Trekking in Nepal

2011-11-13T03:37:00.001-08:00

Chitwan National Park

Established in 1973, the Royal Chitwan National Park is the oldest National Park and wildlife reserve in Nepal. the Royal Chitwan National Park is located in the Tarai lowlands of South-Central Nepal. UNESCO designated the park as a World Heritage Site in the year 1984. The park covers an area of around 1000 square kilometers and supports a fragile ecosystem. It contains the Churiya hills, ox-bow lakes and flood plains of Rapti, Reu, and Narayani Rivers in its circumference.

As far as the flora is concerned, nearly 70% of the Royal Chitwan National Park vegetation comprises Sal forest. The remaining vegetation types include grassland (20%) and Pines (5%). The grasslands have a diverse composition comprising more than 50 species. The Saccharin, popularly known as elephant grass, can reach as high as 8 meters in height. The park also supports a very vivid and distinct fauna. According to a conservative estimate by the UNESCO, the park has at least 43 species of mammals, over 450 species of birds, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles. Among animals, one-horned Rhinoceros, Tiger, and Crocodile are given special attention. It is estimated that the current population of the endangered one-horned Rhino is around 400. Apart from that, the park also has a sizeable population of Gaur, Wild Elephant, four-horned Antelope, Striped Hyena, Pangolin, Gangetic Dolphin, Monitor Lizard, Python, Chital, Hog, Deer, Barking Deer, Sloth Deer, Common Leopard, Palm Civet and Rhesus Monkeys. A few of the common birds seen are Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, and different species of egrets, Herons, Kingfishers, Flycatchers and Woodpeckers.

Earlier, the Chitwan Valley was well known for big game hunting and until 1950 was exclusively managed as a hunting reserve for the Ranas and their guests. In 1973, His late Majesty King Mahendra approved, in principle, the creation of Royal Chitwan National Park.

Location : Southwest of Kathmandu near Bharatpur

When to visit : Any Season

How to reach : Hire a cab or take a Bus ride, regular flights to Bharatpur

Activities : Elephant safari, Camping, Bonfire and bird watching

EVEREST TREKKING

The Tibetan name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma or Qomolangma (meaning "Mother of the Universe"). According to English accounts of the mid-19th century, the local name in Darjeeling for Mount Everest was Deodungha, or "Holy Mountai.". In the 1960s, the Government of Nepal gave the mountain an official Nepali name: Sagarmatha, meaning "Head of the Sky".

In 1865, the mountain was given its English name by Andrew Waugh, the British surveyor - general of India. With both Nepal and Tibet closed to foreign travel, he wrote:

I was taught by my respected chief and predecessor, Colonel Sir George Everest to assign to every geographical object its true local or native appellation. But here is a mountain, most probably the highest in the world, without any local name that we can discover, whose native appellation, if it has any, will not very likely be ascertained before we are allowed to penetrate into Nepal. In the meantime the privilege as well as the duty devolves on me to assign…a name whereby it may be known among citizens and geographers and become a household word among civilized nations.

Waugh chose to name the mountain after George Everest, Mount Everest.

This region known as the Solu Khumbu is known around the world as the famous home of the world's highest mountain. Mt. Everest, or Sagarmatha as the Nepalese call it, rises 8,848 meters into the sky. The hike to the base camp attracts trekkers from all over the globe.

Solu Khumbu is the district south and west of Mount Everest. It is populated by sherpas, an ethnic group that has achieved fame because of the exploites of its men on mountaineering expeditions. Khumbu is the name of the northern half of this region, which includes the highest mountain in the world and many of the 8,000m (26,247 ft) summits. Most of Khumbu is part of Sagarmatha National Park. Solu, the southern portion is less rugged but it has many interesting monasteries and villages. The attractions are the majestic mountains, the villages in the high mountain valleys, the associated monasteries, and the legendary inhabitants.

Everest Base Camp

The Everest region (or Solu Khumbu region, as it is locally known) is the second most popular trekking area in Nepal (the Annapurna is the first). The popularity of this region is derived, of course, from its proximity to the world's highest mountain, but also from its Sherpa people and buddhist monasteries.

Of the trek's strongest difficulties are it's up-and-down walking (resulting from crossing ridges instead of walking along them) and it's steep gain of altitude (especially for those starting at Lukla).

Although the trek is named the Everest Base Camp trek, the main highlight of the trek is the walk up to Kala Pattar ("Black Rock") peak, a magnificent view point at 5545 meters, offering astonishing views of Mt. Everest and it's surrounding mountain peaks.

The trek takes you along the Dudh Kosi, Bhote Kosi and Imja Kola rivers, all with blueish melted glacier water, past beautiful water streams and, below 4000 meters, beautiful green forests with much wild life. Past the tree line, above 4000 meters, the green pastures fade away and pass control to rocky "moon-like" surroundings.

The Everest Base Camp itself is on the rocky slopes left of the Khumbu Ice fall. The trail from Gorak Shep to the Base Camp is a 2 hour walk in each direction on a difficult and sometimes dangerous ever changing trail (resulting from the simple fact that we are walking on a huge glacier covered with rocks !). On our way we encounter some beautiful ice caves and rock formations. You can't actually see Mt. Everest from the Base Camp.

On the trek back to Lukla, we take a side trip to Phorche, a beautiful village with some great kids and wildlife. Passing Phorche we come across Mong La, a small tea-house village on the top of a ridge featuring a typical buddhist stupa surrounded by the distinctive Ama Dablam 6856-meter-high peak and other mountains. The route from Mong La connects us to Khumjung, from where we follow the trail through Namche back to Lukla. From Lukla we fly back to the crowded noisy and polluted city of Kathmandu.

Trekking to the Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular treks available. This trek has a number of stunning attractions, the foremost being the satisfaction gained by reaching the base of the highest mountain in the world. Other attractions include the spectacular scenery of the Himalayan ranges. The Everest trek involves a tremendous amount of uphill and downhill walking. everest base camp

Fact Of The Trek

No of Days : 13

Mode of Trek : Teahouse/Camping

Trek Starting Point : Lukla

Trek Ending Point : Lukla

Max. Elevation : 5400m

Season : Sept/Dec & Mar/May

Difficulties : Medium

Max. Walking : 6-7hrs.

Itinerary of Everest Base Camp Trek (Mode of travel: fly in/fly out)

Day 01 : Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2800) and trek to Phakding

Day 02 : Trek to Namche Bazaar 3446m

Day 03 : Rest day at Namche Bazaar (for acclimatization)

Day 04 : Trek to Tengboche (3867m)

Day 05 : Trek to Pheriche (4252m)

Day 06 : Trek to Lobuche ( 4930m)

Day 07 : Trek to Gorakshape (5200m) and visit Kalapathar / Everest Base camp

Day 08 : Trek to Dingboche (4343m)

Day 09 : Trek to Tengboche (3867m)

Day 10 : Trek to Khumjung (3790m)

Day 11 : Trek to Jorsale (2810m)

Day 12 : Trek to Lukla

Day 13 : Fly back Lukla to Kathmandu

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Trip duration: 17 Days

Trek / Tour Destination – Annapurna Base Camp (4130m)

Walking Hour – Normally 5 to 6 Hours Every Day

Grade: Moderate to fairly challenging

Activity: Trekking and sightseeing

Starts in: Kathmandu - Ends in: Kathmandu

Trek type: TH (Tea House / Lodge)

Accommodation: Hotel, lodge (tea house)

Transportation: Flight & private car

Maximum altitude: 4130m

An absolutely scenic trek all the way to its base camp the trail passes through a range of different climate, Vegetation and cultures, from lush vegetation of rain and temperate forests to the terraced rice fields offering fascination introduction to Nepal's culture and natural beauty.

Our adventure to the Annapurna base camp starts from Pokhara, a scenic spot. The annapurna base camp trek combines spectacular mountain scenery with incredible and culture diversity and traverses through rural farms and villages. The trail leads towards the deep gorge between the peaks – Hinchuli and Machhepuchare (Fish Tail) and through the dense rain and bamboo forest of the narrow Modi Khola (river) valley then to the sanctuary with immense wall of the mountain fortress. Annapurna area was first explored by the British Adventure Col. James O.M. 'Jimmy' Roberts in the year 1956 and exposed to the world as the 'Sanctuary of Gods'. The Sanctuary has been christened as "Annapurna Sanctuary" ever since. The principle peaks of the western portion of the great Annapurna Himal, including Hinchuli (6441m), Annapurna South (7279m), Fang, Annapurna I (8091m), Ganagapurna (7485m), Annapurna III (7855m) and Machapuchhare (6993m), are arranged almost precisely in a circle about 10 miles in diameter with a deep glacier covered amphitheater at the center.

Outline Itinerery

Day 01 Arrival at Kathmandu (1350m), meet and transfer to hotel. O/n Hotel

Day 02 Half day city tour in Kathmandu. O/n Hotel

Day 03 Fly to Pokhara (820m). O/n Hotel

Day 04 Drive to Nayapul (1070m), trek to Tikhedunga (1545m). O/n Lodge

Day 05 Trek to Ghorepani (2880m). O/n Lodge

Day 06 Early morning excursion to Poon Hill (3210m), and trek to Tadapani (2660m). O/n Lodge

Day 07 Trek to Chhomrong (2170m). O/n Lodge

Day 08 Trek to Dhoban (2525m) / Himalaya (2860m). O/n Lodge

Day 09 Trek to Macchapuchhare Base Camp (3700m). O/n Lodge

Day 10 Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m). O/n Lodge

Day 11 Trek to Bamboo (2335m). O/n Lodge

Day 12 Trek to Junu Danda (1970m). O/n Lodge

Day 13 Trek to Tolkha (1760m). O/n Lodge

Day 14 Trek to Dhampus (1700m). O/n Lodge

Day 15 Trek to Phedi, then drive to Pokhara. O/n Hotel

Day 16 Drive to Kathmandu. O/n Hotel

Day 17 Transfer to Int'l airport then fly to next destination

Cost includes:

- Airport transfers

- 4 night accommodation with breakfast on 3 star category hotel in Kathmandu

- 2 night accommodation with breakfast on 3 star category hotel in Pokhara

- Guided city tour in Kathmandu with private transfer and all entry fees

- GAP tea house trek (Guide, Accommodation and Porter)

- Privet transfers to trek and from trek

- Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara

- National park permits

- First aid kit

Cost does not include:

- International flight tickets and airport taxes

- Lunch and dinner stay in Kathmandu & Pokhara

- All meal during the trek

- Personal clothing & equipments

- Any expenses personal nature

- Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation

- Client's insurance

- Tips

ROYAL TREK

Annapurna Royal Trek

Treks in Nepal

Trip duration: 9 Days

Trek / Tour Destination – Syaglung (1730m

Walking Hour – Normally 4 to 5 Hours Every Day

Grade: Easy & Soft adventure

Activity: Trekking

Starts in: Kathmandu - Ends in: Kathmandu

Trek type: Full Board Organized Trek (FOT)

Transportation: Flight and private car

Best Time for Trek – March to May & September to November

This trek is very sweet and short in an Annapurna Area, especially for those who don't have enough time to spend on Himalayan Trek.. This Royal trek is start from Pokhara after the driving to Bijayapur. Royal trek takes you through the Himalayan foothills and ends up in Begnas Lake on four days. The focus of the trek is spectacular views of Annapurna Range Mountains – Mt. Annapurna I to Mt. Annapurna IV, Mt. Machapuchre (Fish Tail Mountain), Lamjung Himal and Surrounding peaks and the simple living life style of the villagers.

Outline Itinerery

DAY 01 ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU (1350M)

DAY 02 FULL DAY CITY TOUR IN KATHMANDU

DAY 03 DRIVE TO POKHARA (800M)

DAY 04 DRIVE TO BIJAYAPUR THEN TREK TO KALIKSTHAN (1370M)

DAY 05 TREK TO SYAGLUNG (1730M)

DAY 06 TREK TO CHISAPANI (2000M)

DAY 07 TREK TO BEGNAS LAKE THEN DRIVE TO POKHARA (800M)

DAY 08 DRIVE BACK KATHMANDU (1350M)

DAY 09 FINAL DEPARTURE

Ghorepani Trek

Treks in Nepal

Trip duration: 9 Days

Trek / Tour Destination – Ghorepani (2775 m.)

Walking Hour – Normally 4 to 5 Hours Every Day

Grade: Easy Trek

Activity: Trekking

Starts in: Kathmandu - Ends in: Kathmandu

Trek type: FOT/TH/GAP

Best Time for Trek – except during monsoon [July & August]

[FOT: Fully Organized Trek or Camping Trek

TH: Tea House (Lodge)

GAP: Guide, Accommodation & Porter]

This Ghorepani trek is an easy trek and is a very popular one in Nepal. The highest point of this trek (3200 mtrs) and for many the highlight is an early morning pilgrimage to Poon Hill for a spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas, where the mountains stretch as far as the eye can see North towards Tibet West towards the Dhaulagiri Himal and East with superb views of the Annapurna Himal. Not a difficult trek, but it helps if you have a reasonable degree of fitness. This trek is considered to be the best introduction to trekking with some spectacular views.

Outline Itinerery

Day 01 Aririve Kathmandu

Day 02 Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (7 hours)

Day 03 Drive to Nayapul trek to Ulleri (1960 m.)

Day 04 Ulleri / Ghorepani (2775 m.)

Day 05 Ghorepani / Tadapani (2540 m.)

Day 06 Tadapani / Ghandruk (1940 m.)

Day 07 Ghandrung / Pothana (1900 m.)

Day 08 Trek, Pothana / Phedi drive back to Pokhara

Day 09 Drive to Kathmandu.

Annapurna Journey (jomsom - muktinath Trek)

Treks in Nepal

Trip duration: 12 Days

Trek / Tour Destination – Muktinath (3710 m.)

Walking Hour – Normally 4 to 5 Hours Every Day

Grade: Soft Adventure trek

Activity: Trekking

Starts in: Kathmandu - Ends in: Kathmandu

Trek type: FOT/TH/GAP

Accommodation: Hotel and Lodge (tea house)

Best Time for Trek – except during monsoon [July & August]

[FOT: Fully Organized Trek or Camping Trek

TH: Tea House (Lodge)

GAP: Guide, Accommodation & Porter]

Jomsom Muktinath Trekking is situated North of Pokhara. Nepal's spectacular diversity appears at its finest. This Classic soft adventure trek Follows Kali Gandaki, through the world's deepest valley & emerge at Jomsom, nestled between the mighty Dhaulagiri & Nilgiri, on the borders of Mustang, which is popularly known as the Himalayan Shangri-la. This route is an exceptional way to discover all aspects of the Himalayas, and is the only low altitude passage between the northern and southern Himalayas. Dry, desert highlands are followed by rich green forests. The mountain viewing is brilliant and various ethnic groups of Nepal can be encountered along the way.

Outline Itinerery

Day 01 Drive, Kathmandu to Pokhara (7 hours), overnight hotel

Day 02 Fly, Pokhara / Jomsom (25 minutes), trek Kagbeni (2800 m.)

Day 03 Kagbeni / Muktinath (3710 m.)

Day 04 Muktinath / Marpha (2670 m.)

Day 05 Marpha / Kalopani (2530 m.)

Day 06 Larjung / Tatopani (1190 m.)

Day 07 Totopani / Shikha (1935 m.)

Day 08 Shikha / Ghorepani (2750 m.)

Day 09 Ghorepani / Tadapani (2590 m.)

Day 10 Tadapani / Ghandrung (1940 m.)

Day 11 Ghandrung / Nayapul drive back to Pokhara, overnight hotel.

Day 12 Drive Pokhara / Kathmandu.

Everset Panorama Trek

Treks in Nepal

Trip duration: 12 Days

Walking Hour – Normally 4 to 5 Hours Every Day

Grade: Soft adventure trek

Maximum altitude: 3867m

Activity: Trekking

Starts in: Kathmandu - Ends in: Kathmandu

Trek type:TH (Tea House / Lodge)

Accommodation: Hotel, lodge (tea house)

Best Time to Trek – March to May and October to December

[FOT: Fully Organized Trek or Camping Trek

TH: Tea House (Lodge)

GAP: Guide, Accommodation & Porter]

This trek is ideal for those with less time who never the less want a view of Everest. Mount Everest is fascinates the world by being top of the world. It provides a good insight into Sherpa culture without the struggle of high altitude trekking. This scenic trek along the river valley of the Dudh Kosi, brings you to Namche (the Sherpa's capital of Khumbu Region), and the monastery at Thyangboche. Our destination is the village of Tyangboche (3867m). So, this trek is known as Tyangboche Trek in a week below Everest. Walking through the lovely forest and traditional Sherpa villages to the world renowned and sacred monastery of Tyangboche is rewarded with the views from a low elevation and in a shortest time period of Mt. Everest soaring behind Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama-Dablam, Kangtega and Tawache peaks. When we return from Tyangboche you will meet the Sherpas, enjoy their world renowned hospitality and witness how life continues very much as it has done for centuries at traditional Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Khunde.

Outline Itinerery

DAY 01 ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU (1350M)

DAY 02 FULL DAY CITY TOUR IN KATHMANDU

DAY 03 FLY TO LUKLA (2886M), TREK TO PHAKDING (2640M)

DAY 04 TREK TO NAMCHE BAZAAR (3440M)

DAY 05 ACCLIMATIZATION IN NAMCHE (HIKING UP TO THE SYANBOCHE AIRSTRIP, KHUNDE HOSPITAL) AND AROUND EVEREST VIEW HOTEL

DAY 06 TREK TO TYANGBOCHE (3867M)

DAY 07 TREK TO KHUMJUNG (3790M)

DAY 08 TREK TO PHAKDING (2640M)

DAY 09 TREK TO LUKLA (2886M)

DAY 10 FLY BACK KATHMANDU (1350M)

DAY 11 REST DAY IN KATHMANDU

DAY 12 FINAL DEPARTURE

Manaslu Trekking

Trip duration: 15 Days

Walking Hour – Normally 4 to 6 Hours Every Day

Grade: Moderate to fairly challenging

Maximum altitude:3840 m

Activity: Trekking

Starts/ Ends: Kathmandu

Trek type: FOT

Accommodation : Hotel & camping

Best Time to Trek: March, April, May, June, September, October and early November.

FOT: Fully Organized Trek or Camping Trek

TH: Tea House (Lodge)

GAP: Guide, Accommodation & Porter

Mustang, "The Forbidden Kingdom" is situated north of the Himalayas and juts out onto the Tibetan Plateau. The region of Mustang has more in common culturally and geographically with Tibet than it does with the rest of Nepal . A journey into Mustang is like traveling back in time for a glimpse of what Tibet might have been before the Chinese occupation. Mustang retains much of its cultural autonomy and is administered by its own King or Raja, the 25th successor of his lineage. It is no wonder why it was opened for western visitors only after 1992.This magical journey in time begins.

At present Mustang is a very popular trekking region in Nepal . The Home Ministry of Nepal announced the Opening of the restricted areas in October 1991. There is also strict control in obtaining a special permit from the Department of Immigration to protect their tradition from outside influence as well as to protect their environment. According to government rule, liaison officers should always accompany with the trekking groups. The region of the Tibetan influence, Kaligandaki, from the Tibetan border south to Kagbeni is generally referred to as “Upper Mustang". The trek to Lo Manthang is through an almost tree-less barren landscape, a steep rocky trail up and down hill and panoramic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several other peaks make your trek memorable.

Outline Itinerery

Day 01 - Fly to Pokhara

Day 02 – Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni [2780m]

Day 03 -Trek to Chhuksang [2920m]

Day 04 -Trek to Samar [3290m]

Day 05 -Trek to Geling [3440m]

Day 06 -Trek to Ghami [3460m]

Day 07 -Trek to Charang [3490m]

Day 08 -Trek to Lo Manthang [3730m]

Day 09-In & around Lo Manthang

Day 10 -Trek to Lo Gekar

Day 11 -Trek to Ghami [3460m]

Day 12 -Trek to Chhuksang [2920m]

Day 13 -Trek to Jomsom [2710m]

Day 14 - Flight to Kathmandu via Pokhara

Day 15 - Depart Kathmandu

Price: US$ 1975 Per Person on twin sharing basis

Single Supplement: US$ 55

Price includes:

- Airport transfers

- 1 night accommodation with breakfast at Pokhara

- Return domestic flights (Kathmandu-Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu)

- Full board camping organized trek

- Camping equipments

- English speaking local expert guide with camping crew, Cook with kitchen crew and porters

- Special trekking permit for Mustang & National Park Permit

- Medicine Kit

- Insurance of the guide and porters

Price does not include:

- International flight tickets

- Any Airport taxes

- Accommodation in Kathmandu (can book)

- Lunch, dinner during the stay at Pokhara

- Personal gears & clothing (can get on hire or buy in Kathmandu and Pokhara)

- Any expenses of personal nature

- Tips

- Yours insurance

IF you are interested to visit Nepal you are advice to Contact me.

Shiva Prasad Chalise

Trekking in Nepal