The best time for Nepal trekking is during spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) seasons. These periods offer stable weather, clear mountain views, comfortable temperatures, and dry trails. October-November is considered the peak season with perfect conditions.

While not mandatory for popular routes like Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit, hiring a guide is highly recommended for safety, navigation, cultural insights, and supporting local communities. Some restricted areas require licensed guides. First-time trekkers should definitely consider guided trips.

Nepal trekking costs vary widely: Independent trekking costs $20-40/day, guided treks range from $50-100/day, and luxury treks can cost $150-300/day. Total costs include permits ($30-50), accommodation, meals, guide/porter fees, and equipment.

Most Nepal trekking requires TIMS card ($10-20) and National Park permits ($30-40). Popular areas need: Sagarmatha National Park (Everest), ACAP (Annapurna), or Langtang National Park permits. Some restricted areas like Upper Mustang require special permits ($500+).

Fitness requirements vary by trek. Easy treks (Ghorepani Poon Hill) need basic fitness, moderate treks (Annapurna Circuit) require good cardiovascular fitness, and challenging treks (Everest Base Camp) need excellent fitness with altitude training. Start training 6-8 weeks before your trek.

Solo trekking is possible on popular routes with established tea house infrastructure. However, it's not recommended for safety reasons. Consider hiring a guide or porter, trek with others when possible, inform people of your plans, and choose well-established routes for solo trekking.