Nepal is the land that made trekking famous, and little wonder, for it is a land of many mountain trails and few roads. Trekking is the only way to see the Himalaya up close, to explore traditional villages and meet the friendly countryside people. Much of the rich flora and fauna of the country is preserved in the many national parks and wildlife reserves, and most of the trekking routes pass through these places. Even a short trek from Kathmandu will take one to picturesque hamlets surrounded by terraced fields and forested ridges. A long trek will take one through different cultures and different ecosystem, places so unique they could be on entirely different parts of the globe. Because Nepal’s country people walk the same trails as the trekkers, there are almost always places to stay and people to meet. Trekking in Nepal is both an invigorating wilderness experience and a deeply enriching cultural experience.

In the densely populated central hills, there are numerous small shops serving tea and simple food to travellers at trail junctions, bridge sites and convenient resting places. In the mountain areas, the trail may traverse steep slopes with plunging waterfalls of wind through dense forests, and there is almost always a village within each day’s walk ready to extend its welcome. In the high, dry valleys beyond the Himalaya, villages are set wider apart, but here also a travellers can find cottages and small hamlets to spend the night. These trans-Himalayan valleys provide sweeping views of rolling pastureland, glaciers and magnificent snow peaks.

Wherever one travels, people are friendly and hospitable and the trails are safe. Depending on the season one may meet local people in their distinctive dress, laden porters, or caravans of sheep and goats.

Life in rural Nepal is hard but simple. Wherever one goes, one will come upon religious and social events that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the people. One can visit simple temples or elaborate monasteries for meditation, go fishing and swimming in the clear mountain streams, or follow in the footsteps of the mountaineers to the base camps of the great peaks.