Hiking in Nepal
Trip Overview
Overview
A hiking trip in Nepal promises an unforgettable adventure through some of the world's most spectacular landscapes. Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, this enchanting destination offers a rich blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and outdoor exploration. Here's a brief overview of what to expect on a hiking trip in Nepal. Nepal, renowned for its towering peaks, boasts a wide range of trekking routes suited for both novice and experienced hikers. The most famous trekking regions are the Annapurna and Everest regions. The Annapurna Circuit, for instance, takes you on a circuit around the Annapurna Massif, offering stunning views, lush forests, and encounters with diverse ethnic communities. The Everest Base Camp trek allows you to follow in the footsteps of legendary climbers while taking in breathtaking views of the world's tallest mountain. The diverse landscapes of Nepal include high mountains, deep valleys, serene lakes, and dense forests. Along the trails, you'll pass through charming villages, where you can immerse yourself in the rich local culture and sample traditional Nepalese cuisine. The warmth and hospitality of the Nepali people are sure to leave a lasting impression.Spiritual Exploration and Natural Wonders: Trekking in Nepal
Nepal is not just about hiking; it's also a spiritual journey. The country is home to numerous monasteries, temples, and stupas, including the famous Boudhanath Stupa and the ancient city of Kathmandu. These spiritual sites add a spiritual dimension to your trek, allowing for reflection and exploration of Nepal's deep-rooted spirituality. Nepal's biodiversity is another highlight. You may spot rare wildlife like snow leopards, red pandas, and various bird species in protected areas like Sagarmatha National Park and Annapurna Conservation Area. For nature enthusiasts, Nepal offers a unique opportunity to connect with the natural world. The hiking season in Nepal primarily falls during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is ideal for trekking. However, there are trekking options available year-round, including during the monsoon season, when the lush landscapes are at their most vibrant.Conclusion and Summary
In conclusion, a hiking trip in Nepal is a thrilling journey that combines natural beauty, cultural exploration, and spiritual experiences. Whether you're an adventure seeker, a nature lover, or someone in search of a transformative travel experience, Nepal's trails offer something for everyone. Trekking in Nepal is not just about reaching a destination; it's about embarking on a life-changing adventure in one of the most captivating places on Earth.Trip Highlight
- Pass by the yak pastures
- Natural hot springs at Tatopani where you can choose to take a dip
- Jomsom – the headquarter of Mustang
- A day at tourist hub Pokhara
- Spectacular views of Mt. Annapurna, Thorung Peak, Nilgiri, Chulu West, and Chulu East, Tukuche Peak, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV
- Visit the beautiful Manang district
- Magnificent lakes, glaciers, deep gorges, and stunning waterfalls
- Visit Muktinath (a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists) known for 108 stone faucets, and eternal flame
- Cross Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters
- Visit Barge Monastery, the largest monastery in the Manang district
- Poon Hill Viewpoint (3,210 m)
Itinerary
Our first day of the trek starts early in the morning. After breakfast, we take a bus from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule. The route takes us out of the Kathmandu valley along the picturesque Trishuli river to Besisahar, and finally to Bhulbhule. Bhulbhule lies by the side of Marsyangdi river. Throughout the ride, you will get to see the terraced farms, traditional villages, and Ganesh & Manaslu snow peaks. At Bhulbhule, we register our permits at the check post for trek entry.
After a nourishing breakfast, we will set foot on the trails this day. The route follows a pleasant path through the fertile jungle and terraced fields upriver, along the flowing Marsyangdi river. We take a leisurely lunch break and pass through several rural settlements and more farmlands to gradually reach the peaceful village of Jagat, a former trading post.
We begin our 3rd day of the trek following the Marsyangdi river, and after a steep climb, we enter the vicinity of the Manang region at Tal village. Here we can see several waterfalls forming a river by the sandy beaches. We will hike through the barley, rice, and potato fields and reach Kodo – one of the biggest villages in the Manang valley. Moving forward, we cross a suspension bridge, and after a short climb of the stone Kani, we reach Dharapani – the destination for this day.
We leave Dharapani and follow the trails through the forests with pine, fir, oak, and maple trees along the Marsyangdi river to reach Chame – the district headquarter of Manang district. You will find yourself surrounded by the green forests around and over you, and as you look up, you will see remarkable views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525m). We will also stop by a small hot spring for a short rest.
This day, after breakfast, we walk through a steep and narrow valley to have our first view of a massive rock wall – the Paungda Danda Rock, considered very sacred by the local people. The Paungda Danda Rock is a curved rock face rising 1500m from the Marshyandi river. From the trails, we also see clear views of Annapurna II in the south and Pisang Peak in the northeast. Then our path descends taking us to the Manang Valley floor into the Pisang village, where we will spend our night.
On our sixth day, we will be trekking on the upper trails through Upper Pisang via Geru, from where we can catch outstanding views of the north face of Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna, Tilicho, and Pisang Peak. As the path ascends, you will feel the air turn cold, dry, and harsher. This trail goes through the Tibetan settlements, and we get a chance to explore Buddhist culture. We will not miss visiting Barge Monastery, the largest monastery in Manang. You will find that the path is dotted with Buddhist shrines as we pass more monasteries and finally reach Manang bazaar- an area that caters to tourists.
We will be acclimatizing on this day. However, we will remain busy throughout the day exploring Manang village. In the morning, we will visit Gangapurna & Ice Lakes, and spend the rest of the day soaking in the magnificent views of Annapurna III, Tilicho, Pisang, and Chulu Peaks. In the afternoon, we may visit the Himalayan Rescue Association in Vraja village, where we will be briefed about acute mountain sickness, its symptoms, and prevention methods.
After a day in and around Manang, acclimatizing to the high elevation and allowing our bodies time to rest and get used to the environment, we move Yak Kharka. First, we cross a stream and climb to Tenki village, then head out of Marshyangdi valley northwest to Jar Sang Khola valley. The trail ascends slowly, as we head northwards.
We will be passing through several pastures and juniper forests. As our trek continues, we will pass through a small village called Gunsan that has houses made of flat mud roofs. You will also get to see yak and horse pastures. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, we make our way up the spectacular valley to an open, peaceful meadow known as Yak Kharka.
Today we head to the foot of Thorong La pass, Thorong Phedi. From Yak Kharka, we will climb up to a ridge, then head down and cross the Marsyangdi river on a wooden bridge. After climbing up the mountain, we follow a narrow trail across a slope and descend to Thorung Phedi. The uninhabited, rugged terrain is otherworldly and much different than the lush lowlands that we passed on the way up during the initial phase of the trek.
This day will be remarkable as we will trek from Thorong Phedi (4,525m/14,525ft) to Muktinath Temple (3,760m/12,623ft) via Thorung La high pass (5,416 m/17,756 ft). It is also one of the most challenging parts of the trek as Thorong La Pass is one of the highest passes in the world, and it is the highest point of the trek.
We start early in the morning and push ourselves through the icy air and high altitude, but the views from the pass are totally worth it. Northwards, towards Tibet, we will see a panorama of majestic Himalayan peaks, and if you look back, you will see the Annapurna range.
We then descend to Muktinath – a sacred place for Hindus and Buddhists. The Buddhists call Muktinath – Chumig Gyatsa, which in Tibetan means Hundred Waters. Muktinath Temple is known for 108 stone sprouts with water flowing from the Kaligandaki. You can also see the eternal flame that has been burning there for more than 2,000 years.
In the morning, we visit Muktinath Temple and then continue our journey on a local bus ride to Tatopani. It will be a rough drive as the road passes through some of the deepest gorges in the world. We will be moving from the arid highlands to lush green forests. Tatopani is famous for natural hot springs, and it is a place where we can immerse ourselves in the hot springs and relax. The waters of Tatopani are said to have curative properties against skin diseases.
Take a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara which takes around 30minutes. During the Flight, You can take a Panoramic Views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu Range.
Your Annapurna Circuit Package ends today. We wake up in Pokhara this day, and after breakfast, we drive back to Kathmandu on a tourist bus. It’s a 200 km route that initially follows the Marsyangdi River and Trishuli River later. You may also choose to return by a 25-minute flight (not included in the package) from Pokhara. Our trek package completes at Kathmandu.
Departures & Availability
The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.
Check Available Dates
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All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to change without notice and do not include airfare. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars.
Price include
- 11 nights accommodation in mountain teahouses
- 1 nights accommodation in Pokhara Kuti Resort or similar
- Guide for 12 days
- Annapurna conservation area permit
- Trekkers information management system card
- 12 x breakfast, 12 x lunch and 11 x dinner while on the trek
Price Excludes
- One Porter for 16 days USD 310
- Kathmandu Private Transport USD 180
- Pokhara Kathmandu Private Transport USD 120
Gears And Equipment
Head
- Sun hat or scarf
- Winter hat or insulating hat or a wide-brimmed hat
- Headlight with extra batteries
Face
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Face/body wipes
Hands
- Lightweight gloves
- Heavyweight winter gloves
Body
- Hiking shirts
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Hooded rain jacket
- Fleece jacket
- Lightweight cotton pants
- T-Shirt (bring lightweight wool)
- Polypropylene underwear
- Down jacket (available for rent in Kathmandu)
- Sweater
- Waterproof jacket and pants
Footwear
- Hiking boots
- Thick wool socks (Take an extra pair of thick light socks)
Essential gear
- Backpack or daypack (Size depends on whether you take porter or not)
- Thermal bottle
- Water purification tablets
- Trekking pole
- Sleeping bag (-15 degree bag is best in the high altitude trekking)
Toiletries
- Medium size drying towel
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant floss
- Biodegradable bar soap
- Nail clippers
- Small mirror
Personal accessories
- Money
- Watch
- Cell phone
- Camera
Extra items
- First aid kit
- Extra passport-size photos and photocopies of passport
- Notebook and pen
- Binoculars
Annapurna Circuit Elevation, Cost, Trip Grade & Best Time
Arrival (free airport pickup)
Friendship World Treks provides free airport arrival and departure transfer on any flight for guests who have booked the trek package. You will find our representative holding a pamphlet with your name and our company name at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. They will welcome you with a khaki or a marigold garland and then take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. We provide this service to all our clients so that they do not feel alone in a new country or face any navigational challenges.
Trek start
You will arrive one day earlier (before 3 pm) in Kathmandu for last-minute preparations. If, in case, you missed the online trip briefing, it will also provide us time to conduct an in-person briefing. On the second day, early in the morning, your guide will pick you up at your stay hotel in Kathmandu and take you to the bus station. Then, we will drive you to Bhulbhule via Besisahar. This package includes local transportation (Kathmandu – Besisahar – Bhulbhule, Jomsom -Tatopani). We can arrange a private Jeep for an extra cost.
Accommodation
Annapurna Circuit Package includes twelve-night lodge-to-lodge stays at trekking regions and one night in a Pokhara hotel. We will be staying for a total of 12 nights – 7 nights room with attached bathroom in Jagat, Dharapani, Chame, Pisang, Muktinath, Tatopani, and Ghorepani. 5 nights standard rooms – Bhulbhule, Manang (2 nights), Yak Kharka, Thorang Phedi (twin sharing room).
You will spend a one-night at a hotel in Pokhara with an attached bathroom, TV, 24-hour hot water, power, and laundry facility. Solo trekkers will have a single private room with an attached bathroom in the available lodges.
You will require two nights of hotel stays in Kathmandu one each before and after the trek, but it is not included in the package. Kathmandu has a wide range of hotels for all budgets and tastes.
Meals
Annapurna trek takes you to high elevations around the world’s highest peaks, which means your body needs enough carbohydrates, protein, and other nutrition. You will get nutritious food throughout the trek, but may not get all the options available in big cities.
This trek package includes 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, and 13 dinners in the trek regions. Here are some options. The menu consists of traditional local, Asian, and Western cuisine, but as you go up, the menu gets shorter.
We highly recommend liquids like green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, garlic soup(must), and fresh vegetables at high altitudes. Similarly, we encourage you to try dal (lentils), bhat (rice), tarkari (curry), momos (dumplings), and Chow Mein (noodles). Though plenty of non-veg items will be available in the trekking regions, we don’t recommend them because the meat in such places may not be hygienic and healthy. We highly encourage you to avoid dairy, alcoholic drinks, caffeinated items, and hot chocolates.
All personal bills (alcoholic, hot (tea, coffee), and cold drinks) in tea houses/lodges/cafes except standard meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner with seasonal fruits) are excluded from the package. This package does not cover lunch and dinner in Pokhara.
Luggage
Porters will be assigned to carry your luggage. One porter will serve two trekkers and the combined luggage weight should not exceed 18 kg. So the luggage weight limit is 9 kg per trekker. We never overload our porters. Moreover, we expect you to carry a small backpack for your valuables and important documents. Please carry only the essentials. You can leave any excess baggage at your hotel or the Friendship World Treks store for free.
Typical day
Every day on the trail brings you a unique trekking experience – climbing up and down the hills, enjoying the scenery, taking photos, and exploring local villages. Throughout your journey, our experienced and friendly Sherpa guide will share information and the history of the places you will be visiting. Our porters will carry your luggage. However, you might need to bring a small bag for your valuables and important documents.
The day starts with an early morning hot cup of tea/coffee. After breakfast, we will pack our bags and set off on the day’s walk around 7 to 8 AM, depending on the duration and nature of the day’s walk. After trekking for three to four hours, you will have lunch, rest for an hour, and continue the journey.
The afternoon walk is generally shorter – about two to three hours. Once we reach our overnight lodge/tea house/tent, you can snack on the extra dietary food and explore the nearby places before it gets dark.
You will have dinner from around 6 to 7 pm. After dinner and before going to bed, you can indulge in friendly conversations. The expedition leader/guide will brief you about the next day’s plan. After this briefing, you can enjoy onboard games like Monopoly, and cards, read books, or watch available mountaineering documentaries. Most of our guests also prefer to learn common Nepali words from our crew.
Electricity and water
Throughout the lodges at Annapurna Trek, electricity for the camera and mobile battery recharge is available at an extra cost. For water, you can buy packed mineral water from local lodges and en route shops or carry a water bottle and fill it with boiled water that you can buy from the lodges. Friendship World Treks provides purification pills to make water drinkable. We advise you not to drink water from the rivers, taps, or wells in the trekking regions as the water may not be drinkable.
Communication
During your trip, for a small service fee, you can use the internet service at the lodges you will be staying. You can contact your family and friends from these lodges. However, once we reach high altitudes, we will use phones for communication. Friendship World Treks Office remains in contact with all trekking groups via trek guide at least once a day. Moreover, depending on the kind of network you use, you might get network signals, but they may not be strong enough at high altitudes. However, you can get a local sim card in Kathmandu.
Tipping
Tipping is culturally accepted in Nepal and shows you are happy with the service provided. We expect you to tip based on the service quality, trek length, and trek cost. Further, it is best to tip at the end of the trek and as a group.
Trek End
On the fourteenth day, we will drive you back to Kathamndu from Pokhara on a tourist bus. The journey will take around seven hours. However, if you want, you can take a flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu for an added cost.
Feedback
After the completion of the trek, Friendship World Treks hosts a farewell dinner in Kathmandu. After dinner, you will receive a printed certificate mentioning your trek achievement. We also look forward to getting feedback on your trek experience.
Useful Info
Please note we might need to modify the itinerary due to events beyond our control, such as weather, landslides, or unavailability of lodging. In such cases, your team lead will decide based on the interest of all group members. We suggest you add two days extra for the trip as a cushion so that you will not miss your international flight back home in case of trek delays.
Trip extension
If you have extra days after completing the trek we can arrange Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tours or a trip to Nagarkot. Similarly, you can go to Chitwan Jungle Safari, paragliding, rafting, canyoning, and other treks.
Departure
On the day of your return to your country, we will pick you up from your hotel in a private vehicle and transfer you to the Tribhuvan International Airport. We hope you had a wonderful time in Nepal and will return for more adventures.
Trek season
The weather is the most important factor you need to consider for this trek. You will find trekkers in the Annapurna circuit throughout the year, but there are ups and downs as seasons change. For easier treks, spring and autumn are perfect seasons. The skies are clear from dawn to dusk, and there is no rain, allowing you to enjoy spectacular vistas. The winters are cold with snowfalls in the trekking regions, while the monsoon season brings in a lot of rain. So treks during these seasons are quite challenging but not impossible. In fact, some trekkers enjoy facing these challenges. Friendship World Treks organizes safe and secure Annapurna Circuit treks throughout the year. Here is a detailed summary of the trial conditions, mainly at high elevations, based on seasons.
March-May (Spring): In spring the weather is mild, the rainfall is low, and the trekking conditions are perfect. The average daily temperature at high elevations in this region is between 8 to 0 °C. Lower trek regions are warmer, which makes the hike quite comfortable. The trekking season begins after March. By April, at elevations over 3,000 meters, the trek routes are full of red, pink, and white rhododendron flowers. The temperature starts rising from mid-March up to mid-May. The weather is cool the skies are clear, and you can enjoy the clearest views of the mountains.
June to August (Summer): If you are coming to trek Annapurna Circuit between June to August, you are signing up for summer, when the temperatures are warm. But the monsoon that coincides with the summer means that you must be careful while you trek, as the trekking trails might be wet and slippery.
Monsoon generally begins around the end of June and continues through the second week of August. The temperature during the day ranges from 10 to 23°C and gets relatively colder at night (5°C to 10°C). Mornings are usually clear, with clouds building up during the afternoon and disappearing at night. Though the rain may cause some problems, various plants bloom during this season – the valleys look green and different from other seasons.
September to November (Autumn): Autumn (September, October, November), like spring, is a season that attracts travelers from around the world to trek in this region. Moderate temperatures, mild wind, and low precipitation make autumn a perfect time for trekking. During this season, the sun shines brightly, the day temperature is well-suited for trekking, the skies are clear, and you get a superb view of the mountains. Moreover, you can enjoy spectacular starry skies.
The monsoons will be over by early September, and the weather ranges from mild to warm days. Daytime temperatures can reach 20°C in high altitudes, and the nights are colder with temperatures that may go down to 5°C. The monsoon greens fade to golden/amber providing a spectacular contrast against the crystal blue skies, and you can see the grains ripening in the fields. The environment is clean, and the lowlands are lush. The two biggest festivals of Nepal – Dashain and Tihar – also fall during these seasons.
December to February (Winter): Winter treks in the Annapurna region are as popular as the spring or autumn treks. During winter some parts of the Annapurna region are cold, but it also excites many trekkers. The temperature of the Annapurna Circuit can be as low as -10 °C.
The coldest time in the Annapurna region starts in December and lasts through early February. After late February, the climate gradually gets warmer. Daytime is relatively warmer with sunshine. Despite being cold, the skies are usually very clear, and snow-capped mountains look incredible. It is the season when the trails are least crowded. This season may not suit very well for trek-beginners, but experienced trekkers will find no problems.
The weather in the Himalayas (at high altitudes) is unpredictable, and the temperature changes quickly.
Trek difficulty
The 14 days Annapurna Circuit Trek is a challenging trek in the Annapurna region. The hiking takes place in lower land for five days (below 3500m) from Bhulbhule (845m) to Manang (3540m) and consists of walking for five to six hours per day. For two days, you will be hiking for 3 to 4 hrs above 3,500m – from Manang (3,540m) to Thorong Phedi (4,525m) – taking regular breaks because high altitude trek is physically more demanding than lower altitude treks.
However, the most challenging part of your trip takes you from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath Temple (3,760m), and we will be crossing Thorong La Pass (5,416m) – the highest elevation for this trip. This is a remote mountain journey, and the routes involve long climbs, steep descents, and straightforward roads.
Past hiking experience would be an added advantage, but no technical experience and skills are necessary. Trekkers who can hike at a reasonable pace for 5 to 6 hours a day can complete this trip. Exercising regularly for a couple of weeks before the trip increases your stamina and allows you to enjoy the trek to its fullest. Having a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination certainly helps.
Trekkers with pre-existing medical conditions (such as heart, lung, and blood diseases) must disclose their health condition before booking the trip.
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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
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