Need some good exercise and more beauty in your life? The best workout you can get and the most breathtaking scenery you can lay your eyes on is found on a trek through Nepal.
Nepal, a part of South Asia, is a landlocked country situated mostly in the legendary Himalayan mountains. The planet’s highest peaks are in Nepal. Over one hundred of them. Including Mount Everest, the tallest tip on the globe.
With that many peaks to peruse, Mount Everest is obviously not your only choice. Here is a look at the best hikes in Nepal.
Expert Trails
A trek around Everest is the most famous. Over 25,000 people conquer the Everest Base Camp Trek every year. The trek runs – or walks – about eighty miles and can take anywhere from two to three weeks.
Luckily, there are plenty of lodges along the way, hosting weary travellers in need of a rest. The highest tip on this trek clocks in at 5,600 meters. Pro Tip! Walk the path counterclockwise.
An alternative to the Base Camp Trek, which can get congested depending on the time of year, is the Everest Chola Pass Trek. Many companies like Nepal Hiking Team offer organized expeditions for all types of hikers.
The most popular trek can be found in Annapurna, which is in the Gandaki Province in north-central Nepal. Annapurna is home to the tenth-highest peak in the world at 8,091 meters.
Annapurna is named after the Hindu goddess of food and nourishment. In Hindi, the name roughly translates to ‘everlasting food’. There is a wide selection of treks to choose from around Annapurna.
The Circuit Trek attracts over 100,000 people a year. Mostly for the diverse scenery, which includes glaciers, rivers, lakes, and of course, peaks, the highest being 4,320 meters. This trek can take anywhere from 10 to 17 days. Comfortable lodging abounds along the way.
If you would prefer mountain scenery, try the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. The Annapurna Sanctuary is the main attraction, a plateau resembling an amphitheater. This is considered a moderate to hard trek and takes two weeks. The trek covers roughly 71 miles.
The changing scenery along the Annapurna Panorama Trek runs the gamut from plunging valleys and deep gorges to river, lakes and snow-capped peaks.
This alternative to the circuit trek will knock your socks off! You can also taste local culture by passing through the Gurung, Manangi and Thakali villages.
Medium-Difficulty Trails
Want something, shall we say, off the beaten path? Less famous and popular than Everest or Annapurna? Here are a few interesting options.
Manaslu Circuit Trek showcases dramatic scenery that includes sultry hot springs and steamy jungles. Plan your trek for Valentine’s Day! Well, most of February since this trek takes 16 days and spans over 100 miles. It’s been a thing since the early nineties and may soon surpass Annapurna in popularity.
The Langtang Trek, also known as a teahouse trek, will consume about a week of your life. But you’ll be showered with rewards like waterfalls, mountains and glaciers, not to mention the sacred lakes at Gosainkunda. The highest peak on this trek is just 16 meters short of 5,000 and covers between 40 and 50 miles.
The Gokyo Lake Hike is not as popular as Annapurna or Everest. But it should be. It only attracts about 1K trekkers a year, so it is less crowded. More room to admire the five Emerald Lakes along the way and the mind-blowing panoramic view of the Himalayas.
This trek will cost you about 10 to 12 days and is more remote than other treks.
Also worth considering is the Tamang Heritage Trail, for something more cultural. You’ll pass through numerous villages along this 34 mile trek.
Short Hikes
Offerings exist for those of you in the market for something more like a short hike.
Try a day hike from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel, along the outskirts of Kathmandu. It’s just 12 miles and takes about one day. It’s considered an easy trek, if you can even call it a trek.
For something in the middle, like a long weekend, check Ghandruk Loop. It takes three days and runs an easy 15 miles through the foothills of Annapurna.
Then there’s the mother of all treks, the Great Himalayan Trail. 1500 miles and anywhere from 2 to 5 months. After a few of the treks above, you might be ready!
