Would you want to trek in the extremely stunning mountainous region of Nepal? You may have various questions about:
- What treks are suitable in which seasons/months?
- What types of treks are there?
- What types of trekking grades are there?
Then we, Himalayan Advisor, are here to answer your questions.
Question 1: Seasons, months, and treks?
The treks can happen throughout the year, but October to May is considered suitable for trekking in Nepal. The monsoon begins in mid-June and ends around mid-September, making travel wet and warm. The mountain panoramas can be unclear because of rain clouds and haze. It's a great time for botanists, as the higher valleys and meadows come alive with blossoming flowers and lush vegetation. Monsoons don't mean rain all the time. Also, the crowded trails will be quiet, which you may prefer more. The upper parts of the Annapurna circuit around Marpha, Jomsom, and Muktinath are excellent for trekking or tour during the monsoon. Note: Insect repellent is a must when trekking during the summer months.
Autumn is the best season for trekking. You can see the spectacular mountain as you gain altitude. January and February have cold weather with occasional snowfall at higher elevations. Due to heavy snowfall, some of the routes taken during the trek can be unusable, but the views are excellent.
Spring arrives in late February in Nepal, and it's the ideal time for people interested in flowers, birds, and the splendors of nature. Numerous varieties of wildflowers, especially rhododendrons, turn the hillside into a colorful paradise.
April and May are the expedition season and the best time for mountain climbing. It is slightly warmer at lower elevations. But occasional haze might block your view of the mountains. Above 4000 meters, the mountain views are picturesque, and temperatures are relatively moderate at night.
Question 2 Types/modes of Treks?
We can manage the different modes of trekking in Nepal as per your requirement. Mainly, there are three types of trekking in Nepal: Tea House Trekking, Camping Trekking, and Guide porter hiring Trek.
Tea House Trekking (Lodges and Guest Houses Trekking): A Teahouse Trekking is enormously standard even if it is a local-run guesthouse. Teahouse trek is popular in the well-developed tourist regions including Annapurna, Everest, and Langtang - Helambu regions where western, continental meals, Nepalese meal (Dhalbhat), and reasonable accommodation with attached bathroom with hot and cold showers are available in most of the places. This type of trekking offers you good food and decent lodging in the available teahouses & lodges. Since Teahouse Trekking is comparatively cheaper than camping, it is more suitable for small parties and large groups. In teahouse Trek, A tourism licensed guide, supporting Sherpa Assistant, and Porters will help you on the way to Mountains Trails in Trekking. You will be provided meals three times a day (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) in Tourist Guesthouses on the route to Trek and accommodations.
Camping Trek: (Organized Trek): The camping trek is best called a Fully Organized and Supported Trek. A camping trek is the same as an exploratory or mountaineering expedition in terms of the arrangement. The camping trek includes a team comprising guides, cooks, Sherpas, and porters. Porters carry all the gear and equipment. The company manages all necessities like food, fuel, and gear. Our team supervises the whole operation. The trekkers should carry a small bag with essentials for themselves. At night, we provide dining tents, sleeping tents, & toilet tents. You will get mattresses and a sleeping bag too.
Porter and guide hiring treks: This type of trek is not much in demand but can be acquired. On this trek, you can hire a porter and guides from us, and we will provide you with both of them. We will provide a professional guide who knows the region very well in your preferred language. Also, you will get the number of porters you request. The price for the porter and guide will be affordable. Our Porter will carry your luggage. The guide will give you the best explanation about the local culture, history, religion, and facts of trekking, and during an emergency, he will take quick action to solve it. However, food and accommodation are not in the packages.
Question 3 Trekking Grades?
We have divided the grades of treks in Nepal as Easy, Moderate, Strenuous, and Challenging. If you are trekking in Nepal for the first time, it is necessary to know which trek matches most with your physical capabilities to enjoy your experience in Nepal. Thus, we have categorized all our excursions in the following ranks below:
Easy Treks
Experience is not necessary at this level; anyone in good health and fit enough to enjoy a good weekend hill walk can manage this grade. Usually, easy grade treks are short and at lower altitudes; they are optional, giving a chance for a rest day. However, walking always involves some exertion: trails are seldom flat, and you must still expect to have a reasonable amount of ascent and descent. You would normally walk for 4 to 5 hours during the day. The transport is by Airplanes and Jeep.
Moderate Treks
Moderate treks begin to present more of a challenge to first-time trekkers and are more demanding than easy treks. So these treks are suitable for any walker looking for something a little more challenging and energetic. Most people who enjoy a weekend in the hills or mountains at home can trek at this level: you need to be in good health and reasonably fit, and you will almost certainly be taking regular exercise. Moderate trek has easy long walks or challenging short hikes. Walking at higher altitudes and a tougher journey with a fair expedition is an average level of the jaunt. A walking day would typically be between 5 to 8 hours long, and no experience is necessary.
Moderate to Strenuous
This level of trek is not very demanding but requires a decent to a high level of fitness. The walking duration can be up to 6 hours a day. The trail will not be clear from time to time, and the path can be narrow and steep. The altitudes will be high with snow and cold. The facilities found in the higher elevations can be minimal, especially for camping treks. You will feel as being isolated from bustling cities. But the journey will be exciting and adventurous as you will feel one with the Himalayas.
Strenuous Treks
Fitness is the key if you want to participate in the trek of this level. Continuous exercising before your tour is a compulsory act. Most Strenuous expeditions are equivalent to extended walking in mountainous terrain at home but usually at significantly higher altitudes; climate and remoteness can also play a part. Walking days are usually between 6 to 8 hours, although it may take longer hours to reach the destination for the day. Previous trekking experience is desirable but not essential if you are confident in your physical condition.
Challenging Treks
Nepal Camping Treks, Dolpo Trekking, Manaslu Trekking, Kanchenjunga Trekking, Ganja- La Pass Trekking, Simikot (Mt. Kailash ) Trekking, and Dhaulagiri Trekking are some examples of challenging treks. These types of expeditions are only for genuine adventures. The main component at this level is likely to be a long and high-altitude uphill mountain with the possibility of some rope climbing that requires physical and mental stamina. You must be prepared enough for this type of adventure. Altitudes will often exceed 5,000 meters where people live in the High Mountains, and the treks involve camping for relatively long periods: about 20-28 days or sometimes more than that. So excellent physical condition is essential, and mountaineering experience is preferable.