What the trek is

The trek is in the Kaski district, in the foothills of the Annapurna range. You start at Nayapul, a village near the end of a dirt road from Pokhara, and the trail begins winding through farming villages almost at once. The Gurung and Magar communities here live in stone and wood houses, and the hillsides are terraced fields of rice, millet and vegetables.

From there the path climbs through forests of rhododendron, bamboo and oak, then through settlements such as Ghandruk and Tadapani, where people still farm and craft goods the way their families always have. At Ghorepani the forest gives way to meadows, and the mountains begin to show. You climb Poon Hill, the highest point of the trek, then come down through Ulleri to Nayapul.

The walking takes five to six days. With the drives from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back, the full trip is 8 to 9 days. The drive takes about 7 hours each way, and a 25 to 30 minute flight to Pokhara is possible on request, depending on the weather.

How hard is it

The trek is graded easy to moderate, and it is suitable for most people with a moderate level of fitness. It is several days of hiking with some altitude gain, but the gain is small enough that your body adjusts on its own. Walking days run from five to seven hours.

The surface is mostly stone steps, and the steps can be slick. Shoes or boots with good grip matter. Trekking poles save your knees on the descent to Ulleri.

The Poon Hill sunrise

The sunrise is the highlight. You leave Ghorepani in the dark and walk for about 1.5 hours to reach the viewpoint by dawn. On a clear day, the light turns Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre gold.

Poon Hill is popular, and the pre-dawn start is what gets you a good spot at the top. A headlamp is essential. Gloves and a hat help with the cold. Keep noise down at the viewpoint.

Altitude

The risk of altitude sickness is low, but headaches can happen near the top of the trek. Walk slowly and steadily, drink plenty of water, and rest if anything feels off. If symptoms are severe, go to a lower elevation. Altitude tablets should only be taken after talking to a doctor.

When to go

October and November give the clearest mountain views. March and April are the months for rhododendron flowers. December to February has crisp, cold nights. From June to September the trail is green but wet and has leeches, so bring repellent or salt. Mornings and evenings are chilly even in the peak seasons.

Teahouses, food and water

You stay in family-run teahouses, in twin-share rooms with thick blankets. A sleeping-bag liner adds warmth and comfort. Hot showers are common for a small fee.

The teahouses cook to order. Expect dal bhat, soups, pasta and momos, with eggs and toast at breakfast. Dietary restrictions can usually be handled if you give notice in advance. Do not drink tap water. Boiled or filtered water is available at the lodges, and it is easier to carry two reusable bottles and purification tablets than to buy single-use plastic.

Charging and wifi are usually pay-per-use, so bring a power bank and a universal adapter (Type C, D or M, 230V). Mobile signal is often fine at Ghandruk and Ghorepani and patchy in the forest.

Permits, cash and insurance

The trek needs an ACAP permit and a TIMS card. Bring your passport or a copy, two passport photos and your travel insurance details. The permit check post is at Birethanti.

Carry Nepali rupees for snacks, showers, charging and wifi, because cards rarely work in the villages. The ATMs are in Pokhara, not on the trail. Travel insurance that covers trekking and evacuation is strongly recommended.

What to pack

Dress in layers: a warm base layer, a fleece, a down or synthetic jacket and a rain shell. Add gloves and a hat for Poon Hill. You also need grippy shoes or boots, trekking poles and a headlamp.

A 20 to 30 L daypack holds your water, layers and camera. The porter carries the duffel, which should stay around 10 to 12 kg. Spare luggage can stay at your Kathmandu hotel.

Do you need a guide

A guide is not mandatory, and experienced trekkers sometimes go with just a map. For a first trek, a guide is highly recommended. They add cultural context, manage the logistics and help if something goes wrong. On the 5k Treks package, an English-speaking local guide and porters (one porter for two trekkers) are included along with the permits, meals and accommodation during the trek.

Trek stats

• Country: Nepal (Mustang region)
• Duration: 17 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu
• Difficulty: moderate
• Maximum altitude: 3,840 m (12,598 ft) at Lo Manthang
• Daily walking: 4 to 7 hours
• Best seasons: March to May and September to November
• Accommodation: hotels in the cities, teahouses on the trail
• Meals: included during the trek

Why Upper Mustang feels different

The people of this region have kept Tibetan Buddhist traditions largely intact. Whitewashed houses with flat roofs line the villages, prayer flags snap in the wind, and long mani walls stretch beside the path. Monasteries hold centuries-old murals and statues, and the cliffs are pocked with caves, some natural and some dug by hand. Many were used by monks for meditation or as places of refuge, and a number still carry old paintings.

The scenery changes the longer you walk. Trees disappear, the ground turns to dust and gravel, and the wind picks up each afternoon. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri stay on the horizon through much of the route, which makes the bare brown hills in the foreground look even starker.

Getting to the trailhead

The journey starts with a flight or drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Many trekkers choose the flight, since the short hop gives early views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna. From Pokhara, a 20-minute flight reaches Jomsom, with the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges on either side of the aircraft.

Morning flights are preferred on this route because the winds are calmer before midday. Weather can still cause delays, so it helps to leave a day of slack at the end of your trip. Overland 4x4 options exist as a backup if flights are grounded.

The route to Lo Manthang

From Jomsom, a short walk leads to Kagbeni at 2,850 m, a village of Tibetan-style buildings against barren hills. It is the last place where fields and orchards feel normal. Beyond it the trail climbs into high desert, passing through Chuksang, Samar, Geling, Ghami and Tsarang. Each is a small settlement with its own monastery, chorten or cluster of caves, and the days are short enough, usually four to six hours, that there is time to look around.

On roughly the ninth day of the itinerary the walls of Lo Manthang appear at 3,840 m. The approach is among the more punishing stretches, with tall cliffs and open, treeless plains, so the sight of a fortified town ahead is a relief as much as a reward.

Lo Manthang and the rest day

Lo Manthang is the cultural center of the trek. High walls enclose narrow lanes, old palaces and monasteries with detailed murals. A full rest day is set aside here, and it is worth using slowly. You can wander the lanes and watch daily life, visit the nearby caves, or hike to Chhoser Monastery, known for its murals and old scroll paintings. Lo Gekar Monastery, another of the region’s older religious sites, is often mentioned among the trek’s highlights as well.

Lo Manthang is the farthest point of the journey. The return to Jomsom follows the same route unless your itinerary says otherwise, and you will see the same villages from the opposite direction, usually with different light and different views.

The Tiji festival

If your dates are flexible, consider timing the trek around the Tiji festival in late May. It is a three-day event of masked dances and rituals, and it draws more visitors than any other time of year. Rooms and permits fill early, so book well ahead if this is your plan.

Permits and rules

Two permits are always required. The Restricted Area Permit costs USD 500 per person for the first 10 days, then USD 50 for each extra day. The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit costs NPR 3,000. Under Nepal’s 2023 regulations a licensed guide is also required, and TIMS rules vary but the two main permits are mandatory regardless.

Difficulty and altitude

The trek is rated moderate. You do not need mountaineering experience, but you do need decent fitness, because the walking days are long and the terrain is hilly. Several passes on the route are higher than Lo Manthang itself: Yamada La at about 3,850 m, Lo La at about 3,950 m and Nyi La at about 4,010 m.

Acclimatization is built into the itinerary, and mild altitude symptoms are common. Drink three to four liters of water a day, eat properly and skip alcohol. If symptoms become severe, descend. Guides carry first-aid kits and oximeters for daily checks, and it is sensible to talk with your doctor before you go.

Best time to go

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the standard seasons, with stable weather and clear skies. Upper Mustang receives far less rain than most of Nepal, which is why some people also trek in summer, but the established windows are the safer choice. Winter is cold, and many lodges close.

Practical tips for trekking in Mustang

Cash matters here. ATMs are available only in Pokhara and Jomsom, so withdraw enough for the whole trek before you head north. Mobile coverage is patchy and data is limited in the villages.

Teahouses are simple, with shared facilities. Hot showers and device charging are available for a small fee, and a power bank is worth carrying. Domestic flights allow about 15 kg of combined baggage, and extra luggage can stay in storage in Kathmandu.

For clothing, bring a windproof shell, warm mid-layers, a down jacket and a rain jacket. The sun and dust are strong, so a sun hat, UV sunglasses, a buff or neck gaiter, sunscreen and lip balm all get used. Add light gloves, comfortable boots, trekking poles, a headlamp, a reusable bottle and a sleeping bag rated to about -5°C. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation is required.

Etiquette is simple. Walk clockwise around chortens and mani walls, remove your hat inside monasteries, dress modestly and ask before photographing people or interiors. Drones need prior approval from the authorities. Carry out used batteries and keep single-use plastic to a minimum. Conservation area fees go toward environmental and community projects, so they have a visible local effect.

Why this trek stays with you

Upper Mustang is not a trek of summits. Its pull comes from distance, dryness and the feeling of walking into a place that kept its own pace for centuries. The red canyons, the cave paintings, the walled streets of Lo Manthang and the quiet between villages make it one of the most distinctive routes in Nepal.

It also suits a wide range of walkers. With sensible preparation, a reliable guide and a season chosen with care, a moderately fit trekker can complete it comfortably. Those who go tend to remember the small things: butter tea in a cold teahouse, the sound of the wind through a mani wall, the first sight of Lo Manthang’s walls across the plain. Few trips in Nepal leave a stronger impression, and fewer still do it with so few other people on the trail.

Introduction

Overview of Mount Everest

Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth, rising 8,849 meters (29,032 feet) above sea level. People who search for “mount everest where is located” get one short answer: the peak stands in the eastern Himalayas, and the border between Nepal and Tibet runs across its top. Nepal calls the peak Sagarmatha. In Tibetan it is Chomolungma, which means Mother of the World. Both names are still in everyday use.

Most people who come here never plan to stand on the summit. They walk to Everest Base Camp, or to a viewpoint above it, and take in the view from there.

Importance of location

Where the mountain sits explains how people reach it, when they can go, and what they pass on the way. The southern approach runs through the Khumbu region of Nepal, a district of Sherpa villages, monasteries and Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The northern approach starts in Tibet and requires Chinese permits. The sections below cover the geography, the height of the mountain, and the practical ways in.

Geographic location

Where Mount Everest is located

The answer to “mount everest where is located” starts with the range: Everest belongs to the Mahalangur Himal, a sub-range of the Himalayas. The Himalayas cross five countries: Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, India and Pakistan. They formed millions of years ago when the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collided, and the region is still one of the most geologically active on Earth.

On the Nepal side, Everest is in the Khumbu region in the northeast of the country, inside Sagarmatha National Park. Lhotse, the fourth-highest mountain in the world, and Nuptse stand close by.

Countries sharing Mount Everest

Two countries share the mountain: Nepal and China, which governs Tibet. The border cuts directly across the summit, so both have a route to the top. The South Col route starts in Nepal. The North Col route starts in Tibet, needs Tibet and Chinese permits, and takes more logistical planning. Most climbers use the Nepal side.

Geographic coordinates

The summit lies at about 27.9881 degrees north and 86.9250 degrees east. The location is remote, which is why a visit takes a flight from Kathmandu and several days of walking.

Altitude and elevation

Understanding the altitude of Mount Everest

The summit is at 8,849 meters. On the standard trek, the numbers are lower but still serious. Everest Base Camp on the south side is at 5,364 meters, and Kala Patthar, the viewpoint above it, is at 5,644.5 meters. The summit is roughly 3,200 meters higher than Kala Patthar and about 3,485 meters higher than base camp.

At these heights the air holds close to half the oxygen found at sea level. Above 8,000 meters (26,000 feet) is the death zone, where the body cannot acclimatize and climbers can survive only a few hours. Altitude sickness is the main danger for trekkers too, which is why a 14-day itinerary builds in rest days at Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters) and Dingboche (4,410 meters).

Measurement of Mount Everest elevation

The height of Everest has been surveyed for generations, and the methods have improved each time. Nepal and China jointly confirmed the figure of 8,849 meters in 2020. Because the Himalayas sit on an active collision zone, the mountain’s height can shift by small amounts over time, which is the reason surveys are repeated.

Comparison with other peaks

Everest is the highest peak of the Himalayas, and its neighbors give a sense of scale. Lhotse ranks fourth in the world. Ama Dablam, the sharp peak that dominates the view from Dingboche, is 6,812 meters, about 2,000 meters lower than Everest. Even the high pass on the Annapurna Circuit, Thorong La at 5,416 meters, sits slightly above Everest Base Camp.

Accessibility

Best routes to reach Mount Everest

The most used route is the southern one, through the Khumbu Valley to base camp. Kathmandu is the main entry point, and teahouses along the trail provide beds and meals. Climbers continue from base camp on the South Col route. A full expedition to the summit typically takes 60 to 90 days, including trekking to base camp and a long acclimatization period.

Trekkers have a much shorter plan. A 14-day trek from Kathmandu to Kathmandu reaches base camp and Kala Patthar. Foreign trekkers in the Khumbu have needed a licensed guide since 2023. Two permits cover the area, the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. The TIMS card is not required for Khumbu. The best seasons are March to May and September to November. Spring brings rhododendrons in bloom and more people on the trail. Autumn has clear skies after the monsoon and a quieter path.

Transportation options

Most visitors fly into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. From there a small plane flies to Lukla in about 30 minutes. In the busy months, flights often leave from Manthali airport in Ramechhap instead, which adds a drive of 4 to 5 hours from Kathmandu. Baggage on these flights is limited to 15 kilograms per person, 10 checked and 5 carried on.

Helicopters are the other option, either shared flights to Lukla or a helicopter return instead of walking back down. Beyond Lukla there are no roads. Everything moves on foot, carried by porters and yaks.

Popular trekking paths

The classic route is the 14-day Everest Base Camp trek. It goes from Lukla to Phakding, then Namche Bazaar, where a rest day includes a walk to the Everest View Hotel and Khumjung village. The trail continues to Tengboche Monastery (3,867 meters) and Dingboche, where a second rest day includes a hike up Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 meters). From there it goes through Lobuche and Gorakshep to base camp, then up Kala Patthar at sunrise. The return is via Pheriche and Namche to Lukla. The round trip from Lukla is about 130 kilometers.

Longer options branch off the same valleys: the Gokyo Valley trek (13 days), the Chola Pass trek (17 days) and the Three Passes trek (19 days).

Conclusion

Mount Everest stands on the Nepal and Tibet border in the eastern Himalayas, at about 27.9881 degrees north and 86.9250 degrees east. Nepal and China confirmed its height of 8,849 meters in 2020. The Nepal side through the Khumbu region is the usual way in: a flight to Kathmandu, a short flight to Lukla, then days on foot. A two-week trek reaches Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters and Kala Patthar at 5,644.5 meters.

Final thoughts on visiting Mount Everest

Seeing Everest does not require climbing it. The trek is long and the altitude is real, so the things that matter most are the season you pick, the rest days you take along the way, and a guide who watches how you are doing. A trekker who plans for those three things has a good chance of standing at base camp with Everest in view.

The short answer: light, weather and pace

Three practical reasons explain the early start.

Light comes first. Gokyo Ri rises to about 5,357 m, roughly 550 m above Gokyo village at 4,800 m. From the top you can see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu in one sweep. Reach the summit before sunrise and you watch the peaks pick up color one at a time, then see the glacier and the lakes appear below as the light spreads.

Weather comes second. Conditions at this altitude change quickly, which is why the trip notes for the 13-day route stress extra layers, rain gear and a headlamp. The sky is usually clearest early in the day, and a clear sky is the whole point of the climb.

Pace comes third. Above 4,500 m everyone walks slowly. Starting in the dark lets you take the slope in short, steady stages, stop to catch your breath, and still be back in Gokyo in time for breakfast.

What you see from the top

Gokyo Ri is the best viewpoint on the Gokyo valley lake trek because it puts the whole valley in one frame. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu line the horizon, and Cholatse rises beyond the lake. Directly below, the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest in Nepal, spreads out as a field of ice, rock and moraine. Gokyo Lake lies beside the village, a flat patch of turquoise against brown slopes.

Low light gives the glacier its texture and sets the color of the water against the snow. By midday the same scene looks flatter, which is why photographers and first-time trekkers alike make the effort.

Trek stats

• Duration: 13 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu
• Difficulty: moderate to strenuous
• Highest point: Renjo La Pass, 5,360 m (17,585 ft); Gokyo Ri is about 5,357 m
• Daily walking: 4 to 7 hours, and 7 to 8 hours on the Renjo La day
• Acclimatization: Namche Bazaar and Gokyo
• Best months: March to May and September to November
• Accommodation: teahouses with twin-sharing rooms

More than a view: Gokyo Lake and Sherpa culture

Gokyo loosely translates as ‘holy water.’ The lakes are sacred to the Sherpas, who hold religious and spiritual activities beside them. The trip notes ask trekkers to respect local customs, ask before photographing people or sacred sites, and follow Leave No Trace.

The route also passes through Thame, a Sherpa village with an old monastery and stone buildings, known as the birthplace of many Sherpas who shaped Everest expeditions. Earlier, after the flight to Lukla, the trail gives a first view of Khumbila, the sacred God of Khumbu. These stops give the gokyo valley lake trek a human story to go with the scenery.

Practical tips for the 4 am start

• Dress for the coldest hour with insulated and waterproof layers, a sunhat or buff, and gloves. Autumn nights are cooler, and nothing is warm before sunrise.
• Carry a headlamp, spare batteries and a power bank. Wi-Fi and charging are patchy and cost extra above Namche.
• Use trekking poles on rocky ground, and pack micro-crampons if you travel in the shoulder seasons, when trails can ice over.
• Keep water and a snack in a 20 to 30 L daypack. Purification tablets are provided.
• Tell your guide how you feel before you leave. Bring altitude medication only if a physician prescribed it, and check that your insurance covers trekking above 5,000 m and helicopter evacuation.

Best season and permits

Spring (March to May) brings mild days and blooming rhododendrons. Autumn (September to November) brings clear skies and the best visibility, which suits a sunrise climb. Winter has fewer trekkers but icy trails, and the monsoon is wet and cloudy with fewer views.

Trekkers need the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. TIMS is not enforced in Khumbu, but a card is carried for safety.

Is the early start worth it

The 4 am alarm costs some sleep and a few cold fingers. In return you get the one view that ties the whole route together: the peaks, the glacier, the lake and the village at its edge, all under the first sun. The 13-day Gokyo Valley trek Nepal also gives you Sherpa villages and Renjo La Pass, and the acclimatization built into the route means you reach Gokyo Ri ready for it.

Permits are simpler

The Everest region no longer requires a TIMS card. Two local permits cover the trek instead: the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit, which is paid in Lukla or Monjo, and the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit, which can be paid at Monjo or at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu. Fees and rules can change, so confirm the current ones before you leave.

A licensed guide is also mandatory for foreign trekkers in the Khumbu, and your travel insurance must cover high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation from above 5,500 m.

The Lukla flight now often leaves from Ramechhap

In the busy seasons, March to May and September to November, flights to Lukla frequently leave from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap to ease congestion at Kathmandu airport. That means a 4 to 5 hour drive before the 30-minute flight. Shared helicopters to Lukla exist for those who want to skip the road and the flight line. Baggage is limited to 15 kg per person, made up of 10 kg checked and 5 kg hand carry, and the airlines enforce it strictly.

Better lodges and connectivity

Lodges in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche have been upgraded, with heated dining rooms and renewable energy charging stations. Food is still mostly Sherpa cooking made from local ingredients. Internet is available through Everest Link cards, though coverage can be patchy at higher altitudes such as Gorak Shep, so do not count on it up there. Prices for food, water, hot showers and charging rise with altitude because everything is carried up by porters or yaks. Carrying purification tablets instead of buying bottled water is a simple way to cut waste and expense.

Seasons

Spring (March to May) is the stable pre-monsoon period, with rhododendrons in bloom, though the trail has more people. Autumn (September to November) has crystal clear post-monsoon skies, some of the best views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, and a noticeably quieter trail than spring. Daytime temperatures in Namche usually reach about 15 degrees Celsius, while spring afternoons at Base Camp can reach 5 to 10 degrees.

Why 14 days is the standard

The 14-day schedule includes two acclimatization days, at Namche Bazaar and at Dingboche, and the success rate with this plan is over 95%. Shorter 10 to 12 day itineraries raise the risk of altitude sickness and lower the chance of reaching Base Camp. The trek covers about 130 km round trip from Lukla, with daily stages of roughly 10 to 15 km and walking days of 6 to 9 hours. The highest point is Kala Patthar at 5,644.5 m, where the sunrise view of Everest is the high point of most people’s trip.

Visas and preparation

Visa on arrival is available at Kathmandu airport for most nationalities in 15, 30 and 90 day options. Indian citizens do not need a visa. For training, build endurance with brisk uphill walking, cycling, swimming and stair climbing, and add squats, lunges and step-ups for leg strength. Pack a 20 to 30 L daypack, base layers, a mid-layer, a down jacket, a wind shell, trekking poles and a water purification method.

What Dashain celebrates

Dashain is a Hindu festival that lasts fifteen days. It begins on the first day of the bright lunar fortnight in the month of Ashwin, usually in late September or October, and ends on the full moon. Because it follows the lunar calendar, the dates shift every year.

The festival marks the victory of the goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Many Nepalis also connect it with Rama’s defeat of Ravana. Both stories have the same shape: good wins over evil after a long fight. The tenth day, Vijaya Dashami, is the one the festival is named for (“dash” meaning ten), and it is the day the whole thing builds toward.

The first days: Ghatasthapana and the jamara

Dashain opens with Ghatasthapana. A kalash, a small water pot, is placed in a room set aside for worship, and the goddess is invited into it. Barley seeds are sown in a bed of sand and cow dung around the pot. A family member, often the oldest man in the house or a priest, waters it each morning and evening.

The barley sprouts into yellow-green shoots called jamara. By the tenth day they stand a few inches tall, and they are cut and worn as a blessing. Houses that have a jamara bed keep the room closed to outsiders for the nine days, and the smell of damp sand and cut grass is one of the small details people remember from childhood.

Fulpati, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami

On the seventh day comes Fulpati. A sacred offering of flowers, leaves and a banana stalk is carried in procession. The best-known procession travels from Gorkha, where the Shah dynasty has its roots, to Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu, with soldiers, musicians and officials walking behind it. Crowds line the streets to watch.

The eighth day, Maha Ashtami, is for the fiercest form of the goddess, Kali. Temples hold special ceremonies through the night, and many families sacrifice animals, most often goats, ducks and buffalo, at temples and at home. The ninth day, Maha Navami, is the main day for these offerings. Vehicles are also blessed on this day, so you will see taxis, trucks and motorbikes with garlands and red marks on the bonnet. The Taleju temple in Kathmandu opens to the public once a year, on this day, and the queue outside can stretch for hours.

Vijaya Dashami and the tika

The tenth day is the largest family event. Elders prepare tika, a mix of rice, yogurt and red vermilion, and press it onto the foreheads of younger relatives along with a few stalks of jamara behind the ear. They give a blessing for the year ahead, and usually some money as well.

Tika carries on for several days after the tenth, and people travel to visit relatives in order of seniority. Grandparents come first, then uncles and aunts, then everyone else. A family with relatives scattered across several districts may spend the better part of a week on the road.

Food, swings and kites

Meat is the center of the Dashain table, since many Nepali families eat it only on special occasions. Goat meat curry is the usual dish, served with rice, lentils, pickles and sel roti, a ring-shaped bread of rice flour fried in oil. Sweets such as laddu and jalebi turn up in nearly every house.

Villages put up bamboo swings, called ping, that can rise ten or fifteen feet and are tied with rope made of twisted fibre. Children and adults take turns, and the swing stays up for the duration of the festival. Kites fill the sky over Kathmandu and the valley towns from the start of the festival, and the sound of kite strings snapping is part of the season. Card games are also common, and many families play for small stakes in the evenings.

What it means for visitors

Dashain is a public holiday of about ten days, and a large share of Kathmandu’s residents leave the valley to be with family. Banks, government offices and many shops close for several days. Hotels fill up and long-distance buses sell out early, so booking transport in advance matters if you want to leave the city around the festival. Taxis can be scarce and fares often rise.

On the other hand, the festival is a rare chance to see Nepali family life up close. Temples are busy and the streets around Durbar Square and Patan fill with processions and music. If you are invited into a home for tika, accept. Take off your shoes at the door, receive the tika with your right hand open, and bring a small gift such as fruit or sweets.

After Dashain

Dashain ends on the full moon, and Tihar, the festival of lights, follows about two to three weeks later. Homes are cleaned, oil lamps are lit, and dogs, crows, cows and brothers each get a day of their own. The mood changes from the family-centered, solemn feel of Dashain to something brighter and more playful, with children going door to door singing for treats.

For travelers, the weeks after both festivals are also a good time to head to the mountains. The monsoon has cleared, the air is dry, and the trails are in good shape.

Upper Dolpo Trek at a glance

• Duration: 24 days, starting and ending in Kathmandu
• Difficulty: challenging
• Maximum altitude: 5,360 m (17,585 ft) at Kang La
• Best seasons: March to May and September to November
• Accommodation: hotels, teahouses and tents
• Meals: included
• Group requirement: at least two trekkers and a licensed guide

What makes the trek different

The route lies within and around Shey-Phoksundo National Park. In a few days you pass pine and juniper forest, dry high valleys and barren mountain terrain. Dolpo sits in the Himalayan rain shadow, so it is much drier than the southern slopes of Nepal.

The culture is closely tied to the Tibetan world. Monasteries, chortens, mani walls and prayer flags mark the trail, and farming and trading still shape daily life. You walk through a living culture rather than simply past a mountain.

Shey Phoksundo Lake

After the flight to Juphal, the trail leads to Dunai and on through Shyanta and Rechi to Shey Phoksundo Lake at 3,620 m. The water is a deep turquoise, set beneath towering cliffs, and it is among the best-known high-altitude lakes in Nepal. Local people consider it sacred, which affects how visitors behave around it.

Kang La, Shey Gompa and Crystal Mountain

From Sallaghari (3,956 m) the trail climbs to Kang La Base Camp and then over Kang La, at 5,360 m the highest point of the trek. The pass day ends at Shey Gompa (4,160 m) after about seven hours of walking.

Shey is the spiritual heart of Dolpo. The centuries-old monastery stands below Crystal Mountain, and trekkers can circumambulate Ribo Drukta, the region’s sacred peak. A full rest day here lets the body recover and leaves time to explore.

Villages of Upper Dolpo

Beyond Shey the route reaches Namgung (4,430 m) and Saldang (3,770 m), then Komagaon, Simengaon and Tinje. These are working villages with yak caravans, barley terraces and ochre-painted gompas.

Choi La comes next, at roughly 5,040 to 5,100 m, reached by way of Renjokhola Dovan and Choi La Phedi. From the pass the views stretch across the Greater Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateau. The trail then drops to Dho Tarap (3,944 m).

The descent through Tarap Khola

From Dho Tarap the path follows Tarap Khola Gorge, one of the wildest river canyons in Nepal, through Langa (3,898 m) and Nawarpani (3,650 m) to Tarakot (2,450 m). A final walking day reaches Juphal, where flights return to Nepalgunj and Kathmandu.

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Blue sheep, marmots and Himalayan griffon vultures live in the area. Signs of snow leopard are rare, and any animal should be watched from a distance.

Difficulty and altitude

The Upper Dolpo Trek is challenging. Most days involve five to seven hours of walking over rugged ground with scree, cliff benches and bridge crossings. Two passes, Kang La and Choi La, rise above 5,000 m, and most nights are spent between 3,600 and 4,500 m.

The itinerary follows a “climb high, sleep low” pattern and includes a rest day at Shey. Learn the signs of altitude sickness: headache, nausea, poor sleep and dizziness. If symptoms get worse, stop climbing or descend, and tell your guide. Diamox is optional, so discuss it with your doctor before you travel. Earlier high-altitude trekking experience helps a great deal.

Permits and rules

Upper Dolpo is a restricted area. You need a Restricted Area Permit and a Shey Phoksundo National Park permit, both arranged through a registered trekking agency. Independent trekking is not allowed, so a licensed guide and at least two trekkers are required. Expect occasional permit checks and carry a passport copy and photos.

Camping, food and logistics

Lodges are few, so most nights are spent in tents. Simple teahouse or homestay stays are possible in Dunai, Ringmo, Saldang, Dho Tarap and Tarakot. A kitchen crew prepares hot meals, with dal bhat as the staple. Fresh vegetables are limited at altitude, so bring snack bars or electrolytes.

Water is boiled or treated, and two liters a day is a good target. Phone signal is patchy to absent after Dunai, so the guide carries a satellite messenger. A power bank of around 20,000 mAh keeps devices running. Carry Nepali rupees in cash, since ATMs and cards are unreliable in remote areas.

The flights from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and Juphal use small planes, and weather delays happen. Baggage allowance is 10 kg checked and 5 kg hand luggage, and a duffel of 12 to 15 kg works well on the trail.

Packing and etiquette

Pack a sleeping bag rated to -20°C, warm layers, a windproof shell, a sun hat, gloves and well broken-in boots. Poles help on scree, and microspikes are useful if early mornings on the passes are icy. Travel insurance should cover helicopter evacuation up to at least 6,000 m.

Spin prayer wheels clockwise and avoid sitting on mani walls or chortens. Ask before photographing people, dress modestly near gompas, and get permission before flying a drone. Do not swim or wash in Phoksundo Lake. Pack out batteries and plastics.

Is the Upper Dolpo Trek right for you

This trek suits people who want remote Himalayan scenery, living mountain communities and a route far from the busy trails, and who are comfortable with long days, camping and high altitude. It is a poor match for anyone who wants a short, comfortable lodge-based walk.

The remoteness is the point, and it asks for fitness, patience and flexibility in return. Twenty-four days is a long time to commit, and what you get is a stretch of the Himalaya where the lake, the monasteries and the passes still feel far from everything else.

Why this trek is a must-visit

Nepal’s famous treks tend to come with crowded teahouses and queues at the best viewpoints. The Mardi Himal Trek is calmer. According to the 5k Treks route page, even in peak months you meet far fewer trekkers here than on Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit.

The reward is large for the effort. At the top you stand among Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Mardi Himal itself. Reaching them takes no technical climbing and no mountaineering background, only steady legs and a willingness to start early. Summit day usually begins before dawn so that you arrive as the first light reaches the peaks.

Trek stats

• Country and region: Nepal, Annapurna
• Duration: 10 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu
• Difficulty: moderate
• Maximum altitude: 4,500 m at Mardi Himal Base Camp
• Best seasons: March to May and September to November
• Accommodation: hotels in the cities, family-run teahouses on the mountain
• Meals: included

Forest, ridge and high mountain

The trail changes character often. You start in subtropical forest, pass through rhododendron woods, and finish on open ridges and alpine meadows. In spring, and especially in April, the rhododendrons are in bloom and the lower slopes turn red and pink.

Viewpoints along the way give you sunrises and sunsets over the Annapurna massif. Fishtail dominates the skyline for much of the climb, and photographers tend to slow down here. That variety of terrain in a single trek is one of the better arguments for choosing this route over a flatter, shorter one.

Gurung villages and teahouse life

The lower trail passes through traditional Gurung villages, where the hospitality of the mountain people shapes the daily experience. Evenings are spent in teahouses, usually in twin-sharing rooms or dormitories. Expect simple beds, limited electricity at higher elevations and basic running water.

Dal bhat, the standard Nepali meal of rice, lentils and vegetables, is the staple of the trail. It is filling, it comes with refills, and it suits a long day of walking. Talking with your hosts over tea is as much a part of the trek as the summit.

Who the trek suits

The route works well for first-timers because the difficulty builds gradually and the daily distances are manageable. Experienced hikers, photographers and anyone curious about village life find plenty to hold their attention. Solo travellers can join published group dates and often end up with trail friends by the second day, while private treks are available for those who want a personal schedule.

Families and anyone after solitude will also find the trail forgiving. The quiet is real, and it changes how the mountains feel.

Best time to go

Spring, from March to May, is the premium season. The weather is clear, the temperatures are mild, and the flowers are at their best. Daytime highs reach about 25 degrees Celsius, though nights above 2,500 m can fall to freezing. Peak dates fill months ahead, so book early.

Autumn, from September to November, is equally good. The air is clear after the monsoon, and October is exceptional for visibility. There are fewer flowers than in spring, but also fewer people and easier availability. Nights above 2,500 m can reach minus 5 degrees.

Winter, from December to February, is possible but unpredictable. Cold at altitude, higher odds of delays, and lows down to minus 10 degrees are the main concerns. The monsoon months of June to August are generally not recommended because of heavy rain, cloud over the peaks and leeches on the trail.

Fitness, altitude and health

You do not need a mountaineering physique. If you can run 5 km in 25 to 30 minutes, you are fit enough, and 6 to 8 weeks of preparation will make the trek more comfortable. Days of five to seven hours on foot are normal.

The page rates the risk of altitude sickness as low because of the gradual ascent, and guides carry oximeters for daily health checks. Still, go up slowly and tell your guide about any headache or nausea straight away. Anyone with heart conditions that need medication, long-term lung disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes, serious joint problems, or a past episode of severe altitude sickness should get medical clearance first. Pregnancy is typically discouraged.

Practical tips

Travel insurance with high-altitude emergency evacuation is mandatory. Standard airline policies usually lack that cover, so arrange a specialist trekking policy before you arrive.

Pack light daytime clothing and warm layers for the nights. You will want a waterproof jacket and pants, boots you have already broken in, a warm hat, gloves, several pairs of socks, SPF 50+ sunscreen and a camera. Carry your own purification supplies or bottled water, and expect to pay small fees for hot showers, wifi and charging at the teahouses.

The case for going

The Mardi Himal Trek gives you the things people travel to the Himalaya for: close views of big peaks, rhododendron forest, village hospitality and a summit day you remember. It also gives you room to enjoy them. The trails are quiet, the days are manageable and the route suits first-time trekkers as well as experienced hikers looking for something less crowded.

Pick a spring or autumn window, train for a few weeks, and arrange your insurance early. Then the only decision left is the date.

This article explains the numbers, follows the climb day by day on a 12-day itinerary from Kathmandu, and covers the habits that keep you comfortable on the way up.

Annapurna base camp height at a glance

Here are the figures worth knowing before you book.

• Elevation of Annapurna Base Camp: 4,130 m (13,550 ft)
• Location: Kaski, Nepal
• Duration: 12 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu
• Difficulty: moderate
• Distance: about 100 to 120 km in total, with 4 to 7 hours of walking a day
• Best seasons: March to May and September to November
• Stay: hotels in the cities and teahouses on the trail, with meals included

The trail reaches that height gradually. The 12-day plan spreads the climb over several walking days, and that spacing makes the altitude manageable.

How the altitude builds day by day

The route starts low. You land in Kathmandu on day 1, fly to Pokhara (830 m) on day 2, and drive to Nayapul (1,070 m) on day 3 before the walking begins. That first day ends in Ghandruk at 1,940 m, a Gurung village where the pace of life is slow and the welcome is warm.

From there each night sleeps higher: Chhomrong at 2,170 m, Dovan at 2,600 m and Deurali at 3,230 m. The gains between those stops run about 230 m, 430 m and 630 m. The final push from Deurali adds 900 m. On day 7 you walk for about six hours, passing Machhapuchhre Base Camp at 3,700 m, and that day asks the most from your lungs.

The way down sheds height quickly. Day 8 returns you to Dovan, 1,530 m below the camp, and day 9 ends at Jhinu Danda (1,780 m), where natural hot springs sit beside the river. Day 10 finishes at Nayapul with a drive to Pokhara, and a flight to Kathmandu follows on day 11.

Altitude sickness and the altitude of Annapurna Base Camp

The altitude of Annapurna Base Camp carries a moderate risk of altitude sickness. It is lower than Everest Base Camp, yet headaches and nausea can appear once you pass 3,000 m at Deurali. A steady pace and plenty of water are the best prevention, and your guide checks on you each day.

Above 3,000 m, walk slowly, drink often and watch for symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Tell your guide about a headache early. A guide is also a requirement: since 1 April 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board has required all foreign trekkers to hire a licensed, government-certified guide, and solo trekking is no longer permitted. Your travel insurance must include high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation.

One stretch needs extra care. Between Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp, the Hinku Cave sector has seasonal avalanche exposure. Guides start early on this section and follow local advisories.

Practical tips for the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp

These habits make the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp easier to handle.

• Drink steadily and treat every refill with a filter plus chlorine or UV. Your guide provides purification tablets.
• Bring trekking poles and warm layers, and add microspikes in shoulder season or winter.
• Carry a 5 to 7 kg daypack with water, layers and a camera. A porter takes your duffel, usually 10 to 12 kg.
• Take enough cash for meals, snacks, showers and charging, because ATMs are only in Pokhara.
• Pack a power bank. Charging and Wi-Fi cost $2 to $5 and get patchier as you climb.

Food helps too. Dal bhat, the plate of lentil soup, rice and curry, often comes with free refills. Teahouses do not serve meat above Sinuwa, out of respect for local rules in the Annapurna Sanctuary, so protein comes from eggs, cheese and lentils. A hot shower costs about $3 to $5, and above 3,000 m many trekkers skip it for wet wipes to avoid catching a chill.

How the seasons change the climb

Spring, from March to May, brings blooming rhododendrons, comfortable temperatures and some afternoon cloud. Autumn, in October and November, gives the clearest skies and the busiest trails. Winter is cold, with icy sections near Machhapuchhre Base Camp and the base camp itself, and the days are shorter. The monsoon months bring cloud, rain, leeches and possible landslides, and the mountain views are less reliable.

Villages and culture below the base camp

The climb is as much about people as peaks. Gurung and Magar communities live along the route, and Ghandruk is where most trekkers meet them first. Their way of life is unhurried and hospitable, and the contrast with Pokhara and Kathmandu is immediate. Dress modestly in villages, ask before photographing anyone and keep your voice low near monasteries and shrines.

The scenery shifts with every hundred metres of height. Rice fields, river gorges and waterfalls give way to rhododendron and bamboo forest, then to alpine grassland as the snow peaks close in. Some itineraries add an optional sunrise at Poon Hill early in the trek, with views over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

What 4,130 m looks like

At the top you stand inside the Annapurna Sanctuary with mountains on every side. Annapurna I fills the view ahead, with Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) behind it. Glaciers and alpine lakes sit close by. You spend the night at the camp, then return the way you came.

Final thoughts

Annapurna base camp elevation, 4,130 m, is a number that rewards respect. It is high enough to demand slow walking, plenty of water and a guide who watches how you feel, and low enough that a moderately fit trekker can reach it by day 7. The days leading there are as memorable as the arrival: rice fields, forest, hot springs and the generosity of the Gurung and Magar people.

Plan for the altitude, pick a season that suits you, and give each night time to do its work. Then the camp at the end of the valley feels earned.

What the trek is

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is one of the most popular short treks in Nepal. It runs through the central foothills of the Annapurna range, in the Kaski district near Pokhara. The walking itself takes 5 to 6 days. With the travel from Kathmandu and back, the whole trip fits into 8 or 9 days.

The grade is easy to moderate. You will not need ropes or climbing skill. You do need decent fitness, because there are many stone steps, and some days are long. A typical walking day lasts 5 to 7 hours. We went slowly and stopped often for tea, and nobody minded.

Getting there

Our trek began near Nayapul, a village at about 1,070 m. It sits at the end of a dirt road from Pokhara, which lies at 830 m. From Kathmandu you can drive to Pokhara in about 7 hours. A flight of 25 to 30 minutes is also possible, though it depends on the weather. We drove. The road is long, but it gave us time to watch the country change outside the window.

The altitude gain from there is slow. That matters. You climb from roughly 1,070 m up to 3,210 m over several days, so your body has time to adjust. The risk of altitude trouble is low. Headaches can still happen above 3,000 m, so we drank plenty of water and walked at an easy pace.

The villages

I think the villages are the best part of this trek, and I did not expect that. The trail begins in farming country. Gurung and Magar families live here in houses of stone and wood. Their fields climb the hills in narrow steps, and they grow rice, millet and vegetables on them.

Ghandruk sits at 1,940 m. Tadapani is higher, at 2,630 m. Both feel alive in a way that many tourist stops do not. On the paths I saw women weaving carpets, men cutting wood and animals grazing near the doors. People still work here the way their parents did. Our guide greeted nearly everyone by name.

We slept in family-run teahouses. The rooms were twin-share with thick blankets, and the dining rooms had a stove in the middle. I packed a sleeping bag liner and was glad of it on the colder nights. The food was simple and filling: dal bhat, soup, pasta, momos. Teahouses cook to order, so meals take a while. Order early and bring a book.

The forest

Between the villages the trail climbs into a deep forest. Rhododendron, oak and bamboo form a roof over the path. In March and April the rhododendrons bloom in pink, red and white, and the hillsides look painted. When I walked, the trees were green and still. I heard running water, a few birds and my own boots. That was all.

For me this was the calmest stretch of the trek. The walking has a rhythm to it. Step, breathe, step. After a day or so my mind stopped racing.

Ghorepani

Ghorepani sits at 2,860 m. The forest thins out here, and the land opens into meadows and ridges. The evenings are cold, even in the best season. We sat close to the stove, drank hot lemon tea and watched the clouds drift apart outside.

Ghorepani is also busy, because most trekkers pass through it on their way to the hill. Dinner was loud and friendly. We swapped stories with people from four or five countries. Then everyone went to bed early, because the next morning started in the dark.

Sunrise at Poon Hill

The climb to the viewpoint takes about an hour and a half. We left in the dark, with headlamps on and hats pulled low. A headlamp is not optional on this trek. The path is steep in places, and the steps are uneven.

The viewpoint was already crowded when we arrived, so the early start paid off. We found a spot on the edge and waited. The sky went from black to grey, then to pink. Then came the alpenglow, that soft gold light that touches the peaks before the sun reaches the valley. Dhaulagiri stood to the west. Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna massif stretched to the east. People stopped talking. Cameras clicked. Someone near me laughed quietly, and I think it was just joy.

After sunrise we went down for a hot breakfast and then carried on. The descent on the stone steps toward Ulleri (1,960 m) is long and hard on the knees. Trekking poles help a great deal there.

When to go

October and November bring the clearest skies, and the views are sharp and wide. March and April are the months for rhododendron flowers. December to February is crisp, with cold nights. June to September is green but wet, and leeches live on the trail then. I would avoid those months.

What I packed, and what I would pack again

• A warm base layer, a fleece, a down or synthetic jacket and a rain shell
• Gloves and a hat for the Poon Hill dawn
• Grippy boots or shoes, plus trekking poles
• A daypack of 20 to 30 L for water, layers and a camera
• A headlamp, a power bank and a universal adapter (the sockets are Type C, D and M, at 230V)
• Two reusable water bottles and purification tablets

Duffel bags are best kept to 10 to 12 kg per person. If you hire a porter, one usually carries the bags of two trekkers. Spare luggage can stay at your hotel in Kathmandu.

Boiled or filtered water is easy to find at the lodges, so there is no need to buy plastic bottles. Please carry your litter out, stay on the paths and keep your voice low at the sunrise spot. Drones need a permit, so ask before you fly one.

Mobile signal comes and goes. Ghandruk and Ghorepani are often fine, while the forest sections are patchy. Bring some Nepali rupees for snacks, because cards rarely work in the villages, and the ATMs are back in Pokhara.