trek. To this day, all I remember from this trek is the massive amount stairs in the beginning of the trek. I found it was not such an easy trek, but maybe if I went back now as an experienced trekker, I would find it easier.

The best time to trek Poon Hill is between October to mid-December and from mid-February to April. The weather is generally the best to trek in Nepal during these times, but it is always best to check the current weather.

Kapuche Lake Trek

• Starting Point: Pokhara
• Duration: 3-4 days
• Permits: ACAP
• Approximate Costs: USD 45 for 4 days (excluding trekking guide costs)

The Kapuche Lake Trek is a lesser-known trek, however it has started to become popular recently. Kapuche Lake is a unique place to visit as it is the lowest altitude glacier lake in Nepal.

The starting point for the Kapuche Lake is from Pokhara. There are buses and jeeps going from Kahunkhola (Pokhara) to Sikles every day.

It is better to take the jeep from Pokhara to Sikles as the road is not so good. The jeeps go every morning at 7 am and cost Rs. 500 (USD 3.5).

Once you get to Sikles, it is a really pretty village, with beautiful views of the Himalayas. They say that Sikles is becoming the new Ghandruk, but the good thing is that Sikles is not yet that touristy.

Then the trekking route for Kapauche Lake starts from Sikles to Hugo Goth (6 hours trek). You can decide if you want to stay the night in Hugo Goth and then go to Kapuche Lake the next morning.

Some people who have the energy, continue all the way to Kapuche Lake the same day, and stay there for the night. Then, trek back to Sikles the next day.

Once you start the trek to Kapuche Lake, you can decide how much energy you have and go only as far as it feels comfortable. Many people want to trek fast, and end up pushing themselves so much that in the end the trek is not enjoyable.

Ghandruk Trek

• Starting Point: Pokhara
• Duration: 2-3 days
• Permits: ACAP
• Approximate Costs: USD 60 for 3 days (excluding trekking guide costs)

The Ghandruk Trek is great if you are short on time but still want to do some trekking and stay in a peaceful village in Nepal.

Ghandruk is usually a village you pass by on the Poon Hill Trek, but if you don’t have time for the proper Poon Hill Trek, then you can just go up to Ghandruk and come back to Pokhara in 2-3 days.

There are even jeeps that go all the way from Pokhara to Ghandruk, so if you are very tight on time, you can even go all the way to Ghandruk by jeep, and spend time there to explore the area.

Ghandruk is a very popular place, and lately many people just go there to enjoy the views of the Himalayas, recharge in nature and stay in a village.

Pikey Peak Trek

• Starting Point: Bus from Kathmandu to Dhap Bazaar
• Duration: 4 days trekking, 2 days bus travel
• Permits: Not Required
• Approximate Costs: USD 95 for 6 days (excluding trekking guide costs)

The Pikey Peak Trek is a great choice for an easy and short trek in the Solukhumbu region. It has started to gain popularity in the last few years but it still remains less visited.

The Pikey Peak Trek is famous for its panoramic views of the Himalayas including the Annapurna, Everest, Langtang and Makalu Mountain ranges. On a clear day, you get very nice views, especially at sunrise.

The most popular route for the Pikey Peak Trek starts from Dhap Bazaar and ends in Salleri. It takes about 4 days trekking and 2 days travel, however, if you have more time, it is nice to take it slower and not push yourself too much.

I found it was one of the easiest treks I have done in Nepal. The first day of the trek from Dhap Bazaar goes on a jeep road, but there are no jeeps really passing by, so it feels quiet.

In the beginning of the trek, you don’t see the mountains that much, it is from when you reach Pikey Peak that you see the mountains properly.

You don’t need a permit for the Pikey Peak trek and you can also trek it without a guide. You can follow the trail using apps like maps.me or mapy.cz. However, if it is your first time trekking, it is better to go with a guide or with trekking buddies.

✅ Read my complete guide to the Pikey Peak Trek including the itinerary, what to pack, and costs here!

Gosaikunda Trek

• Starting Point: Bus from Kathmandu to starting point: Syabrubesi
• Duration: 4 days trekking, 2 days travel
• Permits: Langtang National Park Permit
• Approximate Costs: USD 150 for 6 days (excluding trekking guide costs)

The Gosaikunda Trek is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site so it is considered as a popular trek in Nepal.

However, this trek is difficult, as even though it is short, it goes uphill with many stairs. It also gains altitude fast, so be careful about altitude sickness.

It is really considered as a difficult trek, and I heard that many people who just want to visit Gosaikunda for religious reasons, end up getting a helicopter up there without having to trek.

Gosaikunda is in the Langtang National Park, and it is also popular to combine the Langtang Trek and Gosaikunda in one trek.

The starting point for Gosaikunda is from Syabrubesi and you can get a bus or jeep there from Kathmandu. Then, you can get the Langtang National Park Permit in Dhunche, on the way to Syabrubesi. There is a permit office/check point in Dhunche where all travellers can get their permits.

Tamang Heritage Trail Trek

• Starting Point: Bus from Kathmandu to starting point: Syabrubesi
• Duration: 5 days
• Permits: Langtang National Park Permit
• Approximate Costs: USD 75 for 5 days (excluding trekking guide costs)

The Tamang Heritage Trail is an easy to moderate level trek with the highest altitude of 3,165 meters (10,384 feet).

The trail starts from Syabrubesi (same place as for Langtang) and the short version of the Tamang Heritage Trail can be completed in 5 days.

The Tamang Heritage Trail is a great trek as it is not so touristy, so you get a good feeling of being in nature, staying in villages and get to know the local culture.

This trek can also be joined with the Langtang trek, so it can be a great trek to warm up before Langtang.

As it is not a very touristy trek, it means that accommodation and food options are more limited than on popular treks. The positive side of it is that you really get a feeling of life in a Nepali village and the prices are also not as high.

You need to get the Langtang National Park Permit for the trek, but you can get it on the way to Sybrubesi. The buses from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi stop in Dhunche, where all trekkers can get their permit.

Panch Pokhari Trek

• Starting Point: Bus from Kathmandu to starting point: Syabrubesi
• Duration: 4-5 days
• Permits: Not needed
• Approximate Costs: USD 50 for 4 days (excluding trekking guide costs)

The Panch Pokhari is a beautiful trek, leading up to 5 lakes. In Nepali ‘panch’ means ‘five’, and ‘pokhari’ means ‘lakes’, so that’s how it got its name!

It is a great short trek and while it is getting popular, it is not that busy or crowded with trekkers. The best is to trek it in about 5 days (including transport to and from the starting point). However, those that can trek faster, I hear they even did it in 3-4 days.

I would say even 4 days is pushing your limits, and it is best to plan it for 5 days. Some sections can be difficult as it goes up and down a lot. It is best to take it slow so that you are not totally exhausted and get to enjoy the nature.

The highest point on the trek is 4,100 meters (13,451 feet), so it is also recommended not to go too fast so that you can acclimatize properly and not get altitude sickness.

It is a beautiful trek to go in the Spring (March-April) as the trail goes through a rhododendron forest with flowers in bloom in the spring. It is also a great time to trek in the autumn, which is the main trekking season in Nepal.

Helambu Trek

• Starting Point: Sundarijal (1 hour from Kathmandu)
• Duration: 5 days
• Permits: Shivapuri National Park Permit, Langtang National Park Permit
• Approximate Costs: USD 150 for 6 days (excluding trekking guide costs)

The Helambu Trek can be done in 5-8 days depending on which route you go.

The shortest route starts from Sundarijal near Kathmandu and goes in a circular route, ending in Sermanthang/Melamchi Bazaar.

Sundarijal is a popular place for hiking in the Shivapuri National Park near Kathmandu, so the first part of the trek might be a bit busy with hikers. Afterwards, for most of the trek, it is no that busy as Helambu is not that popular.

Some people trek Helambu, Gosaikunda and Langtang in one go, but if you are looking for a shorter, less busy trail, then Helambu is a good choice.

If you go on the normal Helambu Trek, it can be done in 5 days. However, if you want to extend it with Gosaikunda, then it takes around 7-8 days.

✔️ Got any questions about trekking in Nepal? Feel free to email me!

FAQs: The Best Short Treks in Nepal

Which is the shortest trek in Nepal?

One of the shortest trek in Nepal is the Australian Camp Trek. It can be completed in 2 days, with an overnight stay at Australian Camp to see the sunrise over the Himalayas in the morning.

What is the easiest trek in Nepal?

There are a couple of easy treks in Nepal, such as Australian Camp, Panchase Trek, Pikey Peak Trek and Tamang Heritage Trail Trek.

When looking for an easy trek in Nepal, check to go for a short and lower altitude trek, which are best for beginners.

What is the shortest and easiest trek in Nepal?

The shortest and easiest trek in Nepal is the Australian Camp Trek. It is a short, 2-day trek from Pokhara and you trek about 5 hours in total for the 2 days.

Is trekking in Nepal safe for beginners?

Yes, trekking in Nepal is safe for beginners, however, if it is your first time in Nepal or going trekking, it is best to go with a guide or to find trekking buddies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many short treks in Nepal that you can do in 2-5 days!

I love short and easy treks in Nepal! If you are not sure about trekking to Everest or Annapurna Base Camp, there are many other, shorter and easier routes to choose from.

When choosing a short trek, also make sure to check the difficulty and altitude of the trek. Some treks can be short and low altitude, which are easier. While, some treks can be short but difficult, as it goes uphill a lot and gains a lot of altitude.

If it is your first time trekking, it is good to go with a guide or to go with trekking buddies for safety reasons. The most popular trekking routes are usually well-marked but the trails can be slippery.

Some of the best short treks in Nepal are the Australian Camp, Poon Hill Trek, Panchase Trek, Kapuche Lake Trek, Pikey Peak and Panch Pokhari Trek.

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