What is called trekking in Nepal? According to Oxford Languages, ‘trek’ means to ‘go on a long journey, typically on foot’. It is synonymous to ‘hike, walk, travel, journey, etc.’
However, Nepal trekking is any activity that involves walking along the rugged windy trails towards the Himalayas or some high altitude places. Most often, the trails lead you across rustic villages reflecting different cultures and traditions along dense forests.
Mostly we think that Nepal trekking is similar to Nepal hiking. But there are differences between hiking and trekking trips.
Nepal Hiking means walking along the dense forests for a few hours to reach local destinations for some specific purposes. It is a one-day trip after completing which you get back to the starting point. You pack some dry or cooked food and enough water in your bag, so the cost of hiking is much lower. Field survey, educational tour, etc. are some of the examples of hiking tour in Nepal.
Contrarily, trekking is an outdoor activity longer than one-day trip beyond the cities and towns. By walking along the rough trails, although some are well-defined ones, you reach a certain destination in a specified trekking itinerary.
The Nepal Hiking trails go past dense forests, deserted villages, rivers and rivulets, as well as some cliffs. Sometimes you have to cross some high Himalayan passes during the trip. Nepal trekking cost is much higher than that of hiking or one-day trip because you have to spend nights at teahouses, lodges, or tented camps as well.
From the adventure perspective, trekking is adventurous as you have to walk for 5/6 hours per day towards higher altitude. You have to compromise on food and accommodation luxuries while trekking in the Himalayas. You might not find good hotels providing luxurious services due to geographical complexities.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is another challenge of trekking as soon as you reach above 2,500m from the sea level. If not taken preventive and curative measures on time, altitude sickness might be really hazardous for trekkers. Similarly, trekkers to the wilderness might miss out the right trails and get lost. Missing out the right trails means anything unexpected can happen during trekking trips.
Nevertheless, the risks of trekking in the Himalayas can be handled out if you book your trip with a local tour operator. The agency provides you professional trekking guide and porters who will definitely help you out of such difficulties.
Short treks are less challenging than long and high altitude treks. Shorts treks don’t take you much far away from cities or human settlement areas. If anything unfavorable happens, you can call upon people for your help. Or else, you can contact to your people for help as your mobile phones get network coverage 24/7.
We hope this blog what is called trekking in Nepal will be helpful to decide on whether to book a trek or hiking trip. Nepal Trekking trip is made for various purposes such as:
- Exploring new places, especially unspoiled wilderness
- Enjoying the scenery of the Himalayas, jungles, villages, etc.
- Escaping from hectic schedule of city life
- Research projects on natural and cultural aspects
- Spiritual journey for self-recognition
- Adventure activity for a lifelong experience
- Haling ailment, distress, depression, etc.
- Understanding secrets of the Mother Nature
Additionally, there can be other various purposes of trekking to the Himalayas and hills as well.
Types of trekking in Nepal
Trekking is divided into various categories on the bases of:
Food and accommodation services
On the basis of food and accommodation services, trekking is divided into three groups.
Teahouse trekking in Nepal: You are provided with the basic services of food and accommodation by teahouses.
Camping trekking in Nepal: You have to spend nights at tented camps and have food as supplied by your support team.
Service trekking in Nepal: You are provided with only trekking permits and guide cum porter or guide.
Difficulty level
Based on difficulty level, Nepal trekking is categorized as,
Easy trekking: It is recommended for beginners, children, and senior citizens. Easy trekking is perfect for family trip because it is nearby the city areas and low altitude hilltops.
Moderate trekking: For this type of trekking, you must have certain level of stamina. Generally, moderate trekking itinerary is of multiple days in which you have to walk for 5-6 hours per day. As you gradually gain altitude, it requires physical fitness and mental readiness.
Strenuous trekking: It demands strenuous level of physical fitness and sometimes training as well. It takes you to high altitude regions, especially, proximity of the Himalayas. It is recommended for those having previous experience of moderate type of trekking.
Difficult trekking: It is in the bucket list of professional and experienced trekkers because it consists of high passes above 5,000m of the Himalayas. It might involve peak climbing that requires high level of stamina and skills of using climbing tools such as crampons, harness, ice axe, rope, etc. It can be more useful for those preparing expedition to 8,000m plus peaks such as Everest Expedition, Mount Annapurna Expedition, etc.
Itinerary
Base on itinerary or duration of trips, trekking is divide as
- Short treks: They are of a couple of days and longer than one-day trips. You do such trekking around the major cities and they involve some hilltops from where you see the colorful horizons above the green hills and the snowcapped mountains.
- Medium treks: They are of more than 2 days but completed within a week. During these trek, you go along some cultural villages with certain level of altitude gain. Along with natural wonders, you get to experience cultural attractions and heritage sites of local areas.
- Long treks: They are the trips longer than a week and include higher altitude than 3,000m. In such trips, you will go across classic villages along the conservation areas into the wilderness. They might involve base camp treks or high altitude treks for observing the serene mountains and jungles wrapped with various flowering plants. For Example, Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lakes Trek, Upper Dolpo Trek, Upper Mustang Trek, the Great Himalayan Trail trekking, etc.
Area
Base on area, trekking is divide into:
- Free individual trekking (FIT): It is the trekking which can be done by both national and international trekkers. You can do such trekking as a solo trekker as well.
- Restricted area trekking (RAT): To do such trekking, you need to meet certain demands. As a solo trekker, you cannot do such trekking but you must be in a group of 2 members with a government register trekking guide. Besides, you need to have a special permit, also called restricted area trekking permit. It is more expensive than free individual trekking.
Altitude
On the basis of altitude, Nepal trekking is categorize as:
- Low altitude trekking: It includes easy and short treks below 2,438m/8,000m. It is recommend for beginners, children, and senior citizens, so it is a family trekking. Low altitude treks are completely teahouse trekking. You spend nights at home stay sites that let you an opportunity for cultural exchange.
- High altitude trekking: It includes the treks between 2,438m/8,000ft and 3,658m/12,000ft. They take you to the vicinity of high Himalayas and you experience natural beauty, cultural variety, and adventure all at once.
- Long treks: They are the trips longer than a week and include higher altitude than 3,000m. In such trips, you will go across classic villages along the conservation areas into the wilderness. They might involve base camp treks or high altitude treks for observing the serene mountains and jungles wrapped with various flowering plants. For Example, Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lakes Trek, Upper Dolpo Trek, Upper Mustang Trek, the Great Himalayan Trail trekking, etc.
- Exploring new places, especially unspoiled wilderness
- Enjoying the scenery of the Himalayas, jungles, villages, etc.
- Escaping from hectic schedule of city life
- Research projects on natural and cultural aspects
- Spiritual journey for self-recognition
- Adventure activity for a lifelong experience
- Haling ailment, distress, depression, etc.
Understanding secrets of the Mother Nature Food and accommodation services Difficulty level Itinerary, Area, Altitude, Very high altitude trekking: Very high altitude treks are from 3,658m/12,000ft up to 5,487m/18,000ft. They also include high Himalayan passes and rugged trails along the dense forests into complete wilderness. They require multiple days, previous experience, good physical stamina, and skills to use climbing gear
Based on season Trekking in Nepal Type:
Trekking Seasons: Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are peak season of trekking. Days are sunny with clear skies that support crystal clear view of the Himalayas, dense forests, glacial lakes, and high altitude villages. Weather remains stable in these seasons.
The trekking routes are crowd with national and international trekkers. Teahouses and lodges are pack that sometimes, you might not be able to find accommodation and food services if you go as a solo trekker. Thus, we recommend you to book your trip with a local tour operator who will manage everything you need to complete the trip.
Off season trekking: Generally, winter (December-February) and summer (June-August) are off seasons for trekking. Cold temperature, thick fog and mist disturb the visibility of the trekking regions in winter. High and very high altitude trekking in Nepal is almost impossible as high passes are block due to heavy snowfall.
In the summer, low altitude trekking regions are very hot and trails are wet, slippery due to heavy rainfall. Moreover, thunder and lightning might disturb your trip towards high altitude places across dense forests. Leeches and bogs also cause some problems during summer trek. Natural calamities such as flood and landslides block the routes and roads to reach the trailheads as well.
However, there are some trekking regions of Nepal that can also be done in the monsoon season as well. Upper Mustang Trek, Upper Dolpo Trek, Lower Dolpo Trek, etc. are mostly done in the monsoon. Since Upper Mustang Region and Dolpo Region lie in the rain shadow of the Annapurna (8,091m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167m) Massifs, they receive low or no rainfall in this season. Instead, they receive rainfall in the winter season.
Trekking in Nepal Cost
Although it is hard to divide trekking on the basis of cost, some trips are costlier than others. It is obvious that the cost of longer treks is higher than that of short treks. Camping trekking in Nepal is more expensive than teahouse trekking or service only trekking. However, the rewards you get while in the trip outweigh the budget you invest in it. There are multiple factors that influence the cost of trekking such as:
Local destinations
Activities you choose during the trip
Seasons
Nepal Trekking Itinerary
Nepal Trekking permits
Number of guides and porters
Accommodation, food, and beverage
Transportation services
Additional expenses
Nepal Trekking Package
If you book a trekking package with a local tour operator, they can help you control the cost to make it reasonable. If you book a trip as a solo trekker, the cost might be higher as you might not know the cost of all those factors.
Budget Trekking in Nepal
Budget trekking in Nepal is specially design for those domestic and foreign tourists who dream to visit the wilderness at low cost. In this type of trekking, you are provided with only the essentials for successfully completing the trip.
Nepal Trekking Routes and permits are same but the budget for other services and support team is lower. Because you have choices and you yourself pay for them. Necessary services such as guide, porter, accommodation, transportation, and permits are arrange by the agency.
Budget trekking in Nepal is recommend for those desiring a trip to the Himalayas in economic way. Although at low cost, you can enjoy all the natural and cultural attractions while doing adventure.
Conclusion: Trekking in Nepal
Trekking in Nepal is an outdoor activity that rewards you with a lifetime experience of nature, culture, and adventure trekking. Although a physical activity, it is a recreational work that also lets you understand the Mother Nature.
Of course, when we understand our relationship with nature, we work for nature conservation. Conserving nature means we can fight against CO2 emissions that have disastrous effects on Earth.
You find various type of trekking according to your budget, experience, and interest. Book any of them to get the firsthand experience of cultural heritage sites of local destinations. We urge you to book a trip with a local tour operator for safety and more knowledge about local natural and cultural heritage sites.
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