What to expect on a Nepal trekking tour
What Nepal trekking routes do we offer on our trips?
We offer trips that hike the following routes:
- Annapurna Sanctuary - A 9-day trek starting in the foothills and climbing up to the Annapurna Sanctuary, a high glacial basin surrounded by the Annapurna range. The trek leads to Machhapucchre Base Camp and then Annapurna Base Camp before descending again.
- Annapurna Circuit - A 17-day classic trek that does a circuit of the Annapurna massif. This challenging high-altitude trek peaks at Thorong La Pass that sits 5416m above sea level and gives breathtaking views over the Himalaya.
- Everest Base Camp - A 22-day trek that starts and ends in Kathmandu. The trek leads to Everest Base Camp, and onto the highest point of this tour, the summit of Kala Patthar (5645m). We choose not to fly within Nepal, meaning there are some longer driving days.
If you don't want to do a challenging trek you can opt for a lower, Moderate grade hike in the Annapurna foothills. Or if you're short on time and prefer a little more comfort you can swap the simple teahouses commonly used on our Nepal treks for the luxury of Ker and Downey's famous mountain lodges on our Annapurna Luxury Trek.
When is the best time to go trekking in Nepal?
The most popular time to trek in Nepal is between mid-September to mid-December, when the monsoon rains have ended, temperatures are moderate and the skies are clear, giving great views of the mountains.
The second most popular season is March to May, which is when the rhododendrons are in full bloom. This period is still dry with moderate temperatures, although you may experience a few hazier days.
What distance do you walk on the Annapurna Circuit? (or similar Nepal trekking tour)
The distance depends on the Nepal trekking trip you choose. See the 'Walking and trekking information' section on the trip page to see a breakdown of the distance walked per day. However, in mountainous terrain distances on paper can be deceptive which is why we always include an indication of the approximate number of hours you'll be walking and the total ascent and descent each day.
How difficult is the trekking in Nepal?
We offer either Moderate or Challenging to Tough grade trekking trips so you can choose which best suits your fitness level and ability.
How safe is the trekking in Nepal?
As with any high-altitude trek there are some risks, but we have several factors in place to reduce the risks:
- Our trekking ascent rates are carefully planned to fall within Wilderness Medicine Society (WMS) guidelines
- All our trek leaders are qualified in first aid and specially trained to recognise and deal with Altitude Sickness
- We carry a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) to help relieve altitude mountain sickness (AMS) on treks above 3000 metres
- On treks into extremely remote areas we carry a satellite phone for emergency use
Is trekking in Nepal suitable for solo travellers?
Our trekking tours in Nepal are definitely suitable for solo travellers - in fact 60% of our customers travel solo. You'll be travelling with a like-minded group of trekkers and our expert leader or mountain guide, so you'll never need to worry about being alone.
On our group trips you'll typically share a room or tent with someone of the same sex, although sometimes you may share with more people, for example in some of the tea houses on our Annapurna treks. The trip notes will list the sort of accommodation to expect for each night. If you'd prefer a room to yourself, this may be possible for some or all nights at an extra cost. Again, the trip notes list where single rooms are available.