May 03, 2017 BY Paul McWilliams
Want to experience the best Himalaya trekking holidays? Any one of the following iconic treks in Asia might be just what you are looking for. All will open your mind to new cultures, test your endurance and take you through some of the most incredible scenery on the planet.
As the world’s biggest and most challenging mountain range, the Himalaya stretches from south to central Asia, crossing Nepal, Bhutan, China (Tibet), India and Pakistan. With peaks ranging from 5,500 metres up to a dizzying 8,848 metres this is trekking on top of the world.
Many of the factors in picking the top treks come down to personal opinion. So when deciding the best Himalaya trekking holidays we went with the well known iconic treks in Asia, with at least one from each country in the range. Your favourite trek may be different, but these popular – often famous – routes are well known with good reason.
The mother of all global treks, this is your chance to get up close and personal with the legend that is Mount Everest. Short of a summit attempt, this is about as good as it gets and is a truly special trekking experience.
You’ll get to witness the best views of Everest and gain an insight into Sherpa culture, stopping at tea houses along the route. The final goal is, of course, to reach Base Camp at 5,340 metres. It’s a moderate to hard trek over an eleven day period, plus a couple of extra days to acclimatise in Kathmandu.
The best time to go is in spring and autumn, although treks do run throughout the year. Owing to the immense lure of Everest, this is one of the most popular treks in the world. So whilst an incredible experience, it can get a little busy, but there are other treks in the area that are quieter.
The Everest base camp trek starts and ends in Lukla and is undoubtedly one of the best Himalaya trekking holidays. You can find out more about the Everest Base Camp trek, and other trekking options at: www.himalayantrekkers.com/Everest/
Another of the Himalayan giants, Annapurna is the tenth highest mountain in the world. The trek to its base camp is considered one of the most beautiful and iconic treks in Asia.
You’ll spend ten days trekking through the villages and rhododendron forests. There are views of the peaks from day one right through your journey and reaching base camp at 4,130 metres is a real achievement. The superb scenery includes Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, and the sunrise from Poonhill is a real highlight along the route.
The trekking is not quite as challenging as the Everest Base Camp trek but there are some steep sections involved. So it’s a great trek to tackle as a family.
The best times to go are between February and April or from October to December. There’s more information about the best Himalaya trekking holidays around Annapurna at: www.himalayantrekkers.com/Annapurna/
Another of the top ten highest peaks on the planet, Manaslu is a tough trekking area characterised by changing weather conditions and tough sections. The Larkya Pass at 5,100 metres is the highest part offering spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Trekking around the peak is the most difficult area but there are plenty of other trails in this region with more manageable terrain. The Ganesh Himal trek and Ruby Valley trek, at fifteen and twelve days, offer you the chance to explore all the highlights of the Manaslu area.
The Ganesh Himal range is just 70km from Kathmandu and easily accessed by bus, but a lot quieter than more famous areas. This ease of access for quieter, challenging and spectacular routes make it our ‘wildcard’ entry as one of the best Himalaya trekking holidays.
Discover more about Ganesh Himal range and Manaslu trekking options at: www.himalayantrekkers.com/Manaslu/
This important religious region is sacred to both Hinduism and Buddhism. Situated in the northern part of Tibet, trek the holy mountain of Kailash for a challenging experience at high altitude. Lake Mansarovar is also a symbol of purity and clarity, and a place of pilgrimage.
There are several different routes to tackle, the most popular involving a helicopter ride to the border with Nepal before spending a few days walking to Mount Kailash. There’s also an option to make the six-day scenic drive to the start of your trek.
Culturally this is one of the most iconic trek is Asia, coupled with great scenery and various transport options make it one of the best Himalaya trekking holidays. Learn more about the Mount Kailash trekking options by visiting www.himalayantrekkers.com/Tibet/
One of the smallest and most mysterious countries in the Himalayas, Bhutan is a remote mountain kingdom famed for its unique culture and dedication to preservation. One of the happiest places on earth, you’ll find out why along this high altitude Chomolhari Trek.
The trek starts and end in Paro, and on route to the trail start you can visit Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang) Monastery a UNESCO heritage site. In terms of culture and scenery this is one of the best Himalaya trekking holidays. Find out more about the Chomolhari trek at: www.himalayantrekkers.com/Bhutan/.
This eight-day trek in the eastern state of Sikkim passes through thick rain forest and rhododendron forest of the Himalayan lowlands. You’ll climb up to the viewpoints at Dzongri Top where there are views of Kanchenjunga and Mount Pandim.
It’s also worth trekking on south to the sacred lake at Samiti, the source of the Prek River. You then go on to scale the Goecha La at 4,876 metres, a base camp for the southeast face of the Kanchenjunga.
Right now the security concerns in Pakistan make this beautiful trek up to the K2 base Camp perhaps a bit too risky. But if the circumstances change over the next few years, this is well worth it.
The 20-day journey starts with views of the Karakoram Ranges and the Concordia, known as the Throne Room of the Gods. It’s at the junction of the Godwin and Baltoro glaciers and ringed by some of the highest peaks in the world.
It’s possible to summit Gasherbrum II and IV, as well as Chogolisa, Mitre Peak and more, all on the same journey. Without a doubt this would be one of the best Himalaya trekking holidays, so we hope the situation in the area improves both for the people living there and it open up one of the most iconic treks in Asia.
Of course the ultimate Himalaya adventure would be to trek the entire range. Adventurer – and former Paratrooper – Levison Wood did that in 2015. He started in the Lower Himalaya of Afghanistan and walked 1700 km to Bhutan over six months.
Along the way he met extremists, avalanches and the Dalai Lama, showing this trek is not for the unprepared. So should the safety situation improve, walking across the Himalayas from Pakistan to Bhutan would have to be the ultimate Himalaya trek – although perhaps more of an expedition than a vacation!
These iconic treks in Asia rank among some of the most unique and challenging experiences in the world. So why not put yourself to the test in some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet by joining one of the above trekking adventures?
We hope you found this guide to the best Himalaya trekking holidays useful. If you want more information about these iconic treks in Asia then visit www.himalayantrekkers.com.
For centuries, pilgrims have embarked on the spiritual journey of the Camino de Santiago, to trek the Way of St. James pilgrimage. But there are many different...
Whether you want a gentle coastal path or a countryside romp, the Isle of Wight delivers! In this guide to the best IOW family walks, there is something suitable...
Looking for adventurous off-piste skiing or snowboarding this winter? Then read this Powder Mad cat-ski holiday review to find out why I recommend their Turkey...
Login
Register