The western and far-western (Sudurpaschim) regions of Nepal offer a less-crowded trekking experience with deeper immersion in nature. The landmarks here are completely different from what you find in central and eastern Nepal.
Keep in mind that West Nepal isn’t as accessible as other regions. The transport services, as well as road management, add to the difficulty of the tours you choose.
That’s where Altitude Himalaya comes in! We make sure that you’ll fly to the most accessible regions and then take private vehicle services to ensure at least a comfortable journey.
What’s fascinating is that despite being in such remote places, the people in this region are always smiling and never fall short when it comes to hospitality. They truly are the jewels of Nepal, and we assure you that your accommodation here will be worth remembering.
Some popular destinations in West Nepal include Badhimalika, Humla–Limi Valley, Api Himal Base Camp, Saipal Base Camp, Rara Lake, Dhorpatan, and more. Even Upper Mustang and Dolpo can be considered, but we have categorized them into separate Annapurna and Dolpo regions for your convenience (do check them out).
Whether you’re planning a trek or simply looking to unwind in a remote area, West Nepal has everything to offer. For post-trek activities, we highly suggest visiting nearby popular towns and cities like Nepalgunj, Surkhet, Butwal, Lumbini, etc.
Before jumping into the packages that we at Altitude Himalaya offer, let’s first understand the trekking destinations in Western Nepal a little better.
Western Nepal Trek Overview
The trekking regions we’re going to include fall mostly within the Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces (with a few in Gandaki as well). The ones listed in the table below are our guests’ favorites:
Trekking Destination |
Highest Altitude |
Protected Area |
Difficulty Level |
Major attractions |
Major caste |
4,200m |
Khaptad National Park |
Challenging |
Goddess Bhagwati Temple in Mallagiri Peak, views of the surrounding hills and mountains |
Chhetri, Brahmin, Lohar, Kami, and Damai |
|
4,900m |
- |
Difficult |
Nara La Pass, Nyalu La Pass, mountain views of Api, Mt. Kanjirowa, Mt. Byas, Annapurna, Rishi |
Khas, Chhetri, Thakuri, Brahmin, Kami, and Nyin community |
|
Api Himal Base Camp |
4,250m |
Api Nampa Conservation Area |
Extreme |
Base camp of the highest mountain of Far West Nepal, Kalidhunga Lake, views of Api Himal, Nampa, and Saipal |
Brahmin, Chhetri, Mahara, Bohora, Thekare, Jhakari, Lohar |
Saipal Base Camp |
4,250m |
Api Nampa Conservation Area |
Challenging |
Stunning views of Saipal Himal and Api |
Brahmins, Chhetris, Thakuris, and Bhotias |
3,726m |
Rara National Park |
Easy |
Explore the largest lake of Nepal, Boating activity, Karnali River, surrounding view of the western part of the Himalayas |
Chhetri and Thakuri |
|
Dhorpatan with Gurja Khani |
4,493m (Phagune Dhuri) |
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve |
Strenuous |
Explore the only hunting reserve of Nepal, views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range from Jaljala |
Magar, Chantyal, Kami |
A few other treks include the combination of Api and Saipal, and Simikot. Likewise, the Rara to Phoksundo route is also becoming increasingly popular, offering two serene lakes within a single trip.
There are tons of alternative routes that can be considered, too. For example, adding Jumla to your travel package offers even longer, yet incredibly scenic routes.
The thing is: we at Altitude Himalaya prioritize your experience when visiting such remote places in Nepal. That’s why we’re happy to customize the trek based on your preferences. So, don’t forget to take some time to research more places before you contact us!
Permits Required For Western Nepal Treks
Trekking in every region of Nepal requires some sort of entry fees and permits. The price slightly varies based on your nationality. But one thing is for sure! The prices in West Nepal are slightly less expensive than in other trekking regions of the country.
You don’t have to memorize everything or stress about these permits at all. There’s nothing you need to do from your side other than submit the necessary documents that we request from you.
Every travel package curated by Altitude Himalaya includes the permits and entries. So, the following is just for your information, so that you don’t miss out once we hand them over to you:
Permits |
Treks |
Nepali Citizens |
SAARC National |
International Trekkers |
Khaptad National Park Permit Entry |
Badimalika |
NPR 100 |
NPR 500 |
NPR 1500 |
Simikot Rural Municipality Restricted Area Permit |
Humla-Limi Valley, Api-Saipal-Simikot |
- |
For 1 week: USD 50 |
|
Namkha Rural Municipality Restricted Area Permit |
Humla-Limi Valley, Api-Saipal-Simikot |
- |
||
Beyond 1 week: USD 10/day |
||||
Changkheli Rural Municipality |
Humla-Limi Valley, Api-Saipal-Simikot |
- |
||
Api Nampa Conservation Area Entry Permit |
Api Base Camp, Sapial Base Camp, Api-Saipal-Simikot |
NPR 100 |
NPR 500 |
NPR 2000 |
Saipal Rural Municipality Restricted Area Permit |
Api Base Camp, Sapial Base Camp, Api-Saipal-Simikot |
For first week: USD 90 |
||
Beyond first week: USD 15/per day |
||||
Rara National Park Entry Permit |
Rara Lake |
NPR 100 |
NPR 1500 |
NPR 3000 |
Mugumakarmarong Rural Municipality Restricted Area Permit |
Rara Lake |
For first week: USD 100 |
||
Beyond first week: USD 15/day |
Best Time to Visit Western Nepal
Every season in West Nepal offers a different perspective and unique landscapes. The difficulty level of the treks here also heavily depends on the time of year and weather conditions:
Season |
Months |
Highlights |
Best Trekking Destinations |
Spring/Summer season |
March through May |
Blooming flowers (especially Rhododendrons) |
Dhorpatan, Badimalika, Api Base Camp, Saipal Base Camp, Rara Lake, Humla Limi Valley |
Monsoon season |
June through August |
Lush greenery, blooming wild flowers, and spiritual festivals |
Dhorpatan, Badimalika |
Autumn season |
September through November |
Best weather, clear skies, incredible mountain views, and celebration of main festivals (Dashain and Tihar) |
Dhorpatan, Badimalika, Api Base Camp, Saipal Base Camp, Rara Lake, Humla Limi Valley |
Winter season |
December through February |
Snowfall and less crowd |
Api Base Camp, Saipal Base Camp, Rara Lake |
Analyzing the above chart carefully, it’s clear that the autumn season is the best time to visit Western Nepal, followed by spring. Even the monsoon and winter seasons offer the best versions for some of the mentioned treks. The choice is up to you!
Now that you’ve learned everything about the treks in West Nepal and why to choose Altitude Himalaya as your trekking partner, you can proceed to scroll through the different packages we offer. Carefully check the descriptions to find which trek suits your preferences. And even if you wish to customize your treks, know that we’re just a call or text away!