6 Most Challenging Treks in Nepal
Nepal is one of the best trekking destinations in the world, yet hundreds of thousands of trekkers have only been there for months. Although some trekking destinations in Nepal are fun and easy, particular treks are challenging and intensifying. A problematic trek doesn’t mean that it is impossible, but it means that if you want some real challenge, there are particular challenging treks you can try out. This blog will discuss the six most difficult treks in Nepal.
Nepal is the home of trekking and adventure, as there are many regions where you can challenge your metal. Nepal has many trek options, each with varying intensity, duration, and difficulty levels. The experience of the same trek can differ between seasons. Trekkers choose their treks based on their interests, tastes, and budget, and different age groups often choose different treks. So, let’s get into this.
6 Most Challenging Treks in Nepal
1. Upper Dolpo Treks
The upper Dolpo trek is one of the remote treks in the far western region of Nepal. It is complete off-the-beaten-path wilderness as you trek from teahouse to teahouse in remote villages with significantly less infrastructure to invest in. The trek falls in a restricted area of Nepal and was close to the local people until very recently. The upper Dolpo trek takes you to remote locations, lush jungles, and vibrant valleys of She Phoksundo Lake. The journey first takes you to Nepalgunj, from where you will drive to Jhupal, where your trek starts. In most other treks, you will stay from the teahouse, but during the Upper Dolpo trek, you might have to camp in a tent, which will prove quite a challenge in the high-altitude trek.
2. Manaslu Circuit Trek
The Manaslu Circuit trek goes around the world's eighth-highest mountain (8,156m). You start from Soti Khola, west of Kathmandu, and finish at Besi Sahar. The trails are off-the-beaten-path, letting you enjoy the Nepali wilderness. You can reach the trek region easily without taking domestic flights. From Kathmandu, you need to take a local bus to Soti Khola. From Sotikhola, you will head to MachhaKhola, Doban, Phillim, Ghap, Namrung, and Samaguan. Most trekkers acclimatize at Samaguan and use this time to visit Birendra Lake, Pungyen Monastery, and Manaslu Base Camp. The trek infrastructure is essential, and the uneven, rocky trail may challenge many. You might experience altitude sickness above 3,000m, so you must acclimatize accordingly. The weather can be another challenge, with breezy winds, cold temperatures, and snow covering the trails at high altitudes.
3. Kanchenjunga Trek
Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal and probably the most difficult among all the other trekking destinations in Nepal. It is also one of Nepal's most extended treks, taking 17 to 21 days to complete. You will visit remote places like Lali Kharka, Yalung Base Camp, Yamphudin, Mamankhe, Tseram, Ramche, and others. The major challenge in the Kanchenjunga trek is that it is one of the highest altitude treks, and many steep ascents and descents will take a toll on your body. Furthermore, the trek lies in the remote wilderness, so no teahouse will force you to camp in a tent. Camping in the open at high altitudes is always risky, as you will constantly get trapped by snow, hail, and sometimes even blizzards.
4. Ganesh Himal Trek
Ganesh Himal Trek is another challenging trek in Nepal. It is one of the most strenuous treks in the Langtang region, where other treks range from easy to moderate in difficulty. The trek starts with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi, after which your trekking journey starts. One of the challenging factors of the Ganesh Himal Trek is that you will trek over an altitude of over 3000m, which means there is a high risk of altitude sickness. Furthermore, the trails are twists and turns with frequent steep ascents and descents, consuming your energy and taking a toll on your body.
5. Nar Phu Valley Trek
Nar Phu Valley Trek is another restricted area trek in Nepal that takes you to the extremely remote villages of Nar and Phu. This trek lies in the Annapurna region and is one of the most challenging treks in Annapurna and the whole country. The trek starts from Besisahar, and you start trekking on the same route as the Annapurna Circuit Trek. In this trek, the challenging aspect is that you will trek on the glacial route over 5000m and reach one and four passes.
6. Everest High Passes Trek
Everest region treks are often considered to be among the easiest treks in Nepal. However, when you add a couple of side treks to the Everest Base Camp Trek, you will get the Everest High Pass Trek, which becomes more challenging than other regular treks. You will trek in the three passes of Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La Pass, all over 5000m during this trek. Trekking at such a high altitude is tricky, and altitude sickness is a considerable risk.
Conclusion
Hence, you can try these six most challenging treks in Nepal if you want an extra thrill and adventure. Although these treks are not impossible, they are demanding, even more so if you don’t have previous trekking experience in the high-altitude Himalayan region.
However, if you are physically fit and have muscular core strength, you can still succeed in this trek despite having yet to experience it. Nepal is the land of many treks, from easy to complex, so if you don’t want to challenge yourself and try arduous trek, then just try some easy to moderate level treks like Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, or Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. So, we hope you try at least one challenging trek when you feel ready to do so.
FAQs
1. Which permits do you need for the Upper Dolpo Treks?
Upper Dolpo lies in a restricted area of Nepal, which means you need a restricted area permit and both Lowe and Upper Dolpo area permits.
2. Which is the best time to trek the Everest High Pass Trek?
The best time to trek the Everest High Pass is either Spring or Autumn, which provides ideal trekking conditions, such as nice weather, mild temperatures, clear skies and mountains, and flowering trails.
3. Which is the most challenging trek in Nepal?
Although the answer can be relative to every trekker, according to trekkers who have experienced many treks in Nepal, the Kanchenjunga trek is the most challenging. It is the most extended trek, taking you to remote settlements, and you must camp in a tent at a high altitude.
4. Which is the most scenic trek in Nepal?
The most scenic trek in Nepal is Manalsu Circuit Nepal, where you will trek along the scenic route from day one to your last day.
5. Where do we stay during our trek in Nepal?
During our trek, you will stay in the lodges at the lower altitude, but at the higher altitude, you will remain at the teahouse, the small homestays with small rooms with twin beds.
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