Trekking in the country of Himalayas is paradise to every trekker. Alongside, trekking in Nepal can be considered one of the toughest journeys around the world.
However, it cannot be always tough when you have the best plan, itinerary, right guide, and one of the best companies to host your trip. But not all the time you will be lucky to be considered one hundred percent safe when there are some unexpected natural calamities.
Hiking in Nepal requires knowledge, research, and precaution about the landscapes, altitudes, and terrains of the Himalayas. Hikers should choose the right trek and plan their itinerary which is best for their current situations.
You can prepare for your trip by training on your physical strength, stamina, and tolerance level and prepare mentally.
This blog will cover the 17 different things that you need to consider before trekking in Nepal.
Table of Contents
Is it safe to trek in Nepal?
Photo By: Marina Zvada
Some might feel excited whereas some might be fearful when the topic is about hiking. The same case is with Nepal’s hiking trails. In addition to that, Nepal has trails that reach an altitude of more than 5,300 meters or 17,000 feet. Thus, there are many things to consider before trekking in Nepal.
Trekking requires knowledge, research, and precaution. Hikers should choose the right trek and plan their itinerary which is best for their current situations. Trekking in the country of Himalayas is paradise to every trekker. You can prepare for your trip by training on your physical strength, stamina, and tolerance level.
Through this blog, You can get an idea of things to consider before trekking in Nepal.
Things to Consider Before Trekking in Nepal
For a traveler, being safe throughout the trek is inevitable. So, many things should be considered before trekking in Nepal, some of the considerations are given:
Photo By: Sudip Shrestha
Choosing the best trails according to your health.
In Nepal, there are so many routes that you can choose from. However, we suggest you to choose it according to your fitness level.
For example; if you are strongly fit for an altitude of more than 4500 meters or 14763.78 feet then one can choose technically challenging hikes in the Everest Region.
Annapurna Circuit or Manaslu can be done. Similarly, if your health strength does not allow you to go above 4500 meters then the ultimate you can choose is the Annapurna Sanctuary which takes you to the Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 meters).
There are many routes to trek in the Himalayas but you should always prioritise your health before any trek. You can carry some emergency medicine as a precaution.
Choosing the best trails according to your choice
Nepal has tonnes of amazing hikes but with so many choices. It can be tricky to pick the best one for you. One should always choose the trip that has been on their bucket list for a long time to avoid regret later on.
Along those trails, the Himalayas offer stunning scenery, majestic mountains, and experiences. One of the best choices for hikers can be:
Nepal offers a treasure trove of breathtaking treks for every budget. If you have enough budget for any trek then, we suggest Everest Base Camp-15 days trek. And if you have a low budget then, we recommend you Short Everest View Trek.
The Himalayas offer every kind of budget to every traveler. We recommend you not worry about budget because you can always see the magic of the Himalayan.
Buying the right travel insurance
You need travel insurance in Nepal to prevent any risk economically. We recommend you buy travel insurance in your place because here in Nepal, you cannot buy any travel insurance here.
Packing the gears and other stuff
Before trekking in the Himalayas, you need to pack the best gear for a great trip. This can be considered either the weight limit of Lukla flights to what you need for the trek.
Let’s assume you are going to the Khumbu for your hiking. In that case, you should always consider the Lukla Flight Weight Limit. Similarly, if you are going for Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you might not care about the weight limit.
In addition to that, there should be your consideration regarding what you need for gear. Those gears include:
Clothing
Base Clothing: quick-drying thermals or Long underwear,
Mid-layer Clothing: Trekking trousers or shorts, Trekking shirts,
Outer-layer Clothing: puffer and waterproof jacket, trekking pants, Hiking socks, Hat, Sunglasses, Sunscreen, gloves, neck gaiter, beanie.
Footwears
Bags and Backpacks
Sleeping gears
Poles and Headgears
Miscellaneous Accessories
Technology and entertainment
Note: Be careful what you are packing and be considerable
Photo By: Aui Vimuktanon
Get to know about the difficulties of the trek
You should always check the difficulties of the trek before planning any itinerary or plans for the trip. Whenever you are trekking, you should never miss any precautions and symbols presented on trails.
If you are looking for a very difficult and adventurous trip, we would recommend you Everest Base Camp trek, and the Annapurna Base Camp trek. If you want a moderate type of difficulty and adventure too then, we suggest Langtang Valley Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek, and Makalu Base Camp.
Permits should be required for restricted areas
For the restricted areas like; Manaslu Region, Mustang Region, and Annapurna Region, one needs special permits. However, travelers need to pay some amount for the permit.
But worry not, all the permits are managed by the agency for travelers.
Pack up first aid and medicines for common diseases
You should always be ready for any type of calamities in the Himalayas. So, to prevent calamities you should pack your first aid and medicines for at least common diseases.
Moreover, many trekkers also start using Diamox as a quick acclimatization medicine so that they can get their bodies well adapted to the high altitude.
Train your body well
To prevent leg pain, backbone hurting, or any physical injuries, you should train your body. You can start doing some physical trekking before embarking on your journey.
Proper preparation for the trek
For a successful trek, you should never hesitate to prepare for your trip. You need the best guides, porters, trails, and the best agency to support you for the trip.
Avoid hiking alone at higher altitudes
This is the most important step for a lone traveler. You should always avoid hiking at higher altitudes if you are going alone because we cannot expect weather or any calamities that may arrive in the Himalayas.
Increase the oxygen level of your body
Staying hydrated and maintaining oxygen levels in our body are the crucial steps to be followed in the Himalayas. You should make your body active throughout the trek.
Acclimatization
Whenever you are ascending to a higher altitude, you need to adapt to the weather. It is a very important step for the human body. Without acclimatization, trekkers can get serious in higher altitudes, so travelers need to make it habitual.
Know and share about your food allergies
If you have any kind of phobia or any type of allergies, you should consult with an agency before trekking. You should always avoid meat on trips because at higher altitudes the meat is not fresh which can cause food poisoning or any kind of disease.
Carrying cash, avoid card payment for quicker services
In many higher altitudes of Nepal, the card system is still developing, so we suggest you carry cash rather than cards. You will be able to get any items a little cheap from cash. You can get rid of unnecessary card fees.
Is it safe to trek in Nepal?
It is safe to trek in Nepal until you have a proper guide, itinerary, and many other trekking tools. We recommend travelers have a Nepal government-registered guide who knows the place in detail to prevent any kind of accident.
Both experienced and inexperienced hikers are recommended to research and have knowledge of the place you are going for the trek.
These are the months that you should not miss to hike
Choosing the best season is one of the major things to consider before trekking in Nepal. The famous seasons/months to hike are Autumn(September-November) and Spring(March-May). Trekking in any season is a hiker's desire and serving them is our only objective.
In the autumn, the temperature decreases slowly and the tree's greenery will also end temporarily. But, for spring it is the exact opposite, temperature will increase and new plants will born.
We suggest you trek in Ghorepani-Poon Trek, which is best from May to mid-September. Travelers can observe many ongoing activities like rice planting, Janai Purnima, Wedding rites, Teej, and Animal sacrifices throughout the trek.
Major Attractions that will leave you in awe
Nepal is one of the major attractions in the world due to its majestic mountains, stepped landscape, rare species of flora, and fauna like Himalayan tahr, Snow leopard, Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, and Golden pheasant.
Some major attractions that will leave you in awe are;
Everest Base Camp Trek
You will be starting the Everest Base Camp Trek trek from Lukla Airport (Tenzing Hillary Airport) which is one of the most dangerous airports in the world.
The weight limit of the Lukla flight is only 15 kilos. This trek can lead you up to 5,545m. (18,192 feet) in Kala Patthar. The altitude of the Everest base Camp is 5,364m. (17,598ft.).
One can observe majestic mountains including Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and 8000ers.
So from this trek, you can learn about the daily activities of Sherpas and get to see the culture and ethics of the Eastern Himalayas.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
You can ascend to altitudes up to 4130 meters or 13549 feet. If you are looking for the popular classic trek, then the Annapurna Circuit Trek is the best choice you will ever get.
There are two major routes to reach Annapurna Base Camp i.e. from Poonhill and Jhinu Danda.
Though this trip is a difficult one, it is worth going. One needs permits to explore the Annapurna region, hence travel companies like Himalayan Scenery Treks and Expedition will provide you with all the essentials required for the trek.
Trekkers can observe the diverse landscapes, dense alpine, and bamboo forests with blooming rhododendrons, and exotic villages rich with ancient culture, tradition, and unique hospitality.
Langtang Valley Trek
This Himalayan trek is short but very effective. This trip offers you a diverse cultural flavor with various rituals and traditions. Through this trek, trekkers can go up to 4350 Meters | 14,271 ft.
This trek will start as well as end from Syabrubesi. Due to the earthquake of 2015, the roads and infrastructure are still messy. This trekking trail was devastated by the same earthquake. However, the locals of the villages have been able to recover the place almost back to its original face.
You can also see Buddhist prayer flags, Mani walls, and Kyanjing Gompa throughout the Langtang Valley Trek.
Manaslu Circuit trek
This trek lets you go up to 5,106 meters (16,765 feet) at Larke La Pass. To get to this trail you need a special restricted area permit to trek. But worry not we all provide you with all permits and entrance licenses.
You can start this trip from Soti Khola. One can observe the stunning scenery of Manaslu and other 8000ner mountains, and also be able to learn the culture and ethnicities of locals.
Choosing the Right Trek
Choosing the right trek is one of the important things to consider before trekking in Nepal because it is a country that has many trails for travelers. Choosing any trek depends on different factors like fitness and physical condition, altitude, and difficulty level.
There are many trials to trek but here are some famous ones:
Everest Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Upper Mustang Trek
Ghorepani-Poon Trek
Hiking in Nepal for beginner
Starting your first hike is like seeing a cool new playground! You're excited to explore, but maybe a little unsure of what are the crucial steps. Through hiking, travelers can spend their valuable time with the beauty of nature and learn many things.
If you are going on a trek for the first time, you will eventually need a guide or experienced hike partner. We recommend skipping the solo adventure for your first Nepal trek.
You can always come back and do solo adventures, we gladly welcome you for that too. Looking for an exciting trek for the first time? Here are some beginner's treks in Nepal; Poonhill trek, Langtang trek, and Phoksundo trek.
You can always rely on Himalayan Scenery Treks and Expedition. If you are hitting trial in Nepal for the first time then, there are some things to consider before trekking in Nepal.
Secret Tips while You Trek in the Himalayas
Nepal's majestic Himalayas are a trekker's paradise. However, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, preparation is key. Here are some insider tips to enhance your Himalayan trek:
1: Go over quality rather than quantity for gear, and clothes needed while trekking.
2: Choose the best expertise that can provide you best service and the best guide
3: Give one or two more days for trekking because the weather in the Himalayas is unexpected.
4: Avoid eating meat on the journey to avoid food poisoning.
5: Know all about weight limits and trails before starting the journey. (The weight limit of Lukla airport is only 15 kg)
Pre-trekking checklist
1: Trekking bag
Your bag should be 40-70 liters in space. It should be water resistant, durable, ventilated, rain cover, hydration sleeves, and many others.
2: Trekking poles
Trekking poles should be of aluminium which is a lightweight material. The length of the poles should be versatile. It should have features like; shock absorption, grip material, basket size, and many others.
3: Hiking boots
Hiking boots should consist of ankle support, water resistance, traction, durability, and many other features.
4: First aid and oximeter
Any casualties may arrive in the Himalayas so, emergency medicine, oximeter, and bandages are some of the necessary items.
Conclusion
Trekking in Nepal offers life-changing and great experiences. Choosing the best trek considering your health would be a crucial step for good trekking. You should never forget to acclimatize whenever you ascend to a higher altitude.
Carrying the best gear, and wearing quality clothes are the major things that you should never forget. Always choose the licensed and experienced guide and porter for the trek.
If you follow things to consider before trekking in Nepal, we are sure that you will be getting one of the best treks in your lifetime.
