UKC

Hi all,

My partner and I are planning a 16-day trip to the Himalayas this November. She’ll be in Sri Lanka in October, so we're using the opportunity to explore the region together – I’ve long wanted to experience the Himalayas firsthand.

We're open on where we fly into (Kathmandu is the current frontrunner), and we're specifically looking for a less-traveled trek – something high-altitude, with stunning views and fewer crowds. Definitely not interested in Everest Base Camp or the heavily touristed routes.

We’re both very fit and comfortable with sustained elevation gain and long days on the trail. While we climb, we’re not looking to incorporate any technical ascents for this trip – trekking is the priority.

Would love any recommendations for routes that are scenic, challenging, and a bit off-grid. Also happy to hear tips on logistics, local guides, or permits.

Thanks in advance for any insight! 🙏

Have a look at the Kuari Pass trek in the Garhwal Himalayas ... its a long time back (1996) I did it, but scenic it definitely was.

The garwal and kumoan next door is a good area that'd id love to return to. Pilgrim roads go high into the hills so you can get very high fairly fast. There is an out of print guidebook to the area well worth tracking down. You'll be sharing the trails with upwardly mobile Indians which is cool. 

Dhaulagiri Circuit is probably the best trek I have ever done, no crowds and stunning scenery

You can read about it here https://www.jagged-globe.co.uk/trek/i/dhaulagiri+circuit.html#overview

https://geletrekking.com/

Gele has a great approach to trekking and is/was willing to organise personalised trips and suggest venues.  A lovely chap.

When clients asked to go off the beaten track we would take them to Upper Dolpa via Phoksundo Lake and then trek back to Mustang via several 5000m passes. Phoksundo is pretty popular now but once you're a day beyond the lake, any crowds would definitely thin out. Dhorpatan and the Dhaulagiri circuit would also fit the bill. The Manaslu circuit is easily accessible from KTM and is what the Annapurna circuit once was 20 years ago in terms of trekking numbers and infrastructure. 

Contact your very own "ex-Ambleside-now-Kathmandu-resident" Ian Wall at https://www.offthewalltrekking.com/

Specialises in suggesting personalised targetted treks.

If you wanted to go into the Khumbu, the Renjo La (best big reveal Mountain View I’ve ever seen) is possible in that time frame. You could possibly squeeze in the Cho La too. The Khumbu is great, very friendly, if you’re staying in tea houses you don’t need much stuff, and definitely don’t need porters.