Nepal is considered heaven for trek and adventure lovers because it just has so many options you can choose from. And spring is one of the best times to plan for the trek to the Himalayas. It is that time of the year when people from all over the world come to Nepal exclusively to do treks. From pleasant weather to the best and clearest views of the mountain landscapes, spring presents itself as the best choice for the best time for trekking in Nepal.
The three months of March, April, and May serve as the perfect opportunity for people who are looking for a bright, adventurous journey to the high altitude of the Himalayas. Now, let's dive deep into details of the different and best options for a spring trek in Nepal and why they are considered so.
There are multiple reasons why the spring season is one of the most preferred times for treks in Nepal. The months of March, April, and May see some of the highest influx of tourists in Nepal after autumn. Here’s why spring is the best time for trekking:
The spring season is known for having stable weather and low chances of rainfall. Along with stable weather that presents you with the opportunity to get the clearest views of the snow capped mountains and landscapes, the temperatures are also very mild. In comparison to the winter season, where the trails are covered with snow and the temperatures drop to negative degrees, spring has a moderate temperature, making the experience much more enjoyable.
The days are also longer with low chances of rainfall, which means you can maximize the entire day and have a bit more adventurous time than you would have had in the winter, where it gets dark pretty quick.
One of the most highlighted parts of trekking in Nepal during the spring season is getting to witness the glorious forests full of blooming rhododendrons. Being the national flower of Nepal, they come in many different shades, which makes the usually green forest look like red, pink, and white.
This is something you will not get to experience in any other season. The uniqueness of spring is being able to connect to nature, where all different kinds of flowers are blooming along with encounters with few species of birds and wildlife on the trail, no matter which trekking destination you choose.
Nepal is a country rich in nature and mountains. So, you can randomly point at a location on a map and the chances are you will pick an absolutely stunning destination. But fortunately, you won’t have to do that because we have compiled a list of the top ten best trekking destinations in Nepal, which you can choose for this spring. Each destination has its own attraction, and based on different aspects, you can choose which suits you the best. Let’s begin.
The first on the list (though the list is not based on a ranking system) and statistically the most popular destination among the trekkers in Nepal is the mighty Everest Base Camp Trek. Being the gateway to the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest (8848.86 meters), this trek takes you through a wild but adventurous journey from lower hills filled with the reflection of Sherpa culture in every step to the snowy mountains in the high elevation.
The standard trek to the Everest Base Camp is about 15 days, but you can definitely deduct or add days to your itinerary based on your need and preference. There are helicopter options for those who have a tight schedule and those who want a bit more of the trek can do the trek via road instead of flying to Lukla straight. In the end, you will have the most gratifying experience trekking on the route that represents the history of the journey of the mountains.
Another route in Everest where it takes you to a different but equally stunning route is the Gokyo Lakes Trek. This trek first follows the same trail as the base camp trek but swiftly diverts to the Gokyo Region. Known for the pristine lakes, Gokyo Lakes are not only listed in Ramsar Sites (Wetlands of Importance) but also hold a big significance in both religious and cultural aspects. The six glacial lakes show the true beauty of nature, along with the surrounding peaks such as Gokyo Ri.
In fact, this can also be one of the routes for the Everest Base Camp. The trail crosses one of the three high passes of Everest known as Cho La Pass, leading to the EBC. You can choose the itinerary that can suit your budget and time. But the Gokyo Lakes Trek in itself is a venturesome trek to a part of the Everest Region.
Coming right after Everest in the popularity scale is the Annapurna Region and rightfully so, as it has impeccable views of the mountains of the Annapurna Range and diverse landscapes. The verdant path will lead you through lush green forests and hillside waterfalls, and local communities to the top where the majestic mountains surround you on all sides.
This is one of the most accessible treks in Nepal and can be done in one week with proper planning. Taking an early flight to Pokhara, you can reach the starting point of this trek on the same day. The usually lush green forested trail will be coated with the blushing colors of the blooming rhododendrons, making your journey even prettier. Annapurna Base Camp is the best location to view the mountain ranges of Annapurna, including Annapurna I, which is the tenth highest peak in the world.
Another trekking destination the Annapurna region offers is the Annapurna Circuit, which is also considered the oldest and one of the first trekking trails in Nepal. The best part of this trek is that you can customize the days as per your liking. From doing the original trail that took 22 days to just 12 days, you have the options at your disposal. The circuit trek begins at a small village called Besisahar, which is around 5-6 hours from Kathmandu.
The trek has some amazing places, like locations that can be considered a notable mark on the trail, such as Manang Village, Thorong La Pass, Muktinath Temple, Jomsom Village, and Tatopani Hot Spring. Aside from the religious and cultural aspect of the trail, another highlight would be the Himalayan mountain ranges seen from different points on the Annapurna Circuit Trail. From Annapurna Range to Mount Manaslu to Nilgiri Range, this trek offers a stupendous journey from the beginning to the end.
Moving on from the popular trails of Everest and Annapurna, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is off the beaten trail, perfect for people who want to avoid crowded trails and experience a more peaceful and quaint trek. Circling around the world’s eight tallest peak, Mount Manaslu, it offers extensive views of the Himalayas and a very candid look into the Tibetan-influenced communities throughout the route.
This trek might be a bit challenging in comparison to the classic ABC or EBC and requires a special permit as well. This trek takes anywhere from 13 to 15 days and is definitely an otherworldly experience compared to other popular trekking trails in Nepal.
One of the shorter and more accessible treks that can be done within 6–8 days is the Langtang Valley Trek, located just 7-8 hours bus ride away from Kathmandu Valley. Known for being one of the easier trails and suitable for beginner trekkers, this route sees quite a lot of visitors every year. And spring definitely invites people from all around the globe. For those who do not have a big budget to do the Everest Trek or have enough days for the circuit treks, the Langtang Valley Trek is definitely in your favor.
The trek route is covered with the lush green forest, which during this time will have the blooming rhododendrons, making the experience even better. The Langtang range and other equally stunning peaks will be surrounding you and as you reach the Kyanjin Gompa, you will be in the heart of the Himalayas. To make your journey even more adventurous, you can also scale Kyanjin Ri and Tserko Ri.
Gosaikunda Lakes Trek is parallel to the Langtang Valley Trek. Located in the same protected area as the Langtang National Park, this trek shows a different side of the destination. Rich in natural biodiversity as well as the culture and holding a high religious significance, the Gosaikunda Lakes are also listed on the Ramsar Sites, the wetlands of ecological importance.
Most trekkers join the two treks, Langtang and Gosaikunda trek, in the same itinerary as well. But this Gosaikunda alone can make a pretty compelling destination. The high altitude lakes and the mountain views make this trek even more unique to others, especially in spring as you navigate through the forest blooming with rhododendrons.
The Upper Dolpo Trek is something you’re either probably hearing for the first time or you have only heard about it once or twice. That’s because it is one of the off-beaten trekking routes of Nepal that takes you through the most remote and rural location in the far western region of Nepal.
Best known for having extraordinary landscapes in the higher elevations with Tibetan-influenced communities, you will be able to see a part of Nepal in its most raw and unfiltered beauty. A challenging trek that takes from 23 to 25 days leads you through some of the most beautiful locations, such as Phoksundo Lake, olden monasteries, and traditional villages like Shey Gompa. And the spring season is considered to be the most ideal time to embark on this trekking journey.
Poon Hill is known for its bewitching sunrise views of the entirety of the Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri Range, and other magnificent mountains. One of the many trekking routes in the Annapurna Region, this trail is short but packed with beautiful scenery and communities with culture shining through.
This is also known for being one of the most beautiful trails in the spring, as the entire hill gets covered with blooming rhododendron flowers. The forest of Ghorepani-Poon Hill is also considered to be the biggest rhododendron forest in the country. Even if you can get clear weather and views in other seasons, you can only get the experience of hiking through the rhododendron forest in full bloom in the spring season.
A lesser-traveled route in the Annapurna Region that is short and beautiful leads you to the amazing Mardi Himal Base Camp. And much like other trails of the Annapurna region, this also offers trails with the vibrant bloom of the rhododendrons. The trails are beautiful and can be done as a side quest for those who plan on taking a longer trek, such as the Annapurna Circuit.
The best views of Mount Machhapuchhre and Mardi Himal are from this trek. The trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp is filled with adventure as you navigate the trails to the top.
Trekking in spring is no doubt one of the most wonderful experiences you can ever get, but despite all the favorable conditions, one must be well prepared and well equipped before the trek. From training your body and mind for the strain of hiking the high altitude mountains to getting permits and essential gear. They are discussed below:
While some of the treks mentioned above are quite beginner-friendly and suitable for all age groups, some are also very challenging and require prior trekking experience. But no matter if it is your first time trekking or even your fifth time, being in good health matters the most. For this, it is important to not only train your body with exercise but also have good mental strength. Exercises focusing on cardiovascular training and having a good diet are crucial.
Mentally preparing yourself for the long, strenuous up-and-downhill walk at high elevations is of great significance for a successful trek overall. It is recommended to start training your mind and body at least a month prior to the trek.
A lot of people do not know the basics of packing for treks and either overpack or underpack. Make sure to pack essentials such as a down jacket, trekking shoes, trekking bag, poles, windstopper, etc. Gear that is specifically made for trekking is recommended. And layering is the key to keeping your body light and warm.
Altitude sickness is very common during high-altitude trekking. It happens when your body does not get enough oxygen and starts exhibiting symptoms such as headache, nausea, loss of appetite, and so on. While there are medications that can be prescribed by your physician, the best cure for altitude sickness is acclimatization. Ascending at a slow pace and staying at the location to make sure your body gets to the altitude is the best way to avoid getting altitude sickness.
And if you do get altitude sickness, then the best way to get better is to descend down immediately. Maintaining your diet with good carbs and protein while keeping your body hydrated is the best way to minimize your chances of getting altitude sickness.
Every trekking destination requires an entry permit, along with other permits issued by the government. One is the entry permit to enter the protected area, which in most cases the trekking destination is located in and another one is the TIMS Card (Trekker’s Information Management System). These permits are for your own safety and security as well as contribution to the community. For some destinations, such as Manaslu Circuit Trek, you will require a special permit because of the remoteness of the place.
As the spring season gets quite busy, it is better to have a guide with you to do all the work for getting permits. Things will be better for the long run if you have an experienced guide helping you throughout the trek.
While it is not mandatory to hire guides and porters for the trek, it is recommended. Not only will hiring a guide make your entire travel easier, but it will be very informative and helpful. From getting permits to booking accommodation, guides will be swift with their work and you will not have to worry about anything.
Especially during such a peak season as spring, booking an accommodation can be very hard, and if you wish to book a room on the same day you get to the destination, you might have a hard time finding a room because it will be packed. Having a trekking guide will help you avoid such a situation and also make your trek a safe experience. Porters, on the other hand, will be of big help to carry the huge amount of your belongings. This is very helpful if you are a senior citizen or have kids with you on the trek.
There are trekking destinations that suit everyone in Nepal. From short treks that can be done within one week to the ones that can take up to almost a month, and everything in between, you can take your pick. No matter which one you choose, it is guaranteed that you will have the best time among the high mountains. From east to west, you can be in different parts of the Himalayas.
You can choose these treks based on the difficulty level, your budget, or how long it takes. Whether you are a beginner hiker or an experienced one, the options are endless. But no matter what destination you choose for your trek, make sure to respect the culture, religion, and communities during your journey. If you want to go to any of these destinations this spring, then don’t hesitate to contact us; we offer the most affordable packages and best services. You can get in touch with us via WhatsApp or email at +977 9851175531 or info@alpineramble.com.
