Api Himal trek in Nepal

Api Himal (7132 m) is a little- known the highest peak in the Yoka Pahar section of Gurans Himal, part of the Himalayas, rarely visited in the extreme northwest corner of  far-western Nepal, near the border with Tibet. The name API means “Grandmother” which comes from the Tibetan language. It rises dramatically over the low surrounding terrain with a 6779 population. This is one of the valuable treasured of Nepal protected by the Api Nampa Conservation Area. This conservation area also conserved the natural beauty and ecosystem of the region along with the mountain. 

API Base Camp trekking, is one of the best trekking trails in Nepal. The pathway fills with subtropical to alpine forest and vegetation, waterfalls, lakes, grassland, steep gorges, and the Mahakali valley. Furthermore, you can also enjoy sightseeing, perceive variety of birds, explores mixed community, culture, tradition, and lifestyle of people that is authentic and intact by innovation.

The API Base Camp Trek, allows trekkers to feed their eyes with the attractions of Dhangadhi, like the botanical garden, aircraft museum, and jokhar lake. The spectacular views of mountains like Api Himal, Mt. Thado Dhunga Tuppa (5368 m), Rajamba (6537), Saipal (7031 m), Mt. Nandadevi (7817 m) and other peaks are the limelight of the trail. 

1) People, Culture and Religion

Most of the people of API are devotees of Lord Shiva (Mahadev). Thus, every household keeps cows instead of buffalo for dairy products. Almost everything produced by cow is holy. Its milk can be offered to Lord Shiva, even urine and cow dung is used during pooja or weeding.

People are kind, caring, hardworking, loving and welcoming. Almost everyone in the village is skilled to make thread out of sheep wool and then weave socks, sweaters, coats, and many other clothing items. They also grow organic crops and vegetables for themselves and sell when they have access. Major crops and vegetables include barley, wheat, corn, spinach carrots, turnips, radish, long beans, kidney beans and so on.

The API is a home to a mix of Hindus and Buddhists, with diverse religion, unique culture and lifestyles.  Chhetri, Bohora, Jhakari, Brahmin, Mahara, Lohar, Thekare, and a nomad community Raute are the diverse communities of people from different ethnic group live in peace and harmony in a region. The people who are living in this region generally speak Nepali language. But the Raute communities have a unique language of their own.  Winter season is extreme cold in the region, so all the communities descend to Terai.

2) Best time to visit

Almost all the seasons are suitable for trekking Api Himal. But the different season provides different sightseeing and trekking experience. The best season offers many more exciting and eye- catching views of the nature. 

August to early November

This is the season of lot’s of festivals in Nepal. The sky is clear, forests are green and hills are colorful because of various wildflowers, weather is amazing and temperature is moderate (not too hot and not too cold). At this time, people have harvested their crops (mainly rice), ready to celebrate the festivals, families gather together to cook delicious food, brew wine, and visit relatives to take blessings. Those who are living away from villages return and clean and paint houses, clear the bushes from the trails and do maintenance to welcome new guests in their home and villages. They all are in happy mood and would love to invite anyone to celebrate together. This is the perfect time to experience the authentic local culture and hospitality of Nepal. 

March to April

Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal and blooms during this season, you’ll see Nepal hills are covered in the red carpets of rhododendron. Though the season is dry, the varieties of wildflowers blooming together makes the trail exciting and the pleasant smell in the fresh air. This is also the time where wild honey bees collect nectar from the herbs and make Mad honey.

May to July

During this season, people gather to harvest the world’s most expensive herb, Yarsagumba. So the lots of people will be staying in the base camp region making it like a bazaar. Similarly, you can also experience the shepherd’s life with hundreds of sheeps together and harvesting process and trade of Yarshagumba. Moreover, it is the favorable time for the trekkers who love green forests, waterfalls, and rural nomadic lifestyle. 

3) Foods 

The Api Himal trek mostly offers you rajma dal (kidney beans), rice, and vegetable curry (seasonal vegetables like potato, spinach, barela, etc.) and ghee for lunch and dinner. Occasionally you could get to eat sheep meat (if you are lucky). You can get plenty of butter milk (mohi) to drink and local curd as well. You can also get vodka made of barley (drink only while return from base camp). 

At breakfast, you can get roti tarkari (chapatti and vegetable curry), puri tarkari, noodle soup, herbal tea etc. During base camp trek you will be passing through three major villages Ghusa, Siti, and Kayakot. Kayakot is the last village, so from there we have to depend on local shepherds for food almost all the food you get in the village. 

4) Accommodation

The rooms are available with a normal bed, thin mattress and a couple of blankets. And most of the time you could have a giant common bed (4-5 people have to sleep together) and rarely individuals beds. Once you’re away from village, you’ll be living in a shepherd’s place. So, we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bag and a warm jacket.

5) Travel Insurance

Any trek in Nepal, including the API trek, also need travel insurance. While buying travel insurance ensure that it covers high altitude trekking, mountaineering, hiking, and adventure sports which may be physically challenging and dangerous. It offers you with financial protection and peace of mind in the event of an unforeseen accident.

6) Guide and Porter

Most of the trek in Nepal, including Api base camp trek demands guide and porters.  So, all the trekkers are required to obtain services of licensed trekking guide and TIMS card through authorized trekking agencies registered with the government of Nepal.

So, we recommend you to plan your trip with Nepal Holiday Treks and Tours Pvt. Ltd. The guides are active, trained, helping, English speaking and most importantly government authorized licensed guide.  

Moreover, as you know, Api trek is an authentic remote trekking trail in far western Nepal. It is not commercialized yet. Therefore, you need a guide and a porter to make your trip comfortable and unforgettable. Here, we provide a guide as you need with guide insurance. They are technically competent and have knowledge in safety performance. They always carry essential safety equipment, gear, and first aid kids to make your journey safe and sound. Your safety is our first priority.  

7) Altitude Sickness

It is common in the Himalayas above the altitude of 3000 m. Here are some things you can do to prevent yourself from getting altitude sickness.

Stop and rest where you are

Do not go any higher

Drink plenty of water

Notify the guide as soon as the symptoms like headache, nausea, tiredness etc appear.