What is trekking?
Trekking is a journey of walking, spending your holiday with a specific purpose of exploring the mountains, high passes, geographical diversities, peoples, religions, ethnic groups, populations, politics, histories, architectures, floras and faunas as well as walking day to day from one place to another to complete your destination.
What is tea house trekking?
Tea house trekking is the easiest and best trekking, as there is no need to do too much organizing where there are well-developed lodgings along the trails. Trekkers walk on average 6 to 7 hours each day. Food and accommodation will be comfortable, as a variety of food and accommodation is in a lodge or guest house. Breakfast is usually around 7:30 am, lunch around 1:00pm and dinner around 6-7 pm We provide tea house trekking within the most common trekking routes for the following regions:- Annapurna, Everest, Langtang, Helambu, Manaslu, Upper Mustang and Nagarkot Chisapani, as well as many more. We can easily organize any trek. There will be one expert trekking guide who has a well-trained certificate and license issued by the minister of tourism and has more than 10 years experience. The guide is always pleased to share his knowledge and experience with clients, so please ask as many questions to your guide. There may be an assistant guide and porters for luggage carrying according to your group size.
What is camping trekking?
Camping trekking is fully organized and supported with a team that consists of a guide and an assistant guide, cook and assistant cooks and porters to accompany you. Our porters carry all the trekking gear, food, fuel and personal belongings. Our cook prepares tasty and delicious meals. Trekkers need only carry a small rucksack for the day to place your camera and other important things as money, wallet, sun cream, sun glasses, passport etc. At night, tents for dining, sleeping and ablution tents are provided with mattresses and down-filled sleeping bags, tables and seating.
As above for tea house trekking there will be an experienced guide along with other guides and porters according to your group size.
Trekkers can set their pace for pausing and sightseeing and the walk to lunch will normally take 3 hours. On arrival, you are served a hot lunch. In the afternoon, after walking for another 3 to 4 hours, you will arrive at the next camp around 5 pm Tea and snacks are served while our staff prepare camp. Dinner time is around 6-7 pm within the dining tent, lit with lanterns and comfortable furnishings. Hot water is made available for drink, washing and for showering. The food is healthy, nourishing and hygienic prepared by our cook.
What is homestay trekking?
Homestay trekking is staying in a local house or a local community lodge. We organize the trek for you to experience the kind of lifestyle they have such as the local food, local culture, customs, hospitalities, religions, own languages, dresses, and have a close interaction with them
We provide an expert guide who has more than 10 years experience as well as a government register licensed holder familiar with the locality and all about Nepal and carry your gear and have enough porters depending on your group size.
Is Nepal trekking safe after earthquake?
95% Nepal trekking is safe. Of course; on 25th April 2015 Mega earthquake has hit in Nepal. It has effected where not touristic area. Fortunately, hub of touristic region haven’t affected by earthquake. Nepal tourism minister’s representative and private tourism umbrella organization have explored and assessed all of touristic region. They have found Everest region, Annapurna region, Manaslu region, Upper mustang, Upper Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Ruby valley all are safe and some trekkers are doing trekking in the area. But, only one has affected in Langtang valley trek. There are also many optional trekking routs as Gosainkunda, Tamang heritage and Helambu area are totally safe. Nepal is safe to do trek except Langtang valley.
How many trekking areas does Nepal have? Is there safe trekking and what are they?
Nepal has many trekking regions. The trekking days are varied from being short, medium and long. There will also be high passes that can be crossed along with panoramic view point trekking and cultural exploration trekking.
Within all the trekking areas, the locals are kind and honest living people. They respect trekkers and are treated as special clients. Nepal trekking is 99% safe.
Popular trekking areas in Nepal.
Annapurna Region: Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Ghorepani Poonhill, Jomsom Muktinath trek, Dampus Sarangkot trek, Nar-Phu Valley, Tilicho Pass, Machhapuchre, Ghale Gaun and Sikles, etc.
Everest Region: Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Valley, Everest Base Camp Chola Pass, Everest 3 passes trek Khongmola Pass, Chola Pass and Renjola Pass, Everest Panorama View, Serpani Col, Mera Valley, Ama Lapsa Pass, etc.
Langtang Valley Region: Langtang Valley, Gosain Kunda Pass, Helambu Chso Pani, Tamang Heritage, etc.
Other trekking routes: Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, etc.
When is the best season for Nepal trekking?
The best trekking time in Nepal is in March, April, May and then in September, October, November and December. Any other season is not perfect, as the weather is either usually too cold in the winter and very wet in the summer during the monsoon season, but we can organize any trek to accommodate you. Between June and September we can organize Upper Mustang trekking, Upper Dolpo trekking and the Kailash Tibet tour.
Will somebody come to pick me at the Airport when I arrive?
Yes. A Unique Nepal Adventure Trek representative will come to pick you at the airport on time and he will have a Unique Nepal Adventure Trek display board showing your leader name and group. When he meets you or your group, he will welcome and transfer you to your selected hotel.
Should I have previous training for trekking?
Of course, if you are planning more than a week’s trek, you should ideally be preparing back in your own country for up to 3 to 4 months.
Do they required trekking permit and peak climbing permit?
The government of Nepal no longer requires a special trekking permit for Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and some other regions. However, a Conservation Permit or National Park permit is required. There are a few restricted trekking areas in Nepal, where trekking permits are required such as Dolpo, Mustang, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Nar-Phu, Tsum Valley and Dhaulagiri. The fees for trekking regions of Annapurna Conservation Area Project, Everest National Park and Langtang National Park you can see under the Trekking Permits link. A Climbing permit is also required for any of the peaks and you can view more details under the NMA Information link.
What equipment should I bring for trekking?
If you are going to do more than a week’s trek, suggested items are listed below:
- Sleeping Bag
- Down Jacket
- Long sleeved shirt
- Jumper or fleecy jacket
- T-shirts
- Trekking shoes or boots
- Comfortable shoes for around the camp
- Wool socks
- Light cotton socks
- Rucksack
- Sun hat
- Wool hat
- Gloves
- Sun block
- Goggles or sunglasses
- Long underwear
- Insulated pants
- Nylon windbreaker
- Nylon wind pants
- Water bottle
- Sewing kit
- Medical and first aid kit
- Flash light
- Batteries and bulbs
- Swiss army knife
- Towel and toiletries
What is the role of my guide while we are on the trekking?
Our guide is extensively trained (Government registered) who is very familiar with all trekking regions, the local peoples and their cultures. The guides primary concern is to ensure your safety, share maximum information about the country and help you to enjoy your holiday. Our guide is very knowledgeable about the Himalayas, for altitude sickness, geography, Nepali culture and customs as well as flora and fauna of this special area.
Can I ask as many questions to my guide?
Please do not hesitate to ask questions to the guide. All of the guides have a wealth of information and have many years experience. They are kind and will be pleased to explain any topics that you have interest in. They will have obtained a Government Registered Trekking License and Certificate. The guide will be familiar with relative trekking routes, as well as having vast knowledge about first aid treatment and rescue for any emergencies that may arise.
Is it possible to get equipment on hire?
There are so many trekking shops in within the Thamel district of Kathmandu where you can easily rent or buy any trekking equipment items such as sleeping bags, down jackets, rucksacks, duffel bags and much more.
Is the tap or stream water safe to drink while we are on trek?
Stream water is clean due to the source of the water (mountain springs and glaciers) however it is always better to be safe and drink mineral water along the way (you can buy most in the local shops) or have boiled water using Iodine or water purifying tablets.
Should I drink more water than usual?
It deepens on how high you are trekking. Trekking in Nepal ranges is from quite low altitudes to obviously very high altitudes. A Nepal trek can start from as low as around 1000m to 5545m or more, depending on if you are climbing peaks. From around 1000m up to 2500m you can drink as normal, but above 2500m to 3500m you should drink a minimum of 3 liters and if you are trekking higher than 3500m you will need to be drinking 4 to 5 liters per day. At these altitudes your body can become dehydrated more quickly, and it is important that you have to drink 4 to 5 liters a day regularly.
What happens if I get sick?
The most important thing is don’t fear. You should ensure that you have sufficient insurance in case you have to be evacuated, through Nepal Adventure Guide’s staff will have a medical kit to treat you. A slight case of diarrhea is to be expected, as well as sprains and muscle aches – all a part of walking in the hills. Altitude sickness is extremely dangerous and mostly avoidable if you follow a few simple rules: trek high and sleep low, drink at least 3 liters of water per day (not including beer or any alcoholic drinks!), and be sensible. If you feel shortness of breath, a slight headache or dizziness, tell your guide or porters and rest immediately. Lie down, drink water. If you are still feeling unwell you may consider going down a few hundred meters. Do not pretend you are okay, and do not go down alone. A descent of a few hundred meters overnight may be enough to make you fully able to start trekking again the next day. However, if your body condition and sickness does not get better and it becomes more serious, then your guide will advise a helicopter rescue operation back to Kathmandu as soon as possible for better treatment. So you have to ensure your insurance can cover for a helicopter charge should a situation arise. You must carry all details of your insurance policy. Almost every trekking area has a satellite phone or normal cell phone or landline phone and the Unique Nepal Adventure Trek representative will contact your insurance company for you.
What are symptoms of AMS?
- Headache or dizziness
- Difficulty in breathing or irregular breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swelling of the face, hands and feet
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
- Persistent drowsiness during the day, weakness and fatigue
- Loss of coordination
What to do to prevent in AMS?
- Drink at least 4 to 5 liters of water and liquid per day
- Rest at the same place or descend a minimum of 500m
- Get into a Gamow bag or portable compression bag
- Give oxygen
- Administer a suitable medicine such as Diamox or similar (with a Doctor’s prescription and beforehand instructions)
- Get warm (drink and eat hot food, change wet clothes, build a shelter …)
- If your sickness increases and becomes more serious, you will be brought to Kathmandu as soon as possible by helicopter rescue and taken to a Hospital for better treatment.
What is the maximum weight allowed on domestic flights?
20 kg luggage allowed per person.
How many extra days should I allow in case of flight cancellation?
If you are flying from a remote mountain airstrip like Lukla, Jomsom, Simikot, Taplejung and Dolpo, you should keep at least two spare days free before your departure to your country. This is due to the possibility of being delayed by bad weather.
Can I call home when I am on trek?
On most popular trekking areas, there are satellite phones, landline phones, Nepal cell phone, Skype phone as well as the odd internet café too. You can call your home easily from most places. From Everest Base Camp you can also talk with your relatives. There is also a cell phone service.
Is it customary to give gratuities to my guide and porter for my trip?
Many of our guests have asked us about the customary practice of recognizing exceptional service through tipping and we consider it to be your personal decision. To be frank and honest with you, everybody gives tips to our crews at the end of the tours. On other hand, giving money is not only a tip and you may give them used clothes and used equipment too.
Is it customary to give gratuities to my guide and porter for my trip?
Many of our guests have asked us about the customary practice of recognizing exceptional service through tipping and we consider it to be your personal decision. To be frank and honest with you, everybody gives tips to our crews at the end of the tours. On other hand, giving money is not only a tip and you may give them used clothes and used equipment too.
