Trekking in the Nepal Himalayas is not easy but rewarding. People who have done some hard treks with us say, No pain, no gain!. Rugged Trails Nepal guides use the adventure quote for the most challenging and difficult treks in Nepal, "Go Big or Go Back Home!". On this trekking trail, it's not like walking over the beaches and having a cold coffee. In some places on this trail, you have to use your last breath of life. But let's not forget, “Until your last breath, you may not be able to see the true beauty of life.”
Using philosophical words does motivate, but in reality, all the team members will need to work hard and must have patience. Climbers and tough hikers who have done many other crazy climbing and hikes may not apply those tough words. We are not saying we are going to trek over hell, but the main thing is that we mentally need to be strong to hike on these difficult trekking trails. There are manytrekking trails in Nepalsuitable for a different range of fitness and experience levels. Saying most challenging and difficult doesn't mean we're going to scale Mount Everest. The below-listed treks are just hard because of high altitude, cold, walking routes, amenities, weather, and so on.
Most Challenging and difficult Treks in Nepal for 2025 and 2026: "Get High, Go BiG in the Himalayas"
Everest Three High Passes Trek.
- Duration of Trek: 18 to 21 days
- Maximum Height: (5,545 M) 18,192 ft
- Starting Point: Lukla
- Everest 3 High Passes Trek Price: starts from 1,450 USD
- Difficulty: Very Strenuous
- Trek Style: Tea House, Lodge, and Hotel.
- Best Seasons: March, April, May, September, October, and November.
Normally, when people think of Nepal, they don't want to miss the iconic peak, Mt. Everest. Everest Three High Passes Trek is not a technical but extremely physically demanding three-week-long trek in Nepal. Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La Pass are the three high passes over 5,000 m (16,405 ft) on this trek. The Everest High Pass Trail is steep ascents and descents, passing high passes and crossing glaciers in some places, but you will be rewarded, which will be your lifetime experience. These three passes cover Namche, Renjo Pass, Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo Ri, Chola Pass, Lobuche, Gorakshep, Everest Base Camp, Kalapatthar, Kongma La Pass, Chukkung, Tengboche, and Lukla.
Kanchenjunga Trek.
- Duration of Trek: 18 to 26 days
- Maximum Height: (5,388 M) 17,673 ft
- Starting Point: Kathmandu
- Kanchenjunga Trek Price: starts from 2,000 USD
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging!
- Trek Style: Tea House, Camping, Lodge, Homestay.
- Best Seasons: March, April, May, September, October, and November.
Kanchenjunga Circuit trek was an all-time favorite trek for the extreme trekkers, but for almost a decade it lost it's charm and demand from tourists because of the Maoist insurgency (during the civil war). Kanchanjunga used to be an organized trek (camping) and, obviously, a costly trek in Nepal. Many of the trekking agencies' guides and owners also don't know what the Kanchenjunga trek trail looks like, but it's listed on their website. It's easy to find content writers who write with chic and charm, but really, Kanchanjunga is one of the most beautiful treks in Nepal. To trek in Kanchenjunga, there must be a local government-registered guide and at least 2 people to obtain trekking permits. Nowadays, the Kanchanjunga trek can be done as a teahouse trek, but with small lodges and very few varieties of food.
Rolwaling Tashi Lapcha Pass.
- Duration of Trek: 18 to 28 days
- Maximum Height: (5,755 M) - 18,882 ft
- Starting Point: Dolakha, Bedding.
- Rolwaling Tashi Lapcha PassTrek Price: starts from 3100 USD
- Difficulty: Very Strenuous
- Trek Style: Camping, Tea Houses, Lodges, and Hotels.
- Best Seasons: March, April, May, September, October, and November.
Talking about this trek needs quite a bit of technical knowledge because we will be crossing the Tashi Lapcha Pass (5,750 M) 18865 ft. Rolwaling is one of the hidden gems below Mt. Gaurishanker and the Everest region. We mentioned above about the lung-pumping hike, and this is one of them where we do steep climbing, lots of patience, rock climbing, and adventure journeys. Rolwaling is a mixture of trekking zones where we can see amazing glacier lakes, remoteness, landscapes, the home of Sherpa climbers (rolwaling), monasteries, glaciers, and a different kind of lifestyle. Rolwaling Tashi Lapcha Pass trekking starts from Gonggar village, which is in the Dolakha district, and the trail will meet at Namche Bazaar after crossing Tashi Lapcha Pass. We will fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla Airport.
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.
- Duration of Trek: 17 to 21 days
- Maximum Height: (5,360 M) - 17586 ft
- Starting Point: Beni, Pokhara
- Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Price: starts from 2800 USD
- Difficulty: Very Strenuous
- Trek Style: Camping and Lodge.
- Best Seasons: April, Mar, September, October, and November
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is always known as the most challenging trek in the Nepal Himalayas. Dhaulagiri is a difficult trek because we need to organize everything on this trek. It's a camping trip; you need to carry everything for this trek. There are no comforts or basic lodges on this trail. Mt. Dhaulagiri is the world's sixth-highest mountain, and it rises at 8,167 m (26795 ft). Dhaulagiri Circuit trek starts from Beni, and the trek ends at Jomsom Muktinath. Challenging in another way because we need to walk over 5,000 m (16,405 ft) for 3 days.
Ganja La Pass Trekking.
- Duration of Trek: 14 to 17 days
- Maximum Height: (5,033 M) 16,512 ft
- Starting Point: Syabrubesi Langtang
- Ganja La Pass Trek Price: 1,900 USD
- Difficulty: Very Strenuous
- Trek Style: Tea House, Lodge, Camping Trek
- Best Season: March, April, May, September, October, November.
Our guides used to say, "Days will be hard, nights will be worse, but still, the Ganja La Pass Trek is worth it" and must be done once in a lifetime. Ganja La pass is in the Langtang region, and the trek starts from Syabrubesi after a 7-hour drive from Kathmandu. On this trail, we will be visiting Langtang Valley, Kyngin Gompa, and Chorkari Ri (5,050 m), and the trek ends at Helambu Melamchi Bazar. This trek offers a glimpse of Tibetan culture, Tamang villages, and their different kinds of lifestyles in the Himalayas. For the Ganja La Pass trek, we need technical climbing equipment, and the trekkers must learn basic climbing skills. The Rugged Trails Nepal guide will teach before crossing the Ganja La Pass, and we also need tents and other camping equipment for 3 days.
Not only the above-listed treks are challenging and difficult, but there are many other trekking trails in Nepal that are undiscovered. Some trek routes are fair and challenging with beautiful views, but we have not listed them for many reasons, including security and easy access to organize. Let's say Far West Nepal trekking routes such as Api-Himal, Saipal, and other routes are a hidden treasure of Nepal. Other popular trekking routes, such as Manaslu Circuit, Upper Dolpo, and Makalu Base Camp, are also difficult trekking routes in Nepal. Connect with the Rugged Trails Nepal team leader to book the treks and for any kind of trek information.
Nepal is open for all kinds of treks and tour activities; start planning for 2025, and 2026!
