Nepal… A distant and alluring country, a trip to which changes the life of “before” and “after”. Nepal is very rich in its traditions and culture, but first of all everyone is attracted to the Himalayas, because on the territory of Nepal there are 9 of the 14 highest peaks in the world. There are dozens of trekking routes in different regions. How do you know which one is right for you?
My name is Taras Pozdnii and I have been to Nepal 13 times.
In this article I will compare popular trekking routes and tell you which route is more suitable for whom in my opinion. But make up your mind and remember: if you go to Nepal, then with Kuluar!
First, let’s answer the question: Why exactly am I going to Nepal? What do I want to see most? Everest or something else?
Very, very many people go to Nepal for this very reason. This is a good reason, and it will be very easy for you to choose the right track. After all, there are few options.
It is worth considering that all the tracks in the area begin with the flight to Lukla, which has its own characteristics. Therefore, if you have a panic fear of flying even in large planes, and you are especially afraid of landing at the mountain airport – it is worth considering other routes.
And so, for Everest, we have several programs
The classic Everest trek is worth choosing if you have limited time or are not ready to endure altitude and its companions: cold, fatigue, lack of comfort for a long time. You should accept that there are a lot of tourists on this trek, because you are not the only one who wants to see Everest. About 30,000 people pass through the route in a year. The route is linear, and we will constantly cross with other trekkers.
The trek to Everest via Gokyo is my favorite, it is three days longer than the classic. It is very beautiful, there are beautiful Gokyo lakes, a rugged pass, and a route ring with significantly fewer tourists. Lots of overnight stays at 4100-5100 meters, which means you will most likely have to wash your face with ice water. But that’s all trifles compared to the scenery all around! This is definitely my favorite, not only in the Sagarmathi region, but so far among the treks in Nepal.
For both of these programs you can go without previous mountain experience, but the physical condition must be at least average. And if you also train for a couple of months – it will be excellent. I also have a video about training for the mountains:
Three Passes is another route in the Everest area. We don’t have a program on our website yet, but we are planning it. It is difficult, long, for experienced people. But when you say at the lodge that you are going through three passes, everyone nods with respect, they say, yes, you are cool!
On each of the treks in Sagarmatha National Park, you’ll see plenty of 6,000-7,000-8,000 meters. If high mountains are a priority for you, this is the place for you. Of course, in addition to the peaks we will see how the legendary children of the mountains – the Sherpa people – live. And take pictures with children of the mountains – Sherpas. They are grubby and cool..
We will also go into Buddhist monasteries and try to get to puja, walk a bunch of overhanging bridges and see rhododendrons in the spring.
What if Everest is not the only thing and you want to see more variety?
Hike through the jungle and visit cities other than Kathmandu. It’s more difficult to choose, because every trekking route in Nepal has enough of the Himalayas, jungle and identity. I will be guided by the popularity of our routes and my own vision. And to further filter the routes, it seems to me the best way to do this is based on your mountain experience and whether you have been to Nepal.
If you have no or minimal mountain experience, you have not been to Nepal yet, and Everest is not important for you, I definitely have two recommendations:
For many years it is the trek to Annapurna BC that we recommend to beginners. It is very rich and diverse program: we start in the jungle, meet the most beautiful sunrises with the view on the eight-thousanders and Machapuchare, at the end of the trek we swim in the hot springs and explore the sights of beautiful Pokhara.
On the route there are quite a few descents and ascents, many steps, but the maximum altitude is only 4120 meters. The rich program and low altitude make the trek to Annapurna ideal for beginners, and for a long time it had no competitors in the Couloir portfolio, until the Mardi Himal trek appeared..
Our new route, which I will be running for the first time in March 2021. It was created specifically for beginners and busy people, as it is only 9 days long. The Mardi Himal trek runs in the same region of Annapurna, only most of it is not along the gorge, but along the ridge. Therefore, it is safe in terms of avalanches, which is important in early spring. The main trick is the views on Machapuchare. This sacred peak is one of the most beautiful in the world. We get a short rich program, very good for the first introduction to the country.
So now beginners have a choice, but our favorite is still the Annapurna trek
Well, Everest is still not the main thing for us, but you have already done several treks of different difficulty. Maybe to Iceland (often after that you go to Nepal), or to trekking in South America, or climb the basic 500m high mountains such as Ararat, Kazbek, Mount Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, and now it is your turn to trek in Nepal. Let’s take a look at what’s available.
Trekking around Annapurna is one of the most popular and loved by many tourists. It is characterized by a smooth acclimatization and lack of steep climbs. It starts from the jungle and gradually leads us to the Torong La Pass at 5,419 m. This is a real climb where you have to freeze. There are also several lakes along the route, including the huge Tilicho Lake above 5,000 m, and many very distinctive villages. What spoils the impression is the road, which is actively under construction. Yes, the trail often wiggles somewhere along the way, but you still have to walk part of the way on a dirt road. But the Annapurna massif that accompanies us is incredible!
Our new favorite, launched relatively recently in 2019. The starting point of the trek around Manaslu is actually the same as the trek around Annapurna, but the route goes immediately to the right, into Manaslu National Park. You can’t walk here without a local guide, you need a separate permit, and therefore there are far fewer tourists. The route is not physically easy, but it is very colorful and sparsely populated.
Another route, undeservedly neglected by our tourists, and therefore more sparsely populated. The Langtang Valley trekking is shorter than the previous ones and takes place at lower altitudes. There are beautiful Langtang Valley and the mountain lakes of Gosaikunda. Who wants less people than on the trek around Annapurna, and very hard with time – choose Langtang, this route is shorter and less crowded.
Then it’s easy – you probably know where you want to go. My advice, however, is to choose a trek that is as different as possible from the one you’ve already been to. To capture more, because why would you want to go to the same places? Have been to the Annapurna area – then go to Everest. Been to Everest – go to the trek around Manaslu or around Annapurna. Or on climbs.
There are many wilder trails in Nepal, where tourism is much less developed, where there are no lodges, or if there are, they look like barns and sheep barns. But there is a full identity of the life of the local population.
It is beautiful, not hackneyed and not very difficult trek I hiked to the base camp Makalu during the expedition. I think we will do this route for you in the future as well.
There is also a trek around Dhaulagiri.
And, of course, very remote and, perhaps, one of the most inaccessible – trekking to the base camp of Kanchenjunga. Also in the plans.
This article concerns only trekking routes. Do not forget that in Nepal there are many more climbs of varying difficulty.
I hope these tips will help you decide on the best route. And if not, ask the managers, they will be happy to advise you..