Namas Adventure 7/8/19 Namas Adventure 7/8/19

7 remote trekking destination in Nepal - Namas Adventure

7 REMOTE TREKKING DESTINATION IN NEPAL

Everest base camp and Annapurna region treks have rightly become one of the most popular trekking choices for travelers visiting Nepal. Why wouldn't it be? Firstly it's the charm of the world's greatest Himalayan ranges and secondly, it is easier to access these areas via flights to Lukla for all Everest trails and from Pokhara for all Annapurna trails. The momentum has only been building with rising adventure travelers coming to Nepal. 2018 was a great year for Nepal with the highest arrival to date of 1.2M travelers.

Visit Nepal 2020 is just around the corner and Nepal is seeking to welcome 2 million travelers which will be the first time in the history of Nepal's inbound tourism. With, Everest and Annapurna being the charm for most travelers we expect to see a significant rise of trekkers particularly in these trekking areas. I would say Everest base camp will be the most overcrowded and then following up to Annapurna base camp. In 2018, the Everest region saw 57,000 trekkers and the Annapurna region welcomed 1,73,000 trekkers, bearing in mind that the Annapurna region holds 5 major trekking trails. Annapurna circuit issued 28,060 permits in 2018. Annapurna base camp and Poonhill trek are the popular choices for most travelers.

So, it is only self-evident that the trajectory will rise and If I had to choose a trek in the Annapurna region then I would choose the Annapurna circuit. There are still fewer travelers compared to Annapurna base camp or Poon hill even with the rise in numbers in 2018. The traveler ratio is still half that of Everest trails. The landscapes are vast and the trail host beautiful diverse landscapes, challenging routes with the world's highest pass and the highest lake, culturally rich, and very welcoming people. If you are one for varieties in nature then this definitely is the one. Having said that if you really opt for a trek that is remote and with fewer people and you want the whole of nature to yourself then, we recommend the five remote, with no queue or even no people for several days. Just amazing nature all around you.

(Click on the images to find more about the tour info)

Manaslu Circuit trek - 17 days

2017 travelers: 6600 | 2018 travelers: 7300

The Manaslu Circuit sees fewer trekkers compared to the established trekking routes in the Annapurna region. The circuit is a stunning trek with spectacular views of Mount Manaslu (8163 m) and the Ganesh Himal Range, among others. Along the trail, you encounter an interesting mix of authentic Hindu and Tibetan-style Buddhist villages. The trail follows the spectacular Budhi Gandaki River all the way from Arugath to its source just below the Larkya Pass (5125 m). As you start low, at around 700 m, the landscapes are incredibly varied ranging from the green countryside and lush forests to spectacular high altitude landscapes skirting huge glaciers.

Upper Dolpo region and Phoksundo - 12-30 days

2017 travelers: 1500 | 2018 travelers: 1800

Trekking the Dolpa Circuit is an experience you'll never forget. You'll have the opportunity to experience life in the remote highlands. The trail passes through a variety of landscapes ranging from green pastures (in some ways resemblant of the European Alps) to barren rocks that extend into the Tibetan plateau. The Phoksundo Lake is of incomparable beauty, with its deep blue and emerald colors surrounded by steep bold rocks. On the way, you'll encounter small authentic villages steeped in Tibetan culture and tradition. Buddhism and Bonpo are very important for the people living in these villages and interwoven in everyday life.

Makalu BC trek - 21 Days

2017 travelers: 1550 | 2018 travelers: 1250

Makalu Barun National Park offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the Himalayas. The rewards of trekking here are fantastic but hard-won - this is remote wilderness trekking for the experienced. The trail to Makalu Base Camp takes you deep into the high Himalayas with the giant of Makalu, The Great Black, looming above you and Everest, Lhotse, and Baruntse in view. The verdant Arun and Barun river valleys lead to Makalu Base Camp.

Upper Mustang - 17 Days

2017 travelers: 4250 | 2018 travelers: 4,100

Website link: (Upper Mustang, click here)

The region’s isolation from the outside world has contributed to a highly preserved Tibetan culture and unspoiled nature. Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri massif creating a ruggedly arid land surrounded by rocks in all kinds of colors and impressive formations. This barren landscape is dotted with settlements of whitewashed houses, barley fields, and Chorten festooned with prayer flags which add a splash of color to the landscape.

Langtang trekking - 11 Days

2017 travelers: 8500 | 2018 travelers: 10,650

Langtang trekking takes us through a dense deciduous forest of oak, maple, spruce, fir, and blue pine and bamboo havens, the agricultural lands of the Sherpa and Tamang-Tibetan people until we reach the spectacular panoramic view of Dorje Larpa (6990m.), Langtang Ri (6370m.), Langtang Lirung (7245m.). Here, in the cusp, lies the resurrected village of Langtang, a beautiful sight for sore eyes, especially when under the veil of the night and its starry skies.

Kanchenjunga Trek - 22 Days

2017 travelers: 470 | 2018 travelers: 970

Please email us at namas@namasadventure.com for Kanchenjunga details

Trekking in Kanchenjunga offers the most beautiful Himalayan scenery. You will see the best views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Makalu, and Jahnu Himal. You will also see towering heights of Mt. Rothang and Kabru above a moraine on the Nepal-Sikkim border.

TSUM Valley Trek - 19 Days

2017 travelers: 1690 | 2018 travelers: 2050

Please email us at namas@namasadventure.com for Tsum Valley trek details

Tsum Valley was a restricted area until it was opened for trekking in 2008. The Tsum Valley is a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage valley situated in northern Gorkha, Nepal. Literally “Tsum” means vivid. Against the majestic backdrop of the Ganesh Himal and Sringi Himal, and Boudha ranges, this serene Himalayan valley is rich in ancient art, culture, and religion. The local people are mostly of Tibetan origin and speak unique dialects. Trails are strewn with artistic Chortens and lined with mani walls made of thousands of stone slabs carved with drawings of deities and inscribed with prayers. The famous Kyimu Lung, a pilgrimage circuit in the central Trans-Himalaya, is well known for its center of learning and meditation. This circuit traverses the Tsum Valley the Manaslu area in Nepal, and southern parts of Tibet.

If you are the kind of traveler who is seeking a more remote pristine adventure, want to stay off the grid, and just enjoy the pure joy of silence, amazing landscapes, and pristine wilder trek then these are definitely the choices for you. Nepal holds so much more beauty and the focus has been on the Everest region mostly, so if you want to travel away from the crowd, visiting these destinations won’t disappoint you. We at Namas Adventure can organize these trekking tours for you, please email us if you want to travel to these amazing pristine beautiful destinations.

If you do have any more questions, please ask us below in the comment section or you can email us at bookings@namasadventure.com and our team will get back to you as soon as they can.

Stay well. Challenge yourself. Dare great things and live your story.

Reference:

Nepal tourism data - http://www.tourism.gov.np/

Annapurna circuit - https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/annapurna-circuit-witnesses-highest-number-of-tourists-in-2018/

Namas Adventure 4/11/18 Namas Adventure 4/11/18

Summer Adventures in Nepal

Photo by Jamie McGuinness of Phoksundo lake Dolpo.

As most of the world gears up for the June - July summer holidays, and as a traveler, if Nepal is on your travel list during these months then we have a handful of recommendations. Monsoon season usually starts from mid June/July ending during the last week of August. during these months it will rain heavily but luckily not every day. Nevetheless, there is something magical in the air at this time and the most pristine and less traveled trek sites open and accessible during monsoon season. Adventure all around Nepal resumes from September.

So, where can I go in Nepal during June - August?

Below are some of the amazing trek sites you can access during your summer holiday. ( Note * - for trekking adventures please have additional days as contingency plan on your itineraries, as travel disruptions are likely to happen with local transportation due to chances of landslides in highway connecting routes).

Trekking adventures

The best part about trekking during June - August is the small number of crowds (to no crowd) in all trekking sites. Trekking can be done in the region where it falls in the Himalayan rain shadow, meaning there is no rainfall in these areas of Nepal.

Upper-Mustang ( 17 Days )

Months during summer ( Monsoon in Nepal ) recommended: Early June and Mid August

The Upper Mustang trek brings you into the hidden world of the old Buddhist kingdom of Mustang, also called Lo. Lo used to be part of the Tibetan empire and is therefore closely tied to Tibet in culture, language and geography. The region's isolation from the outside world has contributed to a highly preserved Tibetan culture and unspoiled nature. Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri massif creating a ruggedly arid land surrounded by rocks in all kind of colours and impressive formations. This barren landscape is dotted with settlements of whitewashed houses, barley fields and chortens festooned with prayer flags which add a splash of colour to the landscape.

The trail follows the ancient salt caravan route through which the people of Mustang traded Tibetan salt for grain from the lowlands. The goal of the Upper Mustang trek is the capital of Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang. From the pass Lo La (3950 m) you can see the walled medieval capital in the distance, the white-washed 6-meter tall wall sticking out in sharp contrast to the barren landscape. Upper Mustang is one of the driest region in Nepal and this is the only time of the year where the floras and faunas bloom which occurs due to light rain sprinkles brought by the escaped monsoon clouds from the Himalayas.

If you would like to travel to Upper Mustang region, we have fixed departure dates announced. ( Click here ) for detailed trekking adventure information.

Jamie McGuinness Upper Mustang53-min.jpg

Annapurna Circuit ( 17 Days )

Months during summer ( Monsoon in Nepal ) recommended: Early June and Mid August

The Annapurna Circuit - appropriately known as Nepal's classic trek - offers more variety than any other equivalent length trek, and will take you through virtually every type of scenery that Nepal has to offer. You will witness superb views of the Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri mountain ranges and an amazing variety of landscapes varying from sub-tropical through alpine peaks to an arid semi-desert akin to Tibet. The climax of the trekking involves crossing the iconic Thorong La Pass (5416m). The majority of the trip will be based in tea-houses throughout the route where you will also get time to spend in villages inhabited by many of Nepal's different peoples, both Buddhist and Hindu. Like Mustang region, this is the only time of the year where the floras and faunas bloom which occurs due to light rain sprinkles brought by the escaped monsoon clouds from the Himalayas.

If you would like to travel to Annapurna circuit, we have fixed departure dates announced. ( Click here ) for detailed trekking adventure information.

Dolpo and Phoksundo ( 30 days )

Months during summer ( Monsoon in Nepal ) recommended: Early June and Mid August

Trekking the Dolpa Circuit is an experience you’ll never forget. You’ll have the opportunity to experience life in the remote highlands. The trail passes through a variety of landscapes ranging from green pastures (in some ways resemblant of the European Alps), to barren rocks that extend into the Tibetan plateau. The Phoksundo Lake is of an incomparable beauty, with its deep blue and emerald colors surrounded by steep bold rocks. On the way, you’ll encounter small authentic villages steeped in Tibetan culture and tradition. Buddhism and Bonpo are very important for the people living in these villages and interwoven in everyday life. Bonpo religion is the oldest spiritual tradition of Tibet. It is very closely related to Buddhism but has more shamanistic and animistic influences contributing much to the region’s mythical appeal. Due to its remote location, Dolpa is still an “off the beaten track destination”. Tourists are few and far between, especially in the summer months. The Dolpa Circuit is a quite strenuous trekking with some steep climbs. The trail ascends to two high passes, Numa La (5318 m) and Baga La (5190 m). These crossings involve long climbs and long descents. That being said, the scenery on the way, the views from the passes and the encounters you will have with the Dolpa people will make it all worth it. Camping is recommended for this trek. There are basic guesthouses in Juphal, Dunai, Lingdo, Dho Tarap, Ringmo, close to Sanduwa (next to the Amchi Hospital), Chhepka and Kageni. At the other places, you will have to camp.

If you would like to travel to Dolpo region, we have fixed departure dates announced. ( Click here ) for detailed trekking adventure information.

Soft Adventures ( Culture and tours )

Kathmandu is open for tourism throughout the year. If you are looking for short relaxed local guided tours with spells of cultural activities in your travel plans then tours like temple run ( click here ) and visiting monasteries, UNESCO heritage durbar squares, museums are recommended.

Also, tours around outskirt villages of Kathmandu are possible. Paddy plantation festival falls around mid-July every year and this can be experienced around this time of the year. This is one of the activities that is unique and has been drawing attention for authentic travel experience.