One of the world’s great trekking destinations
Nepal’s trekking routes rank among the world’s best for good reason — dramatic Himalayan scenery, a well-developed teahouse network that makes multi-day trekking accessible without camping, and a culture along the trails that is genuinely fascinating. Here is how to plan it properly.
The main routes
Annapurna Circuit: the classic long trek, 2-3 weeks, circumnavigating the Annapurna massif. Annapurna Base Camp (ABC): 7-10 days, shorter and very accessible, incredible close-up views of Annapurna I (8,091m). Everest Base Camp: 12-14 days from Lukla, the most famous trek, gets crowded in peak season but worth it for the experience. Langtang Valley: underrated, 7-10 days, less crowded than EBC, extraordinary valley scenery and Tamang culture.
Permits
Two permits required for most treks: TIMS card (Trekkers’ Information Management System, NPR 2,000 / ~$15) and a national park or conservation area permit (NPR 3,000-5,000 / $22-37 depending on area). Buy both at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara before starting. Some areas require additional restricted area permits — Mustang, Dolpo, Manaslu each have separate permits costing $50-500+ depending on zone.
Altitude sickness
The most important thing to understand. Above 3,000m, ascend slowly — no more than 300-400m of sleeping elevation per day. Spend extra nights at key acclimatization points. Descend immediately if symptoms worsen. No amount of fitness prevents altitude sickness if you ascend too fast. Discuss Diamox (acetazolamide) with a doctor before departure.
The teahouse system
Most popular routes have teahouses every 1-3 hours of walking. Basic rooms (NPR 300-800/night), simple but filling meals (dal bhat with unlimited rice and lentil refills is the standard — NPR 400-700). No need to carry a tent or cooking equipment for standard routes. Bring a quality sleeping bag — teahouse blankets are provided but thin.