The Best Guidebook for Trekking in Nepal (2024)

The best guidebook for trekkers in Nepal (February 2024)

Over ten years ago, I began publishing guidebooks to Nepal because I was passionate about providing something that would truly help people make the most of their trips to this great country. I was motivated to do this because I felt the existing guidebooks from major publishers were not meeting the mark.

Last year I introduced the guidebook Trekking In Nepal to go alongside my Nepal Guidebook and Kathmandu Valley Heritage Walks book. All of which have taken guidebooks to Nepal up to a new level.

The feedback has been great. I’m now delighted to announce a second edition Trekking in Nepal guidebook containing over 29 detailed treks throughout Nepal! Yes, I’ve added in an additional trek: Pikey Peak (Jiri to Lukla).

This book has been a massive undertaking over the past few years. And, it continues to be with keeping it updated with teams of guides, trekkers, porters, and myself who have gone out to obtain, review, and write the latest information in Nepal. Including what treks need a mandatory guide and which do not. Plus, what checkpoints are active. This is the only guidebook with active teams constantly monitoring treks throughout the year!

Written to help you maximize your trekking experience. Fully updated with over 29 outstanding treks for February 2024 in Nepal. This includes comprehensive preparation chapters, the latest on the mandatory trekking guide rule, insights on finding a guide, budgeting tips, weather forecasts, difficulty ratings, optimal trekking times, and highlights. Each trek is detailed with a day-to-day walkthrough, complete with photographs and precise maps to guide your journey.

Additionally, the guide features itineraries, alternative routes, and, uniquely, advice on combining treks for an extended adventure!

Recent updates address weather-related changes leading to trek closures over the last five years. Plus, it covers the new mandatory trekking guide rule, TIMS card adjustments, and updated permits for 2024, details not found in any other guidebook.

This is the first & only trekking guidebook in 2024 to cover the controversial new rule on mandatory trekking guides: are they needed? What treks can you still trek independently, where are they needed, what are the fines for not having a guide?

I’ve incorporated one of the standout features from my other guidebooks into this trekking guide: scalable maps in the digital version! This means you can zoom in directly on a trail for detailed navigation. No other guidebook in the world offers this capability.

For those who prefer physical guidebooks The full-color paperback edition is a unique guidebook that showcases full-color photographs of each day on the trek, along with full-color maps and features. For budget-conscious trekkers, the 2023 book is available in black and white at a reduced price, ensuring accessibility without compromising on content.

Why is this guidebook to trekking in Nepal better than the other brands?

Trekking in Nepal is one of the country’s greatest assets and a once-in-a-lifetime trip for visitors. So, it’s incredibly important you get the most out of your trek. There have been countless guidebooks written about epic trekking in the Himalayas. This guidebook is the most up-to-date in the world and the only one to show you treks as they really are.

Most guidebooks write about a trail telling you what lies ahead and how it looks in text only. This guidebook has detailed day by day write-ups that tell you where you are, what’s ahead, and shows you a photograph from every day on the trek – so you really will know what to expect!

Maps are the bane of most trekking guidebooks. It certainly was one of the most time-consuming aspects of writing this one. The maps in this book were created using GPS waypoints, real-time trekking guides, trekkers along with me in groups and as individuals. The maps in the digital version of this book are scalable – meaning you can zoom right in! The maps in the colour paperback book are clear, easy to understand, and in full colour.

These are just some of the things that current guidebooks fail at. They treat trekking almost like you should already know where and what you are doing at all times. Unless you’ve trekked on that particular trek before, this makes it very hard to enjoy your trek. This guidebook fixes this and lets you know what to expect, when to expect it, and allows you to make decisions. It shows you the way with comprehensive descriptions, photographs, and maps.

Most importantly, lots has happened recently in Nepal from the earthquake in 2015 to the landslides on the Manaslu trek in 2016, Langtang trekkers going missing in late 2017, the surprise increase in trekking fees during 2018 and 2020 before being hit with the global pandemic. Then in 2022 and 2023, there were changes to the TIMS card and new TREK CARDS introduced followed by a new rule mandating trekking guides for all trekkers in 2023 leading into 2024. You’ve read my constant posts and updates throughout all. This includes keeping all my guidebooks up to date. Unlike other guidebooks, mine are kept up to date so you can know what to expect and enjoy your trek.

I don’t blame big brand guidebooks for not being able to keep things up-to-date. They can’t budget for it anymore. They hire a freelancer out once every 5 years on one or two treks. And that’s it. However, I can do so much more as I am in-country, I understand the country well and have teams in place who go out trekking and keep me updated for each and every trek. You really can’t get better than that!

You deserve more than outdated, disconnected big-brand guidebooks produced in a one-size-fits-all format, ones that have strayed far from the true spirit of trekking.

I’ve written an independent trekking guidebook that delivers what trekkers to Nepal actually need, not what a company has time to squeeze into their deadlines and profit margins. My guidebook to trekking in Nepal delivers epic treks as they should be seen and trekked.

I’m also not afraid to write recommendations to other trekking books within this one that go into even greater detail for individual treks. There’s no way I can cram the lengthy 5-month Great Himalayan Trail into this book, but I’m happy to write about it and recommend where to get a specific book for that trek if you want the challenge. Meanwhile, for the 28 treks in this book, there’s more than enough information to complete each and every one.

That’s one of the beauties of this modern age of publishing. Being independent means you can actually give people what they need and what they want – to make the most out of their trek.

The feedback to my trekking guidebook has been overwhelmingly positive:

“I was so lucky to have the first edition of this book for our families big trek to Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Ri it was a fantastic resource”

-Martin, Netherlands.

What’s inside the Trekking in Nepal guidebook?

All versions (digital & paperback) of the Trekking in Nepal guidebook have the exact same content. It’s simply your choice on which version you’d prefer!

What this guidebook does for you (digital edition):

• Every trek contains photographs for each day plus detailed descriptions linked to your map
• Interactive digital maps (click a photo or location & it will zoom to show you )
• Cross compatibility from being printable to digital (laptop, PC, tablet, or mobile)
• Interactive elements (no more endless swiping on mobile or tablet)
• The digital version works completely offline
• The latest updates

What this guidebook does for you (paperback editions):

• Every trek contains photographs for each day plus detailed descriptions shown on your  map
• Detailed colour maps
• 5.5?x8.5? paperback edition so it can easily fit in a day bag or cargo pants
• Easy reference and index sections
• For every paperback edition sold a tree is planted

How to choose which edition is best for you? Paperback or Digital…

The digital guidebook means it can work on your phone, tablet, e-reader (PDF), or laptop. It means you can take it anywhere with no extra weight if you are taking a device anyway. It can sit next to the full Nepal guidebook with ease. It’s built for ease of navigation and has the bonus of maps you can zoom in on. No internet is needed, and it’s easy on your battery. Great for those packing light and who are comfortable with devices. If there’s an update to a trek, it’s updated in the book.

The paperback guidebook means there’s no need to carry an expensive device. You don’t need to worry about charging a device. A paperback book is easier on your eyes. Weather is no longer a problem with a book. You can write notes anywhere in the book. You can tear out chapters you don’t need. You can easily research your trek by flicking through pages to find the right one for you.

Which one do I use? I use paperback books to research before going, and the digital version when I’m out on a trek. Both versions have the exact same content. And, yes, I offer a discount for those who buy both! Buy the paperback, get 50{1eea65b97f16eaff88b6449ec4bd61d0a337087596df763590ffb883bdd967ce} off the digital version – just drop me an email – yes, I’m human and yes it’s that easy.

Table of Contents: + 400 pages, 29 treks, 76 maps, over 460+ photos

What’s inside the guidebook for you & how it can help you:

• All treks covered include Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Ri, Three Passes, Pikey Peak, Langtang Valley, Gosaikunda, Ganja La, Manaslu, Tsum Valley,  Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna North Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghorepani Poon Hill, Khopra Danda, Mohare Danda, Muldai, Dhampus,  Panchase, Dhaulagiri, Upper Mustang, Nar Pu, Muktinath & more. Plus popular day hikes including Shivapuri,  and Kaskikot.
• Discover where treks are in Nepal and how many are linked together
• Quick look options for fast references & a full index for pinpointing
• Day-by-day written guides, including daily photographs of each trek & what to expect
• Extensive trekking preparation from when to go, how to budget & where to find a guide
• Save money with complete chapters on equipment including items you can’t get in Nepal & items you won’t need
• Large sections on trekking agencies listed for all treks in the book including how to find a local guide
• Full maps for every trek with the routes clearly planned out
• Maps of where to find guides & trekking gear in Kathmandu or Pokhara
• 400+ pages of personally researched & locally updated information

An original well-researched trekking guidebook

Sometimes when you buy a guidebook online, you end up getting some loosely scraped together document containing complete pages from WikiTravel/Voyage. This is not the case here. I’ve written, mapped, photographed, and created every page in this book myself.

I’ve been on these treks myself and know what they are like to accomplish in different seasons of the year. I also keep them updated via teams of professional guides who take international trekkers on them throughout the year – this is the only guidebook to do this.

This was a massive project to set up, and keep going … but it delivers something no other book does

Treks differ depending on the time of year. For example, winter treks are often closed while spring treks are washed out. I cover all seasons including the best treks for each with original weather charts.

Moreover, I’ve been on these treks myself and know the “lay of the land”

Did you know that many trekking companies continuously push the Poon Hill trek because of the commissions they get from guesthouses? This is not really a problem, but it does mean that as someone looking for a great trekking experience, you might be missing out on other treks like Mardi Himal, Khopra Danda, Mohare, or Muldai.

Trekking guides online and in person will try to sell you any trek by making it sound easy

I’ve included 100{1eea65b97f16eaff88b6449ec4bd61d0a337087596df763590ffb883bdd967ce} original day by day difficulty charts with altitudes for each trek so you can see how tough a trek is really likely to be.

I’ve also updated all the maps with GPS and physical cross-references to ensure everything is where it should be!

Did you know that every year there are mild variations on many trekking trails due to the extreme weather conditions many trails experience during the previous year, e.g., flooding, landslides, etc.? Furthermore, this guidebook brings you 100{1eea65b97f16eaff88b6449ec4bd61d0a337087596df763590ffb883bdd967ce} genuine trekking agency reviews and facts without exception so you will know exactly what to expect.

Mandatory trekking guides are now law in Nepal for many treks … but not all, I’ll show you where you can legally trek independently without a guide.

If you are looking for a trekking guide, this book contains the latest local trekking companies who are fully registered, experienced, and I’ve personally vetted.

I don’t and have never accepted sponsored treks, hotel stays, meals, or tours. Everything I write about, I pay for everything myself so you, the reader, can get the most honest reviews.

You’re in good hands with this book

If you’ve been following me here over the past 17 years, then you know my modus operandi when it comes to writing. It’s original, helpful, factual, truthful, and honest every time.

I’ve listened to everyone’s feedback over the years and brought you the best free Nepal guides online. I’ve brought the best of this and a whole lot more to my Nepal guidebooks. Trekkers have been asking for a book with more treks. Now here it is. Moreover, many people asked for Pikey Peak to be included. I’ve done that in this latest edition. Trek all the way from Jiri to Everest Base Camp! Or get a rare glimpse of both the Everest Himalayan mountain range and the Annapurna mountain range from the same spot!

Download the book instantly. Or, get a full-color paperback edition direct from the printing press. Or, for those feeling the pinch, there’s a budget black and white paperback edition from last year also available directly from the printing press. Moreover, if you want to bundle them together with other books, there are discount offers for the digital editions of all my books, or you can save on postage by ordering the Nepal Guidebook/Kathmandu Valley Heritage walks and this book direct from the printing press.

This great new generation of guidebooks is accessible to everyone, helping to make travel to Nepal so much better.

If you are on the brink of buying this book, then rest assured you won’t be disappointed. If you know anyone thinking about trekking in Nepal, email them a link to this page.

This is the best Trekking in Nepal guidebook & it can be yours to own with an instant download or by ordering a paperback copy

This isn’t just another guidebook. Crafted with the expertise of seasoned trekker and updated LIVE from the trails of Nepal in February 2024, this guidebook is your gateway to an unforgettable adventure. With exclusive maps, up-to-the-minute trekking fees, permit details, and the latest on mandatory guide regulations, it’s the only resource you’ll need for trekking in Nepal.

If you are going trekking in Nepal, then this is the best guidebook you can have. Make it yours today.

Buy the Digital Edition Now! – Instant access to start planning today.

Order Your Paperback Copy! – For those who love the feel of a book in their hands.