The Kingdom of Nepal lies along the highest ridge of the greatest mountain range on the planet. This country is home to 8 of the world's 8000 meter peaks and ancient trails offer serious hikers some of the best mountain scenery on earth. Most of the mountain areas are still without roads, so these primitive trails are the only links between many of the remote villages. The paths are often steep, but they have been designed for porters who carry very heavy loads, so they offer sturdy stone steps and many benches for resting.
The mountain people of Nepal are very enterprising and friendly, and many households have added small bedrooms to accommodate trekkers. The meals are usually served in a large dining room with a very homey atmosphere, so the teahouse traveler receives a great lesson in culture along with the budget lodging. The rooms are very basic, with dense mattresses and communal bathrooms, and the nights are cold, so a good sleeping bag is highly recommended
The Annapurna Circuit
The trek around the Annapurna range is one of the most famous hikes in the world. It starts at an elevation of 2680 feet in the town of Besisahar, and follows the mighty Marsyandi river through terraced rice fields that are adorned with wild flowers. A long week of travel follows an ever steepening canyon through an ancient forest filled with pristine waterfalls and stunning vistas. The trail continues upward to the lofty Throng-La pass which is decorated with hundreds of prayer flags, and boasts an elevation of 17,700 feet.
This area is very close to the Tibetan plateau, and offers the experience of a very different culture, as the trail drops into another great canyon that follows the holy Kali Gandaki River down stream. The ancient village of Muktinath provides stunning views of Dhaulagiri and is home to the famous temple of fire and water. The path continues through a wide desert valley that lies between two of the biggest mountains on earth, and finally drops back into the lowland jungles and rice farms that complete the 186 mile journey. A very good ancient pathway guides the traveler and the many local villages welcome them with open arms, but this is a very strenuous journey which requires 2 to 3 weeks for completion.
Annapurna Base Camp
The great canyon of the Modi Kola River and the surrounding area provide a 7-10 day trek that is truly astounding. The mountain views are spectacular and include Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and the famous Fish Tail mountain which guards the sanctuary. The raging river fills the air with mist, and a pleasant hot spring awaits the weary travelers. The elevation ranges from 3530 to 13,500 and the trails and accommodations are excellent.
Around Manaslu
The large mountain to the east of Annapurna offers a remote 16 day trek that provides awesome mountain vistas and travels to unique Buddhist villages near the Tibetan border. A guide and liaison officer are required, so it is best to go with a trusted trekking company.
Everest and the Kokyo Valley
These two valleys offer some of the best mountain scenery in the world, and the friendly villagers welcome tourists with comfortable accommodations. Most hikers fly into the exciting 9,200 foot elevation airport at Lukla, but starting in Jiri adds about a week to the trip and offers the advantage of a slower adaptation to the high altitude and the experience of a trail less traveled.
The busy trading village of Namche Bazaar is a great cultural experience, and the view of Mt. Everest from Kala Patthar is humbling. Ama Dablam might be the most beautiful mountain in the world, and the high pass that leads to the Gokyo Valley provides a great adventure. The easy summit of a small mountain called Gokyo Ri offers stunning views of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu and a pristine canyon meanders north to Cho Oyu. Traveling back down the Kokyo valley provides a somewhat circuitous route, but many other options are available. Treks can vary from 4 days to more than a month, but the high altitude of 18,150 at Kala Patthar can be very challenging.
It's Hard to Make a Bad Choice
The magic Kingdom of Nepal supplies great visual and cultural rewards for anyone who is willing to walk on the remote trails. There are no bad treks, so find one that fits your ability and start walking.
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