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Nepal Trekking Information

Find here Nepal trekking information on the following topics.

Nepal trekking regions

Everest , Annapurna and Langtang are three most important trekking regions of Nepal. These are the regions where most of the trekkers go for a trekking. The Mustang , Manaslu and Dolpo regions are preserved places which are termed by Nepal government as restricted trekking regions .Only a limited number of trekkers are allowed for trekking there . Recently , from December 2007, Manaslu is removed from the restricted area list and it is now open for general trekkers .Still, only a registered trekking company can send the groups there.The Makalu and the Kanchenjunga are respectively 5th and 3 rd highest mountains in the world and is another important trekking region.Despite offering rewarding trek this region is not very popular due to its remoteness and transport difficulties .These are popular among more serious adventurers. Rara lake is another important and quite scenic trekking region in western Nepal.It is wild, unspoilt and has heavenly beauty.In central Nepal lies the Ganesh Himal region that offers excellent trekking trails and a rewarding cultural insight.

Best or popular treks

You may wish to know the single best trek and do it, but the comparision is often not posssible as the landscape, the cultural reward and mountain panorama are different and unique on each treks. Roughly, Everest , Annapurna , Mustang, Dolpo and Rara lake treks can be termed as best five.In terms of popularity , but Everest and Annapurna are ahead of all.If you are a first timer , trekking Everest or Annapurna will be the most satisfying experience for you. Being popular and being best are different things. There are certainly treks better than Annapurna and the Everest treks.Untill you have initial experience of the Himalayas , it is a bit flattering truth. It is because of the same discovery that many trekkers return to Nepal for trekking again and again.

Best trekking season

Seasons without rainfall or snowfall are the best time to trek in Nepal .During monsoon or winter the trails in the mountains are blocked.For high altitude treks October to early December and March to May are the best time. At lower atitudes like Jomsom , treks can be organised even in December. For regions further lower like Poon hill or Panchase treks can be organised all through the winter . However in rain shadow zones like Mustang and Dolpo treks can be organised even during summer .These areas experience very little rainfall in summer and it is warmer that time of the year. The barren, alpine measows turn into green carpet of grasses and bloom with varities of alpine flowers.

Trekking styles (Tea house or Camping trek)

In popular trekking routes like Annapurna , Langtang and Everest we find Lodges at frequent stops where we can stop for lunches or overnight stay. A trekking tour using these mountain lodges for food and sleeping is called a tea house trekking in Nepal.Before tourism was introduced , these places used to have small huts selling tea and light snacks to villagers and pilgrims travelling form one place to another , hence the name "tea house."Today , these tea houses cater to international trekkers, they can cook continental and other foods and provide comfortable rooms.Usually they cook to your order. Instead, if we do not use these facilities but go for a fully supported trek with our own cook, guide, and camping equipments , that is called camping or organised trek.A camping trek costs more than a lodge to lodge trek but the experience is more authentic and rewarding.We run both type of treks but we run camping treks more.

A typical day on the trekking trail

A typical trekking day starts at around 6 am with a cup of tea or coffee at your tent. Washing your face with warm water you will be prepared for breakfast at around 7-7.30.The trek starts at around 8 am after the breakfast. You walk on your own pace , stopping for photographs or enjoying the scenery. After about 3 hours we stop for lunch prepared by our camp cook.The cooking team moves ahead of the group. The lunch lasts for one and half half hour and there will be another session of walking for next 3 to 4 hours before we reach our campsite. While you will rest , our trekking crew will fix the tent for you, the cooking team will offer you tea/coffee, and prepare the hot dinner for you.You will have very friendly and enjoyable dinner time unde clear blue sky in Himalayan solitude.During the day, you just carry your light day pack with things that you may need during the day, rest will be carried by yaks, mules or our porters.

Clothing and equipments

The list below is for your general idea, a reminder incase you forget important items . The list differs from treks to treks , more items for higher altitude and lesser for lower altitude . Even for the same trek personal requirements may vary. For shorter , lower altitude treks you can buy or hire almost everything at reasonnable price in Kathmandu. However for high altitude treks you better bring the basics fom your own country - good down jacket, fleece jacket, good trainer and hiking boot , windproof/water proof outer garment , head torch, thermal underwear and at least six pairs of warm socks from your own country, as local makes may not be very reliable.

For Head  
Cap for day trek
Fleece cap for night
sunglasses/goggles
sunscreen lotion/sun balm

For Body
T-shirts
Long sleeved shirts
Fleece or thermal shirts for colder areas
Fleece jumper/sweaters
Down jacket
Wind /water proof outer garment

For leg and hand
Casual troussers for walking
Water proof trouser
Thermal legging for colder areas
Hand gloves

 

 For foot
Woolen and cotton socks
Trainer or casual shoes
Waterproof hiking boot
Gaiter for rain and snow
Miscellaneous
Rucksack /duffel bags
Day pack
 Personal medicines
water bottle and iodine tablets
Head torch
 Film rolls and camera
Extra batteries for digital camera
Toiletries and towel
Large hankerchief

Optional items
compass , binoculars , altimeters
Playing cards , books, guide book
Some photographs of family

Trekking Permit:

Everest, Annapurna, Langtang and Rara regions do not require a trekking permit  but require a national park fee of respectively of  USD 31, 15 and 15 . However, these following special areas  do require a trekking permit:

The trekking permit / national park conservation fees are as follows for different regions .

1. Everest, Langtang and Rara regions:  USD 15

2. Annapurna region:  USD 31

3. Lower Dolpo and Kanchenjunga trekking:  - Per week per person USD 10

4. Manaslu  and Narphu valley trekking:  – US$ 70 per person per week for trekking during Sept- Nov and US$ 50 per week per person during December- August.  After seven days USD 10 or USD 7 perperson per day asper the trekking months .

5. Humla trekking: - US$ 50 per person for the first seven days and US$ 7 per day thereafter.

6. Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo trekking:  - US$ 500 per person for the  first ten days and US$ 50 per person per day thereafter.

An entrance fee is levied for visits to all National Parks and Conservation Areas. There is no charge for children under 10 years

Altitude sickness

The higher the altitude ,the lower will be the oxygen in the air . When a person ascends the mountains quickly his/her body is not yet adjusted to the lower level of oxygen of the new height. In such a situation our body shows symptoms like giddiness/reeling, nausea, headache, sleeplessness, bad dreams , lack of appettite and vomitting.Altitude sickness has no medication, the one and only treatment is descending immediately to lower altitude. If you descend immediately to lower heights you will be Ok.Often you should be able to resume your trek next morning or the day after. The worst thing about altitude sickness is you will not have time to think or wait, if you do not descend soon , in serious cases, you may loose life within few hours.People of all ages can have altitude sickness but those having heart and lung problems need more precaution.

All cases of altitude sickness are preventable if people take proper care. Walking slowly above 3000m, taking plenty of water , avoiding alcohol and having a acclimatisation day on your itinerary (spare day to adjust your body to the new height)are some of the tips to prevent it. Equally important is telling your guide IN TIME if you doubt that you have one of the symptoms.Do not pretend you are ok, it may cost your life.All good companies take care of these facts . But cheaper trekking companies in a run to cut their cost often shorten the trek days ( keep no acclimatisation days), send no extra staffs in the group to care incase someone gets sick.Allso they can notpay for a qualified guide who has trainings on altitude sickness and basic first aid . These unqualified guides, often due to their ignorance or because they do not have extra staffs to care the sick member, insist the sick member to continue together.Because of the same that there happen a couple of deaths in the Himalayas every year. Many trekkers have to cancel their trek from midway .In all our treks we give first priority to safety. We brief you well on altitude sickness before the trip starts .Our guides will frequently check if you have any symptoms. In serious cases they will inform the company for a helicopter rescue and you will be evacuated to Kathmandu.

What is TIMS ?

TIMS stands for trekking information management system.This project is supposed to be in operation from the beginning of 2008. After its implementation trekkers will have to register their trekking details before they depart for the trek. They are supposed to register to TAAN( Nepal trekking agencies' association) or Nepal tourism board.This registration is free of cost. TIMS aims at collecting correct data and know whereabouts of each trekkers on the route so that they can be helped if there arises such a situation . It also aims at controlling illegal operations by foreign tour leaders and Nepalese independent trekking guides .Note that these tour leaders and trekking guides pay no income tax to Nepal government and their working status is illegal. If there arises any problem on the route, they can not organise the rescue . If they do not give you proper services you will have no way to complain as you are yourself using illegal service. All government registered trekking companies can get TIMS pass for their trekkers , so there will not be any extra work or loss of time for the trekkers after its implementation.

Books for Nepal trekking information

Books on Trekking and Peak climbing

 

Books on General Interest
Title: 'Nepal'
Author: Lonely Planet Publications
 

Title: 'Trekking in The Nepal Himalaya'
Author: Stan Armington
 

Title: 'Trekking In The Annapurna Region'
Author: Bryn Thomas
 

Title: 'Trekking In The Everest Region'
Author: Jamie McGuiness
 

Title: 'The Trekking Peaks of Nepal'
Author: Bill O'Connor


 

Title: 'Into Thin Air'
Author: Jon Krakauer
 
Title: 'The Climb'
Author: Anatoli Boukreev
 
Title: 'Nepali Aama'
Author: Broughton Coburn
 
Title: 'Aama in America'
Author: Broughton Coburn
 
Title: 'Touching My Father's Soul:In The Footsteps of Sherpa Tenzing'
Author: Jamling Tenzing Norgay
 
Title: 'Annapurna'
Author: Maurice Herzog

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