WHAT IS CAMPING TREK?
In the past people used to travel from one place to another for trading, religious activities, medicinal herbs, events and hunting foods. By that time, means of transportation was not developed. People had to carry their necessary belongings themselves. There were no porters. Later on in the early 20th century, elite groups of tourists introduced camping as recreational activity. By then camping trekking has become part of adventurous activity.
During the camping trek, people travel to remote areas, carrying their necessary belongings like food, tents, kitchen utensils, fire, mattress and other personal belongings. People from their everyday routine go into the wild to observe different flora, fauna, culture and ecosystem prevailing. All the belongings other than personal items are carried by a porter. Visitors are accompanied by a professional camping/trekking guide to ensure everything is fine.
Camping trekking in Nepal is the classic style of trekking and can be conducted almost anywhere in Nepal. These treks are off the beaten trails and provide adventurous experience as well as knowledge on socio-cultural, natural and historical aspects. People can enjoy the primitive mountain villages of Nepal where people survive with their own unique lifestyle, untouched by modern civilization, no politics and they have a quite happy life with their own distinctive culture, heritage and tradition that might be a lifelong memory for everyone to remember. In fact, these treks give you a very authentic experience of Nepal and its culture.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN CAMPING TREK IN NEPAL
- Spectacular views of snow capped mountains.
- Unique flora and fauna with their ecosystem.
- Peculiar lifestyle of local people and their diverse culture.
- Off the beaten trail, peace from daily chaos and hustle.
- Natural attractions like mountains, hills, waterfalls, flora and fauna, glaciers, sunrise and sunset.
- Sunrise and sunset from high elevation.
- Observe local and traditional tools like dhiki, jhanto, lundi, okhal, ghatta, theki, madani, doko, daalo, syakhu, mandro.
BEST TIME FOR CAMPING IN NEPAL
The months from March to May and September to November are an ideal time to go camping in Nepal. It can quickly be passed as the best time as September marks the end of the humid monsoon climate and welcomes the season of cool breeze and clear skies. Although the other parts of the city might be dusty, the mountain regions will have the ideal temperature and atmosphere for trekking. The panoramic views of olive green vegetation and high mountain peaks touching the clear skies promise an enchanting landscape to go for a nature escapade.
BUDGET FOR CAMPING TREK IN NEPAL
The budget for camping trek in Nepal depends from location to location. Also the price varies on the basis of pax, remoteness (more the place is remote, more is the price), season and number of days. However, a well-organized camping trip may vary from $150 to $200 per day.
TIPS FOR CAMPING IN NEPAL
- Always carry only necessary belongings. You will have a problem if you make your backpack too heavy.
- Always limit the use of plastics and help to conserve nature.
- Always dispose of the waste properly and carry non degradable waste with yourself. You are not allowed to litter in nature.
- Don’t ever try to disturb the wild animals and their habitat.
- Always put off campfires before leaving a site
- Campsites should be chosen with better knowledge for the safety of travelers. Be aware of wild animals, rock falling, avalanche, falling of decayed branches, and human settlements.
- Don’t cut down trees from the jungle nearby for your own purpose like firewood or walking poles.
- Don’t make noise while camping.
- Take only memories, leave only footprints.
WHAT WE NEED IN CAMPING TREK
Tent, mattress, cooking utensils, stove/gas, food materials, lamp, trampoline, water purifier, first aid kits, porter, and portable sinks
PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN CAMPING TREK
Sleeping bag, pillow, Plate, cup, bowl, spoon, water bottle, rain cover, insects repellents (optional), knife, flash light, toiletries, appropriate clothes, shower bag (optional), other belongings
MOST POPULAR CAMPING TREK IN NEPAL
| Name of Camping Trek | Grade | Max. Elevation | Highlights |
| Upper Dolpo trek | Strenuous | 5350m | Shey-Phoksundo Lake, deepest lake in Nepal, (145 m) situated at an altitude of 3612m.Shey-Phoksundo National Park with unique flora and fauna like rhododendron, white Himalayan birch, juniper, Salix, pine, cedar, hemlock, bamboo, snow-leopard, grey wolf, musk deer, blue sheep, Goral, wood snipe, Tibetan partridge. Kanjirowa mountain range (3612m)Tibetan Buddhism and Bon people.Shey Gompa, Yangze Gompa, and Bon GompaNomadic lifestyle of local people. Caravans of yaks, mules, horses, and sheeps.Villages above 3500m. Medicinal herbs like Yarsagumba (cordyceps), Kang-La, Shey-la, and Choi-La passes above 5000 meter |
| Dudh Kunda Trek | Strenuous | 4593m | Panoramic view of mountains above 8000m and others below 8000m. Traditional Sherpa villages. Buddhist monasteries at high elevation. Sunset and sunrise from greater height. Visit to Dudh Kunda, a sacred lake for Buddhists and Hindu. |
| Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek | Strenuous | 5360m | stunning views of Tukuche Peak (6,920m), Dhaulagiri I (8,167m), Dhaulagiri ii (7,751m), Dhaulagiri III (7,715m) and Dhaulagiri V (7,618m).Crossing two passes – the French Pass at 5,360m and Dhampus Pass at 5,200mDhorpatan Hunting Reserve with 58 vascular plants, 36 endemic species of flowering plants, 18 mammal species like snow leopard, musk deer, red panda, and blue sheep, 137 bird species like koklass pheasant, cheer pheasant, and impeyan pheasant; and two reptile species.Villages, farm lands, deep gorges, river basins and valleys. |
| Limi Valley Trek | Strenuous | 4900m | Majestic view of mountains like Api (7132m), Saipal (7031m), Jethibahurani (6850m), Bobaye (6808m), Nampa (6755m)Api Nampa conservation area with unique flora and fauna like snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, red panda, common langur, Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan musk deer, goral, Himalayan monal, snow cock, blood pheasant, rhododendron, juniper, oak. View of Mt. Kailash from a place called Yak kharka (4900m). Gompas and stupas, Rizing Ling Gompa, are 1000 years old. Yak pastures, cultivated land, along rivers and waterfalls, down ravines and through unique villages. |
| Lumba Sumba Pass | Strenuous | 4747m | Hike towards Nepal’s most newly discovered remote and beautiful trekking trail.Panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga (8586m), Makalu (8481m) and Kumbhakarna (7710m).Encounter the remote places of Nepal and the local livelihood.Occasional sightings of the Snow Leopard and Red Panda.Kanchanjunga conservation area with mammal species like snow leopard, Asian black bear, and red panda. Bird species like the golden-breasted fulvetta, snow cock, blood pheasant, and red-billed chough.Tamor and Arun River systems. |
| Makalu Base Camp Trek | Strenuous | 4870m | Majestic view of mountains like Mt. Everest (8848 m), Kwangde (6,011m), Thamserku (6,623m), Kangtega (6,782m), Nuptse (7,861m), Lhotse (8,516m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), Cholatse (6440m), Mt. Makalu (8481m) and many more. Pass through Makalu Barun National Park with its unique flora and fauna like pine, hemlock, rhododendron, juniper, pirch, Himalayan monal, blood pheasant, red-billed chough,yellow-billed chough, musk deer, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear and red panda. Himalayan tahrs, langur monkeys, martens and Himalayan wolvesUnique Sherpa and Rai culture along the trail. Pass from green terraced farmland to glaciers and waterfalls |