Why trek in Nepal?
If there is anything Nepal is known for other than mountaineering, it is certainly trekking. The number speaks for themselves: Annually 200,000 tourists visit Nepal for trekking. Why? Because, in Nepal, trekking is exclusively the only way you can see and explore the majestic Himalayas, the tallest mountain range in the world. Being an underdeveloped country that it is, Nepal still has no proper road access to remote Himalayan peaks and passes, valleys and villages. With no such means available, you have little or no option but to trek.
But then trekking offers amazing opportunity to take a closer look at Nepal, appreciate up close the beauty of its snowy Himalayan peaks, its culture, wildlife, and biodiversity. No country on earth can match what Nepal has to offer. To start with Nepal is home to 8 of the world’s 10 highest mountain including the highest Mt. Everest (8848m). And there are nearly 5000 mountain peaks over 6000m. That alone is the single most defining reason for any traveler to come to Nepal. Also, there are the highest Himalayan passes, gorgeous deep valleys, beautiful glaciers and high-altitude lakes- all of this amounts to an overwhelming experience for any trekker. And when you are trekking, out into the wilderness, you also get to experience and explore Himalayan biodiversity and incredible landscape. The geography interestingly varies from Tibet-like plateaus in Dolpo and Mustang to temperate and alpine forests that are home to some of the most amazing assortment of wildlife. Endangered species such as Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Black Bear, Impheyan Pheasant, Great Hornbill prowl amidst the pristine forests of orchid, rhododendron, pine, magnolia, and juniper. Finally to complement this abundance of natural wonders is the colorful Himalayan culture, cuisine, and lifestyle of diverse ethnic communities which when coupled with their warm hospitality in many ways truly makes for the most intriguing and attractive proposition that hardly anyone can ignore.
Since its inception in the ‘60s, trekking has become so famous in Nepal that an entire industry has sprung around it with specialized trekking agents, trekking guides, cooks, and trekking gears. Hundreds of trekking trails have been explored and opened in recent years. The category of trekking trails ranges from easy to moderate to challenging and from one- day hike to month-long journeys, enough to suit every trekker’s needs. So what are you waiting for?
The Popular Trekking Routes in Nepal
