I’m heading to Nepal very soon to do the Three Passes Trek, among other things.
Could anyone tell me what the average daily budget is for this trek?
From what I’ve heard, this area seems more expensive than others.
Hi,
The rates will depend on the "level" of accommodation quality... In Namche, there's a standardized rate. Watch out... If you don't eat at the lodge, the room price changes...
Above that, budget 2000 to 3000 rupees per day. Always more expensive when there's little or no choice!
Dominique
Can anyone tell me what the average daily budget is?
Hi,
I assume you’ll be doing the trek independently? I mean without a guide or porter?
Here are the 2016 rates (February/March)—prices have probably changed, so someone can confirm...
Accommodation ranged from free to 2 € (200 rupees), as long as you ate your meals at the lodge where you spent the night.
A meal cost around 5 € per person, not including drinks.
The price of a beer varied between 3 and 5 € depending on the location. The higher the altitude, the more expensive it gets.
You’ll need to buy the TIMS or equivalent for 20 or 30 €, plus the national park entry fee, which was around 2000 rupees if I remember correctly.
We had a porter for my wife: 15 € per day.
You’ll also need to factor in the round-trip flight to Lukla if you’re not starting from Jiri.
Prices are skyrocketing in the Khumbu. Right now (peak season), it's 500 NPR per night above Namche (except maybe in the Thame Valley—I haven’t stayed there). Lobuche and Gorakshep are 700 NPR. For food, I tried to keep it to a minimum (tight budget), but man, those Three Passes make you hungry... I was spending at least 2000 NPR a day on food (mostly eggs, noodles, and a few Snickers).
So I’d say budget at least 3000–3500 NPR above Namche. Way more if you want showers, beer, soda, or other Western products. I was there in March and November 2018.
Prices are skyrocketing in the Khumbu. Right now (peak season), it's 500 NPR per night above Namche (except maybe in the Thame Valley—I haven’t stayed there). Lobuche and Gorakshep are 700 NPR.
Since late 2018 (at least November), minimum threshold rates for a lodge room have been set. So, the 500 NPR (also valid in Dingboche and Chhukhung) and the 700 NPR mentioned. Charged whether there’s 1 or 2 occupants. A sign of an oligopoly, formed under the local Khumbu government’s guidance (according to what a Dingboche hotelier told me), even if it’s under the guise of a hoteliers’ association. From what I read on TripAdvisor, this oligopolistic pricing was renewed for 2019. I’d noticed a similar policy in November 2017 at Machhapuchare Base Camp, with uniform rates extending to menus.
In Thame, on 12/10/18, prices varied by lodge for those still open.
No uniform rate in Namche Bazaar, at least not when I stayed there on 11/28/18.
Since I was trekking solo, I tried to share rooms everywhere beyond Namche Bazaar, but in early December, there weren’t many takers, and I only managed it for 2 nights. Beyond splitting costs, I actually wanted to do it for safety—just in case I had a sudden bout of altitude sickness at night. (But I never had any symptoms during the trek.)
When I asked to pay a per-bed rate (half the room) instead of the full room rate (while expressing my need to share), most hoteliers stayed inflexible, even though their lodges were nearly empty at that time of year. Inflexible for most... but not all. In the end, I always paid the per-bed price, not the full room rate. The room was even comped for me 3 times (Chhukhung, Dzonglha, Gokyo).
In Chhukhung, I shared a room with a young French guy, but the second night (12/03/18), I was the only guest in the lodge. The owner comped my stay, and I got the winter discount (almost 10% off). That evening, she was handing out bonuses to her staff, and the next morning, she left by helicopter with the cash (expensive but secure transport 😉).
In Gokyo, the free room seemed to be part of the lodge’s pricing policy (including free electricity charging). Logically, the 500 NPR room rate should’ve applied...
Note that I was the only guest at the lodges in Phortse, Upper Pangboche, Chhukhung (second night), Dzonglha, Lungden, Thame, and Bengkar. Even in Namche Bazaar, there were only 2 of us.
I did the Three Passes Trek after Pikey Peak and Junbesi - Paiya (just below Lukla), and before Paiya - Tumlingtar. The Three Passes section is significantly more expensive (2 to 2.5 times pricier), and several factors explain this:
- transport costs (pack animals, porters, helicopter),
- intense commercialization in a very popular area during peak season,
- clientele often not price-sensitive or unaware of the cost within an agency package.
From Paiya to Paiya, "my" Three Passes Trek took 17 days, as it included many side trips beyond the direct route. Over those 17 days, I spent 28,780 Rs, or 1,693 Rs/day. However, this doesn’t include my food supplies bought in Kathmandu (110 Rs for 550 g of Nepali muesli, 420 Rs for 600 g of yellow raisins, 890 g for 638 g of nak cheese). Plus 2 bars of chocolate imported from France. These supplies lasted me through my 25-day trek.
Naturally, my 28,780 Rs expenses broke down as follows:
- accommodation: 2,250 Rs.
- food: 17,150 Rs.
- entry fees: 5,000 Rs (2,000 Rs for the Khumbu local tax, 3,000 Rs for Sagarmatha National Park).
- EverestLink wifi package: 2,000 Rs for 10 GB (to be used within 30 days).
- other: 2,380 Rs (2 hot showers, 4 paid electric charges, 1 laundry).
Paid electric charges cost me between 300 and 500 Rs, but even more in Lobuche and Gorakshep.
I only drank water, disinfected with Piyush bought in Kathmandu (25 Rs for 60 ml).
My food expenses deserve a special mention, as they really depend on your consumption habits.
I'm really interested in that part about your food expenses. I felt like I wasn't eating anything, yet I still ended up with bills around 3000 NPR, even though—as I mentioned—I was living on instant noodles 😵 (in my defense, I'd been trekking for 8 months and was starting to really suffer from long-term food deprivation, but still...)
I'd love to know how many calories you managed to pack away near Gokyo, Lobuche, and Chukhung for so little money—it'll help me plan for my next visit to the Khumbu... 😵
As mentioned above, my food expenses amounted to 17,150 Rs for 17 days, which is 1,009 Rs per day. But the daily average doesn’t mean much because prices vary a lot depending on how far you are from the road delivery point (Adheri in 2018, downstream from Jubing, but this might be replaced in 2020 by Kharikhola when the road via Taksindu/Nunthala becomes operational).
For example, here’s how the price of daal bhat I ate changed (from 11/29/18 to 12/12/18):
- 450 Rs in Khumjung (without vegetable curry).
- 500 Rs in Upper Pangboche (without vegetable curry).
- 530 Rs in Chhukhung (in the porters' canteen).
- 550 Rs in Chhukung (-55 Rs = 495 Rs, 10% winter discount).
- 850 Rs in Gorak Shep (-150 Rs = 700 Rs, negotiated discount when booking the room).
- 600 Rs in Dzonglha (reasonable price since the night was free).
- 500 Rs in Gokyo (reasonable price since the night and phone charging were free).
- 550 Rs in Thame.
- 400 Rs in Namche (without daal but with curry, low price for Namche because it was in one of the porters' canteens).
- 450 Rs in Bengkar (reasonable since the night was free).
- 350 Rs in Paiya (cheap since the night was free).
Note that the very first lodge in Junbesi (when coming from Jiri) charges 700 Rs for its daal bhat while also charging for the room. Now that the road reaches the foot of Junbesi, just on the opposite bank of the Junbesi Khola, it takes advantage of trekkers’ ignorance. The same goes for Ringmo, where I paid 400 Rs. It’s also the case in Namche Bazar, where hotel owners take advantage of trekkers who’ve just arrived from Lukla. Many daal bhat there are priced at 700 Rs or more... In the porters' canteen (at the entrance of Namche), the daal bhat was around 450 Rs, I think, but I skipped the daal because it took longer to prepare.
For comparison, in roadside restaurants (obviously not on the trek), daal bhat is usually offered for 150 Rs.
Next up, what I ate—I survived on just walking and daal bhat. 😄
As I do everywhere I travel, I follow the British adage: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" (a phrase actually originating from Saint Augustine).
During my treks in Nepal, I eat exclusively Nepali food—meaning daal bhat, veg chowmein, veg fried rice, thukpa, fried potatoes, momos, various broths (including thantuk and Sherpa Stew), and rigi kur (a Sherpa specialty)...
Not a single Western dish, and no drinks other than water (disinfected with Piyush).
For breakfast, I always had thukpa (a hot, slow-digesting liquid with some vegetables) or Rara noodle soup as a backup. Another advantage is that it’s quick to prepare, allowing me to set off shortly after sunrise. The breakfast options on offer tend to have a poor quality-to-price ratio, as I’d already noticed in the Annapurna region in November 2017.
For lunch, I usually had daal bhat. It’s all about the prep time. Unlike on the Annapurna Circuit (November 2017), I never found daal bhat ready to serve, except in Ringmo (served in 5 minutes). Every time, I happily went for seconds—or even thirds.
For dinner, I’d choose between veg chowmein, veg fried rice, or momos.
I never ate meat because the transport and storage conditions made me wary of its safety. The one exception was in Lungden, where I took the risk of joining the yak momo party at the family-run lodge—I was their only guest.
Every meal was rounded off with a serving of raisins (for a sweet finish) and sometimes a square of chocolate.
On days without teahouses along the route (like when crossing a pass), I relied on my Kathmandu supplies: Nepali muesli and nak cheese.
The Thame region is a major potato producer, so that’s where I ate them—fried and served generously.
In Lobuche and Gorakshep, prices do skyrocket, so I cut back a bit. In Lobuche, I settled for mushroom soup (450 Rs) in the evening because I thought the menu prices were really over the top. Luckily, I’d had daal bhat for breakfast in Chhukhung, anticipating a long day. In Gorakshep, I negotiated the room rates when booking, making them more reasonable (though I’m still aware of the supply costs).
I'd love to know how many calories you could pack away around Gokyo, Lobuche, and Chukkung for such little spending—it’ll help for my next visit to the Khumbu... 🤪
I have absolutely no idea, because in my life I’ve never counted calories, and I don’t even know the calorie content of foods.
I came back lighter than when I left—probably 6-7 kg less compared to my usual weight of 73 kg—but that’s the case on all my trips, usually without any trekking at all.
Except for exceptions (e.g., trekking in Nepal), I travel in high temperatures (e.g., India and Southeast Asia in spring, Iran, the Chinese Silk Road in summer), which is why I drink a lot, reducing my appetite. Plus, I tend to walk a lot (city sightseeing), while I don’t do any sports the rest of the year. Enough to shed some unnecessary kg.
Still, both in 2017 (28 days of trekking) and 2018 (25 days of trekking), I came back with my ribs showing, which isn’t the case on my other trips. Since I always ate my fill without restrictions (except at Lobuche, as a matter of principle), this must be a particular effect of long-distance trekking.
Interesting, thanks! Lots of Dhaal Bhat, huh? 🙂 I definitely overdid it in the first four months—ate so much I got completely sick of it. Still, it seems way too low in calories for days of hiking at 5000m!
Yeah, below Namche it’s relatively easy to stick to a tight budget while still stuffing your face. For me, the problems started above that. My mistake was not bringing anything from Kathmandu—such a beginner’s error . Bounty bars at 400 NPR when I could’ve gotten them for 70 NPR in KTM or even Jiri.
Next time, I’ll also bring a small stove and gas to heat up my own raras—those cost several hundred rupees above 4000m... (Raw raras are like DB, I overdid them the first few weeks, and now I can’t stomach them anymore. They’re not bad, though!)
The big advantage of DB is definitely the unlimited refills. Maybe we’ll have made up by then. 🙂
The big advantage of the DB is indeed being able to get seconds as much as you want. Maybe we’ll have made up by then. 🙂
As a kid, I really didn’t like rice. We made up during my travels in Asia. Still, I’m not a fan of plain rice. In Nepal, I generously add their tomato sauce that’s left on the table. I like the mix, even if I could do without the added sugar to make it taste like ketchup.
Some days in France, I’d love to eat a good daal bhat. Because it really depends on the cook (more often men than women, even in homestays).
So far, the best daal bhat I’ve had was in Chyawabesi. Especially because the curry was eggplant-based. I went overboard: 3 times, 4 times? 🙂 The owner was happy, and I went to compliment his wife in the kitchen.
The Bountys at 400 NPR when I could’ve gotten them for 70 in KTM or even in Jiri.
In Kathmandu, you can already save money by shopping outside Thamel. In 2017, I stumbled upon a small shop where guides and porters stock up. It’s just at the start of Talachhi Marg, just south of Amrit Marg, so a few steps from Thamel. On the left side when coming from Amrit Marg, heading south. According to Google Maps, it seems to match DDC PRODUCTS, at 27°42'35.6"N 85°18'44.0"E.
For example, 500 g of Nepali muesli for 110 NPR vs 140 NPR in a Thamel minimarket. Similar price differences for other products.
I knew the cost of living had gone up in the Khumbu, just like it probably has elsewhere in Nepal, but still—not *this* much!
Doing a trek in the Khumbu is about to become as expensive as hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc or the Matterhorn!
Thanks to everyone for your replies.
This really helps me see things more clearly 🙂
And I’ll probably do as you suggest and bring some snacks along 😉
I was also thinking, like Fabrice mentioned, to eat pretty much only DB so I can be sure to eat my fill without breaking the bank 😛
I knew the cost of living had gone up in the Khumbu, just like it probably has elsewhere in Nepal, but still—not *that* much!
Because it’s so remote from any road, the Khumbu is understandably pricier than other popular treks in Nepal.
But the difference is smaller than I expected. For comparison, my Annapurna Circuit (19 days from Dharapani, including the descent from Jomsom, then Khopra Danda, ABC, and Mardi Himal BC) cost me around 1,200 Rs per day (excluding access permits since I’d already paid for the Manaslu Circuit). Same spending habits for my Three Passes Trek.
So the Khumbu is about 30% more expensive than the Annapurna region. But for food alone, my spending was very similar—just under 1,100 Rs per day.
The big price hike since late 2018 has been the minimum set prices for lodge stays. That’s what makes the difference compared to the Annapurna region.
Trekking in the Khumbu is about to get as expensive as doing the Tour du Mont Blanc or the Matterhorn Circuit!
For the Matterhorn Circuit, there’s still a noticeable gap. A simple Valaisanne salad costs around 15 CHF in a village restaurant—even more in a mountain hut.
What seems most expensive in the Khumbu is the flight to Lukla. If you take a land route (e.g., Salleri/Phaplu), it’s *way* cheaper, even with the extra trekking days.
I was also considering, like Fabrice said, eating almost exclusively DB to make sure I had enough to eat without breaking the bank
Daal bhat was definitely my go-to for lunch, but I ate other dishes for breakfasts (except before crossing a pass) and dinners. So no exclusivity for daal bhat.
To keep expenses under control, avoid drinks—especially alcohol. I also saved a lot by skipping classic breakfasts. Plus, I didn’t buy any desserts, opting for my dried raisins instead.
In my food supplies list, I forgot to mention a bag of soft dried apricots (300 or 500 g?) I brought from France (no equivalent in Nepal, not even dried apricots). A treat every night for dinner. I ate the very last apricot the evening I arrived in Chyawabesi, after 25 days of trekking. Last square of chocolate the next morning.
Another perk of dipping into my food supplies was that it lightened my backpack. 😎
The Khumbu is about 30% more expensive than the Annapurna region.
Hi everyone,
I can confirm that. My husband just finished the big Three Passes loop (from Jiri to Jiri, so no flight). Lodge prices have gone up again. (He was there 2 years ago, and we were there together almost 4 years ago.) Porter services cost him 20 €.
As I mentioned earlier, it's the accommodation that accounts for the cost difference.
When it comes to food alone, prices in the Khumbu are in line with those in the Annapurnas. Despite the increased remoteness from a road (see delivery logistics). Likely due to the economies of scale from trekkers being concentrated on the same route.
Downside: a really unpleasant density of pack-animal caravans. Especially downstream, between Jubing and Phakding. The worst is around Kharikhola, where mule caravans have turned the trail into an open-air dump. Particularly nauseating in the sun.
The almost constant drone of planes and helicopters becomes secondary in this particular area.
I forgot to mention a money-saving strategy I already used back in 2017 around the Annapurnas: choosing the lodge based on the total cost (including meals and services), not just the nightly rate, the dining room’s vibe, or even the hostess’s smile...
On stages where the nightly rate is the same no matter the lodge, you just need to compare the menus.
Easy when you're solo, but impossible with 4 or more people unless you standardize your choices every day.
Hi Fabrice,
Thanks for sharing your experiences 😊.
Another question just popped into my mind—do you think a rain cover is essential? Even if we have Gore-Tex gear?
Hi everyone!
I’m planning the Cape Town part of our trip and would love to hike up Table Mountain via Platterklip Gorge and take the cable car back down.
Is it safe to hike this trail in early January without a guide (there are 4 of us: 3 adults and a teen)?
If a guide is highly recommended, do you know a good one?
If we end up taking the cable car both ways, is it safe to hike the summit without a guide (Mc Lear's Beacon trail)?
Same question for Lion’s Head: with or without a guide?
We’re used to hiking technical trails (Réunion Island), so my question is more about the risk of mugging on these trails.
Thanks for your feedback!
Malijp
We’re two people looking to do a somewhat off-the-beaten-path trip in Mauritania, heading toward Adrar, Atar, and Chinguetti.
We’re pretty active and are aiming for hiking days of 4–8 hours.
Would anyone have a local guide to recommend?
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
Stay tuned for trip reports from a series of 5 treks between Zanskar and Ladakh from early August to early September 2026, always solo and fully self-sufficient with around 20 kg of gear. Make sure to bring good equipment for cold nights at high altitude, even in summer, a sturdy tent to handle thunderstorms and hail, and a solid pair of sandals for crossing the many glacial streams. If you don’t fly directly into Leh but, like me, come from Kargil, you won’t find gas canisters... In that case, I used a small alcohol stove with thinner bought locally since denatured alcohol is impossible to find in India. The thinner worked perfectly as fuel, even at high altitude—it’s sold for just 120 rupees per liter in paint shops.
I did these two treks in Himachal Pradesh in September 2026. The Pin Parvati trek absolutely must be done before mid-September to have favorable weather conditions, while the Bara Banghal trek can be done until the end of September. In both cases, the weather window is limited because these treks are only feasible between the post-monsoon period (early September) and the more or less early arrival of the first snowfalls (mid-October or even earlier). I chose to do these two treks back-to-back with just a few days in between, taking a welcome break in the village of Kasol, which is really pleasant with its German bakeries on every corner, set in the stunning Parvati Valley—much better than the unremarkable village of Barsheni. From Kasol, there are plenty of bus connections to the Kullu Valley, but they’re long due to the narrow, winding, and sometimes badly damaged roads. From Kullu, Manali is very close and easy to reach.
Completed the trek in 6 days from October 23 to October 28, 2026, fully self-sufficient (pack around 18 kg at the start), starting from Phalyagaon and ending in Marpha. Approximately 90 km and 5,000 m of elevation gain.
For transportation, take a bus from Pokhara to Beni (400 NRP), then a bus or shared jeep from Beni to Phaliyagaon (700 NRP by bus or 1,000 NRP by jeep after negotiating...). Allow a full day for the journey.
Homestay in Phaliyagaon at the village entrance and before the suspension bridge to reach Mauri.
Most agencies start from Mauri, but it's hard to find public transport...
The trail currently extends to Boghan because of a massive hydroelectric project under construction, which is altering the valley.
Phaliyagaon to Boghan is 27 km with quite a bit of elevation gain, but doable in one long day for an experienced hiker.
From Boghan, the real trail begins under forest cover up to the Sallagari lodge, then the high mountain starts. Camping is possible at Italien Campsite, but it's a real factory. If you've got the energy, you can continue to Swiss Campsite in about 2 hours, but with a steep climb. Plan for water.
Above the Swiss camp, the glacial moraine and then the snow cover begin.
Base camp at 4,600 m before crossing the French Pass, often crowded but plenty of space (on the snow!). Freezing temperatures at night. I was lucky with little wind, which isn’t always the case!
The ascent of the French Pass is fairly steady, with a trail easy to follow in the snow unless there’s been recent snowfall! Beautiful views of Dhaulagiri...
Polar temperatures and freezing nights in the Hidden Valley with violent winds that make it even colder. Impossible to heat water in the morning because it was frozen and the wind was too strong. This wind continued during the entire ascent of the Dhampus Pass, then the long traverse of a plateau descending but still around 5,000 m (8 to 10 km), always in the snow, before finally starting the final descent to Marpha.
Last night recommended at Alu Bari at 3,800 m rather than Yak Karka, with a stunning view of the Annapurna range if the weather is clear, of course! From Alu Bari, an easy trail leads to Marpha, 1,000 m lower and about 5 km away...
Note that at the various camps, you can get hot water from the agency cooks if you ask politely, of course! It’s a great help, especially since the available water is usually freezing and takes a long time to heat with just a stove...
The trek doesn’t present any technical difficulties if you’re well-acclimatized and in good physical condition to handle high-mountain conditions. Perfect weather is imperative, which was the case for me.
The trek is doable without agencies or mandatory guides; only the ACAP permit is required for the Dhampus Pass (3,000 NRP), but no one ever asked me for it. Issued in 10 minutes in Pokhara.
An interesting trek, far from the crowds of the Annapurnas or Everest Base Camp.
After Seoul, I’m back on the forum again 😏, to talk about Inwol in Jirisan. I’ve planned to stay there for 3 nights to hike the Jirisan Dulle-gil trail—two sections, partly... I’m really struggling to find accommodations in Inwol that are close to the trail. I know it’s early and not all options are listed yet, but even when I set dates closer together, it’s still not obvious... If you know the area, I’d love any tips! My whole itinerary depends on finding a place to stay...
I know there are plenty of discussions on VF about the Poon Hill trek, but most seem outdated and/or don’t provide info specific to February. That’s why I’m bringing this topic back up.
Here’s my plan:
- Spending about two weeks in Nepal in the first half of February.
- Maybe extending by a few days to a week if needed.
- Heading to Pokhara—first time for my partner, second for me (I was there in September/October 1982!).
- Doing a relatively easy 4- to 5-day trek. We’re not exactly spring chickens anymore (though we’re in pretty good shape for our age).
- We don’t want to go above 3,000–3,500 meters, deal with difficult sections if there’s too much snow, or face daytime temperatures below 10°C. No problem if it drops to 0–5°C at night since we’ll be sheltered somewhere.
So, I’m wondering if the Mardi Himal trek might be too demanding for us, and if we’d be better off sticking with Poon Hill.
What do the experts think?
My partner, our daughter, and I are planning a walking trip to Madagascar in July-August 2027.
We’d love any tips or info you can share about this plan.
Which regions should we prioritize?
Is a local guide better than a well-established agency?
Where’s the best place to buy our flight tickets from Réunion?
Thanks for your input!
Hi everyone, we’re traveling by bike, but the same question comes up for hiking: what simple products can we find in towns or villages to eat/cook and get enough nutrition for physical effort, all while keeping costs affordable? Otherwise, where can we find inexpensive dietary supplements? Since I’m on cortisone, I have to be careful about what I eat. Thanks in advance, Aichatou
We're planning to go at the end of November/beginning of December to visit (with a rental car) and hike on La Palma and El Hierro for 15 full days, including 1 day for inter-island ferry transfers. What’s the best split between the two islands—8 days on La Palma and 6 on El Hierro, or even more time for La Palma? Should we have one or two home bases on La Palma? Thanks for your tips!
Annie
Hi there,
We’re planning an 8-day backpacking trip on the island of São Nicolau. We’re torn between taking the boat from São Vicente or an inter-island flight. I’ve heard the boats don’t always run?
We’d like to make three homestay stops to travel in a star pattern from each of the three points.
First stop around Juncalinho, second stop near Cachaco, and finally a third leg near Tarrafal. We’re looking for simple but authentic guesthouses (no hotels). Any suggestions?
Thanks
Hello,
In mid-November, we’ll be in Mindelo and Santo Antão.
We’ve booked transportation with Kapverden Tours.
One trip is from Porto Novo to Ponta do Sol, including the hike from Corda to Coculi.
What’s the trail like?
Then we’ll be staying in Ponta do Sol,
Here’s what we’re planning:
A hike to Fontainhas—what’s the best direction, considering we’re not great with climbs? No problem with flat terrain or descents.
Take an aluguer to Ribeira Grande and continue along the coastal road.
With the agency:
An excursion to Cruzinha with a short walk.
Return to Porto Novo via the path from Cova to… I’m not sure where yet, to pick up the car for Porto Novo, since we’ll be taking the ferry that evening.
We’ll have a guide for this hike.
We’d love to spend a day in Tarrafal, but getting back requires a boat or taxi, and it’s really expensive!
We’re a couple, 78 and 76 years old.
What do you think of this itinerary?
I’m planning to do the Mercantour crossing following the Randoxygène route in mid-July.
I’m used to hiking in the mountains, but I sometimes get vertigo, for example on ridges with drops on both sides. I wanted to check if there are any T4 or T3-T4 sections and find out if there are any very exposed passages—and if so, where—so I can plan an alternative route.
Can anyone give me some info on this?
Thanks!
hi how can I get internet when I arrive at Haneda? I mean in areas without free wifi. Is it more interesting to buy a SIM card? If so, at the airport? thanks for your help
Hi there,
I’m planning to cross the Gourgs Blancs Pass at the end of the month, from La Soula Refuge to Portillon Refuge. On this section near the pass, I don’t have any trail marked on my IGN map. Is the path well signposted, or should I use a compass?
Also, beyond the physical effort, are there any technical, exposed, or vertigo-inducing sections on this part?
Since I’m finding very little info, I’m being thorough with my questions.
Not very well known: Hokkaido Island has national parks that rival those in North America. Hiking there is free (even many mountain huts) and requires no formalities. These treks are described in the LP *Hiking in Japan* guide—you can just buy the Hokkaido PDF. It’s way better than Mount Fuji. Of course, everything depends on the weather, which is very unstable in the Japanese mountains (frequent strong winds). The trails are often obstacle courses.
The Daisetsu Zan traverse is a stunning hike through volcanic terrain with a remote section in the middle that requires at least one night of camping (there are basic huts for the rest, which is popular with Japanese hikers): 4 to 6 days.
The Shiretoko traverse takes 2 days with views including an island in Russia, but the ridge is brown bear territory—there are even more here than in Denali National Park in Alaska (brown bears and grizzlies are the same). I ran into 7 in just 6 hours of hiking!
Hi everyone,
I’m leaving on Monday, August 3rd for my very first long-distance trek: the GR223 from Coutances to Mont Saint-Michel, over 6-7 days (~11-14 miles/day), solo.
I’m looking for tips from people who know this section well (Coutances → Regnéville-sur-Mer → Hauteville-sur-Mer → Bréhal → Granville → Genêts → bay crossing):
Budget-friendly accommodations: I’m struggling to find affordable stopover lodgings (a lot of what I find online are expensive vacation rentals, not really suited for a solo hiker). If you have any great spots (hostels, hiker-friendly B&Bs, nice campgrounds), I’d love to hear them!
Bay crossing: Any feedback on guides/providers leaving from Genêts for the final crossing?
General tips for a first long-distance trek: What you wish you’d known before your first time, pitfalls to avoid, etc.
Hi,
We’re planning to do the 4-day trek from Mestia to Ushguli without an agency. The descriptions mention that there are accommodations at each stop, but we can’t find any details about them. Has anyone got info or feedback on this route?
New to this forum, I’m planning a pretty big project for 2028.
I’m heading to Nepal to do a trek from Kathmandu all the way to Everest Base Camp (a cool 5,300 m 😄).
This trek is a bit special because even though I’ll be part of a group, I’m going solo (so far, no problem—I’m used to it). But it’s my first real trek, and it’s also a humanitarian one: once I reach base camp, I’ll stay an extra week to help clean up the waste left by tens of thousands of climbers! Since I’m originally from South America, from two countries that share the Andes, I have a deep respect for mountains—they fascinate me. So Everest… it’s kind of the trip of a lifetime!
So, a little question for those who’ve done treks to Everest before… any tips for good mental preparation (I’m already working on the physical side)?
We're planning to trek in Peru and Bolivia and would love to find some local agencies.
If you know any, could you share details on prices and, of course, the names of the agencies?
Which trek would you recommend?
Elocine
I'm heading out on a fully self-sufficient trek in Morocco (10 days) from Imilchil to Aghbalou.
Can I find screw-on gas canisters (Coleman, Primus) in Marrakech (any addresses?) or in villages between Imilchil and Aghbalou?
If not, are Butagaz canisters for camping gas (small 230g size) available?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hello, I’d like to embark on a little trip in my home country, Switzerland. I’ll start walking from La Cure, heading toward Le Noirmont first, then I’ll improvise my route—but it’ll probably follow the French border... at least as far as Lac de Joux.
I’ll decide day by day how much farther to go after that. My goal is to stay in nature as much as possible, wander around for as long as I can, and restock food in villages or towns along the way.
I’m thinking of mostly camping, but we’ll see if I end up in a hotel or another campsite depending on my route.
I’d love to reach La Chaux-de-Fonds on foot... maybe even Delémont.
The whole thing should take about a week, give or take.
I’ll be bringing my dog, and I’m preparing for this as soon as I’m ready.
Any tips to make sure everything goes smoothly for us? Things I should know—or avoid? What about shepherds with their flocks of sheep? And isn’t hunting season open right now?
I’m not sure if what I’m planning is even doable, which is why I’m asking around.
This’ll be my first time doing something like this—wandering in nature *and* with a dog. I’m really excited for this adventure... and I need it. Thanks!
We’re really keen on ecosystems and want to hike in "natural" ancient forests—not planted woods or areas heavily degraded by human activity. Travel guides (like Lonely Planet) don’t provide much info on this. Could you point us to the most interesting spots?
Thanks in advance for your tips.
We wish you happy holidays and a fantastic 2026, full of discoveries!
Claire and Albert
Hi, this might not be the right section, but I’d like to know if it’s possible to start mountaineering with another person without necessarily hiring a guide. We’ve done quite a bit of hiking but not mountaineering—we’ll just do a half-day glacier course. After that, we were thinking of starting with La Grande Motte and the Pointe de la Traversière, which were recommended to us. Honestly, for things like roping up and knots, I’ll learn at home with lots of videos and a book.
I’d love to know if anyone has done treks in the Rwenzori Mountains and how much it costs on average, what the infrastructure is like, the landscapes, and safety in the area. Thanks so much! I’m really looking forward to your replies.
We’re leaving in 9 days for a two-week trip to Madeira, mainly to hike.
From my research, I’ve found that since last year, access to most trails—and systematically for the most popular ones—is now paid. You have to pay an access fee of 4.50 € per person per classified hike in 2026, and even 10.50 € for the most iconic hike: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. When paying, you also have to choose a day and a 30-minute time slot for your start time. Of course, this reservation is neither changeable nor refundable, even if the weather that day is terrible.
Personally, given the massive influx of tourists to the island in recent years, I don’t mind paying a fee to help maintain the trails. Similarly, setting a limit on the number of people who can hike them per day is certainly preferable to preserve this priceless heritage.
However, what’s much less fair is that in reality, most of the available spots are reserved: 1/ for Madeira residents (which is normal); 2/ for "economic operators" (meaning local tour operators). For example, if you’re a non-resident (independent tourist), no booking is possible for the Pico Arieiro hike for an early morning start before September! So, unfortunately, we’ll have to skip this hike.
It’s the same issue for Ponta de São Lourenço, the 25 Fontes, Pico Ruivo... in short, all the most popular hikes. Oh well, we’ll skip those too!
So my question is: which hikes do you recommend where we won’t face the huge crowds that the others get? And where we can book the day before for the next day, taking the weather into account?
Finally, a quick accommodation question: we’ve booked the first week in Funchal, but I haven’t decided yet for the second week. Do you have any advice on where to stay in the south or north, preferably avoiding overly concrete-heavy and touristy spots?
I’m reposting about the logistics for Samaria Gorge.
I’d love to get recent info, especially about whether it’s possible to park my car in Omalos, do the hike, and then catch a bus back to my vehicle.
In theory, it’s doable, but when you check the KTEL website, there aren’t any feasible schedules listed. If anyone has recently organized this with reliable, verified details, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
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