Last Updated on June 9, 2022 by Alpha Adventure Treks
Despite the fact that Kathmandu is not in the geographic center of Nepal, everything west of the city is called Western Nepal, and everything west of Pokhara is termed Far Western Nepal. And the region of Far Western Nepal is extremely isolated, wild, and difficult to reach. All of this, however, adds to the thrill of traveling there! far Western Nepal is home to some of the country’s most spectacular rivers, lakes, and landscapes. Because of the restricted road links to trailheads, the necessity of flying to small mountain airstrips from Terai communities, and occasionally because of specific permits, treks in the Far West necessitate a lot of logistical planning (which can be costly). In other regions, you’ll need to bring all of your food in with you because you won’t be able to buy supplies from locals or sit down to prepared meals in teahouses. Trekking in the Far West should only be undertaken by experienced trekkers with some Himalayan experience—this is not the place to go if you’re a newbie looking for a quick introduction to Nepal trekking.
List of Best Trekking Routes in Western Nepal
- Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve: The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is Nepal’s only hunting reserve. It was founded in 1987 and encompasses a total area of 1,325 km2 (512 sq mi) in the Rukum, Myagdi, and Baglung districts of western Nepal’s Dhaulagiri Himal. Its elevation ranges from 2,850 to 5,500 meters (9,350 to 18,040 ft). Forests, marshland (known as hor), and flat meadows make up the landscape (called patan) Throughout the year, the highest elevations are covered in snow. In the reserve, 58 vascular plants have been identified. There are 36 indigenous flowering plant species. Snow leopards, musk deer, red pandas, and blue sheep are among the 18 mammal species found on the land. The koklass pheasant, cheer pheasant, and impeyan pheasant are among the 137 bird species found here, as are two reptile species.
- Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek: Starting in Pokhara and following the Myagdi Khola to its source at the Chhonbardan Glacier below the world’s seventh highest mountain, the Dhaulagiri Circuit is a challenging journey to the west of the Annapurnas. You hike up the slope of the glacier and over the French Col to enter “Hidden Valley” from Dhaulagiri Base Camp at the foot of the north face. This is a very remote hanging valley, and traversing it gives the trip a more expedition-like experience. The standard route, which can be tried by individuals with ice axe and crampon experience, follows moderate snow slopes to the summit in normal conditions. After that, you’ll drop steeply to Jomsom, where you’ll encounter trekkers who have come down from the Thorong La.
- Simikot/Kailash Trek: Simikot to Kailash trek is a one-of-a-kind trekking journey that begins in Simikot and brings you to Tibet’s mythical Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar via the secluded Humla valley in Nepal’s westernmost Tibetan border. The highlight of this journey is the Kailash kora, which includes a sightseeing tour of Lhasa, the most fascinating city on the Tibetan Plateau. This worthwhile city has numerous Buddhist monasteries, notably Sera Monastery, one of Tibet’s best preserved monasteries, with several hundred monks living and studying beneath its whitewashed walls and golden roofs. Aside from that, there is always a parade of faithful Tibetans through the complex of Jhokhang temple, which is undoubtedly Tibet’s most hallowed shrine. This excursion is highly recommended for people interested in Buddhist tradition and culture.
- Jomsom Trek Via Upper Dolpo: Rather than following the more popular Dolpo Circuit trek, the Upper Dolpo to Jomsom trek continues farther north to a region near the Tibet border, then walks out along the tough trail to Jomsom, giving you a significant number of days on one of The Great Himalaya Trail’s most unique parts. Particularly because Upper Dolpo is a Tibetan-dominated region and one of the few remaining Bön villages and gompas (monasteries). Tibetan Buddhism predates Bön, which is a Tibetan religion. Shey Gompa, around the halfway point of the walk, is considered as one of Upper Dolpo’s most important spiritual sites. Many pilgrims come here twice a year to complete a kora (or circuit) of Crystal Mountain, which is considered in Tibet as the younger brother of Mount Kailash.
- Lower Dolpo Trek: Another famous trekking destination in Nepal is the Lower Dolpo Trek. If you want to make Nepal Trekking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, one of the greatest packages we recommend is a tryst with the remote Himalayan Mountains of the Dolpo Region. It is a location where Thinley, a Tibetan culture, has existed for millennia. Shey Phoksundo National Park, in actuality, is located in Lower Dolpo. This Lower Dolpo Trekking takes us through a protected region before arriving at the beautiful Phoksundo Lake. The hike begins and concludes at Juphal, and it is a moderately tough walk through the Dolpo’s lower regions.
- Upper Mustang Trek: Upper Mustang can alternatively be described as a glimpse into the hidden world of Mustang’s Buddhist monarchy, also known as Lo. Lo was once a part of the Tibetan empire and is so inextricably linked to Tibet, not just in terms of culture but also in terms of landscape. Mustang is largely a barren area, surrounded by rocks of all colors and odd formations, where the settlements with their brightly colored fields are like oasis in the deserts. Mustang is a lonely terrain that lies in the shadow of the Dhaulagiri range. One of the biggest draws for tourists and visitors alike is the culture of the people who live there.
- Api Saipal Mountain Trekking: Mount Api, at 7,132 meters, and Mount Saipal, at 7031 meters, are the two tallest mountains in Nepal’s far western region (Sudurpaschim Pradesh Province No.7). This is an off-the-beaten-path excursion that is both challenging and rewarding. If you like mountains and want to go on a remote hike, one of these mountains can be a good option for you. Without a camping crew, completing this walk is fairly tough. As a result, you should work with a local agency in Katmandu to plan an easy and understandable vacation to Saipal Himal. This summit is considered to be Nepal’s best.
- Rara Lake: Rara Lake is a 10-square-kilometer lake in Rara National Park in Mugu District, Karnali Pradesh, at an elevation of 2990 meters (province). With an average depth of roughly 330 feet and a length of 8.7 miles, Rara Lake is Nepal’s largest and deepest freshwater lake. Rara can be reached by air, car, or a three- to four-day walk that begins at Jumla. It is preferable to trek to Rara for a more enjoyable experience. If you want to see the entire Rara lake, climb to Murma hilltop, which is roughly a two-hour trek from the lake.
- Humla and Limi Valley Trek: Flights to Nepalgunj and Simikot are required to begin the distant Humla and Limi Valley trek (the latter just a mountain airstrip). It begins by following the Karnali River, which sources in Tibet, and mostly follows the traditional Tibetan salt route. Several passes with elevations of above 4000 meters must be traversed, and you will travel for several days without seeing any villages. The Limi Valley retains cultural ties to Tibet, and locals continue to trade with Tibetans. This isolated trek’s attractions are the Tibetan culture and lifestyle in the villages of Halji, Til, and Jang. You’ll come across an 800-year-old monastery, a herd of blue sheep, and perhaps even a snow leopard. Incredible vistas of Nepalese and Tibetan mountains, notably the holy Kailash (6714m), await you.
