The gem among peaks with the stunning Himalayas, Nepal is toured by any tourist loving mountains and adventure. Nepal is home to some of the most beautiful trekking routes across the Earth and, if you are planning your very first trekking trip, Nepal should probably top your charts.
The beauty of the trails can initially make selecting the correct trail a bit overwhelming. However, no need for worry, Nepal has countless beginner friendly treks that provides equal amount of adventure along with its comfort. The following are some of the great treks you are likely to fall in love with.
Manaslu Circuit Trek
If you are looking for something not so touristic and are a quiet trail lover then Manaslu Circuit Trek will be your thing. This trek is slightly more challenging compared to the other beginner treks but equally doable for the first time trekkers if you have the required fitness level and a spirit for adventure.
Passing heavenly forests and ancient monasteries like Pungyen Gompa you will circle around to Mount Manaslu the eighth highest mountain in the world. Change at the scenery as you go higher, green forests change into huge glaciers, blizzard whiteness, and towering snow peaks.
The summit of Larkya La Pass at 5,160m is the highest point of the trek and reaching it is an unforgettable achievement. It’s scary, but with the appropriate acclimatization and a slow pace thereof, even the beginners can cross the pass unharmed.
The trip for the Manaslu Circuit trek usually takes 14 to 16 days. Manaslu feels more remote as well as authentic compared to quite bustling Everest and Annapurna trails. This is a great choice of a trek if you desire a raw Himalaya experience minus the crowds.
Everest Base Camp Trek
The very mention of the name ‘Everest’ brings awe to many and reminds travelers of the Everest Base Camp Trek, an iconic adventure. It’s also a great trek for beginners who are generally fit and prepared to work themselves a bit.
The experience usually begins with an exhilarating flight into Lukla, a mere airstrip situated on a hillside. From there you will walk trails through the colorful Sherpa villages, pass spinning prayer wheels, visit ancient monasteries and walk through forests where rhododendrons erupt in bloom in spring.
The landscape get’s rougher as you get altitude, and you feel like you can touch the mountains. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam will remain imprinted in your mind forever. Standing at Everest Base Camp, 5,364 meters above the sea, you are surrounded by ice and rock. That is the unforgettable point people want to reflect on their whole lives.
Due to the elevation, the trek is usually around 12 to 14 days long, with built in rest days to assist your body in acclimatizing in the height. The trails are clearly marked, and there are also comfortable teahouses along the route with food and sustenance. This does not get much better for a first time trekker ready for a bigger adventure.
Alternatives for luxury seekers | Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
For those who cannot imagine trekking for days, there is a way to enjoy the delight of Everest without breaking a sweat too much. That is where the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour comes in. You will not have to hike up exhausting hustling trails; instead, you will just sit back and watch the towering peaks coming from the sky.
With this tour, you are blessed with the most breathtaking aerial view of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse, three very massive mountains to which it normally takes days of trekking to even get a glimpse of them. You’ll also land at a point of very high altitude so that you can step out to breath crisp and cold mountain air and get a shot of the unbelievable landscape.
The whole trip only involves 3 to 4 hours and hence is perfect for those who don’t have much time or not yet capable of a physically intensive trek. This is a superb way to experience the grandeur of Everest region in such a short and relaxed visit without the hassle of trekking at high altitude.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
If not an epic adventure, then perhaps the Annapurna Base Camp Trek will be slightly shorter, but equally as grand. You go deep into the Annapurna range to some of the world’s highest and most beautiful peaks, including Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, Machapuchare (the Fishtail) and Hiunchuli.
This trek usually takes around 7 to 10 days, and is supposed for people who have very less time but want to experience a full Himalayan trekking experience. Starting from Nayapul, you’ll follow fascinating Gurung villages, forests alive with birdsong, and smile-inducing fields of terraced fields that seem to lead into the clouds.
The final stage of the climb to Annapurna Base Camp at 4130 meters yields one of the higher altitude sightings of its kind, a 360° amphitheater of snowy giants, a view so sacred it takes you almost not at all into this world.
The trail is a well-established, relatively gentle one so it’s a fine trek for first-timers, who are reasonably fit. On top of that, the trail provides warm teahouses and friendly locals to enjoy each day.
Langtang Valley Trek
If one is looking for a peaceful, amazing, trek and yet close to Kathmandu the Langtang Valley Trek is a place not to give second thoughts about. A handful of hours outside of the capital, Langtang features some incredible Himalayan views without having to go far or high at all.
You will start off from Syabrubesi village trekking through thick forests of rhododendron, oak and pine. You will also pass through warm and inviting Tamang villages, to see and experience a rich, fascinating culture beyond city life.
When you ascend up the valley, the scenery expands into vast flat territories, ice scraped by, with the beautiful Langtang Lirung mountain standing palpable. The hike up to Kyanjin Ri at 4,773 meters is the highlight, and watching the sunrise point the mountains with gold light remains etched in your heart forever.
Generally, the Langtang Valley trek counts about 7 to 9 days and it is graded as moderate which is extremely approachable for a first time trekker who likes to have a little taste of Himalayan life without going too extreme.
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