Nepal

Whether overnighting in teahouses or camping on mountainsides, some of the best walks on the planet are found among the peaks and valleys of Nepal. We plot a route for every kind of adventure…

- Bradley Mayhew

Nepal is arguably the world’s greatest trekking destination, and you could spend years exhausting all of its incredible Himalayan trails. But with such a range of routes, durations, geography and trekking styles to choose from, picking the right walk for you can be daunting. Consider this ‘trek planner’ your own personal Sherpa to guide you through the fabulous range of choices.

The first thing to decide is whether you want to camp or overnight in lodges known as teahouses. Life is undeniably simpler on a teahouse trek, mainly because you don’t have to fuss with a tent, stove or food. Most people like the sociability, interaction and comfort of teahouses, but during high season the lodges are often bursting and you’ll find yourself interacting far more with tourists than with locals.

If you want to get off the teahouse routes completely, you’ll have to be self-supported and carry supplies, tents and stoves, and will likely need porters and cooking staff, which is when a good local agency comes into its own. If you can handle the extra planning, cost and potential discomfort, the joy of being able to embark on a long, self-sustained wilderness camping trek is pretty hard to beat.

First-time trekkers will probably want to consider one of Nepal’s classic teahouse options. With more experience you can explore an off-the-beaten-path teahouse trek, where the lodges and food are simpler and you’ll need a bit more route-finding knowledge. Experienced trekkers will want to explore the side valleys and high passes of the more popular treks, or head out on a camping trek into the wilds of the far east or west of Nepal.