The first summit of Mount Everest in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first brought major attention to the country, and Col. Jimmy Roberts pioneered Nepal's trekking industry in the early 1960s. Most visitors to Nepal embark on some type of trek, from the most rigorous to mild hikes that almost anyone of reasonable physical fitness can accomplish. The two most popular treks are the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit, on the must-do list of all climbers and trekkers.
Everest Base Camp is one of the most visited regions in the Himalaya, and the Everest Base Camp trek is the classic trek of Nepal. The two-week trek starts and finishes at Lukla, an airstrip to the south of the region better known as the "Gateway to Everest." Starting with a gentle two-day trek up the Dudh Koshi valley, you reach the Sherpa trading center of Namche Bazaar, where most people spend one or two days acclimatizing---one of the most vital components of any HImalayan trek. Namche Bazaar offers a number of hotels, restaurants and equipment stores.
Leaving Namche Bazaar, the trail follows the valley of Imja Khola where the giants of Lhotse and Everest dominate the skyline, passing the Thyangboche Monastery and reaching Dingboche. From Dingboche a six-hour walk leads to Lobuche on the Khumbu glacier, and three hours past that, the last settlement on the trail known as Gorak Shep. Just above Gorak Shep is the viewpoint of Kala Patter, where many trekkers stop to wonder at Mt. Everest looming above and to take photos. From there, the trek along the glacier to Everest Base Camp can take up to five hours over treacherous ground where skill, patience and care are of utmost importance.
The famous Annapurna Circuit is a 15- to 22-day trek that starts in Kathmandu and winds up in the eastern lake town of Pokhara. Trekkers hike subtropical plains of the Himalayan foothills, through Manang and then entering Mustang Valley, crossing the highest elevation at Thorang La Pass. At that point the trail joins the Kali Gandaki River, which flows through the deepest gorge on earth. There are also a number of options for shorter five- to six-day treks in the foothills to the north of Pokhara.
The first few days of the trek are through the lush valleys and waterfalls of the Marsyangdi River to Manang. From there the trail goes uphill through high alpine pastures to Thorang Phedi, where most trekkers stop for the night. The next day's hike heads toward Thorang La pass and then begins the long descent to Muktinath. Muktinath is a popular pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, and offers many tea houses and a great place to overnight. To the west, the skyline is dominated by the Dhaulagiri range and to the north, the hills of Upper Mustang Valley. From there the Annapurna trail leads down to the banks of the Kali Gandaki River.
An hour's drive from Kathmandu brings you to one of Nepal's best kept secrets: the charming town of Dhulikel in the Himalayan foothills that also provides some great trekking opportunities. Dhulikel is an ancient Newar settlement on the trade route between Nepal and Tibet. Its location on a pass to the east of the Banepa Valley at a height of 4,726 feet (1,440 m) gives it stunning Himalayan views and excellent trekking options---without the crowds.
Dhulikel is secluded and gets far fewer tourists than most other places in Nepal, and you can often be the only person on an unexplored trail. The treks are relatively undemanding and can be done in half-days or multiple days. Along the way you may see farmers tending their fields, traditional Newari villages and temples and shrines in the most remote spots. There is less availability of accommodations, but one excellent recommendation is the Dwarika's Himalayan Shangri-la Resort. Situated among pristine forests of pine, rhododendron and apple trees, the resort is at almost 5,600 feet (1,700 m), with individual buildings spread out among the side of a mountain. Depending on how far up you are, it's a hike just to get to your room. Don't let the fancy moniker of Shangri-la Resort fool you---although the place is beautiful and offers amenities such as a restaurant and guides, it is extremely laid-back and comfortable. There is no experience like dining on an outdoor terrace with the Himalayan mountains on glorious view right in front of you. A host of activities can be arranged, including hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting and kayaking in the Bhote Koshi, bungee jumping and bird-watching trips.
