The Swotah Journal

Route guides, permits, packing lists and dispatches from the trail.

264 articles

Choosing the Best Travel Agency in NepalNepal

Choosing the Best Travel Agency in Nepal

How to pick a trustworthy Nepal trekking agency: licence checks, what prices should include, safety questions to ask, group size, and the red flags to avoid.

Dec 9, 20196 min read
Bird watching destinations in NepalNepal Experience

Bird watching destinations in Nepal

Where to bird in Nepal, home to ~886 species: Phulchowki, Koshi Tappu, Chitwan, Shivapuri, Taudaha, Godavari, and the Annapurna foothills, with what to spot at each.

Nov 26, 201914 min read
Everest Base Camp Trek: A Complete GuideNepal Experience

Everest Base Camp Trek: A Complete Guide

The complete EBC trek guide: route and altitudes, 2026 permits, the Manthali flight switch, best seasons, difficulty, training, costs, and what to pack.

Nov 21, 20199 min read
A Complete Guide to Traveling to BhutanBhutan

A Complete Guide to Traveling to Bhutan

Everything for a Bhutan trip in 2026: the USD 100/night SDF, USD 40 visa, booking rules, flights and overland entry, best seasons, festivals, food, and costs.

Nov 17, 201912 min read
Responsible Trekking in Nepal: A Complete GuideNepal

Responsible Trekking in Nepal: A Complete Guide

How to trek Nepal responsibly: fair porter treatment, plastic-free water, offseason and off-trail choices, waste rules, and the ethics that keep trails worth walking.

Nov 15, 20198 min read
10 Best Things to Do in BhutanBhutan

10 Best Things to Do in Bhutan

The 10 best things to do in Bhutan: Tiger's Nest, Punakha Dzong, tsechu festivals, Dochula Pass, black-necked cranes, archery, and hot-stone baths, plus 2026 costs.

Nov 12, 20196 min read
Mountain Flight: Explore the Himalayas Without TrekkingNepal Adventures

Mountain Flight: Explore the Himalayas Without Trekking

The one-hour Everest mountain flight from Kathmandu: 2026 prices (USD 200-250), guaranteed window seats, the 20 peaks you'll see, and how to book the best slot.

Nov 7, 20196 min read
Off The Beaten Path Treks in Annapurna Region NepalNepal Adventures

Off The Beaten Path Treks in Annapurna Region Nepal

Seven quiet Annapurna alternatives to ABC: Khopra Ridge, Mohare Danda, Nar Phu, Sikles, Panchase, the Royal Trek, and Karbakeli, with days and permits for each.

Oct 22, 20197 min read
Easiest Mountains to Climb in NepalNepal Adventures

Easiest Mountains to Climb in Nepal

The seven easiest trekking peaks in Nepal compared: Mera (6,476m), Island, Lobuche East, Yala, and more, with heights, days, permits, and what each climb is like.

Oct 18, 20199 min read
Nepal Trekking Routes: Overview of Treks in Nepal by RegionNepal Adventures

Nepal Trekking Routes: Overview of Treks in Nepal by Region

All of Nepal's trekking regions in one overview: Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, Dolpo, Dhaulagiri, and Kanchenjunga, with durations and difficulty for each.

Oct 3, 201915 min read
Family Trekking in NepalNepal Experience

Family Trekking in Nepal

The best family treks in Nepal: Poon Hill, Royal Trek, Mardi Himal, and Jomsom, with altitude guidance for children, porter tips, and how to plan kid-friendly days.

Sep 30, 201910 min read
10 Best Treks in Nepal 2026Nepal Adventures

10 Best Treks in Nepal 2026

The 10 best treks in Nepal for 2026, compared by days, altitude, and difficulty: Everest Base Camp, Three Passes, Manaslu, Annapurna, Langtang, Mustang, and more.

Sep 20, 201913 min read