(Leading your best ever holiday in Nepal)
Our main direction is to provide first class adventure tourism whilst generating a fairer income for the local community. We pride ourselves on vast knowledge and networks which allows us to focus on every detail of your journey ensuring minimal impact on the environment and local people.therefore we have been in the profession long enough to know what makes our trips a huge success. We've spent 10 to 15 years finding places to stay that are quaint, out of the way, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of the Himalayas.
The Himalaya, the "abode of snows", extends from Assam in eastern India west to Afghanistan. It is a chain of the highest and youngest mountains on earth and it encompasses a region of deep religious and cultural traditions and an amazing diversity of people. A trek in Nepal is a special and rewarding mountain holiday.
Just as New York is not representative of the USA, so Kathmandu is not representative of Nepal. If you have the time and energy to trek, don't miss the opportunity to leave Kathmandu and see the spectacular beauty and the unique culture of Nepal. Fortunately for the visitor, there are still only a few roads extending deeply into the hills, so the only way to truly visit the remote regions of the kingdom is in the slowest and most intimate manner - walking. It requires more time and effort, but the rewards are also greater. Instead of zipping down a freeway, racing to the next "point of interest," each step provides new and intriguing viewpoints. You will perceive your day as an entity rather than a few highlights strung together by a ribbon of concrete. For the romanticist, each step follows the footsteps of Hillary, Tenzing, Herzog and other Himalayan explorers. If you have neither the patience nor the physical stamina to visit the hills of Nepal on foot, a helicopter flight provides an expensive and unsatisfactory substitute.
Trekking in Nepal will take you through a country that has captured the imagination of mountaineers and explorers for more than 100 years. You will meet people in remote mountain villages whose lifestyle has not changed in generations. Most people trust foreigners. Nepal is one of only a handful of countries that has never been ruled by a foreign power. Many of the values associated with a hiking trip at home do not have the same importance during a trek in Nepal. Isolation is traditionally a crucial element of any wilderness experience but in Nepal it is impossible to get completely away from people, except for short times or at extremely high elevations. Environmental concerns must include the effects of conservation measures on rural people and the economic effects of tourism on indigenous populations. Even traditional national park management must be adapted because there are significant population centres within Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) and Langtang national parks.
Trekking does not mean mountain climbing. While the ascent of a Himalayan peak may be an attraction for some, you need not have such a goal to enjoy a trek. As far as most people are concerned, trekking always refers to walking on trails.
While trekking you will see the great diversity of Nepal. Villages embrace many ethnic groups and cultures. The terrain changes from tropical jungle to high glaciated peaks in only 150 km. From the start, the towering peaks of the Himalaya provide one of the highlights of a trek. As your plane approaches Kathmandu these peaks appear to be small clouds on the horizon. The mountains become more definable and seem to reach impossible heights as you get closer and finally land at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport.
During a trek, the Himalaya disappears behind Nepal's continual hills, but dominates the northern skyline at each pass. Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, Gauri Shankar and Everest will become familiar names. Finally, after weeks of walking, you will arrive at the foot of the mountains themselves - astonishing heights from which gigantic avalanches tumble earthwards in apparent slow motion, dwarfed by their surroundings. Your conception of the Himalaya alters as you turn from peaks famed only for their height to gaze on far more picturesque summits that you may never have heard of - Kantega, Ama Dablam, Machhapuchhare and Kumbhakarna
When trekking in Nepal.
There are two major factors to weigh as you decide when to go to Nepal: crowds and weather. As a general rule, the better the weather, the more people come to Nepal to go trekking. During the high tourist season in October and November, flights and hotels are fully booked and hotels and trails in the hills can be horrendously busy.
During autumn the nights are cold in the mountains, but the bright sun makes for pleasant day temperatures - in the high 20s° C, falling to 5° C at night, between 1000 metres and 3500 metres. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 20° C down to -10° C. Mornings are usually clear with clouds building up during the afternoon, disappearing at night to reveal spectacular starry skies. During winter it is about 10 degrees colder.
Early December usually has a lull, but this is also a good trekking season. The Christmas period is cold, but this is the holiday season in Japan and Australia and these nationalities dominate flights and hotels. High passes, especially Thorung La on the Around Annapurna trek and Laurabina Pass on the Gosainkund trek are usually closed from late November to March. February is still cold, though less so as the spring trekking season of March and April approaches. The Middle Hills, especially around Pokhara, are full of dust and haze in April and May, but the high country is usually clear. Trekking tapers off in the heat of May except at high elevations.
The monsoon is a good time to visit Kathmandu, but there are few trekkers among those who come. A monsoon trek is possible if you are willing to put up with the rain, leeches, slippery trails and lousy mountain views. Flights operate throughout the monsoon to Lukla, Jumla and Jomsom, so it is possible to fly in and trek above the leech line.
Many of the new treks to recently opened restricted areas are good summer treks. Mustang and Simikot are partially in the Himalayan rain shadow, so trekking conditions are good throughout the monsoon season. Most of the restricted area treks are impossible during the winter season.
Climate
Nepal has four distinct seasons. Spring, from March to May, is warm and dusty with rain showers. Summer, from June to August, is the monsoon season when the hills turn lush and green. Autumn, from September to November, is cool with clear skies, and is the most popular trekking season. In winter, from December to February, it is cold at night and can be foggy in the early morning, but afternoons are usually clear and pleasant, though there is occasional snow in the mountains.
Because Nepal is quite far south (at the same latitude as Miami and Cairo) the weather is warmer and winter is much milder at lower elevations, including Kathmandu at 1400 metres. It rarely snows below 2000 metres.
The monsoon in the Bay of Bengal governs the weather pattern. The monsoon creates a rainy season from the middle of June to the middle of September. It is hot during the monsoon and it rains almost every day, but it is a considerate rain, limiting itself mostly to the night. During this season, trekking in most of Nepal is difficult and uncomfortable. Clouds usually hide the mountains and the trails are muddy and infested with leeches.
It usually does not rain for more than one or two days during the entire autumn season from mid-October to mid-December. During winter and spring there may be a week or so of rainy evenings and occasional thunderstorms blanket the hills with snow. The Himalaya makes its own localised weather, which varies significantly over a distance of a few km. Despite the sanguine assurances of Radio Nepal that the weather will be "...mainly fair throughout the kingdom", always expect clouds in the afternoon and be prepared for occasional rain.
Most of the precipitation in the Himalaya occurs during the summer monsoon. There is less snow on the mountains and on many of the high trails during winter. Everest itself is black rock during the trekking season, becoming snow-covered only during summer. There are always exceptions to this weather pattern, so be prepared for extremes. Winter snowstorms in December and January may make an early spring pass crossing difficult and can present an avalanche danger, especially on the approach to the Annapurna Sanctuary.
In Kathmandu, spring and autumn days are comfortable and the evenings are cool, usually requiring a light jacket or pullover. Winter in Kathmandu brings cold foggy mornings and clear evenings, but pleasant day temperatures with brilliant sunshine most days after the morning fog has lifted. It never snows in Kathmandu, though there is frost on cold nights in January and February. The hottest month is May, just before the rains start.
Temperatures
Temperatures in Kathmandu are as follows: Maximum Minimum
° F ° C ° F ° C
October 88 31 58 14
January 66 19 37 3
April 84 29 46 8
Temperatures in the Everest Region average 20 to 30° F (10 to 15° C) colder than the above figures up to about 14,000 feet, the highest point reached on a short Everest trek. Near Pokhara, temperatures are 5 to 10° F (3 to 5° C) warmer than Kathmandu. Remember that it will often feel quite cold because you will be outdoors all day
Trekking Permits In Nepal
A Trekking permit is a must to visit restricted areas mentioned below. To visit normal trekking areas, no permission is required. Restricted areas which have been opened for Group Trekking
The following restricted areas are open only for group trekkers. And a trekking permit will not be issued to individual trekkers for such areas. The areas and required fees are as follows:
Area Fee (per person)
1. Areas of lower Dolpa For the first 4 weeks per week per person US$ 10 and after 4 weeks per week per person US$ 20.
2. Taplejung District (Kanchanjanga Region):-Areas of Olangchunggola, Lelep, Papung and Yamphudin Village Development Committee.Sankhuwasabha District (Makalu Region):-Areas of Kimathanka, Chepuwa, Hatiya and Pawakhola Village Development Committee.Solukhumbu District (Everest Region):-All north-west area way from Thame to Nangpala of Namche Village Development Committee. For the first 4 weeks per week per person US$ 10 and After 4 weeks per week per person US$ 20
3. Rasuwa District :-Thuman and Tingure per week per person US$ 10
4. Manang District:- Areas of Nar, Phu, and Northern area of Tilche Village of Thochhe Village Development Committee For September to November per week per person US$ 90 and December to August per week per person US$ 75.
5. Mugu District:- Areas of Mugu, Dolpu, Pulu and Bhangri. For the first 7 days per person US $90 and After 7 days per day per person Us$15.
6. Baihang District:-Areas of Kanda, Saipal, Dhuli. For the first 7 days per person US $90 and After 7 days per day per person Us$15.
7. Darchula District:- Areas of Byas Village Development Committee. For the first 7 days per person US $90 and After 7 days per day per person Us$15.
8. Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa District:- For the first 10 days per person US $700 and After 10 days per day per person Us$70.
9. Gorkha District (Manaslu Area):- For Sepetmber to November per week per person US$ 90 and December to August per week per person US$ 75.
10. Humla District (Simikot and Yari):- Areas of Limi and Muchu village village Development Committee, and area way to Tibet via Tangekhola of Darma Village Development committee. For the first 7 days per person US $90 and After 7 days per day per person Us$15.
Note : To get a group trekking permit an application form with other relevant documents should be submitted through any registered trekking agency of Nepal.
Trekking Permits Issuing Offices:
Dept. of Immigration, Bhirkutimandap, Kathmandu.
Miscellaneous Fees
a. Travel document (in case of loss/damage/theft/or expiry of the passport)-US$ 20
b. Issuance of Entry Visa from the Dept.-25% additional fee along with regular entry visa fee.
c. Certification of Arrival or Departure stamps or replacement of trekking permit US$ 1 (one).
Permit for Trekking Peaks:
Permit for Trekking Peaks under Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA)
(Maximum 15 persons in a group)
US$ 300 up to 10 persons - extra US$ 7.5 for each additional person
S.No. Name of the peak Height in Meters Region
01. Hiunchuli 6441 Annapurna Himal, Gandaki
02. Singu Chuli (Fluted peak) 6501 Annapurna Himal, Gandaki
03. Mera Peak 6654 Khumbu Himal, Sagarmatha
04. Kusum Kangru 6367 Khumbu Himal, Sagarmatha
05. Kwangde 6011 Khumbu Himal, Sagarmatha
06. Chulu West 6419 Manang District,Gandaki
07. Chulu East 6584 Manang District,Gandaki
08. Imja Tse (Island Peak) 6160 Khumbu Himal, Sagarmatha
09. Parchemuche 6187 Rolwaling Himal, Janakpur
10 Lobuje 6119 Khumbu Himal, Sagarmatha
11 Romdung 5925 Rolwaling Himal, Janakpur
12 Pisang Peak 6019 Manang District, Gandaki
13 Khongma Tse (Mehra Peak) 849 Khumbu Himal, Sagarmatha
14 Ganja La Chuli (Naya Kanga) 5844 Langtang Himal, Bagmati
15 Pokhalde 5906 Khumbu Himal, Sagarmatha
16 Mardi Himal 5587 Annapurna Himal, Gandaki
17 Paldor Peak 5896 Langtang Himal, Bagmati
Clothing & Equipment
Your trek outfitter will normally provide two person waterproof tents, foam mattresses, and all cooking and eating utensils. You will need your own warm clothing, walking shoes, sleeping bag and personal equipment. During the day you will carry your camera, jacket, and water bottle in a rucksack. The rest of your equipment, including your sleeping bag, will be carried by porters. All hiking will be on trails. You will not need any climbing equipment such as ropes, ice axe, or crampons at any time during the trek. The equipment check list that follows details the equipment you will need for your trek. Most of these items are available for rent or sale in Kathmandu, but all trekking equipment in Nepal is either used equipment that was sold by other trekkers or mountaineering expeditions or locally made reproductions of internationally known brands. The local rucksacks, duffel bags and rain ponchos are inexpensive and will usually stand up to the rigors of a trek or two. Don't be fooled into thinking that you are getting a brand name item, however; most new looking rucksacks available in the bazaar are made in Nepal from imported Korean nylon.
In Kathmandu casual clothes are the rule, unless you get invited to a formal Nepal government or embassy reception.
Equipment Check List
* Jeans or slacks
* Towel and toilet kit
* Underwear
* Gloves or mittens
* Sleeping bag, warm to 20 degrees F, either down or fibrefill (or you can rent one in Kathmandu)
* Parka, down or fibrefill; a ski jacket is ok
* Sweater, wool shirt or acrylic pile jacket.
* Daypack or rucksack, waterproof, for you to carry
* Water bottle 1 litre or 1 quart; be sure that it does not leak.
* Flashlight
* Walking shoes: either boots or strong tennis or running shoes, well broken in. As there may be rain, mud or snow; boots are sometimes necessary therefore you should bring them despite the extra hassle. Many times the entire trek can be done in tennis shoes, but if there is snow, you run the risk of frostbite, or at least cold feet if you do not have boots. If your feet are small (size 10 or less), you can rent boots in Kathmandu.
* Hats, one with a brim for sun; one wool for cold weather.
* Sunglasses or goggles - very important for travel above 12,000 feet. Absolutely essential for Everest trek.
* Shorts - it may be warm during the day, especially near Pokhara. You will probably not wear shorts on Everest treks. Women should wear skirts instead of shorts.
* Socks - two pairs thick wool or wool/nylon.
* Shirts - three are recommended: two T shirts and one long sleeve shirt.
* Pocket knife (Be sure this is packed in your checked baggage to avoid hassles with airport security).
* Rainwear - a poncho; or you can buy an Indian umbrella in Kathmandu for about $2.
* Slippers or sandals for campsite wear. Rubber "shower shoes" are available in Kathmandu for about $1
This list is suitable for most 8 to 10 day treks. Although you can wash clothes during the trek, you may need extra socks and shirts etc. for longer treks. If your trek goes above 3500 metres (about 12,000 feet) for more than one day you should pay particular attention to warm clothing. If you are trekking to higher elevations or during the cold season you should carry both a pile jacket and a down or fibrefill parka.
The weight limit on treks and domestic flights is 15 kg (33 pounds); make an effort to keep your baggage within this weight limit.
Trekking in Nepal.
Teahouse Treks
The Nepali word bhatti translates well as "teahouse". It is a bit pretentious to call some of these village establishments a hotel, but the Nepalese use of English translates restaurant or eating place as "hotel". Since the word hotel has, therefore, been pre-empted, Nepalese use the word "lodge" for sleeping place or hotel. Thus, in the hills of Nepal a "hotel" has food, but may not provide a place to sleep, while a "lodge" always offers accommodation. Many innkeepers specify the services they provide by calling their establishments "Hotel & Lodge". To avoid all this semantic confusion, most people use hotel, lodge and teahouse interchangeably. In reality you can almost always find both accommodation and food at any trailside establishment.
The most popular way to trek in Nepal for both Nepalese and Westerners is to travel from teahouse to teahouse. Hotel accommodation is most readily available in the Khumbu (Everest) region, the Langtang area and the entire Annapurna region. In these areas you can operate with a bare minimum of equipment and rely on teahouses for food and shelter. In this manner, it will cost from US$3 to US$10 a day, depending on where you are and how simply you can live and eat. It becomes much more expensive at high altitudes and in very remote areas.
Most Thakali inns (found along the Pokhara to Jomsom Trek) have bedding available - usually a cotton-filled quilt. Sometimes the bedding has the added attraction of lice and other bed companions. Bring along your own sheet or sleeping bag to provide some protection against these bugs. During the busy trekking seasons in October to November and March to April, it may be difficult to find bedding every night on the Jomsom Trek. Bedding is not usually available at hotels on the Everest trek or around Annapurna, so on these treks you should carry your own sleeping bag.
Although many hotels in the hills are reasonably comfortable, the accommodation in some places may be a dirty, often smoky, home. Chimneys are rare, so a room on the 2nd floor of a house can turn into an intolerable smokehouse as soon as someone lights the cooking fire in the kitchen below. Often it is possible to sleep on porches of houses, but your gear is then less secure. The most common complaint among trekkers who rely on local facilities is about smoky accommodation.
By arranging your food and accommodation locally, you can move at your own pace and set your own schedule. You can move faster or slower than others and make side trips not possible with a large group. You can spend a day photographing mountains, flowers or people - or you can simply lie around for a day. Hotels provide a special meeting place for trekkers from throughout the world. You are free (within the limits imposed by your trekking permit) to alter your route and change your plans to visit other out-of-the-way places as you learn about them. You will have a good opportunity to see how the people in the hills of Nepal live, work and eat and will probably develop at least a rudimentary knowledge of the Nepali language.
You are, however, dependent on facilities in villages or in heavily trekked regions. Therefore you must trek in inhabited areas and on the better known routes. You may need to alter your schedule to reach a certain hotel for lunch or dinner. You can miss a meal if there is no hotel when you need one or if the hotel you are counting on is closed. A few packets of biscuits in your backpack are good insurance against these rough spots. Most of the major routes are well documented, but they are also well travelled. A hotel can be out of food if there are many other trekkers or if you arrive late. You may have to change your planned destination for the day when you discover that the lunch you ordered at an inn will take a very long time to prepare. You will usually make this discovery only after you have already waited an hour or so. It is wise to be aware of these kinds of problems and to prepare yourself to deal with them.
If you deviate from popular routes, be prepared to fend for yourself at times. If, however, you carry food, cooking pots and a tent to use even one night, you have already escalated beyond the teahouse approach into a more complex form of trekking with different problems.
Trekking with a Trekking Company
Companies specializing in trekking can organise both individual and group treks. One major advantage to dealing with someone close to home is that it's easy to communicate by phone and the agent can assist you with travel to and from Nepal.
On an arranged trek the group must stay generally on its prearranged route and, within limits, must meet a specific schedule. This means that you may have to forego an appealing side trip or festival and, if you are sick, you will probably have to keep moving with the rest of the group. You also may not agree with a leader's decisions if the schedule must be adjusted because of weather, health, political or logistical considerations.
You will be trekking with people you have not met before. Although some strong friendships may develop, there may also be some in the party you would much rather not have met. For some people, this prospect alone rules out their participation in a group trek
Camping Treks off the Beaten Track
There are few better experiences than trekking under canvas in wilderness Nepal. The freedom, fresh air and exhilarating views make for an unforgettable experience in this country of contrast. Camping trek is the classic style of trekking in Nepal and can be conducted almost anywhere in Nepal. It is quite large fully organized outfitter completed with guide, cook, assistant guide, kitchen boys, kitchen and camp helper, porters for fuel provision of delicious food. Camping treks with Nature Trails is based on team work where everyone pulls together, for it is as much about the journey along the way as it is about the destination. We provide unique and fresh foods without harmful chemical by using less number of tin foods, as much as possible we will use fresh fruits and vegetable. High quality of kitchen equipments, sleeping tents, staffs tents, dinning tents, toilet tent, shower tent, dinning table, chairs, mattress, foods, sleeping bags are provided. Porters carry all provisions, camping equipment, and trekkers' personal baggage.
Our trekking chef would supply meals 3 times a day including tea, coffee and chocolate. Menu can always be fixed as per your choice for Continental, Chinese, Indian or Nepalese items. Those on camping treks, trekkers interact with Nepal and its people that will determine the richness of your experiences. You can learn Nepali and gain great cultural insight from the Nepali staffs thus the camping treks offers you an extra excitement of trekking in the Himalayas.
We have compiled a number of itineraries below which cover a variety of 'off the beaten track' destinations covering a very wide area the Nepal Himalaya. We have built around these treks time in Kathmandu in four star hotel accommodations to adjust before and relax after your trek.
 Adventure Great Himalaya Treks & Expedition (P.) Ltd. P.O.Box: 5511, Thamel, KTM Phone: +977-1-4701262, Cell: +977-9841273869 E-mail: info@greathimalaya.com URL: www.trektohimalaya.com |
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