Nepal is a small country located in the Himalayas. It is home to eight mountain peaks over 8,000 meters high, including the highest peak on the planet — Everest. The unique geographical location, the number of peaks, the developed tourist infrastructure, and the friendliness of the local population make Nepal a mecca for trekking enthusiasts. There are routes for all levels of preparation here — both for beginners and professionals.
Everest Base Camp
One of the most popular routes in Nepal leads to the majestic giant. The Everest Base Camp is located at an altitude of about 5,300 meters. Due to its popularity among tourists, the infrastructure is quite developed along the entire route. There are comfortable guesthouses with hot showers, bars, and Wi-Fi. Along the way to the camp, there are ancient Buddhist monasteries, the picturesque village of Namche Bazaar, the breathtaking valley of the Island Peak, and the turbulent Dudh Kosi River.
Trekking around the Annapurnas
The trek around the slopes of the Annapurnas attracts about twenty thousand tourists annually. The highest point of the route is located at an altitude of 5,416 meters. The reward for the difficult path is stunning views of the Annapurna, Machapuchare, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Langtang Himal mountains. The gradual altitude gain and the variety of landscapes (jungles, valleys, highlands, villages, monasteries) allow for gentle acclimatization, avoiding altitude sickness.
Climbing Manaslu
This route is not as popular as the previous two, but no less exciting. The maximum height you can climb to is 5,115 meters. This peak is the eighth highest in the world. The path runs along the mountain ridge on the border with Tibet, so here you can see the architecture and culture not only of Nepal but also of its neighbor.
Trekking in the Langtang Valley
During the trek through the valley, you will enjoy wonderful views of the Langtang, Annapurna, and Makalu peaks (the fifth eight-thousander in the world). Despite its proximity to the capital, Kathmandu, there are almost no signs of civilization here. This is a good option for independent trekking in Nepal. In the Langtang Valley, you can get acquainted with the culture of the Tamang people and even witness one of their traditional rituals.
Trekking in Upper Mustang
This region was opened for trekking only in 1992. In addition to breathtaking mountain landscapes, the route features caves carved into sheer cliffs and Buddhist monasteries dating back to the 16th century. All this has been preserved due to the long inaccessibility of the region. The terrain in Mustang is desert-like, with deep gorges and snowy peaks, adding an otherworldly feel to the scenery. The maximum altitude on this route is 3,810 meters, which is quite low for Nepal.
Upper Dolpo Trek
Another route that was inaccessible until 1989 is Upper Dolpo. The maximum altitude that tourists climb to is 5,350 meters. On the route, long ascents alternate with strenuous descents, and picturesque peaks alternate with desert landscapes. Along the way, you will also encounter villages and monasteries, adding to the special atmosphere.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp
Kanchenjunga is the third-largest mountain in the world (8,586 m) after Everest and K2. The trek to its base camp is very popular in Nepal. Kanchenjunga is located on the border of Nepal and India. There is almost no civilization around the mountain — it is one of the least populated mountainous regions. On the route, you can encounter red pandas, blue sheep, a variety of rhododendrons, orchids, lilies, and primulas. And the landscapes delight with their diversity — tropical forests, green meadows, gorges, and rocky slopes.
Trekking around Dhaulagiri
Dhaulagiri ranks seventh among the world’s eight-thousanders. Until 1808, it was considered the highest mountain. Experienced travelers often call this route the best trekking experience in Nepal. It’s a trek in true wilderness conditions — camping on snow-covered terrain, low temperatures, and no communication except satellite. Such a challenge is only suitable for resilient tourists.
Trekking around Rara Lake
Rara is the largest lake in Nepal, covering an area of 9.8 km2, located at an altitude of 2,990 meters above sea level. The trail to the lake passes through villages, high-altitude meadows, and forests inhabited by Himalayan bears, snow leopards, red pandas, 200 bird species, and butterflies. From the viewpoint at Murna, there is an excellent view of Rara and the surrounding mountains. This is the most picturesque place in northwest Nepal.
Rolwaling Valley Trek
The Rolwaling Valley is located in the eastern-central part of Nepal. It is from here that legends of the Yeti, or “snowman,” originated. This route is suitable only for prepared individuals who engage in mountaineering and know how to handle equipment. In the valley, you can encounter rare monkeys, Himalayan tahrs, yaks, musk deer, wild dogs, and birds.
What to Know Before Trekking in Nepal
Each route has its own level of difficulty. Some require no special physical preparation, while others require months of training, equipment study, and rock climbing techniques.
Nepal is a high-altitude country, so almost every tourist experiences symptoms of altitude sickness due to the thin air. These can include dizziness, nausea, weakness, drowsiness, and even euphoria. To minimize this condition, it is necessary to acclimatize gradually, getting used to the local air. For this purpose, it is worth alternating ascent with descent and constantly monitoring your well-being. Oxygen cylinders also help to cope with discomfort.
Every tourist who wants to participate in a trekking expedition needs to obtain special permits and a map. First of all, it is necessary to obtain TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System). This is a card through which information about the tourist and their route is entered into a common database so that in case of danger, the rescue team knows where to go. To obtain TIMS, you need the original and a copy of your passport, as well as two color photographs (3 cm by 4 cm). For trekking in remote areas and border territories, a Trekking Permit to Restricted Areas is required, and for national parks and reserves, a Trekking Permit to Protected Areas is required.
In all guesthouses, you can have a hearty meal. Among the exotic dishes, you can find yak meat, momo (boiled items made of dough with various fillings), and curry. Among more familiar foods, there are pizza, spaghetti, sandwiches, potato dishes, soups, etc. The most optimal option for ordering is traditional dal bhat. This is rice with various additions — vegetables, lentils, curry, spicy paste, and flatbread. There are many different recipes for this dish. You can buy water at stops or fill containers from the columns that you encounter along the way.
The best time for trekking in Nepal is autumn (October, November) and spring (March, April). In autumn, you can enjoy beautiful views of the peaks and clear sunny days. The amount of precipitation during this time is small. In spring, when the snow cover melts, rhododendrons begin to bloom. However, fog is quite common during this time of year, which not only obscures the views but also hinders climbing to higher altitudes. In winter, trekking is hindered by low temperatures, heavy snowstorms, snowfall, and short daylight hours. And in May and September, monsoon rains occur in Nepal, bringing landslides.
There are often power outages in this mountainous country. Therefore, it is necessary to stock up on batteries and power banks. When stopping at a guesthouse, it is helpful to have a triple outlet, which allows you to charge almost all your devices at once.
Many routes can be undertaken with the assistance of a local guide or porter. When organizing and choosing a trek, it is best to contact agencies, especially if this is your first such journey. Sometimes you can arrange a hike upon arrival — at the hotel reception. The tour package usually includes accommodation, transportation expenses, three meals a day, and the services of a personal guide. You can also buy equipment on-site rather than bringing it with you. However, bargaining is necessary.
