Himalaya Trekking in Nepal

Nepal is known for its picturesque mountains all over the world. Himalaya trekking in Nepal is one of the unique experiences of Nepal The mighty Mount Everest is especially known to most, and many people travel from all over to catch a glimpse of the highest peak in the world.

Nevertheless, Mount Everest is only a small fraction of what to discover in Nepal, with some of the most unique tea houses, monasteries and friendly locals you will find anywhere on the planet.

The Himalayas are the country’s’ spine,’ and what lies inside will really change the way you look at the landlocked Asian nation.

The best way to discover this country is by Himalaya trekking in Nepal on your own two feet for those who love adventure.

Trekking in Nepal is extremely diverse, ranging from the lush Helambu forests to the desolate Upper Mustang peaks.

When it comes to choosing what hike to go on, there are literally so many options, so I’ve put together a comprehensive, ultimate guide to Nepal treks to get you on your way to something amazing!

HIMALAYA TREKKING IN NEPAL

Nepal offers short treks for up to 3 days, medium treks for up to 14 days, and long treks for the adventurous type where you can spend up to 30 days and MORE in the wilderness.

I walk here on several trips and often get a lot of questions about accommodation and food, and some people think Nepal can’t offer a lot of luxury.

Well, in reality, Nepal has some of the warmest tea houses where you can sit down over a warm cup of tea and a plate of momos and share tales with local people.

You are bound to be invited to remain in someone’s house or teahouse wherever you go, every journey you go on. The hospitality of Nepal is just fantastic, and so are its treks!

So, let us share all our expertise without further ado to assist you So, let us share all our expertise without further ado to assist you make it easier to organize your epic Trekking adventure in Nepal.

Here is a list of Himalaya Trekking in Nepal: Best Seasons

• Everest Base Camp Trek: September to December and February to May
• Everest Three Passes Trek: September to November and March to May
• Gokyo Ri Trek: September to December and February to May
• Annapurna Sanctuary Trek / ABC Trek: All Year Round
• Annapurna Circuit: September to November and March to May
• Mardi Himal Trek: All Year Round
• Upper Mustang Trek: March to November
• Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek: March to May and September to November
• Manaslu Circuit: March to May and September to Mid-December
• Dolpo Trek: May to November
• Kanchenjunga Trek: October to November and March to May
• Helambu Circuit Trek: All Year Round

HOW TO TREK IN NEPAL – GUIDED OR INDEPENDENT

Many Nepal hikes require the use of guides and porters like Upper Mustang, Dolpo Kanchenjunga and Kanchenjunga due to restricted areas.

Places like the Annapurna Conservation Area and the Everest Base Camp are not mandatory to hire guides.

If a specific hike needs a guide there is really no way around it, in order to begin the hike, you must use a guide and a porter.

To save time and avoid the confusion of finding a trekking company in Kathmandu or Pokhara, it is best to organize your Nepal trekking tour before you get to Nepal.

Guides are great to walk with and are full of information, even if it may cost you a little more, it’s worth it.

When trekking in Nepal, I think it’s worth going on a guided journey.

It’s also essential to remember that no matter what trek you do, you’ll likely have to get a license for Trekkers ‘ Information Management System (TIMS).

HIMALAYA TREKKING IN NEPAL BY REGIONS

Nepal offers a wide selection of different regions with a multitude of trekking routes to do in Nepal; we have created a list of the best treks in each of these regions.

Everest Region

• Everest Base Camp Trek
• Gokyo Ri Trek
• Three Pass Trek

Annapurna Region

• Poon Hill Trek
• Annapurna Sanctuary Trek
• Annapurna Circuit Trek
• Mardi Himal Trek

Mustang

• Upper Mustang Trek

Western Nepal

• Upper Dolpo Trek

Eastern Nepal

• Kanchenjunga Trek

Langtang, Manaslu and Helambu

• Langtang Trek
• Helambu Circuit Trek
• Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
• Manaslu Circuit Trek

EVEREST REGION – Khumbu Valley

These are some of the most popular treks in the Khumbu Valley, including the famous trek of the Everest Base Camp.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

• Duration: 12 – 16 days
• Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
• Max. Altitude: 5,545 meters
• Start / End: Lukla/Lukla
• Permits: TIMS card, Everest National Park permit
• Accommodation: Guesthouse

Everest Base Camp Trek is the peak of trekking in Nepal for the most part; a must for the bucket list of most avid hikers. But what makes this hike so good and why do so many trips for this walk to the Khumbu Valley?

Mt. Everest, or Sagarmatha to the Nepalese, as you might know, is the world’s highest peak, with countless expeditions to the Everest summit since 1953 when Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary became the first to do so.

Mount Everest is one of the most amazing natural sites you can see anywhere in the world, and access to the basecamp of Everest is becoming much easier, attracting more people than ever.

Getting to the Everest Base Camp (EBC) all starts with a hair-raising flight from Kathmandu to Lukla to which you fly literally to a mountain’s side.

But don’t worry about these pilots being among the best in the world, and safety comes first.

As you fly in a short time from Kathmandu’s altitude of 1,400 meters to Lukla’s altitude of 2,860 meters, the chances of altitude sickness may below, but you must take all precautions. From Lukla, the trekking starts! There are many tea houses and guesthouses to stay at, as you’ll notice along the paths, but they can get very busy in peak periods.

There are many tea houses and guesthouses to stay at, as you’ll notice along the paths, but they can get very busy in peak periods.

A little trade trick is to send one of your porters ahead (if you’re using a porter) to check if any vacancies are available, because the last thing you want is to sleep outside in the cold.

Be sure to register your TIMS card before you leave Lukla!

Things start to get more exciting on your EBC trek as you head deep into the Khumbu Valley, where you can base yourself for further acclimatization in Namche Bazaar for a few days, so this gives you the chance to explore side routes.

When acclimatizing, our best tip is called “go high, sleep low,” which basically includes hiking above the altitude where you’re going to stay, looking around for an hour or two and then going down to the point where you’re going to sleep.

Be sure to check out Namche Gompa while in Namche Bazaar where you can hear monks singing mantras every day morning and evening.

If possible, spend at least 1 day in Tengboche, a4-hour hike from Namche Bazaar due to altitude changes.

The views start to get pretty unreal once you leave Tengboche with Ama Dablam peak and Imja Tse (Island Peak) peaking their heads out of the clouds to the right of the trail.

Choose to make the challenging trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp to get some exceptional opinions of the Himalayas that will add another 5 hours to your day.

Ama Dablam, due to its unique shape, is one of the most picturesque peaks in the Khumbu and one of the most iconic in the world.

Dugla to Lobuche gives you your first glimpses of the real Himalayan giants with Pumori, reaching 7,165 meters above sea level.

You will come across a side road after Lobuche that opts to walk to Kala Pattar (return for 4 hours).

Kala Pattar offers the best views of Mount Everest! So, what can you expect from EBC?

You can also see the camp itself, the main place where mountaineers acclimatize before heading to the advanced basecamp and up to the Everest summit of 8,848 meters.

EVEREST THREE PASS TREK

• Duration: 16 – 21 days
• Difficulty: Hard
• Elevation: 5,535m.
• Start / Finish: Lukla/Lukla
• Permits: TIMS card, Everest National Park permit
• Accommodation: Guesthouse

Before you get into the realm of trekking peaks, Everest Three Pass Trek is considered one of the hardest treks in Nepal.

Starting from Lukla, you follow the same trail as if you were on the way to Everest Base Camp.

The Three Pass Trek is made up of three mountain passes over 5,000 meters to which you will spend a good part of the trek above 5,000 meters, so make sure you’re committed 100% before you take it. There’s no better Himalayan trekking than this!

There’s no better Himalayan trekking than this!

Starting at 5,535 meters above sea level with Kongma La, this will be your highest altitude for the trip unless you decide to be really adventurous and add Kala Pattar, which rises 10 meters above Kongma La.

Once you reach Lobuche, this is the junction village from which one way leads to Everest Base Camp and the other continues towards Cho La’s next pass.

Cho La is the coldest pass on the trek so it’s always good to climb as early as possible in the morning before clouds begin rolling in.

Cho-La reaches 5,420 meters above sea level before descending into a lush meadow region before entering Thanknak village.

The last major climb on the Three Passes Trek is Renjo La maxing out at 5,345 meters and the views are guaranteed to amaze with Everest, Lhotse and Makalu all in the world’s top 5 highest mountains!

Altitude continues to decrease for the remainder of the trek, making things much easier as you approach Lukla where the trek ends.

GOKYO RI TREK

• Duration: 12 – 15 days
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation: 5,360 meters
• Start / Finish: Lukla/Lukla
• Permits: TIMS card, Everest National Park permit
• Accommodation: Guesthouse

Gokyo Ri Trek is an alternative to Everest Base Camp, and only hikers on the Three Passes Circuit can really see.

Gokyo is a return track trek that means you’re back the way you came, but don’t worry, when you walk in the opposite direction everything looks different.

The highest altitude you will reach on this trek is a nice 5,360 meters. The hike from Namche Bazaar follows the same path as the Dudh Kosi River that leads you to Mong La’s first major pass (3,975 meters).

The length of days spent on the trail after Mong La becomes less due to the altitude to which you will average 2-3 hours due to the rapidly increasing altitude of the trail.

As you approach Gokyo, Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth highest mountain reaching a massive 8,201 meters is visible directly ahead of the trail.

What makes this trek so unique is a series of lakes dotted across the landscape, the first being Longponga Tsho followed by Tarujung Tsho and Dudh Pokhari at Gokyo.

Once in Gokyo, allow at least 1/2 days of rest before turning back and heading to Lukla.

There are some beautiful opportunities to see some of the world’s most majestic mountains like Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse and Makalu (which are also among the top 5 highest mountains in the world) and these can be seen by taking a side route to Gokyo Ri (4 hours return).

Another option for a side trip is to return for five hours to Scoundrels Lookout, which takes you to the river Dudh Kosi, which is considered to be highly sacred.

Returning to Lukla there is an alternative route through Phortse that can take up to 7 hours to visit the legendary Conrad Anker’s Khumbu Climbing Centre.

Locals here are taught alpinism and mountaineering skills that make working and operating in the mountains safer for them.

ANNAPURNA REGION – Annapurna Trekking

Nepal’s second most famous trekking region is the Annapurna Region. Home to some amazing treks, such as the Annapurna Circuit and Poon Hill, you’ll have tons of hiking adventure possibilities.

POON HILL TREK

• Duration: 4 to 6 days
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation: 3,210 metres
• Start / Finish: Nayapul/Nayapul
• Permits: ACAP permit and TIMS card
• Accommodation: Guesthouse

The Poon hill Trek Trek is your classic guesthouse trek with amazing views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhare guesthouse.

Despite being considered one of Nepal’s easier hikes, the APT is truly beautiful, complete with lush Rhododendron rainforests that are unique to this particular area and when in full bloom, walking among these trees is an amazing sensation.

The APT is known for its many stone steps that can take you from Hille to Ulleri with a very steep section that takes up to 2 hours.

Opt to remain in Ulleri has good Guesthouses as the sunrise views are amazing.

Ulleri to Ghorepani is a generally easy and slippery ascent that can be completed in 2 days but can be done in one day if you have time constraints.

Ghorepani is located at the very famous tourist foothill of Poon Hill.

Poon Hill offers you some amazing views and the best way to see the Annapurna is to get up early, i.e. 330am.

You’re in for a treat if the weather is clear!

After leaving Ghorepani, things go straight up to Duerali La, followed by a trek to Banthanti along a narrow ridge that includes amazing forests of Rhododendron along Luprung Danda.

Banthanti to Tadapani is a lot of ups and downs, and some of the paths are not retained during the wet can be quite hard.

Tadapani offers magnificent views of Machhapuchhare and is also a great place to stop for lunch before going to Ghandruk.

Ghandruk is a location that you would like to spend at least two days exploring because it’s WOW! I believed there were incredible views from Poon Hill, but Ghandruk is just a lot of next level.

The village is surrounded by Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhare, followed by a direct perspective of Modi Khola to Annapurna Base Camp.

Getting out of Ghandruk is not completely enjoyable as the descent will most probably offer your knees a nice job (take it slowly).

From here, you can arrange a pick up back to Pokhara or a taxi/bus that takes 1 to 2 hours depending on road conditions and mode of transportation.

Detailed Itinerary on the Poon Hill Trek.

 ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK

• Duration: 10 to 12 days
• Difficulty: Medium
• Elevation: 4,130m
• Start / Finish: Nayapul/Phedi
• Permits: ACAP permit and TIMS card
• Accommodation: Guesthouse

This demanding trek encapsulates you and places you among some of the finest mountains in Nepal.

The Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is a 10-day trek to the alpine climates of Annapurna Base Camp through contrasting settings of Pothana and Ghandruk Rhododendron forests.

In addition to Annapurna Panorama Trek, the AST is another opportunity to see the mountains and villages of Nepal with relative ease compared to some of the more demanding hikes such as the Annapurna Circuit and the Everest Base Camp.

You enter a valley surrounded by massive Himalayan peaks once you are past Landruk and this can cause avalanche risks during heavy snow periods, so always check with local guides to ensure your safety.

At Chhomrong, make sure you’ve had enough time to acclimatize as altitude after going up by more than 2,000 meters.

Before you reach Annapurna Base Camp you will come across Machhapuchhare Base Camp which is really just a tiny village and this does not mean you can climb Machhapuchhare because it is a sacred mountain and it is strictly forbidden to climb.

Halfway into your trek is Annapurna Base Camp which is the gateway to a variety of trekking peaks like Gangapurna (6,091 meters) and Singu Chuli (6,501 meters), both difficult climbs requiring advanced mountain skills.

ABC is a pretty cool place to hang out with an exceptional Himalayan in the early morning.

There are a few chortens and stupas to visit in ABC and one in particular is dedicated to one of the most famous mountaineers ever to live, Anatoli Boukreev who was a leading figure in the rescue on Mount Everest noted in his book, Into Thin Air by John Krakauer.

Returning to Pokhara, there are a few options that arise once you get to the Taglung junction and head for the night to Ghandruk because views are unreal! Ghandruk to Nayapul drops down more than 1000 meters so just take your time.

Detailed Itinerary on the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

 ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK

• Duration: 12 to 18 days
• Difficulty: Medium to hard
• Max. Altitude: 5,416 metres
• Start / Finish: Bulbhule to Jomsom
• Permits: ACAP permit and TIMS card
• Accommodation: Guesthouses

The Annapurna Circuit is the gem of Nepal and it is not questioned.

It’s the trek that everyone with a passion for hiking and outdoors come to put themselves among some of the world’s finest landscapes and its true, the Annapurna Circuit is really one of the worlds that has to go hiking and sorry for those who think that Everest Base Camp Trek is the best, you’re wrong.

The Annapurna Circuit is just as unique as you move from subtropical forests to the Thorong-La High Alpine Pass and then down to the Kali Gandaki, a rain shadowed, Tibetan part of Nepal.

 Starting at Bhulbule, the hike starts to ascend slowly and this will happen gradually until you reach Thorong-La.

The first real challenge occurs in Pisang with a rather steep ascent to Upper Pisang which can take up to 5 hours, but with Annapurna II trailing off to the left and Pisang Peak trailing off to the right the views become pretty awesome.

If you have decent trail time, allow the side route to Tilicho lake that can be completed in 2 days. At Tilicho lake, expect breathtaking views of Gangapurna reaching a massive 7,454 meters while the Tilicho lake surface reflections of the surrounding mountains beam.

At Tilicho lake, expect breathtaking views of Gangapurna reaching a massive 7,454 meters while the Tilicho lake surface reflections of the surrounding mountains beam.

Upper Pisang to Manang, things get better if you decide to take the high route to Ngawal as this route raises your views so you can see both Annapurna II and III.

Manang to Ledar is another one of those days when everything just goes up so just go with the flow and take your time as the next few days are sure to test your acclimatization.

Ledar is the last place at 4,230 meters of calm before you climb over the 5,000 meters magic line. A short 2-hour hike after Ledar takes you to Thorong Phedi (bottom of Thorong La), so take the opportunity to rest here until you are satisfied that you can safely cross Thorong La.

The day has come to cross Thorong La and the best way to cross safely is to check before crossing with local guides and weather conditions.

The best time to cross is early in the morning as mountain conditions are calmer before the sun rises, but don’t go too early as the chances of getting lost on the pass are higher.

In bad conditions, if you are not experienced in the mountains, snow can be quite deep, making the pass very difficult.

You’ll notice the landscapes start to change at the top of Thorong-La as you cross over to the Kali Gandaki.

Once you arrive at Muktinath, you will be 1,600 meters below Thorong-La, so, you will definitely sleep good tonight.

Muktinath is a popular place to stop otherwise Kagbeni, known as the Upper Mustang gateway, is one of the most unique places on the Annapurna Circuit where you can stay.

The Kali Gandaki is the world’s deepest gorge, meaning that most of the valleys and mountains here don’t get as much rain as the Annapurna region.

At Eklai Bhatti follow the direction of jeeps and motorbikes to Jomsom, a rather big town with stunning views of Nilgiri Himal, based on the edge of the Kali Gandaki.

If you have any difficulties in your group with yourself or others, Jomsom will be your last chance for direct flights back to Pokhara otherwise for a short period of time, you will continue on the main road to Pokhara until you return to the mountains at Tatopani.

You won’t be disappointed if you decide to continue as the circuit links to Ghorepani where you can witness sunrise from Poon Hill.

Allow two days of relatively downhill walking from Ghorepani to Nayapul. The last 2 days consist of hiking alongside pristine waterfalls and hillside villages like Ulleri through lush Rhododendron forests.

Allow 3 to 4 hours from Ulleri to Nayapul and this is where you finish the Annapurna Circuit!

Detailed Itinerary on the Annapurna Circuit Trek

MARDI HIMAL TREK

• Duration: 5 to 8 days
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Elevation: 3,580 meters
• Start / Finish: Kande to Siding Village
• Permits: ACAP permits and TIMS card
• Accommodation: Guesthouse

Mardi Himal Trek is an uphill challenge bound to test you and your medium level of fitness while trekking in Nepal. Mardi Himal takes you to Machhapuchhare’s upper foothills at an impressive 5,587-meter altitude.

Most of this trek is gradually climbing up until you get to Mardi Himal and have to come down again. Views from Badal-danda along the ridge are breathtaking with outstanding views of Annapurna south, Hiunchuli and the Dhaulagiri.

Allow 1 day extra at High Camp to discover Mardi Himal and surroundings, from High camp to Mardi Himal viewpoint. Before the summit push on Mardi Himal viewpoint/Base Camp, you will need to make sure you find the right trail leading up to the Mardi Base Camp.

If you are planning a Mardi Himal viewpoint/Base camp summit, be sure to check the weather conditions with your guides before trying the Summit. From High Camp to Mardi Himal viewpoint/Base Camp is quite tough hiking routes but worth it.

From High Camp it takes you to 4,500 meters above sea level. The cold wind touches your sore muscles when you make it to the Mardi Himal viewpoint. Then you definitely feel the climb was worth more than the amazing mountain view.

Return the same way until Low Camp (trail splits) then the trail heads toward Sidding village downhill. From Sidding Village, you can go back to Pokhara by hiring a jeep or local bus.

Detailed Itinerary on the Mardi Himal Trek

TREKKING IN THE MUSTANG

Don not miss out on trekking in the Mustang region of Nepal, home to one of the best treks in Nepal!

UPPER MUSTANG TREK

• Time: 10 -14 days
• Difficulty: Medium
• Elevation: 4,325 metres
• Start / Finish: Jomsom/Jomsom
• Permits: ACAP permit USD 25, and a USD 500 USD fee for the first 10 days and USD 10 per day after the 10 days.
• Accommodation: Guesthouse

Pronounced’ Moo-Stang,’ this trek is the most unique treks in Nepal, due to its harsh landscapes, dry, bare mountains with fresh snow cover on the top.

The Upper Mustang Trek takes you through some of the oldest Tibetan-styled villages in Nepal where you will meet some of Nepal’s most friendly people.

Trekking in Nepal doesn’t get any better! The Upper Mustang Trek is one of Nepal, if not the best trek.

Technically the trek starts in Kagbeni as it remains the official checkpoint where you need to check your permits before heading off to the Upper Mustang.

But at Jomsom we’re just going to start back because it’s such a strange place. Jomsom is located at the foothills of Nilgiri Massif, a massive mountain of 7,061 meters that is just amazing.

The trek’s first section trails along the Kali Gandaki River to the Kagbeni, the gateway to Lo Manthang.

You will have to spend your first night in Kagbeni just to get to know the altitude as the altitude hits 2,800 meters.

Check out Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery while in Kagbeni and choose a temple tour that will cost about 50 rupees.

Just as you are leaving Kagbeni, turn around and look back over the city as the comparison between Kagbeni’s rice fields with Nilgiri’s towering white peak clash.

Kagbeni is about 3 to 4 hours to Chhusang and is relatively flat with a few steep descents near Tangbe. Chhusang is located right next to the Kali Gandaki and is a place known particularly for fossicking that of the Ammonites.

Be sure to visit the Mentsun Khang Gompa high above the Kali Gandaki while in Chhusang, which will add an extra 2 hours to your journey. Sometimes in the midday you faced dust and storms while trekking in Upper Mustang that are not pleasant to trek, so don’t forget to pack a buff and sunglasses.

If you go to Chhusang while the conditions are calm, Chele is another 45 minutes to 1 hour along the trail, which is a high 3,010 meters up and down Chhusang looks and further down the Kali Gandaki.

There is a trail section that requires a narrow stream across the Kali Gandaki via a dodgy metal bridge extending some 40 meters.

Look right above the bridge once you cross, where you will see a series of high caves (a bit like windows) about 1,000 feet into the red walls side.

The most famous mountaineers and adventures today; Cory Richards and a team of scientists climbed this wall to see what was inside these caves for National Geographic.

Chele to Syangboche is one of the longest days so be prepared for an amazing but tiring day.

Chele to Shyangboche is the first real test with a continuous gradual ascent from the cliff side village of Ghyakar to Samar, a beautiful little village surrounded by apple orchards that is also ideal for a lunch break.

If you can get some of the newly picked apples around your hands, they are really delicious.

As soon as you leave Samar, for the next 40 minutes it’s up and down through gorges until you arrive at a flat section of the earth that trails to your first Tibetan Plateau viewpoint.

Instead of taking the high road to Shyangbochen, you can take the trail down to the Tangmar Chu to visit monasteries, the Chungsi Cave, built into a cave’s side thousands of feet high.

During our hike, the monk we met used to live in Sydney and decided to go to Nepal to be a monk! The Chungsi cave is another hour further up the valley to Shyangbochen.

Shyangmochen to Tsarang (Charang) is a big one that can be easily managed by stopping for lunch at Ghemi.

Following Ghemi, you will walk along Nepal’s longest Mani wall before climbing up to Choyo La (3,870 meters), which requires steep climbing along loose rock fields.

Choyo La provides the Tibetan Plateau with a brilliant look.

Follow the long, winding road from here until you come across a Gompa on the outskirts of Tsarang, home to Dzong Gompa precariously perched on the Tsarang Khola.

You descend straight from Tsarang into the Tsarang Cha, which you will cross again later on in the trek, followed by a relatively easy but long and flat hike past Sungda Chorten, a lonely chorten built to show the border between Tsarang and the Lo Kingdom.

Continue along the 3,950 meters Lo La sitting road, boosting brilliant views of the Lo Manthang and Nepal / Tibetan border as well.

Lo Manthang is probably Nepal’s most unique cities due to its massive walls surrounding the city.

The Chode Gompa, Choprang Gompa and the amazing Thubchen Gompa are located in the city center inside the walls.

If you have some downtime, coffee in Lo Manthang is funnily a thing with various cafes spotted all over the walled city.

It’s time to take the high road out of town to Chogo La after a few days of rest in Lo Manthang, which is the highest point on the 4,325 meters trek.

If you’re lucky enough, at Ghar Gompa you can share a tea pot with a monk who’s just above Tsarang Chu’s banks and learn about the monastery’s history and why it’s connected with Dhakmar.

Ghar Gompa to Dhakmar is just amazing as you cross sections of rich red and orange eroded cliffs until you enter Dhakmar village under a banner of highly stringed prayer flags.

Dhakmar may not look appealing by day, but Dhakmar is the only place you want to experience during sunrise and sunset.

Dhakmar to Geling is a feasible alternative to leave Geling to Chhusang and Chhusang to Kagbeni for the last 3 days which consists of a lot of the same trail back except you can take the elevated pass from Shyangmochen to Samar which would save a couple of hours and prevent going back down to Tangmar.

To complete your trek through the Mustang, take an 18-minute flight back to Pokhara or a 9-hour jeep ride in Jomsom

The Upper Mustang Trek requires a restricted area permit that is USD 500 for the first 10 days, then an extra USD 50 a day later.

Detailed Itinerary on the Upper Mustang Trek

WESTERN NEPAL

Home to some of the challenging treks in Nepal, if you’re an experienced hiker, don’t miss the western part of the country.

DHAULAGIRI CIRCUIT TREK

• Duration: 16 – 21 days
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Max. Altitude: 5,250 meters
• Start/ Finish: Beni to Marpha
• Permits: USD 26 ACAP permit and TIMS card
• Accommodation: Guesthouse and Tents

This trek is not for the hearted faint and should be tried only if you have advanced trekking skills.

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is bound to test your skills over a 16-day period with different sections requiring the use of crampons such as the French Pass and the Dhampus Pass.

Dhaulagiri Circuit offers some of Nepal’s finest hiking experiences along with amazing views of the Dhaulagiri Massif as the 7th highest mountain in the world.

One of the best Himalayan treks to do is around Dhaulagiri despite being hard.

Before you try this trek, be sure to check with local guides and make sure that your porters and guide are suitable for hiking in conditions such as when there are avalanches over 4,500 meters.

In very cold conditions, camping at high altitude will also be necessary around Dhaulagiri so that your gears have to be high quality.

UPPER DOLPO TREK

• Duration:102 to 25 days
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Altitude:5,151 meters (Kang La Pass)
• Start / Finish: Juphal/Juphal
• Permits: TIMS card, restricted area permit, Shey Phoksumdo National Park permit
• Accommodation: Guesthouse/Camping

Dolpo is one of the most elusive area to visit and let alone hiking that lies west of the Mustang Valley.

Trekking in the Dolpo region of Nepal allows you to experience the magnificence of the rugged, remote far west Nepal. Dolpo borders Tibet, where its northern neighbor is reminiscent of culture and much of the landscape. The western portion of the district is home to the biggest Nepal-based She-Phoksundo National Park.

Western Nepal is also underdeveloped and quite poor, as well as being remote. In many parts of Nepal, tourism infrastructure in Dolpo is not what it is, and camping and carrying your own food supplies is essential. Permits are costly and you can’t walk independently in Upper Dolpo.

But the deep valleys, high passes and peaks, the turquoise Phoksundo Lake, the 800-year-old Shey Monastery, and some rare wildlife— including the elusive snow leopard— reward intrepid trekking visitors.

Much like the Upper Mustang Trek, Inner Dolpo requires a restricted area permit that is USD 500 for the first 10 days then an extra USD 50 a day later.

EASTERN NEPAL

Eastern Nepal is home to some more epic trekking choices.

KANCHENJUNGA TREK

• Duration: 20 to 22 days
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Max. Altitude: 5,140 meters
• Start / Finish: Basantapur to Suketar
• Permits: USD 10 per week, per person
• Accommodation: Basic guesthouse (local houses)

Kanchenjunga is the world’s 3rd highest mountain at a huge 8,586 meters above sea level and what better way to discover this mountain than to walk around it.

The Kanchenjunga is far east of Kathmandu, the only way to trek is with a company that has experience in this area.

However, without the trouble of going through a larger company, it is possible to hire a guide and porter.

Kanchenjunga Trek requires a fair bit of skill due to the continuous high climbs and steep descents that will take you through the forests of Rhododendron, along narrow ridges with spectacular mountain views, including the eastern side of the distant Everest Range.

Pang Pema to Kambachen proves to be Kanchenjunga’s ultimate day hike with glorious mountain views over 7,000 meters including Kanchenjunga and Pyramid Peak.

Detailed Itinerary on the Kanchenjunga Trek

LANGTANG, HELAMBU & MANASLU REGION

If you want to get more off the beaten path in Nepal, check out these treks.

HELAMBU CIRCUIT TREK

• Duration: 6 to 8 days
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Max. Altitude: 3,640 metres
• Start / Finish: Sundarijal
• Permits: TIMS card and Langtang National Park permit
• Accommodation: Guesthouses

Helambu region is only a 2-hour drive from Kathmandu via jeep or motorcycle and promises lush Rhododendron forests, crystal clear waterfalls and lovely views of the Himalayas.

Helambu is a pocket of green and what better way to explore than setting off on a 6 to 8 days hike that is bound to give you a healthy dose of nature. Helambu is surrounded by a series of

Helambu is surrounded by a series of khola’s (rivers) that all seem to flow towards the trail leading to numerous bridge crossings.

Most of Helambu is known as the place where Guru Rinpoche visited Melamchi Ghyang, a stream, especially south. 

Detailed Itinerary on the Helambu Circuit Trek

MANASLU CIRCUIT TREK

• Duration: 12 to 20 days
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
• Max. Altitude: 5125 meters
• Start / Finish: Arughat/Dharapani
• Permits: Restricted Area which requires a restricted area permit, ACAP and MCAP permit and a TIMS card
• Accommodation: Guesthouses

Manaslu is the world’s 8th highest peak and is considered as a trek as good as the Annapurna Circuit.Around

Around Manaslu there is a culmination of steep climbs, ancient gompas and monasteries and Mani walls all with stunning views of some of Nepal’s most amazing mountains, with the Manaslu Himal dominating the northern part of the trek as you cross the Tibetan border into the Annapurna Conservation Area.

Only opened in 1992, it still feels like a pioneering expedition to a maximum of 500 trekkers. If you want to know what trekking was like in the 1980s, then Manaslu circuit trek is a visual feast from beginning to end, but you better be fit.Larke La Pass is usually.

Larke La Pass is usually snow-covered and icy at 5125 meters above sea level. On descent, micro crampons are frequently used. Trekking to the pass requires a start of 3am to make the highest point, usually around mid-morning, before the winds start.

A stunning wall created by Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal, Nemjung, Gyaji Kang, and Kang Guru is casting down a stream of glaciers, while Annapurna II is rising ahead.

This view alone is worthwhile of the trek. Himalaya Discovery can arrange 14 days of trekking all-inclusive, and this trek can be done on a teahouse basis.

Detailed Itinerary on the Manaslu Circuit Trek

TIPS FOR HIMALAYA TREKKING IN NEPAL

 Nepal for many people from around the world is the ideal destination for hiking and mountaineering with endless trails to discover!

We share our top tips with you with our best expertise/experiences of trekking in Nepal to get you through your hike.

GOOD TRAIN

Nepal is not a park walk. We’ve seen so many situations where someone who never walked more than 5 to 8 kilometers at sea level then tries to hike at altitude one day.

At Everest, this is the same with people paying large sums of money to climb the mountain without ever using crampons or ice picks.

The harder you train, the easier it becomes and the less stress you put on your body. So where should I begin? Take a backpack, put some weight in it, and walk.

GEAR – PACKING 

Whether you’re new to the backpacker or just want to know the checklist for backpacking; for your big adventure, you’ll want to consider this list of gear. This checklist is meant to be more than complete— you won’t need all of it. In fact, packing a minimum amount of backpacking gear and luxury items at home is best. The lighter your pack, the better you feel, but don’t leave the essential things out.

Make sure to investigate your destination’s weather and climate and adjust your packing accordingly. If you are going to hike in a cold or rainy area, pay special attention to waterproof equipment. Plan to carry extra layers of clothing if it’s going to be cold.

 LISTEN YOUR GUIDE

Listen to what they have to say if you choose to have a guide accompany you on a trek in Nepal. Guides are well trained in responding to any situation and 99% of the time they know best.

GO SLOW

Altitude and speed just don’t go hand in hand. If you’re trying to do Thorong La pass or Everest Base Camp, take it easy as there’s less air above sea level. The slower you’re going up and the more frequently you’re going to rest, the better your body is going to adapt to the thinner air.

DRINK

You may think that this is stupid, but you tend to drink much less when conditions are colder. Dehydration and altitude are a terrible mix, so you can bring something you can mix with your water to encourage you to drink more. If you’ve drunk enough liquids, your urine will be clear means you’re hydrated.

TAKE OWN WATER BOTTLE

Help Nepal for Recycling and take your own water bottle.

TEAM WORK

Hiking at altitude can cause Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS and can be difficult to spot at times.

Only when your guide or other person in your group discovers AMS can be diagnosed as you may not be aware that you are having any altitude difficulties.

The sooner you diagnose AMS, the faster you will be able to act to relieve the symptoms.

NEPAL TREKKING PACKING LIST

Different treks in Nepal require different equipment and gear so check weather forecasts and altitude when you’re packing your own. No need to worry about things like crampons and ice picks unless you try the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek and Tashi-lapcha or Mera Pass.

• T-shirts
• Thermal cloths
• Down jackets
• Wind jacket that can double as a rain jacket if the quality is good
• Buff to protect your face against wind and temperatures in your lungs
• Warm Hat
• Sunglasses are a must as the higher you are, the higher the UV, the more glare and sunlasses protect your eyes from wind and dust.
• Socks; when you go hiking, you can never have enough socks.
• Trekking pants
• For places like Thorong La, snow gaiters are fantastic if the snow is dee
• Gloves are an absolute must. Make sure you have the outer shell that is ideally waterproof and the inner parts made of warmer materials
• Trekking boots; make sure they are breathable and waterproof.
• Sleeping bag; guesthouses are warm, but nothing is more satisfying than having your own sleeping bag. Make sure you also have a silk liner on your sleeping bag!
• Trekking bag; make sure that your bag fits comfortably and you’re used to wearing it before you go on a trek.
• Trekking poles assist you to distribute weight from your bag to your poles and help balance your bag. Especially if you have various cameras, you can use one pole instead of two

Final Say

Are you thinking about Himalaya Trekking in Nepal? Since being a native-Sherpa owned company from the Himalayas, we promise to plan the best trekking experience as per your desire. Feel free to contact us.