Top 6 Family Trekking Destinations in Nepal

8 Dec 2022 Chandra Gurung

For most tourists, a vacation to Nepal entails a walk through the planet’s largest mountain range. A family vacation that includes family trekking in Nepal is motivating, informative, a great way to strengthen relationships, and a significant challenge for kids and adults. There are a few key considerations here to make before you leave if you decide that hiking in Nepal with a family will be a challenge you are up for.

1. Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Nepal’s original “teahouse” hike continues to live up to its reputation. Undoubtedly, the vistas from Annapurna Base Camp itself are the highlight. A massive cirque of peaks between 7000 and 8000 meters high rises in front of you, culminating at Annapurna I. (8091m). 

This is the spot to bring your kids if you want them to see the largest mountain range on Earth up close. Simply put, this is among the best vantage spots in the entire Himalayas. Another reason this fantastic walk is ideal for families is that it only lasts 10 days and has modest altitude gains, reaching a maximum of 4130m (though the walk is longer and higher than any other on this list).

All the starting locations for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek (there are a few sites you might start from) are conveniently close to the heart of Pokhara. The amenities are as nice as they come on any Himalayan hike along this path. The lodges are cosy and well-appointed (hot showers, wi-fi, and a wide variety of delicious meals are frequently available). 

And the scenery includes little settlements on terraced hillsides and deep forests, shady canyons, orchid, and bamboo groves, which is varied and consistently beautiful. It’s only appropriate for kids above the age of roughly ten because it’s a lengthier excursion and one that goes further than anywhere else on this list.

2. Poon Hill Trek

The trek is commonly known as the Annapurna Panorama Trip. It is the most well-known family trekking in Nepal, and for a good reason. It holds the top rank on our list of the finest family treks in Nepal. Since it only lasts a few days (5–6 total) and only gains up to 3210 meters above sea level, altitude-related issues are uncommon. 

Walking for three to five hours each day is doable for many children. Superior accommodations may be found all along the trail. The trailhead is very simple to reach. The distance from Pokhara is only a short drive.

The disadvantage is that you can’t get far into the high Himalayas. You and your children will appreciate the landscape, which culminates in a pre-dawn ascent to Poon Hill (3210m), where you can watch the rising sun illuminate a vista of Himalayan giants, including a large portion of the Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri I (8167m).

3. Upper Mustang Trek

Although Upper Mustang may not seem like the obvious choice for a family trekking trip in Nepal, this extremely distinctive region of the country is, in many ways, the perfect place for you and your family to decamp.

Upper Mustang, a tiny area of territory north of the main Himalayan range that extends into Tibet, is a unique example of fully traditional Tibetan culture and is arguably even more Tibetan now than Tibet proper. The surroundings are identical to those on the southern slopes of the Himalayas.

Upper Mustang has vibrantly coloured desert canyons, little oases, and historic monasteries. Glaciated mountain peaks border it. In elevation, it ranges from 3000 to 4000 meters. The entire region is a plateau.

Because you and your family could base yourselves in the amazing walled ‘capital’ of Lo Manthang and utilize the remote village as a basecamp for several beautiful day’s strolls to remote monasteries, cave temples, and nomad encampments, the Upper Mustang trek could be a fantastic family trekking destination.

The fact that every lodging option in this region is homestay-style and rich with Tibetan character is another fantastic perk. Your kids can plan to visit the nearby schools and are sure to become quick friends with neighbourhood kids. 

Most homestays offer comforts, such as hot showers and room heaters, that aren’t often present in trekking lodges. However, several very important drawbacks exist to the Upper Mustang as a destination for family trekking.

The first requirement is that visitors obtain a permit, which costs US$500 per person for 10 days. Additionally, permits are only given to those who hire a specialized trekking firm.

The second issue is getting to Upper Mustang itself. It’s far away from everywhere. Until recently, walking was the only way to get to Lo Manthang. Today, however, you may fly to Jomsom and take a four-day hike to Lo Manthang or rent a vehicle in Jomsom and use the recently built dirt road to get there (or you could even drive from Pokhara, but this takes two days).

The third potential difficulty is that even if you fly or drive in, the abrupt and large ascent from Kathmandu or Pokhara, the usual entry points, may result in problems with altitude.

4. Langtang Trek

The quickest and easiest way to reach the high mountains is to take this Langtang trek beautiful hike. It only takes three days to complete the Langtang trek from the trailhead at Syabrubesi to Kyanjin Gompa (one-way). For a return journey, allow a week, so you have time to take a few of the extremely worthwhile day trips from Kyanjin Gompa.

Kyanjin Gompa is at 3870 meters, which is lower than practically any other trip into the heart of the Himalayas. Nevertheless, this Alpine valley is scenically rewarding with mixed woods, mountain pastures, and up-close views of the Langtang range, a massive wall of rock and ice. You may stay in trekking lodges the entire route, with excellent amenities.

Do the drawbacks of Langtang as a family-friendly trek exist? Unfortunately, sure, but it’s not a bad thing that will change the game. The first issue is that each of the first two walking days includes an elevation increase of about 1000m and lasts 5–6 hours without breaks.

This is a bunch of uphill hiking for young legs to complete in such a short amount of time. You are more exposed to altitude sickness due to this rapid ascent in height. As a result, only youngsters who are physically capable of walking beyond the age of roughly 10 should generally attempt this expedition.

5. Everest Panorama Trek

Show us one kid who wouldn’t want to return to school and impress their peers about their close contact with the world’s highest mountain. A fantastic alternative trek to the well-known Everest Basecamp trek is the week-long (nine days with travel time from Kathmandu) Everest Panorama Trek (also known as Everest View Trek), which offers shorter days and significantly lower altitudes than nearly any other Everest region trek. 

Nearly every child and most teens cannot do the renowned Everest Basecamp trek due to its height, difficulty, and long duration. The trek’s highlights are the exotic Tibetan monastery of Tengboche, the rich Sherpa culture, the moving vistas of Everest, and a host of other greats. The bells, butter lamps, sculptures, and legends will be like a real-life storybook for children.

Since the average walking day is just 4-5 hours long and the highest altitude achieved is 3860 meters, there aren’t many concerns associated with high altitudes. The great trekking lodges, some of which are luxurious hotels, and the varied meals, are additional benefits of this walk.

The only major negative is that you’ll have to take an expensive flight to the airport in Lukla, where flights are frequently packed, and there may be long waits for replacement planes due to severe weather.

6. Tamang Heritage Trail

One of the best hikes for families in Nepal. The relatively new Tamang Heritage Trail is a week-long trip that combines breathtaking mountain scenery with unique cultural encounters.

There is a significant amount of uphill and downhill travel, but the days are short and the highest elevation reached is 3300 meters, so there are few altitude problems. The Tamang people who reside in these valleys to the north of Kathmandu are arguably more important to this expedition than the mountains themselves. 

Most accommodations are found in charming, traditional Tamang villages as real family homestays. This implies that this trip will teach you more about daily living in rural Nepal compared to the more popular routes indicated above.

Even a song and dance to welcome you to their village may be performed by your hosts. Additionally, there are several natural hot springs where you can get relief from suffering. Our experience has shown that while kids enjoy seeing high mountains just as much as adults do, they prefer — and benefit more from — spending time in a hamlet playing with neighbourhood kids, which is exactly what our trek will provide.

The drawbacks include the lengthy (8–9-hour) trip from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi, where the path begins, and the occasionally rudimentary amenities.

Other Potential Family Trekking in Nepal

For a brief family perspective of the Himalayas as well as a taste of trekking, a few additional very short treks that all begin near Pokhara are highly recommended:

Ghandruk Loop: A three-day hike in a lovely rural setting that ends at a viewpoint with views of the mountains.

Ghachok Trek: A short, two-day journey leads to the charming hill village of Ghachok. You will pass a Tibetan community with a monastery on the way.

Panchase Trek: This three to four-day hike features lovely hill country and a breathtaking Himalayan overlook where you may watch the sunrise.

Family trekking in Nepal: Is it secure?

Family trekking in Nepal is safe. Every year, family treks to Nepal are completed. Start with easy family trekking trails since they aren’t too challenging. The paths are well-travelled, making it simple to see some of Nepal’s most breathtaking sights. There will be many other trekkers throughout your route, so don’t hesitate to ask for assistance or advice!