Nepal, Tibet & Bhutan Trekking & Tours

This is one of the first decisions you will face when planning a trek in Nepal, and the answer depends on both the regulations for your chosen route and practical safety considerations.

Nepal's government designates several trekking regions as restricted areas. To enter these zones, you must hold a Restricted Area Permit, and that permit will not be issued to solo trekkers. You are legally required to trek with a government-licensed guide.

Restricted areas that require a mandatory guide include:

• Upper Mustang
• Upper Dolpo and Lower Dolpo
• Manaslu Circuit 
• Tsum Valley
• Kangchenjunga
• Nar Phu Valley
• Humla
• Limi Valley

However, trekking without support on routes that go above 3,000 to 4,000 metres carries real risks that many first-time trekkers underestimate.If you’re trekking for several days, it’s best to have a licensed, experienced guide with you for safety, navigation, and support along the trail.

What a guide actually does for you

A licensed guide does far more than point you in the right direction on the trail. A good guide will:

• Navigate the route, particularly in poor visibility or when trails split at unmarked junctions
• Handle permit checks at checkpoints so there are no delays
• Communicate with teahouse owners to secure accommodation in busy seasons
• Monitor your health for early signs of altitude sickness and make decisions about rest or descent
• Coordinate emergency evacuation if needed, including helicopter rescue logistics
• Translate local languages and help you connect with the communities you pass through

Guides vs. porters

A guide leads and manages the trek; a porter carries your main bag (typically up to 25 kg) so you only need a light daypack. Many trekkers hire both. If budget is a concern, a guide-porter, someone qualified to do both roles, is a practical middle option for shorter or lower-altitude routes. On longer, higher-altitude treks, having a dedicated guide and a separate porter gives you better support if anything goes wrong.

All our packages include a licensed, English-speaking guide. Porter support is included on selected packages and can be added to any itinerary.

Nepal has treks for almost every fitness level, from gentle valley walks to serious high-altitude expeditions. The key is matching your route to your current fitness, not your aspirational fitness. Many people worry they are not fit enough; in practice, far more trekkers struggle because of altitude than because of leg strength.

Easy to moderate: Ghorepani Poon Hill

This is a popular choice for first-timers. You walk roughly 5 to 6 hours per day on well-marked trails, with the highest point at Poon Hill (3,210 m). The elevation gain is modest enough that altitude sickness is uncommon. Good general fitness is sufficient; you do not need to train for months beforehand. If you can walk uphill comfortably for 2 hours without stopping, you can do Poon Hill.

Moderate: Langtang Valley

Langtang reaches around 4,984 m at Tserko Ri and involves 5 to 7 hours of walking per day with steady elevation gain. A reasonable base fitness level and at least two weeks of regular hiking or cardio preparation is advisable. Acclimatization days are built into the itinerary.

Challenging: Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit

Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and the Annapurna Circuit (Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m) are the two routes most people ask about. Both involve:

• 5 to 8 hours of walking per day over 12 to 18 days
• Significant daily elevation gain, often 600 to 1,000 m
• Mandatory acclimatization rest days built into every responsible itinerary
• Cold nights above 4,000 m, which adds physical stress even on rest days

You should be comfortable with sustained uphill walking for 5 or more hours before attempting either route. A 6 to 8-week preparation plan that includes long hill walks, stair climbing, and cardiovascular work will make a real difference to your experience. That said, beginners with good general health do complete both treks every season, provided they follow the itinerary's acclimatization schedule and do not rush. Check our blog on how to train fro everest base camp trek if you aren't aware of it.

The altitude factor

Above 3,000 m, your cardiovascular fitness matters less than your acclimatization. Some very fit people acclimatize poorly; some moderately fit people do well. Following the "climb high, sleep low" principle and not exceeding 500 m of altitude gain per day above 3,000 m is more important than your fitness level when it comes to staying safe.

Nepal has four distinct trekking seasons, and each one suits different routes and travel styles. The short answer that everyone gives is "spring or autumn," but the reality is more nuanced than that.

Spring: March to May

Spring is peak trekking season alongside autumn. Temperatures are comfortable at lower elevations, rhododendrons bloom on the trails below 3,500 m, and mountain views are generally clear in the mornings. Afternoons can bring cloud build-up and occasional light rain, but this rarely disrupts trekking plans.

The downside: spring is the busiest season on the popular routes. Teahouses on the Everest Base Camp trail fill up quickly in April and May, and flights to Lukla or Pokhara can be delayed or cancelled due to high air traffic and weather. Book accommodation and flights well in advance.

Best for: Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang, Ghorepani Poon Hill, Manaslu Circuit.

Monsoon: June to August

Most trekkers avoid the monsoon months, and for good reason on the southern slopes of the Himalayas. Heavy rain makes trails slippery and views are often obscured. Leeches appear on lower-elevation trails. Flight cancellations are frequent at mountain airports.

However, the monsoon does not affect the rain-shadow areas to the north of the main Himalayan range. Upper Mustang, Dolpo, and the Nar Phu Valley sit in a geographical rain shadow and receive very little monsoon rainfall. These routes are ideal in June to August and are far less crowded than during peak season.

Best for: Upper Mustang, Dolpo, Nar Phu

Autumn: September to November

October and November offer the clearest mountain views of the year. The monsoon has washed the air clean by September, and skies are consistently blue. Temperatures are cooler than spring, and the trails are dry. October is the most popular month of the year for trekking in Nepal, which means teahouses and flights are in high demand.

November is a strong alternative: slightly fewer trekkers than October, crisp clear days, and colder nights at altitude. By late November, high passes like Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit can see snow, so timing matters.

Best for: all major routes, Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Langtang, Ghorepani Poon Hill, Manaslu, and Three Passes.

Winter: December to February

Winter trekking is possible on many routes but demands preparation for cold conditions. Temperatures above 4,000 m drop well below freezing at night. Some high-elevation teahouses close for the season, particularly on the Annapurna Circuit above Manang. Trails can be icy and high passes may be blocked by snow.

The rewards are real: very few other trekkers, quieter teahouses, and on clear days, mountain views that are just as sharp as autumn. Lower-altitude winter treks such as Ghorepani Poon Hill or the Annapurna Sanctuary can be excellent in December and January with the right gear.

Best for: Ghorepani Poon Hill, lower Everest region (Namche Bazaar area), Kathmandu Valley rim hikes.

Pricing transparency matters. The difference between a cheap package and a well-priced one is often what is hidden in the small print, so here is a clear breakdown of what our packages include and what you should budget for separately.

What is included in our trekking packages

• Airport transfers in Kathmandu on arrival and departure
• Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (typically 2 to 3 nights, twin-sharing, breakfast included)
• Teahouse accommodation during the trek (twin-sharing)
• All meals during the trek: breakfast, lunch, and dinner at teahouses on the trail
• A licensed, experienced, English-speaking trekking guide
• Porter support (one porter per two trekkers on most packages)
• Domestic flights where required (for example, Kathmandu to Lukla for Everest treks)
• All trekking permits: TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) card and relevant conservation area or national park entry fees
• Restricted-area permits where applicable (Upper Mustang, Dolpo, etc.)
• A duffel bag for your gear (on selected packages)
• A basic first-aid kit carried by your guide
• Emergency evacuation coordination support (note: helicopter rescue itself is covered by travel insurance)

What is not included

• International flights to and from Nepal
• Nepal visa fee (approximately USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, payable on arrival)
• Travel insurance with high-altitude helicopter evacuation cover (required, not optional)
• Meals in Kathmandu outside the included hotel breakfasts
• Beverages on the trail beyond what is specified in your package (hot drinks, bottled water, beer, etc.)
• Hot showers and battery/device charging at teahouses (usually charged per use)
• Personal trekking gear and clothing (see FAQ 7 below)
• Personal expenses such as souvenirs, snacks, and tips
• Guide and porter tips (see below)

Tips: a note on local custom

Tipping guides and porters is expected and forms a meaningful part of their income. Tipping at the end of the trek is entirely at your discretion based on the service provided.