Trekking in Nepal

Whether you begin your trek at a road head or fly into a remote mountain airstrip, a large part  of it will be in the Middle Hills region at elevations between 500 and 3000 meters. In this region, there are always well-developed trails through villages and across mountain passes.  Even at high altitudes there are intermittent settlements used during summer by shepherds, so the trails, though often indistinct, are always there. You can easily travel on any trail without the aid of ropes or mountaineering skills. There are rare occasions when there is snow on the trail, and on some high passes it might be necessary to place a safety line for your companions or porters if there is deep snow. Still, alpine techniques are almost never used on a traditional trek. Anyone who has walked extensively in the mountains has all the skills necessary for an extended trek in Nepal. Many of the values associated with a hiking trip at home do not have the same importance during a trek to Nepal. Isolation is traditionally a crucial  element of any wilderness experience but in Nepal it is impossible to get completely away from people, except for short times or at extremely high elevations. Environmental concerns must include the effects of conservation measures on rural people and the economic effects of tourism  on indigenous populations. Even traditional national park management must be adapted because there are significant population centers within Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) and Langtang national parks.