In this article, we are going to discuss Trekking In Nepal with kids.
Are you thinking of trekking in Nepal? Do you want to trek with your kids? Have you managed your holidays? Then, you have come to the right place.
Nepal is famous for trekking around the world. It offers varieties of trekking options from cultural and natural diversity to mountaineering. You will have a problem deciding which one to go on.
Trekking for an adult is an experience. Meanwhile, it is part of an education for kids. Research says that one of the best moments in a kid’s life is traveling with their family.
Traveling with kids provides you with family bonding time. It is an adventurous and fun experience. We understand that there is a number of things you are worried about trekking with your kids.
Will they be able to walk? What if they fall sick? What about altitude sickness? What happens if the weather gets bad? Is it safe?
We understand that you are worried about your kid’s safety. Trekking and even traveling with kids is difficult. However, it is a possible and fun experience.
We will always be at your service. We will ensure your family’s safety. Also, work for making it fun and exciting.
One of the best experiences of life is traveling with your family to a foreign land. It brings families closer. The mountains, hills, terraces, monasteries, glaciers, temples, rhododendrons of Nepal are waiting to be explored.
Nepal is emerging as a family holiday destination. It is widely known for its high risk and adventurous treks. However, it offers easy and short level treks as well.
Short level easy treks are for beginners and families. The famous Annapurna region offers various family level treks like Poon Hill, Royal Trek. Various hiking opportunities are also available around Kathmandu Valley.
The routes have developed in terms of facilities with standard accommodation and food. Even with the facilities, it will not be comparable to a hotel or your apartment. Kids tend to like local cuisine.
You will have to prepare the kids for the adventure. It will be useful if you start walking with your family before your trek. As long as the kids are active and open to new things, you will have a good time.
You can also go on walking tours or holidays in a single center. If you want to trek a mountainous route, you need to hire a guide. Hiring a porter will help you carry your goods and kids making the trek more pleasant and fun.
Nepal is the most family-friendly vacation destination. It is fun, exciting, and safe. You along with your family will be able to create wonderful memories. You will also have the time of your life.
You can hire a person to carry your child while Trekking in Nepal with kids. Horse treks are also available in Nepal. Nepalese people are also very welcoming and friendly to children.
Useful Tips for Trekking in Nepal with Kids
1. Planning is essential for every trek. Decide which route you want to trek on. Work out the distance.
2. If you want to trek in a mountainous route, you will need to hire a guide and porter. A porter will help you carry your bags and kids. A guide will help you have a full experience of your trekking route.
3. Carry essential trekking gear for you and your kids. Take recommendations from the travel agency for a list of trekking gear.
4. New shoes can cause blisters. Break-in shoes to have a pleasant journey. The shoes must be waterproof.
5. Staying hydrated is an essential part of the trek. Carry plenty of water bottles. Children get dehydrated easily in warm weather.
6. Do not forget to carry a sun hat. Sunscreen with high SPF is also necessary. Carry polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes.
7. Carry snacks like biscuits, chips for your children before Trekking in Nepal with Kids. You will find snacks on the trekking route also. It is better to carry it beforehand.
8. Take a lot of breaks. Children get tired easily. Let them play in nature and surroundings to divert their mind.
9. Don’t forget to bring your children’s favorite toys. Carry games like cards, ludo for the children to play with during breaks. Also, carry color pens and books.
10. Customize and extend the length of your trip as required. Plan extra days to cover unexpected delays.
11. Take proper acclimatization days to prevent altitude sickness. Stay and keep your kids hydrated.
12. There is an inadequate energy supply in some parts of Nepal. Carry spare batteries. It will reduce the worries of charging your electronics.
13. Carry toilet paper as it is not used in Nepal. You may find in hotels but not on trekking routes. You can also learn the traditional way with water.
14. Carry along diapers and other hygiene products. You can buy it in major cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara.
15. Pack strategically. Carry enough pairs of socks and shoes. Both warm and cold weather gear is essential.
16. Make sure to get travel insurance for your whole family.
17. Carry all the necessary documents before traveling to Nepal. Get all the permits from the concerned officials before trekking in Nepal.
18. Be prepared to avoid altitude sickness. Learn all the symptoms to detect it. Consult the guide if there are any symptoms.
19. Don’t forget to carry essential medicines. Carry stomach related medicines. Also, carry vitamins and other necessary supplements for your kids.
20. Carry water purifiers. Wash your and children’s hands before eating. Wash fruits properly before eating.
21. Always keep your and kids’ ID, passport, and tickets with you. Also keep their copies.
Family Trek Options
The Poon Hill Trek
The Poon Hill trek falls under the Annapurna Region. It is one of the most popular treks in Nepal. It extends up to 5 days.
The trek reaches the maximum elevation of 3210 meters. It has incredible views. It is easily accessible from Pokhara.
The infrastructure is good along the way. However, there are some steep steps. This is not a demanding trek.
There are very comfortable lodges on the way. You can choose a variety of meals in the teahouses. This pleasant trek passes through local villages and rhododendron forests.
Annapurna Community Home Stay Trek
This trek is similar to the Poon Hill Trek. It falls under the Annapurna Region trek. It is a less touristic trek.
The trek extends up to Mohare Danda at an altitude of 3320 meters. It has almost the same views, landscape, and culture.
This trek has a network of homestay and community lodges. These accommodations ensure homely comfort.
This trek is not physically challenging. It can be completed in five days.
The Royal Trek
This trek is an alternative trek. It falls under the Annapurna Region Trek. It climbs up to 1700 meters.
It is known as the Royal Trek because Prince Charles walked this route in the 1980s. This trek can be completed in 4 days.
The trek starts from the north of Pokhara and passes through Gurung Villages. It ends in Begnas Lake. The route provides a view of the Annapurna Range.
The Everest Region
The full Everest Base Camp Trek is challenging. It is not possible to complete this trek with family. There are still shorter options available.
You can trek around the Sagarmatha National Park. You will be able to learn about the Sherpa culture. You can get astonishing views of the highest mountains in the world.
The trek from Namche to Thame can be completed in 5 days. Also, the trek to Tengboche can be completed in 7 days. Both of these trek stay below 4000 meters.
There are varieties of accommodation options in the Everest Region. There are luxury hotels with full comfort available.
Mustang
Mustang provides a horse trekking option. The horse trek can extend up to 17 days. The culture of this region is Tibetan.
This region lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas. Hence, the land is barren and dry. It is called the desert of Nepal.
You can fly from Pokhara to Jomsom. Jomsom is the gateway to Lower Mustang. The trek reaches Lo Manthang.
Lo Manthang is an ancient walled city. It is in the restricted area of Upper Mustang. It is at an altitude of 3780 meters.
The trek is steep and rocky terrain is made easier by the horse ride. Hundreds of horses are taken to and from Lo Manthang before winter.
Langtang Area
Langtang is the shorter and lower altitude horse trek. It is one of the most popular treks among tourists. It is closer to Kathmandu.
The mountains in this region range from 6000 to 7000 meters. The Langtang Valley is impressive. You will spot yaks on the way.
Age Ranges
1. Taking very young children on high altitude treks is risky. Children are fragile. They cannot acclimatize well.
2. Don’t take your children in treks above 3500 meters. There is chances of altitude sickness in high altitudes.
3. Young children can be taken on low altitude treks. Short hikes or day walks are another option.
4. It is possible for children of 1 year and plus to go on a short trekking holiday. You can use carriers, porters, and Dokos (Nepali basket shaped like a cone) to carry your child.
5. 4 – 7 years old children are the most difficult companions for a trek. They are too old to be carried and too young to walk long distances.
6. Fit children aged 7 years and more are the best companions for trekking. You should provide chances of acclimatization to these kids. They will surprise you.
Walking Equipment
- Child Carriers for children from 6 months to 4 years old children.
- Horses for children from 5 to 7 years and above.
Babies around 6 months can travel in a carrier. There are various child carriers with stands to support the bag while loading and unloading. There are also sunshades and rain covers.
You can hire horses for children above 5 years. It will be helpful when they are tired. Horses will also help in carrying bags and equipment.
Health and Safety
.The most important thing during the trek is the health of the children. Health and safety is the first priority. You need to watch out for stomach bugs.
You and your children should always drink boiled or purified water. You should teach your children to wash their hands properly before the trek.
You should also warn them to keep foreign objects and their hands out of their mouth. They can be the carrier of germs.
You can carry hand sanitizers and sanitary wipes for children. They come in use where there is no water available.
There are only a few western toilets in the trekking routes. It can be difficult for the kids. You should convince and teach your children how to use the toilets properly.
You should always keep track of your kids. Don’t let them wander in the dark. You should establish ground rules for them not running ahead during the trek.
You should warn your kids to stay away from cliffs and hills. Don’t let them get very close to the animals.
Things that should be considered for health and safety during the trek:
1. Acute Mountain Sickness
There are always risks while traveling. Traveling with children is riskier. Especially with the length of the travel is long.
Acclimatization during trekking is very important. The success of the trek is based on the acclimatization abilities of a person. Lack of acclimation leads to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
AMS is caused by a lack of oxygen and air density at high altitudes. You should learn about AMS and its symptoms before your trek. Don’t ignore the symptoms.
The symptoms of AMS include tiredness, tears, loss of appetite, lack of sleep, headache, vomiting, and others. If your kids show any of these symptoms, treat them.
The primary response of AMS is to descend to a lower altitude. If the symptoms don’t fade away, halt your trek. Also, get medical attention.
If you descend quickly and it turns out your child has a stomach bug instead of AMS. You can get a rest. After recovery, you can continue your trek as usual.
If you don’t want to continue, you can always return back.
2. Food and Drinks
The trekking routes provide both traditional and western foods. Many kids like the traditional Dal, Bhat, and vegetable combinations. They also tend to copy and use their hands to eat their food like Nepalese.
Dal Bhat Tarkari is said to give 24-hour energy. Try to have local cuisine and snacks. They are organically prepared and nutritious.
Being a vegetarian during the trek will keep your stomach healthy. You should bring along water purifiers. Drinking clean and purified water is a must for you and your children’s health.
Clothing and Accessories
The clothes should be comfortable and relevant to the weather. You should carry all the equipment recommended by the travel agency.
One Day Family Hike
If you are reconsidering trekking and have very young children, you can choose various one-day family hikes. Based on Kathmandu and Pokhara, you will be able to hike to places with amazing views. These hikes will allow you to return to the comfort of your hotel room at the end of the day.
There are various hiking options to choose from:
Shivapuri National Park
Shivapuri lies to the north of Kathmandu Valley. It provides day hiking trails. This hike provides astonishing views over the city.
There is a monastery to drop in on. There are monkeys around the monastery that will amuse the children.
The route is peaceful. The path in the park is gentle. However, there are some steep stones along the way.
The National is a sanctuary to varieties of flora and fauna.
Sangha to Panauti Community Hike
This is an easy trail extending to ten kilometers. It passes through Tamang Villages. It ends in Panauti in the district of Kavre.
Panauti is a historic town in Nepal. They have a Community Home Stay initiative. Home Stay is an initiative to provide home comfort for travelers.
World Peace Pagoda
The easy and short hike around Pokhara is to the Shanti Stupa or World Peace Pagoda. Situated above the town, it is the symbol of peace. It is at a height of 1100 meters.
The hike starts by boating across the lake. You walk up through the forests to reach there. The pagoda provides a panoramic view of the Annapurna Range, Pokhara City, and Fewa Taal.
Sarangkot
Sarangkot is situated above Pokhara City. It is where paragliders take off from. You can hike up all the way to the hill.
Sarangkot is the higher look point. It provides a view of the lake and city along with the Annapurna Range.
Sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley is filled with temples and ancient palaces. It has a lot to offer. Your kid will have fun and also gain knowledge.
Places like SyambhuNath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath full of natural beauty and religious importance will amuse your kids. They will have beautiful experiences and memories after the trip.
Conclusion – Trekking In Nepal With Kids
Bringing your kids to trek along with you is an adventure. Nepal is the perfect destination to travel with your children. Your children have extensive outdoor experience in Nepal.
Nepal offers the opportunity to explore remote villages, animal spotting, and short hikes. Trekking with kids is risky. However, it is one of the most surprising and amazing experiences.
The minute preparation of the trip is necessary when traveling with kids. Nepalese people, culture, and natural beauty will surely leave you amused. It will be the perfect family vacation.
