Nepal
Nepal, often referred to as the 'roof of the world', is a dream destination for adventure travellers. Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, it offers unparalleled opportunities for trekking and mountaineering. Skyhook brings you classic Nepal trips including the bucket list Everest Base Camp hike.
Snapshot of Nepal
Nepal houses most of the Himalayas range including 8 of the world's 14 "eight-thousanders". In addition to Everest, this includes notable peaks like Kanchenjunga, Manaslu, and Annapurna. The challenging terrain and extreme conditions of these mountains have made them key destinations for serious climbers. The difficulty and danger levels make successful ascents all the more prestigious. However, you don't have to be an extreme adventurer to enjoy the mountains here. Nepal offers some of the world's best and most beautiful trekking routes. Popular trips like Annapurna Circuit, Everest Base Camp, and Langtang Valley offer stunning views of the mountains and unique cultural experiences in local villages along the way. These treks take you mainly through the gentler, foothill areas which means they are accessible to beginners, so long as you have a good base fitness.
The cultural experience is a key element of adventure travel in Nepal. Nepal is home to more than 100 ethnic groups, each with their own language, culture, and traditions. The Tamangs, Sherpas, Rais, Gurungs, and Magars are among the main groups in the mountainous regions. Staying in Nepal tea houses and eating simple, local meals like dal bhat (lentil soup) and momo (dumplings) is a highlight for many visitors.
Nepal Travel FAQs
Yes, most treks in Nepal take you above the 2, 500m threshold at which altitude sickness is a risk. it's vital to take altitude sickness seriously. Always give yourself time to acclimatize to prevent acute mountain sickness (AMS). Even if you're in excellent shape, you can still get AMS if you ascend too quickly.
The best times to trek in Nepal are pre-monsoon (February to May) and post-monsoon (September to November). During these times, the weather is generally clear and dry, making it ideal for trekking.
Physical fitness is important, especially for higher altitude treks. However, there are treks suitable for all fitness levels in Nepal. Always remember, "slow and steady" is a good mantra for trekking.
The 16-day EBC trip on Skyhook includes two extra nights in Kathmandu, one before and one after your trek. This trip also includes a guided tour of Kathmandu plus an additional night in the village of Ramechhap before you fly to Lukla.
The 12-day EBC trek is a no-frills, trek-only option. This is a good option for those who will already be in Kathmandu and have other travel plans before or after the hike.
Both offers include flights to and from Lukla as well as meals and accommodation during the trek.
Show respect to local people and their customs. Ask for permission before taking photos of people. Dress modestly. Avoid contributing to the problem of litter on the trails by packing out all trash. Use water purification tablets or a life straw instead of buying bottled water. Try to support local economy by purchasing items locally.
Your packing list will depend on the season and the altitude of your trek. In general, you should bring warm and waterproof clothing, a good pair of hiking boots, sunscreen, a hat, gloves, a reusable water bottle, and essential medicines. Although most teahouses provide bedding, it's worth bringing a sleeping bag liner.
The use of porters for trekking and mountaineering expeditions in Nepal is a longstanding practice. When done responsibly, it provides an important source of income for local communities.
Skyhook promotes ethical tourism practices by working with local operators that value their porter teams. This means porters are paid fair wages for their work and given proper compensation for overtime and hazardous conditions. The operators are very strict with the weight limits that each porter may carry and provide proper trekking equipment.
During your hike (and while in Nepal in general) it's worth taking precautions with food and water to minimise the risk of an upset stomach.
Water:
Tap water in Nepal is not generally safe to drink. Drink bottled water and ensure the seal is intact when you purchase it. We recommend you pack water purification tablets or a filter bottle.
Food:
Our operators recommend adopting a vegetarian diet while eating at tea houses. Produce usually needs to be brought in on foot which means that meat could have spent hours in the sun. It's not worth taking the risk on a 12-day hike!
Yes, particularly for the EBC trek you will need good travel insurance that covers high-altitude hiking. You also want to be covered for helicopter evacuation as, if the weather closes in, this is expensive to pay out of pocket.