If you really like being outside and exploring nature, trekking is a great thing to do. It’s not just wandering around without a purpose. Trekking is like a lifestyle that helps you connect with nature. To truly understand how it feels, you have to go out into the field and experience it for yourself.
Nepal and India are neighbouring countries but trekking in each country is different as well.
Nepal is famous for being the trekking capital of the world, but India also has many different and beautiful landscapes with amazing scenes to see. Trekking in India is calmer and quieter, while Nepal is busier, with many trekkers on the Himalayan trails all the time. Let’s look at both places for trekking and see which one you might like more.
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Why do you need to visit Nepal?
Nepal is a hotbed for trekkers and backpackers. It has more than 1,310 mountains that are really tall and over 6,000 meters high. Everest (8,848.86m), Kanchenjunga (8,586m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,163m) and Annapurna I (8,091m) are the eight globally recognized mountains in Nepal above 8,000m.
The tallest one is Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. People who love mountains from all over the world really like Nepal because of these incredible peaks.
Not only the big mountains, if you are a nature lover, then trekking in Nepal takes you one step closer to nature. Nepal is home to various species of plants and animals. During the trail path, you can find rare plants like golden Michelia, Serpentina, Spikenard, Himalayan Yew, Panch aule, Yarsagumba, and many more. Also you can encounter rare endangered animals like Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Blue sheep, Musk deer, and Red Panda.
Nepal is a trekking paradise that offers you breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant cities, unique traditional rituals, culture, and warm hospitality from local people. And the main thing is you will feel safer here than in other trekking countries. Nepal treks are divided into difficulty levels from easy, moderate to strenuous. Therefore it is possible to trek for people of all ages.
Visa entry requirements for Nepal
If you are thinking of trekking in Nepal and know how to get a tourist visa? For most of the countries they can get an arrival visa or online. Onarrival visa is a quick and easy process which you can get in the airport anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The cost of the visa is also not as expensive as you think.
On-Arrival Visa Fee at Entry Points
15 Days – 30 USD
30 Days – 50 USD
90 Days – 125 USD
When should I go trekking in Nepal?
Deciding when to go trekking in Nepal can be a bit tricky. Summer (June to Sept) is rainy and not good for trekking. The best times are autumn (Sept to late Nov) and spring (Feb to mid-April). In autumn, it’s clear after the rain, and in spring, the days are warm for exploring. Winter (Dec to Jan) is cold, with not much snow, but if you wear warm clothes, you can be one of the few enjoying the mountains.
Food and accommodation in Nepal?
While trekking in Nepal, will give you a more commercialized experience. There are more than 3100 hundred registered trekking agencies in Nepal. Before trekking, you can book from these trekking agencies, and you can also visit and book from these agencies after your arrival. You can choose the right agencies which suit you.
Depending upon your budget and the trekking agency, the food and the accommodation vary. You can find simple to luxurious hotels and restaurants in the cities and lower altitudes. But while trekking in the higher altitude there is teahouse culture. You can find the tea house almost every step of the trekking route, which provides basic food, drinks, meals, and bed.
Also, tea houses provide the facility of wifi and electricity. While staying in the tea house, you can indulge with the local people and understand their culture, traditions, and lifestyle. You can enjoy traditional, typical Nepali food at an affordable price.
Classic Treks
Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna circuit trek are the famous classic trek inside Nepal which takes you to altitudes of above 5000m. Popular classic treks are great for beginners who are new to adventure. These treks have something special that can inspire someone who loves adventure and is just starting. Just think about trekking in the tallest mountains in the world. It’s a really special and amazing experience that’s hard to imagine until you actually do it.
Nepal’s Spiritual Essence
Every year, lots of people visit Nepal to find peace and spiritual moments. There are numerous temples, statues, and monasteries. There is diversity in religion and culture, and most importantly, people respect each other’s religion and culture. You can see people dance, pray, and celebrate with their special traditions. In Nepal’s high altitude, the majority of the people follow Buddhism. If you go up, you’ll find Buddhist monasteries where monks pray, making everything calm and happy, like a peaceful picture.
In Nepal, you’ll discover a super peaceful vibe that helps you connect with your inner self. The wisdom of Gautama Buddha is deeply associated with Nepal’s heritage and spirituality.
It is essential to acknowledge Nepal as the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. It’s like this place has a magical power to make you feel calm and understand yourself better.
Why do you need to visit India?
India is famous around the world for being a place with lots of different people, cultures, and traditions. In 2023, it became the country with the most people in the whole world, even more than China! India has many old and interesting places that show what life was like a long time ago. The art and buildings from ancient times in India are really beautiful and make your eyes happy when you see them.
To avoid the hustle and bustle of urban life and trek in the untrodden trail in India is beyond imagination. There are various trekking places in India, but the famous ones are the Ladakh Region, Himachal Pradesh Region, Uttarakhand Region, Sikkim Region, and Arunachal Pradesh Region.
India is awesome, but it’s not for everyone. If you like surprises and are cool with new stuff, go for it. But it can be a bit more intense than in other places like Thailand or Vietnam. If you’re not up for a little challenge, pick a different adventure. But if you’re ready for something different, India’s a cool place to explore! Markha Valley Trek, Stok Kangri Trek, Goecha La Trek, Kuari Tapovan Trek, and Nanda Devi Trek are some of the famous treks that you can try.
Visa entry requirements for India
You cannot get an arrival visa in India. If you want to visit as a tourist, you have to apply for an Indian e-visa. To do this, go to the official e-visa website of the government. There, you will need to upload a digital photo that looks like a passport picture, and also provide copies of the ID pages in your passport. Don’t forget to pay the visa fee, which can be different based on where you’re from.
The cost that you need to pay to get the tourist visa:
1. Tourist Visa: Up to 1 year (single or multiple-entry): Approximately US$90.
2. More than 1 year and up to 5 years (multiple-entry): Around US$177.
When should I go trekking in India?
Okay, so when to go trekking in India depends on where you want to go. If it’s Ladakh, plan for late spring or summer (June to August) because it’s dry there, thanks to the big mountains blocking the rain. For Zanskar, especially for cool treks like Chadar in January or February, when the lake is frozen solid.
If Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are on your list, go in May, June, September, or October. And if you’re eyeing Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, fall (September to November) is perfect for some awesome trekking. So, pick your spot and time, and get ready for a great adventure!
Food and accommodation in India?
There are plenty of options for food in India. The types of food vary depending on where you travel. In each and every corner, you can find the unique taste of food. From spicy to nonspicy, veg to nonveg, you can choose that suits you. Don’t forget to try the street food—it’s cheap and super tasty! Exploring the local street eats is not only a budget-friendly option but also a delicious adventure.
Before eating in the restaurant, you need to be careful about hygiene. You should check how hygienic the food is or else there is a high chance of getting sick and illness.
India’s Architectural Marvels
India has been a land of architectural marvels. You can find all these from the Buddhist monasteries, Hindu architecture, and Muslim architecture here. Also, the foreign country that ruled here left the footprint of various churches and European-style monuments.
Here is the list of 7 wonders of architecture in India that you can visit.
- Taj Mahal
- Nalanda Ruins
- Golden Namgey Lhatse
- Ruins of Vijaynagar Empire
- Sun Temple
- The Iron Pillar
- Ajanta & Ellora Caves
Places that you must visit after you finish your trek in Nepal.
There are numerous places to explore inside the capital city. Thamel is the major tourist hub where you can find all sorts of shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, etc. While staying in the city area, you can go on sightseeing tours like Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, Hanuman Dhoka, and Boudhanath Stupa.
Exploring Pokhara for adventurous activities like paragliding, rafting, bungee jumping, mountain flight, kayaking, etc. Similarly, Chitwan National Park, Garden of Dreams, Narayanhiti Palace Museum, Janaki Temple, and Kopan Monastery are also famous places.
Places that you must visit after you finish your trek in India.
While visiting India every person first comes to mind the Taj Mahal. Built-in the 17th century, it is India’s one of the best architectural icons. Goa will be the best place for you if you like to relax after the trek.
India is a big country in size, so there are countless places that you can explore. Here are a few names of famous places that you can explore like Munnar, Athriapally Falls, Thekkady, India Gate, Darjeeling, Chamundeshwari Temple, Vrindavan Gardens, St. Philomena Church, and Chamarajendra Zoo.
Final say
Choosing between trekking in India or Nepal is like picking between exploring green valleys in India or hiking up towering mountains in Nepal. Both places promise amazing adventures where you can connect with nature, experience different cultures, and feel the excitement of a real adventure.
Considering factors like trek difficulty, landscape, culture immersion, infrastructure, and expert stories, you can make your personal choice. Whether you choose to go to India or Nepal, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime! Both places have amazing adventures waiting for you. It doesn’t matter which one you pick – you’re in for a really special and exciting journey!