Nepal is only a small part of the vast Himalayas, a crescent shaped mountain range situated in central Asia whose total area is as big as Western Europe. Sitting between China to the north and India to the south, it is a relatively small country in size, but it includes eight of the ten tallest mountains on earth, with the Mount Everest being the highest and most famous of them all. 

Planning a trekking trip in this region of the world requires a bit more preparation work than if you're heading, say, to the Lake District. However, things are not exactly as wild as they used to be in the 1950's, when the very first mountaineers started to explore the area. Hiking has become a popular phenomenon worldwide, and the infrastructure has developed accordingly in the region - and in Nepal in particular. Today, thanks to the country's unmatched variety of hiking possibilities and the many companies whose sole business is to make sure everything goes as smooth as possible for hikers from the whole world, envisaging a trekking trip to Nepal is (almost!) like planning any other trip.

The biggest difference with the other mainstream mountain ranges is the very high average elevation. Even the villages whence you start the walks are quite high in altitude. The capital city, Kathmandu, is at a more reasonable elevation of 1350 meters, making it a good first stage to get acclimatised to the altitude when you arrive in Nepal (not to mention the fact that it is also the heart of Nepalese history, art, and culture, and a vibrant city worth discovering). 

The need to get used to these high levels of altitude explains why most trekking trips organised in this part of the world are usually quite long, generally ranging from 10 to 20 days. In this region, where the sheer size of the landscape is usually what strikes the newcomer the most, distances are big, and it takes a lot of time to go from one point to another. If you add to this the diversity of the terrains (from mountain meadows to exposed snow capped summits to rainforest gorges, etc.), you will easily understand why a trekking trip in Nepal requires more than just a few days. 

Since the 1980's, when going to the Himalayas became a must-do for all hiking aficionados, the number and the variety of accommodations available has skyrocketed. You can now stay in rustic places with only minimal amenities (some of these places don't offer running water), or opt for a fully-fitted altitude lodge with all the modern equipment of a western house. You will quickly notice that most of these accommodations, no matter how basic or modern they are, do offer Wi-Fi - and beer!...

Last but not least, it is highly recommended when you plan a trip to Nepal, to request the services of one or several famous "Sherpas", probably the most popular job in Nepal and an unavoidable sight on the paths of the whole country. Their knowledge, their kindness and their stamina will make your trekking adventure even more memorable!