Trekking in Nepal is a popular adventure. The high Himalayan peaks, beautiful surroundings, and serene nature make the trekking experience in Nepal an unparalleled one. Although trekking is a very famous traveling activity, it’s completely different from other treks in many parts of the world. There are a few things to know before trekking in Nepal.
The high snow-capped Himalayan peaks in the northern part of the country have given Nepal an extraordinary boost in natural beauty. Anyone traveling to those majestic mountains cannot remain without being overwhelmed by the charm that those mighty peaks spell upon them. Multiple days of walking through the mountain terrains, deeper into the valleys, and past several timeless villages is definitely an adventure that any adventurer would like to go on.
But trekking in Nepal is a high-altitude activity that involves walking a lot up and down the mountains. Unless you are a seasoned trekker who has trekked similar mountainous terrain elsewhere, you will have to be well prepared from different perspectives of adventure. We have prepared a list of a few things that if you know them before you plan a trek to Nepal, will be of great help in understanding what it is like.
Things to know before Trekking in Nepal
Trekking vs. Climbing
Many people seem to have a little confusion between trekking and climbing. When somebody says that they are trekking to the Everest Base Camp, many other people confuse them to be going to the top of Everest. First of all, you need to be clear, if you want to go trekking in Nepal, that trekking is just walking through the mountain trail without needing to have any technical skills whereas mountaineering is strictly a technical feat. The trekking goes through the region where you can visit different human settlements and can stay in simple lodges, in most of the region whereas climbing is on a single mountain, through the snowy path, and sleeping under tents for many weeks extending up to two months.
Wilderness at its Best/Worst!
You will find the extreme form of wilderness while trekking in the mountains whether you like it or not. Although most of the trails that you trek through are well-trodden, the area still is a remote mountainous region deep into the mountain valley. A lot of difficulties and challenges may arise while trekking in the wilderness of mountains.
You have to be well prepared for any situation that may come during the adventure trekking. If you like the wilderness at its best, then there is nowhere to experience it like in the mountains of Nepal. Even if the wilderness gives you a chill but you still want to go trekking in Nepal you can go. Either way, you have to stay well-prepared and always expect the unexpected. After all, it’s the wilderness of mountains.
Rugged Mountain Trail Walking
Trekking in Nepal is not a normal trail walk that you may have been familiar with. It’s a really tough adventure walking through rugged mountain trails that meander up and down the mountains along jagged cliffs, river and mountain valleys, and solitary areas of a vast landscape. The walking hours may differ every day but you can expect six hours of walking on average throughout the trip. It’s tiring, distressing, discouraging, and full of pain, but at the times it’s incredible, motivating to persevere, challenging to your limits, exciting for the experiences, and after all fulfilling journey. You have to decide which side you want to go with – the first or the latter. If you want to face all those adverse situations and yet gain the experience of a lifetime, I think, you are ready to go trekking in the mountains of Nepal.
Good Luck!
Basic Accommodations
It is not your basic here. Not the basics of your developed country but the basics of the remote mountains. What are your expectations about accommodation in the mountains of Nepal if you are planning to go trekking there? Don’t expect anything and don’t complain. Just embrace what comes along. Even if the accommodations are not luxurious, they are clean enough. Although you may have to carry a sleeping bag, the beds are good enough to lie down at night and wear off the tiredness of walking the whole day. So, before going on a trekking adventure in Nepal, learn to embrace the basics and be humble. You will gain an experience that you will cherish.
Learn to Say ‘Dal Bhat’
‘Dal Bhat’ is a Nepali staple food. It’s a platter of rice, lentil, vegetables, curry, pickles, etc. And you are going to eat a lot of ‘Dal Bhat’ while trekking. Although you will have choices of food from the menu, you will love how ‘Dal Bhat’ power works in the mountains. The carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals that this food gives are extraordinary to sustain in the mountains.
Gear Up Properly
Very important point. You are thinking of going trekking in the wilderness of mountains so you have to have proper trekking gear. Any lack of proper gear may result in giving you trouble on top of challenges. Here are some basic gears that you should get before trekking in Nepal.
Check this list of essentials for trekking.
Know Your Fitness Level
As trekking in Nepal is an activity that goes from moderate to strenuous in challenge level, you have to know what physical condition you are in now and what is required to do the desired trekking trip. Train well; do cardio exercises; hike as often as you can; go to higher elevations if possible and then go on the main trekking adventure in Nepal. You have to have a very good level of fitness to trek in Nepal but no technical skills are required.
Hopefully, the list will be helpful in casting some light on trekking in Nepal before you plan a trip. It’s definitely an experience that you will get only in Nepal and cherish for a lifetime. If you have any questions regarding trekking in the mountains, we would love to answer them.
