Best Treks in Nepal During Dashain & Tihar 2026: A Trekker's Guide

Quick Comparison: 6 Treks for Dashain and Tihar 2026

1) Rara Lake Trek

Highlights:

• Rara Lake, the largest lake in Nepal, at 2,990 m inside Rara National Park.
• Pine and juniper forest with very few other trekkers.
• Village life in Jumla and Mugu, one of the least visited parts of the country.
• Clear autumn views of the lake and the surrounding ridges.

Rara is the choice if you want to avoid the busy Annapurna and Everest trails completely. The lake sits in the remote Karnali region of north-western Nepal, and most foreign trekkers never get this far. In autumn the water is at its bluest and the sky is usually clear from morning to afternoon.

There are two ways in. The short route flies from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, then on a small plane to Talcha airport in Mugu, which is about 2-4 hours on foot from the lake. The classic route flies to Jumla and follows village trails through Sinja and Chalachaur, climbing to around 4,000 m on Chuchemara hill before descending to the lake. Lodges are basic, and on the longer route some nights may be in simple homestays or tents. For the quick route, see our Short Rara Lake Trek guide.

Good to know

• Duration: 5-6 days via Talcha, 10-14 days via Jumla.
• Permits: Rara National Park entry permit.
• Festival tip: Nepali domestic tourists fly to Rara during the Dashain holiday, and the small planes to Talcha and Jumla fill up fast. Book flights early and add at least one buffer day, since these flights are often delayed by weather.

2) Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Highlights:

• Sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210 m) over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.
• The shortest Himalayan trek with big mountain views, ideal if you only have a few days.
• Gurung and Magar villages such as Ghorepani, Tadapani and Ghandruk.
• Rhododendron and oak forest (the flowers bloom in spring, not autumn).
• The long stone staircase at Ulleri.

Poon Hill is the easiest way to see the Annapurna range up close without going high. Most itineraries start from Pokhara, drive to Nayapul or Ulleri, and reach Ghorepani on the second day. The next morning you climb to Poon Hill for sunrise, then continue to Tadapani and Ghandruk, where the Gurung museum is worth an hour of your time.

The walking is steady rather than hard, but the climb from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri is a long run of stone steps that tests the legs on day one. If you are fit and short on time, see our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 4 Days or the longer Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking itinerary.

Good to know

• Duration: 2-5 days from Pokhara.
• Permits: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). 
• Festival tip: This is the most popular holiday trek for Nepali families and students, so Ghorepani lodges fill up during Dashain and Tihar. Book rooms in advance and expect a crowd at the Poon Hill viewpoint at sunrise.

3) Gosaikunda Lake Trek

Highlights:

• The sacred Gosaikunda lake at 4,380 m, an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.
• A chain of high alpine lakes, including Bhairav Kunda and Saraswati Kunda.
• Views of Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal and, on clear days, the Annapurna range.
• Option to cross Laurebina Pass (4,610 m) into Helambu and walk back toward Kathmandu.

Gosaikunda is one of the most accessible high-altitude lake treks from Kathmandu. It starts in Dhunche, a long day's drive north, and climbs through Sing Gompa, a village known for its cheese factory, before reaching the lakes. The big pilgrimage crowds come for Janai Purnima in August, so the trail is calmer in October and November.

Be honest with yourself about the altitude. The route gains more than 2,300 m from Dhunche in about three days, which is faster than most doctors recommend. Plan an extra night at Sing Gompa or Laurebina if you can. Book the Gosaikunda Lake Trek or combine it with the Langtang Valley Trek for a longer route with better acclimatisation.

Good to know

• Duration: 5-9 days, longer if combined with Langtang or Helambu.
• Permits: Langtang National Park permit. 
• Festival tip: Public buses to Dhunche are packed in the days before and after Dashain. A private jeep costs more but saves a hard day.

4) Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Highlights:

• A night inside the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130 m, surrounded by Annapurna I, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.
• Close-up views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) from Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m).
• Natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda on the way down.
• Terraced farmland and Gurung villages such as Chhomrong.

Annapurna Base Camp gives you a true high-mountain amphitheatre in about a week, without the long flights and higher altitudes of the Everest region. The trail follows the Modi Khola valley through forest and bamboo before opening into the Sanctuary, where the peaks rise on every side.

October is peak season here in any year, and the festival holiday adds Nepali trekkers on top. Lodges at Deurali, Machhapuchhre Base Camp and ABC are limited, so start early each day or book ahead. Choose the Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 7 Days if time is tight, or the Annapurna Base Camp Trek for a more relaxed pace.

Good to know

• Duration: 7-11 days from Pokhara.
• Permits: ACAP.
• Festival tip: Guides and porters from the area often go home for Dashain Tika (October 21). Book your crew early and ask your operator to confirm names before you arrive.

5) Jomsom and Muktinath Trek

Highlights:

• Muktinath temple (3,710 m), sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, with its 108 water spouts.
• The deep Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.
• The medieval village of Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang.
• Thakali villages such as Marpha, known for its apples and apple brandy.

This route suits trekkers who want dramatic, dry high-desert scenery without extreme altitude. Many itineraries fly from Pokhara to Jomsom, then walk up through Kagbeni to Muktinath and back down the valley. A road now runs through the valley, so good itineraries use the quieter trails away from it wherever possible.

Muktinath is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Nepal, and Dashain is a popular time for Nepali and Indian pilgrims to visit. Expect busy lodges near the temple and a lively, colourful atmosphere. See the Jomsom and Muktinath Trekking 13 Days itinerary for the full route.

Good to know

• Duration: 5-13 days depending on flights and route.
• Permits: ACAP. 
• Festival tip: Jomsom flights only operate in the morning because of strong afternoon winds, and seats sell out around the holidays. Book early and keep a spare day.

6) Upper Mustang (Lo Manthang) Trek

Highlights:

• The walled city of Lo Manthang (about 3,840 m), capital of the former Kingdom of Lo.
• Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, cave dwellings and red, grey and ochre cliffs.
• A rain-shadow landscape that stays dry and clear in autumn.
• Far fewer trekkers than the main Annapurna routes.

Upper Mustang feels closer to Tibet than to the rest of Nepal. Because it is a restricted area, visitor numbers stay low, and the villages, monasteries and cave systems remain very traditional. The trail starts at Kagbeni and follows the Kali Gandaki north to Lo Manthang over several dry, windy passes.

The restricted area permit makes this the most expensive trek on this list, so plan it well ahead rather than as a last-minute holiday trip. Our Upper Mustang Trek 17 Days includes time to explore Lo Manthang and the surrounding valleys.

Good to know

• Duration: 12-17 days.
• Permits: Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit plus ACAP. Since March 2026 the permit is charged per day and solo trekkers can apply, but it must still be arranged through a registered trekking agency with a licensed guide. Check the current fee when you book.
• Festival tip: Restricted area permits are processed by the Department of Immigration, which closes for several days over Dashain. Apply well before Fulpati (October 17).

How Dashain and Tihar Affect Your Trek

The festivals do not close the mountains, and teahouses on the main routes stay open. What changes is everything around the trek. Plan for these points:

• Transport rush: Hundreds of thousands of people leave Kathmandu for their home villages in the week before Fulpati (October 17) and return after Tika (October 21). Buses and domestic flights are full and fares rise. Travel to your trailhead a few days before or after these peaks if you can.
• Government offices close: Permit counters, banks and many offices shut for several days around Fulpati to Tika, and again around Laxmi Puja during Tihar. Sort out permits and cash before the holidays start.
• Busy lodges on popular routes: Poon Hill, Annapurna Base Camp and Muktinath see many Nepali holiday trekkers on top of the usual autumn crowds. Book rooms ahead.
• Crew availability: Guides and porters want to be home for Tika. Book your trek early with an operator that confirms your crew in advance.
• Quiet Kathmandu, busy Pokhara: Kathmandu empties out around Tika, and some shops and restaurants close for a few days, though Thamel stays mostly open. Pokhara goes the other way: hotels fill up with Nepali holidaymakers, so book your Pokhara nights early.
• Festival customs: You may be invited to receive tika and blessings, which is a warm gesture worth accepting. Be aware that animal sacrifices take place at many temples on Maha Ashtami and Navami. During Tihar, groups sing Deusi and Bhailo songs door to door in the evenings and houses are lit with oil lamps.

For the full festival background, read our guides to the Dashain festival in Nepal and the Tihar festival in Nepal.

Why Dashain and Tihar Are a Good Time to Trek

Dashain and Tihar fall in the middle of Nepal's autumn trekking season. The monsoon has usually ended, the air is clearer, and mountain views are at their most reliable of the year. Daytime temperatures are comfortable at lower and middle altitudes, while nights above 3,500 m are cold but manageable with a good sleeping bag.

You also see Nepal at its most festive. Marigold garlands, bamboo swings, kites over the rooftops and families gathering for tika and jamara give the whole country a celebratory mood, from the streets of Kathmandu to mountain villages. If you prefer bigger mountain trails, the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Langtang Valley Trek are also popular choices during the festive season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a good idea to trek in Nepal during Dashain?

Yes. Dashain falls in peak autumn season, with stable weather and clear views. The main challenges are crowded transport and busy lodges on popular routes, which you can manage by booking early and avoiding travel on the days just before Fulpati and just after Tika.

When are Dashain and Tihar in 2026?

Dashain 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on October 11, and the main Tika day, Vijaya Dashami, is on October 21. Tihar 2026 runs from November 7 to November 11, with Laxmi Puja on November 8 and Bhai Tika on November 11.

Do teahouses close during Dashain?

Teahouses on the main trekking routes stay open, since autumn is their busiest season. A few family-run lodges on quieter routes may close for a day or two around Tika, so a good operator will confirm your overnight stops in advance.

Which trek is best for a short trip during the festival?

Ghorepani Poon Hill is the best short option. It takes 2-5 days from Pokhara, stays below 3,300 m and offers some of the best mountain views in Nepal for the effort.

Do I need a guide to trek in Nepal?

Since April 2023, foreign trekkers need a licensed guide on most trekking routes in Nepal, and restricted areas like Upper Mustang have always required one. Book early for Dashain, since many guides take time off for Tika. Your agency also handles the permits for your route. Rules on the separate TIMS card have been applied inconsistently since the guide requirement began, so rely on your agency rather than older online guides.

Plan Your Festival-Season Trek

At Trekking Guide Team Adventure, we arrange treks for international and Nepali travellers throughout Dashain and Tihar, including permits, transport and experienced licensed guides. Contact us to plan or customise your trek for autumn 2026.

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