Nepal Trekking

Nepal trekking offers some of the most diverse and stunning trails in the world. Often called a hiker's paradise, Nepal's trails are adventurous and impressive and can be taken on full-steam or enjoyed at a leisurely pace--it all depends on your desires and abilities. In Nepal, trekking has become the top attraction for most visitors; nowadays there are literally hundreds of choices when it comes to group treks, guides and trip durations. For centuries only the most hearty and hardened Nepalese people have eked out a living along the mountainsides of Mount Everest, where rare blue sheep and snow leopards endure a difficult existence in rough and often-changing weather conditions. Since the first trekkers traversed Everest in 1953 during the first of the Nepal tours, intrepid travelers have been flocking to the area for their own mountain journeys.

The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most well-known in the world; it begins around the upper part of Phakding and traverses the Dudh Kosi Valley. From there, the climb ascends toward Namche, a Sherpa capital and haven for trekkers. Namche is the gathering hub for those embarking on an Everest Base Camp trek. Mountainside villages cloaked in blooming wildflowers and large firs breathtaking scenes of mountaintop splendor. Large groups of animated people can be seen and heard planning Annapurna treks via Everest Base Camp.

Everest Base Camp is used by trekkers both ascending and descending the mountain. A primitive-style camp that serves in acclimatizing mountain climbers before they ascend farther up onto Everest, the camp is located at more than 17,000 feet up the mountain, or over 5,000 meters. There are two camps known as North and South, the former located on the Tibetan side and the latter on the Nepalese side. Both camps are served by Sherpas who, much like porters hiking the Inca Trail, carry food and other necessities for hikers, with the aid of animals. A few days' stay is normally sufficient for hikers engaged in Nepal trekking to move on without succumbing to serious altitude sickness. Following peaks and valleys and traveling through hillside villages and towns, trekkers enjoy phenomenal views of the valley below, the peaks above and everything between, whether it be verdant or covered in ethereal blankets of snow.

Nepal tours throughout Everest take on many forms. Annapurna treks are perhaps the most arduous, as they lead to the highest accessible peak. Annapurna is the highest of a series of mountainous peaks in the Himalaya Mountains. At more than 26,000 feet, or 8,000 meters, this peak is one of the highest in the world. There are a total of six peaks that are part of Annapurna, which sprawl over a range of 23,000 feet, or 7,200 meters. They're called Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Annapurna South and Gangapurna. Picturesque terraced farmland, jagged snow-covered peaks, sweeping valleys, charming villages and blue skies are highlights of this revered land, making Nepal tours a growing fascination worldwide.

Whether you're going as far as an Everest Base Camp trek and the trails around the area, or you're planning on heading up as far as possible through the Annapurna region, there's no doubt that a Nepal trekking adventure will leave a lasting impression. Annapurna treks lasting a few days to a week, or even as long as a month, allow visitors to experience a truly unique region and fascinating culture. Leaving no part of this unique geography unexplored, enterprising visitors can even take part in bungee jumping, paragliding and mountain biking throughout the Himalayas.