Nepal Trekking Information

Trekking is not a mountaineering. For mountaineering, there are 8 out of 10 most highest peaks in the world in Nepal. However the trekking around or below these mountains are very popular. The trekking in Nepal is a simple walking trip along trails hill road in the mountains. Many of such roads have been used for every day travel and trade for many years. A trekking trip can be of any length one can choose from a hiking to one month long trek. However a hiking in Nepal is a mini trek in Nepal. You trek one day along the rim of Kathmandu valley or Pokhara Valley, dine and rest in a comfortable to luxurious resort, and next day walk or drive back to city after breakfast. There are many popular mini treks around Kathmandu and Pokhara valley, which you can complete in one night two days, where as there are various longer treks around Annapurna and Everest region lasting from a week to a month. A day hike along the ridges on Kathmandu valley's rim will also give you an idea of what trekking in Nepal is all about. For more information on hiking, please visit our page Hiking in Nepal.Trekking in Annapurna region is most popular. The trekking in Everest region is more strenuous and high altitude trekking. The cost of air tickets to Lukla and back adds the cost of trekking in Everest. The next popular trekking is in Langtang region. It is not as panoramic as Annapurna but it is next to Kathmandu valley. You may click here for Trekking Itinerary Package.
Nepal trekking FAQ
What is a Trek?
Types of Trek
Trekking grade
Teahouse trekking
When to Trek in Nepal?
Camp Trekking
Altitude sickness
Guides and Porters
What is a Trek? A Trek is not a Mountain Climbing Trip. There are still only a few roads in Nepal extending deeply into the hills, so the only way to truly visit remote regions of the kingdom is walking. It requires more time and effort, but the rewards are also greater. Whether you begin your trek at a road head or fly into a remote mountain airstrip, a large part of it will be in the Middle Hills region at elevations between 500 and 3000 meters. While trekking you will see the great diversity of Nepal. Villages embrace many ethnic groups and cultures. The terrain changes from tropical jungle to high-glaciated peaks in only 150 km.

Trekking GradeThe grades are based on length, altitude, remoteness, walking conditions, weather and other factors. It is impossible to be precise about how hard a trek is. The grade of a trekking is a rough guide only. A grading provides a way for you to compare different treks. Remember that all trekking demands some physical efforts. Grade 1 Easy, a day hike, sightseeing, and stay in a resort.Grade 2 Leisurely, the trekking itinerary is about 4 - 10 days, elevation up to 3500 m. These trips can be enjoyed by anyone who leads a reasonably active life. Grade 3 Moderate, the trekking itinerary is 10 days or more. Elevations up to 15.000 feet with ups and downs. Some previous experience is desirable. Grade 4 Strenuous, difficult trekking conditions, covering long distance, and high passes. You need to have trekking experience posses a fair degree of stamina.Grade 5 Technical: Climbing experience is required. You must be familiar with the use of mountaineering equipment. This grade is reserved for our most demanding treks, involving long days, often in isolated areas, at elevations above 18,000 feet.

When to Trek ?There are two major factors to decide when to go to Nepal: crowds and weather. As a general rule, the better the weather, the more people come to Nepal to go trekking. During the high tourist season in October and November, flights and hotels are fully booked and hotels and trails in the hills can be very busy. During autumn the nights are cold in the mountains, but the bright sun makes for pleasant day temperatures - in the high 20s° C, falling to 5° C at night, between 1000 meters and 3500 meters. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 20° C down to -10° C. Mornings are usually clear with clouds building up during the afternoon, disappearing at night to reveal spectacular starry skies. During winter it is about 10 degrees colder.There are two major factors to decide when to go to Nepal: crowds and weather. As a general rule, the better the weather, the more people come to Nepal to go trekking. During the high tourist season in October and November, flights and hotels are fully booked and hotels and trails in the hills can be very busy. Early December usually has a lull, but this is also a good trekking season. The Christmas period is cold. High passes, especially Thorang La on the Around Annapurna trek and Laurabina Pass on the Gosaikunda trek are usually closed from late November to March. February is still cold. The other popular season for trekking is spring (from mid February to April). The Middle Hills, especially around Pokhara, are full of dust and haze in April and May, but the high country is usually clear. Trekking in May is a little hot except at high elevations.The monsoon is a good time to visit Kathmandu, but there are few trekkers among those who come. A monsoon trek is possible if you are willing to put up with the rain, leeches, slippery trails and lousy mountain views. Flights operate throughout the monsoon to Lukla, Jumla and Jomsom, so it is possible to fly in and trek above the leech line.Many of the new treks to recently opened restricted areas are good summer treks. Mustang and Simikot are partially in the Himalayan rain shadow, so trekking conditions are good throughout the monsoon season. Most of the restricted area treks are impossible during the winter season.

Altitude sicknessAltitude sickness, often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a particularly important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3000 meters. The initial symptoms of AMS are as follows: Nausea, vomiting
Loss of appetite
Insomnia/ sleeplessness
Persistent headaches
Dizziness, light headaches, confusion
Disorientation, drunken gait
Weakness, fatigue, lassitude, heavy legs Slight swelling of hands and face
Breathlessness and Breathing irregularly
Reduced urine output These symptoms are to be taken very seriously. In case of the appearance of any of the above symptoms, any further ascent should be reconsidered; otherwise more serious problems can occur which can cause death, sometimes within a few hours. The only cure for the Altitude Sickness is to descend to lower elevations immediately. Acclimatization by ascending to no more than 300 to 500 meters per day above 3000 meters and the proper amount of rest are the best methods for prevention of AMS.

Types of TrekIn Nepal there are numerous ways to arrange a trek due to two major factors. First it is inexpensive by Western standards to hire professional and nonprofessional labour to carry loads and to work as guides and camp staff. Second almost all supplies and accommodation are available locally because there are people living in even the most remote trekking areas. Hence there are two types of organized trekking. One is Teahouse Trekking and second one is Camp Trekking.

Teahouse trekking Tea House accommodation: There are number of lodges along the popular trekking routes in Annapurna, Everest, and Langtang regions. These lodges are called Tea House Lodges and managed by local people. These lodges have basic requirements for over night accommodation like private rooms, dormitories, toilets, shower room with hot and cold water, and one attached restaurant. The quality of food offered might vary from lodge to lodge but most serve simple and hygienic meals. The teahouse trekking provides you an opportunity to feel the warm hospitality of friendly Nepali hosts. The money you spend goes to the local community. Food: The trekking trip includes three basic meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. Your meals in Nepal will be mostly local food with a few American and European-style touches. Breakfast and dinners are made available at the restaurant attached to the lodge. Lunches are made available at trailside teahouse around mid-day. Most lodges serve, Nepali meals - rice, lentil soup and curried vegetables or meat, soups, noodles, pancakes, chapattis, breads, etc.
If you have an urge to trek in some of the most beautiful places in Nepal, interact, and make friends with the local people without having to sleep in a cold and lonely tent, Tea House Trekking is just the thing waiting for you.

Camp TrekkingAccommodation: In a typical camp trekking, each pair of trekkers will sleep in a spacious mountain tent with a durable rain, fly, and full insect netting. The tent is fitted with foam mattresses. When your campsite is near villages or lodges you may be invited to sleep in the lodges or homes of local people. Food: Mornings begin with a hot drink in your tent. Breakfast usually includes cereal, porridge, and eggs in different style, coffee, tea, and bread with jam and butter. Lunch typically includes Indian-style bread (chapatti) vegetable salads, French fries, fruits, beverages and local snack food. On other occasion lunch may be fried rice, noodles, macaroni, or sandwiches. You will have afternoon snack such as trail mix, popcorn, or cookies and tea. Dinner includes soup and a full hot meal including rice or potatoes, cooked fresh vegetables, and a lentil or other sauce followed by dessert.
The camping trekking is an ultimate trekking. You will be closest to the nature. Having your own tents and equipments give you the flexibility to camp where you wish for a good view or proximity to interesting natural features or you can also try to avoid large group camp around.

Guide: Our trekking guides are carefully selected for their ability and are generally from Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, Magar, and other communities from remote mountain villages. Each guide is trained and has abilities in eco-friendly trekking methods and safety. They help to maintain your health and your happiness as well his crew members. Our guides are committed to making sure that all our trekkers have an enjoyable trek, comes back safe and are overwhelmed by their experience. Your guide will be a friend and companion, who takes pleasure in showing you his country's specialties and, perhaps, meet his home and family too. Porters: Services of Porters and Pack-animals to Carry your Luggage and Equipment are hired at the beginning of a trek to make sure that most of the cost our clients pays goes directly into the local community where you trek.

Hiking in Nepal

Hiking and trekking are a form of walking with a purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery and natural wilderness. Both takes place on trails in rural or wilderness areas but a Hiking in Nepal is considered shorter than a trekking in Nepal. Hiking in Nepal is popular among those travelers who want to do trekking but do not have sufficient time. A typical hiking has a duration of 1 to 3 days.
You just drive to a start point of a trail and begin the hiking. Or you can say drive to base of a hill and hike up to the top. It is generally 3 to 5 hours hiking through villages and wooded forest and stay in a modern hotel or resort. No need to hire a porter just have a guide for companion. Your belongings will be taken to your destination by car. You just need small back pack to carry mineral water, your valuables, and lunch packet, etc. You will experience all the properties of a trekking in a hiking too. In other words a day hike along the ridges on Kathmandu valley's rim will also give you an idea of what trekking in Nepal is all about. There are several trails around popular destinations in Nepal to select for your hiking.
To those who have enthusiasm for trekking please visit our page for Trekking in Nepal. For hiking in Nepal Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Chisapani, Daman, Bandipur, Sarangkot, Dhampus, etc. are very popular hiking destinations in and around Kathmandu valley and Pokhara valley. The popular hiking routes are Changunarayan to Nagarkot to Dhulikhel, Sundarijal to Chisapani to Nagarkot, Kulekhani to Daman, Bimalnagar to Bandipur via Shiddha cave, Phedi to Dhampus, etc. A typical Hiking Itinerary could be as given below:

Trekking in Langtang region

Trekking in Langtang region is not as well known as trekking in Everest region (east Nepal) or as trekking in Annapurna region (west Nepal). The Langtang region is just north of Kathmandu valley. Hence it is very easily accessible from Kathmandu. Langtang region is declared National Park in 1976. Langtang National Park encloses the catchments of two major river systems' one draining west into the Trishuli River and the other east to the Sunkoshi River. The area extends from 32 km north of Kathmandu to the Nepal China border. Most of the treks are around three important destinations in the region. They are Helambu, Gosaikunda, and Langtang valley.Helambu: The Helambu area, immediately north of Kathmandu, has many scenic villages inhabited by Sherpa and Tamang. Gosaikunda: is a glacier lake. There are other glacier lakes. Gosaikunda is the most famous one. It is believed Lord Shiva has created it. Gosaikunda is accessed either from Dhunche or from Sundarijal in the eastern part of Kathmandu Valley. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit these lakes during auspicious day of full moon at August called Janai Purnima.Langtang Valley: The Langtang Valley is reached from the road end at Dhunche or Syabrubesi. It's a long and wide valley at 4000 m altitude, shaped by glaciers. For 10-20 km, the valley floor is almost flat. Dhunche and Melamchi are easily accessed by bus or private vehicle. Alternative routes from Kathmandu are public bus to Sundarijal or Melamchi. From either point, trek through Helambu to Gosaikunda via Laurebina pass or cross Ganja La pass (5122 m) to reach Langtang Valley. The trekking in Langtang is relatively remote and unpopulated area. The trekking are from one to two weeks. The most popular one is Helambu/Gosaikunda loop. You may click here for Trekking Itineraries.

Trekking in Annapurna region

Annapurna region of the Himalaya is declared as Annapurna National Park by the Government of Nepal. The entire region is administered by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (A.C.A.P.) which is working to conserve the natural and cultural resources of the area. The Annapurna region has two major rivers Marsyangdi and Kaligandaki. These two rivers of Gandaki system surround the Himalayan region of Annapurna from east and west respectively. Situated between these two big Himalayan Rivers the region presents itself as a unique collection of picturesque diversities of nature and its beauty on the one hand and of ethnicity, cultures, religions and many other social characteristics on the other. The trek in this part of the country offer a great deal of cultural and geographic diversity; indeed the Jomsom and Annapurna Circuit treks both go to the north of the Himalayan watershed, into the dry desert area which is properly part of the Tibetan plateau. The Annapurna Circuit trekking and Jomsom and Muktinath trekking are Trans Himalayan Treks. The trekking in Annapurna region is one of the best example of Eco Tourism in Nepal. Annapurna is very popular for short and long treks.
Pokhara is the starting point of all popular trekking and it is a finishing point for some of the best trekking in Nepal. Access to Pokhara is very convenient. It is 25 minute fly distance from Kathmandu or 5-6 hour drive away from Kathmandu. You can choose mode of transport from the wide range from a luxury car to tourist coach. Unlike Everest reason Pokhara is very close to the Annapurna reason. Hence you will be in the mountains in no time from Pokhara. Moreover the region has twelve different Himalayan peaks of higher than 7000 m and many other peaks higher than 6000 m. In and around Pokhara valley also offers a number of one-day treks or short three or four-day treks. The most popular among short treks is trekking up to Poonhill. The Annapurna Sanctuary Trek takes you right in among the mountains of the Annapurna Range and the base camp of Mt. Machhapuchhre. The Jomsom Trek is essentially the final third of the Annapurna Circuit. It follows the Kali Gandaki valley between the soaring peaks of Annapurna and Dhoulagiri and finally emerges to the north of the main Himalayan range, on the dry, desert - like Tibetan plateau. The final destination is the holy temple of Muktinath, a farther day's walk beyond Jomsom. The return to Pokhara can either be made by retracing your steps down the Kali Gandaki valley or by flying from Jomsom to Pokhara. Annapurna Circuit trekking is a great Trans-Himalayan trekking among most spectacular treks in Annapurna region. It is very popular and is World class Trekking. You may click here for Trekking Itineraries. So this region offers the mountain adventure possibilities for all types of mountain lovers.

Trekking in Mt. Everest region

The region of the highest mountain peak Mt. Everest (or Sagarmatha in Nepali) is popularly known as Khumbu region. The region is UNESCO World Heritage Natural site. The His Majesty's Government of Nepal has declared the region as Sagarmatha National Park. It is also home of Sherpa. Lukla a town in the region is a gateway of Everest region. There is an airstrip in Lukla for small airplanes. The famous Namche Bazaar is two days trekking away from Lukla. Easiest way to see and feel the Mt. Everest is trekking to Namche Bazaar There are several trekking options in this region.
One can choose from an easy trekking to Namche Bazaar starting from Lukla to the strenuous 3 to 4 weeks long trekking starting from Jiri. The trekking from Jiri involves many ups and downs. All the rivers in this region flow south from Himalayan glaciers. The trekking which begins from Jiri proceeds east. Therefore the trail must climb to the ridge that separates two rivers, descend to the river itself, and ascend the next ridge. Most Everest trekkers opt to fly one way to avoid having to repeat all those ups and downs. The trekking in Everest region is more strenuous than those in Annapurna region. The addition cost of air tickets makes the trekking a little more expensive. You gain height too quickly in this region. Hence it is very likely that the trekkers in the region will have Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). The acclimatization days in the trekking, a routine practice, prevents to have AMS. Of course it increases number of days in the trekking. If one acquires the symptoms of altitude sickness then s/he may not be able to go to the Everest Base Camp. But it is still worth while to visit other Sherpa villages like Khumjung, Thame, Thengboche monastery, etc. The Monastery in Thengboche is highest monastery in Nepal. The Everest region has numerous minor peaks which are open for trekkers who want to have more adventure. The most famous peaks as Mera, Island, etc. The most popular trekking in Everest region are Everest Base Camp via Kalapattar and or Gokyo. The Everest Base Camp trekking is among Top Ten Trekking in the world. You may click here for Trekking Itineraries.

Travels and Trekking Information

Trekking is the gift of Nepal to the world in adventure tourism. To be one with Nature, to regenerate one's own self-esteem, to rediscover oneself, to appreciate Nepal's beauty, to interact with its hospitable and friendly peoples are some of the highlights of trekking in Nepal. Trekking is one long-term activity that draws repeat visitors to the country. Therefore, Nepal is the ultimate destination for the trekking enthusiast. It offers a myriad of possibilities - from the "short and easy" walking excursions to the "demanding and strenuous" challenges of the snowy peaks and their foothills and valleys. But however easy, or moderate, or strenuous, there is something for every palate that goes with trekking in Nepal's hills, mountains and hinterlands. The most rewarding way to experience Nepal's indomitable combination of natural beauty and cultural riches is to walk through the length, breadth and the altitudes of Nepal. Trekking in Nepal is as much a unique cultural experience as well as an ultimate Himalayan adventure.

Map of Nepal

Location:
Between India & China ( the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China)
Area:
147,181 Sq. Kms.
Latitude:
26° 12' and 30° 27' North.
Longitude:
80° 4' and 88° 12' East.
Capital:
Kathmandu
People:
Over 40 Ethnic Groups & 70 Spoken Languages.
Political-System:
Multiparty Democracy with Constitutional Monarch.
Topography:
From the world's deepest gorge 'Kali-Gandaki' to highest point on earth 'The Everest' 8, 848Mt.
Vegetation:
Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world, ranging from sub-tropical Rain-forests to Alpine deserts.
Weather:
Climate ranges from Tropical in the low lands to Arctic in higher altitudes.
Seasons:
Winter (December-February), Summer (March-May), Monsoon (June-Aug), Autumn (Sept-Nov)Monsoon: Mostly rains at night, making the following days crispy clean and fresh. Most of the northern belt of the Trans-Himalayan zone is rain-shadowed and ideal for trekking.
National Bird:
Impean Pheasant (Danfe).
National Flower:
Rhododendron Arboreum (Lali Gurans).One of the few countries in the world where Seven World Heritage Sites are situated within 20 kms. of radius.
Endangered Species:
Tiger, Rhino, Snow - leopard, Red panda, Brown bear, Assamese macaque, Gangetic dolphin, Wolf, Wild elephant , Giant horn-bill, Swamp deer, Wild yak, Tibetan antelope, Black buck, Four horned antelope, Musk deer, Pigmy hog, Haspid hare, Pangolin, Gharial, Indian bustard, Saras crane, Impean pheasant, Python.
Wildlife:
One horned rhino, Royal Bengal tiger, Snow-leopard, Clouded-leopard, Red panda, Blue-sheep, Long snouted fish eating Gharial, wild elephant , buffaloes, bisons, blue bull, brown bear, leopard, crocodiles and many varieties of cat, dog, deer and antelope families and 840 different species of wet-land, migratory and residential birds.
A Living Cultural Heritage:
Our heritage is alive and dynamic. Shamanism, Pan-animism & Witch-craft are still practiced in remote regions.Temples, shrines, monuments and monasteries are extremely active with devotees burning butter-lamps, singing hymns, chiming temple bells and playing drums.