Nepal

Overview of Nepal Treks

On a fine morning, you wake up far from your home. You open the window, and an icy breeze touches your skin. You look around and see majestic mountains. Prayer flags are dancing with the winds. Maybe somewhere, someone is chanting the mantras. You are not in your dream. You are in remote mountain valleys in Nepal, the country of the Himalayas. This is exactly why Nepal is an adventurer’s dream.

Trekking in Nepal is always on the bucket list of beginners and avid trekkers. People from all over the world turn to Nepal for mountain expeditions. The countless trails leading to countless destinations perfectly define trekking in Nepal. From the legendary Everest Base Camp to the most popular Annapurna Base Camp, some treks offer unique experiences that last a lifetime. This article will give you a glimpse into some of these destinations.

5 Best Treks in Nepal

Let’s start with a fact—there are numerous treks in Nepal. How can one decide which one is the best? Finding the journey that suits you is subjective. However, we have listed five treks below based on their popularity, location, tranquil nature, and challenges.

Everest Base Camp Trek – Starts at USD 2,255

• Starting Point: Lukla (2,800 m)
• Distance Covered: 130 Km (approx.)
• Trek Duration: 18 days
• Highest Elevation: 5,545 m (Kalapatthar)
• Permits Required: Sagarmatha National Park Permit (SNPP) and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit

The Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular treks in Nepal. It takes you to the foot of Mount Everest (8,848 m), the tallest mountain in the world. This high-altitude journey is the embodiment of trekking. It allows you to traverse the land of the Himalayas. The ascents and descents of Sagarmatha National Park will take you through the traditional Sherpa villages and allow you to observe their culture, tradition, and lifestyle. Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu are some of the mountains you will see on this trek.

Everest Base Camp Trek Route

The path you will take to reach the EBC is the one mountaineering pioneers used. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa used this same route to conquer Everest. The route consists of the major stopping points of the EBC Trek that you will cover in the 18 days.

Lukla – Phakding – Namche Bazaar – Tengboche – Dingboche – Lobuche – Gorak Shep – Eversest Base Camp – Kalapatthar

From Kalapatthar, you will take the following route to return to Lukla:

Kalapatthar – Deboche – Tengboche – Namche Bazzar – Phakding – Lukla – Kathmandu

Annapurna Base Camp Trek – Starts at USD 1,555

• Starting Point: Nayapul (1,070 m)
• Distance Covered: 115 Km (approx.)
• Trek Duration: 14 days
• Highest Elevation: 4,130 m (Annapurna Base Camp)
• Permits Required: TIMS Card and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

How many treks include reaching two base camps? Annapurna Base Camp Trek does. You will reach the foot of the tenth-highest mountain in the world–Annapurna I–and Machhapuchhre Mountain (Fishtail). It is a moderately challenging trek with a diverse landscape. The ABC trail is especially known for having varied species of orchids and rhododendrons. Moreover, the ABC trek is also popular amongst birdwatchers, as there are more than 400 species of birds in the Annapurna Conservation Area.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Route

Out of the many routes that can take you to Annapurna Base Camp, the route below will allow you to explore most of the Annapurna region. It combines the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with Annapurna Trek. The route that you will take to reach base camp is as follows:

Nayapul – Thikhedhunga – Ghorepani – Poon Hill – Chhomrong – Dovan – Macchapuchre Base Camp – Annapurna Base Camp 

Below is the route you will take to return to Pokhara.

Annapurna Base Camp – Bamboo – Jhinu Danda – Nayapul – Pokhara 

Manaslu Circuit Trek – Starts at USD 1,695

• Starting Point: Maccha Khola
• Distance Covered: 177 Km (approx.)
• Trek Duration: 17 daysHighest Elevation: 5,106 m (Larkya LaPass)
• Permits Required: ACAP, RAP, MCAP

The location of the Manaslu region, its environment, and the culture of the people living there all contribute to its being a protected area. While the ABC and EBC treks are popular, they are equally crowded. Manaslu Circuit Trek provides a similar trekking experience, but it is quieter and more immersive. You will also pass through one of the longest passes in the Himalayas—Larkya La Pass.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Route

The Manaslu Circuit Trek route includes rugged trails, high passes, and stunning landscapes. Below are the major stopping points of this trek.

Maccha Khola – Jagat – Deng – Ghap – Lho – Samagaon – Samdo – Dharmasala – Larkya La Pass – Bhimthang – Gho – Dharapani

After arriving at the Dharapani in the Annapurna Conservation Area, you will take a bus to Kathmandu.

Annapurna Circuit Trek – Starts at USD 1,575

• Starting Point: Dharapani
• Distance Covered: 160 Km (approx.)
• Trek Duration: 12 days
• Highest Elevation: 5,416 m (Thorong La Pass)
• Permits Required: TIMS Card and ACAP

The Annapurna Circuit Trek allows you to circle the vast Annapurna region. From exploring the arid Tibetan-like landscape of Manang to visiting the Muktinath temple, a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists, it offers cultural and scenic diversity.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Route

Remember Dharapani, where the Manaslu Circuit Trek ended? The Annapurna Circuit Trek starts exactly from there. Below is the route you will take to reach Muktinath, the endpoint of this trek.

Dharapani – Chame – Pisang – Manang – Yak Kharka – Thorungla Phedi – Thorong La Pass – Muktinath

After you complete your trek in Muktinath, you will drive back to Jomsom, where you will take a flight to Pokhara. Then, you will take another flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu.

Gokyo Lakes Trek – Starts at USD 2,055

• Starting Point: Lukla (2,800 m)
• Distance Covered: 92 Km (approx)
• Trek Duration: 15 days
• Highest Elevation: 5,360 m (Renjo La Pass)
• Permits Required: SNPP and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit

The Gokyo Lake Trek is a multipurpose trek offering everything from serene lakes to Himalayan peaks. It includes views of Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu, as well as visits to Sherpa settlements and the largest glacier in Nepal—Ngozumpa Glacier.

Gokyo Lakes Trek Route

Your Gokyo Lake Trek initially follows the same route as the EBC trek to Namche Bazaar. From this Sherpa Village, you will divert towards Thame and head towards Gokyo via Renjo La Pass. Below is the route you will take.

Lukla – Phakding – Namche Bazaar – Thame – Marulung – Renjo La Pass – Gokyo

You will descend rapidly from Gokyo towards Lukla via Dole and Namche Bazaar.

What is Unique About Trekking in Nepal?

If there is any Trekking Capital in the World, it has to be Nepal. With numerous trails and numerous destinations, there is so much to explore.

Routes that are Suitable for all

When talking about trekking in Nepal, we must first address the flexibility of Nepal’s trails. Are you a beginner? A seasoned trekker? Or someone who wants to explore the Himalayas once? From easy treks like Ghorepani Poon Hill, suitable for the novices, to challenging treks like EBC and ABC for more experienced trekkers, there is something that suits everyone’s experience. From short to moderate to long treks that take even a month to complete, you can find what you want.

Diverse Trekking Routes

Nepal has six vegetation zones, ranging from Tropical in the lower elevations to Alpine meadows and Nival in the higher altitudes. Each zone has different trekking routes and forests. The routes in the lower regions are more lush, with well-defined trails, but they soon become rocky and rugged as you ascend.

And, it is not that you can arrange each route in the boxes. Treks like Upper Mustang are entirely out of the box, offering arid desert-like landscapes. Some trek offers the ultimate Himalayan experience. Some provide a remote and off-the-beaten-path adventure. You have to decide what you want, and there is something for you. 

Home to the Eight Highest Mountains, over 8,000m

Currently, fourteen mountains in the world are above eight thousand. Out of them, eight lie in Nepal, making it the country of the Himalayas. Take any trek, and you will witness mountains in the distance or up close. Each of those eight eight-thousanders has routes taking you to the foot. You can also climb those mountains. Below is a table with the list of the highest mountains, their elevations, and the trek associated with them:

High-Mountain Passes

The high-altitude trekking in Nepal is incomplete without trekking through the high mountain passes. The mountain pass is a path that connects two high-altitude valleys. Nepal is home to some of the world’s highest passes. From Amphu Lapcha Pass at an elevation of 5,845 m to the famous three passes- Kongma La Pass (5,535 m), Cho La Pass (5,420 m), and Renjo La Pass (5,345 m)- there is one that you have to cross if you are trekking in the Himalayas.

Restricted Areas

Some places in Nepal, like Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Upper Dolpo, and others, require guides and special permits. Have you ever wondered why? These areas possess significant archaeological value. They are also geopolitically sensitive regions because they share a border with Tibet. The local culture is also critical, and the environment is home to endemic plants and animals. Due to these factors, authorities closely monitor these locations. As a result, trekking in these areas requires a Restricted Area Permit.

Culture and Traditions in Nepal

There are 142 ethnic groups in Nepal, each with its own culture and traditions. Exploring each tradition might be a never-ending journey. But trekking in Nepal means grabbing an opportunity to explore some of that culture and traditions. Here are some unique cultures and traditions you might witness while trekking.

Mani Rimdu Festival in the Everest Region

Mani Rimdu is a 19-day festival celebrated by the Sherpa communities in the Everest Region. It consists of thirteen acts of religious ceremonialism. People there celebrate it with masked dances, prayers, and feasts. The festival is held in October and November and commemorates Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava’s establishment of Buddhism.

Tiji Festival in Upper Mustang

Just like Mani Rimdu is unique to the Everest region, the Tiji Festival is unique to Upper Mustang. It is a three-day festival that falls in May. This 300-year-old festival celebrates the victory of Dorje Jono over Man Tam Ru, a demon. The monks in colorful costumes perform dances like Tsa Chaam, NgaCham, and Rha Chham to showcase the story of Dorje Jono.

Sky Burial by Sherpas in Trans-Himalayan Region

The sky burial is a traditional funeral custom practiced in the Trans-Himalayan region, like the Upper Mustrang, Upper Dolpo, Jumla, Humla, and Manang districts. It is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition ritual where a deceased body is left on the mountain to be consumed by the earth’s elements or vultures.

Conclusion

Trekking in Nepal offers unparalleled adventure. The trails lead to jaw-dropping landscapes, and the settlements on the way let you peek into the lifestyle of people in remote places. However, trekking is not always about exploring the high mountains and remote valleys. It is also about looking into oneself. It is an immersive experience, which Nepal doesn’t fail to offer. So, come find the right trek, come find the Himalayas, and come find yourself.