When it comes to selecting a great destination for your next trekking adventure, the world offers so many choices that people are often at a loss as to which trek to choose. So, to allay your doubts and put you on the right track (quite literally!), here we are going to list out the top 10 best treks in the world.
For every trekking trail, we have included some important details such as the duration, difficulty, remoteness, best season, accommodation, and cost. Overall, we hope this article will not only be a good read, but will also be very useful for anyone looking to find their next great trekking trail to conquer, around the world.
Without further ado, here we are listing the top 10 best treks in the world:
1) Gokyo and Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Everest Base Camp in Nepal is a trek of superlatives. You get to walk in the shadows of the highest mountain peak in the world. You get to interact with possibly the most pristine local culture in the world — that of the Sherpas. You get to dive headfirst into the Himalayan panorama and get a firsthand experience of the mountains. You get to visit Gokyo lake, and Gokyo Ri, one of the best vantage points to observe the full glory of the Himalayas. So, if the mountains are calling you, the Gokyo and Everest Base Camp trek is absolutely the perfect trekking trail.
| Duration | 14 days |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 3: Moderate |
| Remoteness | Remote (Gokyo) to less remote (Everest Base Camp) |
| Best Season | March-May and October-November |
| Accommodation | Guesthouses |
| Cost | Medium – USD 1300-2100 |
2) Manaslu Circuit, Nepal
Getting ever more popular day by day, the Manaslu circuit is a superb tea house trek in the Himalayas, and has developed as an alternative to the previously famous Annapurna circuit trek. Opened up for trekking in 1991, Manaslu circuit trek is a fairly challenging trek and great for experienced trekkers looking for an excellent Himalayan adventure. You will be crossing the Larke Pass at an altitude of 5,163 m, having hiked 4,500 altitude metres, from the starting point in Arughat. Definitely recommended!
| Duration | 15 days |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 3: Moderate to Level 4: Difficult |
| Remoteness | Fairly Remote |
| Best Season | March-May and October-November |
| Accommodation | Teahouses |
| Cost | Medium – USD 1100-1350 |
3) Inca Trail to Machu Pichu, Peru
The Inca Trail in Peru is the most popular trek in South America and consistently appears on the list of top treks in the world. Trekking along picturesque mountain terrain, you pass through verdant forests, subtropical jungles with countless ancient Incan ruins and tunnels scattered along the path. At the end of the trek, you finally reach Machu Picchu, the magnificent lost city of the Incas.
| Duration | 4 days |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 2: Easy to Level 3: Moderate |
| Remoteness | Not remote due to the number of trekkers |
| Best Season | April to November |
| Accommodation | Camping |
| Cost | Medium – USD 560-660 |
4) Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Rising to a staggering height of 5,895m, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the tallest free-standing mountain peak in the world and the highest mountain peak in Africa. A trek to Kilimanjaro, through any of the possible routes, takes you through the heart of Africa’s natural beauty, while you marvel at the sheer magnificence of the experience.
| Duration | 5 to 9 days |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 3: Moderate to Level 4: Difficult |
| Remoteness | Not remote due to the number of trekkers |
| Best Season | All year (best done during the dry months) |
| Accommodation | Camping |
| Cost | Medium – USD 850-1000 at the cheapest |
5) Torres del Paine, Chile
A 52-mile circuit trek that takes up to 10 days, Torres del Paine is the epitome of the perfect South American natural experience. With ruggedly beautiful mountains, bright blue glaciers and exotic animals on the hillside, this is truly a feast for trekking enthusiasts.
| Duration | 5 to 9 days |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 3: Moderate to Level 4: Difficult |
| Remoteness | Not remote due to the number of trekkers |
| Best Season | All year (best done during the dry months) |
| Accommodation | Camping |
| Cost | Medium – USD 850-1000 at the cheapest |
6) Huayhuash Circuit, Peru
More demanding than the Inca trail, this trek in Peru is great for trekkers looking for a good challenge and serene, untempered natural beauty. For most of the two-week-long trek, you’ll be walking and camping in 4,000m+ mountainous terrain while feasting your eyes on exquisite views of the surrounding peaks. The crystal blue glacial lakes are a special delight for hardy trekkers. Cordillera Blanca, not far from Cordillera Huayhuash, is also a very popular trekking circuit.
| Duration | 10 to 21 days |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 3, Moderate to Level 4, Difficult |
| Remoteness | Moderately remote |
| Best Season | May to August |
| Accommodation | Camping |
| Cost | Expensive |
7) Haute Route, France, Switzerland
This is a 200 kilometer trek through the French and Swiss Alps, taking you through the heart of the Alps, with many high peaks and glaciers, while you marvel at the magnificent surroundings. An adventure in the European mountains, this terrain has lots of trekkers going here every year, and also experiences a lot of rain. This route is renowned as a great destination for ski tours.
| Duration | 8 to 12 days |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 3: Moderate to Level 4: Difficult |
| Remoteness | Not remote due to good accommodation |
| Best Season | June to September |
| Accommodation | Lodges and guesthouses |
| Cost | Expensive: USD 1600+ |
8) Snowman trail, Bhutan
A difficult trek in the Himalayas of Bhutan, Snowman trail is a great challenge for trekkers looking for an unforgettable Himalayan adventure. Hiking and camping at high altitude for over 3 weeks, while soaking in the mesmerizing views of the surrounding mountains and interacting with the locals, you will experience the full glory of the Himalayas firsthand. Before doing this trek, make sure that you are physically fit and experienced in trekking for many days in remote mountainous terrain.
| Duration | 27 days |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 5: Very Difficult |
| Remoteness | Very remote |
| Best Season | October |
| Accommodation | Camping |
| Cost | Very Expensive: USD 7000+ |
9) Overland track, Australia
Overland track in Tasmania is a grand Australian bush walk, featuring diverse natural terrain including waterfalls, mountains, lakes and a variety of exotic flora and fauna. Just imagine yourself relaxing beside a cool mountain lake, marvelling at the scenery and looking at reflections of the snow-capped mountains in the water. Overland track offers all this and much more.
| Duration | 6 days |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 2: Easy to Level 3: Moderate |
| Remoteness | Not remote |
| Best Season | November and April |
| Accommodation | Huts or camping |
| Cost | Medium – about USD 700 per person |
10) Pays Dogon, Mali
Renowned for its isolated villages on 500m high cliffs, Pays Dogon is a not only a natural African experience but also a cultural treat. Trekkers get to experience native African culture firsthand and interact with the local people.
| Duration | 15 days |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 3: Moderate to Level 4: Difficult |
| Remoteness | Moderately remote |
| Best Season | November to February |
| Accommodation | Mostly camping but some hotels as well |
| Cost | Expensive – USD 1700+ |