Nepal is the world’s premier destination for trekking and is the country where commercial trekking was pioneered back in the early 1960s. Two of the most popular trekking regions are Everest and Annapurna, where many different trails can be followed. Other popular treks are in the Langtang and Kanchenjunga regions. The most challenging trek is the Great Himalayan Trails, an extensive trail system that covers Nepal from Humla and Darchula in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east. The diversity of trekking trails in Nepal cannot be found in any other part of the world. In fact, the lowest point in Nepal is 59 meters above sea level in the Tarai region, while the highest point is Everest, 8,848 meters above sea level. The two points are only 200 kilometers apart as the crow flies. A majority of visitors to Nepal come via Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. It is in Kathmandu that trekkers need to acquire their permits and other documentation, either from a trekking agent or from the appropriate offices. These documents will be checked along the trekking route. For those with little time on their hands, there are half-day hikes from Kathmandu to witness breathtaking Himalayan views.

Trekking in Nepal today is completely different from that of the 1960s. In all the main trekking areas, the National Parks and Conservation Areas lodges have been established where trekkers can find accommodation, food, and meet other trekkers and locals along the way. A majority of the trails are well-maintained and, in many cases, are signposted.

The lodges are well-appointed and have facilities for charging batteries, and the larger villages often have email facilities. The length, difficulty, and timing of the treks vary greatly. Outside of the main trekking areas, transport becomes more problematic and often involves at least two journeys on domestic scheduled flights. Many treks in Nepal begin with a domestic flight to the starting point, and many are in remote areas with no road access. Several days of trekking are required to reach the higher mountain areas from the local centers of population and administration.

Nepal has six distinct and diverse vegetation zones, ranging from Tropical below 1,000 meters through Sub-tropical 1,000m – 2,000m, Lower Temperate 1,700m – 2,700m, Upper Temperate 2,400m – 3,000m, Sub-alpine 3,000m – 4,000m, and Alpine 4,000m to the snowline. Above the snowline, it is a Himalaya tundra-like wilderness. The higher altitudes are home to the elusive Snow leopard, Himalayan Thar, Musk deer, and other rare species.

Although the popular treks in Kanchenjunga, Everest, Manaslu, and Annapurna provide lodge accommodation, the less frequented treks in those areas and others west of Annapurna generally require camping-style trek support.

It is important for tourists to know that the main income-generating activity of the people from the hill regions is tourism. They typically earn wages working as trekking porters or guides. Hiring a porter does not mean that you are weak; it means you value the Nepali culture. You are providing an extended Nepali family with an income and, at the same time, making a friend and trekking with a local person who is well-versed in the local cultures, festivals, and all the other issues that can turn a good trek into an outstanding experience of a lifetime.

It is possible to trek alone or without a Nepali guide, but would you know what to do in a major storm, with zero visibility and plunging temperatures at possibly 5,000 meters? Make sure you have all the permits required and are environmentally and culturally aware. Trekkers can find a trail any time of year. The southern areas of Nepal receive higher levels of precipitation. However, some routes along the Great Himalaya Trails lie in the rain shadow, a dry area on the leeward side of a mountain, namely Mustang to the north of Annapurna and Manaslu, Dolpo to the north of Dhaulagiri, and the far west of Nepal to the north of Saipal Himal. Post-monsoon, the weather tends to be clearer. Winter is good but colder with shorter days, and spring can be affected by seasonal rain and snow storms. Summer is short and is quickly followed by the monsoons. Monsoon treks are usually in the dry Manang and Mustang areas.

However, the rains don’t pour 24 hours a day, and they bring spectacular flowers to life. It is also the perfect time to consider one of the regions in the rain shadow, which typically feature more barren Tibetan-type scenery as opposed to the greenness on the other side.