Trail Knowledge
Practical planning advice, trail conditions, seasonal guides, and cultural context — written by the guides who walk these routes every season.
PlanningTwo of our treks fit in a week or less. This guide compares Poon Hill and Mardi Himal by real walking days, altitude and cost, and explains why Everest does not fit.
PlanningWithdraw your trek money in the city, carry small notes and expect signal gaps. Here is how much cash to bring, what ATMs charge, and which SIM or eSIM to buy.
PlanningMost trekkers need the USD 50, 30-day Nepal visa. This guide covers the eVisa system, airport steps, free visas, extensions and where official sources disagree.
PlanningGoing up too fast is the most dangerous mistake on a first Nepal trek. Here are 12 errors in order of how much they can cost you, each with a simple fix.
PlanningA plain guide to life in Everest teahouses: what the room has, why your phone charger may not work in it, what each extra costs, and why a bed can be hard to find when weather closes Lukla.
SafetyWhat the data says about dying, falling ill and being stranded on the Everest Base Camp trek, including the November 2026 helicopter collision at Pheriche and how to avoid a fake rescue.
PlanningA week-by-week plan that trains for the hardest part of the Everest Base Camp trek: four 7-hour days in a row near the end. It also explains why fitness will not protect you from altitude sickness.
PlanningA month-by-month guide to the Everest Base Camp trek, using park visitor counts and recent storm reports, including when you will share the trail with thousands and when the aid post is closed.
SafetyA plain comparison of boiling, chlorine dioxide, filters and UV for Nepal treks, based on CDC guidance, with what is and is not confirmed about refill stations and bottle bans.
PlanningWhat you get for your money in an Annapurna lodge, why beds run short at Base Camp in October, and how to plan for patchy wifi and power.
SafetyAnnapurna Base Camp is safe for most prepared trekkers in the main seasons, but it has real risks. See where avalanches have happened, what official figures show, the safest months, and how to lower each risk.
PlanningAnnapurna Base Camp is a moderate trek with no climbing, but stone steps and altitude make it harder than it looks. See the hardest days, how it compares with other treks, and how to train.
PlanningOctober to mid-November and March to April are the best months for most Nepal treks. See what every month is like, which trek suits which season, and the 2027 festival dates that can affect your plans.
PlanningWinter in Nepal means clear skies, quiet trails and very cold nights. Compare treks by altitude, learn which passes usually close, and see what December, January and February are really like.
SafetyMost normal travel policies stop well below Nepal's trekking altitudes. See the altitude you need for each trek, the questions to ask an insurer, typical costs, and how to protect a claim.
SafetyNepal has charged 32 people over alleged fake helicopter rescues of trekkers. This guide explains how the scheme is said to have worked, which symptoms are a true emergency, and what to do if someone pushes you to fly.
PlanningTipping in Nepal is a lump sum on your last evening on the trail, not a daily payment. Here's how much to budget for your guide and porter by trek length, when to hand it over, and why it matters more to crew income than a typical tip back home.
SafetyUpdated 4 November 2026. Four flood events hit Nepal between late August and mid-October, including the Langtang Lirung collapse and two floods on the Manaslu side. Current status for every major trekking region.
Trail GuidesClimbing Everest costs from about USD 33,000 up to USD 160,000 or more, a world away from the trek to Base Camp. Here is where every dollar goes.
CultureOn 10 to 11 May 1996, a sudden storm killed 8 climbers high on Everest, among them guiding leaders Rob Hall and Scott Fischer. Here is who died, the season toll, and the books and debate that followed.
CulturePasang Lhamu Sherpa became the first Nepali woman to summit Everest on 22 April 1993, then died on the descent. Her courage, her honours, and the peak, highway, and schools that carry her name across Nepal.
CultureNirmal "Nims" Purja climbed all 14 of the world's 8,000-metre peaks in 6 months and 6 days in 2019, a project he called Project Possible. His record, his military past, and the first winter ascent of K2, told simply.
CultureEdmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Everest on 29 May 1953, the first confirmed ascent. Here is how the South Col climb unfolded, from Bourdillon and Evans's turnaround to the news arriving on coronation day.
CultureOn Everest, Sherpas fix the ropes, carry the loads, and build the Khumbu Icefall route that every expedition depends on. Here is the work they do, the danger they carry, and what the 2014 avalanche changed.
CultureAbout 339 people have died on Everest through December 2025, set against nearly 13,737 successful climbs. Here are the real numbers, the deadliest days, and why the base camp trek is a far safer thing.
Trail GuidesWho climbed Everest most, youngest, oldest and fastest, plus the historic firsts. The big Everest records explained with the real names, dates and numbers.
Trail GuidesEverest leads the ten highest mountains on Earth, and eight of the top ten stand in or on the border of Nepal. Here is the full list with heights, locations and the peaks you can walk up close to.
CultureFor decades the body known as Green Boots on Everest's north side was thought to be Tsewang Paljor. In 2026, DNA testing reported by the ITBP pointed instead to Dorje Morup, and both men died in the same 1996 disaster, far above any trekking route.
CultureKami Rita Sherpa reached his 32nd Everest summit on 17 May 2026, extending his own record. Born in Thame in 1970, the guide known as the Everest Man also holds the record for the most 8,000-metre peak summits.
CultureTenzing Norgay Sherpa reached the summit of Everest with Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953, the first confirmed ascent. Born around 1914, he later led training at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute until 1976 and died in Darjeeling in 1986.
CultureThe Sherpa are a Tibetan-Buddhist people from the high valleys around Everest. Here is who they really are, and what the name does and does not mean.
CultureSherpas are strong at altitude because of genes shared with Tibetans, plus a lifetime lived high. Here is the science, explained simply and with respect.
SafetyThe death zone above 8,000 metres is where the body cannot survive for long. Here is why it is so deadly, and why trekkers never go near it.
Trail GuidesA height-ordered guide to Nepal's big trekking passes, from the Everest Three Passes down to Gosaikunda, and what makes crossing them serious.
Trail GuidesWhich Himalayan summits a fit trekker can climb with a guide, how high each one really is, and what the NMA permit costs in 2026.
Trail GuidesA plain guide to the eight 8,000m peaks in Nepal, their exact heights and shared borders, and which trekking routes bring you to their base.
CultureNepal's festivals overlap with its trekking seasons, so timing a trek around one can make the trip. Dashain and Tihar fall in the autumn peak, while Tiji in Upper Mustang and Mani Rimdu at Tengboche sit right on the trails.
PlanningSince 2023 a licensed agency is required on the Annapurna Circuit, so the question is how to pick a good one. Five checks separate a reliable operator from a cheap quote: registration, guide certification, group size, safety, and price transparency.
PlanningThe 35-minute Kathmandu to Lukla flight starts almost every Everest trek. In 2026 foreigners pay about USD 215 to 255 each way from Kathmandu, less from Manthali in peak season. Costs, the Ramechhap reroute, delays and baggage.
PlanningA guided Manaslu Circuit trek costs from about USD 1,490 in 2026. The restricted-area permit is seasonal, and a guide is mandatory. Here is the full breakdown of permits, package price, transport and daily spending.
PlanningA guided Upper Mustang trek runs from about USD 1,890 in 2026, and the restricted-area permit is now USD 50 per person per day instead of the old flat USD 500. Here is the full cost breakdown and why the permit change matters.
PlanningSince 1 April 2023, foreign trekkers must hire a licensed guide to enter Nepal's national parks, conservation areas, and restricted regions. A March 2026 change lets solo trekkers get permits, but the guide requirement still stands.
Trail GuidesYou don't need altitude experience or technical skills to trek in Nepal. The easiest routes, like the 5-day Poon Hill trek, stay under 3,500m with short walking days and comfortable teahouses. Here are the best beginner treks.
Trail GuidesThe Everest Base Camp trek is rated strenuous, but the difficulty is about altitude and consecutive days, not technical skill. It reaches 5,545m at Kala Patthar over roughly 130km. Here is what makes it hard and how to prepare.
PlanningA guided Everest Base Camp trek starts at USD 1,350 per person in 2026, with departures from USD 1,190 in July to USD 1,690 in peak October. What that buys, what doing it yourself costs, and the extras people forget.
Trail GuidesNepal has hundreds of trekking routes, but a handful cover the range most travellers want, from a 5-day Poon Hill walk to the 18-day Everest Three Passes. Here are the best treks by region, difficulty, and cost.
SafetyAt about 1,400 metres, Kathmandu sits above most world capitals but well below the height where trekkers get sick. Here is what the city's elevation means for your body before you fly out to the mountains.
Trail GuidesA 2026 guide to Nepal's closest major trek to Kathmandu: the 11-day Dhunche to Kyanjin Gompa route, current TIMS and park permit costs, the Kyanjin Ri and Tserko Ri viewpoint hikes, and how Langtang Village rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake.
Trail GuidesA route-by-route breakdown of the Everest Base Camp trek: the Lukla flight and the Manthali reroute, the Namche and Dingboche acclimatisation days, what Base Camp actually looks like, and current 2026 permit and cost figures.
Trail GuidesNar Phu Valley is one of the Annapurna region's smallest restricted valleys: walled Tibetan villages, a 5,320m pass, and a permit fee that didn't follow Upper Mustang's December 2025 overhaul. Here is the current itinerary, permit math, and realistic budget for 2026.
PlanningTilicho Lake at 4,919 metres is a two-day detour from Manang on the Annapurna Circuit. What it costs in 2026: guided and independent prices, permits, teahouse rates, tips, and why a bed at Tilicho Base Camp costs twice the going rate.
SafetyManang sits at 3,540m on the Annapurna Circuit, and the mandatory rest day here is what makes crossing Thorong La (5,416m) safe five days later. What actually happens on an acclimatisation day, the specific symptoms guides watch for, and why skipping it is the most common trekking mistake.
PlanningKathmandu to Pokhara covers 200km on the Prithvi Highway: a 25-minute flight from USD 70, a 6-9 hour tourist bus from USD 12, or a 5-7 hour private jeep. Full comparison, road safety context, and where each service actually departs from.
Trail GuidesThe 2026 guide to the Upper Mustang Trek to Lo Manthang (3,840m): the new USD 50 per person per day restricted-area permit, no more two-trekker minimum, the 12 to 14 day itinerary, Tiji festival, and monsoon-season timing.
Trail GuidesThe complete 2026 guide to the 14-day Manaslu Circuit Trek around Manaslu (8,163m): MRAP+MCAP+ACAP permits, now open to solo trekkers since March 2026, Larkya La at 5,106m, real costs from USD 1,490, and a full itinerary.
PlanningThe Annapurna Base Camp itinerary runs 7 to 12 days, depending on pace and whether you start with the Poon Hill sunrise. Our 11-day route day by day, from Pokhara up the Modi Khola to 4,130 metres, and what each stage asks of you.
Trail GuidesA seven-day ridge trek to High Camp at 3,580 metres and Mardi Himal Base Camp at about 4,500 metres, beneath Machhapuchhre. The real itinerary, ACAP and TIMS costs, and guided pricing from USD 690.
PlanningAnnapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp compared for 2026: altitude, road versus flight access, cost from $890 to $1,350, crowds, and which trek suits first-timers.
Trail GuidesThe Poon Hill trek is four days of walking, five with arrival, to a 3,210-metre sunrise viewpoint over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas, from USD 390. The route, the rhododendron season, what to pack and what the sunrise involves.
PlanningAnnapurna Base Camp costs from USD 890 per person in a group of eight, or roughly USD 525 to 760 arranged yourself with the mandatory guide. Permits, teahouse prices, guide wages, tips and a worked 7-day budget for 2026.
PlanningHow hard is the Annapurna Circuit? Daily distances and hours, why the 5,416 m altitude is the real challenge, a 12-week fitness plan and who should reconsider.
PlanningThe Annapurna Circuit itinerary breaks into three practical lengths in 2026: a 12-day jeep-assisted route, the standard 14-day version, and a 16-day plan with the Tilicho Lake extension. Day-by-day breakdown of all three, plus what each stage actually feels like on foot.
PlanningA guided Annapurna Circuit trek costs USD 1,190 to 1,690 per person in 2026 depending on group size, or roughly USD 700 to 1,000 arranged yourself with the mandatory guide. Permits, daily spend, seasons and the extras, broken down.
PlanningThe two Annapurna permits explained for 2026: ACAP at NPR 3,000, checked at every gate, and TIMS at NPR 2,000, checked far less consistently. Where to buy each, trail checkpoints, penalties, and what a guided trek includes.
PlanningEverest Base Camp (5,364m) vs the Three Passes loop (Kongma La, Cho La, Renjo La): compare duration, difficulty, altitude, scenery and cost to pick the right Everest trek.
PlanningA category-by-category Nepal trekking packing list: what changes between a Poon Hill teahouse trek and a 5,400 m pass, what to rent versus buy in Kathmandu, and the checklist to pack against.
SafetyHow to prevent altitude sickness on Nepal treks: AMS, HACE and HAPE symptoms, altitude risk by route (ABC, Annapurna Circuit, EBC), the 500 m rule, Diamox dosing, and when to call a helicopter.
PlanningEvery Nepal trekking permit for 2026: TIMS from NPR 1,000, ACAP NPR 3,000, Everest's park and municipality fees, and the restricted-area permits for Mustang, Manaslu, and Nar Phu after the December 2025 fee overhaul and March 2026 solo-trekking change, plus the 2023 guide mandate that shapes every application.
Trail GuidesComplete Thorong La pass crossing guide: High Camp start timing, the climb and 1,616 m descent profile, weather, gear, safety and the failure points to avoid.
PlanningWhen to trek the Annapurna Circuit: spring vs autumn vs winter vs monsoon, a month-by-month temperature table, Thorong La pass conditions, and crowds.
PlanningAnnapurna Circuit or Base Camp? Compare duration, 5,416m vs 4,130m altitude, scenery, difficulty, and 2026 cost from USD 890 to pick your trek.
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AJ (Ajay Kumar Shrestha)
Founder & Lead Guide
Bijay Gurung
TAAN-Licensed Guide
Rajan Rai
TAAN-Licensed Guide
Chhakmaya Gajurba
TAAN-Licensed Guide
