(content by R.D.H.)
Nepal has many off-the-beaten-path treks that are as stunning, cultural, and less crowded as some of the world’s most popular treks such as the Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit treks.
These treks let visitors to discover more secluded and less explored landscapes in Nepal can and will challenge as well as relax. If you want to go hiking for seclusion or for viewing natural beauty or history, you will find such an experience on the following trekking routes.
While the hidden trails are amazing to immerse into, the views of from the Everest Helicopter Tour will be a completely different memory.
1. The Khopra ridge trek: The peaceful Annapurna alternative
In case you want to skip the rush of Poon Hill or ABC trek and the vast amount of trekkers, Khopra Ridge is the place to go.
Why Trek Here?
- Superb Himalayan peaks of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri will be seen as well.
- Chances to visit & crossing Khayer Lake (4500m)
- Small-scale community facilities for accommodation that promote ecotourism
- Less additional trek which means lesser number of trekkers than those found in the Annapurna Base Camp.
Though it falls under the intermediate category since it takes 7 to 10 days, beautiful scenery, rich cultures, and opportunity to walk away from the crowded circuits are some of the highlights of this trail.
2. Ruby Valley Trek: Exploring a Hidden Gem of Nepalese Culture
Located between Langtang and Manaslu treks, Ruby Valley offers untouched sceneries and abundant ethnic experience for the trekkers. Unlike some standardized tourism pathways, Ruby Valley has not been incipient tourist products while presenting a range of opportunities to experience the genuine culture and geography.
Why Trek Here?
- Starting from stunning terraced green field layered formations, water fall, ridge, and ridge.
- Having addressed on-lining with the Gurung, Tamang and Dalit communities
- No tea houses, meaning that homestays are the centerpiece
- They keep grossing less allowing one to enjoy time with more intimacy rather than feel like a commercialized area.
The trip is between 7 to 9 days and is best suited for those wanting to witness an authentic Nepali welcome, experience the off beat Nepali culture and avoid the crowded tourist trails.
3. Mohare Danda Trek: Sustainable & Off the Beaten Path
Mohare Danda Trek is an alternative circular trek primarily promoting ecotourism without much complications and influencing the locals to improve their villages’ facilities. As the name suggests, it’s the sister peak of Poon Hill and offers a similarly spectacular view of the mountains with a little less company.
Why Trek Here?
- Local communities and local peoples ownership of ecolodges in order to promote environmental conservation for tourism
- Both peaceful sunrise and sunset over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri are out of description.
- Starts from 5 to 7 days trek perfect for first time trekkers or for travelers with limited time for this adventurous trip.
- Traditionally few compared to and other more popular Annapurna treks
For anyone who wants to do a trek that is gradual with a cultural connection, good accommodation with a focus on an ecotourism area, then Mohare Danda is the right trail.
4. Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek: A Wilderness Hiker’s Dream
For professional travelers, Dhaulagiri Circuit is one of the most challenging and off-beat treks in Nepal with toughest topography, glacier and passes. Enduring and moderately stiff, yet it offers some of the finest views that the Himalayas have to offer.
Why Trek Here?
- Cross French Pass (5,360 metres) & Dhampus Pass (5,250 metres)
- This gives us the camp-based trek, which means entering the wild, practically completely.
- Spectacular glaciers and rough dramatic geographical features
- Considering the number of people it was quite uncommon seeing very few trekkers this made the trek to be a wild one.
This one is a 15 to 18 days trek and is suitable for professional trekkers who want the real feel of the Himalayas trekking.
5. Tsum Valley Trek: A Gateway to Buddhist Shrine
Tsum valley is the new hidden gem nestled near Manaslu region, where adventurers can indulge in ancient monasteries, clear views of mountains, and Tibetan traditions. It is unmarked and an extension to the Manaslu Circuit Trek which is spiritually rich and therefore perfect to visitors intending to have cultural interaction and meditation.
Why Trek Here?
- Monasteries like Mu Gompa, Rachen Gompa till date also known as monasteries or Buddhist monasteries still exist.
- Reduced tourism, which will only make the temple even more spiritual.
- Beautiful mountain view of Ganesh Himal & Shringi himal
- Interaction with Tibetan-influenced communities
This trek takes between 12 and 14 days and is recommended to anyone interested with religious sightseeing and marvelous mountain views.
How to Select the Right Trek for Yourself
As you will discover, each of these relatively unknown treks has its advantages based on travelers’ type and preferences.
- For glimpse of mountains over the clouds and less tourists: Khopra Ridge
- For deep cultural immersion: Ruby Valley
- For sustainable travel & eco-tourism: Mohare Danda
- For extreme adventure seekers: Dhaulagiri Circuit
- For spirituality & Tibetan culture: Tsum Valley
Why Hiker Select Low Profile Trails Over Famous Trails?
Though tourist sites such as the Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit trek are already rather amazing, off the beaten path treks present features/offer experiences unlike those that are popular.
- Less people: Make your adventure out in the wild less hectic with few people around.
- Cultural Experience: These give an opportunity to interact with the locals in less trawled areas unlike in other conventional developed nations.
- Practice sustainable tourism: Many of the less-known trails are based on endorsing local small businesses.
- Harder country: Indeed, off track territories are even more remote for professional hikers.
The off-the-beaten track trekking in Nepal offers an intimate journey and both culturally and physically transforms travelers.
