Trekking in Nepal is unforgettable. Snow-capped giants rise above warm, green valleys. Yaks graze by glacial lakes. Smoke curls from squat houses on rice-terraced hillsides. In spring, rhododendron forests burst with colour. Nepal is a living mosaic of cultures and ethnic groups—every day brings something new. Most travellers leave already planning their return.
Our routes follow century-old foot trails linking thousands of mountain villages. You’ll walk with an experienced team—group leaders, Sherpa guides and porters—so you carry only a small daypack with your camera and daytime essentials. Walking days vary by itinerary, but each is designed to give you time to soak in the views and village life.
We climb gradually for safe acclimatisation, sleeping a little higher each night. Expect average elevation gains of 1000–1600 feet per day, with total ups and downs often more. It’s steady, spectacular, and paced so you can truly enjoy Nepal.
Nepal captivates with dramatic scenery and quiet trails far from the modern rush. Trekkers of all levels are drawn to its mountains and foothills for close-up views of the Himalaya—and to leave their own footprints among the world’s highest peaks. But the real magic is the people you meet along the way. Warm, resourceful, and quick to laugh, Nepalis bring incredible positivity to life in rugged terrain, turning every encounter into a lasting memory.
While most Nepalis are Hindu, daily life is deeply shaped by Buddhist traditions, too. The country is a true cultural mosaic, home to more than 40 ethnic groups—each with its own language, customs, and festivals.
The Great Himalayan Range arcs from Pakistan through India, Nepal, and Bhutan—born from the collision of the Indian subcontinent with Asia. Nepal sits at the heart of this uplift, its 800-km spine lined with giants. Eight of the world’s fourteen 26,247-foot peaks rise here: Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna I.
Despite its modest size—about 56,827 square miles—Nepal spans an astonishing range of altitudes, from the near-sea-level Terai to the summit of Everest at 29,029 feet. Travel south to north and you pass tropical jungle, terraced foothills, and pine and rhododendron forests before reaching the glaciers and peaks of the Great Himalaya along the Tibetan border.
Days are built to feel alive: enough sweat to earn the view, enough ease to enjoy it. You’ll fall in with a crew of like-minded walkers and Nepalese staff whose energy is contagious—practical, funny, unflappable. We never forget this is your holiday. The plan serves the pleasure, not the other way around. Need a hand on a steep pitch or a porter to shoulder your daypack for a stretch? Sorted.
No two days are the same. The pace bends to the trail, the weather, the group, and where the next good tea-house or campsite sits. Strict timetables are for offices; here, freedom is the point. What follows is a guideline, not a decree.
Mornings start early—about 6:00 to 6:30 a.m.—with a knock and a hot cup of tea. Before breakfast, pack your duffel and keep the essentials handy in your daypack: camera, rain shell, water, sunscreen, toilet paper, warm layers, sunglasses. Your duffel goes with the porters; you won’t see it again until the next tea-house or camp.
We usually hit the trail around 7:30–8:00 a.m. By late morning—call it 11 to noon—we break for lunch. Give it about an hour and a half: eat, stretch the legs, scribble in the diary, read a page or three. Afternoons are shorter. We roll into camp or a tea-house by 3–4 p.m., just when the light starts to tip gold.
Then it’s your call: tea and a side trip, a game or two, or simply sit and watch the mountains shift through their palette. Wander the village, chat with staff, swap stories with fellow trekkers. Dinner lands around 7:30 p.m. Each evening your guide lays out tomorrow’s plan—route, weather, what’s worth an extra detour if the legs feel good.
Nights fill themselves: cards, conversation, a song that everyone half-remembers. Different languages, shared laughter. Ask around and you’ll hear it—these evenings end up as some of the sharpest, most durable memories of the trip.
Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance is a requirement for all guests travelling on our expeditions.
Once you have booked an expedition we suggest booking your travel insurance as soon as possible to protect your investment and other associated costs. Trip cancellation insurance will reimburse you for any non-recoverable air or land expenses should you have to cancel your trip due to personal or family illness or leave the expedition early due to other reasons.
If you should receive an injury 12 months prior to your travel date, you must contact the Insurance Company with details to ensure you are covered for this injury whilst travelling. Should you not do this and require medical assistance for this injury whilst travelling you may not be covered by the insurance company.
In the event that an aircraft evacuation is required, No Roads Expeditions will undertake to arrange the evacuation on the condition that the expenses are reimbursed by the passenger before departing the Country.
Note: Accidents caused by the inappropriate consumption of alcohol or drugs may void your travel insurance.
This depends on the trip you have chosen. For more basic trips we use the Harati Manor Hotel. Upgrades on the basic hotel in Kathmandu are available for all trips.
From the U.S., there are no nonstops to Kathmandu (KTM), so most travelers depart major gateways like New York (JFK/EWR), Washington D.C. (IAD), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), or Seattle (SEA) and connect once in the Middle East or Asia. The most common routings are via Doha with Qatar Airways, via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, or via Dubai with an Emirates ticket that connects to flydubai on the DXB–KTM leg; Bangkok (Thai Airways) and Delhi (Air India) are also popular connection points.
All transfers are included in this trip including to and from the International airport, to and from the domestic terminal and when needed to and from a trail head.
You will require a passport with at least 6 months validity on it, however we recommend 12 months.
All nationalities except Indians require a visa for Nepal. We advise you to ensure that your passport is valid for six months from the date of entering Nepal. A Nepal visa is readily available on arrival at the International Airport in Kathmandu (or any other entry point to Nepal).
To obtain a visa upon arrival by air in Nepal you must fill in an application form and provide a passport photograph. Visa application forms are available on a table in the arrivals hall, though some airlines provide this form on the flight.
For people with electronic passports, there are now visa registration machines in the immigration hall which, after inserting your passport, will automatically fill out the visa form for you. There is often someone at these machines to help you.
However you do it, getting through immigration can take up to an hour, depending on the numbers. A single-entry visa valid for 15/30/90 days costs US$30/60/120 (all subject to change). At Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport, the fee is payable in any major currency, but at land borders, officials require payment in cash US dollars; bring small bills. We haven’t yet heard of it happening to anyone else but the last time we entered Nepal by air and asked for a ninety-day visa we were also asked to show our driving license.
Multiple-entry visas are useful if you are planning a side trip to Tibet, Bhutan or India. You can change your single-entry visa to a multiple-entry visa at Kathmandu’s Central Immigration Office for US$20.
Don’t overstay your visa. You can pay a fine of US$3 per day at the airport if you have overstayed less than 30 days (plus a US$2 per day visa extension fee), but it’s far better to get it all sorted out in advance at Kathmandu’s Central Immigration Office, as a delay could cause you to miss your flight.
It’s a good idea to keep a number of passport photos with your passport so they are immediately handy for trekking permits, visa applications, and other official documents.
It is best to bring exact change in US$ cash. However other currencies can be used.
Please also bring 2 passport-size photos just in case the machines are not working.
Nepal Visas are also available in all Nepalese Embassies and Consulates are located in several countries/cities around the world.
If you are connecting via New Delhi (or other ports) in India or if your travel includes India you need an India Visa before you leave your home. Please note visas are not available at the airports in India.
If you are traveling via Thailand you can get a Thai visa upon arrival in Bangkok for 15 days.
Forget the frantic moments of digging through your backpack to find what you need. On this trip, you’ll enjoy the convenience of staying in one primary location for most of your journey, so you can pack as much, or as little, as you like.
Suitcases are recommended for this trip, though many travelers prefer using a backpack or a soft duffel bag with a shoulder strap, both of which work perfectly well.
You’ll also need a comfortable daypack for daily activities such as trekking or cycling. It should be large enough to carry essentials like a light jacket, camera, sunscreen, water, snacks, and a small blister or first-aid kit.
If you choose to join the optional overnight stay in a mountain refugio, please bring a lightweight cotton or silk sleeping bag liner for added comfort.
A rain cover for your daypack is highly recommended to protect your belongings in wet weather.
HIKING GEAR
We will provide you with the following personal gear (on both camping and tea-house treks): quality duffel bag to keep all your gear in while trekking, down jacket, warm sleeping bag with inner liner, rain poncho and large plastic bag to protect your clothes when in the duffel bag.
On Camping trips, we offer all the camping gear including good quality A framed tents with sleeping mattresses. The tent is spacious enough for two people with a sewn-on floor and flysheet to keep you warm and dry. There will be a toilet tent, Kitchen tent, staff tent, dining tent with tables and backrest chairs, which give you a comfortable place to eat and chat with fellow trekkers and crew.
ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO BRING.
WALKING BOOTS: Suitable boots are made of leather or leather/Cordura, depending on the length and difficulty of your trek, and should have ankle support and a durable sole, preferably Vibram for better grip in muddy or icy/snowy conditions. Boots should be generous fitting with ample room for toes, noting that thicker weight socks are also worn in the cold and that feet can swell a little when you have been trekking in the heat, and also when trekking at altitude.
A PAIR OF LIGHTWEIGHT WALKING SHOES OR JOGGERS: These will be backups for your walking boots and also for clean, dry footwear around camp.
SOCKS: Good quality socks are equally important as good quality boots. You should have at least 3 or 4 pairs of good quality walking socks with insulative and wicking qualities. This can be a wool mix for instance – Wigwam brand, Thorlo, Mountain Designs Alpin, Ultimax.
CROCS or THONGS (optional): Suitable for around camp and at lunchtimes, washing and if you have to get up in the night.
RAINJACKET WITH HOOD: Supplied (this is a poncho so if you would like a jacket please bring your own)
INTERMEDIARY WARM LAYER: This is very useful when trekking in a slightly cooler climate. A good fleece top or lightweight wool jumper is very useful and can be worn under your jacket or raincoat comfortably.
THERMAL PANTS AND TOP: This is especially needed when undertaking treks from September onwards.
2 PRS OF LIGHTWEIGHT PANTS & 1 PR OF SHORTS FOR TREKKING: Should be loose-fitting and quick-drying for instance polyamide or microfibre. Note that cotton often takes a long time to dry in the mountains. Jeans are not suitable for trekking.
2 TO 4 T-SHIRTS: for trekking and travelling. Cotton is OK and inexpensive. Shirts with a collar or a scarf will protect your neck from the sun.
UNDERWEAR: approx 3 or 4 sets.
A PAIR OF WARM TROUSERS: for camp wear and on cold days trekking. Thick fleece (200 or 300wt) or wool is recommended or fleecy tracksuit pants, but these are not effective when wet.
WOOLEN or FLEECE HAT
THERMAL GLOVES: polypropylene, chlofibre or Thermax are invaluable and inexpensive.
GLOVES/MITTS: a thicker pair, wool, ski gloves or similar is necessary for potentially cold conditions.
PLASTIC BAGS or STUFF SACKS: very useful for sorting your gear and keeping things clean and dry, in your duffel bag and day pack. Ziplock plastic bags are effective at waterproofing your valuables, maps, medicines, writing materials
TOILETRIES: Keep to a minimum, biodegradable or germicidal soap and shampoo, comb or brush, deodorant, vitamin E cream for sunburn or cracked skin. Shaving gear for men, a battery-operated shaver is convenient. Please note that toilet paper is provided on the trek.
TOWEL: Small size, lightweight. A quick-drying travel towel is convenient when washing from a bowl of hot water each morning.
TORCH or HEADLAMP: with spare batteries.
SUNHAT or CAP: One that won’t blow off!
SUNGLASSES: Good quality with 100% U.V. filtering. Bring a spare pair if you have prescription lenses.
Snow Gaiters for high altitude and winter trekking and climbing trips.
At No Roads Expeditions, we hire skilled local Hiking Group Leaders and Guides who know Nepal intimately, respect its fragile environments, and look after their teams with genuine care. They complete rigorous leader and guide training—including first aid, mountaineering, eco-trekking, and high-altitude medicine—so they’re fully competent across trekking, climbing, nature and conservation, and remote-area safety. Most have years of field experience and a clear dedication to outstanding service.
On camping treks, your team typically includes a group leader/guide, a cook with kitchen crew, Sherpa guides, and porters. The leader coordinates the expedition; the cook and assistants prepare fresh, hearty meals; Sherpa guides keep you on the right trail and lend a steady hand when it’s needed; porters carry the gear and supplies between camps or tea houses. This self-contained crew takes you safely into even the most remote corners of Nepal. They may seem reserved at first, but a smile and a shared joke go a long way—you’ll quickly find them fantastic company and, for many travelers, one of the most memorable parts of the journey.
We have a strict 1 Trekker 1 Porter policy on all high altitude treks and climbing trips. For most Everest and Annapurna treks we have a 1 Porter for 2 Trekkers policy. The maximum load is 22kg per Porter. This ensures that we do not overload our team which can lead to injury and at higher altitudes, death. This is a very important policy and one we never waiver on.
We keep meals varied, nutritious, and generous on every trek. On tea-house itineraries, we dine in the lodges and have an Open Menu policy which means you can order any meal from the menu, you are not locked into a set menu. On camping trips, our trained cooks turn out hygienic, crowd-pleasing dishes even in rugged conditions. With advance notice, we’re happy to accommodate dietary needs. Expect a tasty mix of Nepalese, Indian, Chinese, and classic continental favourites.
Fitness matters most on a hike. Most people with average conditioning for their age can complete our itineraries—these are walking holidays, not endurance races. Set a steady, comfortable pace, take breaks, and enjoy the surroundings; first-timers are often surprised to arrive earlier than expected. That said, the fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy each day and the more energy you’ll have for side trips.
The best training is walking—start now. Aim for 30–40 minutes on hilly paths or stairs, 3–4 times a week. About 3–4 weeks before departure, wear the boots you’ll use on trek and carry a lightly loaded daypack to get your body accustomed. Complement this with jogging, swimming, or gym sessions for added cardiovascular and leg strength.
Travellers whose itineraries rise above 6,000–8,000 ft should recognise the risk of altitude illness. Exposure can occur by flying into a high-elevation city, driving to altitude, or hiking and climbing in the mountains. Examples include airports at Cuzco, Peru (11,000 ft), La Paz, Bolivia (11,300 ft), and Lhasa, Tibet (12,500 ft).
Individual susceptibility varies widely and cannot be predicted by screening tests, training, or fitness. A traveller’s prior response to altitude is the best—though imperfect—guide for future trips.
Pre-existing conditions. Travellers with congestive heart failure, myocardial ischaemia (angina), sickle cell disease, or pulmonary insufficiency should consult a clinician experienced in high-altitude medicine before travel. In otherwise healthy people, high altitude does not appear to increase the risk of new ischaemic heart disease.
Syndromes of altitude illness
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): The most common form. Can occur from 4,000–6,000 ft, but is most often seen after rapid ascent above 9,000 ft. Symptoms mirror an alcohol hangover—headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, sometimes vomiting. Onset typically 6–12 hours after arrival (occasionally >24 hours).
High-Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE): A severe progression of AMS. Marked lethargy, confusion, and ataxia (failure of a tandem gait test). Diagnosis mandates immediate descent.
High-Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE): May occur alone or with HACE. Begins with breathlessness on exertion, progressing to breathlessness at rest that does not resolve after several minutes. Immediate descent is critical; HAPE can be rapidly fatal.
Non-negotiable rules to prevent death from altitude illness
Learn the early symptoms of altitude illness—and admit when you have them.
Do not ascend to sleep higher while symptomatic, no matter how mild the symptoms.
If symptoms worsen at the same altitude, descend.
Strict, fixed itineraries and group pressure can lead to poor decisions. Studies show travellers on organised group treks are at higher risk of fatal outcomes than those travelling independently—likely due to perceived or real pressure to continue. The most important prevention strategy is to halt ascent until all symptoms resolve.
Children & pregnancy. Children are as susceptible as adults; non-verbal youngsters may simply become irritable or lose appetite. There are no reports of fetal harm from brief high-altitude exposure, but most authorities advise pregnant travellers to remain below 12,000 ft when possible.
Medications with evidence
Acetazolamide: Helps prevent AMS if started before ascent and speeds recovery if taken after symptoms develop. Typical effective dose: 125 mg every 12 hours starting on the day of ascent (many trials used 250 mg two or three times daily). Side effects include increased urination and tingling in fingers/toes. True allergic reactions are rare, but because it is related to sulfonamides, sulfa-allergic travellers should avoid it unless a supervised trial dose has been tolerated beforehand.
Dexamethasone: Effective for preventing and treating AMS/HACE; it improves symptoms but does not aid acclimatisation, so stopping it while ascending can precipitate sudden worsening. Prefer acetazolamide for prevention; reserve dexamethasone for treatment during descent. Dose: 4 mg every 6 hours.
Nifedipine: Prevents and treats HAPE in susceptible individuals. Dose: 10–20 mg every 8 hours.
Emerging/adjunct options (limited evidence):
Small trials suggest ginkgo biloba may reduce AMS symptoms when taken pre-ascent, and inhaled salmeterol may help prevent HAPE in known-susceptible climbers. Evidence for broader use—and for treatment of established illness—remains preliminary.
Field equipment: For remote high-altitude itineraries where descent may be delayed, a portable hyperbaric chamber (e.g., Gamow bag) can be lifesaving. Pressurisation by ~2 psi simulates a descent of roughly 5,000–6,000 ft. Packed weight is about 6.5 kg.
Practical planning
The best prevention is a gradual ascent with rest days at intermediate altitudes.
If gradual ascent isn’t possible, consider prophylactic acetazolamide, and carry dexamethasone and nifedipine for emergencies under medical guidance.
Our approach (No Roads Expeditions)
Our itineraries are professionally designed to reduce altitude risk. Every trip carries an extensive medical kit; high-altitude treks and climbing expeditions also carry a Portable Altitude Chamber as a precaution. All group leaders and guides are trained in Wilderness First Aid and in recognising and managing altitude illness on the spot.
Monsoon (mid-June to mid-September)
Nepal’s temperate climate is driven by the summer monsoon sweeping up from the Bay of Bengal, bringing heat, humidity, and heavy rain. Most Himalayan trails are muddy, leech-prone, and clouded in, so this is generally not ideal for trekking—aside from a few rain-shadow valleys in the high country.
Autumn (mid-September to November)
The classic trekking window. Skies are typically clear, days are mild to warm, nights cool, and the landscape is freshly green after the rains. Conditions trend cooler toward late November as winter approaches.
Winter (December to February)
Favoured by many seasoned trekkers for crisp air, big views, and quiet trails. Expect cool days and cold nights, with occasional storms that can drop snow to elevations as low as 2,500 m.
Spring (March to mid-June)
Cold, dry conditions ease into milder, more humid weather. Mornings are often clear—ideal for mountain photography—while clouds can build to brief afternoon showers as temperatures climb. Higher elevations stay relatively clear. This is peak rhododendron season.
Your Trip Cost Includes:
Arrival & Departure transfers on both Domestic and International flights.
Accommodation at the Harati Manor Hotel (or Nepali Ghar for Luxury Lodge Treks) in Kathmandu and Pokhara as applicable on a twin share BB basis for the nights as in itinerary.
Full board meals on camping, lodge trek, rafting and jungle safari.
Accommodation in comfortable Tea-house or lodge in Tea-house trek and tented camp in a camping trip
Welcome dinner with cultural program as listed in the itinerary.
Camping equipment (camping trip) – 2 person tent with mattress, dining tent, kitchen tent, staff & porter tent, toilet tent with commode, dining table with backrest chair.
Free use of quality trekking gear (for both tea-house and camping trip) – sleeping bag, fleece inner liner, down jacket, duffel bag & Toilet paper.
Half-day guided city tour as listed in the itinerary.
All Domestic flights and airport taxes as listed in the itinerary.
Private transportation from Kathmandu to and from the starting and ending points of the trek/rafting, safari by bus as applicable.
Comprehensive pre-departure information and trip dossiers.
A Kathmandu city and respective trekking map.
Professional local trekking group leader well trained in Wilderness First Aid.
Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) on high altitude and climbing trips.
A comprehensive First Aid Kit.
Cook, Sherpa guides/escorts, raft men/crew and other support staff.
Porters and pack animals to carry all personal gear and group equipment.
Insurance of all staff including porters.
Porter Clothing: Gortex jumper, trousers, fleece jacket, fleece pants, woollen gloves, woolen hat, woolen sock, blanket or sleeping bag, trekking shoes, climbing boots and crampon on a climbing trip.
For rafting trips – all rafting equipment – life jacket, helmet and windproof jacket and trousers (in winter).
Trekking/rafting permit, national park entry fees, conservation fees,
Peak permit royalty fees on climbing expedition trips.
Trip Cost Excludes:
Your Travel Insurance
Visas fees
International Airfare and Airport Tax
Drinks and main meals in cities.
Tips, Items of personal nature like postage and laundry etc.
Tipping is an accepted part of overseas travel although it is a completely personal matter. In Kathmandu allow Rs. 20 -25 per bag for bellboys and porters. It is also an indication of your satisfaction with the job done by trek crew on your trip as they work hard to make your holiday the most memorable one. Your Group Leader will assist you to collect what you wish to give/ contribute at the end of the trek. As a guideline, average tipping is around 10% of your trip cost. For example, if your trip cost $2600 an average tip per hiker would be between $240 and $260, which is shared among the whole crew including porters. If you wish to tip your group leader, do it separately. For larger groups of 4 or more this tip would be more like 5% or approx $120 – $150 per hiker.
On top of the normal health considerations, women are advised to bring a tube of Canesten and an applicator. The Canesten is used for the treatment of thrush (which can be very painful if left untreated) and can be applied to both internal and external thrush.
It is recommended you bring most of your medicinal and sanitary needs with you.
For matters related to Menstrual Health, please refer to this (hopefully) helpful guide HERE
