9 Off the Beaten Path Trekking Trails in Nepal

Nepal is a country that is famous for its Himalayan Ranges and peaceful environment—containing eight out of the ten highest mountains in the world, including the world's tallest mountain. Trekking in Nepal is the most popular adventure that is taken part by thousands of travelers from all over the world every year. Nepal contains a wide variety of biodiversities, which is a result of the country's different landscape features and climatic variations.

Many trekking trails in Nepal are famous among travelers all over the world. But there are also many off the beaten trekking trails. These trails have unspoiled beauty that anyone rarely encounters during their lifetime. Here are nine off-the-beaten-path treks in Nepal that will make your trekking experience best.

1. Royal Trek

Source: Everest Trekking Routes

The royal trek provides you a real experience of uniqueness. It gives you the chance to capture traditional lifestyles, culture, and traditions of the local castes whose ancient religious customs and traditions have remained unexplored for many decades. The trek passes through the foothills of the Annapurna region and takes you close to the diverse mix of people, cultures, and ethnicity who inhabit this region. 

During the trekking in the mountain trails, your journey will be accompanied by spell-bounding views of the beautiful hillside rice terraces, magnificent Annapurna range, Machapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri mountains.

2. Lower Dolpo Trek

Source: ABC Treks Pvt. Ltd.

Lower Dolpo Trek is well known for an off-the-beaten-path experience that passes through Shey-Phoksundo National Park with fantastic mountain views, Buddhist monasteries, and yak parade. You may be already familiar with the lifestyle of remote Himalayan mountains and centuries' old undamaged culture of the Dolpo region through the Oscar-nominated movie Caravan. 

Now, this trail lets you go beyond movie presentation to explore the real-life of Dolpo through following the off the beaten paths of the region. In addition to exploring Dolpo culture, traditions, and barren landscapes similar to Tibetan Plateau, the trek also provides you an opportunity to visit Shey Phokhsundo Lake, which is one of the deepest Himalayan lakes in the world.

3. Upper Dolpo Trek

Source: KimKim

Upper Dolpo Trek is very rarely visited by travelers and one of the most beautiful treks to explore the remote Himalayan areas of Nepal. The wonderful off the beaten trek begins by running into exciting places, people, villages, valleys and temperate green forest of pines, oaks, and rhododendron of the Dolpo region. Dolpo region lies in between the Tibetan plateau and the Dhaulagiri Himalayan range and is the highest inhabited land in Nepal. 

The region consists of Nepal's largest national park. Phoksundo National Park endures a richness of wildlife, including Musk Deer, Himalayan Blue Sheep, and the elusive Snow Leopard. This region is also home to a charming race of Tibetan speaking people as well. In short, this trek will allow you to enjoy fascinating mountain vistas, Buddhist Gompas, and the unique culture of the people there.

4. Kanchenjunga Trek

Source: Good Day Nepal Excursion

Kanchenjunga is off the beaten track for the nature lover who is a long adventure to the most remote and beautiful area of the Himalayas in Nepal's eastern region. At 8,586m standing tall, Kanchenjunga is the world's third-highest mountain. This area is located in the far northeastern corner of Nepal, bordering with Sikkim. Mt. Kanchenjunga is considered one of the most beautiful mountain range in the world. 

The name Kanchenjunga refers to five treasures of the great snow, which is according to the five summits that make up Kanchenjunga. Since this trekking is less crowded and not often visited, you will be rewarded with a unique insight into the Nepali rural lifestyle and vibrant culture.

5. Makalu Trek

Source: High Camp Adventure

Makalu trek is one of the least visited mountain trekking trails in Nepal, which takes you to the yard of Mt. Makalu, which is the fifth tallest mountain in the world. While walking on the trail, you can also enjoy the spell-binding views of the highest peaks, such as Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Chamlang, Mt. Baruntse, and other Himalayan ranges along with Makalu (8481m) itself. 

Moreover, the off the beaten trail lies in the famous landmark of Makalu Region Makalu Barun National Park, Barun Valley, and provides a chance for you to encounter a large variety of ordinary as well as endangered flora and fauna, varieties of bird species and other rare animals protected in this region found in the area.

6. Tsum Valley Trek

Source: Lyn Taylor's Adventure Travel

Tsum Valley Trek is one of them off the beaten trekking trail for a cultural encounter that helps you to discover the secret Tibetan Buddhist situated at the edge of one of the most secluded valleys in the Himalaya. The region is still less exposed to travelers in comparison to other touristy areas and is relatively unspoiled. 

Very few travelers have made it to this mysterious and beautiful valley. Once, the valley used to be an essential trade link between Nepal and Tibet. This trek guides you into the grand surroundings of the Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, and Boudha Himal ranges. The people of Tsum Valley are called Tsumbas and belong to Tibetan origin with their language, art, culture, tradition, and religion.

7. Nar Phu Valley Trek

Source: Mountain Magic Treks

The Tibetan culture and colorful prayer flags are two main highlights of the Nar-Phu Valley Trek. It is an ancient village with its tradition and culture that seems to be cut off from the modern world. It was closed for trekking until it was opened to everyone for trekking in 2002. 

This trail is a very rugged trek, and reaching the trailhead requires a long, bumpy jeep ride from Besisahar and some days of walk. But, the isolation, spectacular views, tranquility, unspoiled beauty, and unique cultures make the trek valuable.

8. Tamang Heritage Trail

Source: Adventure Great Himalaya Treks

Tamang Heritage Trail is an easy trek yet full of a fantastic experience which leads you to peaceful green valleys and hillsides near Kathmandu. Throughout the trail, you will come across many ethnic settlements of the Tamang community in the Langtang region in Nepal. 

The journey will be completed by the warm hospitality of the Tamang community, and the trek especially helps you experience the stay of the Home Stay tour in Nepal. The heritage trail, together with ethnic, cultural meetings, will be also be supported by magnetic views of the Langtang Himalaya range.

9. Rara Lake Trek

Source: Nepal Base Camp Treks

Rara Lake Trek takes you to Rara Lake, which passes through the less explored and unspoiled trail of western Nepal. The trail to Rara Lake is famous for providing off the beaten path experiences with total wilderness and unique cultural encounters. On the completion of the trek, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the unspoiled beauty of Rara Lake and Rara National Park, which are well recognized for a beautifully preserved alpine reserve. 

The pristine lake is the biggest in Nepal, lying at an altitude of 2980m surrounded by pine, spruce and juniper forests, and snow-capped mountains. Furthermore, Rara National Park is also known for encountering rare animals like the gaur, musk deer, yellow-throated martin, and a range of variety of birds.