Five Popular Trekking Peaks for Beginners in Nepal: Island Peak, Chulu East Peak, Pisang Peak, Lobuche East, and Mera Peak. Complete information about trekking and climbing. There are over 13,000 peaks above 6000m in Nepal, of which 602 have been opened as climbing routes by the Government of Nepal and the Department of Tourism.
I like mountains because they make me feel small, ’‘They help me sort out what’s important in life.”― Mark Obmascik.
Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Nepal has the most alluring mountains on this planet. For many years, it has been a paradise for travelers, trekkers, explorers, and mountaineers alike.
We have put together five of the most popular trekking peaks that are relatively easy and not too technical. Everest is the dream, but you do not have to be a skilled climber to have your own personal experience, standing on top of one, we promise is something very special.
Providing you are fit with a good degree of stamina these peaks are all achievable. With highly experienced Nepal Gateway Trekking Sherpa mountain guides, you can feel secure in the knowledge you are in safe hands.
The term trekking peak is misleading; peaks always present an added challenge to simply trekking, if only because of the altitude.
Usually, climbing a peak takes around three days.
Day 1. Tented Base Camp.
Day 2. Ascent to a high camp,
Day 3. Make the summit attempt and return to either High Camp or Base Camp.
Remember, your journey begins with your first step. Whatever peak you choose, you will be trekking in the world’s finest mountain scenery. So, let’s get high in the Himalayas! Once on the summit, the personal feeling of success, coupled with the best mountain views anywhere in the world, defies adequate description.
Trip Facts:
Nepal’s highest trekking peak is a real favourite for novice climbers, and understandably so. It is an excellent option for anyone who is fit and has a moderate degree of mountaineering experience. The challenge is mainly altitude; the technical mountaineering skills required are minimal.
The trail to Mera Peak is very beautiful. It passes through the pristine Hinku Valley, an isolated and less visited area within the Makalu Region.
Flying into the airstrip of Lukla, It is normally an eight-day trek to Mera Base Camp (5300m) on a trail that provides excellent acclimatization. Normally a day is spent here adjusting to the altitude. The following day high camp is set up at 5,800m, near a rocky outgrowth on Mera Glacier.
Followed by the summit attempt, once on, the views are truly outstanding as you gaze out across a large stretch of the Himalayas. Five 8,000m peaks are clearly visible, including Mt. Everest (8848m,) Mt. Lhotse (8516m,) Mt. Cho Oyu ( 8201m,) Mt. Makalu (8463m,) and Mt. Kanchenjunga, (8586m,).
Two Good Peaks to Compliment an Everest Base Camp Trek:
Trip Facts:
High up amongst the high Stuff, in the Everest Region, Island Peak is another fine gem for climbers wanting a moderate but challenging climb in Nepal. Island Peak is an excellent peak to build on and confirm your alpine skills. The summit offers excellent views of Nuptse (7,879m), Lhotse (8,516m), Lhotse Middle Peak (8,410m) and Lhotse Shar (8,383m).
More technical than Mera, it is convenient if you have some previous experience and knowledge about equipment, in particular the use of gears, rock ice climbing, and abseiling. You will be roped up on the steep latter stages with a glacier and several crevasses to negotiate.
To reach base camp, head back down from Everest Base Camp along the trail to Dingboche, take the trail up the Imja Khola Valley towards Chukhung, and on to Island Peak. There is normally a pre-summit training day provided at base camp. The next day, make the summit attempt and return to Chukhung the same day. Normally, from Chuckung, the next stop is Phortse, on to Monjo, and then on to Lukla.
Trip Facts:
Situated deep in the heart of Khumbu Everest region, Lobuche Peak has two distinct summits - Lobuche East (6119m) and Lobuche West (6145m).
The climb of Lobuche Peak is more challenging than either Mera Peak or Island Peak. It is a peak that requires a good deal of commitment. Some experience on snow, walking with an ice axe, and using crampons and fixed ropes, is required.
Most companies provide basic skill training before the summit but, think twice if you have had no past high-altitude experience. With stamina and personal will, there is a strong likelihood you will succeed. Lobuche Peak is an ideal “add-on” to any trip to Everest Base Camp. It was used for many years past by climbers attempting Mount Everest as a warm-up climb.
Getting to Lobuche means heading down the trail to Lobuche for overnight. You then follow a trail along the Lobuche glacier and up to high camp. Training is provided at the high camp. Attempt the climb the next day; the rewards are surreal, magnificent views of Everest (8848m), Lhotse(8516m), Nuptse (7861m), Ama Dablam (6812m), Cholatse(6440m), Pumori (7161m) and many more before heading down to high camp and overnight. The following day, head down to Pangboche and on to Namche Bazaar.
Trip Facts:
Chulu East (6584 m) is technically not a rugged peak. However, you should have some high-altitude experience. It helps if you are familiar with crampons, harnesses, ice axes, and handling climbing ropes.
A gratifying challenge, it is another peak ideal for people who want to expand their basic alpine skills. The summit offers superb and dramatic mountain views deep in the spine of the Annapurna Region. The climb involves crossing a glacier and a steep ascent to the summit, which often means being roped together.
From the summit, the views are some of the most spectacular in Nepal. Gaze over superb vistas high above the Manang Valley, Annapurna II (7937m, III (7555m) and IV (7525m), Gangapurna(7455m), Glacier Dome(7069m), Dhaulagiri(8167m), Tilicho Peak(7134m) and Manaslu (8156m).
Combined with Annapurna Circuit
Mount Chulu East is situated off the epic Annapurna Circuit trail. Trek through subtropical lower reaches to begin, along terraced fields punctuated with small settlements. You travel on into lush rhododendron and pine forests with fantastic views a lot of the way, as you make your way into the upper valley. Here the region changes significantly, the influence of Buddhism is very apparent with ancient monasteries and hardy weathered mountain people.
On reaching the village of Pisang, you need to branch off into a more remote region. Start walking a ridge, through pine forests and yak pastures, on the way to base camp. The camp is located on a ridge separating the East and the Far East peaks of Chulu. Two days are recommended to acclimatize, whilst climbing teams need to prepare a high camp (Camp I). One night is spent at high camp before the ascent to the summit and the return to base camp the next day.
The following two days are spent on the descent to Manang through Juniper forests. Most people from here take the trail over the Thorang La (5416m) and down to the pilgrimage site of Muktinath. From Muktinath, it is a short descent to Jomsom. The majority of people end their trek here, by either taking a flight to Pokhara or a jeep via Beni.
Trip Facts:
Another good peak, situated on the classic Annapurna Circuit, is Pisang Peak, which is a popular trekking peak in Nepal. It is not a difficult peak to climb, but one hard to match for its rugged mountain scenery. Rising across from Annapurna II (7937m) and neatly placed opposite the giants of Annapurna I (8091m) and Manaslu (8156m), it’s a great introduction to Himalayan peak climbing.
Most people combine the climb of Pisang Peak with the Annapurna Circuit trek. From the summit the Annapurna Range Tilicho Peak, Annapurna II and IV, Gangapurna and the Glacier Dome reach to touch you.
Begin on The Annapurna Circuit Trail, with a refreshing few days along the Mashyangdi Valley. This trail is quite special, one that provides lush oak and pine forests, ancient settlements, and some great mountain views. Higher up the valley, you enter a beautiful alpine region, where you are surrounded by magnificent peaks all the way to Pisang.
From Pisang, head north up through sparse wood and Yak pasture to Kharka village (4,380m). Base Camp is made here. The following day, a high camp is made at (5,400m) on the South-West Ridge. On the summit day, you follow a well-defined ridge that leads to a final steep climb to the summit before returning to Base Camp.
From the summit, the rewards are amazing. Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m), Mt. Manaslu (8156m), and Mt. Annapurna (8091m) all play their part in a superb mountain backdrop. The following days are spent trekking down to Manang to join the main trail, mostly for the traverse of the Thorang La (via Thorung Phedi) to the holy town of Muktinath. From Muktinath, it is an easy trek to Jomsom, where you can either take a flight to Pokhara or continue on your journey.
