Travel Destinations

Trekking in Nepal is a dream for ambitious hikers from around the globe. Fully one-third of the Himalayan mountain range is contained within this small country, which is also home to eight of the ten tallest peaks in the world. Available treks range from self-guided, well-serviced tours to bare bones guided journeys through the country’s most remote villages.

Many trekkers visit the Annapurna Circuit. The journey starts at an elevation of 3,000 feet, in Tehar, and rises along up Marsyangdi river to 17,700 feet at the Thorung La pass. The pass is desolate in and of itself, but it opens up into the world’s deepest gorge cut by the Kali Gandaki River.

Another popular self-guided trek is the Annapurna Sanctuary trek. This 10-day trek starts in Pokhara and goes to the Annapurna base camp and back, and the path can sometimes be treacherous after rain or snowfall. However, the spectacular base camp, which is nestled in a depression in the South Annapurna Glacier, is surrounded on every side by mountains at least 21,000 feet tall.

Some treks may only be handled by outfitters. Treks across the Dolpo and Mustang regions, which have only recently been opened to outsiders, are examples. The route is dotted by villages and by load-carrying yaks. Because the area is sacred for Tibetan Buddhists, visitors will encounter many functioning temples as well as homes carrying flags in the five elemental colors.

Many hikers who come to Nepal feel the need to see Everest. Everest, or “Sagarmatha, ” soars up from the Khumbu region near the fourth largest mountain in the world, Lhotse, and the eighth largest mount in the world, Cho Oyu. The base camp of Everest is quite crowded, so serious hikers should consider turning north to Gokyo. traveling toward Gokyo will take tourists past the Ngozumba Glacier through an area, the Dudh Kosi valley, that has multiple amenities for tourists on self-guided hikes.

For a simple day trek, visitors can spend some time at Phewa Tal. This lake, which is the second-largest lake in Nepal, offers spectacular views of the Annapurna Mountains. Many people explore the lake by rowboat before biking or walking around its perimeter. Then, tourists can trek up to the World Peace Pagoda for more stunning views of the mountains and of the lake.

For hikers who are looking for a different experience, Sunrise Paragliding offers exceptional views of the Himalayas. Thirty-minute flights will take tourists over the thermals near Sarangkot, and one-hour flights will take tourists over the Annapurna Mountains. Tourists can register for four or five-day courses to earn proficiency cards from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale.

Experts recommend preparing for a Nepalese trek by doing intense aerobic exercise because air at the peaks is nearly 40 percent thinner than air at sea level. In addition, experts recommend that, instead of doing strengthening exercises at a gym, hikers trek through hilly areas at home while carrying a pack. With good physical and mental conditioning, visitors will find trekking through Nepal to be an experience they will never forget.

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