Trekking is an exercise that cleans your mind, rejuvenate your body and purify your soul. Up in the Himalaya, every breath you take will cleanse your lungs, every step you take reconditions your body, and every moment you spend amidst the pure natural setting heightens your spirit and clarifies the meaning of life. No wonder, great Hindu Gurus spend their time meditating in the Himalayas, the Abode of the Gods. Nepal is a Trekker’s Paradise because of the great bio-diversity one can experience between luxuriant subtropical low lands to the highest Himalayas in the north. Its Nature’s wonderland to be explored while encountering the most hospitable and ever smiling people on earth. Due to the physical isolation of communities separated by the thundering streams gushing down the Himalayan glaciers, the secluded communities have their own ethnicity, dialects and culture. The pocket economies are largely self-sufficient and people are very happy- treating Guests like God. Such natural, cultural and spiritual wonders offer great opportunities for trekking to experience the spectacular landscape, great scenery and varied climatic zones while walking along the foothills of the Himalayas.
Types of Treks and Routes
There are a numerous ways that you can arrange your treks in Nepal such as backpacking, teahouse treks, self-arranged treks and treks arranged through a trekking company.
Backpacking
This approach of carrying a light pack, stove, dried food and a tent is not really a good idea of trekking in Nepal as food is available in almost all the village except in the high mountains above 4500 meters. But in higher altitudes, this is more practical.
Teahouse Treks
In Nepali, the word ‘Bhatti’ is understood as ‘Teahouse’ though we can also get alcohol (Chyang and Rakshi) in such places. In the trekking regions, the Nepalese generally refer Restaurants or eating places as ‘hotels’ and use the word ‘lodge’ to places where accommodation is also provided. Teahouse treks are the most popular mode of trekking in Nepal as hotel accommodation readily available in the Everst Region, Langtang area and the entire Annapurna area. In these area, you can travel with a bare minimum of equipment and rely on ‘teahouses’ for food and accommodation. However, it is a good idea to carry your own sleeping bag as the bed/sheet provided may not be up to your expectations.
Self-Arranged Treks
You can also gather ‘Sherpas’, food and equipment and arrange your own trek. You can contact the local trekking agencies and ask them to arrange such a program. These self-arranged treks can be very entertaining among friends. You carry only a small backpack (camera, water bottle and a jacket) and the rest are carried by the porter. The Sherpas set up camps, cook your food and serve meals.