 |
 |
|
Nepal
Trekking Reference Guide
Trekking in the mountains of Nepal is more a cultural experience than a wilderness expedition. You will be passing through picturesque villages inhabited by diverse ethnic groups. You will see Chhetri farmers working in their fields and Tamang herders grazing their animals on the steep slopes. You will meet Gurkha soldiers home on leave and come across Sherpa yak drivers transporting goods over the high mountain passes. And always in the background, the icy pinnacles of the Himalaya loom over the scenery.
You don’t need to be a mountaineer with rippling muscles to enjoy trekking. If you are reasonably fit, have a spirit of adventure and are not afraid of walking, you qualify. There are excellent trekking agencies who offer Full-Service (Camping) Treks and will take care of all the details like government permits, air/bus tickets, guides, cooks, porters, food, tents, and equipment. All you have to do on the trail is concentrate on putting one foot before the other. On many popular trekking trails, you can also go on what is known as Tea-House Treks - eating and staying in the many lodges on the way. A day on the trail usually consists of four to five hours of walking broken by a lunch stop. You trek to enjoy the scenery on the trail, not to get to a destination in a hurry. The main precaution to be taken while trekking is not to go up too high too fast. The body should be given plenty of time to acclimatize. See Altitude Mountain Sickness below for more information.
Breaking out of the norm, traveling with a group, traveling to remote or restricted areas, enjoying camp-side banter and serene surroundings are just a few of the reasons to opt for a Full-Service Camping Trek. You will have more control over where you go, how long you stay and even food choices if an agency puts you on one of these expeditions. A buckert of hot washing-water will await at your tent door each morning before you head off for a hot cup of chia and a trip to the toilet-tent.
Tea-House trekking is an easy way to go. These are treks along the most popular treking routes and seldom will you be away from a bottle of Coca-Cola or cozy lodge. You can almost do it without an agent, but you will want a recommended porter even if you do not have need for a guide. Any agency can refer one. Stays at Tea-Houses are even cheaper than staying in a Kathmandu based guest house. You will find Nepali-ized western food and solar powered hot-water showers in many places. Although broken-English is a norm along these trails, you'll definitely enhance you experience by merging with the culture by carrying a Nepali Phrase book. Off the Record: Consider bringing a recommended cook along to break up the monotony of set Tea-House menus. This could also guarantee a healthy journey for your stomach as they'll be able to provide hygiene control in Tea-House kitchens.
Your trekking agency will provide equipment like sleeping bags, foam mattresses and tents. All you need to bring is your personal gear. We've seen porters make in through mountain passes in flip-flop sandals while carrying loads for two travelers. Nevertheless, we want you to enjoy your journey so use the lists (and your porters' muscles) below as guides. Minimal Requirements
Winter Requirements
Some nice add-ons
Unnecessary Items - reminder...
Please Note: North Face and Pategonia type companies own the market in the USA, but many of the above mentioned items can be purchased/rented in Kathmandu and Pokhara. These high-tech companies and there products can make for a dreamy trekking experience when you learn what all thoughs pockets and fancy fabrics are really designed for. Beware: Virtually all the brand name items in Nepal are Korean knock-offs. Shoes and sox are the essential items to bring from outside the country, if your in the Bigfoot category.
Flights by plane and helicopter into and out of the remote areas and airports are prone to cancellations and delays due to inclement weather. It is advisable to allow some layover days while planning a flight out of airports other than Kathmandu and Pokhara. When these flights are considered in the itinerary, it is also recommended to carry extra money to buy food and accommodations in case of delays. Agencies will not be responsible for these additional expenses or costs incurred from lost connections, so plan accordingly.
Trekking in Nepal need not be considered a risky affair as far as your health is concerned. Nevertheless, preventive measures such as a thorough medical check-ups and inoculations before you start trekking can save you from unexpected hazards. Since the remote places of Nepal are not supplied with necessities that are essential for modern medical facilities, and as the rescue and evacuation are measured in days, it is imperative to make a comprehensive First Aid kit consisting of basic drugs and accessories as part of the paraphernalia for trekking. Various trekking guide books and the pamphlet published by the Himalayan Rescue Association give you detailed information on a complete list of medical supplies. These guide books are easily available in the bookshops of Kathmandu. In case of serious illness or injury, prompt evacuation to Kathmandu is the best remedy. Modern dentistry is unknown in the hills of Nepal, so it is advised to have a checkup before departure from home. Tooth fillings sometimes loosen in cold temperatures and at high altitudes, so it is recommended to have them checked.
All trekking demands a level of fitness that will enable one to put in a good day's walking, up hill and down. Most treks should not be taken to gain more than 500 meters in one day above 3,000 meters. There should be plenty of time during the day to cover this distance, so the physical exertion though quite strenuous at times, is not sustained. The best preparation for trekking is cycling, swimming, jogging, squash, tennis and long walks involving up and down hills. Good physical conditioning will certainly help maximize your enjoyment of your treks.
Altitude Sickness, often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a particularly important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal. Altitude Sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3,000 meters. Anyone may be effected by AMS reguardless of strength or physical fitness. The initial symptoms of AMS are as following:
These symptoms are to be taken very seriously. In case of appearance of any of the above symptoms any further ascent should be reconsidered. More serious problems can occur which can even cause death sometimes within a few hours. The main cure for the Altitude Sickness is to descend to a lower elevations immediately. Acclimatization by ascending to no more than 300 to 500 meters per day above 3,000 meters and the proper amount of rest are the best methods for prevention of AMS. Literature and pamphlet published by Himalayan Rescue Association (see Rescue Service below) consists of detailed information on AMS. The Central Immigration Office and all trekking agencies in Kathmandu distribute this pamphlet free of cost. Since these documents also give information on the list of suggested medical supplies for trekkers, it is a compulsory item for every trekkers' medical kit.
Himalayan Rescue Association
Medical Rescue and Transport Communication Facilities
There are different approaches to trekking in Nepal and the choice depends on time, budget, experience and personal preference. Agencies provide essential logistical arrangement including porters, guide, cook, food tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, transport to and from trekking starting points, flight arrangement, permits, staff insurance and so on. These agents also provide a choice of itineraries and necessary information on trekking health care etc. The cost of an all inclusive trek ranges from about US$ 25.00 to US$ 150.00 per person per day depending upon the quality of service, number of days and number of persons in the package. This style of trekking is relatively expensive compared to that of backpacking but a few extra dollars guarantees comfort and security, eliminates time consuming ordeal of organization and ensures a trouble free holiday. There are limited areas where a backpacking type of trek can be undertaken by an individual. A companion/guide is helpful in the remote wilderness and is enjoyable to talk to on the trail. It is strongly advised to be overly cautious of free-lance guides or the services of any agency not recognized by government.
It is generally not possible to change foreign currency/travelers checks except in bigger cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Namche Bazaar, Jompsom, Salleri, and Okhaldunga. Consequently, when your in the mountains, cash is king. Change money in the city before your trek starts. Make sure to ask for small denominations (ones, twos, fives, twenties, fifties and hundreds - a 500 or 1,000 note will be useless). Careful: Torn banknotes seem to be a superstitious item. Village people, and even people from the village that have moved into the city, refuse them. Use them for tips or donations to holy-pilgrims.
For the more adventurous traveler, there are many minor peaks open for Alpine climbing under the Nepal Mountaineering Association. The climbing of these peaks is controlled under the rules and regulations formulated by this Association. Most of these peaks require snow and ice climbing experience. Trekking Agents provide qualified and trained climbing guides to take non-climbers for convenience, safety and expected successes. By Himalayan standards, these are considered minor peaks, but in fact some of them provide relatively challenging snow and ice climbing of high standard, and more so in Winter. The royalty for these peaks ranges from US $150 to US $300 depending on the particular peak for up to a 9 member climbing team. See VisitNepal.com's Trekking: Areas: Trekking Peaks for a list of those currently open. For complete details about Peak Trekking, Mountaineering and Expeditions, visit our sponsor Adventure Thirdpole Treks and Expeditions.
During your trekking sojourn in the hills and the mountains of Nepal you should be aware and remember that you are traveling back in time and into the wilderness not usually frequented by many foreigners and away from normal policing. Although the people of the hills of Nepal are exceptionally hospitable, honest and friendly by any standards, the possibilities of some trekkers encountering bad elements who take advantage of foreigners cannot be eliminated. It would be wise to exercise the following basic rules as regards. Security and safety during your trekking:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 support an equally
spectacular mix of lifestyles, vegetation types and wildlife.