Trekking Routes: Less-Traveled Treks

Other Areas

While Mustang and Dolpo are prohibitively expensive to visit, there are remote treks with more reasonably priced trekking fees. Again, these are treks that must be done on an organized camping trek due to the lack of lodges along the trekking routes. For this reason, you will see fewer trekkers and will experience more authentic Nepali hill life. The Kanchenjunga Area--Located in far-eastern Nepal on the border with India, Kanchenjunga (28,200 ft.; 8,595m) is the world's third-highest peak. A trek to Kanchenjunga entails crossing one or two high passes, and that fact, plus the length of a trek here, makes this a choice only for the very fit. Along the way you pass through villages of the Limbu people, who live only here in eastern Nepal. Treks in the Kanchenjunga region generally take 3 to 4 weeks. Makalu--Mount Makalu (27,759 ft.; 8,461m) lies just to the east of Mount Everest within the Makalu Barun National Park. A trek in this region provides excellent views and passes through landscapes similar to those of the crowded Khumbu region south of Everest. Treks in the Makalu region take 3 weeks or more. Around Manaslu--Lying just to the east of the Annapurna Himal, Manaslu (26,775 ft.; 8,161m), the eighth-highest peak in the world, can be circled in the same way that the Annapurnas can be circled, and just as on the Annapurna Circuit, there is a high pass to be crossed-the Larkya La (17,100 ft.; 5,212m). This trek, which begins in Gorkha, links up with the Annapurna Circuit, providing the option of circling both Manaslu and Annapurna in one long trek. Jumla to Rara Lake--Lying at an elevation of 9,775 feet (2,979m) in far-western Nepal, Rara Lake is the largest lake in Nepal and is surrounded by pine, spruce, and juniper forests. Protected within Rara Lake National Park, this remote region does not have the spectacular mountain views of other regions, but there is generally more wildlife than in other parts of the country. A trek here generally takes about 10 days. Simikot--This area of far-western Nepal, only recently opened up to trekking, lies close to the Tibetan border, and the people of the region have much in common with Tibetans. From this area it is also now possible to trek into Tibet and then continue onward by vehicle to Mount Kailash, the holiest mountain in Asia. A trek through the Simikot region will take around 10 days, and continuing to Mount Kailash adds another 10 days or so. Alternative Annapurna Treks--Even in the popular Annapurna region, there are treks that avoid the main trails. These are generally short treks that take in excellent views. One such trek leads up to the Mardi Himal and the base of Machhapuchhare, providing the most close-up view of the stunning "Fish Tail Peak." Another even-shorter trek leads up above the village of Sikles, which is north of Pokhara in the drainage of the Mardi Khola. Again, there are great views on this trek.

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