Of all the world’s trekking destinations, it is Nepal that causes hearts to race more than anywhere else. Nepal is home to the world’s tallest mountains, and with them, some of its most breathtaking scenery. It is the mountains that most come to see, and to trek. A Nepal trekking holiday is all about exploring the roof of the world.
While climbing mountains requires much more than trekking gear, the Everest Base Camp trek does not. This glamorous sounding trek skirts around the great mountain, ending with a tough climb up to the base camp at 5367 feet. It also takes in villages, icefields and the Sherpa trading centre of Namche.
The Annapurna circuit is Nepal’s classic trek, with a worldwide reputation as one of the best anywhere. The trek takes up to three weeks, climbing from sub-tropical to high-altitude. It’s a truly stunning trek, skirting the Annapurna Mountain range. You’ll travel through the Thorong La Pass, a summit pass at 5416m. It is it the trek’s highest point, and is beautifully desolate – an empty, rocky moonscape.
There are many other treks that cross Nepal’s mountains and plains. Treks of 3-4 weeks are common, but you can easily organise shorter treks if you can’t spare that kind of time. Treks tend to start in the capital Kathmandu, or the lower-lying lakeside second city of Pokhara. The best times to go are September to November, before the winter but after the rainy season, or in spring, when the temperatures rise and the wildflowers come out.
A Nepal trekking trip is one of those bucket-list must dos. Climbing up towards the roof of the world, visiting villages inhabited by generations of tough Sherpa families, scrambling past enormous valleys and glacial lakes. It’s hard to find a better place to trek than Nepal.
