Trekking

 

Trekking is an intense cultural experience as well as an exploration of new place, people, spectacular environment and natural beauty. On beaten trails or virgin tracks, Nepal is a trekker's paradise. Trekking is the best way to experience Nepal's unbeatable combination of natural beauty and culture. The very organic rhythm of foot travel is a wonderful way to explore the mysterious and typical cultural practice of Himalayas. On average, trekking consists of walking daily 5 to 7 hours, 9 to 14 kilometers on a series of ascents and descents. These are not pathway designed for recreational use, but a working transportation network for goods and people. Expect to see plenty of traffic on many of the route and enjoy the chance to interact with the people, and explore their cultures, along the way. Caravans of laden mules or yaks are good subjects for your camera and rest breaks at the teahouses or small mountain villages are chances to meet fellow travelers from around the globe. Nepal is an experience which creates an unforgettable mark on the minds of the trekker's as one of the best destinations in the world for getting pleasure from the natural beauty of nature through trekking. It can be long or short, easy or hard depends on your choice. Himalayan trekkers usually follow the more popular trekking routes expedition. We provide variety of treks which suit our clients of all age groups and level of experience. Along with forests of rhododendron, a multitude of birds and animals, temples and monasteries, you will also encounter many small mountain villages. In these isolated hamlets, friendly people of diverse cultures offer a fascinating glimpse of traditional rural life. And in the background, every step of the way is the magnificent presence of the Himalayan peaks - providing breathtaking panoramic views.
The immense contrasts in altitude and climates found here support an equally spectacular mix of lifestyle and wildlife. Nepal is dominated by eight of the world's fourteen highest mountains, including Everest. Each one is over 8000 meters (26,000ft). In all, there are 1,310 peaks of 5000 meters (16,900ft) or more. Annually, more than 200, 00 tourists come here to trek. You will experience superb panoramic views of mountains, a diversity of landscape, flora and fauna, colorful cultures, friendly people and ancient history. Trekkers leave Nepal with grand tales to share with their family and friends

.

Trekking Trails

 

The trails are well maintained and are often paved with stones. Trekking in Nepal entails a lot of up and down. Most treks go through altitudes ranging from 1000 m to 3000 m. However, the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek, undoubtedly the most popular trek routes, reach over 5000 m. Normally one treks for four to seven hours a day.

Trekking Types:

Tea House Trek: One of the more popular treks in Nepal, enterprising villagers has built teahouse lodges. They are readily available in the Everest, Langtang and the entire Annapurna regions. The country offers a selection of teahouse treks run to a high level of service.

Full board camping Trek: This trek is assisted by a full Sherpa crew including a leader, cook and other helpers. Porters, Yaks, horses or mules are used for carrying luggage. It is the crew’s responsibility to cook and make and break camp, including living all sites clean. Food available on the camping trek will be a mixture of Western and Asian dishes with a variety of choice.

When to Trek?

The best time to trek in the popular regions of Annapurna, Everest and Langtang is from March to May offering better weather and trekkers can see superb wild flowers, particularly rhododendron blooming in the forests. Spring is warm and pleasant.
June to September is monsoon season and it rains almost every day, mostly in the evenings. The scenery is lush and green but trails become muddy.
Likewise, October and November is also the ideal period for trekking after the monsoon ceases. It is cooler with clear sky. December to February is also possible to do trek in the lowland Terai and Kathmandu valley rims. Winter months tend to be mild in the daytime with brilliant sunshine, but foggy in the mornings and can become very cold at night. However, at high altitudes the cold could be bitterer. January is the coldest month of the year in Nepal.

Trek Preparation
To trek you do not need to be a super athlete nor a mountaineer but a few weeks of training, prior to arriving in Nepal, will enhance your experience. Running a few miles most days is probably the best single physical activity, which will hand. It doesn't have to be too complicated. While you are training you can also be breaking in those new trekking boats that may otherwise give you blisters on the first day out on the trail. Those who are planning to climb one of the trekking peaks need to be physically very fit.

Fitness While Trekking;
We recommend you to be checked by your Physician before trekking and those who are suffering from heart disease, respiratory diseases such as Asthma, emphysema are not advisable to attempt to high altitude treks and any strenuous activity. So, one should be physically fit for trekking.

Necessary Trekking Gears
Sleeping Bag, Warm down-filled and wind proof Jacket to protect from cold, Light weight trekking Shoes, Woolen Socks, Comfortable Trousers or loose Skits for women, Flashlight and Batteries, Hat Sunglasses and Sun cream to protect from sunburn, Gloves, Raincoat and other personal things like Camera, extra cloths etc.

 

TIMS Information

Nepal Government assigns Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) to implement Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC) now becomes TIMS Registration Required for trekkers.

Trekking permit:
A valid permit is required for certain areas, which we will obtain upon your arrival. We will require two working days and two passports size photographs. Permits are not required for the Annapurna, Everest and Langtang treks. However, conservation fees are required for these national parks.

Disposal of rubbish:
We recommend that each trekker have keep a small bag during the course of the trip. Each morning a small fire is lit for burnable rubbish. Any non-burnable or non-biodegradable rubbish should be carried back to Kathmandu and disposed appropriately.

Money and valuable securities:

Always carry Nepalese rupees in small bills on your trek. The amount to be cared depends on the area and the duration of the trek. A guideline for this will be presented during our trek briefing. Money will only be required for the purchase of soft/hard bottled drinks and souvenirs along the way. Other money and valuables should be kept in a safe deposit box in your hotel in Kathmandu.

TREKKING IN NEPAL
Nepal is a land of extreme topographical, climatic and ecological contrasts. South of the central Himalayas, this mountain kingdom with an area of 147,181 sq. km, varies in altitude from the plain of 100m. To 8848m, the height of Mt. Everest, within a short span of less than 200 km. Biodiversity ranges from tropical to sub-tropical to alpine flora and fauna within that short north -south axis. Few countries in the world might have such a vast range of natural beauty crammed into a small area. The kingdom is a reign of natural and adventure opportunities are many.
For tourists with no prior experience of trekking, soft trekking routes amidst sprawling tribal villages with sweeping views of green hills and snowy peaks are available around Kathmandu and Pokhara. The trek starts from road head, goes up the hill until a panoramic view unfolds before the eyes and winds back to the comfort of the city on the same day or camping overnight on a ridge for view of sunrise over the snowy massif and coming down to the city the next day. Friendly and smiling Sherpas take care of you during the trip.

 

Trek Grades

Nepal, being a mountainous country, is more appropriate to think in terms of hour(s) spent walking, rather than the miles covered; this is what we use in our grading system. A typical day's walk lasts from
five to seven hours and involves a number of ascents and descents.

 

Grade: Easy

Easy Grade involves trekking to altitudes around 3500m or less; it is relatively easy walking around 5 hrs/ 15 km per day, with the occasional longer walk. These treks can be enjoyed by anyone who lives
a reasonably active life.

 

Grade: Moderate Easy

Moderate Easy Grade involves some longer walks to altitudes around 4000m or less; walking around 6 hrs/ 20 km a day. Some previous hill-walking experience is desirable. Moderate Easy may be described
as mild to moderate.

Grade: Moderate
Moderate Grade involves moderate trekking to altitudes of 2000m to 4000m for up to 6hrs/ 25 km per day, sometimes including excursions or pass crossing up to 5000m.

Grade: Moderate Hard
Moderate Hard Grade involves strenuous trekking to altitudes predominantly above 3500m with excursions and pass crossing of between 5000m and 6000m.

 

Grade: Hard

Hard Grade requires a high level of fitness and experience. There will be ice axes, crampons, and in some cases, ropes used. Climbs however are non-technical. The altitude would be predominantly above 4000m with quite a few nights above 5000m. Some climbing experience and elementary knowledge of the use of crampons and ice axe are essential.