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Nepal Trekking Information

Nepal trekking information

Nepal Trekking Information provides valuable details about the secure journey in the mountains, including permits, transportation, destinations, itineraries, difficulty levels, recommended seasons, food options, accommodation, necessary equipment, altitude sickness prevention, acclimatization techniques, medication requirements, wildlife encounters, vegetation types, cultural aspects, festival celebrations, rescue insurance coverage, code of conduct, and safe photography practices. It is essential for every trekker to be familiar with the regulations of national parks and conservation areas, maintain an appropriate hiking pace, adhere to laws prohibiting disturbance of wildlife, refrain from purchasing animal parts, manage waste responsibly, and avoid the use of mineral water bottles. 

Additionally, Nepal Trekking Information highlights the various terrains encountered during the journey, such as forests, glaciers, base camps, high passes, landslides, rockfalls, avalanches, and animal trails. The lodge owners and trekking guides offer expert advice on selecting suitable routes based on the season. It is crucial to exercise caution while walking on slippery paths, especially when capturing photographs. Moreover, it recommends having rescue insurance, including helicopter evacuation services, particularly after reaching an altitude of 3000 meters. Detailed information on these topics is below.

Meaning and History of Trek 

Trek originated in the Afrikaans language after Dutch Settlers travelled by ox cart. They established their territory in Cape Town, South Africa. Once the British controlled the land of Dutch Settlers (Voortrekkers) in 1806, ten thousand Dutch people migrated northeast during the Groot Trek from 1830 to 1840. They established an independent African state, later incorporated by the British colonial administration. As a result, numerous Afrikaans words have been incorporated into English, as the term "trek" originated from the Dutch Settlers.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, "trek" is defined as a noun referring to a long and arduous walk that lasts for several days or weeks on a mountain trail. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to embark on a long or challenging journey, especially on foot. The word "track" has both noun and verb forms, describing a rough path created by trekkers. On the other hand, "trail" is a noun that denotes a long line or series of marks left by visitors for a specific purpose.

Trekking Holidays 

Nepal trekking is a mountain expedition to the foothills of Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Api Nampa, Manaslu, Rolwaling, and Kanchenjunga. It provides a mental rejuvenation and an opportunity to learn about the rural people, nature, culture, language, lifestyle, and economic conditions. Nature enthusiasts who are physically fit and mentally prepared enjoy hiking in Nepal. Tourists follow ancient local paths, marvelling at the breathtaking views of the Himalayas, alpine landscapes, alpine lakes, wildlife, plants, and river valleys. For beginners, a day hike is available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The Great Himalayan Trek, spanning 157 days and covering 1700 km, was opened in 2008.

Nepal's Himalayan Region boasts the world's eight highest summits, attracting 250,000 tourists annually. The first trekker, Bill Tilman, explored Kali Gandaki, Everest, and Helambu in 1949. In 1950, Maurice Herzog led the first successful climb of Annapurna (8091 m) as part of a French expedition. Jimmy Roberts organized the first commercial trekking in 1960 and ventured to Kali Gandaki in 1965. Boris Lissannivitch established the Royal Hotel with Yak and Yeti Bar (1950 to 1971) near Narayanhiti Royal Palace, serving as a gathering place for mountain climbers.

The Eastern Himalayan Region of Nepal is home to treks such as Everest, Rolwaling, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga. The Central Himalayan Region offers treks in Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri. The Western Himalayan Region features treks in Dolpo, Rara, and Api Nampa. Trekking trails range from two days to a month, offering options for a tea house, camping, and homestay accommodations, with varying levels of difficulties easy to challenging.

Trekking Area 

The Hilly and Himalayan Region elevated 610 m to 8848 m with 885 Km length, 25 km to 125 km breadth, occupied 83 % of land for the trekking route in Nepal. The Himalayan Region's Subdivisions are Lesser Himalaya (2000 m - 4500 m), Greater Himalaya (4500 m - 8848 m), Trans-Himalaya (2400 m - 5000 m), and Border Himalaya (6000 m - 7000 m). The Hilly Region's Subdivisions are Mahabharat Lekh (1524 m - 3048 m) and Spurs, Tar (300 m - 2000 m). Nepal's best trekking regions are Annapurna, Everest, Langtang, Manaslu and Kanchenjunga. Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Rolwaling, Ganesh Himal, Upper Mustang, Dhaulagiri, Dolpo, Rara, and Api Nampa are remote, restricted and expensive trekking regions. The great Himalayan Trail (1700 km) begins in Kanchenjunga and completes in Api Nampa Region.

An arid valley of Manang and Mustang district lies in the Trans-Himalayan Region. Upper Mustang is a rain-shadow area that suits the monsoon trek. The Annapurna trek starts from 1000 meters and reaches Thorung La 5416 meters. The Everest trek begins at 2860 meters and gets to Kala Patthar at 5545 meters. Nepal trekking departs from Kathmandu and Pokhara by private vehicle and domestic flight. Main trekking areas established a basic lodge, and remote regions require fixed camps for trekkers. 

Mountain People 

Mountain people in Nepal are known as Sherpas, Lhomis, Yolmowas, Langtange, Neyshyangwas, Shyars, Gyasumdowas, and Nymbas. Some residents of the highlands reside at altitudes of up to 4500 meters, boasting a distinct culture, tradition, lifestyle, architectural style, marriage customs, occupations, and funeral practices. Among them, the Sherpas are renowned for their mountaineering feats, scaling 8000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen. Their high levels of haemoglobin, large chests, noses, and lungs enable them to thrive in the thin mountain air. These intriguing individuals predominantly speak Tibeto-Burmese languages and adhere to Tibetan Buddhism and Shamanism. The highlanders embody a lifestyle described by nomadism, caravan trading, hunting, and foraging.

Notably, the Gurung, Bhotiya, Thakali, Raute, Tamang, Ghale, and Mugali communities inhabit the alpine regions. Owing to the remoteness of the areas, transportation, communication, and medical services are scarce. Domestic horses and yaks serve as the primary of transportation in the mountains. Female yaks, known as Naks, provide milk for cheese and yoghurt production. Mountain sheep are used for meat and wool. Agriculture in these regions focuses on cultivating potatoes and barley. The practice of polyandry, seasonal migration between summer and winter settlements, and oasis farming are distinctive features of their way of life. Mountain dwellers engage in various professions, such as running tea shops, animal husbandry, trekking, and mountaineering expeditions. Winters offer heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures. Travelers often have the opportunity to interact with locals while trekking through these picturesque landscapes.

Why Should You Trek to Nepal? 

Trekking is an adventure journey to burn calories for all ages and capabilities in four seasons in Nepal. Every year, 250000 tourists trek to normal, controlled and guided trekking regions. Breathtaking mountain views, river valleys, cultural experience and dramatic landscapes with sunrise and sunset views are unbelievable Himalayan experiences. Trekkers can follow each step of Himalayan pioneers, Maurice Herzog (1950), Tony Hagen (1950), Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay (1953), Thomas Cook (1955), Bill Tilman (1949), Boris Lissanevitch, Colonel Jimmy Roberts (1965), Reinhold Messner (1980), Jimmy Carter (1985) and Ekai Kawaguchi (1899).

The visitors are not excited only by the snow-capped mountain, high pass, waterfall, wildlife, seasonal flower, glacier, forest, lake and river valley. Still, they are motivated by the local lifestyle, language, dress, ornament, food habits, house patterns, hospitality, and culture. Trekking is an opportunity to reach hidden valleys, Helambu village, Dolpo, Everest base camp, Rara Lake (10.8 Sq Km), Upper Mustang (Mini Tibet), and Poon Hill.

An isolated wilderness and the remote mountain suggest freshness, excitement, tranquillity, and a vista view of the Himalayas. Only trekking holidays can explore the mountain, river valley, Sherpa, Gurung, Tamang, Thakali, Dolpali people's hometown, alpine flora, fauna, snow leopard, yak, Himalayan black bear, Tahr, red panda, and Yarsagumba. Nepal travel completes with the Himalayan trekking. 

Bus and flight to the Trekking Region 

Flight and bus accessed the trekking starting and ending points. The first road was connected to Kathmandu in 1950 and Pokhara in 1971. The domestic flight connects from Kathmandu to Lukla (2860 m), Phaplu (2364 m) and Syangboche (3720 m) for Everest Region. Flights go from Kathmandu to Biratnagar (200 m) and Tumlingtar to Makalu, Kanchenjunga Region. Flights reach Pokhara to Jomsom (2710 m) to the Annapurna Region and Nepalganj to Juphal for the Rara-Dolpo Region.

Bus leaves from Kathmandu to Salleri for the Everest Region, Pokhara, Nayapul, and Bhulbhule for the Annapurna Region. Bus leaves from Kathmandu to Arughat for the Manaslu circuit trek. The bus accessed Kathmandu to Basantapur for Makalu Kanchenjunga Region. The bus goes from Kathmandu to Syaprubesi (Langtang Region) and Melamchi Pul Bazar (Helambu Region). Bus leaves from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj for Dolpo Region, Mahendranagar for Api Nampa Region. Private jeep from Kathmandu reached Upper Mustang, Manang, Muktinath, and Rara Lake. 

Trekking Cost 

Nepal trekking cost depends on trekking group size, duration, permits, hotel, transport, guide, and porter salary. Everest, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, and Upper Mustang trek are expensive because of the remoteness and controlled area permits. Tea house and camping trek cost $80 up to $120 per day per person at the package of guide, national park permits, food, and transport. However, the Nepal government implemented on 1st April 2023 that foreign tourists must take a licensed guide to mountain journeys for guest safety and guide employment.

Nepal Treks Itinerary 

Everest Region

  1. Jiri to EBC Trek – 20 days
  2. Lukla to Everest Base Camp Trek – 13 days
  3. Everest View Trek – 7 days
  4. Gokyo Lake Trek – 11 days
  5. Everest Three Pass Trek - 17 days
  6. Pikey Peak Trek – 5 days

Annapurna Region

  1. Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 10 days
  2. Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek – 4 days
  3. Annapurna Round Trek – 11 days
  4. Royal Trek – 4 days
  5. Sikles Trek – 6 days
  6. Nar Phu Valley Trek – 14 days
  7. Dhampus Sarangkot Trek – 3 days
  8. Mardi Himal Trek - 7 days 
  9. Khair Lake Trek - 12 days
  10. Khopra Danda Trek – 7 days
  11. Panchase Trek – 4 days
  12. Upper Mustang Trek – 13 days
  13. Fishtail base camp trek - 9 days

Langtang Region

  1. Langtang Valley Trek – 7 days
  2. Gosainkunda Pass Trek – 13 days
  3. Helambu Trek – 7 days
  4. Tamang Heritage Trek – 8 days
  5. Dud Kunda Trek – 14 days
  6. Tilman Pass Trek – 18 days
  7. Panch Pokhari Trek – 12 days

Kanchenjunga Region

  1. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek – 16 days
  2. Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek – 26 days

Makalu Region

  1. Makalu Base Camp Trek – 18 days
  2. Arun Valley Trek – 10 days
  3. Sherpani Col Pass Trek – 21 days

Rolwaling Region

  1. Rolwaling Trek – 15 days

Dhaulagiri Region

  1. Dhaulagiri round Trek – 15 days

Ganesh Himal Region

  1. Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek – 16 days
  2. Rupi Nala Pass Trek – 18 days

Manaslu Region

  1. Manaslu Round Trek – 13 days
  2. Tsum Valley Trek – 15 days

Western Region

  1. Rara Lake Trek – 12 days
  2. Upper Dolpo Trek – 22 days
  3. Lower Dolpo Trek – 15 days
  4. Dhorpatan Jumla Trek – 20 days
  5. Guerrilla Trek – 14 days
  6. Api Himal base camp Trek – 16 days

Others

  1. Chepang Hill Trek – 5 days
  2. Great Himalayan Trek – 157 days