| Trekking
in Nepal
A trek is walking at our
own pace on well-established trails that go from village
to village. You will enjoy a close contact with people
in remote mountain villages whose lifestyle has not
changed for generations. You can trek in Nepal in many
season of the year except the monsoon (mid-June to mid-September)
as usually heavy rainfall occurs. But even during the
rainy season you will find beautiful countryside with
flora that is seen, which is not seen in the other season
of the year. You do not need to be a professional mountaineer
to trek on the hills of Nepal. But it is always advantageous
to explore something more if you are physically fit.
Perhaps the most enjoyable part of our trek will be
the cool air of the mountains and magnificent views
of the mountain peaks.
Your trek will begin after
breakfast. The morning walk is usually 3-4 hours and
lunch will be made around noon. The camping site is
reached around 4 p.m. and in the evening there will
be plenty of time to relax. Each day is planned so that
if you are a slow or a fast walker, there will be a
lot of time to spare.
If you are trekking in
the higher altitudes, please tell your group leader
immediately, if you feel even the little bit sick. Do
not ignore headaches as they are the first sign of the
altitudes sickness. Your inability to complete the trek
is nothing compared to loss of life. Remember that your
guides are responsible professionals, so feel free to
tell them how you feel.
TYPES OF TREKKING
There are two contrasting approaches to trekking in
Nepal. The independently minded option for Tea House
Trekking. The other approach is go on an Organized Camping
Trekking. These are ideal for discovering more remote
areas and learning about the varied cultures and people
of Nepal. The choice of areas and routes is bewildering.
- Camping treks
Over the years Parikrama Treks & Expeditions
has pioneered new treks away from the most-used
tourist trails, we travel as contained unit, free
to explore beyond the boundaries of habitation,
carrying all our food and camping equipment. This
ensures your trek follows quiet village trails that
lead through terraced rice paddies, magnificent
forests and beyond, to glacial valleys rarely traveled
by other trekkers. Your trek has the ideal blend
of interaction with the local villagers and off
beaten track experiences.
- Lodge Treks
Lodge treks are a feature of the Everest, Annapurna
and Langtang area. The construction for purpose
built lodges, the introduction of electricity to
many villages and solar power has greatly improved
facilities for both the local population and trekkers.
There is now no longer any real justification for
camping on the main trail to Base Camp, as you are
unable to camp away from the villages. The added
comfort of lodge accommodation, offering twin share
rooms, beds with foam mattresses, showers, kerosene
stoves for cooking and heating, and excellent choice
of food, ensures a more pleasurable experience.
You also enjoy close interaction with the host family
and greater comfort during the colder months and
visit this spectacular region in a style similar
to the alpine hut system in the European Alps.
TREKKING GRADES
- Easy : These treks
are especially meant for the first timers as well
as those traveling with children or seniors. You
won't be walking more than 5-6 hours each day and
the trails do not exceed 2000 Mts. in height.
- Moderate : The trails
on these treks do not exceed 4000 Mts. in height.
Walk will be somewhere between 6-7 hours a day and
can be undertaken by children (10-12 years) and
seniors with good physical conditions.
- Demanding: Trips
operating in remote areas and in altitude more than
5000 Mts. You need to be in very good shape and
physically fit. You will have some really arduous
days on the trail. Physical preparation beforehand
is very necessary.
TREKKING SEASON
The best time for trekking
in Nepal is during spring (February through May) and
autumn (September through November). Warm days and clear
skies make this season favorable for trekking. Though
December and January is also ideal for trekking, the
air can be quite cold at high altitudes. The monsoon
season last for three months, i.e. June, July and August.
During this period, trekking is possible in the rain-shadow
regions north of the Himalaya – like Mustang,
Dolpo, Humble and the Jumla-Rara Lake regions of Nepal
and of course the regions of Tibet.
WHAT'S INCLUDED ?
Included is transportation within the itinerary, accommodation,
sightseeing where specified, meals where specified,
services of a trip leader and local guides where specified.
Not included are international air, visas, insurance
and most, meals
WHY TREK IN NEPAL?
A trek in Nepal is a unique and unforgettable experience
for a whole lot of reasons but four in particular stand
out:
Scenery :
Eight out of fourteen highest mountains in the world
are in Nepal and if you want to see these up close,
you must walk. While trekking you see far more than
the mountains. You can walk from the tropical lowlands
to alpine meadows and glacial moraines while in the
spring Nepal's brilliant rhododendrons will be in bloom
and you may see rare species of birds.
Diversity :
The landscape of Nepal is almost continually inhabited.
The majority of Nepal's population lives, not in the
cities, but in tiny villages. Even in the high mountains,
small settlements on stone houses and yak pastures dot
every possible flat space. Much of the fascination of
a trek is derived from the opportunity to observe life
in these villages, where people truly live off the land,
using only a few manufactured items such as soap, kerosene,
paper and matches. All of which are imported in bamboo
baskets carried by bare foot porters.Trekkers pass through
picturesque villages inhabited by Sherpas, Magars, Gurungs
and Tamangs in the highlands and Brahmins, Chhetris
and Newars in the lower altitudes. These are among the
many ethnic groups which exist in Nepal.
People :
Trekkers are always impressed by the friendliness of
the people they meet along the local trails .The hill
people particularly their traditional hospitality and
fascinating culture, make a trek in Nepal a special
kind of mountain holiday unlike any other part of world.
Safety :
Not only is scenery interesting and ever changing but
it can be seen in relative safety. Theft, robbery, assaults
all the problems of western civilization and many Asian
countries are still relatively unknown in Nepal. There
was a time a few years ago When even women could trek
alone in Nepal. Unfortunately things seem to be changing
and treks need to be more careful than they used to
be. It is advisable to trek in groups of at least two
persons and if possible with a porter or a guide. But
this doesn't necessarily mean that you need to trek
with an organized trekking agency in an expensive way.
Height :
Trekking is not mountaineering but it is as well to
remember that the Himalayas begin where other mountains
finish. Whether you begin your trek at a roadbed or
fly into a remote mountain airstrip, a large part of
your trek will be in the middle hills region at an elevation
between 1000 meters and 3000 meters but the trek to
Everest base camp will reach 5545 meters. Most of the
time you will remain with in the altitude range 1500
to 2000 meters. In this region, there are always well-developed
trails through villages and across mountain passes.
Even at high altitudes there are intermittent settlements
used in the summer by erders, so the trails, though
often indistinct, are always there. All trails are easily
traversed without the aid of ropes or any mountaineering
skill. There are rare occasions when snow is encountered,
and on some high passes it might be necessary to place
a safety line for your companions or porter if there
is deep snow, but alpine techniques are almost never
used on a traditional trek. Anyone who has walked extensively
in the mountains has all the skill necessary for on
extended trek in Nepal.
WHEN TO TREK?
Although trekking in Nepal
can be organized throughout the year, October through
May is considered to be the best months for trekking.
Summer months of the year which coincides with monsoon
begins in mid-June and drains in mid-September making
travel wet and warm. The mountain views may not be at
their best as rain clouds and haze over hang the mountains
occasionally obscuring the enchanting views. These times
are blessed for the keen botanist as the higher valleys
and meadows blossom with flowers and lush vegetation.
During monsoon it does not mean that it will rain every
day. Besides, some of the most frequented trails will
not be crowded and some people like it that way. It
can actually be enjoyed in the upper part of the Annapurna
circuit around Marfa, Jomsom and Muktinath as the monsoon
does not get in this trans- Himalayan area. Note: It
is recommended to carry insect repellent when trekking
during summer months.
Autumn being the best
season for trekking, affronts excellent weather and
tantalizing mountain views January and February are
noted for cold weather with occasional snowfall at higher
elevations. Again, excellent views are common. These
months are popular and ideal for trekking for those
who are well equipped or who remain at lower elevations
below 3,000 meters.
Late February brings spring
in Nepal and offers exhilarating trekking for those
who are interested in flowers, birds and natural grandeur.
Different varieties of wild flowers, specially the rhododendrons
make the hill side above 8,000 ft haunting paradise
during this season.
April and May are the
expedition season and the best time for climbing the
high peaks. It is mildly warm at lower elevations but
occasional haze mars beautiful view of mountains. At
higher elevations over 4,000 meters the mountain views
are excellent and the temperature is quite moderate
even at night.
TREKKING PERMITS
All visitors require a trekking permit to visit Nepal's
interior regions not connected by major roads. Trekking
permits are available from the Department of Immigration
in Kathmandu (Tel: 494273, 494337) or Pokhara (Tel:
21167). Two photographs are required with the application.
If you are trekking in more than one region, separate
trekking permits are necessary for each region.
The fee for a
Trekking Permit is as follows:
- Kanchenjunga and Lower Dolpo
- US$ 10 per week for the first four weeks
- US$ 20 per week thereafter;
- Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo
- US$ 700 for the first 10 days
- US$ 70 per day thereafter
- Manaslu
- US$ 90 per week for trekking during September-November
- US$ 75 per week during December-August
- Humla (Simikot-Yari)
- US$ 90 for the first seven days
- US$ 15 per day thereafter
Trekking permit is not
essential for the general trekking areas such as the
Annapurna, the Everest and the Langtang
OTHER GEAR
In winter or at high altitudes a high –quality
sleeping bag will be necessary. However, if you are
going on an organized trek ck\heck exactly what equipment
is supplied: it’s a waste of time bringing your
own sleeping bag if the company supplies one. If you
need to hire one, it may be grubby; check for fleas
or worse.
Rain is rare during most
of the trekking season, though disturbances in the Bay
of Bengal can cause massive rain straom during the autumn,
and there are sure to be a few rainy days in the spring
season. You should be prepared for it by carrying waterproof
gear, or at least an umbrella. The rainy season just
before and after the monsoon also brings leeches and
it’s nice to have some salt or matches to deal
with them.
Take a torch (flash flight)
for those inevitable calls of nature on moonless nights.
Cigarettes and matches are popular small gifts to have
with you on treks if you are traveling with porters,
but beware of encouraging children begging for ‘one
rupee’ or a ‘school pen’ – see
the earlier a side on trekking and cultural Awareness. |
