Places in Nepal: A Field Guide by Shikhar Adventure
This page covers every destination in Nepal that trekkers, cultural travellers, and first-time visitors ask about before booking: trail stops, gateway cities, cultural and heritage sites, national parks, and viewpoints. The notes come from guides who have worked these routes since the beginning. Dambar Thapa, who founded Shikhar Adventure, first walked these trails as a porter on Ganesh Himal Trek in 1999. Each destination page covers altitude or elevation, facilities, transport options, what to do, and operational notes from guides who have been there.
Everest Region (Khumbu)
A standard Everest Base Camp route moves trekkers from 2,860m at Namche Bazaar up to 5,364m at Base Camp. Two seasons operate: March to May and late September to November. One detail most itinerary pages omit: during peak season, Lukla flights depart from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, 132km from Kathmandu, which requires a 1 to 2am hotel departure. The Lukla destination page covers this in full.
Annapurna Region
Annapurna routes range from 800m in the foothills to 5,416m at Thorong La Pass on the Circuit. Most routes start from Pokhara; the Circuit begins in Besisahar. Two permits are required and are not interchangeable: the ACAP permit covers the Annapurna Conservation Area, and the TIMS card is a separate document which is not required in 2026. Both are available in Kathmandu or Pokhara before departure.
Langtang Region
Langtang Valley trails run between 2,400m and 4,984m at Tsergo Ri. The trailhead starts at Syabrubesi, roughly 7 to 8 hours by road from Kathmandu with no domestic flight required. This makes Langtang the most accessible major Himalayan trekking region from the capital and a realistic option for trekkers with 7 to 10 days available.
Mustang
Upper Mustang sits in a rain shadow north of the main Himalayan range, which keeps it dry and open during the June to August monsoon when most Nepal trekking routes close. Entry is via Jomsom, reached by a short flight from Pokhara. Upper Mustang is a restricted area: the permit costs USD 50 per day and can only be issued through a registered trekking agency.
Gateway Cities
Kathmandu and Pokhara are where most international visitors spend their first and last nights before and after any trek or tour. Both have destination pages covering accommodation zones, permit offices, gear rental areas, and transport to trailheads. Chitwan and Lumbini are also covered for travellers adding a wildlife or cultural extension to their time in Nepal.
Cultural and Heritage Sites
Nepal has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Six of them sit within Kathmandu Valley, including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and the Patan Durbar Square complex, and most trekkers visit at least one during their pre or post-trek days. Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, is a separate destination in the western Terai. Each site page covers entry fees, opening hours, and what to know before visiting.
National Parks and Conservation Areas
Every major trekking route in Nepal passes through or alongside a protected area, and entry permits are required in addition to standard trekking permits. Sagarmatha National Park covers the Everest region. The Annapurna Conservation Area is the largest protected area in Nepal at 7,629 square kilometres. Each park page covers permit costs, entry points, and what the designation means practically for anyone on the ground.
About These Guides
These pages are written from ground-level experience and updated when conditions, permits, or infrastructure change. They cover what a visitor needs before arriving, not what sounds good in a brochure. Dambar Thapa has been walking Nepal's trails since 1999 and has guided more than 1,000 people across the country's trekking regions, cultural sites, and remote valleys. Questions these pages do not answer can be sent directly to him on WhatsApp at +977 9841869254. Read more about the team on our About page.