Trekking in Nepal: frequently asked questions

Yes in the Everest region, where a guide isn't required. Elsewhere, a licensed guide has been mandatory since 2023; it's enforced in Langtang and Manaslu, unevenly in the Annapurnas. See Guide and porter.

October–November (clearest skies) and March–May (rhododendrons in bloom). The monsoon, from June to September, brings rain, leeches and blocked roads; winter closes the high passes.

Usually not: you find a room when you arrive. In high season, arrive early in villages with few lodges (MBC and Annapurna Base Camp, Gorak Shep, Dharamsala on the Manaslu).

A two-week trek plus a few days in Kathmandu and Pokhara quickly goes beyond 15 days: get the 30-day visa. Everything is explained on Visa Nepal.

From 3 days (Poon Hill) to 2 or 3 weeks (full Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu). Add travel time, and a 1–2 day buffer if you're flying to Lukla or Jomsom. The Choose a trek tool helps you choose.

Everything you need for the trek, in rupees, with a margin: ATMs in the mountains are rare and often empty. Count your daily budget times the number of days. See Budget.

Not without treating it. Use filtered water stations where there are some, or tablets, a filter or a filter bottle: cheaper than bottled water, and less plastic.

In most villages, mainly with Nepal Telecom; internet is often slow. Almost all lodges have wifi, free or paid. No signal in the most remote spots (Thorong Phedi, Dharamsala).

Yes in the lodges, often for a fee at altitude. A power bank is useful, and the cold drains batteries fast: keep them warm at night.

Climb slowly above 3,000 m (300 to 500 m per night), take the planned rest days, drink, and go down if symptoms persist. See Altitude and safety.

A policy that covers trekking up to your trek's altitude and helicopter evacuation. Check the altitude limit in the policy: many stop at 3,000 or 4,000 m.

As light as possible: 8 to 10 kg if you carry it yourself, staying in lodges. If you hire a porter, they usually carry 20 to 25 kg, often for two people.