11th July 2022

What is Camping

We all are familiar with the word “Camping.” The first thing we remember about camping is an outdoor night away from busy city life. More precisely, camping is an outdoor recreational activity involving an overnight stay with nature in a tent. Camping involves daytime activities like hiking, canoeing, climbing, hunting, and fishing. Similarly, night activities include singing, dancing, eating, storytelling around the bonfire, and many more. In Nepal, mountain treks are the most popular holiday packages one can plan if they are visiting Nepal first time. However, most trekking packages lead you through common yet crowded routes. Nevertheless, there are other options for trekkers who want to experience Nepal’s peaceful, less crowded, traditional, and pristine regions. Such trekkers can do Camping Treks. 

Camping Trekking in Nepal is quite challenging compared to normal Base Camp Trekkings. Unlike Base Camp Trekking, Nepal Camping Treks trekkers do not have comfortable hotel rooms and food facilities. Instead, they have to stay and sleep in tents and eat food prepared by an accompanied company cook. However, this allows trekkers to enter remote and untouched regions of Nepal, extraordinary experience views, and an adventure living away from a luxurious lifestyle. 

Camping Trekking VS Teahouses Trekking 

In teahouse trekking, one can enjoy the facilities of luxurious hotels and delicious foods and not have to carry heavy loads. Throughout the trekking trails, one can find teahouses without any difficulties. So, trekkers do not have to worry about accommodation, food, and sleep. In teahouse treks, everything is planned out by the trekking agencies. 

In contrast to Teahouse trekkings, Camping treks are a bit difficult. It is not a cup of tea for everything. On camping treks, trekkers have to sleep, eat and rest outside in a tent under the open sky. They won’t be able to experience luxurious beds, bathrooms, and food. But, experienced trekkers still prefer camping as it allows them to explore remote regions of Nepal, which is impossible to do in teahouse trekking. However, trekkers do not have to carry heavy loads on their trails. Porters and cooks managed by the travel and trekking agencies will handle moving loads and cooking tasks for you. 

What to Expect From Camping Treks in Nepal 

Following are the things one can expect from Camping Treks in Nepal:

  • It is a perfect trek for trekkers who prefer real adventure and challenges.
  • An opportunity to visit remote areas of the Himalayan region 
  • Trekkers can take uncrowded and thrilling trails, which is impossible in teahouse trekkings
  • Close interaction with the local people 
  • Sleeping under the sky filled with dazzling stars and mountains 
  • A relaxed atmosphere that is free from the busy lifestyle of cities, the internet, and crowds
  • Camping treks require more trekking crews compared to teahouse treks that include cooks and porters, providing employment opportunities to the locals.

Famous Camping Treks in Nepal 

Some of the most famous camping treks in Nepal are as follows;

Ganesh Himal Trek

Ganesh Himal Trek is not as famous compared to Everest and Annapurna Base Camp Trek. However, trekking to Ganesh Himal Base Camp is worth visiting as you can expect quiet trails and extraordinary views. This trekking route passes through culturally diverse villages, geographically rich landscapes, biodiversities, and mesmerizing panoramic views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, and Mt.Manaslu. Moreover, trekkers can enjoy traditional Ghatu and Maruni dances performed by local communities. 

Rolwaling Valley Trek

The Everest region has numerous trekking routes, remote and untouched. One of the routes is Rolwaling Valley Trek. The trekkers follow the dense forest trails, passing through remote sherpa villages while enjoying mesmerizing views of snow-capped peaks, beautiful valleys, and monasteries. On the way to Rolwaling valley lies beautiful Tsho Rolpa lake and Drolambau Glacier. The Rolwaling valley is famous for Yeti tales- a giant ape-like creatures living in the mountains. 

Dudh Pokhari Trek

Dudh Pokhari or Dudh Kunda trek is a new 15 days trekking route in the Everest region. It is a perfect destination for trekkers who want to explore uncrowded and untouched areas of Everest. The main attraction of Dudh Pokhari Trek is the Dudh Pokhari or Milky lake itself. This sacred lake is home to the Hindu god Shiva which resides at 4,560m in height on the foot of Mt.Numbur. Trekking to Dudh Kunda offers a fantastic glance of giant mountains and wildlife, face-to-face interaction with the local people, and walking through the colorful rhododendron forest. 

Makalu Base Camp Trek

Makalu Base Camp Trek is a perfect fit if you want adventure trekking. The trek takes you through the unexplored and extreme areas of eastern Nepal. Journey to Makalu Base Camp provides refreshing and relaxing views of greenery and snow-capped peak views, rare wildlife, flora, and fauna of Makalu Barun National Park, and closely interacts with local communities of Rai, Limbu, Tamang, and Sherpa. In Nepal, it is considered one of the challenging trekkings as the trekkers have to cross physically demanding high passes.  

Limi Valley Trek

It is one of the most remote and isolated camping treks in Nepal that takes you to the most isolated areas of the Humla district of Nepal. This 20-day Limi Valley trek provides a beautiful glimpse of giant Himalayas, traditional Khas and Tibetan villages, ancient monasteries, deep valleys, pine forests, and rich wildlife. Moreover, for adventurers, there is Nara La Pass (4,620m) and Nyalu Pass (4,900m), which add extra challenges to this journey. 

Camping Holidays in Nepal

Nepal is an ultimate tourism destination that offers adventure trekkings and peak climbing packages, traditional and cultural tours, camping holidays packages, and honeymoon packages. One of the new travel packages in Nepal is camping holidays. Camping holiday tours offer once-in-a-lifetime memories of living away from the busy cities, enjoying yourself with nature, and sleeping in a tent under the sky filled with dazzling stars. The best time for camping holidays in Nepal is from March to May and September to early November as the weather is comfortable and the sky and surrounding views are more transparent. Some of the most popular camping destinations in Nepal are;

Nagarkot

32 km from the capital city, Kathmandu, Nagarkot lies at an elevation of 2000 m. It is a popular destination for short hiking, camping, recreation, and relaxation. Nagarkot’s significant attractions are sunrise view, short hiking, a refreshing and relaxing atmosphere, and mainly the panoramic views of Himalayan ranges. From Nagarkot, one can see a wide-angle view of eight summits: Annapurna, Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, Number, Mahalangur, Manaslu, Jugal, and Rolwaling. 

Lapsiphedi

Lapsiphedi is a beautiful traditional Tamang ethnic village and a hill station. It lies in the Shakarapur district of Kathmandu, around 20 km from Kathmandu. This hill station has a lot to offer: a panoramic view of Langtang ranges, mesmerizing sunrise and sunset, a refreshing greenery atmosphere, and authentic local foods to taste. 

Balthali village

Just 40 km from Kathmandu lies a beautiful village/hill station of Balthali. Hike to Balthali village passes through the culturally rich Newari town of Panauti and beautiful terraced farmlands. From the Balthali, one can enjoy sweeping scenes of Everest, Langtang, and Manaslu ranges, rice terraces, hills covered with dense forest, and enchanting sunrise and sunset.   

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

For those who want to take a break from their busy and boring life, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is the best. It is a perfect destination for relaxation, refreshment, adventure, and recreation. Just 12 km from Kathmandu, Shivapuri fits perfectly for those who want short hiking, camping, trekking, and a picnic. Inside the park are numerous Hindu and Buddhist shrines one can visit. Moreover, the park abodes 318 bird species, 2122 flora species, and several wild animals. 

Kakani

Around 25 km from Kathmandu, this small Tamang village of Kakani is a popular spot among campers and hikers. This village is famous for trout fish and strawberries farming which one can taste on their visit. Apart from that, Kakani offers breathtaking views of Everest, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang, similar to Nagarkot. 

Necessary gears for Camping in Nepal

Even though the respective travel agency manages sleeping tents, dining tents, and kitchen equipment. Still, it would be best if you had the necessary personal things to pack. It includes

  • Sleeping bags
  • Duffel bag
  • Trekking boots
  • Windproof jackets and trousers for higher altitude treks 
  • A lightweight backpack
  • Summer t-shirt and a light jacket for day hiking
  • Socks 
  • Thermal clothes
  • Waterproof jackets
  • Sun hat, sunglasses, and sun protection
  • Gloves
  • Water bottle
  • Trekking poles
  • Beanie 
  • Toiletries
  • Torchlight
  • Mosquito and bug repellent creams
  • Personal first aid box
  • Books, magazines, and cameras to entertain if gets bored.

 

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