10 Best Treks in Nepal with Family
Panch Pokhari Trek
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Regarded as one of the best short expedition destinations to observe extraordinary traditions and culture as well as to view the mountain series in Nepal Himalaya. You will not see many tourists along the way and if you do see people along, they are usually locals. The Panch Pokhari gets its name as Panch as in the Sindhupalchok district of Nepal, there are a total of 5 divine lakes.
During this trek, you will observe the ninth highest altitude wetland of the world and from the sea level, it is situated above 4100 meters. In the month of August during Janai Purnima, these lakes are a very popular destination among the Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims. It is believed that if you make a wish here and you have pure intentions, then your wish will be fulfilled. This place holds both religious and cultural importance for the people in Nepal as well as out of the country.
The Panch Pokhari trek allows you a chance to observe the ariel Himalayan landscape, an abundance of flora and fauna like juniper, rhododendron and pine trees along with animals such as wild boar, Monjack, Blue sheep, etc. A rare species in the world known as Yarsagumba or Cordyceps is also found here which is a half plant and half insect. These are the primary attractions of the Panch Pokhari Trek.
You can trek to Panch Pokhari through 2 routes. You can either start from Sano Okhareni through Chautara which is the headquarter of Sindhupalchowk or you can start from Bhotang village through Melamchi. The latter way is considered to be an easier and shorter way to get Panch Pokhari. Your journey will begin after a 6 to 7-hour bus ride or jeep ride to Bhotang from Kathmandu. Along the way, you will pass by many villages of Tamang and other communities. You will trek through Tipeni Bazar, Raithane, Dhap and Manekharka before finally arriving at Bhotang village.
On the first night here, you will get to meet new people and learn about their cultures, traditions and the way they live their lives. You will start your trek early in the morning the next day and experience the different cultures that every village holds there. You will know about the different cultures that exist in Nepal and this trek also gets the name of Nepal cultural trek. This trek enriches you in natural sceneries as well as gives you cultural education. Along the trail, you will climb many hills, cross many rivers and encounter new flora and fauna along with seeing the amazing landscape of Dorje Lakpa, Jugal Himal, Phurbochyachu, etc.
You will also meet plenty of new people along the way who will show you the greatest hospitality. You will spend your second night in Nasimoati which you will reach after long walks consisting of going up and down. From Nasimoati, the weather will start becoming chilly especially during the night. The next morning, you will start trekking and encounter some steep hills which need to be climbed with caution as the ground might be slippery due to rain.
You will see completely different surroundings after Nasimpati. You will find paths filled with rocks from stairs to the ground.
You will also climb many stairs which at the end will lead you to the famous Panch Pokhari. It is also called “Lauri Bina” which translates to “without a stick” and if you use a stick for your support then you will leave it at the end of the stair. You will reach Panch Pokhari after a few minutes of walking. At first, you will encounter three lakes and the remaining two are a little further. You will stay a night here and the spiritual environment will help make you feel at peace. The next day you have the option to worship the temple and tour the five holy lakes. The five ponds are surrounded by green hills which are filled with different kinds of flowers and are absolutely beautiful.
The Poon Hill Trek is a relatively short trek located in the Annapurna region. Here, with your family, you can enjoy the culture of Nepal and the wonders of nature. The trek is done in a low altitude region and it is short so it will be relatively easy for children to get through it easily. This trek takes you to close proximity with the snow-capped Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massif and alluring ethnic villages. The trek starts with your arrival at Nepal’s international airport and then a flight to Pokhara. During the flight, you will be able to see ethereal views of the hills, rivers, and mountains.
You will officially start your trek in Nayapul from where you will trek on flagstone steps through a rich forest. Through dense oak and rhododendron forests, this trail will take you past rice fields, waterfalls, and historic villages. The primary attraction of this trek is the brilliant sunrise over the Himalayan range that you can see from Poon Hill. Everyone who comes here celebrates the hospitable culture, local food and scenic mountain views from Ghandruk. In the Gurung Museum, you will find the traditional Gurung attire which you can dress your children in. This trek is enjoyable as you do not have to trek a lot and can get through this at a leisure pace. The permits needed to go here will be acquired by your travel agency.
The Langtang Valley Trek is one of the most well known and reasonable family treks in Nepal. This trek is ideal for parents who want to take their children away from their busy lives as Langtang valley is located north of Kathmandu valley. The trails of this trek are well maintained and it does not take a lot of days to complete this trek, hence along with viewing pristine nature and culture, it will allow you and your child to have a comfortable yet memorable journey.
This trek begins with your arrival at Kathmandu and this 10-day long trek continues on with a drive to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu. Throughout the trek, the trail goes alongside Langtang Khola after you start trekking from Syabrubesi. Often you will pass through dense forest paths filled with oaks, bamboos, rhododendrons, pines, and maple. The trail also passes through Langtang National Park so there is a chance that you might see some of the exotic fauna like wild boar, red panda, snow leopard, yellow-throated martens, Himalayan black bear, etc.
You will also see the majestic views of different mountain peaks during this trek like Naya Kanga (5844m), Dorje Lakpa (6966m), Langtang Lirung (7227m), and many more. Another primary attraction of Langtang trek is a stopover at a Buddhist monastery surrounded by the Himalayas called the Kyanjin Gompa. The view of dramatic icefall flowing from the peaks of Langtang Lirung can be seen from a side trip to Langshisha Kharka from Kyanjin Gompa. The trail will allow your children to learn and understand the Tamang tradition, culture and lifestyle as it takes you through an abundance of Tamang villages and Yak pastures.
Dhampus Ghandruk Trek
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Located in Western Nepal, the Dhampus Ghandruk Trek is one of the well-known destinations in the Annapurna region. Inhabited by the Gurung community, this trek gives you breathtaking panorama of the Himalayas in the Annapurna. From here, you can see the snow-capped peaks of mountains such as Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna III, and Machhapuchhre. This trek also lets you observe the ancient Gurung museum and learn about the cultures, traditions, and way of life of the Gurung people. This trek is suitable for people who are short on time and looking for shorter hikes around Pokhara which do not have any difficult trails and can be done easily.
The trek starts with a drive to Phedi from Pokhara from where your trek to Ghandruk by crossing Dhampus. You will get to delve into the alluring Ghandruk village which has a Gurung museum situated in it and get spectacular views of the mountains. The highest elevation you will reach is 1540 meters and usually, it takes a 5-hour trek to reach from Nayapul to Ghandruk. You will be able to witness the sunrise early in the morning over the mountains. After that, the next day you will trek to Pothana via the same route you took yesterday.
You will trek for 5 to 6 hours and start climbing up to Landruk village after descending down to Modi Khola. You will walk through paddy fields before reaching Deurali. You will reach Pothana after trekking further from Deurali. You will stay a day in Pothana and return back to Pokhara the next day. Pothana is a ridge so it offers great views of Fishtail, Annapurna massif and other mountains. From Pothana, you will trek to Phedi. During the trek, along the trail, you will be able to observe lush green forests with an abundance of flora and fauna and see spectacular views of the Himalayas. It will take 3 hours to trek from Pothana to Pokhara. In this trek, you will be able to witness the local tradition and culture and get great panorama views of the mountains.
Situated in the Annapurna region, the Mardi Himal Trekking with Children is a quiet and short route, that allows your children to thoroughly enjoy the many eloquent faces of nature. This trek offers a stunning view of mountains like Machhapuchhre (6993m), Mardi Himal (5553m), Annapurna (8091m), Hiunchuli (6443m) and other mountains visible from Annapurna region and is situated in the east of the Annapurna Base Camp trail. The off beaten trail of Mardi Himal with its ethereal beauty and purity will leave you, along with your children enthralled.
This trek is not that well known, so in the 10 days it will take for you and your children to complete this trek, you will get ultimate solitude with no human settlements and only untouched and serene nature. The forests look like they have been taken right out of a fairytale with some giving off deep, dark and magical aura while the rhododendron forests are vibrant and gorgeous with carpet made on the ground with pink, red and white flower petals. Your journey is made more interesting by the suspension bridges, waterfalls and many other elements that it carries.
This trek is a hidden gem that not many people have discovered. As the trail is not well known, it is not crowded at all and you can see nature in its true form here. You may also get to interact with the local children in the lower areas of the trek.
This trek allows you and your children to experience the affluent culture and landscape of the Khumbu region while simultaneously disclosing the world of trekking and the tough lifestyle of the Himalayas. Trekking with children helps them to learn not to take things for granted and helps to shape their perspective of the world. Everest view trek gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the exotic panorama of the Khumbu region while trekking along with the Himalayan settlements with your children.
The Everest View Trek is one of the more famous trekking trails with children out of many trekking routes. Your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport starts this trek. The trip begins after a short stay in Kathmandu. You will fly to Lukla which gives off a picturesque view of the mountains which your children will certainly enjoy. You will be able to witness the beautiful landscape Nepal beholds while ascending different altitudes. The Everest view trek is a natural therapy on its own with its enthralling sunrise to its beautiful rhododendron and pine forests.
This 12-day trek is one with moderate difficulty so the entire family will be able to enjoy this trek. This trek lets you observe the way the local Sherpa community live their lives and their culture as well as gives you a splendid view of mighty ranges like Nuptse (7855m), Lhotse (8516m), Mount Everest (8848m) and Ama Dablam (6812m).
Helambu Circuit Trek
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The Helambu Circuit Trek is a short trek done in a low altitude region near Kathmandu valley so it is ideal for children as it has moderate difficulty. Although located nearby to the Kathmandu valley, the Helambu region’s traditional culture and natural beauty remain unspoiled. On this trail, you will get to explore traditional villages and the Buddhist monasteries of the Hyolmo communities.
After arriving at the international airport, you will drive to Sundarijal. From Sundarijal, you will start this trek which will take you through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Shivapuri national park is a paradise of flora and fauna and from there you trek to Chisapani village from where you get a majestic view of Ganesh and Langtang Himal ranges. You will walk through pine and rhododendron forests, farming lands and waterfalls.
You will also pass through traditional villages of the Hyolmo region like Tarkeghyang, Kutumsang, Melamchi Gaon and Sermathang and cross many streams. Along the route, you will find many Buddhist monasteries including Tarkeghyang’s centuries-old Gekye Gompa. The gompa will give you and your children an insight into the Tibetan Buddhist culture that the indigenous people follow.
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With stunning views of the snow-capped mountains and a divulgence into the various ethnicities of the region, the Khopra Danda trek is a newly opened trail in the Annapurna region. This trek is perfect for families as it is a lesser-known trail so the trails are well made and easy to walk on. With an ideal view of the mountain peaks and green hills including pasturelands, terraced fields, and beautiful cultural villages, this 12 days long trip starts with you and your family's arrival at Tribhuvan International airport.
Then from Kathmandu, you will take a flight to Pokhara. During the flight, you will be able to see spectacular snow-capped mountain peaks. After a short drive to Kimche from Pokhara, your trekking officially starts. From Kimche you will trek through off-beaten trails to Ghandruk which houses Annapurna region’s largest Gurung village.
During the trail you will walk through a densely forested path filled with oaks, pines, bamboos, and rhododendrons and feast your eyes upon magnificent snow-covered peaks like Nilgiri (7061m), Machhapuchhre (6993m), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m), Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m), Annapurna South (7219m), and many others. You will also be able to see the stunning sunrise over the mountains from Poon Hill and Khopra ridge. The trail will take you through beautiful villages of Chhetri, Gurung, Brahmin and Magar communities which will let you and your family experience and observe the Nepali lifestyle, culture and traditions.
Tamang Heritage Trail Trek
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Opened for visitors only from 2004, this trek is a short yet rare trek in the Langtang region. This trek is ideal for those families who want to experience the true beauty of Nepal but are limited by time. This trek is also perfect for those who want to experience Nepal without long walks. This trail offers you an insight into traditional Tamang culture and their lifestyle along with alluring views of the Nepalese hills. This 11-day long trek begins with a 6-7 hours drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi after your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
This trek features exploring an age-old way of life of the Tamang community as well as exploring the rich traditional culture of Nepal. You and your family will get to experience the unique Buddhist architecture of their houses and their way of life. You will also come across different age-old stupas, monasteries, Chortens and mani walls along the way. Along with culture, this trail offers lush forests full of pines and rhododendrons, scenic landscapes of sub-alpine terrain, and astonishing mountain views of the peaks of Ganesh Himal and Langtang Himal ranges.
You will also pass through the charming village of Gatlang, a natural hot spring named Tatopani, the secret lake of Parvati Kund and the ancient fort of Rasuwagadhi. The trek is suitable for families with children as it gives you tons of time to interact with local Tamang people and to befriend their children.
Jomsom Muktinath Trek
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Along this trek, you can get an insight into the way of life of various ethnic groups of Nepal. You can also see the diverse landscape and culture this place has to offer. The deepest gorge created by the Kali Gandaki River is the primary attraction of this place which flows into the Ganges in India and originates in the Tibetan plateau.
A popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists along with Hindus, called Muktinath, is not too far from Jomsom. Muktinath is a sacred place of salvation to the Hindus who believe that bathing in the water here guarantees salvation after death. Hindus believe that God Brahma lit the eternal flames that burn at Muktinath. According to Buddhists, the great sage Guru Rinpoche came to meditate in Muktinath. Buddhism was brought to Tibet by Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche). Fossilized ammonites known as Shaligram can be found along the upper reaches of the Kali Gandaki.
Gurungs and Magars inhibit the lower region of Kali Gandaki, around Muktinath and up in Mustang, you can find the Lopa who are people with strong Tibetan roots and the Thakalis are around Jomsom. For those who wish to see the different customs and attire as well as the diversity of the ethnic group, this trek is ideal for them. In the upper region, Tibetan Buddhism is the dominant religion while Hinduism prevails in the lower region. In early September in Muktinath, one of Nepal's unique festivals named Yartung (annual horse race) is celebrated. It has some serious Tibetan style horse racing as well as merry-making.
The routes along Jomsom form a part of the Annapurna circuit and Annapurna foothills treks. The usual starting point is from Pokhara’s Nayapul to Baglung road and from there through Ghorepani and Tatopani into the gorge of Kali Gandaki. There is a drastic change in scenery between Tatopani and Lete Khola. An abundance of pine forests can be found along the trail while villages take on a different appearance. The layout of the villages and the design of the houses are quite unique to this area. The way the houses are built are meant to withstand the strong winds that start from the late morning protects its inhabitants every day.
The difference in atmospheric pressure between the Tibetan plateau and the lower reaches of the valley causes the wind. A two-hour walk down from Jomsom is Marpha which gives an example of the unique architecture of this region. Marpha is an excellent place to rest in as it has flat-roofed houses that have a central courtyard and stone flagged streets with the drainage system. During your free time, you can taste the products that are grown in the orchards.
With regular flights that come to Jomsom from Pokhara, Jomsom is mostly known for its airport which offers a quick exit and entry to the valley. The flights are prevented from taking off after 11 a.m. by the strong winds. If you want to explore the upper part of the Kali Gandaki region then you can use Jomsom as a base. In Jomsom, nowadays you will be able to find plenty of accommodation as well as a new high-class resort complex that has opened there. An alternative to Jomson as a base for the trek is Kagbeni which is a two-hour trek up the valley. Kagbeni is quite serene as it is not as hectic as Jomsom is. Kagbeni is the furthest you can trek without a permit and an accompanying Environmental Officer.
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