Travel Information
Preparation
You do not need to be a mountaineer with rippling muscles to enjoy trekking. If you are reasonably fit, have an adventurous spirit and are not afraid of walking – you qualify. Guide for Nepal will take care of all the details. All you have to do on the trails is concentrate on putting one foot before the other and enjoying yourself. On many of the popular trekking trails, you will experience ‘tea house style’ trekking. Tea house Style eating & lodging is one of the best ways to experience, firsthand, the various cultures of Nepal. Tea house treks are typically run in the more popular trekking routes. If you are looking for ‘into the wild’ or ‘off the beaten track’ experiences then it is recommended that you choose fully supported camping treks.
Equipment
In our fully supported wilderness treks we provide the following equipment: tents, sleeping mats, excellent food, extensive first aid kit, toilet paper, private transport to and from the trek, conservation fees, and the trek permit.
Precautions
One treks to enjoy the scenery on the trail, not to get to any particular place in a hurry. The main precaution that needs to be taken while trekking is not to go up too high, too fast. The body should be given plenty of time to acclimatize. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) refers to the effects of the thin air at high altitudes, which can be very dangerous and may even result in death. If you get initial symptoms like nausea, dizziness, swelling in the face and breathlessness, descend to a lower elevation immediately and seek medical help. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is advised to cover emergencies, like helicopter evacuation and medical treatment in case of accidents on the trail.
Trekking Permit
All visitors require a trekking permit to visit Nepal’s interior regions i.e. Annapurna, Everest and Langtang. Trekking permits (TIMS) are available from any legally registered trekking agencies and from the Nepal Tourism Board for individual travellers, or from the Department of Immigration (for some restricted areas).
National Park Fees
You need to pay a park fee of RS. 3000 to enter a National Park or wildlife reserve. The fee is payable at the park entrance. Trekkers going to the Annapurna Region, however, must pay a fee of RS. 2000 (RS 100 for SAARC nationals) which is payable only in Kathmandu or in Pokhara. The fee is utilized for environmental conservation and maintenance of the area.
Accommodations in Kathmandu
A wide variety of accommodations are available both in Kathmandu and in Pokhara. Prices range from US$ 10 for lodges (depending on season i.e. high & low), and goes all the way above US$ 300 or more for deluxe rooms in luxury hotels. There are more than a hundred hotels in Kathmandu, so you will have a variety of options to choose from. If you have the desire to stay amongst fellow tourists, Thamel is the top choice. But for those wanting to stay away from crowded streets of Thamel, there is the option of selecting hotels in surrounding quiet areas in the capital.
Trekking Regions
Trekking in Nepal
TREKKING IN THE HIMALAYAS
The best way to experience Nepal’s unbeatable combination of natural beauty and cultural riches is to walk through them. The immense contrasts in altitudes and climates found here supports an equally spectacular mix of lifestyles, flora, fauna and wildlife. One-fourth of all visitors to Nepal go trekking.
WHERE TO TREK
The entire length and breadth of Nepal’s kingdom is a paradise for trekkers. There are easy walks lasting a few days and there are strenuous expeditions that takes several weeks. All of them will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
ANNAPURNA
The most popular trekking route in Nepal, you will be walking through rhododendron forest over the foothills of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest in the world, and Lake Tilicho (4919m) the highest lake, are located here. Treks to the Annapurna region start from the Lakeside resort town of Pokhara.
EVEREST
The highest mountain in the world continues to lure adventurers today as it did when Nepal first opened its boarders to tourists in the early 1950’s. One can either walk or fly to Lukla. From here is where you begin the higher elevation walking through the famous Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar. After, you will move on to Tengboche Monastery with the mesmerizing peak of Amadablam hovering in the sky. Then it’s over the glaciers to the foot of Everest for the view of a lifetime.
LANGTANG
The third most popular trekking region in the kingdom of Nepal, lies directly to the north of Kathmandu. The Gosaikunda Lakes situated here are a much-revered Hindu pilgrimage site. Langtang offers baffling extremes in topography and climate conditions. In just one day you can traverse five different vegetation zones trekking from the subtropics to timberline.
ADDITIONAL AREAS
For those who want to get off the beaten track, there is the trail to Mustang (maximum elevation 5,400m) north of the Annapurna Range, which offers mind-boggling landscape and mystical cultures. Dhaulagiri Round and Manaslu in west central Nepal (maximum elevation 5,213m) offers a diverse range of pristine eco-systems. Makalu, Rolwaling and Kanchanjunga in the eastern part of the country (maximum elevation 5,500m) takes you through isolated valleys and high mountain passes to the base of the highest peaks on earth. Dolpo and Rara Lake in eastern Nepal (maximum elevation 4,500m) captivate visitors with its Phoksundo Lake and unparalleled scenery.
You’ll pass jungle-covered mountains, rhododendron forests, high yak pastures, turquoise lakes, snow capped peaks, beautiful temples, and rustic villages nestled in the mountains among shimmering, terraced rice fields. Playful children love to skip along beside you for an hour or so as you walk through the dizzy heights of their beautiful homeland. Nepal has only been open to the outside world for 50 years so there are still very few roads in Nepal and only a few are paved, but there are innumerable foot routes winding through the mountainous, yet pastoral countryside. For most Nepalese, trekking is the only way to go and they say you haven’t visited Nepal until you’ve gone trekking! So join us for a trek of a lifetime.
Trip Grades
We have graded each trip/trek based on the level of terrain, length of walks, and climate. Trips/Treks graded easy and moderate would be suitable for almost anyone with a lust for adventure while treks graded challenging and/or strenuous require a certain amount of experience and physical health. Our trekking trips are designed to be accessible to all who are in good health and enjoy the outdoors, but fitness levels are important and you should consider carefully which trip is right for you.
EASY
Experience is not necessary for taking part in an easy trip/trek, anyone fit and healthy enough to walk for 4-6 hours a day can manage easy trips/treks. These trips/treks only involve lower altitudes with daily ascents of around 300-600m on generally good weather, well-maintained paths, and with easy access to local amenities.
MODERATE
You are likely to walk for 6-7 hours each day over steep hilly terrain on usually rough trails but no real extremes of weather. Moderate trails entail reaching up to 5500m with daily ascends of around 400-700m. You will also be facing high-altitude air with a low level of oxygen on some days and are therefore required to have a positive attitude and be physically fit. Previous hiking or camping experience is preferable.
DIFFICULT
In difficult trips/treks, you are likely to walk for 6-8 hours, cross steep hilly terrain, and occasional high passes with daily ascend and descend of around 500-1000m. You are likely to be in a remote environment with extreme weather on some days where you might be facing high-altitude air with low levels of oxygen and only basic facilities on some nights. Previous trekking experience, physical fitness, and positive attitude are therefore essential.
STRENUOUS
You will be walking for 6-8 hours per day or longer at a very high altitude with a tough daily ascend and descend of around 500-1000m. Strenuous treks also involve remote, wild environments with extreme weather at times and availability of only a few facilities, perhaps for extended periods. You will also be trekking on minor trails and difficult terrain including snow or scrambling sections and are therefore required to have a high level of physical fitness along with the optimal level of experience and a positive attitude.