ashenThe Nepal part of the South Asian region is the perfect location for a camping trek experience of a lifetime. From the borders of Mount Everest to the Himalayas, a camping trek in Nepal offers you a wilderness adventure filled with thrill unlike no other. A camping trek isn’t just an ordinary trip to a foreign country and paying a visit for a few days. Here you’ll get to experience the incredible flora and fauna of the Nepalese territory. Witnessing wildlife such as Rhinos or Tigers might not be the best idea for some, but it is undoubtedly appealing for an adventure lover.
Moreover, battling the cold while tackling the high alpine pasture trails requires good physical form. We will touch on that topic later as to how you should prepare yourself before the trek. Additionally, you’ll get to familiarize with the remote Nepalese villages who are still untouched by modern living but lead a great village life.
An important thing to note is that there are a variety of camping treks in Nepal suitable for people with different fitness levels. Few treks are located off the beaten trail and offer a more authentic experience. Some treks are quite expensive due to the challenging nature and the extra remote location. Transporting travel gear, hiring an expert guide and supplying the food isn’t cheap. Stay tuned, we will talk about all of this and you decide which trek is the most suitable.
Dhaulagiri Trek
How about we kick off with one of the most challenging, expensive and advanced camping treks in Nepal. The Dhaulagiri Trek has two stages with the first starting in Beni and the second ending in Jomsom. We only recommend this for experienced trekkers who intend to further enhance their skills. The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek circles around the world’s seventh highest peak, Dhaulagiri Himal (8,167 meters). This incredibly scenic, off the beaten path trek takes you through low farming villages, Gandaki Gorge, glacier hikes, narrow rocky trails, Thapa Pass and more. This is why we advise only the top tier folk to undertake this. You’ll also have the chance to meet and experience the culture of the Gurung and Magyar people residing in these areas. Also, this is a 12 day trek.
Upper Dolpo Treks
Another challenging route that should only be tackled by experienced hikers mostly due to the steep passes, glaciers and narrow rocky paths. Commonly called the Trans- Himalayan Trek, this is closest to Tibet’s border and some passes of the Dhaulagiri circuit. An outstanding attraction site of this path is the Phoksundo lake and the Shey Gompa Monastery at the base of crystal mountain. The Upper Dolpo Circuit to Jomsom Trek unveils parts of the Great Himalayan Trail trek in Nepal, connecting the Tibet border. You will encounter Buddhist monasteries such as the Shey Gompa, picturesque mountainous trekking, deserts and grey hills. You might be one of the lucky folk to witness a blue sheep or an even rare snow Leopard.
Makalu Base Camp Trek
We are not on a roll here, but the Makalu camp trek is yet another top tier circuit built for the seasoned trekkers. It is a 21 day trek taking you through rural villages such as Sherpa and Bhotia and terraced farmland. You can feast your eyes on the extraordinary view of the eastern face of Everest(Kangshung face) and the magnificent rhododendron forests. The elevation is above 5000m and the best season to travel is between March and May because the rhododendrons flower spectacularly in the spring. You will also find the Makalu Barun National Park which covers a vast area.
Mount Everest Base Camp Trek
The list would be unfulfilled if we omitted this one. The Mount Everest trek requires 16 days and is one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal. It requires no prior experience and in our opinion, no one should miss out on this. You can view Mount Everest from several different angles and get to land in one of the highest airports in the world. The flight from Kathmandu would make you stick your eyes to the window for the view that is scenic. You will begin the hike from Lukla and journey through Sagarmatha National Park.
On your way towards the camp you’ll meet suspension bridges, viewpoints of some of the highest mountains on earth, monasteries and more. It is at Namche Bazaar that you’ll be able to enjoy the view of Mount Everest and the surrounding mountains. The trek is challenging at 4000 m but we believe that if you are in the right condition, this can be accomplished. A camping trek In Nepal is incomplete if you miss out on EBC.
Dudh Kunda Trek
The Dudh Kunda trek takes 13 days and the attraction point here is the unmatchable Dudh Kunda Lake. Take a flight from Kathmandu to the Phaplu airstrip to access the Dudh Kunda trek. While on the trek, you can enjoy stunning views of the lower Everest region. You also get to see Buddhist monasteries, Sherpa villages, mountain passes and peaks. Not much wildlife though. Most should be able to undertake this trek without much prior experience.
Kanchenjunga Trek
Passing through subtropical forests, grasslands at the mountaintop and traditional villages, this trek will lead you to the third highest mountain in the world. You also get to enjoy beautiful views of snow capped mountain peaks while on the trek, the main one being Kanchenjunga peak. This trek is the longest in our list requiring a total of 27 days and reaching an elevation of 5000+m. It is a bit challenging but can be accomplished with the proper guidance and of course good preparation.
Sherpani Col Trek
The Sherpani Col trek is also quite challenging to the novice hiker as it requires a couple of days for acclimatization. Also, most sections of each of the passes, especially the steepest, require rope fixing for safeguarding purposes. The specialty of the Sherpani Col Pass trek is that it touches both sides of the famous Everest base camp and Makalu base camp. Most claim that the Sherpani Col Pass trek is the highest trek in Nepal standing at 6,155m. The trek starts from flying to Tumlingtar and along the way you are going to be passing traditional farm villages and of course the breathtaking views of Mount Himalaya, Everest and a few more. The best time to undertake this trek is October and November as the weather is not too cold even at that elevation, clear enough for you to enjoy the views.
Trekking In Nepal Costs
This is a vast topic for another day. To keep it as short as possible, trekking in Nepal is considerably economic and budget-friendly. However, there are a number of variables at play here. Season of visit has been the most prominent. Obviously, the peak season is going to be more expensive than the off peak. Several other factors that affect the total trekking cost are the guides and porters you choose, accommodation, trekking permits and destination. Independent trekking is not recommended no matter how seasoned of a trekker you are. The cost can be low as $560 per person should you choose to trek the Langtang Valley which only requires 11 days. If you want to trek the Upper Mustang, it would cost around $1560 per person.
Of course the treks that stretch for 20 plus days will demand a higher charge. If you do have money to spare, booking online through an international company is the easiest. The price per person can be as high as $5000 for an average 8-12 day trek. However, we recommend using a local Nepali trekking agency. They do offer cost effective package tours and guides to hire. The package tours include everything you need from permits to lodging and food. Essentially, everything is taken care of for you. The average 8-12 day trek with a local trekking company can only be as expensive as $1700.
Preparation For A Camping Trek In Nepal
As promised, we will briefly touch on the preparation for a camping trek of such nature. We will first introduce the common practices prior to any sort of trek. Then let’s talk specifically about trekking the Himalayas and Mt. Everest.
Firstly, you have to start training your legs. This can be through the gym via squats, leg press or sports like swimming or football. Try using the stairs as much as you can and avoid the elevator. You are definitely not going to be walking on level footpaths while on the trek. Therefore, it is best to familiarize yourself with surfaces that will be similar to the trails on the trek.
A steep, rocky terrain is the best possible practice ground. Better to train with a moderately loaded backpack as opposed to just bodyweight. Hydration is the key to keep going steadfastly. Make sure to hydrate yourself well during training treks so that your body gets used to it. Last but not certainly not the least, invest in a reliable pair of high quality hiking boots. They need to be water resistant, breathable, providing ankle support and lightweight.
Altitude sickness is real as it gets when engaging in a camping trek in Nepal as you’ll be tackling these passes at altitudes above 3000 meters. The key thing is to keep drinking water and eating to keep your fluid and glucose levels up. This is why you should stick with a local trekking agency. Because they know the best procedure to follow should someone face Acute Mountain Sickness. That’s about it for the main health concern here.
Additionally, make sure to be lightweight as possible, both in wear and gear. Microfiber garments are better for condensation reduction and lightweight. Obviously try to buy as much as snicker and protein bars possibly from Kathmandu rather than at the Base camp for it is going to be triple the price. Remember, the ideal times to trek are April to May, due to the warmer temperatures and visibility, and September to November, before winter.
