How far does the lure adventure really take you? Camping and hiking are some of the most amazing ways to explore any part of the world.
You get to take in everything around you, and fully appreciate the beauty of where you are physically, mentally, and spiritually.
If you could put a pin in the map and make that your next destination, anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? For me, it would be Nepal.
Why? Nepal trekking is an experience that can not be conveyed through any writing, photos or video posted on social media. It must be experienced firsthand.
Imagine being on the hike of a lifetime, Nepal trekking gives you just that! There’s no need to be worried about being in a country where you don’t speak the language.
Many Nepali I have met on my numerous travel hiking and trekking, even in the smaller villages, speak English well enough for you to get by.
In the cities don’t be surprised to find that there are many people who can speak three or more languages.
On experience I had was where a man in a shop serving us was able to engage with tourists in the shop at the same time as us in English, German, and Chinese!
When there’s a sale to be made, learning a new language seems very easy to many people in Nepal. So don’t worry, you’ll be fine from the moment you land in Kathmandu.
Wandering off on your own is not completely unsafe in some parts of Nepal. In the lower areas near the Indian border, particularly around Chitwan, this is not advisable, particularly after dark.
Elephants are wild here and the male (bull) can become aggressive and territorial. In areas like this, you really need to stick with the local operators.
Nepal trekking will open your eyes to a world you might otherwise never see. And it would be a shame to have live a life without taking in this magical land and its beautiful people.
From the far northwestern reaches of the Upper and Lower Mustang, right through to Rara Lake, and the more mainstream Annapurna Base Camp, referred to the locals as ABC, and the top of every adventurer’s list, Everest, trekking in Nepal is incomparable.
Some key advice with your Nepal trekking is to pack light but also pack for a range of conditions.
The lower parts of the country can be quite hot and humid, while the higher altitudes in the Land of the Gods can become very cold, very quickly.
Pack for a range of conditions during your trekking, taking into consideration the regions you are intending to move through.
When in Nepal, you could easily stay for a couple of months and spend your time exploring the country from top to bottom. Preparing for a trip like this is quite easy, regardless of if you’re hiking through the mountains or sightseeing while sticking to the towns and cities.
Visas are easy to get in most cases, with some countries having more flexible arrangements than others. Fortunately, we arranged to have our visas approved before we left home. This made for a wise decision as there were hundreds of people at the arrivals terminal of the airport in the line for their entry visa.
When you first arrive in Nepal, take a few days in Kathmandu to adjust to the culture and the climate.
There are many amazing things to see and do in this sprawling city, and with the right guide, you’ll be able to take in the culturally significant sites such as Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square in one day if you really want to.
I’d suggest popping over to Bhaktapur while this is so close in the first few days. Once you have found that you are acclimated, it is time to escape the madness of the city and soak in the beauty of Nepali nature.
Your Nepal trekking will expose you to all manner of amazing sights from the towering mountains that lead to the rooftop of the world, right through to airports that hang precariously on the edges of cliffs.
You’ll also see jungles thick with vegetation that it is amazing to think that within a couple of feet of where you are there are Samba Deer, White Rhinoceros, Crocodiles, and possibly even Bengali Tigers just out of eyesight.
A truly magical experience, trekking in Nepal will open your eyes to a world you may not have even thought of visiting before.