The best way to experience Nepal’s unbeatable combination of natural beauty and cultural richness is trekking. Trekking does not mean mountain climbing but refers to walking on trails. Neither you need any advanced training nor have to be very sportive. So anyone with a pair of strong legs and prepared mind will enjoy the thrills of trekking in the foothills of Nepal Himalayas.

Types of trekking

Trekking can be reduced to two primary approaches: camping treks and lodge treks.

Camping Trek

This is a massive arrangement, rather expensive but the only way to enjoy the trekking in real sense. We provide all camping and kitchen equipment. Porters carry your gears and foodstuff. Sherpa’s set the camp, cook and serve meals while the Sirdar controls the porters and takes all administration.

Lodge or Teahouse Trek

In the Annapurna, Langtang and Everest region, basic lodging and food facilities are mostly available. The guide decides the lodges for overnight stay and meals. In winter and summer lodge treks are better to avoid the inclement weather. In autumn and spring the lodges are overcrowded and it can be difficult to find a place to throw in.

Preparing for a trek

In all kinds of trekking you will require to walk 5 to 6 hours daily on uneven trails, which demands physical fitness as well as mental preparedness.

On the basis of trail condition, altitude, glaciers and passes trekking routes have been classified from 1 to 5 grades. (1 stands for an easy route where as 5 for hard).

One with cardiac and pulmonary history is required to take the advice of a physician before participating a trek.

Your insurance policy should cover for helicopter evacuation expenses in the case of serious illness, accident or if you are stranded in any remote area due to inclement weather conditions.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu you an also buy or rent trekking gears.

Some trekking regions provide with lodging and food facilities is tent equipment not really a need. If you want a light travel, you can buy or rent the trekking gears in Kathmandu upon arrival.

Personal Equipment Checklist

For all treks:

Footwear
Trekking or running shoes

Camp shoes
Socks

Clothing 
Down or fiber-filled jacket
Jumper or pile jacket
Hiking pants
Waterproof jacket or poncho
Umbrella
Sun hat

Other equipment
Rucksack and duffel bag
Sleeping bag
Flashlight and batteries

Miscellaneous items
Toilet articles and towels
Toilet paper
Small knife
Sunscreen lotion
Medical & first-aid kit

For treks going above 4.000m:

Miscellaneous items
Sunglasses
Sun block for lips

Optional equipment
Camera and lenses
Films
Binoculars
Books to read

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness, often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a very important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal.

The symptoms of AMS are as following:

Nausea, vomiting
Loss of appetite
Insomnia/sleeplessness
Persistent headache
Dizziness, light headedness, confusion
Disorientation
Weakness, fatigue, lassitude, heavy legs
Slight swelling of hands and face
Breathlessness or irregular breathing
Less urine output

Prevention of AMS:

Acclimatization: After 1000m ascent stay one more night for acclimatization
Do not make rapid ascent
No alcohol, no sleeping pills, no smoking, no sex
Drink more: about 3-4 liters day-clean water (boiled, filtered or medicated), tea, coffee, soup, and juice
No heavy backpacks
Climb higher, always sleep lower
Ascent less than 300m a day above 3.000m of altitude
Never trek alone

Treatment of AMS:

Descent is the best remedy; do not wait for the helicopters or medical help.

Three medications have been proven useful:
Diamox
Nifedipine (ordinarily used to treat heart problems and high blood pressure)
Descomethasone (an important drug to carry for emergency use).

Trekking seasons

Trekking in Nepal can be undertaken throughout the year depending on the region.

There are 4 seasons:

Autumn (Sept-Nov): The best season offering excellent weather and tantalizing mountain views.

Winter (Dec-Feb): The ideal season for trekking at lower altitude, generally below 3.000m.

Spring (March-May): The second best trekking season. The temperature is quite moderate, the rhododendrons are in blossom and the mountain views are excellent.

Summer (June-Aug): This is the favorite season to trek in the rain shadow areas like Mustang, Upper Manang and Dolpo. This season is also recommended for forest researchers and botanist. 
Warning: raincoats and insect repellents are strictly necessary in this period.

Trekking Permits and National Park Fees

All trekkers require a trekking permit to visit Nepal’s interior regions, which are not connected by highways. Recently the Annapurna, Langtang and Everest regions have been declared “permit free”; the National Park or Conservation Area fees are still applicable. We process the trekking permits and national park entrances at immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Permit Fees:

·Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Ganesh Himal, Lower Dolpa:
First four weeks usd 10 per week; after four weeks usd 20 per week

·Manaslu:
In autumn usd 90 per week usd 70 per week rest of the seasons

·Humla (Simikot-Yari):
Usd  90 for the first seven days, then usd 15 per day

·Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo:
Usd  700 for the first 10 days, then usd 70 per day

National Park Fee:

Most of the trekking regions are also National Parks, Wildlife Reserves or Conservation Area. A separate fee of NRS 1000 (approximately USD 15) is required to pay for National Parks and Wildlife Reserves and NRS 2000 for the Annapurna Conservation Area.

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