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Lonely Planet says Nepal's adventures and cultural landscapes stand side by side, earning it a spot on the BBC's list of "50 Must-Visit Destinations." Nepal, a mountainous nation, boasts eight of the world's ten highest peaks, a unique combination of natural resources unmatched by any other country in the world.
Whether it is the cultural landscape, religious beliefs, or outdoor sports such as hiking, climbing, rafting, and paragliding, Nepal is well-deserved to be called the "Land of the Gods"!
[Tourists Style] Check out these top 10 world-class trekking routes in Nepal. From beginner to expert, how should you choose? See how many of these you've visited?
Hiking duration: 3 days
Hiking distance: about 38 kilometers
Maximum altitude: 3210 meters
Difficulty Index: ★★★☆☆☆☆
Suitable for: Healthy outdoor enthusiasts
The Boon Hill trekking route is one of the simpler trekking routes among all the famous trekking routes in Nepal. Compared with other routes, it does not require special physical fitness requirements and is a trekking route suitable for all entry-level outdoor enthusiasts.
But you can also see very spectacular scenery along the way. You can see the world's seventh highest peak - Dhaulagiri, the world's tenth highest peak - Annapurna, and Nepal's sacred mountain - Fishtail Peak.
Trekking duration: 5 days
Hiking distance: about 45-60 kilometers
Maximum altitude: 4,500 meters
Difficulty Index: ★★★★☆☆☆
Suitable for: Outdoor enthusiasts with some experience
The Malti Base Camp trek is more suitable for people who want to explore less touristy areas of Nepal or who do not have much experience in difficult trekking.
Located in the Annapurna region, this route is filled with pure natural beauty and local culture.
Along the way, you will pass many local villages, high mountain canyons, river valleys and mountains, and Himalayan pastures dotted with herds of cattle and sheep. You can also get a close look at the magnificent scenery and little-known side of Fishtail Peak, one of Nepal's most famous peaks at 6,993 meters high.
Trekking duration: 7-10 days
Hiking distance: about 60 kilometers
Maximum altitude: 4130 meters
Difficulty Index: ★★★★★☆☆
Suitable for: Outdoor enthusiasts with high-altitude hiking experience
Nepal's most famous and popular trekking route, known as the "Center of Trekking", allows you to see Mount Annapurna very closely, as well as the Fishtail Peak, Nepal's sacred mountain opposite it.
The scenery along the ABC route is beautiful, with forests, meadows, snow-capped mountains and countryside. You can experience the changes of the four seasons in one day and feel the exotic folk customs and religious beliefs of multiple ethnic groups along the way.
Trekking duration: 7-8 days
Hiking distance: about 65–80 kilometers
Maximum altitude: 4,600 meters
Difficulty Index: ★★★★★☆☆
Suitable for: Outdoor enthusiasts with high-altitude hiking experience
The closest hiking trail to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is an upgraded version of the Alps, where you can experience the more pristine local ancient village culture.
Enjoy the feast of snow-capped mountains in all directions along the way. It combines the beauty of ABC, the grandeur of the vast plateau of Tibet, and the pastoral style of Nepal. Every hiker who comes here will be overwhelmed by it.
Trekking duration: 10-16 days
Hiking distance: about 160 kilometers
Maximum altitude: 4230 meters
Difficulty Index: ★★★★★☆☆
Suitable for: Outdoor enthusiasts with high-altitude hiking experience
Mustang is an autonomous kingdom that existed for nearly 600 years and retained its royal power until 2008. It is the only area that has completely preserved the original appearance of traditional Tibetan culture.
This hiking route is known as the "Jewel of the Himalayas". It is a new route that has only emerged in recent years. This ancient Tibetan Buddhist cultural site is little known to many people. You can see magnificent plateau scenery similar to that of Ali in Tibet.
Trekking duration: 13 days
Hiking distance: about 100 kilometers
Maximum altitude: 5416 meters
Difficulty Index: ★★★★★★★
Suitable for people: Outdoor enthusiasts with experience in long-distance high-altitude hiking and camping
It is ranked first among the world's top ten hiking routes and is currently the only hiking route in the world that circles the snow-capped mountains at an altitude of 8,000 meters.
The scenery is diverse, ranging from low-altitude forest rivers to high-altitude meadow lakes, and the route is dotted with inns and important Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage sites .
Trekking duration: 14 days
Hiking distance: about 130 kilometers
Maximum altitude: 5550 meters
Difficulty Index: ★★★★★★★
Suitable for people: Outdoor enthusiasts with experience in long-distance high-altitude hiking and camping
Known as the "Snow Peak Paradise", this route allows you to enjoy four 8,000M+ snow-capped mountains up close: Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu.
Unlike the snow-capped mountains seen from afar on the ABC route, the EBC loop route has an altitude ranging from 2,700 meters to 5,550 meters, passing through beautiful villages and mountain paths from flower-filled woodlands to the top of the world of ice and snow!
Trekking duration: 16 days
Hiking distance: about 180 kilometers
Maximum altitude: 5213 meters
Difficulty Index: ★★★★★★★
Suitable for people: Outdoor enthusiasts with experience in long-distance high-altitude hiking and camping
Manaslu is the eighth highest peak in the world, at 8,163 meters above sea level. Compared to the famous ACT, the Manaslu Circuit is quieter but offers similar spectacular views to the ACT.
Along the way, you will hike through the lush foothills and rice fields, and cross the canyon on a steep suspension bridge. The scenery along the way covers dense jungles, steep mountain passes, natural hot springs, and quiet villages.
Trekking duration: 18 days
Hiking distance: about 200 kilometers
Maximum altitude: 5360 meters
Difficulty Index: ★★★★★★★
Suitable for people: Outdoor enthusiasts with experience in long-distance high-altitude hiking and camping
Dhaulagiri, also known as the Devil's Peak, is the seventh highest free-standing mountain in the world. The Dhaulagiri trek passes through Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Annapurna , and 23 other neighboring peaks.
Starting from a small but popular town at the confluence of the Myagdi River and the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the route passes through lush landscapes, hidden valleys, and high mountains with many snow-capped peaks.
Trekking duration: 14-28 days
Hiking distance: about 220 kilometers
Maximum altitude: 5,400 meters
Difficulty Index: ★★★★★★★
Suitable for people: Outdoor enthusiasts with experience in long-distance high-altitude hiking and camping
Kanchenjunga, which means "five huge snow treasures" in Tibetan, is composed of five peaks and the main peak (8586m) is the third highest peak in the world .
If you want to avoid the crowds during the peak season, you can go to the rarely visited foothills of Kanchenjunga, camp or stay in rural teahouses in remote villages along the way, climb through empty valleys, pastures and mountain forests, take in the sights of seven peaks above 8,000 meters, and enjoy the wilderness on a hiking and camping trip.
Dry season (mid-September to early May)
Mid-September to mid-November:
The best time to hike is when the sun shines brightly on the mountain every day. Hotels are in short supply due to the large crowds, so book in advance.
Falling leaves season (mid-November to mid-January): The temperature starts to get colder and the number of hikers decreases. This is one of the recommended times to avoid the crowds, as some hotels will close.
Mid-November to end of February:
The probability of seeing the full view of the snow-capped mountains on a clear winter day is very high, but the high altitude areas will be cold and the temperature will be low. Even at night in the hotel it will be below zero, and hiking on the icy and snowy roads will be difficult.
Early March to early May:
The best hiking season besides autumn is when rape blossoms, cherry blossoms, and azaleas complement the snow-capped mountains, creating a magnificent scene.
Rainy season (mid-May to mid-September)
Two-thirds of the annual rainfall is concentrated in this season, sunny days are very rare, and the probability of seeing the full view of the snow-capped mountains is also very low.
Entry and Exit
Prepare your original passport, filled in the entry card and visa on arrival form, and prepare a 2-inch photo with a white background
Before hiking
Apply for a mountaineering permit and environmental guarantee, and bring a copy of your passport and a 2-inch photo with a white background
Hiking
Prepare 2 outdoor backpacks (each piece of luggage should not exceed 15 kg, one for yourself and one for the porter)
Currency Exchange
Do not carry large amounts of Nepalese rupees out of the country, otherwise you will be questioned; you can exchange a small amount of Nepalese rupees for tipping at the airport, and you can also exchange rupees at local banks later.
1 US dollar is equivalent to about 70 Nepalese rupees
1 RMB is equivalent to approximately 10.8 Nepalese rupees
1. Tips
Nepalese workers ask to help you carry your luggage, and you need to tip them, otherwise they will not agree to move your luggage.
2. Time difference
Nepal time is 2 hours and 15 minutes behind Beijing time
3. Language
Nepalese people greet time by putting their hands together and saying "NAMASTE".
4. Driving
Right-hand drive, keep left, road conditions are bad, it is recommended to wear a mask
5. Drinking water and accommodation
The local water quality is not good, you can buy bottled drinking water in the supermarket
6. Clothing
Women are not allowed to wear revealing or tight clothes in the local area; it is not suitable to wear slippers when visiting temples, and skirts and pants should be above the knee.
How many of Nepal's top ten trekking trails have you visited? Share your next outdoor adventure in the comments!
