While the entire Khumbu area is spectacular, the Gokyo Valley has always been considered as one of the most beautiful valleys. An itinerary to enjoy quietly and with no hurry, starting among forests in the early stages to move to alpine landscapes and ending among beautiful mountains and lakes beside the moraine of the glacier and climbing to Gokyo-Ri from where we can see the pyramid of Everest.
A shorter version of the Sandakphu Trek that will allow you, on the one hand, to enjoy the experience of walking through the Singalila mountain range hiking by the border with Nepal and enjoying spectacular views of Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. Alternatively, this itinerary is ideal to include in a trip, either longer or shorter, through Darjeeling, Sikkim … or the whole of India, Why not?
A slightly shortened version of the famous Snowman’s Trek, the trek of treks, one of the most demanding treks in the world, not suitable for all budgets and not for everyone. Despite having fewer stages, this very little frequented itinerary is still a tough and demanding trek, but it will more than reward you for the effort.
The Snowman is said to be the trek of treks. It really is an impressive trek, covering almost the entire northern border of Bhutan with Tibet from west to east, between white peaks, glaciers, crossing a lot of mountain passes and passing through a series of isolated villages that maintain age-old traditions. But it is also a demanding trek, with 25 days of camping and the risk of unexpected snowfall blocking the way.
An amazing journey that takes us deep into the Himalayan peaks, crossing rivers, valleys and mountain passes one after the other. This itinerary is with no doubt the best option for a great trek in Bhutan. Spectacular scenery, grazing yaks, small isolated villages with deep-rooted ancient traditions are the hallmark of this great trek.
Named after this distinctive Bhutanese mountain, the Jomolhari Trek is the most popular in the country and attracts a large proportion of the trekkers who come to Bhutan. High mountain scenery, Himalayan peaks, small villages of yak herders that you will see grazing everywhere, and a couple of mountain-passes at almost 5000 metres. If this is the most frequented trek, there must be a reason.
This is perhaps the most classic of Bhutan’s small treks. Following an ancient route between Paro and Thimphu, it has spectacular views, nature, Buddhist monasteries, Himalayan peaks, all in a very affordable and interesting route from Paro itself to the gates of Thimphu. A good and affordable experience for anyone who likes to enjoy the mountains and culture.
The Dagala Trek is a route that stands out for a few reasons. It is an off-the-beaten-track, so you will enjoy the solitude of the surroundings. It is close to Thimphu, so it’s easy to get there. It passes through small villages, so it’s an interesting cultural experience. It has stunning views of the Himalayan peaks and, although not a thousand, it has some beautiful glacial lakes.
Both Sikkim and Darjeeling have spectacular, yet undisturbed nature, straddling dense rhododendron and pine forests with subtropical flora and the high peaks of the Himalayas that dominate the horizon. This itinerary, which we encourage you to make longer, brings you to enjoy closer to nature with some peaceful hikes.
The Panchase trek is a popular short trek through rural areas near Pokhara. It’s a good option for two or three days to enjoy some gentle exercise in nature, amidst forests, terraced fields, grazing buffalo, and the friendly smiles of locals going to their daily work.
To stand at the foot of Everest is naturally an attraction itself. Watching its mass rise into the sky from the valley floor at the mythical Rongbuk Monastery amidst awe-inspiring surroundings. But of course, there is much more on this trip. Travelling along part of the route that has linked Lhasa and Kathmandu for centuries of trade and cultural and economic exchange.
Kathmandu is the country’s capital and largest city. A somewhat chaotic city, but full of life. It is situated in a bowl surrounded by mountains at an altitude of about 1400m. It combines areas stuffed with buildings with others with single-family houses. Some large avenues always full of traffic and a network of streets and alleys that follow an uncertain pattern. Some tidier areas and others rather neglected. Outside the “Ring Road”, which is like a belt around Kathmandu and Patan, the city continues in a mix of low-rise houses mixed with orchards and fields that have yet to surrender to the onslaught of the city.
Chitwan National Park is in southern Nepal bordering India. Surrounded by a rural area of fields and farms, Chitwan National Park is a large extension of forest, savannah and rivers with a good concentration of wild animals, including Asian rhinos, different types of deer, birds of all kinds, crocodiles and gharials, leopards and a large population of tigers, although these two species are almost impossible to see.
Bhaktapur is a beautiful and quiet Newar town that you can visit at your leisure. It is full of interesting places and not usually overcrowded with tourists, but it is still early in the morning or in the evening that it has a special atmosphere, as groups do not stay overnight, which we recommend. The Newar tradition is very strong here, so it is not uncommon to find small religious events, usually at dawn or late in the day.
Patan, along with Bhaktapur and Kathmandu, is also a former royal city. Although it is attached to the south of Kathmandu as if it were a suburb, it is an independent city and is quieter than the capital, with a different rhythm and atmosphere. Its Sanskrit name is Lalitpur, which means “city of beauty”. The old part is known as Patan Dhoka. The whole neighbourhood is full of shops selling religious art in bronze or other metals.
Bandipur is a beautiful and small village of old trading houses, some of which have been tastefully renovated and converted into small hotels, restaurants and cafes. It has very quiet tourism and there is no traffic in a large part of the village. In a rural setting, it breathes a lot of local life at a leisurely pace and without too many worries.
To the east of Kathmandu there is an interesting triangle formed by Dhulikhel, Namo Buddha and Panauti. Old villages, Holy temples, countryside life, farms and crops, one important Buddhist Monastery and good views over the Himalayas.
Southern Patan, following the Bagmati River valley, there is a cluster of small villages that are a good sample of the “real” Nepal of the small villages scattered all over Nepal. Amidst fields of crops, red brick houses and carved wood, people busy at their daily work and a pace of life far more relaxed than that of the capital.
Lumbini is one of the holiest places in the country, as it is the most likely birthplace (there is doubt and uncertainty about this) of Prince Sydharta Gautama or Sakyamuni, known to us as the Buddha and from whose teachings Buddhism grew.
Perece que antes del siglo quinto o cuarto AC ya era un lugar de peregrinación para los fieles ya que se han encontrado restos de templos budistas de estas fechas. Hoy en día atrae a multitud de peregrinos de todas partes del mundo al mismo tiempo que turistas interesados en el lugar.
