Trekking is a way of seeing a country and its people, walking through the streets of cities and villages and past the open front doors of houses,seeing the people at their daily tasks, the clouds forming below you and the magnificent peaks of mountains towering over you. By trekking you will be involved in a way you could never be in a car, bus, train or plane; you can enjoy the friendliness of the people, feel the magnetism of the mountains, be at one with the country and at peace with yourself.
The best way to discover Nepal has to be on foot. Trekking in Nepal allows you to enjoy the views across the valleys and the high mountain peaks. You'll pass through several villages where the friendly locals wave as you pass by and invite you in for a cup of tea in small tea houses. The trekking villages are usually only accessible on foot, so you won't see or hear many cars or other motorised vehicles.
Trekking Regions in Nepal:
Nepal is a mountainous country.The best way to discover Nepal is trekking.There are many regions in the country which are suitable for trekking purposes.
Eastern Nepal
This is a friendly relatively developed area where it is generally possible to find rough accommodation in villages. In the Everest region the teahouse accommodation is highly developed. There's an incredible concentration of BIG mountains, each with a pleasant walk in. The entire east also offers some incredible high altitude exploring.
Kangchanjunga
Can be partly tea-housed in (simple style, no menus!) then all camping in the upper mountain-surrounded sections. A classic trekking region with plenty of variety. It is protected from large numbers of trekkers by long a walk in and out.Number of Days: 10-12 shorter cultural, 20-24 normal , 28+ ideal for exploring
Makalu Base Camp
Partly tea-house-able in very simple lodges then a wild uninhabited mountain region. Incredible neck-cricking mountain views but limited route options and problems with acclimatization.
Number of Days: 14 minimum, 18+ for better for appreciating the higher regions
Many hills on the route in to Namche but pleasant teahouses and not crowded. Part of the famous "expedition" route in.
Number of Days: 7-9 to Namche, 18 for Jiri + Kala Pattar, 22+ for Gokyo and Kala Pattar
Everest via Salpa-Arun
Longer route in than from Jiri but with more variety. It is still lightly trekked but there are enough simple lodges to make it pleasantly teahouse-able. Ties in well with a Sun Kosi rafting trip.
Number of Days: 8-12 to Namche and 20 including to Kala Pattar, 24+ visiting Gokyo and Kala Pattar
Everest: Fly in to Lukla
A popular trek. The choices are trekking to the top of Kala Pattar for a close-up of Everest or a trek to Gokyo where it is also possible to see Everest. Busy during high season but getting flights in and out is no longer a big problem.
Number of Days: 11 minimum, 13-14 is normal
Quick Everest: Fly in to Lukla
A one week trek to see Everest. Fly into Lukla then trek to Tengboche. Good for a quick experience of the region, but if you are trekker you will want to go higher. Busy during high season but getting flights in and out is no longer a big problem.
Number of Days: 7 or 8
Exploring the Khumbu (Everest region)
Fantastic exploration potential and the abundance of lodges and shops mean you never have to carry too much. Go camping then return to civilization for showers and apple pie before heading out again.
Number of Days: 16 or more, 20 or more is better
More info: Trailblazer's Trekking in the Everest Region by Jamie McGuinness
Exploring Near Everest
Dudh Kund, Pike Peaks and Lumding Kharka are rarely visited but magnificent destinations.
Number of Days: minimum 9 but 14 or more is better. Can be linked with a Khumbu trek.
Everest 'Trekking' Peak
Variety of 6000m+ peaks and see the region as well. Island Peak and Mera are over-run during the October season. All the 6000m+ trekking peaks require real climbing/mountaineering.
Number of Days: minimum 16 days but 21+ is safer and better
Rolwaling
You must get a trekking peak permit for Parcharmo or Ramdung-go to enter. Similar to Langtang valley, but bigger. Incredible mountaineering exploration possibilities.
Number of Days: minimum of 10 days but 12 to 15 or more, plus the number of days in the Khumbu
Central Nepal
The middle hills are densely populated meaning interesting cultural walks. Above are massif after massif of huge mountains: Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu range and the Annapurnas. These can be linked for some of the best trekking routes in the world. Annapurna and Langtang have good lodges making teahouse trekking easy.
Low Trade Route
Trisuli to Pokhara (or Gorkha or Besi Sahar road). Hot at any time except winter. No longer trekked but there are simple teahouses for those who can live rough.
Number of Days: 4-8.
Manaslu Circuit
Requires special permit (2x$90) and must go with a group, but this circuit is a classic. Lowland to highland cultures in mostly a surprisingly deep gorge and a 5000+m pass with great mountain views. Busy in October, no lodges.
Number of Days: minimum 18 but 20 to 22 is better
More info: Lonely Planet's Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya
Ganesh Himal
Ganesh is Shiva's son, the elephant-headed god who is the remover of obstructions. There is next to no info on this region between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Groups do venture there but expedition-style only. Mixed tea housing and camping is another rough option. Cultural but plenty of hills and a stunning set of 7000m mountains above.
Gorkha Perched above this typical hill town is the stunningly set and historic Royal Palace. Strangely undiscovered by tourists (because of basic accommodation), Gorkha together with Trisuli, Dhading and Besi Sahar are the trekking gateways to the rewarding but little-known Ganesh Himal.
Number of Days: 12-21
Ganesh Himal - Paldor Peak 5928m
Usually approached from Trisuli via the Singla Bhanjyang or Syabru Bensi, this is a relatively straightforward climb. The main difficulty is planning a sensible acclimatization plan: visit the Jagewasor Kund (lake) first.
Number of Days: 12-21
Langtang Valley
Close to Kathmandu yet big mountains and plenty of lodges so that you can teahouse trek.
Number of Days: 9 minimum but 10-12 is better
Langtang exploring
Surprising potential if you take camping equipment. There are also some mountaineering routes over several passes.
More info: Trekking in Langtang, Helambu and Gosainkund by Jamie McGuinness
Langtang climbing
Officially there is only one peak, Naya Kang 5846m that has the 'trekking peak' classification but Yala, a glaciated 5500m ridge is often climbed, and there are many tempting 6000m peaks.
A quick route to get relatively high but little to recommend it as a on its own. Join it with Helambu or Langtang and it is better.
Number of Days: 8 minimum
Helambu
A delightful cultural area with simple lodges or family homes that you can stay at. It is so convenient from Kathmandu that people tend to dismiss it.
Number of Days: 4-9
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Shivapuri (Nagarkot)
Trekking on the ring of hills around Kathmandu takes you out of the madness and into the real Nepal surprisingly quickly. Despite its proximity you need to plan if you want to stay in teahouses. It is more usual to camp for the longer trips.
Number of Days: 2-5
Jugal Himal
Close to Kathmandu but rarely trekked.
Western Nepal:
Annapurna Circuit
A classic and popular trek. Teahouses all the way around. Can be shortened by flying out of Jomsom. There are plenty of areas to explore but nothing written about getting off the beaten trail. the start used to be Besi Sahar but a road has been pushed to Syangje, and is operational, and will be pushed in further in 2008.
Number of Days: minimum 14 but 18+ is better
Annapurna-Manang climbing
Near Manang are 5 'trekking' peaks. Chulu West and Chulu Central (attacked from the same base camp), Chulu East and Far East (attacked from the same base camp) and Pisang Peak. Chulu far East is straightforward in good conditions and is within the capabilities of an experienced trekker with a climbing guide. The other peaks are better attempted by mountaineers only, although to them will mainly be straightforward.
Number of Days: 16 minimum but at least 21 gives some chance of success.
Jomsom Trail
Popular walk up the Kali Gandaki river valley. Almost possible to trek via 1-2 star lodges. You can begin with Poon Hill or from the trailhead at Beni. Most people trek one way and fly to/from Jomsom the other.
Number of Days: 7-14
Poon Hill / Ghandruk
Popular, short and sweet but with a large hill climb.
Number of Days: 3-7
Annapurna Sanctuary (Annapurna South Face Base Camp)
Dramatic mountain scenery. Requires some backtracking and part of the trek isn't cultural. Beware of AMS, particularly on organized treks.
Number of Days: 9-12
Annapurna Sanctuary climbing
Dramatic mountain scenery, especially from the top of Tharpu Chuli (also called Tent Peak) and the top of the 6501m Singu Chuli (Fluted Peak).
Number of Days: 9-12
Upper Mustang (Lo Manthang)
Jomsom to Upper Mustang to Jomsom requires US$700 permit to visit the last functioning walled city in the world. Wonderful Tibetan desert landscape.
Number of Days:- 10-12 if flying into Jomsom
Mid-west Nepal
Dhorpatan
Simple teahouses and some camping required. On a cultural walk the 3250m/10,660ft Jaljala is the highest point and you should camp here. Tansen is a beautiful untouristed hill station.
Number of Days: 9 minimum, 12 normal
Churen Himal Base Camp
Churen Himal Base Camp is an undiscovered sanctuary similar to, but not quite as grand as, the Annapurna Sanctuary. From Muri camping is required. Can end in Dolpo, Tansen or Beni.
Number of Days: 13 minimum
Around Dhaulagiri (Marpha to Pokhara)
One of the wildest, coldest and possibly most dangerous treks in Nepal. Must acclimatize properly first and must take a guide who has been there many times. Porters shouldn't be taken. Groups do, of course, take them and there have been many deaths.
Western Nepal - Nepal's Wild West
As trekking once was in all of Nepal: challenging, rough and undeveloped. All treks either require several days on buses plus a flight or two, or expensive and difficult to arrange flights. Crew costs add up quickly. It is remote and much less developed than east Nepal, sometimes shockingly so. District headquarters have shops and food available, but out of theses areas little is available for trekkers and their crew. Less spectacular mountains but more varied terrain.
Dolpa (Walk In)
The variety makes this a long but good trek. Begin with the cultural Dhorpatan Circuit then cross a series of 4000-4600m passes into the Tibetan area of Dolpa. For the next section see below.
Number of Days: minimum 16 but 21+ is better
Dolpa (Fly In)
Do-Tarap, Kagmara La, Phoksundo... There are lots of possibilities. The higher regions are pure Tibetan areas with dry rugged scenery while the barren middle hills are the domain of poor Chetris. Many groups visit in September and early October. November-December and May-June are still good months.
Number of Days: 12-18+
More info: Lonely Planet's Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya
Quick Dolpa
Trek up to Phoksumdo Lake and back. US$300 (+ flights in) but the very best of Dolpo in a surprisingly short timeframe.
Number of Days: 8-10 relatively easy days
Upper Dolpa
Requires US$700 permit. Essentially a taste of trekking in old Tibet.
Number of Days: 17+
Rara Lake
Fly to Jumla or walk in. 2 standard routes (not busy) and many exploration possibilities. Can end in Simikot.
Number of Days: 9-11 for an easier trek or 12+ to link from the south or to go Jumla to Simikot
Khaptada
Rarely trekked. Kaptada National Park is a beautiful 3000m forest plateau.
Number of Days: 7-10
Api-Saipal
Out there! And long. The West Seti hydro project may mean a road into this area soon.
Number of Days: not sure (depends on the new road) but plan 22 to 26 or more for exploring
Mt Kailash
Cross into Tibet west of Simikot. Return via Simikot or Lhasa. Must be organized thru a Nepalese agency, and the minimum price will be around US$2400.
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