Many people dream of trekking in Nepal, but if you haven’t done it, you won’t know what a typical day on trek is like. So let’s go through it.

Regardless of where you are trekking in Nepal, if you’re not camping your day will begin and end in a teahouse. These are essentially family-run hotels with common areas for eating and socializing; read more about Nepali teahouse life here.

While details vary from group to group, most aim for an early start to the day; this is because mountain weather tends to be clear in the morning and then cloud up in the afternoon. So you want to start early to put in your hike before the clouds and wind (usually) arrive. This means getting up around 6:30, having breakfast around 7, and hitting the trail by 8.

Porters will be carrying the bulk of your gear in a duffle, so all you carry in your daypack is what you need for the day: water, snacks, another layer of clothing, rain gear, a camera, and perhaps a small first aid kit. Usually one guide will be designated to lead the group and set the pace, with the goal of keeping people more or less together, and another will be assigned to “sweep” and bring up the rear.

The nature of the trails varies, as well. But remember these are not recreational paths like we are used to at home; these are the main thoroughfares from one village to another, so great care has been taken in building and maintaining them. While they can be dusty and narrow, they are just as often essentially paved with stones, all broken and laid down by hand. Many times you will be going up and down steps. Some of the trail construction is positively amazing.

As you hike along, you will encounter other trekkers, local people, and pack animals going in both directions. It can be very fun and festive and colorful; it can also get a little tedious waiting for two dozen donkeys or yaks to pass by or clear a bridge. Think of these are free rest breaks and a chance to admire the scenery or have some water.

Again, details vary based on the group and the day, but it’s quite common to take a mid-morning stop for a tea, snack and bathroom break. After a couple more hours, there will be a lunch break at another teahouse; sometimes the meal will be ordered ahead to save time, and with larger groups the options might be limited so the kitchen won’t be overwhelmed.

After a little post-lunch rest, it’s back on the trail, with the aim being to hit the evening’s teahouse in time for an early- or mid-afternoon tea. Hiking day after day like this is a challenge, so resting each day — and dodging the foul weather as much as possible — will go a long way towards keeping the trip safe and fun.

Trek the Himalayas

with Embark Exploration Company!