Eight treks for spring 2026, and how to choose between them

Spring is the second of Nepal's two trekking seasons and the prettier of them. Between late March and early June the rhododendron forests flower — first at low altitude, then progressively higher — and the mornings stay clear well into May.

These are the eight routes we run in spring, roughly from shortest to longest.

Ama Yangri

A ridge above Helambu, reachable in a weekend from Kathmandu. The walk up from Tarkeghyang is steep but short, and the summit is a wide grassy shoulder with prayer flags and a view across to Langtang. The best first trek for anyone who is not sure they like trekking.

Bhairav Kunda

A sacred lake at 4,100 m near the Tibet border, north-east of Kathmandu. Quiet, because almost nobody goes. Pilgrims come at Janai Purnima.

Sailung to Kalinchowk

Rolling grassland ridges — sailung means "a hundred hills" — linked to the Kalinchowk temple. Good for photographers and for anyone who prefers open country to gorges.

Annapurna Base Camp

The classic sanctuary trek, six days from Pokhara. Rhododendron between Chhomrong and Bamboo is at its best in April. See the 2026 departures.

South Annapurna Base Camp

The shorter approach to the same amphitheatre, for people with fewer days.

Mardi Himal

A high ridge east of the sanctuary, opened relatively recently. Fewer lodges, fewer people, and one of the best close views of Machhapuchhre in the country.

Upper Mustang

North of the Himalaya, so it stays dry when the pre-monsoon builds elsewhere. The Tiji festival falls in May. See the tour.

Rara Lake

The largest lake in Nepal, in the far west, and the longest journey on this list. Spring is the right time — the flights are more reliable and the meadows are flowering.

So which one?

If you have a weekend, Ama Yangri. If you have a week and want the mountains, Annapurna Base Camp. If you have a week and want quiet, Mardi Himal. If you want somewhere that does not look like Nepal at all, Upper Mustang.

Message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly which fits the days you actually have.