Trekking in the Himalayas

The best way to experience Nepal's unbeatable combination of natural beauty and cultural riches is to walk through them. The immense contrasts in altitudes and climates found here support an equally spectacular mix of lifestyles, vegetation types and wildlife. You will see Chhetri farmers working in their fields and Tamang herders grazing their animals on the steep slopes. You will meet Gurkha soldiers home on leave and come across Sherpa yak drivers transporting goods over the high mountain passes. And always in the background, the icy pinnacles of the Himalaya loom over the scenery.

Trekking is possible at any time of the year depending on where you are going. The most popular seasons are spring (February-May) and autumn (September-November). Winter is very cold above 4,000 m and high mountain passes may be snow bound but it is good for trekking at lower altitudes. During the monsoon season (June-August), you can trek in the rain shadow areas north of the Himalaya like Mustang, Upper Manang and Dolpo. These places are out of reach of the rain clouds because of the high mountains and are unaffected by the monsoon.

The entire length and breadth of the Kingdom is a paradise for trekkers. There are easy walks lasting a few days and there are strenuous expeditions that take several weeks. All of them have great scenery. Here are a few:

Annapurna: The most popular trekking route in Nepal takes you through some of the most stunning scenery on earth. You will be walking through rhododendron forests over the foothills of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges and through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest in the world. Treks to the Annapurna region starts from the lake-side resort town of Pokhara. (Maximum elevation covered on the trek is 3,939 m).
Trek Duration: minimum 02 days.

Everest: The highest mountain in the world continues to lure adventurers as ever. A hair raising flight lands you at the airstrip of Lukla (2,850 m) from where you begin walking to the famous Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar and on to Tengboche monastery with the mesmerizing peak of Amadablam hovering in the sky. Then it's over the glaciers to the foot of Everest for the view of a lifetime (maximum elevation 5,546 m).
Trek Duration : minimum 07 days.

Langtang: The third most popular trekking region in the Kingdom lies directly to the north of Kathmandu. the gosaikund lakes situated here are a much revered Hindu pilgrimage site. Langtang offers baffling extremes in topography and climate conditions. In just one day you can traverse five different vegetation zones trekking from the subtropics to timberline (maximum elevation 4,480 m).
Trek Duration : minimum 08 days.

Remote Areas: For those who want to get off the beaten track, there is the trail to Mustang (maximum elevation 5,400 m, Trek Duration: minimum 13 days) north of the Annapurna range which offers mind boggling landscapes and mystical cultures. Manaslu (Trek Duration : minimum 23 days) in west central Nepal (maximum elevation 5,213 m) offers a diverse range of pristine eco-systems. Makalu (Trek Duration : minimum 20 days) in the eastern part of the country (maximum elevation 5,350 m) takes you through isolated valleys and high mountain passes to the base of the fifth highest peak on earth.
Dolpo (Trek duration : minimum 14 to 21 days) in the northwest Nepal (maximum elevation 4,500 m) captivates visitors with its Phoksundo Lake and unparalleled scenery.