This channel is for everyone interested in long distance hiking in high mountains, especially trekking in the Nepal Himalaya! We'd like to share useful information and news, reports directly from the treks, tricks and tips as well as background knowledge about that mountains in Nepal and the Himalaya in general.
Really quite unlucky with the weather. You'll have to try again in November when it is much more settled. North BC views are so amazing. It's really the most awe inspiring mountain. Looks like the Lhonak to Pang Pema route has become a lot more difficult since I went there (2004 and 2008) where it was a pleasant stroll
Like 80% of the old trail is still the same, but the retreating glacier made the side moraine and the hillside above unstable, so it's now interrupted by 4 major landslides now.
Very good video again, even if the weather was a little bit bad. It would be nice though if you could tell us what time of the year you are trekking and the pros and cons of other seasons
Sure! This was in late March. March is the end of dry season, so some light rain here and there is to be expected. The amount of snow we got is quite unusual, though. The chance for longer and heavier rainfalls usually increases throughout April and May until the beginning of monsoon in June. During the whole spring it should get gradually warmer, but also more wet. We were just unlucky, as it was still fairly cold, but we got a full week of snow showers, at least on the south side of the range. Another thing to note about trekking in spring: During the long dry season in winter, the air gets more and more polluted, so even if it's clear weather-wise, it often looks hazy in March and April, especially in lower altitudes. The weather in fall (post monsoon) is usually a lot more stable and the air is clean. Starting in mid October the risk for larger showers decreases drastically. Late October and all of November are the best months for trekking, but also the most crowded ones. December to February is very clear, too, but also very cold.
@@TheMenWhoStareAtMountains Thanks for the quick answers. You say the best teking season is October-November because of clear weather but more crowded. Is that also applicable for the Annapurnna region? Another question regarding the spring season is, does not the Rhododendron bloom and make some of the mountain sides beautiful?
Good point about the Rhododendron! The time of blooming varies a lot though: by the exact kind kind of Rhododendron, by altitude and by the region. On our way up (3rd week of March) we only found very, very few blooming ones. Only the small red ones (apparently they are the first ts start) and only between 2000 and 2500 meters. On our way down (1st week of April) there were many more of the small red ones, also higher up, but still not a single white or pink blossom. Also no really big ones. I am not sure whether this late bloom is normal in the far East of the country or if it had to do with the unusually dry winter. Judging by the pictures I saw online, the Rhododendron blossom around Pokhara was very pretty at the very same time of year. Long story short: no real idea. Sorry! 😅
Thanks so much for sharing all your adventures. I'm curious: Do you use crampons in the snowy-icy conditions? I was quite afraid when we walked up and down icy paths on the Annapurna Circuit in 2019, and said I'd never go without crampons again - but they're heavy to carry. What are your thoughts?
Also 100% pro crampons. The problem I had on this trek was, that the rubber band on my mini spikes was apparently too old and not flexible any more, so they fell off all the time. Not ideal. Since then I'm also 100% pro actually checking the equipment before setting off. 😅
Thanks for the video. A lot of memories came up. This trek was the start of my 123 days trek along the GHT. Even though there was no road from Taplejung in 2012 many things haven't changed since then. It's a trek I always recommend.
Excellent video but such a shame about the weather. In November 2023 there was no snow and only half a day of cloud! It was a tiring trek but it must have been exhausting in those conditions. I am looking forward to the next episode.
Thanks Peter! Also for letting me use your picture of the Temple. I had so much good luck with the weather in Nepal on former treks, that I was kinda overdue for this. 😅
I wouldn't fancy the steep traverse of the hill on the way to Kambachen when covered in snow! As for Kambachen to Lhonak in the snow, I've done this before and didn't find it too hard.
@@TheMenWhoStareAtMountains In good conditions it is an amazing traverse though as you get such fantastic views of Jannu. I never had snow passing it but I once had to pass a yak caravan going the other way and that was pretty scary
i did the manaslu march 3 to 14 this year and the anapurna apr 23 to 30 alsi this year....i was disappointed by the huge crowd at anapurna although the trek itself was very nice, manaslu was magic and i loved the remoteness and the fact that there were so few people...manaslu was definitely my favorite ❤
Hands down the best video I’ve ever seen on how to get started with choosing a suitable trek in a particular country! Priceless information and so easy to follow! Truly great job, thank you so much!
Middle of October to early December will have the best weather, but might be crowded. March to May has less stable weather but isn't as crowded. Winter is too cold and summer is monsoon.
Amazing video. Next year I am going back to Nepal for the first time in 12 years. Trying to decide where to go trekking and this is an incredibly informative overview. Thank you!
I have been leaning towards the Manaslu Circuit, but the Makalu Base Camp trek looks quite amazing! Previously I've just done Poon Hill (once) and Annapurna Base Camp (twice, but only made it all the way to ABC once).@@TheMenWhoStareAtMountains
Haha, I do indeed... one of my trekking porters used to call me Mr Dal Bhat ;) but I'm leaning Manaslu now after watching a great vid of it last night. What's your fave Nepal trek you have done?@@TheMenWhoStareAtMountains
Annapurna has sadly descended to become a populist track for 'tourists'. Manaslu is still a hidden gem, with remote valleys seemingly from another world, Gorkha / Tibetan cultures mostly untouched, and a hike up and down seriously steep paths often obliterated by landslides that makes Annapurna or EBS feel like a sedentary walk in the park. There is no comparison. Manaslu is vastly superior... but the majority of muppets will still pursue EBC, there and back on a single bland trail, to regale the family of their courage.
Some less ambitious people do seek a walk in parks that have 8000m mountains in them, so there will always be trekkers who enjoy the Annapurna Circuit or EBC. I do fully agree, tho, that more experienced trekkers or travellers more interested in genuine culture will probably have a way better time on the Manaslu Circuit.
Lovely, picturesque, informative video ! After watching another spectacular video by Napal360 Team, the 'Manaslu Circuit" was very much on mind & i wish to undertake it in October this year. The fitness program is in progress for this trek. I have already had chats with 'Mountain Ram" & their views are also similar to what you have specified. They give a duration of 18 days for the Manaslu circuit ( Kathmandu-Kathmandu) that probably include the acclimatizing days. After watching the Manaslu trek i fell in love with it due to the breathtaking scenes & terrain it offers & in such a varied way. The scenery keeps on changing every day & that is something very much to behold. You have just consolidated my resolve to do this trek even more. Thank you for this wonderful, honest, accurate depiction of the trek ! Thanks a ton !! Keep posting such great ones ! Cheers !!
It depends a lot on how you want to do it. Permits will be about 200 USD per person. A guide will be 35 to 40 USD per day for the whole group. So here it depends on the size of your group. Bus transport to the starting point might only be 10 to 15 USD, while renting a whole jeep would probably be 250 USD. So again it depends on the size of your group. The same numbers apply for transportation after the trek. So if your group is small, you can save a lot of money, if you take the bus. Personal expenses per day would probably be equal to about 35 USD per person per day.
I see. Then I would suggest you estimate 3000 NPR (just bed and food) to 4000 NPR (incl. snacks and beer if you need those) per day of trekking for you. As for the exact price of the bus ticket to Arughat Bazar or to Soti Khola, I'd check at the bus park. I don't have exact and up to date information on the ticket price. Enjoy the trek!
I am in Nepal with my wife and two friends. It will be our first trekking experience, i would love to see kanchenjunga but my cousin who is a trekkinguide told me it will be difficult in january. Can you recommend me a trek?
Your cousin is right. In January the lodges around Kangchenjunga are most likely closed. On more remote and/or less popular treks the lodges close in winter. So unless you'd like to camp, you'll have to stick to a more popular trek in January. Don't worry though. It's low season. No trek is crowded that time of the year. How long do you want to hike?
5th lake and the viewpoint are 2 to 2.5 hours up and like 1.5h down. It looks very easy on the map but alongside the 4th lake is a lot of Nepali -Flat.
Thanks for the video - I am currently struggling with this exact question. I am leaning towards ABC as it seems a bit more eye-catching and beautiful, whereas Langtang although also beautiful does look a bit more boring and barren, at least at times.
It might be a bit less dramatic, but I wouldn't say it's boring. The barren-ness comes with altitude. Above 3800m ABCs valley floor is just as barren, as Langtang Valley. The difference is, that in Langtang at that point you have a lot more valley left to hike in whereas at ABC you're almost at the end.
appreciate that extra insight. thank you. I live in a desert country, so this time I will go for the greenery at ABC, and keep Langtang for next time@@TheMenWhoStareAtMountains
Great video. Your comparison is spot on. I would add that for families with young children, teens or seniors, Annapurna Base Camp is probably better as Pokhara provides an ideal start/end point and the lodges/tea houses are a bit more comfortable. I took my 9 and 12 year old to ABC and they loved it and the trip was smooth. Not sure I would have felt as comfortable taking them on the Langtang Trek where some sections can feel fairly remote and the lodge and food options a bit more limited (yes - there are plenty of lodges in Langtang/Kyanjin Gompa, but felt the standard was below that of ABC and the proprietors tend to be local-rural types and thus not as resourceful if there are any special requests or emergencies)
Thank you Biplav! That is great information! I don't have kids, so I can't really tell anything about trekking as a family. I'm sure this will be very helpful for families with kids. 😊
