Dorjee Khando
Considered as one of the classic trekking destinations of the world, Nepal has a lot to offer when it comes to trekking, scenery, and tourism. People make their journey from overseas to fulfill their trekking desires on the foothills of the Himalayas, particularly on the rugged trails to Everest, Annapurna and beyond – the places where you could trek for days or even weeks under the setting of some of the world’s most glorious Himalayan vistas.
With numerous base camps in the northern region, it might be a tough call to decide which base camp you would want to explore. So, here, we have picked out some of the best pathways for trekking in Nepal that will certainly lead you to the bases of the magnificent mountain peaks.
Everest Base Camp Trek
Being the gateway to the highest snow mountain in the world, Everest Base Camp is the most popular base camp trek not only in Nepal but all over the world.
It might sound quite a bit of a challenge to embark on that route, but the ones who have been here tell that it is not as challenging as it is widely perceived, which makes it more sensible to put it on your bucket list. It takes you through the backyard of the world famous Sherpa community, their belief in Buddhism, the famous Namche Bazar, and many other stops. So, you will not only trek around but also get a taste of the Himalayan Nepali culture.
The whole trek will basically take you 16 to 18 days, depending on your pace. And the best time to travel there would be around Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November); this trip can be taken during the winter as well, but the cold temperature might not be welcoming for everyone.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base camp is another popular trekking base camp in Nepal. Annapurna being the 10th highest peak in the world, it is also one of the base camps where people often go. The trekking route starts from Pokhara including stops like Ghorepani, Poon hill and goes through the terraced rice paddies, rhododendron forests, ethnic Gurung villages and high alpine landscapes with Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Range on the backdrop.
Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) is a short trip compared to other walks. It takes about 11 days. So, this one is suitable for the people with time constraints. The best time to travel would be during Autumn (Sept. to Nov.) and Spring (March to May). The weather is sunny and perfect for the outstanding views you wish to see.
Makalu Base Camp Trek
The Makalu base camp is an adventurous trek in the eastern part of Nepal. Makalu is the fifth highest peak in the world. Makalu base camp is one of the challenging base camsp as it is in a remote area. For the people with adventurous zeal, this would be a great option. The trekking route starts from Tumlingtar and takes to you Arun valley where you can encounter large diversity of culture, indigenous Rai and ethnic Himalayan lifestyle. Along with the culture, you could sway your eyes with the wonderful views of the south face of Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Chamlang and Kanchanjunga.
The whole trek takes around 22 days. The best time to travel there would be around Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November); this trip can be taken during the winter as well, but the cold temperature might not be suitable for everyone.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
Mt. Kanchanjunga is second highest peak in Nepal and the third highest in the world. There are two base camps: Kanchanjunga North and Kanchanjunga South base camp. Trekking to the Kanchanjunga is an adventurous journey which starts from Taplejung with a short flight from Kathmandu and there are two ways to reach south and north base camps. The long journey also rewards the trekkers with a unique insight into the rural Nepalese lifestyle of the country’s eastern region.
The whole trek would take around 24 days. The best time to travel there would be around Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November).
Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek
Dhaulagiri Base Camp is an adventurous as well as rewarding trekking experience in Nepal. It is an amazing adventure journey through Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayan range, local culture, the world’s deepest gorge, many villages, valleys, hills and terraces. This trekking starts from Beni and goes steadily to Dhaulagiri base camp, through the French col pass and into a hidden valley followed by a trek further down to Jomsom with an option to fly back to Pokhara.
The whole trek would take around 24 days. The best time to travel there would be around Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November).
