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Prospects of Mountaineering and Trekking Tourism in Nepal :
A Study of Nepal’s Great Himalaya Trails
Utsav Pathak
Department of Management Informatics and Communication
Kathmandu University
ENGT101:Communication Skills
Harish Adhikari
March 11,2020
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Abstract
The adventure tourism is as one of the fastest growing sub-sectors of tourism. Today the world’s
trail systems play a significant role in adventure tourism for its rapid growth. Since the opening
of its doors to the outside world, Nepal has seen a large growth in tourist arrivals. One of the fast
growing tourist markets attracted to Nepal is the trekking vacationers.
The purpose of the study is to examine the current profile of tourism in Nepal and the prospects
of tourism development in Nepal along with interrelated national strategies and plans.
An evaluation tool of ethos, logos and pathos was adapted for the purpose of this study.This tool
determines the perceptions of the different components of the industry in three phases. First, the
attributes of the trekking industry in Nepal were identified. Second, a survey was developed and
conducted on the trekking agencies in Nepal. Third, the data was gathered and compiled into a
manageable size for interpretation. Then, the means of the perceptions of the attributes were
plotted for visual interpretation.
Being the native, the natural beauty of Nepal has always remained in my attraction. Similarly,
being passoniate on photography, realizing even the smallest of details of sacred mother nature,
motivated me to snap out of the melancholies of this world and make study for the tourism
related study of Nepal.
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Prospects of Mountaineering and Trekking Tourism in Nepal :
A Study of Nepal’s Great Himalaya Trails
Tourism’ in the present world is a very fast growing industry all over the world. It has been
accepted in many countries as lucrative industry and this respect Nepal is not exception With
numerous trekking options and the significant proportions of new tourism attractions with access
to the direct and authentic experience of nature and culture, the many of the global mountain
trails are integrated with tourism on the forms a distinct trekking and adventure destinations.
These tails attract millions of explorers, trekkers, mountaineers, and general-purpose visitors for
the purpose of adventure tourism. . We have seen other industries coming to a stand still but
Tourism continued relatively undisturbed to the surprise of all. That’s why there is a need to
carryout study to promote mountaineering and trekking in Nepal.
Trekking and mountaineering is the heart of tourism in Nepal. Of the world’s 14 highest peaks
above 8,000 m, eight of them crown Nepal’s north. The fascination of scaling these mountain
peaks draws the huge crowds of visitors from abroad. If such adventurous climbing and trekking
destinations are properly managed there is no doubt to take the Nepalese tourism business in the
higher scale. In addition to this, there are a number of mountain regions in Nepal that still needs
to be explored. Most of the travelers in Nepal are very much familiar about the popular trekking
and peak climbing routes. Unlike those popular routes, there is huge potential to go for exploring
virgin territory of the Himalayas in Nepal. If mountain tourism is comprehensively promoted
there is massive potentiality to develop tourism in Nepal.
In this contextual background, this paper intends to address following questions:
a.What are the prospects of mountaineering and trekking tourism in Nepal?
b.What are the possible tourism activities for mountaineering and trekking tourism in Nepal?
Trekking in Nepal
Nepal is well known as one of the best destinations in the world for enjoying the real beauty of
nature through trekking. The trail into the interior parts of the country follows ancient foot-trails
which meander through scenic river-banks, intricately terraced fields and the forested ridges
connecting picturesque hamlets and mountain villages. Trekkers can walk along the rough but
beautiful trails or virgin tracks in the lap of green and friendly looking hills. The rhododendron-
filled, green, dark and deep forests with different seasonal flowers blossoming can catch
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anyone's eye as can the scattered residential cottages, domestic and forest animals, variety of
birds, both Hindus and Buddhist temples, mountains, breath-taking landscape, and above all
warm greeting from smiling local people. The highly developed and well-defined trails have
been used for centuries. Trekking in Nepal is an all season activity. It is possible at any time of
the year depending on where one wishes to go. However, the most popular season are spring
(February - May ) and autumn (September-November). Even during the monsoon season (June-
August), you can trek in the rain- shadow areas north of the Himalaya like Mustang, Upper
Manang and Dolpo.
Prospects of Trekking in Nepal
Rich biodiversity
Mesmerizing landscape
Friendly, hospitable people
Rich and colorful culture
Panoramic mountain peaks/ranges
Glacier and rivers
Rich biodiversity
Mild climate
Relatively less expensive
Diversified product, package and activities
Opportunity for bird watching
Relatively safe destination
Relatively chief destination
Importance of Trekking Tourism in Nepal
Source of foreign exchange earning
Employment generation
Business creation at local, regional and national level
Development of physical infrastructure
development of rural economy
Awareness and education
Culture preservation and renovation
Regional development/balance
Support for Conservation of nature and Protected Areas (PAs)
Development of agricultural product
Conservation of natural resources
Major Trekking Area
Everest Trek
Annapurna Trek
Langtang Trek
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Manaslu Trek
Dhaulagiri Trek
Dolpo Trek
Mustang Trek
Kanchanjunga Trek
Rara Lake Trek
Ganesh Himal Trek
Rolwaling Trek
Makalu Trek
Possible trekking tourism activities in Nepal
Sight seeing
Nature/village walking
Photography
Ethno-botanical study
Cultural study
Spritual/meditation
Shamanic performance
Cultural performance
Wilderness trek/walking
Bird watching
Glacier walk
Playing with the snow
Flower study
Rock climbing
Pony trekking
Honey hunting
Monastery walk/visit
Sun bathing
Fresh air taking/bath
Linking with water related tourism activities (rafting, canoying, kayaking, boating)
Mountain biking
Marathon
Problems of Trekking Management
Environmental problems
o Deforestation (for firewood, camp firing, heating)
o Habitat destruction
o Landscape fragmentation by camping, accommodation facilities
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o Trail degradation
o Pollution of campsites
o Illegal hunting of wildlife/plant trophy
Pollution (water, air and soil)
Garbage problems: degradable and non-degradable waste Cultural changes:
o Cultural commoditization
o Cultural commercialization
o Loss of language, customs and folks
Social problems
o Inflation
o Transmission of diseases
o Women drawzary
o Crowding
Regional imbalance (Only some limited areas have been developed for trekking)
Road construction : road construction in Annapurna region and other areas has reduced
the importance of the area
Poor participation of local community due to poor benefits to the local communities
Lack of trained and sensitive human resources
Poor infrastructure condition in the trekking destination
Unhealthy competition
Poor service and quality and standard
Mountaineering in Nepal
The Nepal Himalaya is the most formidable mountain range in the world with nearly a third of
the country lying above the elevation of 3,500 m. Eight of the world's highest peaks lie
within Nepal's territory: Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu
and Annapurna,which are all over 8,000 m above sea level. The first to be climbed among them
was Annapurna in 1950 by a French Expedition with Maurice Herzog as leader while Everest
was first summitted by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953 with a Bristish Expedition
led by John Hunt.
Besides these eight giant peaks, there are 326 other mountains within Nepal which are open for
mountaineering expeditions and out of them, 103 have never been climbed before. Nepal offers
mountaineers more opportunities than any other country in the world, and throws endless
challenges at them including the less glorified trekking peaks which still require climbing gear
and climbing skills if you want to climb them.
Nepal's climbing history goes back a long way starting with the early explorers from
British India who were lured by lofty peaks and the challenges of climbing virgin peaks where
no human had set foot before. By the 1960s Nepal's trekking and mountaineering industry was
well establishhed with private companies providing all logistics including porters and guides for
a full expedition that would spend months in the mountains. Today there are many companies
that will take care of every aspect of mountain climbing and all the mountaineer has to do
is arrive in good shape physically and mentally, prepared to take on the challenge and not worry
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about equipment and supplies. Most of the Everest expeditions are handled by well-known and
trusted private companies.
The reputation of the Sherpas is built on mountaineering with many of these mountain people
achieving glorified status with their multiplte climbs of Everest and other 8000m peaks. Most
expeditions wouldn't go up without the loyal, hardy and extremely reliable Sherpas. They risk
theiir lives for their clients and are often called upon to rescue a climber in trouble. Although
today there are many other ethnic groups involved in the service, they are generally referred to as
Sherpas.
Despite all the attention being grabbed by mountains like Everest and Annapurna, the latter more
for trekking than climbing, there are other peaks being climbed on a regular basis but don't make
headline news. Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Manaslu are also climbed often besides trekking peaks
like Mera, Island and Yala peaks which are quite popular. Ther are also climbers looking to
climb virgin peaks as Nepal from time to time, opens up new, unheard of peaks for climbing.
Prospects of Mountaineering in Nepal
1. 8 out of 10 highest peaks of the world lies in Nepal
2. 8 out of 14 peaks above 8000m lies in Nepal.
a. Mt. Everest 8848m
b. Mt. Kanchanjunga 8516m
c. Mt. Makalu 8463m
d. Mt. Cho-Yo 8201m
e. Mt. Dhaulagiri 8167m
f. Mt. Manaslu 8163m
g. Mt. Annapurna 8091m
3. The highest mountain of the world Mr. Everest lies in Nepal
4. So far 326 peaks has been opened for mountaineering in Nepal
5. 1310 peaks over 6000 m has been opened for mountaineering
6. Nepal's mountains are extremely young and geographically active
7. Association of following other attraction and activities
Rich biodiversity
Mesmerizing landscape
Friendly people
Colorful culture
Glacier and rivers
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Importance of Mountaineering Expedition
1. Source of foreign exchange earning
a) Main source of convertible currency for the nation
In 2018, the royalty from mountaineering expedition was US$ 4,444,060 which amounts
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total of NRS 46,92,26,347.7 (Source: Department of Tourism Board Nepal)
b) Likewise the royalty received by the peak was US$ 1,062,816.
2. Employment generation
3. Business creation at local, regional and national level
a) Creation of agriculture, forest and livestock based local products
b) Sale of local handicrafts
c) Establishment of services and facilities related industries and business like hotel, lodge,
restaurants, teahouse, camp site, cyber, telephone etc.
d) Development of rural economy
e) Development of rural physical infrastructure
f) Development of access and transportation facilities (Trail, road, bridge)
g) Development of communication and interpretation facilities
h) Development of health facilities
i) Drinking water, resting places, structures for safety measures
j) Development of power and energy
k) Opportunity to utilize traditional skill and knowledge
l) Regional and local development
4. Nature conservation: Opportunity to conserve and protect nature, natural resources and
Protected Areas through the
a) Increased awareness
b) Increased revenue to the government
c) Incentive to the surrounding community
5. Culture preservation and recognition: Opportunity to preserve the culture and cultural
heritage through the:
a) Increased awareness
b) Increased revenue to the government
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c) Incentive to the surrounding community
6. Exposure to international arena
7. Awareness and education
a) Opportunity to provide awareness
b) Opportunity for school
Existing management problems in Mountaineering Expedition in Nepal
1. Higher Royalty fee/Royalty : In comparison to China
2. Heavy pressure in some particular areas
3. Regional imbalance in distribution of mountaineering expedition permit
4. Poor supervision and monitoring mechanism
5. Environment management
a. Deforestation
b. Land degradation
c. Crowding
d. habitat destruction
e. Campsite pollution
6. Waste management
a. Irregular disposal of waste
b. Contamination of glacier and rivers
7. Socio cultural impacts
8. Protection and conservation of landscape
9. Equitable distribution of benefits
10. Very poor benefits to the locals communities
11. Use of firewood as a source of energy
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION
Summary
Tourism is a major sector in Nepal to earn foreign currencies, Tourism is the industry of which
output is the tourist. Tourism is the combined activities of the tourists and those who cater them
such travel agencies airlines, transport compares, guides banks etc. Tourism is the result of
technical evolution is the transport and communicates to one another. Being the god gifted
natural beauties Nepal has many places and to visit water. There are may tourist attractions.
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Nepal is the variety of adventures tourism. Mountaineering, trekking, mountain biking, nature
tours, culture tours, pilgrim tours, white water rafting, kayaking, jungle safari, bird watching,
fishing hang-gliding, ultra light aircraft ride etc.
Nepal, aptly been called a trekkers paradise, is ultimate destination for the trekking enthusiast
offering myriad of possibilities from the shour and easy to demanding challenges of the snow
peaks. In Nepal tourism is important not only because it is an important source of foreign
exchange but also a major employment generator. Directly and indirectly Nepalese people are
getting benefit from the tourism.
Conclusions
Nepal Mountains, due to its unique natural and cultural features as well as hospitality friendly
attitude of mountainous people, offer tremendous potentials for the development of mountain
tourism. Nepal being a mountainous country has tremendous potential for not only the
development of mountain tourism but also making it a pathway for entire, social, economic
transformation (progress).
The participation of local people is crucial for the success of mountain tourism in Nepal. Their
sustainable participation is not only concerned for the success of mountain tourism in long run
but also matters for potential discontents, intentional obstructions, and possible blocking on the
development process by people of Nepal Mountains if they realized the ignorance of their
involvement and equitable share. The possible occurrence of another cycle of conflict in Nepal
Mountains can not be neglected on the backdrop of the bitter experience of the recently ended
armed conflict, if the expectations of mass segment of people living in Nepal Mountains will not
be met on the notion of fair inclusion and share. As durable peace is the open certainty for
sustainability of tourism, inclusiveness holds the key to lasting peace in Nepal for which tourism
(specially mountain tourism in Nepalese context) being a sector with competitive and
comparative potentials for socioeconomic mobilizations must move forward with the notion of
representations of local people irrespective of any kind of biasness on their castes, ethnicities,
groups & socioeconomic levels, geographies, religions, regions and sectors (including public and
private). This can help ensure the fare share and equitable distribution of mountain tourism
benefits among all stakeholders.
Recommendations
In order to improve these problems there are some major steps to be taken by government for the
development of tourism in Nepal, they are:
1. Trekking is getting popular undoubtedly in Nepal. But due to lack of reliable information
and other necessary requirements, tourist industry could not be developed in a satisfactory way.
Also there is no secure condition to tourist. And also suggest categorizing various new
destination places for different groups.
1. The effort should be taken to advertise the nations places which are important for
trekking.
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2. To improve the mountaineering and trekking or overall tourism sector of Nepal, air
service should be improved. As our national carriers air flight is not in new conditions and lack
of proper management, tourist prefer to travel with other airlines rather than our national carriers.
To buy new aircraft is almost impossible for the present situation. However, it can be improved
with proper management and regular flight in resort area.
3. Mountaineering expedition fee is higher than other so, nowadays people are search the
cheapest tourism destination.
4. Trekking routes are becoming shorter and more polluting due to the construction of
access road to the major trekking areas. So, today for trekking tourist , create new trekking routes
for developed and promote.
5. Improve sanitation and hygienic conditions in the urban areas like Kathmandu and newly
developed rural areas
6. Tourism industry is unique. Now, increase of tourist, culture, life style and art is decrease
and commercializes and Garbage problem is increase. For develop the tourism industry; we can
preservative the culture, natural beauty, arts and life style. Because, tourist comes to observe the
that’s types of unique of new activities and situation.
7. Total tourist and trekking and mountaineering tourist is related. So, we should promote
all tourism product.
8. Creation of various attractive destinations. For instance Annapurna Trekking Route is
very famous as a short- trekking route in Nepal. This route should be given proper highlight and
actually advertised in global media. This will help in portraying Nepal by not actually
advertising Nepal.
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