Trekking

Nepal's diverse landscapes such as mountains, hills and plain lands of the Terai offer a spectacular trekking for the adventure lovers. The virgin places having scenic beauty of various parts of the country are suitable both for short and long treks.

The Annapurna region is the most popular and spectacular trekking area of Nepal. In this region, various species of wild animals and plants are found. One can have an experience of three treks in the area. It takes one to three weeks to complete the different three treks in the area.

The Khumbu region or the Everest region is also another famous trekking area of the kingdom. The region is home to the Sherpas and yetis. The trek starts from Jiri in Dolakha and reaches the base camp of Mt. Everest at a height of 5,360 meters. It takes around three weeks to complete the round trip. As Kathmandu is linked with Lukla, which is one or two day's walk from Namche Bazaar in Solukhumbu, by air, one can shorten the trekking period.         

Another interesting trekking area of Nepal is the Langtang-Helambu-Gosainkunda region, which is easily accessible from Kathmandu. Theses areas are suitable for those having limited time. It takes about seven to ten days to complete one of the areas. The trails of the areas are less crowded as compared to the trails of the Annapurna region and the Khumbu region.

Other important trekking areas include the Arun Valley, Makalu Base Camp and Kanchanjunga region in the eastern part of the country.  Many other new trekking routes have been opened in different parts of Nepal. One of the recently opened areas lies in the Shey-Phoksundo National Park in the western Nepal. One can reach an edge of the high Tibetan plateau after walking less than a week from Dunai. Dunai is linked with Nepalgunj by air.

You are fit for trekking if you do not face any problem while walking up and down hills in a day's walk. Your participation in any sport activity can also prove that you are able to go for trekking easily.

However, you are requested to start physical exercises such as walking at least one month prior to your visit to this Himalayan Kingdom.

Duration of trek and altitude of the places
You will have to walk around six hours a day along the trekking trails. During your trek, you will reach up to 2,100 meters (7,000 ft.) Do not worry about the high altitude sickness as it can affect you in areas only above 3,000 meters (10,000 ft.). But you may face the breathing problem as you reach upper parts. Wear light shoes with thick rubber soles and good ankle support.

Foods
During your treks, you will be offered fresh and hygienic food items.

Cloths
During the daytime, it is hot enough to wear an open-neck shirt with shirts and T-shirts.
But it is cold in the morning and evening.
Long trousers and a warm jersey are advised.

Seasons
From the point of view of climatic variations, there are mainly four seasons in Nepal. They are Winter (December-February), Spring (March-May), Summer (June-August), and Autumn (September-November). However, they can be divided like this:

Mid October/November
During this period, you may feel hot during the day and cold in the morning and evening. You will find the mind-boggling natural scenes as flowers bloom and sky remains very clear. However, the temperature goes down steadily in these months. The difference between the maximum and minimum temperature will be 26° Celsius and 13° Celsius (80°-55°’ F.) In the Kathmandu Valley and hilly parts in October. In November, the temperature ranges from about 19° C. to 3°C. (66°-37° F). During these months, the temperature remains slightly high in the plain land of Terai. In the Terai, the temperature ranges between 31° C. and 22°C. (88° -72° F) in October, and between 28°. to 22° C. (83°-72° F.) in November.

December/January/February:
During these months, the sky will be clear. The mornings will remain frosty and cold. Night will also be cold.
However, the days will remain warm. The maximum temperature during the day ranges from 13° C. and -2° C. throughout the country. However, the temperature of the plain land of Terai will remain slightly higher as compared to the Kathmandu Valley and other hilly areas of the Kingdom. It also snows in the areas above 11,000 ft.

March/April:
During these months, sometimes the sky will look hazy. However, the blooming of flowers will make the surrounding attractive. It’s hot during the day as the temperature ranges between 29° C. to 14° C. It’s warm at night. However, it’s very hot in the plain Terai where the temperature ranges from 22° C to 33° C.

June/July/August:
This is a rainy season. However, it is charming for visitors who are interested in diverse flora and fauna of Nepal.  The temperature ranges between 31° C. to 20°C during the daytime. It may be hotter in the plain Terai region.

May/September/Early October
During these months, it doesn’t rain frequently as it is during June-July-August. This is also called the transition period between the wet and dry season. There is no considerable difference between the temperature of this period with that of the summer. During this time, similar types of flora and fauna are found as are seen in the months of June, July and August.

Baggage and cloths
You are advised to bring a suitcase. You also need to bring a zip-down duffel bag and small duffel overnight bag. You can leave your suitcase in Kathmandu with your cloths and documents, if any.

You can take the duffel bags with you to carry your clothes for trekking, rafting and jungle safari.  Light cloths, an umbrella or a raincoat are advised during the summer season. During the winter, you need to carry warm, woolen cloths. Bring comfortable walking boots.  (Women can wear shirts/T-shirts, pants, trousers, etc. if preferred.)

Also bring long sleeved shirts, track suite, extra sweater for evenings, wind-breaker, warm sleeping wear for Dec/Jan/Feb; some pairs of thick walking socks, under-wears, personal toiletries such as small face towel, sun cream, and sunglasses, camera, walking sticks (only if you need), sun hats, cotton scarves, rain ponchos, umbrellas, and gear bags, etc.