A total of 101,320 trekkers visited Nepal in 2007. Out of total 60,237 (59.4%) visited Annapurna area while those visiting the Everest and Langtang regions accounted for 26,511 (26.5%) and 8,165 (8.1%) respectively.
"Tea-House Trekking" is the most easy way to trek as it doesn't require support. Tea Houses have now developed into full-scale tourist lodges with hot showers, pizza, pasta and beer. The day's hikes are between lodge-filled settlements or villages: there's no need for tents, food, water, or beer-- all those things, plus luxuries such as apple-pie, can be purchased along the way. Physical requirements go from very soft to strenuous.
Facilities available in remote areas are less extensive than in the more popular areas. It may be advisable to visit such regions with organised groups, including guide, porters and full support. Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Dolpo, Mustang and Humla are in remote areas. Many of them require also special permits.
"Tea-House Trekking" is the most easy way to trek as it doesn't require support. Tea Houses have now developed into full-scale tourist lodges with hot showers, pizza, pasta and beer. The day's hikes are between lodge-filled settlements or villages: there's no need for tents, food, water, or beer-- all those things, plus luxuries such as apple-pie, can be purchased along the way. Physical requirements go from very soft to strenuous.Facilities available in remote areas are less extensive than in the more popular areas. It may be advisable to visit such regions with organised groups, including guide, porters and full support. Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Dolpo, Mustang and Humla are in remote areas. Many of them require also special permits.
Annapurna Region Treks
Annapurna - North of Pokhara, from lush middle hills into high mountains.
* Annapurna Circuit: A 3-4 week trek around the Annapurna mountains, leads up the Maryangdi river to Manang, over Thorung La (5400m) to the Hindu temples at Muktinath. Down the Kali Gandaki on the Jomsom trail- The last week of the Annapurna Circuit, done in the opposite direction. Known as the "Apple-Pie Trek" partly for crossing the apple growing region of Nepal, and partly for being one of the easier treks, enjoying Gurung and Thakali hospitality. Up through spring rhododendron blooms to Poon Hill for a dawn Himalayan vista.
* Annapurna Sanctuary: A trek up into the very heart of the range an awesome 360' high mountain skyline.
Annapurna - North of Pokhara, from lush middle hills into high mountains.
* Annapurna Circuit: A 3-4 week trek around the Annapurna mountains, leads up the Maryangdi river to Manang, over Thorung La (5400m) to the Hindu temples at Muktinath. Down the Kali Gandaki on the Jomsom trail- The last week of the Annapurna Circuit, done in the opposite direction. Known as the "Apple-Pie Trek" partly for crossing the apple growing region of Nepal, and partly for being one of the easier treks, enjoying Gurung and Thakali hospitality. Up through spring rhododendron blooms to Poon Hill for a dawn Himalayan vista.
* Annapurna Sanctuary: A trek up into the very heart of the range an awesome 360' high mountain skyline.
Everest Region TreksEverest lies in the region known as Khumbu - To get here, take a bus to Jiri or fly to Lukla then hike up to Namche Bazzar, capital of the Sherpa lands at the foot of Everest. Main "teahouse trek" regions, in each of these areas there are a number of trail options, there is plenty of scope for short treks of less than a week to much longer if you have time and wanderlust.
* Everest Base Camp Trek: Lukla to EBC, Stunning scenery, Wonderful Sherpa people. The most popular trek is up to Everest Base Camp and an ascent of Kalar Patar. Visit the Buddhist Tengboche monastery for the Mani Rimdu festival in November.
* The 'Classic Everest Base Camp Trek': Jiri to EBC
* Gokyo: Lukla to the sacred lakes of Gokyo. Explore the Gokyo valley with its sacred lakes and stupendous views of four 8000m peaks. Or a circuit of the region crossing the high passes or Cho La and Renjo La.
* Numbur Cheese Circuit Trek through the largest cheese producing area, via the sacred lakes of Jata Pokhari and Panch Pokhari to Numburchuili base camp.
* Island Peak Trek in the Everest region takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in the Himalayas. See 'Regions' - Khumbu
* Pikey Cultural Trail
* Dudh Kunda Cultural Trail
Trekking Peaks
Trekking Peaks require a qualified "climbing guide", permits and deposits to cover camp waste disposal
* Island Peak Trek - The Island Peak trek in the Khumbu region takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in the Himalayas.
* Mera Peak Climbing - Enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Everest (8,848 m; 29,030 ft), Cho-Oyu (8,201 m; 26,910 ft), Lhotse (8,516 m; 27,940 ft), Makalu (8463 m; 27,770 ft), Kangchenjunga (8,586 m; 28,170 ft), Nuptse (7,855 m; 25,770 ft), and Chamlang (7,319 m; 24,010 ft).
Trekking Peaks require a qualified "climbing guide", permits and deposits to cover camp waste disposal
* Island Peak Trek - The Island Peak trek in the Khumbu region takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in the Himalayas.
* Mera Peak Climbing - Enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Everest (8,848 m; 29,030 ft), Cho-Oyu (8,201 m; 26,910 ft), Lhotse (8,516 m; 27,940 ft), Makalu (8463 m; 27,770 ft), Kangchenjunga (8,586 m; 28,170 ft), Nuptse (7,855 m; 25,770 ft), and Chamlang (7,319 m; 24,010 ft).
Langtang Region Treks* Helambu Langtang Trek: a short taxi ride from Thamel to the roadhead at Shivapuri leads to a trail through the middle-hills countryside of Helambu, either circuit around and return to Kathmandu or cross the pass to the sacred lake at Gosainkhund, descend and then hike up the Langtang valley beneath mountains that form the border with Tibet. Descend back to catch a bus on a rough road through Trisuli to Kathmandu.
* Tamang Heritage Trail
Pro-Poor Rural Treks
Tourism is a dynamic sector of economy and accepting it as a vehicle of poverty reduction is a relatively new concept in Nepal. Nepal is a predominantly rural society, with 85% of the population living in the countryside. Naturally, Nepal’s rich culture and ethnic diversity are best experienced in its village Community’s. You can engage in local activities, learn how to cook local cuisine or take part in agricultural activities like kitchen gardening, etc.
According to the NTB rural tourism in Nepal focuses on "Village Trek" visits to indigenous people that “… will make tourists, experience rural life and Nepalese hospitality off the beaten path with all the beautiful scenery and cultural diversity of Nepal.”
In the rural Nepal context, pro-poor tourism means expanding employment and small enterprise opportunities especially pro-Indigenous Peoples, youth and pro-women. Recent pro-poor initiatives in Nepal include the UNDP-TRPAP [12] and ILO-EMPLED [13] projects.
* Tamang Heritage Trail
* Chepang Heritage Trail
* Pathibhara Trail
* Limbu Cultural Trail
* Dudhkunda Cultural Trail
* Pikey Cultural Trail
* Numbur Cheese Circuit
* Indigenous Peoples Trail
Trekking on the Indigenous Peoples Trail and the Numbur Cheese Circuit is a means for Nepali as well as foreign visitors to experience the rural and traditional Nepali way of life, and for the local Community to participate in and benefit directly from tourism. You'll feel better knowing that your visit is genuinely helping your hosts. And if you want to simply lie on a beach.... well, The 'Majhi Fishing Experience' on the Sun Kosi in Ramechhap features one of the best beaches in Nepal!
Tourism is a dynamic sector of economy and accepting it as a vehicle of poverty reduction is a relatively new concept in Nepal. Nepal is a predominantly rural society, with 85% of the population living in the countryside. Naturally, Nepal’s rich culture and ethnic diversity are best experienced in its village Community’s. You can engage in local activities, learn how to cook local cuisine or take part in agricultural activities like kitchen gardening, etc.
According to the NTB rural tourism in Nepal focuses on "Village Trek" visits to indigenous people that “… will make tourists, experience rural life and Nepalese hospitality off the beaten path with all the beautiful scenery and cultural diversity of Nepal.”
In the rural Nepal context, pro-poor tourism means expanding employment and small enterprise opportunities especially pro-Indigenous Peoples, youth and pro-women. Recent pro-poor initiatives in Nepal include the UNDP-TRPAP [12] and ILO-EMPLED [13] projects.
* Tamang Heritage Trail
* Chepang Heritage Trail
* Pathibhara Trail
* Limbu Cultural Trail
* Dudhkunda Cultural Trail
* Pikey Cultural Trail
* Numbur Cheese Circuit
* Indigenous Peoples Trail
Trekking on the Indigenous Peoples Trail and the Numbur Cheese Circuit is a means for Nepali as well as foreign visitors to experience the rural and traditional Nepali way of life, and for the local Community to participate in and benefit directly from tourism. You'll feel better knowing that your visit is genuinely helping your hosts. And if you want to simply lie on a beach.... well, The 'Majhi Fishing Experience' on the Sun Kosi in Ramechhap features one of the best beaches in Nepal!
'Ethno-Tourism' or Cultural TreksEthno-tourism is increasingly popular in Nepal and is designed to maximize social and economic benefits to the local communities and minimize negative impacts to cultural heritage and the environment. Ethno-tourism is a specialized type of cultural tourism and can be defined as any excursion which focuses on the works of humans rather than nature, and attempts to give the tourist an understanding of the lifestyles of local people.
* Numbur Cheese Circuit in the Everest Region
* Indigenous Peoples Trail in Ramechhap
* Majhi Fishing Experience on the Sun Koshi
* Helambu Trek in Langtang
* Tamang Heritage Trail in Langtang
* Chepang Heritage Trail in Chitwan
Remote Treks
Other more remote regions will require a bit more planning and probably local assistance, not least as the required permits are only issued via Nepali guides/agents. Camping is required on one or more nights.
* Kanchenjunga - far eastern Nepal, accessible via Taplejung (from Kathmandu 40min by plane, 40hrs by bus), a strenuous trek through sparsely populated country to the third highest mountain.
* Dolpa - Upper Dolpa is the remote Land of the Bon, almost as Tibetan as Nepali. Lower Dolpa is more accessible and can me reached by plane
* Manaslu - Unspoiled trails through remote villages and over a wild pass to circuit an 8000m mountain
Other more remote regions will require a bit more planning and probably local assistance, not least as the required permits are only issued via Nepali guides/agents. Camping is required on one or more nights.
* Kanchenjunga - far eastern Nepal, accessible via Taplejung (from Kathmandu 40min by plane, 40hrs by bus), a strenuous trek through sparsely populated country to the third highest mountain.
* Dolpa - Upper Dolpa is the remote Land of the Bon, almost as Tibetan as Nepali. Lower Dolpa is more accessible and can me reached by plane
* Manaslu - Unspoiled trails through remote villages and over a wild pass to circuit an 8000m mountain
Social Responsibility and Responsible Travel
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and hiring a local company will benefit the local economy, however the involvement of travel agents in Kathmandu must be approached with caution. The numbers of travel, trekking and Rafting agencies registered in 2007 were 1,078, 872 and 94 respectively. The rapid growth in tourism in Nepal coupled with the absence of a self-regulating code of conduct has helped to grow unhealthy competition among travel agents with regular undercutting in tariffs. Such undesirable actions take away benefits not only from trekking guides and porters but also from others engaged in supplying goods and providing services to the tourists. By paying lower tariffs tourists may save money but directly at the expense of local Communities. Try to use 'socially responsible' tour operators that promote proper porter treatment and cultural and environmental sensitivity among their clients in line with the UN-WTO Sustainable Tourism Criteria [14]
* Organised Group Trekking or Independent Trekking?
There is considerable debate over the advantages and disadvantages of independent trekkers and group trekking. Many groups do not contribute to the local economy, as they bring their food supplies and guides and porters as a result a major portion of tourism benefit remains in Katmandu. In comparison, independent trekkers do not pre-purchase necessities from Katmandu but utilize locally available products and services. Independent trekkers contribute to the local rural economy because they stay and eat in locally run lodges.
* Tourism Concern and ACTSA are two UK-based organizations dedicated to encouraging community-based and fair-trade tourism in Nepal. Tourism Concern UK [15] publishes a list of those operators who are working with Tourism Concern's porters campaign, using or developing guidelines on porters' working conditions. Conversely there is also a list of UK tour operators who do not have, or have not demonstrated to Tourism Concern proof of policies on porters' rights and working conditions.
* Keep working conditions and wages in mind when selecting a trekking company. For visitors from the west, hiring guides and porters is affordable and an extra few dollars can make a big impact in the life of a guide or porter. In order to feed themselves and their families, porters take on the job of carrying heavy loads to high elevations. Some of the problems porters face are underpayment by companies, not receiving the full amount of tip intended for them, inadequate clothing and gear, being forced to carry excess weight, insufficient food provision and poor sleeping facilities. Sometimes these issues leave porters open to illness and neglect on the mountain. As porters have no job security, they have little room for complaint.
* There are a number of websites that facilitate direct contact with recommended trekking guides and porters. The standard wage for a porter is 300 NRs per day and you pay for food and accommodation (approx 200 NRs) or 500 NRs per day without food - Most porters prefer this arrangement as they may save a few rupees by staying with relatives along the trail!
* The International Porter Protect Group’s (IPPG) [16] was set up in response to these issues, to improve health and safety for the trekking porter at work in the mountains and reduce the incidence of avoidable illness, injury and death. This is achieved by raising awareness of the issues among the trekking community and travel companies, leaders and sirdars. IPPG recommends the following guidelines that:
* Adequate clothing is made available for protection in bad weather and at altitude. This should include adequate footwear, hat, gloves, windproof jacket and trousers, sunglasses, and access to a blanket and pad above the snowline.
* Leaders and trekkers provide the same standard of medical care for porters they would expect themselves.
* Porters must not be paid off because of illness without the leader or trekkers being informed.
* Sick porters are never sent down alone, but rather with someone who speaks their language.
* Sufficient funds are provided to sick porters to cover the cost of their land rescue and treatment. Also, we select strong and experienced porters!
* All trekking porters should have provision for security, personal protective equipment including shoes and clothes, depending on the weather.
Other Trekking Companies and Information: NOTE: The Companies & individuals below are listed by individual editors for personal & business purpose, and do not represent government or Wikitravel recommendation.
* Api Saipal : The Best Nepal Tours, Travels, Treks & Expedition Packages.[17]
- Api Saipal Treks & Expeditions Center provides the best Nepal holiday packages including Nepal Tours, Trekking in Nepal, Jungle Safari, Rafting, City sightseeing and many more... - Listed: Nepal Holiday Packages
* Mountain Sherpa Trekking & Expedition (PVT.LTD) is one of the reputable Local own Sherpa Trekking Company operating all Nepal trekking & tours as well as Tibet & Bhutan tours since 1980. This company provides best travel packages & quality Service Among many local & international Company. This Company donates 20% of total profit for different orphanage, School & social organization Every Year.Mr. PASANG SHERPA Director of this Company provides you right information within 24 hrs. Are you planning to visit Nepal? If so you could contact Mr. Pasang Sherpa direct by e-mail at: sales@guidenepal.com. For More information about this Company visit at: http://www.guidenepal.com
* A Local Village organization [18], Empowering Women, Children, provides Education, Health, Teaching, Local Development, Environment awareness, Volunteer Placement. Groups of Local People, We have charity trip and providing to you some charity trip to make village sustainable.
* Nepal Tibet Bhutan India Travel Informatin [19] - We are wholesal tour operator to Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India.
* ExoticBuddha.com [20]- an online social travel community for Nepal.
* Austravel & Tours Nepal P. Ltd. www.trekandtournepal.com is socially responsible Tour & Trekking holiday operator in Nepal. Team of young and dynamic people headed by Mr. Rammani Khatiwada has vast experience in the service he offers. Contact to: info@trekandtournepal.comfor a reliable local agency on affordable price as well as a tribute to eco-tourism.
* Nepal Travel Information [21] - Nepal travel and trekking information. Includes, tour, adventure, hiking, expedition, peak climbing, holidays, hotels, rafting, biking, jungle safari and sightseeing adventure trips. (Best Recommended Reading in Nepal)
* Friendship Nepal Tours [22] is a premier Tour Operator located Kathmandu, Nepal with highly trained team of individuals with over two decades of experience in the travel industry offers Tours and trekking in Nepal and inbound and outbound tour to Tibet, Sikkim, India and Bhutan.
* One reliable and highly recommended trekking company is run by the very experienced Ngawang Sherpa: yontensherpa@yahoo.com
* Ker & Downey Nepal [23] The most popular Lodge to Lodge Trekking service provider in Annapurna Region. We have deluxe types Trekking Lodges in Birethanti, Ghandrug, Dhampus and Majgaun in Lumle. Trekking and Rooms are available on advance booking. info@kerdowneynepal.com
* Adarsha Nepal Adventure Tours and Travels [24] is a reliable adventure tour operator with expertise in Nepal and Tibet Travel.
* Firante Treks & Expeditions Pvt Ltd [25] fully licensed Nepalese Adventure Company run by team of experts.
* Ngawang Yonten Sherpa. An experienced guide and native of Solu Khumbu - many years of leading groups and organizing treks in the Everest Region: yontensherpa@yahoo.com
* Trekking With Shiva [26] offers adventure, nature and culture treks for groups and individuals to every region of Nepal. Phone: +977-9846040820,+977-61-462693
You may hear often late because he will leads treks for several days in mountains.
* There is one trade union of Trekking guides and porters called UNITRAV ( Union of trekking travels rafting workers Nepal). They are only authorized trade union in this field. For more information please visit their site www.unitrav.org
For your Full travel activites remember Unique EuroLines Travels and TOurs, Thamel KTM ,Phone-+977-1-4265358/4251957 Email:unique_eurolines@yahoo.com or contact MR. Surya Prakash Tiwari. 9841446491
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and hiring a local company will benefit the local economy, however the involvement of travel agents in Kathmandu must be approached with caution. The numbers of travel, trekking and Rafting agencies registered in 2007 were 1,078, 872 and 94 respectively. The rapid growth in tourism in Nepal coupled with the absence of a self-regulating code of conduct has helped to grow unhealthy competition among travel agents with regular undercutting in tariffs. Such undesirable actions take away benefits not only from trekking guides and porters but also from others engaged in supplying goods and providing services to the tourists. By paying lower tariffs tourists may save money but directly at the expense of local Communities. Try to use 'socially responsible' tour operators that promote proper porter treatment and cultural and environmental sensitivity among their clients in line with the UN-WTO Sustainable Tourism Criteria [14]
* Organised Group Trekking or Independent Trekking?
There is considerable debate over the advantages and disadvantages of independent trekkers and group trekking. Many groups do not contribute to the local economy, as they bring their food supplies and guides and porters as a result a major portion of tourism benefit remains in Katmandu. In comparison, independent trekkers do not pre-purchase necessities from Katmandu but utilize locally available products and services. Independent trekkers contribute to the local rural economy because they stay and eat in locally run lodges.
* Tourism Concern and ACTSA are two UK-based organizations dedicated to encouraging community-based and fair-trade tourism in Nepal. Tourism Concern UK [15] publishes a list of those operators who are working with Tourism Concern's porters campaign, using or developing guidelines on porters' working conditions. Conversely there is also a list of UK tour operators who do not have, or have not demonstrated to Tourism Concern proof of policies on porters' rights and working conditions.
* Keep working conditions and wages in mind when selecting a trekking company. For visitors from the west, hiring guides and porters is affordable and an extra few dollars can make a big impact in the life of a guide or porter. In order to feed themselves and their families, porters take on the job of carrying heavy loads to high elevations. Some of the problems porters face are underpayment by companies, not receiving the full amount of tip intended for them, inadequate clothing and gear, being forced to carry excess weight, insufficient food provision and poor sleeping facilities. Sometimes these issues leave porters open to illness and neglect on the mountain. As porters have no job security, they have little room for complaint.
* There are a number of websites that facilitate direct contact with recommended trekking guides and porters. The standard wage for a porter is 300 NRs per day and you pay for food and accommodation (approx 200 NRs) or 500 NRs per day without food - Most porters prefer this arrangement as they may save a few rupees by staying with relatives along the trail!
* The International Porter Protect Group’s (IPPG) [16] was set up in response to these issues, to improve health and safety for the trekking porter at work in the mountains and reduce the incidence of avoidable illness, injury and death. This is achieved by raising awareness of the issues among the trekking community and travel companies, leaders and sirdars. IPPG recommends the following guidelines that:
* Adequate clothing is made available for protection in bad weather and at altitude. This should include adequate footwear, hat, gloves, windproof jacket and trousers, sunglasses, and access to a blanket and pad above the snowline.
* Leaders and trekkers provide the same standard of medical care for porters they would expect themselves.
* Porters must not be paid off because of illness without the leader or trekkers being informed.
* Sick porters are never sent down alone, but rather with someone who speaks their language.
* Sufficient funds are provided to sick porters to cover the cost of their land rescue and treatment. Also, we select strong and experienced porters!
* All trekking porters should have provision for security, personal protective equipment including shoes and clothes, depending on the weather.
Other Trekking Companies and Information: NOTE: The Companies & individuals below are listed by individual editors for personal & business purpose, and do not represent government or Wikitravel recommendation.
* Api Saipal : The Best Nepal Tours, Travels, Treks & Expedition Packages.[17]
- Api Saipal Treks & Expeditions Center provides the best Nepal holiday packages including Nepal Tours, Trekking in Nepal, Jungle Safari, Rafting, City sightseeing and many more... - Listed: Nepal Holiday Packages
* Mountain Sherpa Trekking & Expedition (PVT.LTD) is one of the reputable Local own Sherpa Trekking Company operating all Nepal trekking & tours as well as Tibet & Bhutan tours since 1980. This company provides best travel packages & quality Service Among many local & international Company. This Company donates 20% of total profit for different orphanage, School & social organization Every Year.Mr. PASANG SHERPA Director of this Company provides you right information within 24 hrs. Are you planning to visit Nepal? If so you could contact Mr. Pasang Sherpa direct by e-mail at: sales@guidenepal.com. For More information about this Company visit at: http://www.guidenepal.com
* A Local Village organization [18], Empowering Women, Children, provides Education, Health, Teaching, Local Development, Environment awareness, Volunteer Placement. Groups of Local People, We have charity trip and providing to you some charity trip to make village sustainable.
* Nepal Tibet Bhutan India Travel Informatin [19] - We are wholesal tour operator to Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India.
* ExoticBuddha.com [20]- an online social travel community for Nepal.
* Austravel & Tours Nepal P. Ltd. www.trekandtournepal.com is socially responsible Tour & Trekking holiday operator in Nepal. Team of young and dynamic people headed by Mr. Rammani Khatiwada has vast experience in the service he offers. Contact to: info@trekandtournepal.comfor a reliable local agency on affordable price as well as a tribute to eco-tourism.
* Nepal Travel Information [21] - Nepal travel and trekking information. Includes, tour, adventure, hiking, expedition, peak climbing, holidays, hotels, rafting, biking, jungle safari and sightseeing adventure trips. (Best Recommended Reading in Nepal)
* Friendship Nepal Tours [22] is a premier Tour Operator located Kathmandu, Nepal with highly trained team of individuals with over two decades of experience in the travel industry offers Tours and trekking in Nepal and inbound and outbound tour to Tibet, Sikkim, India and Bhutan.
* One reliable and highly recommended trekking company is run by the very experienced Ngawang Sherpa: yontensherpa@yahoo.com
* Ker & Downey Nepal [23] The most popular Lodge to Lodge Trekking service provider in Annapurna Region. We have deluxe types Trekking Lodges in Birethanti, Ghandrug, Dhampus and Majgaun in Lumle. Trekking and Rooms are available on advance booking. info@kerdowneynepal.com
* Adarsha Nepal Adventure Tours and Travels [24] is a reliable adventure tour operator with expertise in Nepal and Tibet Travel.
* Firante Treks & Expeditions Pvt Ltd [25] fully licensed Nepalese Adventure Company run by team of experts.
* Ngawang Yonten Sherpa. An experienced guide and native of Solu Khumbu - many years of leading groups and organizing treks in the Everest Region: yontensherpa@yahoo.com
* Trekking With Shiva [26] offers adventure, nature and culture treks for groups and individuals to every region of Nepal. Phone: +977-9846040820,+977-61-462693
You may hear often late because he will leads treks for several days in mountains.
* There is one trade union of Trekking guides and porters called UNITRAV ( Union of trekking travels rafting workers Nepal). They are only authorized trade union in this field. For more information please visit their site www.unitrav.org
For your Full travel activites remember Unique EuroLines Travels and TOurs, Thamel KTM ,Phone-+977-1-4265358/4251957 Email:unique_eurolines@yahoo.com or contact MR. Surya Prakash Tiwari. 9841446491
