Trekking in the Nepal Himalayas

Trekking is the best way to explore Nepal's diverse culture and scenic beauty. The immense contrasts in altitudes and climates found here support an equally spectacular mix of life styles, vegetation types and wildlife. Taking in the scenery, experiencing the life that one come across along the way, living off of the facilities available on route and generally enjoying the closeness with the natural environment. Trekking in the mountains of Nepal is more cultural experience than a wilderness expedition. You will be passing through picturesque villages inhabited by the diverse ethnic groups. You will meet Chhetri farmers working in their fields and Tamang herders grazing their animals on the step slopes. You will see Gurkha solders home on leave and come across Sherpa Yak drivers transporting goods over the high mountain passes. And always in the background, the icy pinnacles of the Himalayas loom over the scenery. For all these reasons, Nepal is known as a trekker's paradise.

Types of Trekking  

1.      Day hiking
Day hiking is for people of all ages and without any preparation, just walking on casual dress, but with comfortable shoes. This type of trekking is for the beginners who want to experience an easy walking through picturesque villages, view the landscape and nature, and learn the mountain life and culture. There are several places in the mid-hill range of Nepal for a short hiking and trekking.  

2.      Less Strenuous or Moderate Trekking
Whether we begin our trek at a roadbed or fly into a remote mountain airstrip, a large part of our trek will be in the middle hilly region of Nepal at elevations between 1000 and 3000 meters above sea level. In this region, there are always well developed trails through villages and across mountain passes. Even at high altitudes there are intermittent settlements used during summer by shepherds, so the trails, though often indistinct, are always there. In this trek, we can easily travel on any trail without the aid of ropes or mountaineering skills. There are rare occasions when there is snow on the trail, and on some high passes it might be necessary to place a safety line for our companions or guide and porters if there is deep snow. Still alpine techniques are almost never used on a traditional trek. But a good physical condition and some hiking experience is necessary before the trek, and good hiking shoes and warm clothes should be prepared.  

3.      Strenuous / Challenging Trek
This type of trek is for professional, energetic and adventurous trekkers.  Trekking in the Himalayas and its foot hill regions at elevations between 3000 and 5500 meters or even higher is considered a Strenuous or Challenging Trek. There is some risk of avalanche, and requires a proper preparation and organization for this type of trekking.  In this trek, very often, we have to travel on deep snow-covered trails, glaciers and high mountains passes en. Winters are very cold as temperatures drop below zero, but the warm sun makes most days comfortable. Some examples of this trek in Nepal are; Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Upper Dolpo, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Mustang and Round Annapurna treks etc.

 Some of the Popular Trekking Regions

Annapurna Region

Some of the most popular trekking sites in Nepal are those in the Annapurna region. It is hard to beat this region for scenic and ethnic diversity, physical challenge (for some trips) an in-depth experience of Nepal. You will be walking along centuries-old Tibetan-Nepalese trade routes and the world's deepest river gorge - the Kali Gandaki, meeting several ethnic groups like Tamangs, Gurungs, Magars, Manangi Buddhists and Hindus, and exploring a variety of Himalayan environment while reveling in the scenic grandeur of some of the most beautiful of snow capped mountains. Not only does the area provide breathtaking scenery, but also there are trekking routes to suit all levels of fitness, many different treks from 2 days to 35 days long, every type of budget, and the enthusiast need not be under the control of the seasons. 

Recommended Trips

1.      Annapurna Circuit (16-22 days)
Level: Strenuous/ Challenging.
Route: Beshisahar-Manang-Thorungla-Jomsom-Pokhara

2.      Annapurna Sanctuary (7-12 days)
Level: Strenuous. Route: Pokhara-ABC-Pokhara

3.      Jomsom-Muktinath (10-15 days)
Level: Moderate.  Route: Popkhara-Ghorepani-Tatopani-Jomsom-Pokhara

4.      Poon Hill-Ghandruk Circuit (4-5 days)
Level: Moderate. Route: Pokhara-Poon Hill-Ghandruk-Birethanti-Pokhara

5.      Dhampus-Ghandruk (3-4 days)
Level: Easy. Route: Pokhara-Dhmpus-Ghandruk-Birethanti-Pokhara

6.      Mystical Mustang - special trip (14-20 days)
Level: Strenuous/Challenging.
Route: Pokhara-Jomsom-Kagbeni-Lomanthang-Jomsom-Pokhara

Best time for trekking Annapurna region will be from SEP-NOV and FEB-MAY; however, winter DEC-JAN is also good to trek the lower foothills of the region. 

Everest / Khumbu Region

The Everest or Solu Khumbu region is the most popular trekking area of Nepal. Since the successful ascent of Mt. Everest, the Khumbu region has enjoyed international attention. Solu Khumbu is justifiably famous, not only for its proximity to the world's highest mountain (8848m), but also for its Sherpa villages, monasteries and mighty glaciers. The primary goal of an Everest trek is the Everest base camp at an elevation of about 5360 meters. But for a better view of Everest, most trekkers climb Kala Pattar, an unassuming 5545 meter bump on the southern flank of Pumori (7145 meters). The base camp is a place of glory. It is a place from where many have looked upon Everest with hope and wondered what tomorrow's climb will bring. The base camp bears the memory of many celebrations and even more admissions of defeat.

 Recommended Trips

1.      Everest Base Camp/Kalapather (14-16 days)

Level: Strenuous/Challenging. Route: Lukla-Namche-EBC-Lukla

2.      Traditional EBC Trek (20-25 days)
Level: Moderate/strenuous. 
Route: Jiri-Namche-EBC & flight back from Lukla

3.      Gokyo Trek (10-12 days)
Level: Strenuous.
Route: Lukla-Namche-Gokyo-Namche-Lukla 

Best time for trekking Everest region will be from SEP-NOV and FEB-MAY.  Winter DEC-JAN will be too cold for base camp and high altitude, but one can still trek the lower region.

  LangTang and Helambu Region

 The Langtang and Helambu region is also one of the most popular trekking areas of Nepal. This region is situated north of Kathmandu and borders south of Tibet. The three major areas are LangTang, Gosainkunda and Helambhu, which can be combined in many different ways to make treks from 6 to 16 days long. Your visit to this isolated region offers an opportunity to explore the scenic villages & mountain valleys, wildlife, flora & fauna, view of Langtang Himalaya Ranges, to climb small peaks and to visit glaciers at a comfortably low elevation. Langtang and Helambu region is inhabited mostly by Tamangs whose religious practices, language and dress are more similar to those of the Tibetan People than to the traditions of their cousins in the southern middle hills of Nepal. 

Recommended Trips

1.        LangTang Trek (8-10 days)
Level: moderate.
Route: Kathmandu-Dhunche-LangTang-Dunche-Kathmandu

2.        LangTang-Gosainkunda-Helambu (14-16 days)
Level: moderate + strenuous 
Route: Dunche-LangTang-Gosainkunda-Helambhu-Sundarijal

3.        Helambhu (6-10 days)
Level: moderate.
Route: Sundarijal-Tharkeghang-Melanchi bazzar

Best time for trekking LangTang/Helambu region will be from SEP-NOV and FEB-MAY; however, trekking lower region of Helambu will be good in winter too.

Organizing Trekking

You can organize your own trip or let us arrange your trip, as you require. For the popular trekking areas such as Annapurna, Everest and Lang Tang etc., we organize trekking trips for our clients in two different ways:

1. Lodge based or Teahouse Trek
Accommodation and food will be provided in and through the mountain lodges or hotels en route in "Lodge based or Teahouse Trek". These types of lodges or hotels are just basic accommodation. The lodge/hotel owners are quite familiar with trekker's requirements. They also get basic training from concerned authority to certify them to run the lodges and serve tourists. You don't need to carry heavy gear and cooking tools for this type of trekking; the porters will carry your backpacks.

2. Camping Trek
Trekking on camping basis is to feel closer to nature and adventure. Well-organized trips with all camping gear, equipment, kitchen tools, cook, kitchen staffs, porters and guide should be arranged for Camping trekking. Camping trek cost little more than Teahouse Trek as it involves more staffs/porters, equipment etc.

Trekking Guide and Porters

We provide reliable trained guides and porters on daily service basis for those guests or individual trekkers who are not taking a trekking package or fully organized trip. For your safety, do not take an unknown person as guide/porter from the streets. 

What to take along 

For a days hike/trek

-          Very light bag-pack, a water bottle & light snacks

-          A change of clothing (depending on seasons and altitude)

 For moderate / strenuous trek

-          A sleeping bag, good trekking boots

-          Spare sneakers or track shoes, thick jacket, woolen jersey / pullover

-          Light trousers (jeans & tight fitting trousers are not recommended)

-          Enough underwear, socks, a hat/cap, sunglasses and gloves

-          Towels, rain gear, minimal toiletries, torch light with spare batteries

-          Water bottle, rolls of film, money belts (for safety)

-          A practical medical kit (highly recommended)

-          A small hand bag & strong rucksack (that can be carried on  you back or
by porter) 

Acclimatization and Safety

 High altitude Sickness (HAS) can be life threatening if elevation is gained too rapidly without proper acclimatization. Medical doctors advise against ascending more than 500M a day once above 3000M elevation. Alternately, you can spend an extra night at 3000M and 3500M before ascending further. Over exertion and dehydration contribute HAS. Drink at least 3-4 liters of water daily besides tea and coffee which act as diuretics. Symptoms of HAS are headache, dizziness, problem in breathing and sleeping, loss of appetite, nausea, and general fatigue. If some one develops HAS symptoms, stop ascending further for a while or take the person to lower elevation immediately if he/she feels serious. Garlic soup is highly recommended in the trail to recover from HAS, and stop taking oily and fried food. Alcoholic drink and beer are not good while you are trekking in the high altitude area. 

For more information, itineraries price quote and booking, please contact us.

E-mail: tvllink@wlink.com.np  or  loktravel@hotmail.com