Trekking in Nepal
What is trekking?
In a short form “Trekking is an act of walking for pleasure”.
Trekking is walking along the mountain trails for pleasure or sports. It provides an opportunity to explore the villages, villagers, valleys, mountains and its interior. So trekking means foot travel on mountain trails.
The Wikipedia’s definition of trekking: "Trekking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. It usually takes place on trails in areas of relatively unspoiled wilderness. "
Trekking in Nepal:
Nepal is blessed with all the components to be called a most marvellous and impressive country for trekkers. No other country in this world can compete with trekking in Nepal. Only by walking in the ancient foot trails, one can get access to the interiors of Nepal and explore the most remote valleys like Dolpo – a region behind the Himalayas. Here in Nepal lies the greatest concentration of the highest mountain ranges – eight out of ten highest peaks, most varied terrain and the most spectacular views. Besides these physical blessings, Nepal is endowed with a diverse cultural heritage. Walking is the only way to see Nepal in its wholeness, to be in contact with the wild and dramatic landscapes and the fascinating people who live here.
Trekking in Nepal is like going from village to village. It may last for a day or for several days. It is not simply a business of walking from one stop to another heading towards a final destination; it is more a gradual experience of Nepal’s diversity in terms of geography, people, religions and cultures. It is not concerned with distance but with walking for pleasure. Age is no barrier, the most important attribute for enjoying the trek and Nepal generally, is right attitude.
In a short form “Trekking is an act of walking for pleasure”.
Trekking is walking along the mountain trails for pleasure or sports. It provides an opportunity to explore the villages, villagers, valleys, mountains and its interior. So trekking means foot travel on mountain trails.
The Wikipedia’s definition of trekking: "Trekking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. It usually takes place on trails in areas of relatively unspoiled wilderness. "
Trekking in Nepal:
Nepal is blessed with all the components to be called a most marvellous and impressive country for trekkers. No other country in this world can compete with trekking in Nepal. Only by walking in the ancient foot trails, one can get access to the interiors of Nepal and explore the most remote valleys like Dolpo – a region behind the Himalayas. Here in Nepal lies the greatest concentration of the highest mountain ranges – eight out of ten highest peaks, most varied terrain and the most spectacular views. Besides these physical blessings, Nepal is endowed with a diverse cultural heritage. Walking is the only way to see Nepal in its wholeness, to be in contact with the wild and dramatic landscapes and the fascinating people who live here.
Trekking in Nepal is like going from village to village. It may last for a day or for several days. It is not simply a business of walking from one stop to another heading towards a final destination; it is more a gradual experience of Nepal’s diversity in terms of geography, people, religions and cultures. It is not concerned with distance but with walking for pleasure. Age is no barrier, the most important attribute for enjoying the trek and Nepal generally, is right attitude.
History of trekking in Nepal:
History of trekking in Nepal starts in late 50’s when a retired British Gurkha officer, Lt. Col. Jimmy Roberts experienced an expedition. As a former Gurkha Officer and Military Attaché at the British Embassy in Kathmandu he had spent years of his life walking in the hills of Nepal. He was also a member of the Machhapuchree expedition team. When he was on the expedition, he saw Nepalese working as a guides and porters carrying all the lodging materials and food. He was so impressed with the Nepali hospitality that a new idea came into his mind. He developed a business idea of organizing a trek. He thought that the expedition type of organization is the only possible way to take people to the interiors of Nepal and to show them the most spectacular country of this world. The only way to take people into the mountains and to make them understand the most interesting hospitality of Nepali people is to organize expedition type of trekking.
Then he organized the first trekking expedition to the Everest Base Camp for 8 people in around 1956. The trip became so successful and he was so encouraged that he registered Mountain Travel in 1964 as a commercial agency. Then he trained Nepalese as a Sirdar, Guide & Cook, developed a cooking system, camping system, service style, health and hygiene. He travelled to most of the hilly regions and explored the campsites and determined the trekking days. He developed the style which made Nepal so popular for trekking. Finally, he settled down in Nepal and died in Nepal. He is popularly known as the father of Trekking in Nepal. The present status of trekking in Nepal is the outcome of his formula.
TREKKING AREAS/REGIONS OF NEPAL:
1. Annapurna Region
The Annapurna Conservation Area has been claimed as one of the best trekking areas in the world. It is also the most visited trekking area in the country. The area spreads around Kaski, Mustang, Manang and Lamjung district of Central Nepal. Beginning 790 meters, the area reaches as high as 8091 meters of Mt. Annapurna .... [Read More]
| Annapurna Base Camp Trek | Ghorepani Poon-Hill Trek | Jomsom Muktinath Trek |
| Around Annapurna Trek | Annapurna Circuit Trek | Tilicho Lake Trek |
| Mesokanta-La Pass Trek |
| Around Annapurna Trek | Annapurna Circuit Trek | Tilicho Lake Trek |
| Mesokanta-La Pass Trek |
2. Everest Region
Everest/Solukhumbu Region is located in the eastern part of Nepal and is protected by the Sagarmatha National Park, established in 1976 with an area of 1148 square kilometers. The park was added to the list of World Heritage Site in 1979. Throughout in the Everest trekking region, trekkers are overwhelmed with views of .... [Read More]
| Everest Base Camp Trek | Instant Everest Trek | Gokyo-Ri Trek |
| Kalapathar Gokyo Cho-La Pass Trek | Renjo-La Pass Gokyo Lake Trek |
| Everest Transverse - Three Passes Trek |
| Kalapathar Gokyo Cho-La Pass Trek | Renjo-La Pass Gokyo Lake Trek |
| Everest Transverse - Three Passes Trek |
3. Langtang Region
Langtang National Park is situated in the Central Himalayan region in Rasuwa district. Langtang is a narrow valley that lies just south of the Tibetan border. It is sandwiched between the main Himalayan range to the north and a slightly lower range of snowy peaks to the south.Langtang Lirung (7246m) dominates the valley to the north; .... [Read More]
| Langtang Trek | Gosaikunda Lake Trek | Langtang Gosaikunda Trek | Helambu Trek |
| Langtang Helambu Trek | Langtang Sundarijal Trek | Tamang Heritage Trail |
| Ganja-La Pass Trek |
| Langtang Helambu Trek | Langtang Sundarijal Trek | Tamang Heritage Trail |
| Ganja-La Pass Trek |
4. Upper Mustang
Mustang is an ancient Himalayan Kingdom, the former Kingdom of Lo which lies in the north-east of Nepal and bordering with China. Lo Manthang itself is a walled city ruled by religious king. However, the monarchy ceased to exist as the Kingdom on October 7 2008. It is roughly 80 km long (north-south) and 45 km at it’s widest and .... [Read More]
| Upper Mustang Trek (Tea-House) | Upper Mustang Trek (Camping) |
| Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek | Saribung Himal (From Mustang) |
| Teri-La Pass Trek (From Mustang) |
| Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek | Saribung Himal (From Mustang) |
| Teri-La Pass Trek (From Mustang) |
5. Manaslu Region
Manaslu Region is one of the most spectacular treks in the Himalaya, comparable to the Annuparna circuit. However the trek around Manaslu touches unspoiled regions since it was off limits until recently. Now open to organized trekking parties only, the area offers a good mix of cultural diversity and fantastic mountain scenery .... [Read More]
| Around Manaslu Trek (Tea-House) | Around Manaslu Trek (Camping) |
| Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek | Tsum Valley Trek |
| Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek | Tsum Valley Trek |
6. Dhaulagiri Region
Trekking in Dhaulagiri provides massive mountains range of Dhaulagiri consisting of fifteen 7000 meter peaks is magnificent. Trekking of the main paths is not only possible, but can be immensely rewarding, though you do need a sense of adventure and an increased ability to deal with unexpected. Geographically, it is a land of dramatic contrast .... [Read More]
7. Kanchanjunga Region
Kanchenjunga is one of the unspoiled trekking areas in the eastern part of Nepal opened in 1988 for trekkers. Mt. Kanchenjunga 8586m is the world’s third highest mountain offers infinite variety of landscapes, cultures and panoramic views of Himalayas including the Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, four of the worlds five .... [Read More]
8. Nar & Phu Valley Trek
The Nar and Phu valleys are newly opened, spectacular regions of ethnically Tibetans inhabitants for those of you that think you trekked all. This is a trek that combines high peaks and passes, glaciers, remote villages, narrow canyons, lovely forests, amazing rock formations, yaks, gompas and unique Himalayan cultures .... [Read More]
| Nar & Phu Valley Trek (Camping) | Nar & Phu Valley Trek (Tea-House) |
| Nar & Phu Valley Trek (Humde Fly) | Teri-La Pass Trek (From Nar & Phu) |
| Saribung Himal (From Phu) |
| Nar & Phu Valley Trek (Humde Fly) | Teri-La Pass Trek (From Nar & Phu) |
| Saribung Himal (From Phu) |
9. Dolpo Trek
Dolpo is located inside the Shey-Phoksundo National Park of mid-western Nepal, behind the Dhaulagiri massif, towards the Tibetan Plateau. cut off by a series of very high passes and closed by the snow most of the year. Dolpa remains a truly isolated corner of Nepal. Time has stood still here for centuries as inhabitants of Tibetan .... [Read More]
10. Ganesh Himal Trek
It is one of the best treks in central Nepal on non-touristy trail. Ganesh Himal not frequented by many tourists and it situated in central Nepal, northwest of Kathmandu the terraced hillsides seem to climb to the sky. This trekking takes us through river valleys and traditional farming communities that contain a variety of the ethnic groups in Nepal .... [Read More]
11. Other Regions/Areas