Important information on TREKKING in Nepal
Nepal has only been opened to the West since 1951 and despite the veneer of westernization in the cities; by and large it remains a very traditional, religious and tolerant society. As guests, one must respect this and respond sensitively. Whilst the Nepalese will never rebuke for unknowingly offending them, it is always desirable to respect as many of their customs and beliefs as is possible.
Most trekking in Nepal does not require any climbing experience. Anyone with good health and a love for the outdoors can go trekking. Though a day’s trek can involve a fair amount of uphill trails & descents, the trekkers are free to set their own pace walking along well established village paths, enjoy a close contact with mountain people, breathe the crisp mountain air & view the magnificent Himalayan peaks. There are many trails, many of them are old trade or pilgrimage routes, leading through terraced hillsides, forested ridges, river banks, paddy field, forest covers, connecting picturesque hamlets & mountain villages. This is actually the best way to see and know Nepal.
We have been running treks & expedition throughout the length and breadth of our country. Our team comprises of some of the best and most experienced Sherpa guides and camp cooks. Totally reliable and hardworking our “Mountain boys” have earned respect and forged close friendship with all of our clients who have gone trekking with us. We offer all inclusive trek arrangements are specially designed for the first-timers & veteran hikers alike. Whichever of the treks the clients choose, it is essential to remember that a trek is not a climbing experience. On a full organized trek, campsites are carefully selected to afford the walk each day at their own pace and our Sherpa staff are always around to guide and assist them. All camping equipment and foodstuffs are included in the trek cost. They will be carried by our porters, who will also carry their duffel bags. All they need to carry is their rucksack/day-pack containing camera equipment, water bottle, medicine, toilet kit and other personal belongings. In case they find it difficult to even cope with this, our Sherpas will be more than happy to assist.
Our corporate Philosophy has always stressed on the fact that it is quite possible to trek and enjoy the beauty of our mountains without disturbing its delicate Socio-economic fabric and endangering its equally delicate Environmental & Ecological balance. All trek clients are accordingly informed through briefing and handouts prior every trek.
Most of the trails are well maintained; many trails up steep slopes are often paved with stones by villagers. Trekking in Nepal entails waling up and down countless arial. Most treks go through areas between 1,000m-3,000m. The Everest Base Camp & Round Annapurna treks which are the most popular trek routes reach over 5,000m.
PREPARING FOR A TREK
Even on an easy trek, the trekkers will require to walk about 5 to 6 hours daily on uneven terrain and therefore they must be used to regular exercise. Those with any cardiac or pulmonary history are required to obtain their physician’s clearance before participating on any form of trekking. They are definitely not advised to participate in high altitude or strenuous treks.
Mental preparedness for trek is equally important and a subject very few give thought to. It is important to remember, our people especially in the mountains have different values and altitudes than those of the western world. They should therefore, accept this as a part of trekking holiday experience. Approaching the mountains with preconceived ideas or values and attitudes is not advisable and could lead to disappointments during treks.
We offer a choice of camping treks in Nepal, Tibet & Bhutan. It is managed and operated by a group of dedicated and experienced people who are not only well versed in the adventure travel service business but are also committed to conserving our natural and cultural diversity and heritage. Our organization is well equipped, offers optimum safety and provides guides who have first hand knowledge of the routes, natural history & cultural background of all areas we operate in.
FULLY ORGANIZED TREK
A Typical Day On Trek
The day begins around 6am with bed tea and a large bowl of warm water for a wash. Then breakfast consisting of porridge, eggs, toast/pancake and tea/coffee is served. While participants are having breakfast, the Sherpa crew will bring down their tents. Hence, they should pack up their duffel bags & rucksacks before sitting for breakfast. By 8am they will be on the way to take advantage of the cool mornings to accomplish most of the day’s hike. All they need to carry in their daypack are water bottle, rain/wind jacket, camera, medicine, valuables and other small items they may need on the trail. Each day’s hike is planned so that trekkers have time to see, photograph and explore the countryside. Anyone with good health, enjoys the outdoors and hiking will qualify to participate in our treks.
Lunch is usually served by noon, which will consist of light hot meal. After hiking for three to four hours in the afternoon our camp, is generally reached between 3-4pm. In the evening they can relax, wish, read or take a walk nearby. Tents are put up much before sunset and soon after dinner is served, which is more elaborate consisting of hot soup, a variation of rice/potato/noodles and usually a meat item followed by a sweet pudding and hot tea. Bedtime is always early and a much welcome pleasure. After dinner the guide will brief them on the next day’s route and programme.
TREKKING EQUIPMENT
We recommend trekkers to bring their personal items along, such as;
| For Strenuous Treks | (Optional) |
| Trek boots | Sun hat |
| Down Jacket/pants | Snow goggles |
| Warm thick trousers | Sun cream |
| Thick jogging suit | Lip-salve |
| Thick full sleeve shirts | Hot water bag |
| Wind Cheater | Toilet kit |
| Full thermal underwear | Insect repellent |
| Thick woolen socks | Personal medicines |
| Thick woolen gloves | First aid kit |
| Underwear (4 changes) | Camera |
| Bathing suit & towel | Duffel bag |
| Rainwear (poncho style) | Ruck sack |
| Water bottle | |
| Flashlight & batteries |
| For Strenuous Treks | (Optional) |
| Trek boots | Sun hat |
| Down Jacket/pants | Snow goggles |
| Warm thick trousers | Sun cream |
| Thick jogging suit | Lip-salve |
| Thick full sleeve shirts | Hot water bag |
| Wind Cheater | Toilet kit |
| Full thermal underwear | Insect repellent |
| Thick woolen socks | Personal medicines |
| Thick woolen gloves | First aid kit |
| Underwear (4 changes) | Camera |
| Bathing suit & towel | Duffel bag |
| Rainwear (poncho style) | Ruck sack |
| Water bottle | |
| Flashlight & batteries |
| For Medium/Easy Treks | (Optional) |
| Trek boots/Sport shoes with ankle support | Sun hat |
| Down Jacket | Sun glasses |
| Warm trousers/jeans | Sun cream |
| Thick jogging suit | Lip salve |
| Full sleeve shirts | Hot water bag |
| Wind cheater | Toilet kit |
| Light Underwear | Insect repellent |
| Thick cotton socks | Personal medicines |
| Light gloves | First aid kit |
| Underwear (4 changes) | Camera & films (15 rolls) |
| Bathing suit & towel | Duffel bag |
| Rainwear (poncho style) | Ruck sack/day pack |
| Water bottle | |
| Flash light & batteries | |
| Toilet kit: (must contain the following) | |
| Toothbrush & toothpaste | |
| Soap & Shampoo | |
| Premoistened towelettes | |
| A sewing kit & spare buttons | |
| Spare set of prescription glasses | |
| Hand/face towel | |
| Swiss Knife | |
| Safety pins |
Trek permits, National park, Conservation fees & insurance
National Park and Conservation Fees are usually included in our trek costs. As per the recent government regulation, trek permits are not required to trek through Langtang, Everest and Annapurna regions. Restricted area trek permits (e.g.: Upper Dolpo & Upper Mustang Permit) are expensive and hence always quoted separately. There is an entrance fee of US$100 per video camera in all National Parks and is hence payable directly.
Personal insurance of any nature is not covered in the prices quoted by us. The emergency evacuation costs, video fees in national Parks (US$100 per video) are not included in our trek costs. Similarly, costs for soft/hard drinks, snacks, tea/coffee (other than those provided by our team), charges for pony/yak rides etc; are to be settled directly on the spot.
Conservation
Nepal’s fragile mountain environment is increasingly pressured by a rapidly growing population. As visitors, it’s our responsibility to minimize our impact. Deforestation is Nepal’s greatest environment problem. We use kerosene as an alternative to wood on all treks. We do not have campfires & we strongly discourage trekkers from buying wood-fueled hot showers in lodges along the trail. It is our responsibility to minimize our impact.
Washing & Toilet facilities
A bowl of warm water for washing will be provided each morning and often we camp or have lunch next to a spring or stream where clients can bathe or wash clothes. We highly recommend that clients bring biodegradable soaps, shampoos & washing liquids/soaps. At each night’s camp a hole will be dug and a small toilet tent erected over it. They must always use the toilet tent, when it is available. During the day ensure that toilet stops are made off the trail and that all toilet paper is burnt. We recommend the clients bring a cigarette lighter or matches for this purpose. Sanitary napkins & tampons should be kept in a double plastic bag & personally brought back to Kathmandu.
Sharing Campsites
Occasionally in some areas it will be necessary to share campsites & latrines with other groups due to shortage of camping fields particularly during farming time. Please respect the needs and privacy of others.
Personal Expenses
While all meals, camping equipment and support staffs are included in our arrangement, the clients are expected to pay for all soft drinks, beer, hard drinks & foodstuff purchased from shops along the trail. In case they wish to stay a couple of nights at local inns/tea-houses due to rain/low temperatures, they should settle the changes directly.
The Team
The trek team is led by a Sirdar who is the trek leader and is responsible for the smooth running of any trek. They are usually of Sherpa stock from the Everest region who are born mountaineers. Due to limited education, they will be able to communicate fairly well in passable English only, so trekkers should not expect them to conduct any in depth or intellectual discourse. We then have the Cook and Kitchen Boys to assist him. A team of junior Sherpa Guides and Porters depending on the group size will carry all camping equipment. The clients are required to only carry their ruck-sack/day-pack containing their camera equipment, toilet kit, face towel, bathing suit, rainwear and a pullover. As the Sirdar is overall in-charge, the clients must respect him as such and heed his warnings and advice during any difficult situation that could arise during treks. Our staffs are always there to assist.
Trekking in Nepal is by no means trekking in wilderness. Trails generally pass through inhabited villages. However, once the trek in underway, communication with their home or Kathmandu is either very difficult or impossible. Therefore, the trekkers should be prepared for any eventuality. Our staff will always do their best to help our guests.
Lodge Treks (Tea House Treks)
For those clients who do not wish to sleep in tents, we offer lodge treks. While lodge treks are possible in Annapurna, Everest and Langtang region, it is not possible in Mustang and other regions as there are commercial lodges in such areas.
Most of the lodges are possible to pre-book as we have mobile facility these days, but in some situation where mobile network are not functioning properly, our Sherpa guide will look for the lodge as soon as they arrive the designated village stop. We and our staff member will always try to get the best available lodges for our clients. However, if the good lodges are already reserved or not available, he will be compelled to accommodate clients at other lodges. All the lodges are very basic in standard and may not have proper shower/toilet facilities. Moreover, during high season, the clients may be accommodated in dormitories in case all the lodged are completely sold out. Hot shower in the trail and during tea houe stay is extrapayble.
All meals will be provided in the same lodges cooked by the lodge owners during trek. The food could be simple, with less variety but enough. Our team for the lodge trekking will consist of a Sherpa guide (Sirdar) and porters (as per requirement). If the group size is large, we provide additional Sherpas to assist clients and the Sirdar. The clients must be pre-informed of all the above points clearly before accepting bookings for lodge treks.
WE CATEGORIZE OUR TREKS AS FOLLOWS:
- a) Easy
Easy trekking, by Himalayan standards is generally between 900m and 2,000m. there are always plenty of ‘ups & downs’ everywhere in the Himalaya and clients need to be regular walkers to get full enjoyment from their experience. It is possible however to design ‘easer’ three to four day treks with perhaps only three to four hours walking per day on request.
- b) Moderate
Moderate trekking 900m & 4,000m involving side trips to higher elevations. Some treks included here will, in part, be well away from villages on ill-defined mountain trails.
- c) Strenuous
Treks of a demanding nature, requiring all participants to be very fit and in very good health, often in remote alpine areas and sometimes reaching altitudes in excess of 5,000m while crossing mountain passes.