Nepal • Popular Trekking Areas
Popular Trekking Areas in Nepal
The Everest Region
The khumbu region of Nepal is one of the best-known treks in the world. This is the land of the Sherpa People and the world’s great 8,000 meter peaks, many trekkers walk in from the road head at Jiri, through the lovely rolling hills of the Solu region. Others fly in to the village of Lukla to start their trek .A few days above Lukla is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park and the town of Namche Bazaar, where most trekkers take a day to acclimatize to the high altitude. From here one may branch towards the village of Thame or continue on to take on of the two main Khumbu routes, to Gokyo Lake or towards the Everest base camp. Beyond Namche Bazaar is the Sherpa village of Khumjung and further on the famous monastery of Thyangboche. Here the Mani Rimdu festival of dances is celebrated every year.
The Annapurna Circuit
Nepal’s most popular trek begins at the lakeside town of Pokhara and leads six or seven days northwest around the Annapurna Massif, through dramatic changes in landscape, climate and culture to the high village of Jomosom, near the isolated land of Mustang. Trekkers often continue on to the sacred shrine of Muktianath, near the 5,415-meter Thorangla pass and down into the lovely valley of Manang. The route through Manang circles the Annapurna back to the Kathmandu - Pokhara highway. The Annapurna circuit takes one through terraced hills, forests and alpine pastures and through the villages of a number of different cultures.
The Annapurna Sanctuary and around Pokhara
North of Pokhara is an area protected by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, tucked beneath the southern slopes of the Annapurna Massif. The Sanctuary is an easy trek from Pokhara and takes one through some of Nepal’s most lovely rhododendron forests to the Annapurna base camp. There are also numerous one or two day treks out of Pokhara town, where one can have views of Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna range, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal.
Helambu, Gosainkunda and Langtang
Just north of Kathmandu are two lovely sites where one may experience Tamang and Sherpa life, temperate forest and alpine pastures, glaciers, lakes and snowy peaks. Hemalambu valley noted for its scenic grandeur and pleasant climate is just north of the Kathmandu Valley. One can stay in highland monastery villages and small settlements in pristine forests. Above Helambu is a mountain pass the lake of Gosainkunda to the valley of Langtang. Gosaikunda lake itself is situated at 4,380 meters. It is sacred to Lord Shiva and every summer is the scene of an important pilgrimage. Nearby are other lakes including Nagkunda, Bhairavkunda, Saraswatikunda and Suryakunda. The trek passes through a varied landscape ranging from evergreen forests, cascading waterfalls and turbulent streams to sub-alpine grasslands and stark, beautiful mountain sides.
Langtang valley stretches north of Gosainkunda. One travels through pristine forests to the village of Ghoda Tabela, then the valley opens out into a high, Himalayan river plain full of beautiful camping sites, spectacular peaks and wide glaciers. One can hike to the back of the valley or take numerous optional trips to explore glacier-filled side canyons.
Rara Lake
The trek to Rara Lake begins at Jumla, a village in trans-Himalayan valley with high rides covered with forests and alpine pastures. The town has an airstrip and tele-communication facilities. The flight from Kathmandu to Jumla passes south along the Dhaulagiri range and provides lovely views of Nepal’s western landscape. Three and half day’s trek from Jumla to Rara National Park. Rara Lake (2,990m.) has an area of nearly ten square kilometers and is surrounded with hills of pines and rhododendrons. The peaceful surroundings are enhanced by the reflections of the surrounding hills in the lake’s bright blue waters. Due north, Chankheli peak (3,201m.) looms large across the deep Mugu Karnali gorge.
Dolpa
One of the newest areas of Nepal open to trekkers is the southern part of Shey-Phoksundo, National park. Reached in about a week from Jumla, the center of attraction is lovely lake Phoksundo, famous for the ever-changing colors of its waters. Here one steps on to the edge of the trans-Himalayan plateau that extends from Tibet down into Nepal. This is the region of some of Nepal’s most remarkable wildlife, including the blue sheep, the serow and the snow leopard.
Kangchenjunga
One the Far Eastern border of Nepal lies Mt. Kangchenjunga. The valleys approaching the mountain base camp have been opened to trekking, specifically for organized treks. The long trek to the lap of Kangchenjunga takes one through some of the country’s richest and most pristine forests. The region is quite uninhabited, so the visitor must bring along all food and camping equipment.
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