Paryatan Bazar

May 22, 2022. Nepal is quite famous for trekking and beautiful places in the Himalayas. People from all over the world flock to the Himalayan nation because it is home to pristine flora and fauna rarely seen elsewhere. Often, however, we are torn between our hikes and our vacations in Nepal. On the one hand, there are the most challenging and amazing mountains to climb, on the other hand, you have to relax while immersing yourself in the beauty of Nepal. Why not do both? Yes, you can get the best of both worlds. Let's understand how.  When hiking, there are specific base camps set up on stable ground.

These base camps are safe places for hikers to begin their journey. These are also the websites that we visit. While the base camps seem pretty well equipped, you should know that they are rudimentary tents or huts where you can rest. What makes the rest better is the view from the campsite. Like Nepal, there are eight mountains over 8,000 meters high and more than 1,300 peaks over 6,000 meters high. These mountains provide much needed diversity for hikers as Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp are relatively crowded. Given the attention that Mount Everest enjoys, this crowd is inevitable. Same goes for the very popular Annapurna base camp hike. Luckily, there are other base camps from which you can enjoy stunning views. Let's see

Kanchenjunga Base Camp

Globally, Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain as the summit is located at 8,586 meters. The base of the camp is located in eastern Nepal, at an altitude of 5,143 meters above sea level. The walk to the base camp took a long time. However, the location of the base is underestimated and little known. The base camp will familiarize you with the Kanchenjunga reserve, which does not have a large population. To reach there, one would have to go through the quaint rural areas, ranging from Ghunsa to Panama. The rural residents are Sherpa’s, Rai’s, and Gurungs. One can enjoy the local hospitality while heading to the base camp.  The base camp trek begins at Taplejung, which can be reached from Birtamod via a bus ride. During the trek, one would encounter the blue sheep, snow leopards, and musk deer. You will get majestic views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and others from this base camp. Whether it's dawn or dusk; you will like.

Dhaulagiri Base Camp

It should be understood that trekking is an adventure sport, and so is trekking to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Located in the Pokhara region of Nepal, Dhaulagiri Base Camp is the seventh highest mountain in the Himalayas, perched 4,750 meters above sea level. The hike to the base frames the intersection of two passes:  French Pass and Thapa Pass. Hikers will pass through the Italian Base Camp and the North Dhaulagiri Base Camp. With the first, visitors will witness snow and glaciers. With the next trip, they will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Rhododendron forest. Campers will also be able to immerse themselves in the deepest gorge in the world where the Kali Gandaki River flows (that's a fun fact, isn't it? Yes, Nepal has the highest mountain and deepest gorge depth in the world. ). Adorning the scene is wildlife, home to semi-wild yaks and mountain sheep, which we'll encounter on our hike.

 Makalu Base Camp

Makalu's base is located at 4870 meters above sea level, while the top is at 8485 meters above sea level. This base camp hike and camp is very popular among solo hiking enthusiasts. One of the main benefits of the trip is seeing the Makalu Barun National Park, located in the Solukhumbu and Sankhuwasabha districts.  The park has 3,000 species of plants and 440 species of birds. There are many other types of wildlife in this park. But what makes this base camp hike so great is that other hikers typically do less hikes. Crowds are less at this base because the mountain is relatively remote and isolated from the other peaks. The solo-souls will cross two valleys: Arun and Barun, which can be reached from the mid-eastern Nepal region Tumlingtar.

Mardi Himal Base Camp

The Mardi Himal base camp is the most ideal location for those who are short on time as the hike to this base camp is the shortest. It is located at an altitude of 4,450 meters above sea level and is located near the east side of the Annapurna base. The camp, considered a hidden gem, offers hikers views of ancient rhododendron forests and the mountains of Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, Ganga Purna and Annapurna.  The hike to the camp is made even better by the hospitality of the locals and the green landscape of the farmland. You can also reach the base camp by foot from Kande or Ghandruk, or Landruk. Finally, the trip may end in Landruk.

Api Base Camp

Hiking to Api Base Camp is a different experience as most tourists are infrequent. With sparseness or no crowds, you won't easily find accommodation or hotels. So camping outside or going to a homestay is the best option. But this accommodation option won't shake you off as base camp has a lot to offer. Located 4,250 meters above sea level, the base camp, named after Mount Api, is surrounded by the Api Nampa Reserve. This flora and fauna sanctuary resonates with the beauty of the base campsite. One can feast on the sights of pristine grasslands adorned by lakes and streams. The region is populated by Hindus and Buddhists who have inoculated the area from modernity.  Thus, the alpine forests amplify the beauty of the region. Although reaching this destination is a challenging task, the result is jaw dropping enough to make one visit this campsite. The best time to visit this base camp is during autumn and spring.

Cho Oyu Base Camp

Cho Oyu is the sixth-tallest mountain as its summit is at 8,201 meters altitude. The mountain’s neighbor, Mt. Everest, is 20 km away, close to the Tibetan border. The trekkers will have to set aside a couple of weeks to reach the base camp, and one has to employ an off-roader to reach this campsite.

Due to the vehicular requirement, the campsite is relatively crowded. Despite the crowding, the tourists get to enjoy the sights of glaciers, mountainous views, and yak pastures. The trekkers will also gain insights into Tibetan culture. The campsite is close to Nangpa La, a trade route connecting Khumbu and Tibet. Nepal has laid a new road link to this campsite.

Ama Dablam Base Camp

Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain since its summit is 8,201 meters above sea level. The mountain's neighbour, Mount Everest, is 20 kilometers away, near the Tibetan border. Hikers will need to spend a couple of weeks getting to  the base camp and one must hire an off-road vehicle to reach this campground. Due to vehicle requirements, the campsite is relatively crowded. Despite the crowds, tourists can enjoy views of glaciers, mountains, and yak grasslands. Hikers will also get a glimpse of Tibetan culture. The campground is near Nangpa La, a trade route connecting Khumbu and Tibet. Nepal has laid a new road link to this campsite.