Trekking in Nepal After 60: An Honest Guide

Many of the people who write to me are in their sixties or seventies. They ask, a little shyly, whether they are too old to trek in Nepal. Most of the time, the honest answer is no.

I’m Rujan, a licensed trekking guide in Nepal since 2018. On the trail you meet grandparents walking to Everest and retired couples crossing passes. What they have in common is not age, but a slower plan.

What changes after 60

Your heart and lungs can still adapt to altitude well. What usually changes is recovery: tired legs need longer, knees feel the way down, and a short night costs more. A good plan simply gives your body that time.

Which walks suit

• Lower and shorter walks, below 3,500 m, with mountain views and village life: the Ghorepani and Poon Hill area, and walks near Kathmandu and Pokhara. See short treks near Kathmandu and Pokhara.
• Medium walks such as the Langtang Valley, with a gentle climb and no high pass.
• The famous high walks, Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit, are possible for fit older walkers, with extra rest days. My guide to the famous treks, walked slowly shows how.

You can also see which walks are quiet in which month on my quiet walks page.

A slower plan

• Shorter days: 4 to 5 hours of walking instead of 6 to 7, with a long lunch.
• More rest days: one extra day for every few days of walking, and always before a big climb.
• Climb slowly: above 3,000 m, sleep no more than about 300 to 500 m higher each night. See altitude day by day.
• A spare day at the end, for weather or for a tired day. Mountain flights are often delayed.

This is where a private guide helps most: the pace is yours, and the plan changes with you every evening.

Your knees and the way down

• Use two walking poles, mostly on the descents.
• Walk down slowly, with small steps. Down is where tired legs make mistakes.
• Carry a light day pack: water, a warm layer, rain jacket, snacks. Your main bag can travel with a porter; ask me.
• Good boots that you have already walked in at home. See my guide to trekking boots.

Before you come

• See your doctor. Tell them where and how high you are going. Ask about your medicines at altitude, and about medicine for altitude sickness.
• Check your insurance carefully. Many policies have an age limit or cost more after a certain age. Make sure it covers trekking to your highest point and helicopter rescue. My guide to travel insurance for trekking explains what to look for.
• Walk at home. Two or three months of regular walks with hills and a day pack make the biggest difference. See fitness training for trekking.
• Bring a warm sleeping bag. Tea-house rooms are not heated, and a good night’s sleep is your best medicine.

What older walkers often love most

Time. Time to sit in a monastery courtyard, to talk with the family who runs the lodge, to watch the light change on the mountains. The slower plan is not a compromise. For many people it is the best way to walk in Nepal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an age limit for trekking in Nepal?
No. There is no age limit for trekking permits. The limit is your health, and your insurance.

Can I trek Everest Base Camp at 65 or 70?
People do, every season. It needs good fitness, a doctor’s agreement, and a slow plan of about 14 to 16 days instead of 12.

What if I cannot go on?
Then we stop, rest, or turn around. There is no failure in that. With a private guide, the walk is planned around you, not around a group.

If you are wondering whether a walk in Nepal is still for you, write to me. Tell me honestly how you walk at home, and I’ll tell you honestly what I think you can enjoy.