
There is a great deal of trekking routes in Nepal for tourists to choose, from the easy short-day trip to the harsh and difficult circuit routes. Pan-Tibet Travel holds the same point with the trekkers and mountain seekers that the best way of experiencing the natural scenery and cultural content of this mysterious land is to trek across the whole country. Trekking in Nepal is different from trekking in an untraversed region. Normally, you will often come across people with full weight passing by and the laborious people working in the field en route. There are various villages you can meet during your trekking route, for Nepal has about 108 different races, just because of this, you may happen to meet the religious festivals, join which can make you full relaxed after so many days’ arduous long journey. That’s the reason why trekking in Nepal is also a cultural experience.
Best season for trekking in Nepal:
Normally saying, although trekking in Nepal can be organized throughout the year, October through May are considered to be the best months for trekking. Summer months of the year which coincides with monsoon begins in mid-June and drains in mid-September making travel wet and warm. The mountain views may not be at their best as rain clouds and haze over hang the mountains occasionally obscuring the enchanting views. These times are blessed for the keen botanist as the higher valleys and meadows blossom with flowers and lush vegetation. During monsoon it does not mean that it will rain every day. Besides, some of the most frequented trails will not be crowded and some people like it that way. It can actually be enjoyed in the upper part of the Annapurna circuit around Marfa, Jomsom and Muktinath as the monsoon does not get in this trans- Himalayan area.
- Late February.
Spring time in Nepal, brings exhilarating trekking for those who are interested in flowers, birds and natural grandeur. Different varieties of wild flowers, specially the rhododendrons make the hill side above 8,000 ft haunting paradise during this season.
- April & May.
There’s no doubt the best season and even for those who want to do the high peaking climbing. At higher elevations over 4,000 meters, the temperature is moderate and as there are no clouds in the sky, can make you well enjoy the magnificent mountain view.
- September to November.
Being the best season for trekking, offering affronts excellent weather and tantalizing mountain views January and February are noted for cold weather with occasional snowfall at higher elevations. Again, excellent views are common. These months are popular and ideal for trekking for those who are well equipped and even for those who are going to trek in low altitude area.
Nepal Trekking Grade:
- Easy: normally up to 2,000m.
Almost the same as hiking, and the duration can be from 4 to 9 days, with 4 to 5 hours trekking per day, in which you may get the colorful Himalaya view when it is in sunrise or sunset, while the high altitude can make you get more close to the top peak, but in this Grade trekking can bring you the extensive snow mountain range.
- Moderate: 5 to 6 hours trekking per day, up to 900m, below 4,000m.
Suitable for those who are seeking for a little challenge, the duration is usually from 10 to 15 days. Following the up and down terrain of Nepal and walking to higher elevations contrasts these treks to those in the easy classification. However, you will be rewarded for your efforts with spectacular close-up views of glaciers and of the high Himalayas.
- Demanding: 4 to 7 hours trekking per day .
The trails are usually well passable but some high altitude passes above 4000m can be steep. Possible snow on the high altitude passes can put your endurance to the test. A good health condition is required.
- Strenuous: over 13 days, 4 to 8 hours per day, up to 1,000m, below 4,000m.
With most nights’ temperature below freezing point, sometimes it’s difficult to find the place fit for camp site. Good health condition is strongly required.
- Very strenuous: over 15 days.
Trekking on the arduous ground, the bad road condition requires you the basic mountaineering skills, experiences, strong resistance and very good personal physical condition.
- Expert : more passes over 6,000m altitude inclusive of the famous Mt. Mera.
Certain knowledge of mountaineering is required, for most of the daily trekking time will be over 6 hours per day.
Trekking permit:
- Trekking permits are no longer required for general trekking in the Annapurna, Everest and Langtang regions.
- Lower Dolpa and Kanchanjunga - Equivalent to USD10 per person per week for the first four weeks, and US$20 per week thereafter.
- Manaslu - US$75 per person per week, except September through November, which increases to US$90.
- Simikot - US$90 per person per week.
- Mustang and Upper Dolpa - USD700 per person for the first 10 days, and USD70 per person per day thereafter.
- Note: Trekking to Dolpa, Kanchanjunga, Manaslu, Simikot and Mustang can be undertaken through registered trekking agencies only.
Eight areas of Nepal have been designated national parks. They are Langtang, Rara, Royal Chitwan, Sagarmatha (Everest), Shey Phoksondo, Khaptad, Bardia, and Barun National Parks. Trekking in any of these national parks areas requires a park permit which can be obtained at the park entrance on payment of NRs1000.00 each. Similarly trekkers are required to pay NRs2000.00 for every trekker going into the Annapurna Region payable at the Immigration Offices. This fee is utilized for environment conservation and maintenance of the area.
The Department of Immigration:
Issuing trekking permit for tourists who intend to trek in any part of Nepal, allowing a full day to obtain the necessary trekking permits you need.
Tel: +977 1 222453 / 223590
Address: Located next to the Tourist Service Center building at Bhrikuti Mandap.
Details for classic routes as follows:
|
NO.
|
TREKKING ROUTE
|
DIFFICULTY
|
BEST SEASON
|
DURATION
(DAYS)
|
ACCOMMODATION
|
|
1
|
Annapurna Area Trek
|
1 to 3
|
Sep-Dec, Feb-May
|
7 to 28
|
Camping & Lodge Both Trek
|
|
2
|
Arun Valley & Makalu Trek
|
3
|
Sep-May
|
15 to 20
|
Camping Only.
|
|
3
|
Cultural Tour
|
0
|
Nepal For All Season
|
4 to 21
|
Hotel & Resort Only
|
|
4
|
Dhaulaghiri Trekking
|
4
|
Apr-May, Sep-Nov
|
18 to 28
|
Camping Only.
|
|
5
|
Dolpo Area Trek
|
3 to 4
|
Apr-Nov
|
23 to 28
|
Camping Only.
|
|
6
|
Everest Area Trek
|
2 to 3
|
Sep-May
|
7 to 28
|
Camping & Lodge Both Trek
|
|
7
|
Ganesh Himal Trek
|
1 to 3
|
Oct-May
|
7 to 28
|
Camping Only.
|
|
8
|
Gorkha - Pokhara Trek
|
2
|
Oct-May
|
10 to 19
|
Camping Only.
|
|
9
|
Langtang Area Trek
|
2 to 4
|
Oct-May
|
7 to 24
|
Camping & Lodge Both Trek
|
|
10
|
Kathmandu Valley Trek
|
1
|
Sep-May
|
1 to 7
|
Camping & Lodge Both Trek
|
|
11
|
Kanchenjunga
|
4
|
Apr-May, Sep-Nov
|
22 to 35
|
Camping Only.
|
|
12
|
Manasalu Area Trek
|
4
|
Sep-May
|
18 to 28
|
Camping Only.
|
|
13
|
Mustang Area Trek
|
3
|
Apr-Nov
|
12 to 19
|
Camping Only.
|
|
14
|
Panchase Trek
|
1
|
Oct-May
|
4 to 6
|
Camping Only.
|
|
15
|
Panchpokhari Trek
|
2 to 3
|
Oct-May
|
10 to 21
|
Camping Only.
|
|
16
|
Rara & Jumla Trek
|
2
|
Mar-Dec
|
10 to21
|
Camping Only.
|
|
17
|
Royal Trek
|
1
|
Oct-May
|
4 to 6
|
Camping Only.
|
|
18
|
Siklish Trek
|
1
|
Sep-May
|
7 to 10
|
Camping Only.
|
Preparations, equipments and advice:
1. It will be much better if you prepare the things yourself rather than renting or buying things in Nepal because you are always familiar with you own equipments, and there is great deal of outdoor equipments shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara, in which you can choose various outdoor equipments.
2. You may get appropriate preparation according to you trekking route, time, season, etc. For instance, if you trek in the Everest Basing Camp during the cold winter, you should prepare enough cloths and mittens. If you tend to do a short-day trek in the early winter or the late winter, bring yourself T-shirts and a woolen jacket especially for resist the cold at night. Below are main equipments and things we recommend you to prepare for reference:
- Waterproof walking boots are preferable.
- Spare laces.
- Jogging shoes for leisure time at night.
- Woolen shirts, sweaters, warm jackets, rain proof jackets, lightweight and heavyweight trousers, loose long shirts, skirts, gloves, sandals, woolen socks.
- Personal water bottle
- Sunglasses.
- Plastic bags to separate clean cloths from dirty ones and for wastes.
- Small towels
- Medication recommended by your doctor
- Reading materials, e-game items, notebook.
- Cameras and storage cards.
3. Money exchange is available in Solu Khumbu area and Annapurna area, besides, it’s impossible for you to exchange. So preparing enough personal expenses for your whole trekking.
4. Always follow what your guide do. If should not be exceeded if daily vertical gains of over 500m, so please always take your guide advice. Mountain sickness can affect any person, especially those who trek too fast or gain altitude too quickly.
Environment care:
This is and always will be Pan-Tibet Travel’s responsibility and concern, with the impressive natural scenery and brilliant culture, Nepal is actually a nation with fragile environment. Not only us, but people from all over the world should feel an increased responsibility to protect the wildness resources of Nepal, leaving every campsite much clearer each time than ever before to the following people, sanitary napkins and tampons should be wrapped well and packed out. Take batteries back to your home country for safe disposal. When you are guest to the locals house, do remember do not throw anything to their fireplace, this is the holy thing to Nepalese. Customs like this should be brought to the forefront.