Family with kids during Khopra Danda trek with the backdrop of Himalayas during the sunset clicked by North Nepal Trek
19 Jun, 2024 - North Nepal Travels and Treks

Trekking with Kids in Nepal(2024 )

One of the reasons Nepal is well known among travelers is that you can trek in the different regions of the Himalayas without any obstacles. Nepal offers a range of short to long treks suited for people from all age groups. This trek offers unique cultural experiences, astounding landscapes, and moderate trekking trails, making it perfect for parents looking to introduce their children to the wonders lap of the Himalayas.

Kids, posing during Annapurna Base Camp Trek organized by North Nepal trek, with the background of Annapurna Mountain range
Photo: Kids during ABC trek. 


Some famous treks perfect for the kids:


Everest Trek: 

The Everest Base Camp trek is the best option if you plan for longer days with your family in the Everest region. This trek showcases incredible scenery, massive glaciers, ancient monasteries, Sherpa ethnic group culture & lifestyle, and varieties of wild birds & animals with a lush forest. The trek begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. The route is facilitated with luxury lodges too. Though this is a fantastic trek, it is challenging, too. The Everest trek is within reach when you have an expert guide by your side. If you want a shorter trek with your family, allowing at least a view of Mt. Everest Mt. Nuptse with other different peaks in 4-5 days, the Namche Village trek is a great option.

  • Altitude: 5,364 m
  • Accommodation: Tea house 
  • Duration: 4 - 12 days
  • Distance: 130 km
     

Mardi Himal Trek:

Mardi Himal Trek is a newly developed route in the Annapurna region with a great mountain view from very close. The maximum altitude is 4500m, which is suitable for family treks. In this 5-day trek, the food and accommodation is reasonable. The trek starts and ends from the Kande to Kalimati. This is the perfect family trek if you are looking for unspoiled nature, no human settlement, and a tranquil nature nearest to Pokhara.

  • Altitude: 4,500 m
  •  Accommodation: Tea house
  • Duration: 5-6 days
  • Distance: 44 km
     

Poonhill trek:

A few-day trek on the northern side of Pokhara Valley is ideal as a starter trek for kids. Poonhill trek route passes through famous villages Ulleri, Ghorepani & Ghandruk, and the world's most beautiful forest. During the blooming season in March & April, the forest turns red due to the Rohodendron flower. Along the trail, you've to walk through the stairs, too, which kids may find challenging. The trek starts and ends from Hile to Ghandruk, where the maximum altitude is 3210m, Poonhill.

  • Altitude: 3,210 m
  •  Accommodation: Tea house
  • Duration: 4-5 days
  • Distance: 45 km
     

Annapurna Base Camp Trek: 

The Annapurna Base camp trek starts and ends from Jhinu. The facilities you get during this trek are good. The lodges are comfortable and well-equipped. You must pass through the famous Gurung villages of Ghandruk, Jhinudanda, Chommrong & Sinuwa. It's a short and unique trek offering each camp's astounding mountain view. 

  • Altitude: 4,130 m
  • Accommodation: Tea house
  • Duration: 6-7 days
  • Distance: 65 km
     

Australian Camp & Panchase Trek:

This combined 3-day trek near the Pokhara Valley is comparatively more accessible and suitable for the kids. The starting point is at Phedi, and the ending is at Ghatichina, with an average walk of 6 hours daily. From the Australian camp & Panchase, you'll get a spectacular view of the Annapurna ranges with Machhapuchre. This is an affordable trek where transportation costs less, you'll stay at the teahouse, and no permit is needed to enter. 

  • Altitude: 2,517 m
  •  Accommodation: Tea house 
  • Duration: 3 days
  • Distance: 28 km

 

Trekkers from North Nepal Trek with their kids, with the backdrop of waterfall during trekking in the Himalayas.


Benefits of trekking with kids

  • Achieving something challenging makes you feel more satisfaction
  • Learning that with determination, you can accomplish a lot
  • Realizing that there are various paths to reaching goals
  • Learning to appreciate the beauty of a minimalist lifestyle and the freedom it brings
  • Discovering the value of rebuilding relationships and developing bonds
  • Learning about geography, culture & diversity

 

Troublesome during trekking with Kids

 

Altitude:

Kids get more sensitive at higher elevations than adults. The children might get  Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) symptoms, which are difficult to recognize. The most common symptoms are vomit, headache, disturbed sleep, fatigue, and food aversion. The complication is the children are unable to tell you about their health problems. Parents must know this and should not push their children more during travel. 

 

Distance:

Most trekking routes are moderate types with lots of Ups & downs. Multi-day trekking in the Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang regions would be the best option while traveling with the family. However, these trek forms are mostly time-consuming and can take longer for the children, who are likely to end up bored and exhausted. So, to escape the upcoming difficulties, we can hire a porter to carry the kids and look after them while they are hiking.

 

Accommodations & Restroom:

You've to make a mindset that the teahouses available during the trek will be essential. So, don't come with the expectation of any luxuries and comforts from bedroom to restroom. These days, locals prioritize luxury amenities, but these types of tea houses are very few, and it also depends upon the trekking region. The beds are very basic, with a hard mattress and one blanket. We recommend our clients take a thin liner or sleeping bag with them. The room walls are so thin that you'll get disturbed while sleeping. The restroom in teahouses does not provide towels, handwashing, toilet paper, or other necessary stuff. These teahouses have a shared bathroom, squat toilet, and geyser hot shower. These are the things that will bother you and your kids, too.

 

Tips for Trekking in Nepal with Kids

  • Consult with a Medical person before the trip
  • Trekking clothes and equipment
  • Extra snacks from the city suitable for kids
  • Choose fewer days trek if it is the first time with kids
  • Take breaks for snacks, water & energy during the trek
  • Make the camp shorter while trekking with kids
  • Allow kids to hike at their own pace
  • Hire guide and porters to look after the trip

Trekker from North Nepal Trek, trekking with his kid attached on his back.


Some Common FAQS

  •  How difficult is the trekking in Nepal's Himalayas?

There are varieties of treks in Nepal, from short to long treks, easy to hard treks, and commercial to remote treks. Only some people who come for trekking in Nepal have gained experience of trekking. But people need to be mentally & Physically fit. But things get different while traveling with kids. In this case, we recommend our clients have at least some hiking experience and good physical condition.
 

  • What is the minimum age to do a trek?

There are no rules or age specifications for trekking in Nepal. We've encountered a lot of families who've taken the children, like toddlers and infants, on trekking. We've also completed a lot of treks with the kids. Regarding entry documents, children below ten should not need to make any documents like restricted area permits, ACAP permits, TIMS, local tax, etc. 
 

  • What is the food like?

The traditional food of Nepal is rice curry with lentils and momo. In every teahouse, you can quickly get these foods. There are options available in the teahouses. For breakfast: Tibetan bread and pancakes. Bread, toast, eggs with hot drinks. For lunch & dinner: Fried potatoes, Spaghetti, fried noodles, Pizza, Spring rolls, Pasta, sandwiches, burgers etc are available. The local chef cooks these foods. The dishes typically cost around US$ 6-10. Some of the snacks loved by the kids can be bought from teahouses if they are available, or you'll have to buy them from the city area before the trek.

 

  • What about networks in the Himalayas?

It would help if you bought the prepaid SIM from the airport or the city. It will cost you around $2. You must submit your passport copy & photo and fill up some documents. If you take this sim into the mountain, it does not work properly, but most teahouses have wifi for purchase for around $2, but it is not very reliable & economical.

 

  • What do you do about drinking water?

Our body needs a lot of water, and staying hydrated while hiking is significant. The packeted mineral water bottle is not available on most treks. It is due to a lack of a garbage management system and increasing plastic pollution. But the teahouses provide guests with clean & safe drinking water, which will cost you around $1. These are the filtration & boiling water. You have an option to use a water-purifying tablet or filter bottled water.
 

  • What is the best time of the year?

There are two main seasons for trekking: Spring & Fall. Spring starts in March and ends in May. It offers a blossom fauna and cool temperature. During this time, the sky looks clear in the morning but cloudy in the afternoon. People see this time as the second-best season, but this is the prime season for mountain expeditions.  Fall starts in September and ends in December. This is the most popular time among travelers. The sky remains clear most of the time, with a lower probability of rain. It is the festive season of Nepali when people get busy celebrating the two biggest festivals called Dashain & Tihar. 

 

  • What should you pack at pre-departure?

If you are traveling with family, there will be a lot of stuff to carry. If the bag is heavy, we recommend hiring a porter who can carry up to 25kg of your bag. During trekking, you can carry only some of the goods. Also, you can leave unnecessary items in the office store for free of cost. If you need clarification about what to have during the trek, visit the trekking gears page.

Read our guide experience while trekking with kids in the Annapurna Circuit trek here.

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