Top Three Trekking Destinations In Nepal

Nepal, the landlocked country of big mountains, provides enough fascinating hiking trails to bamboozle, particularly those who’re planting to visit this land for the first time. Each and every trekking route in Nepal has its own exclusive beauty; the splendour that’ll allure your soul & make you wish to come back this country again and again. To help you here we have shortlisted 3 of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal:

 

Everest Base Camp Trek (EBC):

Well, who doesn’t wish to stand face to face with the highest peak in the globe? The trails guiding you to the base camp of Mount Everest is not just famous because they take you to the base camp of the globe’s highest mountain. There’s certainly more to it. The trails passing via the lovely Sherpa villages such as Namche, Phakding, Dingboche, Tengboche – to name a few provides great chance to comprehend the religion, lifestyle, beliefs, culture and tradition of the iconic Sherpas living in the Khumbu province of Nepal.

 

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC):

This is the second most popular trekking route in Nepal. In comparison to other vase camp hiking, ABC trek is shorter, yet rewarding in various ways. Combining this trek alongside Ghandruk and Ghorepani-Poonhill offers you the chance to relish the magnificent combination of natural scenery, landscapes and cultural diversity. Accessibility of several tea houses & friendly villages makes it simpler for trekkers get access to a good place to eat & sleep. Furthermore, possibilities of getting altitude illness are pretty low here, as the maximum height attained throughout this trek is 4,320m. Annapurna province is in a pretty close vicinity to Pokhara, the really popular Lake City in Nepal.

 

Upper Mustang Trek:

Upper Mustang, an ex Himalayan monarchy placed in the Rainshadow of Dhaulagiri, is the best destination for remote trekking in Nepal. Not opened until the early 90s, the region still needs a special trekking permit which can be arranged by your trekking agency. The region is sheltered since it sustains the immaculate Tibetan Buddhist culture, sixteenth century Buddhist monasteries, the caves engraved into massive cliff walls & the very popular Tiji festival in Lo Manthang. The treeless & barren landscape & the Tibet influenced Buddhist custom are the premier draws of Upper Mustang trekking.

So, these are the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal that you must want to try during your next visit. Best of luck!

Langtang Gosaikunda Trek - A Gorgeous Trek With Lots of Adventure

Langtang, a picturesque gorge in the North Nepal towards the Tibetan border, provides manifold adventure opportunities to both climbing and trekking enthusiasts. You can reach this lovely province upon driving north direction from Kathmandu. This home of Tamangs, ancient horse riding warriors, is home to many summits. The highest of which’s Langtang Lirung (7,246 m).

 

Besides being an entrance to several Himalayan summits, Langtang offers access to tranquil landscapes & alpine forests, most importantly the sacred lake Gosainkunda. The custom of Tamangs, their lifestyles & merriment add color to this wonderful land presented by Mother Nature. Following the road-less travel, Langtang Gosaikunda Trek is a chance to discover the lovely culture that grew in the awe-inspiring natural setting.

Gosaikunda Lake entices visitors all through the year. They come to the place with a purpose of taking a sacred bath in the holy lake water. Langtang province is a renowned producer of Yak Cheese. Some sheltered animal species such the Langurs & Red Pandas call this region, protected as Langtang National Park, their home. The routes of this trek run in close proximity to the mountains providing exquisite panorama of Mt. Annapurna & Ganesh Himal.

 

Physical condition and experience:

Langtang, Gosaikunda & Tamang Heritage Treks are mild trek for keen walkers who can stroll around five to seven hours a day with light backpack. Trekking in higher altitude is more bodily tasking than hiking in lower altitude. Exercising & jogging daily for a few weeks before the trip is an excellent idea to boost your strength & stability. Past trekking experience would be a help but no technical skill is needed for this trip. It’s vital for partakers with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood ailments to check out with their doctor prior to taking the trip.

 

Ideal Time to Travel

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the ideal season for this hike. Though we can do the hiking during winter, the cold temperature mightn’t be suitable for everybody Langtang Gosainkunda helambu trek is a wonderful adventure which combines the huge vistas with vast number of ethnic encounters. With of abundance of wildlife the main area covers with rhododendron, bamboo forests, and massive waterfalls with chance to bath in natural hot springs. The snow covered Langtang Lirung (7,200m) along with the scenery of Mardi Himal trek makes the trip perfect choice.

So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip now!

Upper Mustang Trek - Explore The Iconic Buddhist Monarchy

The Upper Mustang trek uncovers the concealed sphere of Mustang – the iconic Buddhist Monarchy. This’s a remarkable venture to untouched Tibetan villages on the other end of the Nepalese Himalaya enclosing Tibet. Placed to the north-west of Annapurna on the Tibetan Highland, Upper Mustang is an old town that depicts the past of age-old Himalayan Buddhist Culture.

 

The province remained confined to the travelers until 1991, and still needs a special permission for travel. The whitewashed colony, enclosed by barley fields, packed with numerous striking small monasteries & vibrant prayer flags, mirror the enduring Buddhist civilization of the village.

The hike to Upper Mustang is a remarkable adventure and you must go for it. The trekking trail traverses typical Tibetan villages with unusual old Buddhist arts, the exceptional culture & striking splendor of the Himalayan desert.

The route pursues the old salt vending path to the capital of Upper Mustang, Lo Mangtang. For your knowledge, Lo Mangtang is an old town bordered by a massive town wall. The age-old monasteries in the Lo Manthan aids to discover the Tibetan Buddhist spirituality.

 

Inhabitants belongs to the social group Gurung, viz-Bista, Damai, Thakali, etc dwell in & around the gorge of Mustang. They’re hardworking, friendly and nature loving people. Residents of Mustang region pursue Tibetan Buddhism in a pure form & the homes are constructed of white-washed with firewoods tucked on the roof. Tiji is the prime festival rejoiced by the locals for 3 days in May every year. There’re a few old & noteworthy monasteries in Mustang which feature their own spiritual values and numbs.

Once as a crucial part of Tibet for commerce, Upper Mustang is employed by salt caravans crossing the Himalaya into Nepal. Apart from that, its beautifully rugged landscape provides majestic & awe-inspiring panorama of Everest base camp trek, Mount Dhaulagiri, Annapurna base camp trek and more. Buddhist shrines, Mani walls, mandala, palace and gompas are the other major attraction here. Nevertheless, Upper Mustang trek needs a special permission for outsiders since it’s a forbidden valley for foreigners. The ban was lifted & the 1st team of hikers got entry in the year of 1992. Thenceforth, thousands of travelers visit this region every year to relish the sheer beauty of Upper Mustang and interact with its friendly local as well.

 

You don’t need to have earlier trekking experience to enjoy Upper Mustang trekking adventure. Good physical fitness and basic mountaineering skills can get the job done.

Why Tamang Heritage and Langtang Gosaikunda Trek Should Be In Every Trekker’s List?

The Tamang Heritage and Langtang Gosainkunda trek has so much to deliver the passionate trekkers! This combined trek will let you to immerse yourself in this overlooked trekking area & explore the exceptional beauty on offer.

 

The Tamang Heritage trek is one of the newest in Nepal. It was created with the local villagers to enhance trails & showcase the local Tamang people, people known for their hospitality & a culture rich with many local festivals. It is a great start to explore the region on considerably easy going trails via pristine mountain scenery.

Cross over into the Langtang valley & trek through forests of pine, bamboo & rhododendron, keeping an eye open for rare wildlife such as the red panda & multiple species of colorful birds. After the vegetation gives way to alpine meadows, in the spring, you will be treated to the best wildflower display Nepal has to provide and year round, to up close, breathtaking mountain panoramas.

Then it’s onto the charming, sacred lakes of the Gosainkund, which are framed with a 150km vista of Himalayan mountain summits. The lakes are sacred to both Hindus & Buddhists alike and many Hindus make the pilgrimage to bathe in the lakes during the August full moon festival of Janai Purnima.

 

The combined Tamang Heritage trek and Langtang Gosaikunda Trek will offer you the chance to witness many outstanding views, encompassing those of Langtang Lirung (7227m), Shisha Pangma (8046m) in Tibet & Ganesh Himal in the northwest. With a maximum altitude of 4,200m, this trek avoids some of the higher passes of the region, making it accessible for most hikers.

The Tamang Heritage trek offers a unique mix of mountain adventure and Himalayan culture, from ancient monasteries, Tibetan stupas, plentiful, colourful prayer flags, to majestic waterfalls and breathtaking snow capped mountain peaks including views of Langtang Lirung, Langtang Kerung, the Ganjala Pass, Dorje Lakpa, Ganesh Himal to name but a few. The Tamang Heritage trek is a must to add to every trekker to do list.

 

You can also combine Mardi Himal trek with your Tamang Heritage trek and Langtang Gosainkunda trek to experience more adventure. With insights into the local Tibetan-influenced traditions, panoramic mountain views, Tamang monasteries and even a chance to soak in the natural hot springs at Tatopani, the Tamang Heritage trek is a must for those wishing to experience another side of Nepal. So, are you ready for the adventure?

Everest Base Camp Or Annapurna Base Camp? Which Trek To Choose?

Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) – both are the most renowned treks in the country of Nepal. I have accomplished both Everest Base Camp trek and Annapurna Base Camp trek, so I believe I can guide you better in terms of choosing which trek.

 

If you’re in Nepal for 2 weeks and thinking about either doing EBC or Annapurna Base Camp Trek, I’d suggest ABC due to the diversity found in its topography. The EBC trek starts & concludes at such a high altitude that the backdrop remains dramatically consistent all through the hike. The tall summits of the grand Himalayas borders the trail, and the height & cold climate become an issue as you climb above the tree line. The ABC trek starts outside of Pokhra where it’s hot and dry. We strolled through shelters of trees & Rhododendron woodlands border the trail. But this warm & picturesque landscape chanced instantly once we got near to the base camp. Although in several ways Everest was more impressive due to the unfavorable conditions & the exhilaration of seeing the highest peak of the globe, Annapurna displayed the diversity & wonder of the majestic Himalayas.

 

Another considerable difference amid the 2 treks was during the Everest Base Camp trek I had a guide & porter, and for Annapurna Base Camp I went with a buddy & we carried our own baggage and had no guide. However, for the EBC trek, I’d certainly advice hiring a porter. Due to the altitude, I felt relaxed to have an assistant carrying my baggage.

Another different amid the 2 hikes is that Annapurna Base Camp is less touristy & crowded compared to EBC. In the middle of the trekking seasons it can be a very crowded place. If you’re planning to trek EBC, I’d certainly suggest traveling at the starting of the trekking season to avoid large crowds. On the other hand Annapurna is less touristy and can be explored any time of the year for a trekking adventure.

To sum up, I’d say both EBC and ABC treks are fantastic, but they’re certainly diverse experiences & it just relies on what you’re after. If you wish an epic & exhausting trek where you have to fight with the altitude and thin air, move to EBC, and if you’re in search of a miscellaneous landscape where in a single day you’ll be in the snow enclosed by soaring peaks & swimming in a cascade move to ABC.

Mardi Himal Trek - A Buried Gem of Nepal

Positioned just east of ABC trek, the Mardi Himal trek is a buried gem. A small number of hikers make their way to Mardi Himal Base Camp which is situated conveniently at the base of Mardi Himal & the picturesque Machapuchhre. The trekking route goes along tiny winding trails, via enthralling rhododendron woodlands until you ascend out of the woodland at a height about 3,300 meters. The scenery transforms rather unexpectedly into an uneven high-mountain terrain, with spectacular sights of Machapuchre, Mardi Himal, Hiunchuli and Annapurna South. Let’s talk about some of the most interesting facts about Mardi Himal trek.

 

For how long trekkers have been hiking this route:

The Mardi Himal trail has been renowned with campers for approximately a decade. Over the last few years significant effort were put into practice to develop tea-houses along the route for those who did not wish to camp. In the year of 2011, Mardi Himal trek opened officially with tea houses accessible right from the beginning to high camp.

What mountains one can witness from the Mardi Himal?

The Annapurna mountain range is on full show from high camp on. At low camp Machhapuchhre is spectacular. The highlights of the entire trek include Machhapuchhre (also known as Fishtail, (6,993 m) Annapurna South (7,010 m), and Mount Hiunchuli (6,441 m). Tamang heritage trek can also combined with Mardi Himal if you are looking for more adventure.

 

Mardi Himal trek can be accomplished inside a week from Pokhra. You’ll be touring to Pokhra from Nepal’s capital Kathmandu either via traveler bus (seven hours of journey) or via plane (thirty minute flight) and your hiking begins next day when you reach Phedi following one hour of drive from Pokhra. The trekking routes guide trekkers to forest camp, Deurali, Mardi Himal base camp and High Camp and when you came back you’ll be hiking down via diverse villages such as Lwang, Phedi and Sidhing to conclude the trekking. You’re free following the hike either you stay 4 or 5 days more to relish the splendor of Pokhra city and you can come back to Kathmandu the next day.

Mardi Himal Trek is the perfect for those who are willing to trek in less crowed trekking with beautiful mountain scenery and culture. To make the most of your trek all you have to do is find a reliable trekking agency that have years of experience and expertise in the industry.

Things to Know Before Opting For The Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Base Camp or better known as ABC trek is no doubt one of the most fascinating treks in the earth. Sustaining Nepal’s repute as one of the enthralling & geographically rich nations in the planet, Mt Annapurna is the tenth tallest mountain globally.

 

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a must if you like adventure alongside cultural & spiritual experience while passing through the diverse vantage points, settlements and tranquil monasteries. However, there are few things every trekkers should keep in mind while looking for the ABC trek. Some of them are mentioned below:

Altitude sickness:

It’s physical state that takes place at higher altitude (above 2000m) because of the change in air pressure causing issues like diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, appetite loss and even fatal condition like death. As ABC lies at a greater elevation, AMS is the most widespread issues encountered by hikers. It’s really essential to be conscious regarding the symptoms & the ways to avoid them.

Know the best season to trek:

ABC trek made massive headlines in 2013/14 trekking season with storms & sliding claiming about hundreds of precious lives. SO, the most favorable time to relish the trek is throughout autumn (September to November) or spring (February to May) when the weather is mild with fewer possibilities of storms & avalanches. The panorama of the enclosing mountains & lush-green gorges is also the finest throughout these periods when witnessed from the vantage points such as Poonhill & Tadapani.

 

What you should bring with you?

TIMS and Annapurna Conservation Area are the most essential when hiking the ABC path. This’s an exceedingly photogenic province of the earth, so you’ll be taking more photos of picturesque terrains & the incredible mountain panoramas. Bring your digital camera with an extra memory card and battery, so that you hardly miss any opportunity to click a beautiful moment. Alongside this, do bring a first-aid box, all the essential medicines, sunscreen, torchlight, refillable water bottles and not to say positive attitude.

What type of challenges you may face?

Though a trek for a day or 2 may be an ideal time for everybody, ABC is not a picnic. People with no earlier climbing experience and also poor level of fitness could encounter several issues. So, it’s wise to prepare yourself both physically and mentally by knowing the problems you may encounter during the trek.

 

Be it an Everest base camp trek or Annapurna base camp trek or Upper Mustang trek, trekking in Nepal is always going to be full of adventure.