Illustrated Helpful Guide:3 Step to Choose Your First Himalayan Trek

Contents

Here are helpful guides to choose your first trek in Himalaya.

1. Estimate How Long Your Holiday

Mark your calendar to plan how long you will stay for the holiday.  Average people spent a holiday in Nepal for 12-13 days.

If you don’t have any restriction about how long your holiday, then you can choose the trekking area based on trekking difficulties and your fitness level.

But if you are working at office, like me and you cannot take special leave or two-week holiday, then

These following guides might can help you decide the trek destination that suitable for you.

Choose the duration of your trek

Create plan how many days you want to spend to do the trek. Count how long you will flight from and to your country.

If you come from Europe, US, Australia or other country that make you should take overnight flight and lengthy flight, it better to have 1 day to rest before you start the trek. You can use that day to complete the trekking gear in Thamel, Kathmandu.

I live in tropic country; I don’t need a sleeping bag that can handle minus degree.

But if you want to do trekking in Himalaya, are high altitude. You need a good sleeping bag.

But if you didn’t have, you can rent in Kathmandu. You also can rent down jacket there.

The concern is about the hygiene. You can ask your travel agency, the shop that rent good and clean sleeping bag.

 

I also suggest you to prepare 1 additional day after trekking, so you can rest and enjoy Kathmandu. You can try Nepalese culinary, enjoy coffee, and buy some local handicraft (pashmina, Kashmir, cute girls stuff) or just strolling around.

I always enjoy my favorite coffee at the local coffee “Himalayan cafe” around Kathmandu or Boudhanath.

Nepal only have an international airport that accept international flights from cross-continental. It is Tribhuvan International Airport.

That’s why to start the trek in Himalayan region, you need another domestic flight, Bus, private vehicles, or jeep to go starting point.

It could take 6-8 hour by land. The domestic flight takes 25 to 45 minute by Wing-fixed aircraft.

Here, you need an additional day to reach your start point.

Everest in Sagarmatha National Park, Annapurna in Annapurna Conservation Area, Langtang and Manaslu are the top 4 region that have so many visitors in recent years.

To go Everest, you need to flight to Lukla as your starting point.

Lukla known as the world’s most dangerous airport. One end of the runway abuts a cliff. Lack of navigation aids or night operations and weather is unpredictable.

If you don’t want trekking in Everest region using flight to Lukla, there is a trek to Everest without flight. The Everest Trek start from Jiri.

The trek start from Jiri,6-8 hours from Kathmandu, but you need another additional day.

Annapurna start point is Pokhara, the second biggest city in Nepal. Pokhara is beautiful-peace city that very different with dusty Kathmandu.

To reach Pokhara, you need to drive 6-7 hour using a bus or 25 minute by domestic flight.

Here are comparison of number of trekkers from different trekking area from 2017 to 2018.

*National Park & Conservation Area	2017	2018
Annapurna Conservation Area	144409	172720
Sagarmatha National Park	45112	56303
SIMIKOT (restricted area)	13398	10814
Langtang National Park	8254	10619
Manaslu Conservation Area	5745	7200
MUSTANG (restricted area)	4240	4116
MANASLU  (restricted area)	6632	7371
NAR PHU (restricted area)	1115	1291
TSUM VALLEY (restricted area)	1681	2030
KANCHANJANGHA (restricted area)	1008	970
LOWER DOLPA (restricted area)	924	1222
UPPER DOLPA (restricted area)	425	525

*Data cited from Nepal Tourism Statistic 2017/2018 Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation Government of Nepal, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu.

The data show that Trekking in Annapurna region is the most popular destination, the second is trekking in Sagarmatha National Park. Mount Everest locates in Sagarmatha National Park.

 

Here I summarize trekking destination in top 3 conservation area and national park, exclude restricted area, under 2 weeks.

Average estimation days need to complete trek in Annapurna Region from Kathmandu

Annapurna	Trek Level	*Kathmandu	**Trek Duration	KTM-Pokhara-KTM by Land	Total Day
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek-3 Days	Easy	2	3	2	7
Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek	Moderate	2	5	2	9
Ghorepani Poonhill Trek	Easy	2	6	2	10
7 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek	Moderate	2	6	2	10
Khopra Ridge Community Trek	Moderate	2	6	2	10
Annapurna Circuit Trek – 10 Days	Moderate	2	7	2	11
Mardi Himal Trek	Moderate	2	9	2	13

Average estimation days need to complete trek in Everest Region (Sagarmatha National Park) from Kathmandu

 

Everest		*Kathmandu	**Trek Duration	KTM-Lukla-KTM Flight	Total Day
Everest View Trek from Namche Bazaar-5 Days	Moderate	2	5	2	9
Pikey Peak Trek – 8 Days	Moderate	2	8	0	10
Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek – 10 Days	Difficult	2	10	2	14
Short Everest Base Camp Trek- 10 Days	Difficult	2	10	2	14
Jiri Pikey Peak and DudhKunda Trekking	Moderate	2	10	0	12

Average estimation days need to complete trek in Langtang Region from Kathmandu

Langtang		*Kathmandu	**Trek Duration	Total Day
GOSAIKUNDA LAKE TREK – 6 DAYS	Moderate	2	10	12
Helambu Trekking	Moderate	2	10	12
Langtang Valley Trek 10 days	Moderate	2	11	13
Langtang Valley Trek with Ganja la Pass Trekking	Moderate	2	11	13
Tamang Heritage Trail Trek -11 Days	Moderate	2	11	13

If you want to trek in longer duration, here I summarize trekking destination in Annapurna conservation Area, Sagarmatha National Park, and Langtang National Park and Manaslu  above 14 Days

Annapurna		Kathmandu	Trek Duration	Kathmandu-Pokhara – Kathmandu(Bus)	Total Day
Jomsom Muktinath Treks	Moderate	2	12	2	16
Annapurna Circuit Trek 13 days	Moderate	2	13	2	17
Tilicho Lake Mesokanta Pass Trekking	Moderate	2	13	2	17
Annapurna Sanctuary Treks-14 days	Moderate	2	14	2	18
Upper Mustang Trek-The Forbidden Kingdom	Difficult	2	14	2	18
Annapurna Circuit Trek 18 Days	Moderate	2	18	2	22
Annapurna Circuit With Tilicho Lake and Annapurna Base Camp	Moderate	2	23	2	27
Manaslu and Annapurna Trek with Tilicho Lake	Difficult	2	23	2	27
Everest		Kathmandu	Trek Duration	KTM-Lukla-KTM	Total Day
Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri Trek	Difficult	2	13	2	17
Everest Base Camp Trek	Difficult	2	14	2	18
Everest High passes Trek	Difficult	2	17	2	21
Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek	Difficult	2	23	0	25
Langtang		Kathmandu	Trek Duration	Total Days
LANGTANG GOSAINKUNDA TREK	Moderate	2	13	15
Tamang Heritage Trek with Langtang Valley	Moderate	2	14	16
LANGTANG, GOSAIKUNDA AND HELAMBU TREKKING	Moderate	2	17	19
Manaslu		Kathmandu	Trek Duration	Total Days
12 days Manaslu Circuit Trek	Moderate	2	12	14
Tsum Valley Trek	Difficult	2	15	17
Manaslu Base Camp Trekking	Difficult	2	16	18
Manaslu Circuit Trek- 18 Days	Moderate	2	18	20
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek – 27 Days	Difficult	2	27	29

You can Choose Day Hike for a brief Holiday

Day hike also can be your alternative, if you don’t have time to do trekking. You still can see Himalayan Mountain and villages near Kathmandu.

1 day hike to Nagarkot or 3 Day hike to Nagarkot, Sundarijal, Chisapani can be an alternative for you to walk in Nature.

Choose the trek based on trekking difficulty in Himalayas

Trekking Level: Easy

• Trail condition: Not so many steep inclines but you need more effort than just walking, because it’s little up and down
• Fitness Level: You need to be fit in “average fitness level” (using a three minute step test to check your fitness level). This trek suit for the first time trekker, children, family, senior citizen 65+.
• Walking duration: You need to walk 5-6 Hours/day
• Altitude: the Elevation in this area is around 3500 – 4000 meters

 

 

Trekking Level: Moderate 

• Trail condition: The trail has many incline steep. up and down
• Fitness Level: You need to be fit in “Good fitness level” (using a three minute step test to check your fitness level). The trail in this trek is challenging for the beginner.
• Walking duration: You need to walk 6-7 Hours/day
• Altitude: the Elevation in this area is around 3900- 4800 meters

 Trekking Level: Strenuous/Challenging

• Trail condition: The trail has a lot of a steep incline and often is off road in remote areas. The trail condition become worse in rainy season.
• Fitness Level: fit, stamina and excellent health condition (3 minute step test to check your fitness level)
• Walking duration: You need to walk Minimum 7 Hours/day
• Altitude: the Elevation in this area is around 4800- 5600 meters

 

Note:

You need to prepare your health and be aware of mountain sickness. Trekking in Himalayas categorized as high elevation trekking.

When you are trekking above 2,500 meters, altitude sickness might occur, though some peoples get altitude sickness at a lower elevation.

 

2. Estimate your Budget

There are hundred travel and tour agency in Nepal. You can choose based on your budget but I will use local company, Mountain hike Nepal, to estimate full-board trekking price.

Budget depend on the duration of your trek, do you need additional flight or not, trekking style and additional stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara if you want to extend your holiday.

 

There are three common trekking style in Himalayas. First trekking style is teahouse trekking with a guide, and second is independent trekking without a guide. The last is camp trekking in a restricted and remote area.

 

Weather in Himalaya Mountain is unpredictable. For the first trekker, I suggest you to choose “teahouse trekking” with a guide.

Guide or Sherpa will help you read the weather and help you decide whether you are in excellent condition and can continue the trek.

This budget estimation covering full-board trekking, the additional days in Kathmandu and domestic flight. Full board trekking means the cost include trekking permit (TIMS) to record trekker data and  entry permit for conservation/national Park.

It also cover guide, porter, teahouses/lodge, necessary equipment such as sleeping bags and down jackets, Airport pick up and drop off service, and also meals (Dal Bhat) during the trekking.

You need permit because the trekking area locate in a protected area that have biodiversity rivaled by its cultural diversity.

If you want to know what the meals during the trekking looks like, you can write in my article here, “Helpful Illustrated Food: How much it cost for meal on Langtang Trek?”

Join in group trekking, can save the budget and get a cheaper price, because you will sharing a room, sharing porter and Sherpa/guide.

But if you are first trekker, I suggest you to not join group trekking. So you can follow your own pace and adapt with the trail. Not in a rush because other trekker in group have a different pace. Walk behind or before you.

The Estimation Budget for Trekking in Annapurna Region

Note: You can save your time by fly to Pokhara. The domestic flight cost from Kathmandu to Pokhara is around USD$124.

Annapurna	* Full-Board (include bus from Kathmandu)
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek-3 Days	USD$270
Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek	USD$700
Ghorepani Poonhill Trek	USD$500
7 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek	USD$625
Khopra Ridge Community Trek	USD$900
Annapurna Circuit Trek – 10 Days	USD$1200
Mardi Himal Trek	USD$700

The Estimation Budget for Trekking in Everest Region

Everest	Full-Board( include flight to Lukla)
Everest View Trek from Namche Bazaar-5 Days	USD$700
**Pikey Peak Trek – 8 Days	USD$650
Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek – 10 Days	USD$1800
Short Everest Base Camp Trek- 10 Days	USD$990
**Jiri Pikey Peak and DudhKunda Trekking	USD$640

** trek to everest region without flight

The Estimation Budget for Trekking in Langtang Region

Langtang	Full-Board (include bus/jeep from Kathmandu)
GOSAIKUNDA LAKE TREK – 6 DAYS	USD$550
Helambu Trekking	USD$650
Langtang Valley Trek 10 days	USD$1000
Langtang Valley Trek with Ganja la Pass Trekking	USD$1100
Tamang Heritage Trail Trek -11 Days	USD$1050

Average accommodation in Kathmandu, the cost is around USD$30 for 3 star hotel and USD$67 from 4 star hotel.

You can buy meals for USD$7-USD$10 per day. Hotel provide basic breakfast, like omelet, bread, pancake and vegetables.

3. Measure your Fitness Level

Trekking in Himalayas categorized as high elevation trekking. So you need to be fit, because in high altitude, the oxygen saturation is low, and you need to walk 5-6 hour every day.

You can do a 3-Minute Step Test to measure your fitness level and then choose the trek based on difficulty.

Try to increase your fitness level with walking/jogging 2 hours/per day before your big day.

Step on and step off the bench (use one as close as 12 inches/30 cm step) for 3 minutes straight. Do with consistent pace. After that measure how your heart rate will come back down.

After 3 minute, stop and sit down, then count your pulse use your wrist or neck for one minute.

The following are fitness level rating using YMAC standard

 

Fitness level rating for men	Age
	18-25	26-35	36-45	46-55	56-65	65+
Excellent	50-76	51-76	49-76	56-82	60-77	59-81
Good	79-84	79-85	80-88	87-93	86-94	87-92
Above Average	88-93	88-94	92-88	95-101	97-100	94-102
Average	95-100	96-102	100-105	103-111	103-109	104-110
Below Average	102-107	104-110	108-113	113-119	111-117	114-118
Poor	111-119	114-121	116-124	121-126	119-128	121-126
Very Poor	124-157	126-161	130-163	131-159	131-154	130-151

The goal of this 3-Minute Step Test is to know your cardiovascular fitness level based on how fast your heart rate returns to baseline after doing exercise.

Fitness level rating for Wome	Age
	18-25	26-35	36-45	46-55	56-65	65+
Excellent	52-81	58-80	51-84	63-91	60-92	70-92
Good	85-93	85-92	89-96	95-101	97-103	96-101
Above Average	96-102	95-101	100-104	104-110	106-111	104-111
Average	104-110	104-110	107-112	113-118	113-118	116-121
Below Average	113-120	113-119	115-120	120-124	119-127	123-126
Poor	122-131	122-129	124-132	126-132	129-135	128-133
Very Poor	135-169	134-171	137-169	137-171	141-174	135-155

My last thought

Every country have their uniqueness culture, nature and mountains.

And every mountains have its beautiful.

I suggest you to consider the duration, budget, trek level and your fitness level before you choose your first trek in Himalaya.

Wherever you choose your first trekking in Himalaya, you will have grand experience because many highest peaks in the world is the part of the Greater Himalayas range.

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