Trekking Useful information

What is trekking?
Nepal's mountainous, hilly, and Terai regions offer some of the most spectacular trekking in the world. Treks vary from high-altitude routes to simple ones within the Kathmandu valley. These treks will give you a chance to mix with the local people and get an insight into their livelihood and culture. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of trekking is clean mountain air and magnificent views of the mighty Himalayan Peaks. One will feel at pleasure with nature and oneself.

When to go?
The best time to trek is from October to May. The first two months of the dry season October and November, are probably the ideal period for trekking in Nepal. The air, freshly washed by the monsoon rains is crystal clear, the mountain scenery is superb, and the weather is still comfortably warm.

December, January and February are still good months for trekking, but the cold can be bitter at high altitudes.

March and May also offer better weather. A trekker can see the superb wild flowers, particularly Nepal's wonderful rhododendrons.

About trail conditions:
Trails are often steep and taxing, Walking the trails often entails a great deal of altitude gain and loss. One must remember that even the base of the great mountains of the Himalayas can be very high. Most treks which go through populated areas stick to between 1,000 meters and 3,000 meters, although the Everest Base Camp trek and the Annapurna circuit trek both reach over 5,000 meters. On high treks like these it is wise to ensure adequate acclimatization. A typical day's walk lasts from five to seven hours and involves a number of ascents and descents.

In Nepal there are two types of treks organized by our agency,
A) Tea-house trek:
The most popular way to trek in Nepal for both Nepalese and Westerners is to travel through teahouse trek. Hotel accommodation is most readily available in the Khumbu (Everest) region, the Langtang area, and the entire Annapurna region. In these areas you can rely on tea-houses for both food and shelter at any trailside establishment.

(B) Camping trek:
in this type of trek you will be provided Sherpas, Porters, food, and equipment and depart with all the comforts and facilities of an organized trek. On such a trek you camp in tents while porters carry your gear, Sherpas set up camp, and, meals are prepared and served to you by the chef.

Trekkers who opt for either a Teahouse or a Camping trek, particularly with a small group of friends of family members often have a rewarding, enriching, and enjoyable trip. Out agency can organize the entire arrangements of the trek for individuals of groups.

Daily trek routine:
You will awaken up with a cup of tea brought to your tentat 6.00AM followed by a small bowl of hot water for you to wash. Before breakfast, you should pack up your gear, bearing in mind that your sleeping bag will also have to fit into the duffel bag. Roll up your mattress, put it in a stuff sack, and ensure your tent is free of rubbish and personal belongings.

Your duffel bag will be taken by your Sherpa and tied up with other gear into a load, which heads off early with the porters. This will be available to you at the next camp. We usually hit the trail by 7.30 AM and stop for lunch around 12 O'clock. Lunch is usually about one and half-hours. This allows sufficient time to serve meals to the group members. The afternoon walk will be shorter and we camp around 4 to 5 PM. Please keep in mind that these times are general conditions - weather, availability of suitable camp-sites and water supply may effects them greatly at any time. The evening meal is served around 6.30 PM inside the dining tent. A pressurized kerosene lantern lights our tent. Food is served on tables while we sit in camp chairs. After dinner the leader, Sirder, will brief everyone on the next days trekking. Then you can retire to your comfortable sleeping tents, step out to watch the stars or socialize in the mess tent. Food on the trek is plentiful, hygienic, wholesome and varied. Enough staple products are carried for the entire outing. While fresh supplies of vegetables, eggs and meat will purchase locally. Every camp has a simple but hygienic toilet-tent

Food and Water:
Our trekking staff take maximum care with water hygiene. Water is boiled properly before preparing tea or coffee. We advise against drinking water from tea shops. Our camp staff will re-fill your water bottles during breakfast and dinner times with properly treated water. Food on treks is wholesome and freshly prepared for each meal. We rarely serve canned food, it is only used on long treks.

Altitude:
Acclimatization is important for the trekking above 3500m. Our trekking schedules have been carefully designed to maximize your ability to acclimatize safely. We ascend slowly and ensure an adequate number of rest days. However, it is still possible for mountain sickness and your tour leader or Sirdar will be watching for symptoms with an experienced eye throughout the trip. These symptoms are commonly headache, nausea, lethargy and sometime breathlessness. If you or any of the group members display any of these symptoms he will be able to provide informed advice and ensure a proper course of action. Your tour leader will advise you more thoroughly regarding the altitude and most of the problems prior to starting on trail.

Comparative Oxygen Varied Rate in Different Altitude Level

List of Altitude Level and Oxygen Rate

The above given oxygen varied percentage rates of different altitude level provide you least of an idea to know yourself for your trekking/climbing journey. Which is listed from the highest point of world Mt Everest (8,848m/ 29,028 feet) top and 760mmHg standard sea level.

Insurance:
Your medical insurance policy should cover for helicopter evacuation, many policies leave this out so be sure to check yours. The fee for such an evacuation can amount to US$ 2000.00 per rescue.

First aid kit:
We provide a first aid kit on our group treks. We suggest you bring the following supplementary items with you:

Anti-diarrhea tablets, blister pads, sterile plain and crepe bandages, tube of antiseptic cream, decongestants/antihistamines, throat lozenges, paracetamol or aspirin and personal medicines as prescribed by your physician.

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.