Last Updated on April 24, 2019 by mountainswithmegan
Before departing for my trip to Nepal, I struggled to find resources on solo trekking. I had read that Nepal is a safe travel destination for women, but I couldn’t find anything written by single female hikers. I felt apprehensive. Some reassurance would have been nice.
I decided to go for it anyway.
Solo Trekking & Travel in Nepal
Nepal Tourism Culture
It’s deeply ingrained in Nepali culture that tourists are to be treated well. Tourist dollars are a major source of income for both the country and many communities. Nepalis want to maintain their good reputation with foreigners. As a result, you can expect to have a safe and pleasant time traveling in Nepal.
For hikers who are new to international travel, Nepal is a good place to start. It’s easy to find English speakers, and you don’t really need much street smarts to get by here. While shopkeepers in Thamel might try to overcharge you by a dollar or two, it is unlikely that someone will try to mug you or scam you on a large scale. This is a place where it is OK if you get lost and need to ask for help.
I’ve traveled in Nepal for eight months total, three and a half of which were solo. I would have no doubts about going there solo again, and would even recommend it to other solo trekkers.
Solo Female Travel Street Smarts
As a female solo traveler, the main thing I concern myself with safety-wise is men. How do they treat local women? How do they treat tourist women? Are women equals in this country? In Nepal, women definitely aren’t equal. Older generations of women haven’t had the same access to education, and you see far less women working desirable jobs than men. But then there’s hope that future generations will be more equal because you always see just as many little girls in school uniforms as boys.
Anyway, local women aren’t equal, but men generally are respectful towards women who are visiting Nepal. The point I’m trying to make is that Nepal is a safe place for solo women to visit.
If you’re in a city and need directions or help, do yourself a favor and ask a woman. Men will help, but then they usually want to flirt, get your Facebook info, or have a cup of tea with you. Same goes for bus rides. Sit by other women or a family. Once you’re in the mountains, it’s fine to ask for help from anyone. The way of life is much more laid back there.
I’m not saying don’t be friends with men in Nepal. Some of the coolest people I’ve met in Nepal were guides or guest house owners in the mountains. If you meet men on treks who work in the tourism industry and are used to interacting with foreign women, that is a totally different thing than a random guy on a bus or on the street who’s trying to talk to you.
The bottom line is that if you want to travel around Nepal solo it’s totally fine. You can take buses alone and do mostly whatever you want within reason.
Being Smart While Solo Trekking in Nepal
It would be unusual for a Nepali woman to be trekking alone. However, locals are used to foreign women who do what they want. People often asked me if I was alone, and I got the impression that they felt pity or concern for me more than anything else. There were many times I tried to explain that I enjoy hiking by myself.
For men trekking alone in Nepal, no one will even think twice about it. You don’t have much to worry about.
Honestly, locals in the mountains are so chill and relaxed that I usually let my guard down.
Precautions to Take While Solo Trekking in Nepal
- Make it to your destination well before sunset. Know what time the sun goes down, and be realistic with how far you can hike. It’s OK to stop early and fall short of your destination for the day. It is more difficult to spot trail signs and find villages in the dark than in the day time.
- Be conscientious of altitude. Make sure you are well hydrated, fed, and rested. This is the best way to prevent acute mountain sickness.
- Trust your intuition. When people ask if I’m hiking alone, sometimes I have a bad feeling about it and I make up an imaginary hiking boyfriend who is right behind me. Sometimes I tell the truth and say that I’m solo. It all depends on a lot of factors: if there’s other people around, if I’m close to my destination, if the person asking seems normal. Decide for yourself what you feel most comfortable with.
- Let someone reliable know where you’re going. Cell service in the mountains is unreliable, but occasionally works. If your loved ones are worriers, consider getting a SPOT satellite GPS. You can send messages and check in from anywhere.
- If you’re trekking away from the tourist track, be aware that you may be on your own if you get into a bad situation. Search and rescue isn’t a thing. Helicopter rescues are expensive. If you go missing, it might be days before local police start looking for you. Basically, don’t do anything stupid.
Where to Trek Solo in Nepal and Where Not To
It’s fine to hike solo in most tourist destinations in Nepal. This means the Everest region and the Annapurna’s. Those two regions have the best tourism infrastructure and are the most accommodating to foreigners.
Makalu Base Camp is fine for experienced trekkers (there’s two snowy passes that can be tough to navigate, so it’s not for solo first-time trekkers). There are regions of Nepal that are guide mandatory, mostly to protect nature and the way of life. These regions are Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Upper Mustang, and Upper Dolpa.
Then there’s some places that you should give serious thought to before trekking solo. It would probably be fine to hike in Lang Tang solo during peak season, but do take extra precautious. A few tourist women were murdered and went missing there. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve hiked solo in Lang Tang during off-season before. Something felt a bit off though. It’s not the same as the other friendly mountain regions.
Then there’s really rural regions of Nepal, such as Eastern Nepal, Helambu, and the Far West. I was in those regions with a male hiking partner, so I missed the solo female experience. But I would be wary of going there solo.
Foreigners are just more of an anomaly in rural places. Women especially don’t have as many rights. For example, in parts of western Nepal many communities still banish their women to huts during menstruation. Additionally, the mountains are dangerous in terms of not having much trekking infrastructure or marked trails.
I’m not saying you can’t trek solo in those places. I’m saying that you should seriously consider whether or not you want to.
Overall, Nepal is a very safe place for solo hikers and female travelers. If you’re new to trekking, stick to the more established tourist regions.
Do you trek solo? Are you a female traveler? Have you been to Nepal?


yes…I have hiked Nepal solo…and would love to go again. I’m thinking of the Langtang hike. When did you go (month/season?).
I was in Nepal September to December of last year. I did Lang Tang in December, and the weather was still great.
Thank you so much for writing this! I’m doing the three passes loop in October and have heard from lots of people that it’s safe but your blog is the first one that I’ve found writing about solo female hiking in the first person! You rock.
Awesome! You’ll have a great time. The Khumbu is gorgeous!!!
Loved reading this. Super helpful! Did you camp every night?
I did not camp every night because the main trails in Nepal run on a guest house system. It’s inexpensive and I got to sleep inside and have delicious food every night.
Did you have to reserve a space in the guesthouses in advance or do you just arrive? I’m considering a trip to Nepal this December and feel so nervous of all the details. Anyone want to go with me! haha
I just showed up and there was always space. Tourism has been down after the earthquake, so that’s why. I was told in typical years guest houses in the Everest region must be booked in advance during peak season (October and November). If you’re going this year, you will probably not have to worry about it.
Hi! Yes! Thank you so much for writing this! I am heading over to Nepal to volunteer at a birth centre, and I want to do the Annapurna Circuit beforehand. I will be going in Winter at the very start of January (so ~2-20th Jan). So I have been concerned it will be really quiet and perhaps not many people (which has ups sides definitely as I’ve been told in the peak season it can be really busy), but I would feel much more confident knowing I had a high chance of meeting others and making friends. Do you have any advice about trekking at that time of year and making friends etc? Wise to hire a guide?
Also Badger22 will you be there in January? 😉 haha
Thanks so much!
xxx
Hi Frances,
I am also heading to Nepal at the end of December/beginning of Jan and am looking into hiking the Annapurna Circuit.
Where will you be volunteering? It sounds really interesting!
Alice x
Hi francesmidwiferyaid I will be heading out to do the Annapurna circuit Jan 9-20th!!! Maybe we can meet up! Or maybe that’s too late for you!
Hi again, not sure if my previous comment went through properly, so I’ll post it below again!
….
Hi! Yes! Thank you so much for writing this! I am heading over to Nepal to volunteer at a birth centre, and I want to do the Annapurna Circuit beforehand. I will be going in Winter at the end of December (so ~28thDec/1st Jan). So I have been concerned it will be really quiet and perhaps not many people (which has up sides definitely as I’ve been told in the peak season it can be really busy), but I would feel much more confident knowing I had a high chance of meeting others and making friends. Do you have any advice about trekking at that time of year and making friends etc? Wise to hire a guide?
Also Badger22 will you be there in January? haha
Thanks so much!
xxx
Hello francesmidwiferyaid!!
I would have loved to Meetup with you there. I am going to do some volunteering work as well then check out the Poon Hill trek. Unfortunately I will be getting there in Mid December and probably heading back home around the 28th, so I’ll miss you all together. Boooo
I hope you have a great time! Maybe another trip in the future 🙂
We would like to draw your kind attention regarding safety issues while trekking alone in the vast and rugged mountains in Nepal. We are extremely concerned that dozens of trekkers have vanished on popular trekking routes in the last decade.
We believed that trekking alone could lead some personal risk of getting injured by natural accidents, worse case even gone missing because hiking alone in the unfamiliar rugged mountains. If anyone intended to trek in the coming days in Nepal, please make every effort to hire an experienced local guide and ensure that the trekking company is registered with Nepal Government.
I’m heading to Nepal in April and planning to hike to Gokyo Ri! I feel like I’ll be fine without a guide, and most people who have been say so too, but I’m having trouble justifying solo trekking as a female to friends and family!
You’ll meet lots of people on the hike. I get what you mean. My family always worries too.
Did the Gokyo Ri on my own last year, starting from Salleri(a jeep ride from Kathmandu) I had no problems at all, and I had the time of my life! I prepared for it, didn’t do anything stupid while there and met cool people along the way.
Go for it !!!
Gokyo Ri is one of my favorites! You’re right about just keeping common sense and having a good time.
Thanks for your Blog.. you are most welcome in Nepal.
http://www.enjoynepaltreks.com
Yes Nepal is safety for the solo travelers as well but it’s better to Guide and porter for your more safety and help
Wild woman! Thank you for your courage! I was thinking the same, to live a natural and full filing experience and do a trek independently and probably i would find companion, or myself. I was wondering if is it safe.. anyways, thank you for writing all of this 🙂
You’re so welcome! I’m glad you got use out of it. Thanks for reading.
Although Nepal is trekkers heaven, trekking solo is not always good experience in Nepal’s mountain area. The tough mountain terrain, jungles, narrow trails, forest and high altitude are the common risks. So, beside your interest to experience the adventure, we suggest to travel with friend or local guide for your safety. Because almost all the case of disappearance of trekkers or accidental cases are associated with solo trekkers. The risks factors are the natural and geographical related rather than the human caused factors. However there are some trekking routes of Nepal that you can easily go solo.
Your article is a great help for solo travelers, I stay in nepal and I was thinking of solo traveling so was searching in google and got your article, it’s really inspiring.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you SOOOOO much for this post!!! I’m going to Nepal in a week and want to do the Annapurna Circuit by myself but have gotten so many negative looks by others!! I grew up backpacking in the mountains of Montana and Nepal is something I’ve always wanted to do! You have really lifted my spirits and your words were exactly what I’ve been seeking… some one as a solo female with REAL experience!! Again thank you!!!!!!
Heck yeah! Have so much fun. You’ll have a blast, especially since you already have backpacking experience. Don’t let the negativity affect you.
Thanks for this post, very helpful!
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