Nepal is a treasure trove for people wanting to trek to new destinations as this country offers trekkers with an unforgettable and majestic trekking experience with a wide range of choices amidst the trekking routes.
These trekking routes are categorized based on the experience of trekkers, their expectations from a trekking route, as well as the different seasons. However, this even leaves the trekkers confused at times.
You will find trekking routes for almost every season in the country. However, the seasons including Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) stand out as the best time for trekking in Nepal.
Now that we have narrowed down the best season for trekking, there still is going to be lots of confusion in picking the trek that is the perfect match for you. The ideal trekking route for you completely depends on your personal preferences and is rather subjective.
However, we have narrowed down some of the top autumn treks in Nepal along with why they could be your best choice for autumn. So, brace yourself and explore the options suggested by Ace the Himalaya and make your best pick.
Why Autumn is the best season for trekking in Nepal?
First and foremost, it is important to understand what sets apart the months of autumn from other trekking seasons in Nepal and why is autumn considered the best season for trekking in Nepal.
Well, the answer is simple. The key aspects to having a perfect trekking experience for a trekker lies in basic few things: comfortable weather conditions, clear skies, good views, preferably a cultural exposure, and excellent photography conditions.
And autumn season in the trekking routes of Nepal completely adhere to these necessities of a trekker which is what makes it the peak season for trekking in Nepal.
You will find ideal weather conditions with neither too cold nor too hot along with minimal rainfall and clear skies which will allow you to get a crystal-clear view of the panoramas that the scenic trekking routes offer.
Beyond that, you will also see that the wildlife is highly active during this season with unique flora. This also gives you the perfect photography opportunity. The crowds during this season are also somewhat great if you would like to have a social connection.
Now, to help you choose among the popular trekking routes of Nepal and make your best pick for your next autumn trekking adventure, we have a list of top autumn treks in Nepal.
Everest Base Camp Trek
Spanning around 12 to 14 days, the Everest Base Camp trek is a jack of all trades as it will give you a truly iconic experience, scenic views, thorough cultural interaction with the Sherpas, and unique photography opportunities.
Although challenging, this trek will take you through the heart of Sagarmatha National Park, which truly comes to life with active wildlife during the months of autumn.
The Tengboche Monastery enroute is a great spiritual stop along with being an acclimatization stop where people can truly connect with nature. While trekking in autumn, you can also sync your trekking dates with the iconic Mani Rimdu festival at the monastery.
The main highlight of trekking the Everest Base Camp during autumn is that you will get perfect views of some of the tallest peaks including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Khumbu Icefall without any cloud cover.
With the vibrant festivals that are celebrated in Nepal during autumn, you will also be able to experience the unique celebrations of Sherpa people while at the Everest Base Camp trek.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Spanning around 10 to 13 days, the Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal, visited by both domestic and international trekkers, especially during the autumn seasons.
The iconic ABC trek is famous for its captivating trail, featuring gentle ascents and descents across diverse natural scenery, terraced fields, and snowcapped peaks as you gradually gain elevation.
The adventure begins with a scenic drive from Pokhara– a significant tourism hub of Nepal, to Ulleri perched at 2,020 meters (6,627 feet).
After that, the trail leads you to stunning sunrise view from Poon Hill, while introducing you to rich traditions of Gurung and Magar villages in Chomrong and Bamboo, a key accommodation stops before reaching Annapurna Base Camp.
Along the trail, during the autumn season when the sky is clear and distinct, the journey offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the verdant landscapes, rivers, alpine lifestyle, and witness the vibrant culture of the region.
The autumn season offers favorable weather throughout the day, making it an ideal time for trekking the Annapurna Base Camp.
However, the best scenic views the ABC trek offers are during sunrise and sunset, when the colorful hues of the rays transform the towering white mountains into golden landscapes, turning the surrounding environment into awe-inspiring vantage point.
This moderate trek takes you to an altitude of 4,130 meters (13,550 feet) passing through scenic Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) and offering spectacular views of the Annapurna Massif, Annapurna I, Ganagapurna, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Hiuchuli.
During the trek, if you want to encounter stunning views of natural beauty, observe local culture, and explore the Annapurna sanctuary, a natural amphitheater shrouded by stunning sky piercing mountains then the Annapurna Base Camp trek is for you.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
A classic trek which lives up to the immense hype that surrounds it, the Annapurna Circuit trek could be your next best option for trekking in Nepal during autumn.
Lasting for around 16 to 21 days, this trek gives you a comprehensive experience of the entire Annapurna region as it loops around the massive Mt. Annapurna and takes you on a memorable journey.
During the Annapurna Circuit trek, you will be going through many diverse landscapes and diverse terrains as you start from Syange, go all the way up to Thorong La Pass, and then make your way down to Poonhill.
This trek features many memorable highlights including crossing the famous and highest walkable mountain pass- the Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), visiting the Tilicho Lake, and many other significant landmarks.
Thanks to the clear skies of autumn, you will also be able to witness views of the entire Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, Mardi Himal, Tent Peak, and other snowcapped beauties.
The advantage of going for the Annapurna Circuit trek during autumn is that due to the moderate temperature and clear weather, you will be able to cross the challenging Thorong La Pass, which can be quite challenging during other seasons, especially winter.
Ghorepani Poonhill Trek
Concluding this list is the Ghorepani Poonhill trek, which again is a jack of all trades and can be done during all the seasons as it is easily accessible, moderate, rather short, and doesn’t feature much of an altitude difference.
However, what makes it even more beautiful during the months of autumn is that the forest and the trails really come to life and you will be able to spot the sunrise and the mountains in a beautiful contrast against the booming landscapes.
As you embark on the journey, you will witness alpine Rhododendron forests and steep stairs making route through the charming village and popular resting stops such as Ulleri and Ghorepani.
Nestled at an altitude of 3,210 meters (10,531 feet), Poonhill is the most popular vantage point for witnessing stunning sunrise and panoramic landscapes of the Himalayas.
The Ghorepani Poonhill trek highlights breathtaking views of the Hiuchuli, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri North, Dhaulagiri Mountain ranges and Annapurna massif along with an opportunity to connect with rich Gurung culture and witness their lifestyle in serene village of Ghandruk.
Now, isn’t that a treat to watch? Also, the otherwise slightly challenging trails of Ghorepani Poonhill trek become rather manageable during autumn as there is none to less rainfall and much more stable climatic conditions.
Langtang Valley Trek
The Langtang Valley Trek is a hidden gem for anyone wanting to experience Nepal’s breathtaking mountains without the crowds or the need for advanced trekking skills.
Situated just a few hours away from Kathmandu, this trek offers stunning Himalayan views, lush forests, vibrant wildflowers, and even snow-capped peaks, all within a relatively easy reach, and this looks even spectacular during autumn.
However, it is not just the captivating scenery that makes Langtang special. The valley is home to welcoming Tamang and Tibetan communities, who share their culture, traditional homes, and monasteries with trekkers along the route.
Staying in these villages, you’ll get to taste local food, hear stories of resilience, and maybe even try some freshly made yak cheese at the Kyanjin Gompa cheese factory, which is one of the highlights of the Langtang Valley Trek.
Along with accessibility, the Langtang Valley trek also comes with affordability, comfortable lodges and teahouses, low-cost permits, and easy-to-reach trailheads.
However, given its accessibility, you might find it rather crowded especially during autumn as it is the peak trekking season in Nepal. So, make sure to make your bookings well in advance.
Although you will find crowd here, as compared to busier trails like Everest, Langtang has a rather peaceful charm and gives you the chance to soak in nature in solitude.
For anyone who wants to experience Nepal’s beauty, culture, and community spirit without breaking the bank and straying away too far into the remote corners of Nepal, the Langtang Valley is a perfect choice.
Manaslu Circuit Trek
One of the rather underrated trekking routes in the remote sides of Nepal, the Manaslu Circuit Trek can be a great route to explore during the autumn season in Nepal.
Starting from Maccha Khola and going all the way up to Tal, this trek takes you to a comprehensive tour in the Manaslu region and allows you to explore some of the cultural diversity of Nepal.
The distance of Manaslu Circuit trek is long and quite challenging as the trails are remote and not yet modified according to the likings of the tourists, but isn’t that the best part? You will get to see what life in remote Nepal actually looks like.
This trek is accessible but comparatively challenging so you would want to make sure that you are physically prepared for the Manaslu Circuit trek along with all your trekking essentials and packing list.
Spanning across 12 to 14 days, this trek takes you through diverse terrains and cultural groups, starting from Brahmin culture at Machha Khola. As you make your way deeper into the trek, Gurung culture welcomes you up to Deng.
Beyond Deng, you will encounter Tibetan and Lama culture. This cultural mix is also one of the main reasons why you should trek the Manaslu Circuit. Not to miss, there is the challenging yet thrilling Larke La Pass at 5,160 meters for you to conquer.
Besides that, there is the entire beauty and flora and fauna of the Manaslu Conservation Area that awaits you. You would want to catch this wildlife when they are the most active, and that is during the months of autumn,
To top it all, you will be treated to scenic panoramas of Mount Manaslu, Himlung, Cheo, Shringi Himal, Naike Peak, Ganesh Himal, Annapurna II, and many more during autumn, which makes it the best time for Manaslu Circuit trek.
Upper Mustang Trek
Another option for trekkers during autumn season might be the Upper Mustang Trek. While designed to be a famous monsoon trek of Nepal, this trek can also serve as a great trekking destination for autumn.
To really enjoy this trek, you must have few things on your ideal trek checklist: a knack for adventure, desire to see scenic desert like panoramas, interest in architectural remains, and a knack for cultural exploration.
If you are someone with this checklist, the Upper Mustang Trek is the ideal option for your autumn trek in Nepal as this trek has all of these things, and more as it will be taking you to a hidden world altogether.
Upper Mustang’s landscapes are rugged, dramatic, and beautifully stark, with canyons and cliffs that make it feel like you’re walking through an ancient, forgotten land.
A trek through Upper Mustang is a journey of around 12 to 14 days, beginning in Kagbeni and leading all the way to the ancient, walled city of Lo Manthang. Along the trail, you’ll pass through remote villages offering a glimpse into traditional Tibetan-influenced life.
The highlight of the trek is reaching Lo Manthang, known as the “Lost Kingdom.” This walled city is a treasure trove of history and spirituality, with the remnants of an old King’s palace, mystical caves, and sacred monasteries like Ghar Gumba and Luri Gumba.
The views of the Annapurna, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri Mountain ranges look even more stunning with the clear skies of autumn as the weather is clear, the trails are dry, and the skies are often an endless blue.
Mardi Himal Trek
If you are exploring some of the beginner friendly treks in Nepal, the Mardi Himal Trek is a fantastic choice for an autumn trek as it offers beautiful mountain views, moderate trails, and a shorter duration that’s perfect if you just don’t have weeks to spare.
Autumn in Nepal means clear skies and crisp air, making the landscapes even more stunning as you hike and enhances your overall experience of trekking in the Mardi Himal route.
Starting from Australian Base Camp, this trek can be completed in just 5 to 7 days, so you don’t have to commit to a long journey to get those breathtaking views and you also don’t have to take on a physical challenge.
As you reach Mardi Himal Base Camp at about 4,500 meters, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and more which are further enhanced by the vibes of autumn.
Autumn’s mild weather makes the trails more manageable as well and you will be left with less risk of issues like altitude sickness or unpredictable weather changes.
One of the best parts of this trekking the Mardi Himal route during autumn is the quiet as it is the perfect time to experience the peacefulness of the Annapurna region.
The teahouses along the Mardi Himal Trek will offer you a cozy accommodation, warm meals, and a chance to connect with the friendly locals who will also make you a part of the vibrant festive celebrations that usually take place during autumn.
All in all, the Mardi Himal Trek offers a perfect mix of accessibility, stunning autumn views, and a laid-back trekking experience, making it a top choice for experiencing Nepal’s beauty during the months of autumn.
