Himalayan Hiking Routes: Top Trails And Destinations For Adventure
The Himalayan region is home to some of the tallest peaks in the world. The tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, is also part of the Himalayas.
The Himalayas consist of many great treks from Nepal and spanning India and Bhutan.
Read on to learn about the top trails and hiking routes for adventure in the Himalayan treks.
Himalayan Treks: Top Trails And Destinations For Adventure
Here are some of the greatest treks of the Himalayas, ideal for adventure lovers. These top treks consist of Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Tibet peaks.
Top Treks Of Nepal
Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular treks of the Himalayan region. It is a fantastic trail with a good view of the world’s tallest mountain and some wonderful tea houses to relax in.
It is typically an 11-day trek that ends at the Everest Base Camp, from where you can look at the ice fall of the Khumbu Glacier towards the Everest peak, which stands at 3500 m.
Everest Base Camp trekking is generally from September to June. The period from December to January is a very cold season at Everest, but it is the only time you can find solitude.
Poon Hill And The Annapurna Base Camp
The Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill are two peaks that can be conquered together or separately.
This trail, like the Everest Base Camp, is also fantastic and has tea house lodging where trekkers can rest for a while.
Poon Hill is one of the best short treks in the Himalayas, which offers close-up views of Annapurna. It’s best to conquer it if you have a few days for trekking.
If you can trek a few more days, this is the perfect time to journey to Annapurna Base Camp, which is in the Annapurna sanctuary. Here you get the best views of the south face of Annapurna, which is the 10th tallest mountain in the world.
The same route also provides excellent views of the famous hanging glaciers and sheer cliff face of Machapuchare, popular as the “Matterhorn of Asia.”
Makalu Base Camp Trek
The Makalu Base Camp (8463 m) is a 16-day trek of the world’s 5th tallest peak. Unlike the Everest and Annapurna Base Camp treks, this one has no tea houses and needs proper organizing to make it a success.
It starts from 435 m and crosses through various environments going past the Barun Valley to reach the Makalu Base Camp.
The trail takes you through untouched forests and untampered wilderness, a fantastic experience for all trekkers.
Manaslu Circuit
The Manaslu Circuit is a 14 to 16-day trek, complete with a tea house for the comfort of hikers. It is the 8th highest peak in the world and is gradually becoming a popular alternative to the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
It is one of the best treks in Nepal and sees the highest number of visitors in October. The Manaslu Circuit trek is located in a restricted region, which means that trekkers must pay a fee of $50 per week.
Upper Mustang Trek
The Upper Mustang trek brings out the true beauty of the desert and ancient Tibetan cultures. It’s an 18-day trek that heads toward the far corner of the Annapurna Range.
You need a special permit for the tea house and camping trek as it’s in a restricted area. Only a few tourists, generally about 1000 annually, visit this part of Nepal.
Highlights of the journey include the ancient “forbidden city” and the many ancient caves and monasteries.
Dolpo Region Trek
Dolpo Region is an untouched picturesque area that reveals the true beauty of nature. Many argue about its name, and the question remains whether it is Dolpo or Dolpa.
The word ‘Tolbo’ was believed to be converted to Dolbo, and the inhabitants in the Upper Dolpo region are called ‘Dolpo Pa.’
The monsoon has less impact on this region than in other parts of the country. It’s mainly because Dolpo lies in the rain shadow of Dhaulagiri. Therefore, trekking is possible in spring, summer, and autumn.
However, it could get extremely cold in the winter along with snowfall, so trekkers should avoid the period from December until spring. The best season for Dolpo region trekking is in autumn, from September to November.
Dhaulagiri Circuit
Dhaulagiri spreads 70 miles from the Kali Gandaki River to Bheri in the western region. This region is home to the seventh-highest peak in the world, Dhaulagiri I, which stands at a massive height of 8167 m.
Trekking the Dhaulagiri circuit is one of the most challenging yet adventurous journeys you would ever experience. The hike requires you to be in great physical form. The trek can extend up to 16 days, covering some of the highest peaks in the region.
The trek passes through stunning alpine pastures and high windswept passes. It rises above the world’s deepest gorge, the Kali Gandaki.
Dhaulagiri was once the highest mountain in the world until Kanchenjunga surpassed it 30 years later.
Langtang Trek
This is an 11-day trek in the Langtang Valley, one of Nepal’s most picturesque areas.
Langtang trek provides trekkers views of stunning landscapes and lets them experience authentic culture and the warm hospitality of the region’s locals.
The journey provides 360-degree views of the Himalayan Mountains, which is spectacular to witness as you make your way down Langtang Valley and drive back to Kathmandu.
Top Treks Of Tibet
Kailash Circuit
The Kailash Circuit consists of a symmetrical mountain and is one of the most challenging treks for religious pilgrims worldwide.
It is one of the most sacred and beautiful regions of the Himalayas, as it is considered the abode of Lord Shiva in Hinduism.
Ancient scripts have famed this region to be the center of the world. Pilgrimage at this site has been followed for many thousand years. Hindus, Buddhists, and followers of Jain and Bönpo religions all consider this to be a sacred place.
Advanced Everest Base Camp
The trek to the Advanced Mount Everest Base Camp is the highest anyone can go on Mount Everest without a permit for climbing.
It is 6340 m high and is a challenging but picturesque trek through a beautiful landscape. The trail begins in Lhasa (3650 m), the Tibetan capital, where trekkers can spend a few days adjusting to the climate before conquering Everest.
Top Treks Of Bhutan
Chomolhari Trek
The Chomolhari trek is a 10-day journey that takes you to Chomolhari base camp, the second tallest mountain in Bhutan, standing at a height of 7326 m.
It is considered a sacred place for Tibetan Buddhists and therefore comes with many restrictions. Due to this reason, only a few have conquered the Chomolhari peak.
The trail offers stunning views of the surrounding snow-laden peaks. The trek reaches the highest point in elevation of approximately 5000 m.
Snowman Trek
It is a 25-day trek that crosses the spine of the Himalayas between Tibet and Bhutan. The journey goes through 11 passes, with 4 of them being above 5000 m high. It is known as one of the most challenging treks in the world.
Apart from this, trekkers also have to face inclement weather and isolation from the outside world.
The best time to take this journey is in October when the weather is good, as it is before the snow falls soon after the monsoon period ends.
How To Stay Safe While Hiking The Himalayas?
Here is a list of things to take to stay safe when hiking the Himalayas.
- Backpack
- Hiking shoes
- Hiking pole
- First aid kit
- Snacks
- Water bottle
- Rain poncho
Also, remember that there is no electricity in the Himalayan or any other mountain range. Therefore, you must carry a flashlight when hiking because it gets dark early in the mountain.
If you are looking for a flashlight suitable for hiking, you can buy with this link: https://outlighter.com/best-flashlights/.
Conclusion
The Himalayan Mountain Range has some of the tallest peaks in the world. Trekking these peaks offers sweeping views of the mountain range and surrounding valleys.
The Himalayan Mountains spread across several countries, including Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Tibet. However, the best of the Himalayas can be viewed from Nepal.
Some of the most popular and highest peaks in the Himalayas are Mountain Everest Base Camp, Manaslu Circuit, Advanced Mount Everest Base Camp, and K2 Base Camp.
Trekking the Himalayan Range is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that every hiker should witness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Country Has The Best Parts Of The Himalayas?
The Himalayas dominate Nepal which has the best of the mountain range, including several of the highest peaks in the world.
Which Are The Most Famous Peaks Of The Himalayas?
The most famous peaks of the Himalayas are Mount Everest, K2, and Kanchenjunga.
Where Is It Best To View The Himalayas?
A few of the best places to view the Himalayas are Nepal and Ladakh, India.
