# Nepal Trekking: Complete Beginner's Guide for Indian Trekkers
Nepal is the world's premier trekking destination with over 5,000 km of marked trekking routes. This guide covers everything an Indian traveller needs to know before lacing up their boots.
## Choosing the Right Trek
### Easy (No prior trekking experience needed) - **Poon Hill Trek** — 4–5 days, 3,210m max elevation, excellent Annapurna panorama - **Ghorepani Loop** — 4 days, passes through rhododendron forests - **Chitwan–Bardia jungle walks** — flat terrain, wildlife-focused
### Moderate (Basic fitness required, some high-altitude exposure) - **Annapurna Base Camp** — 7–12 days, 4,130m max, classic Himalayan sanctuary - **Langtang Valley** — 7–10 days, 3,800m max, quieter trails - **Ghandruk Loop** — 3–4 days, excellent acclimatisation trek
### Challenging (Good fitness, altitude experience helpful) - **Annapurna Circuit** — 12–21 days, crosses Thorong La Pass at 5,416m - **Everest Base Camp** — 14–16 days, 5,364m, world-famous route
### Restricted Permits Required - **Upper Mustang** — USD 500 for 10 days (in addition to ACAP) - **Dolpo** — USD 500–1,000 depending on zone
## Permits Required
**For Annapurna region:** 1. ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) — NPR 3,000 2. TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System) — NPR 2,000
Both available at Nepal Tourism Board office in Pokhara (Tourism Service Centre, Damside) or Kathmandu (Bhrikutimandap).
**For Everest region:** 1. Sagarmatha National Park permit — NPR 3,000 2. TIMS Card — NPR 2,000 3. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit — NPR 2,000
## What to Pack
### Essential Gear - Trekking boots (broken in before the trek — crucial) - Layering system: moisture-wicking base layer, fleece mid-layer, waterproof outer shell - Thermal underwear for elevations above 3,000m - Good sleeping bag rated to -10°C for high-altitude treks - Trekking poles (strong recommendation for all routes) - Head torch with spare batteries - High-SPF sunscreen and UV-protective sunglasses - First aid kit with altitude sickness medication
### Hire or Buy in Pokhara / Kathmandu - Most gear is available to rent or buy cheaply in Thamel (Kathmandu) and Lakeside (Pokhara) - Sleeping bags: NPR 100–200/day to rent - Trekking poles: NPR 50–100/day - Down jackets: NPR 100–150/day
## Hiring a Guide and Porter
**Do you need a guide?** Since 2023, Nepal requires all foreign trekkers on major routes to hire a registered guide. This applies to all non-SAARC nationals.
*For Indian nationals, hiring is currently optional but strongly recommended above 3,000m for safety reasons.*
**Guide costs:** USD 25–35/day (NPR 3,300–4,600) **Porter costs:** USD 15–20/day (carries up to 15 kg) **Book through:** TAAN-registered agencies in Pokhara or Kathmandu
## Altitude Sickness
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) affects most people above 2,500m to some degree. The key rules:
1. **Ascend slowly** — never gain more than 300–500m elevation per day above 3,000m 2. **Rest days** — take a full rest day every 3 days of ascent 3. **Hydrate** — drink 3–4 litres of water daily 4. **Never ascend with symptoms** — if you have a headache, rest for 24 hours 5. **Diamox** — consult your doctor about preventive medication
**The golden rule: if in doubt, go down.** Descending 500m almost always relieves symptoms rapidly.
