Nepal trekking FAQ: the 30 questions first-timers ask most

Here are short, sourced answers to the 30 questions first-time trekkers ask most about Nepal, grouped by topic. Each links to a longer guide when you want detail. The costs and permit fees are from our pack, as of October 2026, and the guide rule is stated the way we state it everywhere: a licensed guide through a registered agency is required in restricted areas (Department of Immigration) and, under the Nepal Tourism Board rule of April 2023, in national parks and conservation areas, where 2026 operator reports say checkpoints enforce it in Annapurna and Langtang but not in Khumbu (checked 19 October 2026).

Choosing a trek and a season

1. What is the best first trek in Nepal? The four-day Poon Hill trek is the usual choice: easy to moderate, 3,210 m at the top and a sunrise over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range. The eight-day Langtang Valley and seven-day Annapurna Base Camp suit people who want more. See short treks from Pokhara.

2. When is the best time to trek? Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November). October is busiest, April has the flowers and November is colder and clear. Our best time guide has month-by-month detail.

3. Can I trek in the monsoon? Most routes are wet, cloudy and leech-prone from June to September, and landslides can cut roads. Upper Mustang sits in the rain shadow and can be walked in the monsoon; see monsoon trekking.

4. How many days do I need? Four for Poon Hill, seven for Annapurna Base Camp, eight for the Langtang Valley, twelve for Everest Base Camp, plus spare days at the end for flights and weather. See how many days you need.

5. Which is harder, Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp? Everest Base Camp is longer and higher, with a high point of 5,545 m against 4,130 m, and has a flight at both ends that can be delayed. Annapurna Base Camp is shorter with more stairs. Our comparison of routes helps.

Fitness, health and altitude

6. How fit do I need to be? You need to walk five to seven hours a day on stairs and uneven ground for several days in a row. See how fit you need to be and the training plan.

7. What is altitude sickness? Altitude illness is a reaction to climbing too fast. Headache, nausea, dizziness and poor sleep are early signs; breathlessness at rest, a wet cough, confusion or loss of coordination are emergencies that need an immediate descent. The CDC suggests, above 3,000 m, raising your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, with an extra night for every 1,000 m gained. Read altitude sickness basics.

8. Should I take Diamox? That is a decision for you and a doctor. Acetazolamide can help prevent altitude illness, but it does not replace a slow ascent. See our guide on Diamox on Nepal treks.

9. Is the water safe? Drink boiled, filtered or treated water. Lodges sell boiled water and hot water, which is cheaper than bottled water and creates less plastic waste. See toilets and hygiene.

10. What if I get sick on the trail? Tell your guide, stop climbing and descend if symptoms worsen. The Himalayan Rescue Association runs seasonal aid posts on some routes, such as at Manang and Pheriche; see HRA clinics.

Permits, guides and the rules

11. Which permits do I need? Usually a park or conservation area entry permit and sometimes a trek card. As of October 2026, the Annapurna Conservation Area, Langtang National Park and Sagarmatha National Park permits are NPR 3,000 each for foreigners, with a separate Khumbu trek card of NPR 3,000. See the permits explainer.

12. Do I need a TIMS card? TIMS is an agency-issued card at NPR 2,000 for foreigners (SAARC nationals NPR 1,000) per the Nepal Tourism Board, and checkpoint practice in 2026 varies by region. Ask your agency whether it applies to your route.

13. Do I need a guide? The rule is above. In practice, a guide through an agency is the safe, normal choice, and our guide rule explainer covers how it applies by region.

14. What about restricted areas such as Manaslu and Upper Mustang? They need a restricted-area permit through a registered agency and a licensed guide. Since 22 March 2026 one trekker can apply for a permit, but a guide is still required. See the Manaslu permit guide and the Upper Mustang permit guide.

15. Can I book a trek once I arrive in Kathmandu? Yes, for most routes, but you have less choice in October and April. Our booking guide lists the steps.

Costs and money

16. How much does a guide cost? NPR 2,700 to 4,000 a day in the Annapurna and Langtang regions and NPR 3,400 to 4,700 in Khumbu (as of October 2026), a market range. See the cost guide.

17. How much does a porter cost? NPR 2,100 to 3,400 a day, and you can share one with a partner. See should first-timers hire a porter.

18. How much are rooms and meals? In the Annapurna region a room costs NPR 300 to 800 below 2,500 m and NPR 1,300 to 2,000 above 3,800 m, and a dal bhat NPR 500 to 1,000 and NPR 1,300 to 1,600 in the same bands. See teahouse prices.

19. Should I carry cash? Yes. Withdraw rupees before you start, because machines are rare on the trail, and carry small notes. See supporting local businesses.

20. Do I need insurance? Yes: cover for trekking to your highest altitude and helicopter evacuation, ideally to about 6,000 m for Everest routes.

Partners, solo and safety

21. Can I trek alone? Many people go with a guide and porter, and where the guide rule applies you cannot trek unguided. See solo trekking in Nepal.

22. How do I find a trekking partner? Through platforms, hostels and forums, with checks. FindTrekkingPartner is a free, privacy-first platform to find partners and share a guide, porters and transport, and split the costs; it is not an agency, and contact details stay hidden until both trekkers agree. See how to find a partner safely.

23. Is it safe for women trekking alone? Many women trek in Nepal safely with a guide, and sensible precautions apply. See solo female trekking.

24. Are flights to Lukla reliable? Delays are common. A Kathmandu to Lukla flight costs about USD 190 to 240 each way for foreigners, with Ramechhap departures in busy months, and fares rose on 1 March 2026. Leave spare days. See the Lukla flight guide.

Gear, food and comfort

25. What should I pack? See minimum gear for a first trek and the full packing list. Rent a down jacket and sleeping bag in Kathmandu.

26. What is the food like? Dal bhat, noodles, eggs, momos and soups, with refills on dal bhat. See dal bhat and the teahouse menu.

27. What are teahouse rooms like? Simple twin rooms with foam mattresses and thin walls, no heating and shared toilets. See rooms, bathrooms and bedding.

28. Is there wifi and electricity? Often, for a fee, but it gets scarcer and slower with altitude. See electricity, wifi and hot showers.

Families, age and culture

29. Can children and older people trek? Yes, on easy routes. See family treks and trekking at 60 plus.

30. How should I behave in villages? Greet with namaste, dress modestly, keep sacred structures on your right and ask before photographing people. See the trail etiquette guide.

Where to go next

Start with the first-time trekking guide and the first-timers hub, then use the Poon Hill partner page, the Annapurna Base Camp partner page or the partner hub to find company. Verify permit and cost figures with the Nepal Tourism Board and the Department of Immigration, because they change.