TREKKING IN NEPAL
Nepal’s
unparalleled combination of natural beauty and cultural riches
reveals itself only to those who walk. With eight of the world’s
12 highest peaks, Nepal is loaded with spectacular mountain
vistas. Rather than gazing at them from a distance, trekkers
walk and live amid the mountains for weeks at a time. The
leisurely pace creates a sense of intimacy
with the land that goes far beyond that of a day hike or a
wilderness weekend. Mountains may be the main lure, but there
are surprises along the way. For one thing, there are people
amid this spectacular scenery - all sorts of people, living
in a world nearly untouched by modern development. The realities
of the Third World can be eye-opening; few westerners have
an opportunity to view how most of the world lives. We offer
a wide variety of different treks to suit both novices and
experienced trekkers. Whether you have 2 days or 2
months to spend in the mountains, we can tailor-make an
itinerary to suit your needs. For many of our treks you can
choose between staying in tea houses or camping.
1. How FIT do I have
to be to trek ?
As
there is no strict rules here. Depends on what kind of trekking
you are looking for . Since you get the longer, shorter, tougher,
and softer types of treks. If you enjoy a day’s walking and
can walk up and down hills, you will be fine. If you participate
in any sport, you will be fine. The trek has an easy grading
although everyone will be out of breath at times. We would
suggest some program of exercise starting one two months prior
to your arrival in Nepal.
2. What Kind of footwear
should I need ?
You will require a lightweight
pair of boots that have rubber soles with thick tread and
good ankle support. Hi tech and Nike produced good walking
shoes.
3. How long do we walk
per day and how high?
A
typical day in a trek:
A cup of bed tea will be served to you in the morning.
This is followed by a bowl of water to wash. The kit bag to
be packed before breakfast that porters will take to be carried
to the next camp. The day pack to be carried by yourself the
things needed for you during the day. The walk after breakfast
will be about 4 hours (subject to nice spot) for lunch. Two
to three hours will be walked for overnight campsite.
Afternoon tea and biscuits are provided once the camp is established
and preparation for dinner begins, while you have leisure
time. The maximum latitude reached during the trek will be
7000 feet or 3000meters. However , everyone suffers shortness
of breath on some uphill sections.
4.
What kind of food will be served during the trek ?
A cup of bed tea will be served to you in the morning.
The following is the samle food menu.
Breakfast: Cereal/ Muesli, Porridge/
Eggs/ Tomatoes/ Toast/ Jam/ Honey/ Tea/ Coffee
Lunch: Salad/ Spring Rolls/ Pizza/
Dinner: soup/ Curry/ Pasta/ Dumplings/
Vegetables/ Cake/ Fruit fritters
5.
Do I need to be inoculated ?
No international certificate of vaccination regarding
current inoculation against Cholera, Typhoid or yellow fever
and Malaria. You better consult your doctor who will have
an updated list. However the most important are Hepatitis
and Tetanus.
6. What happens in the event of Emergency?
On trek, a helicopter will be made available
but this might take minimum of 05 hours to reach you. then will
make you fly to Kathmandu with your guide. Apart from the above
you will be taken back to Kathmandu by road. Ensure that your
insurance is strong enough to cover such incidents. For this
you got be insured at your own place.
7. How hot and cold does
it get ?
Weather: Climate ranges
from Tropical in the low lands to Arctic in higher altitudes.
| Seasons: |
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Winter
(December-February) |
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Summer
(March-May) |
|
Monsoon
(June to August) |
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Autumn
(September-November) |
Monsoon:
Mostly rains at night, making the following days crispy clean
and fresh. Most of the northern belt of the Trans-Himalayan
Zone is rain -shadowed and ideal for trekking.
Wears:
Medium-weight and easy to wash cottons can be good choice
year-round in the Kathmandu valley. From October to February,
woolen sweaters, jackets or similar warm outfits are necessary.
Short or long sleeved shirts are good in March through May
from June to September light and loose garments are advisable.
8. What are the seasons
in Nepal?
Trekking
Seasons
It is possible to trek at any
time of year in Nepal: the trick is tailoring your route to
the season. There are four seasons in Nepal. Each season has
its distinct attraction to offer. The main season begins
Autumn (Oct.
-Nov). The weather is indeed
divine, with minimal rainfall and crystal-clear mountain views.
Winter (Dec.-Feb)
freezing above 4,000 meters and high passes may be snowbound,
winter is an ideal season for a lower trek.
Spring (MAR
– May) marks the beginning of
the spring trekking season, which peaks around mid-April.
Different varieties of wild flowers, specially the rhododendrons
make the hillside above 5000 meters a haunting paradise during
this season. It is mildly warm at lower elevations and at
higher elevation over 4000 meters the mountain views are excellent.
Monsoon (June-August)
This is Nepal’s rainy season,
although fascinating for those interested in the flora and
fauna of the country. Day time temperature about 30 degree
Celsius through out Nepal with low around 21 degree Celsius.
9. Should I bring my
own medicine ?
You better follow your local
doctor and he will advise you. If you are taking any particular
medicines it is recommended you bring them with you.
10. How do I travel -
Do I travel light ?
Yes you travel light. We suggest
that you bring to Nepal in which you have a zip down doffel
bag and small duffel overnight bag. You can deposit the suitcase
in your hotel in Kathmandu. The duffel bag is used for trekking
/rafting and jungle activities. the small overnight bag is
used for rafting .
11. Do I have to know
the list of things I need to pack for the trek ?
Yes, here is the
list.
a. Walking boots tennis shoes,/sandals/sport
shoes
b. Woolen socks
c. Long sleeve t-Shirts- 3
d. 02 pairs of shorts made of strong cotton
e. Sun hat/glasses/sun cream/lip guard
f. Woolen hat
g. Down sleeping bag/ jacket/ wind breaker/ rain poncho
(summer)
h. One track suit
i. Camera and films
j. Flash light (extra batteries)
k. Rucksack/Day pack
l. 3-4 pairs of socks
m. 3-4 pieces of underwear and one swimming costume
n. 3-4 t-shirts
o. 2-3 pairs of shirts
p. 2-3 pairs of pants
q. Water bottle, water purifier (iodine tablets)
r. Pocket knife
s. Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper,
lighter etc)
t. Walking sticks
u. Binos if you prefer
v. Walkman (with extra batteries) books, games (chess, cards
etc if you prefer).
w. First aid kit (hydrogen peroxide, iodine, bandage, tape,
aspirin, diamox, cipro etc)
12. Can I buy or rent
trekking gears in Kathmandu?
yes, you will get them
on rent or you can buy them. They are easily available.
13. Is there any thing
additional required for peak climbing expeditions?
a. Extra food for one to 3 days
b. Hames/ jummer/ figure 8/ gaiters/ rope min 90 meter c.carabine
(2 per person)/ mess kit/ down pants boots (complex) thermal
gloves/ dome tents/ crampons/ ice axe (per person), down jacket.
14. What is Tea house
Trek and Camping Trek?
We offer a wide variety of different
treks to suit both novices and experienced trekkers. Whether
you have 2 days or two months to spend in the
mountains, we can tailor-make an itinerary to suit your needs.
For many of our treks you can choose between staying in tea
houses or camping.
A tea-house is
a local run guest house, but standards vary enormously. In
popular areas such as Annapurna, tea houses are more like
hotels, with hot water, western food and private rooms, whereas
in more remote areas, they are far simpler and more authentically
Nepali. Tea house trekking is less expensive than camping,
and is suitable for small groups. We are committed to trekking
in a way that does no harm to the local environment and
providing the best possible value for money.
Camping treks : You
will be given accomodations in tented camps. Food and tents
will be carried out the place you are trekking. Food will
be served by local Sherpa cook. Any where you want, camping
trek can be commenced. Technically these are considered the
complicated one. Need more menpower and a lot of technical
things required.
15. What are the things
included and not included in Tea house and Camping trek?
Teahouse
Trekking included:
1. Trekking Permit
2. National park entry fees
3. Land transportation to and fro
4. All meals and accommodation in local lodge/ teahouse
along the way
5. A guide and required porters (a porter between two)
6. Most essential equipments ie. sleeping bag/ jacket/ rain
poncho
Camping
trek included:
1. Trekking permit
2. National park entry fee
3. Food three meals a day
4. Accommodation on tented camps (twin sharing)
5. All necessary equipments: tent, down sleeping bag, Down
jacket, Mattresses, rain poncho, ice axe a guide, Sherpa,
cook, kitchen boy and required porters.
Not included
Teahouse and camping trek both:
1. Airfare to any destinations
of trekking unless otherwise mentioned.
2. Expenses of personal nature and drinks
3. Other royalties for the government specific regions.
4. Emergency evacuation/Insurance
5. Private transportation
16. How much extra money
do I need when I am in a trek?
You will need very little during
the trekking , says about 200 bucks US. This should be carried
in small denominations as change is hard to come by in the
villages. There are good deals to be found in the hills in
some craft items and jewelleries. how ever, when shopping
in Kathmandu travellers cheques/ credit cards are accepted
in leading stores.
17. Can I drink water
?
Do not drink tap water or stream
water. All lodge/ hotel water has been boiled and filtered
and is safe. Local mineral water is also provided and perfectly
safe to drink. We appreciate your willingness to get the bottled
water ( mineral water) for the safe side.
18. Can I phone or fax
when I am in a trek?
In some villages when you walk
for hours telephone service is available. Overall we would
say no telephone facilities when in a trek. A good standard
telephone system is readily available in Kathmandu, Pohara,
Chitwan and Lumbini. Apart from this fax, e-mail, internet
services are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
19. Can I get visa on
arrival ?
Yes, you can obtain your
entry visa at the Kathmandu airport upon arrival. For this
you need two passport size photo and visa fee. Reconfirm the
visa fee before you leave.
20. What is the policy
on excess baggage?
Even if your originating ticket
states you are allowed 2 bags at any weight, the airports
in Asia have their own regulations which are strictly enforced.
For international flights , you are allowed 20 kilos or 44lb.
per person anything after that is charged. For domestic flights
in Nepal 33 lb or 15 kilos is the limit. Excess baggage is
permitted but it is charged.
For the above, the Day to Day Itinerary, Fixed Departures
and Prices will be given upon Request.
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