Trekking essential
Accommodation During Trekking
In Everest, Annapurna and Langtang trekking region we offer you accommodation in tea house (mountain lodge). A Tea House is the combination of guest house, restaurant, and social hang out. The rooms are spare with twin beds and very little additional furniture. Blankets are generally provided. Most bathrooms are shared and toilets can be either squat type of the western version. Most of the Tea Houses have running water facility. Many of them also avail hot water for shower. But you will by charge by hotel owner using hot water shower.
Meals During Trekking
In Tea House trekking you will usually have breakfast and dinner in the lodge; lunch will be eaten at one of the trail side restaurants. Every Tea House serves the traditional Nepali meal Dal Bhat (rice and lentils), as well as a variety of different food items, such as rice, vegetables, noodles, potatoes, and soup. Some have western food such as pizza, pasta, and French fries. Soft drinks, snacks, and beer are available in most of the Tea Houses and trail side restaurants
Safe Drinking Water In Trekking
We suggest you to drink Euro-guard filters water now several guest houses have this system or bring chlorine tablets to purify the normal water available in the guest houses along the way. Also, boiled filter water is available in tea house they are using gas or electric boiler. For water ask to lodge people which might cost little during the whole period of trekking. Although mineral water is available in most places which is a better choice and there is no provision to dispose of the plastic bottles, but we encourage the guests to do what they can protect the environment
Trekking Team (Guide, Porter)
We offer you an experienced trekking guide. He is in charge of your overall trekking. This is the person you should go to with all problems, concerns and questions. He is well trained in all aspects of trekking, high altitude medicine, first aid and emergency procedure. He is selected in terms of his professionalism. Remember that trekking guides are local citizens and their English may be basic and limited to trek related topics. About porters, they carry your luggage. They are also local citizens. Normally one porter carries 20 to 25 kg of stuff. Normally we provide one porter for two trekkers.
Equipments
We suggest you to bring following equipment when you come to Nepal for trekking. The list can be adjusted according to your needs, name of trekking and time of your trekking. Please remember that during trekking your luggage will be carried out by porter. One porter carries luggage of two people. So if you are more than one, he will carry 12 to 15 kg of your stuff.
Checklist
- Hand sanitizing lotion
- Reading/writing material
- Camera & Binoculars
- Protein bars, chocolate, dried fruits, candies and snack foods.
- Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets
- Money: travelers cheques/cash/credit card
- Spare Boot Laces
- Sleeping Bag
- Light weight Towel
- Toiletries
- Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day
- Torch/flashlight – headlamp style is ideal
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Refillable water bottle – Min 1 Litre
- Hat
- Gloves – wool or fleeced
- Scarf
- Sewing Kit
- Wind and waterproof Jacket & Pants
- Umbrella especially in summer (May to September)
- Comfortable trekking shoes
- Running shoes or sandals for evening
- Wool jumper / sweater / fleece. Lightweight
- Down jacket
- Fleece Jacket
- T Shirts 2 or 3 – Long Sleeved
- Pants – lightweight long trousers (jeans are unsuitable)
- Socks: thick wool blend and thin cotton to be worn in combination – ensure boots fit
- Extra warm clothing/ thermals
- Medicine (Prescription drugs if you are taking daily, lip salve, aspirin, band aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea)
Note: If you don’t have good equipment and are not available in home country, it can be bought or rented from trekking shops in Kathmandu, Nepal. The equipment is often top quality. Although daily rental charges are reasonable, a large deposit may be required.
Weather & Climate
Weather and climate varies as per season in Nepal.
Autumn (mid-September to end-November)
Autumn is the most popular time to trek. During this time, the weather is clear with mild to warm days and cold nights. However, in the higher altitude, the nights drop into freezing temperature. In this season, the mountains views are clear.
Winter (end-November through March)
It is also possible to trek during winter, from December until the end of February. Daytime temperatures will be cooler; however, the nights will often be very cold. The days are generally clear but occasional winter storms can bring snow as low as 2500m. Early October through late November is also the busiest period for trekking. But in mid-winter (January through March), trekking is more challenging in the high altitudes with semi-regular snowfall followed by more winter storms, which break the long fine periods. The mid-December to mid-February is the coldest time.
Spring and early summer (mid-March through May)
During this period the mornings are usually clear but afternoon cloud build-up brings occasional showers. The days are mix up with warm and rain, which displays wildflowers like rhododendrons. The whole country is lush and an abundant green at this season. This period instigate the second most popular and pleasant trekking season as this is rice-planting time. Late-march into April is especially beautiful. It is also a good time for climbing as the high passes are usually snow free and the mountain views are still clear in April. Up to May, the weather becomes hazy and disturbed with the clouds.
The monsoon (June to mid-September)
From June to early September, is the monsoon season. Generally the morning is cloudy and cloud wisps form on random ridges and peaks. Trekking at this time of year is generally difficult and uncomfortable as the weather is hot and it rains almost every day. The trails become muddy and are often leech-infested and the mountains are usually obscured by cloud. During April and May, there is an expectation of thunderstorm, hail shower and strong winds among the fine periods. There are, however, possibilities for summer trekking in the trans-Himalayan regions of mustang, Dolpo and Tibet. These regions lie in a rain-shadow and therefore receive significantly less precipitation than the more southerly areas.
Washing And Toilet Facilities For Tea House Trekking
Most lodges provide hot showers, though sometimes a hot shower means a bucket of hot water only but availability of hot water can ask to your trekking guide. For ecological reasons please try to limit your use of hot water unless if you are provide solar – heated water. Please note that at higher altitude and in colder seasons there is rare chance to have enough hot water for all the trekkers. If the water is frozen then ask your guide to get warm bowl of water.
Toilets are usually Asian squat style and vary in how clean they are. Normally toilets are outside the lodge but now some lodges have attached or indoor toilets. The rubbish bin in the toilet is kept for your used toilet paper.
Re-Charging Batteries Of Electronic Items On The Trek
You can recharge your batteries with electricity or solar power sources. In Nepal 220 – 240 volt 50 MHZ (50 Cycles per Second) power is supplied. Just need to have a plug adaptor in case of socket fitting, which you can buy in Kathmandu before the trip since the plugs in Nepal might be different. You might have to pay small amount fee/hour for recharging facilities.
Risk & Liabilities
We are committed to providing the best services which will give you a once in a life time journey in this connection, we perform our duties honestly and seriously to make your journey very smooth and pleasant. The entire programs are conducted strictly under the rules and regulation of the country’s own policies.
Himalayan Smile Trek and Adventures Pvt. Ltd shall not be responsible for any changes in the itinerary due to unavoidable circumstance such as govt. restriction, Land slide, road blockage, and flood and other natural calamities, political unrest, cancellation of flight, delay, sickness or accident. Any extra cost due to those reasons incurring there of shall be borne by the clients on the sports.
Walking In A Day
During trekking you do walking 7-8 hours a day with lunch breaks along the trail. The maximum altitude is depends upon which trek you are going. In Nepal the maximum altitude of most of the trekking is within range of 3500m to 5000m.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Himalayan Smile Treks and Adventures Pvt. Ltd. shall have no liability for loss, theft of or damage to baggage or personal effects. We also let you know that Nepalese Insurance Company does not have travel insurance policy for foreign nationals. They have this policy only for Nepalese national. We advise you when you come to Nepal; please bring your insurance documents.
Health & Veccinations
For trekking Nepal you don’t need to be a mountaineer with rippling muscles. If you are reasonably fit, have a spirit of mountain journey and like walking, you are always qualified for any trekking in Nepal. You do not need any previous experience. However we suggest you some physical fitness programs such as running, swimming, hiking before you embark on journey. We advise you to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information before departure. We recommend you to carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. We advise you to carry sufficient drugs which you are taking daily for specific health problems.
Passport And Visa
All foreign nationals, except Indian citizens, need visas to enter Nepal. Nepalese visa can be obtained from Nepalese Embassy or consulate in your home country or it can also be obtained at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu upon your arrival. Most of our guests they take Nepal Visa after they arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. To get Nepalese visa you should bring valid passport and two passport size photos. The validity and visa fee is as follows:
Visa Valid Fee
15 days US$ 25
30 days US$ 40
90 days US$ 100
High Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness often known as acute mountain sickness (A.M.S.) in general may occur when people ascend too quickly normally in altitudes of over 3000 m. Most people will feel some effect of altitude, shortness of breath and possibly a light headed, which is fairly common. Acute mountain sickness is very different and normally involves a severe headache, sickness and loss of awareness. In almost every potential case there are enough warning signs to take appropriate action. When symptoms of altitude sickness develop you, please tell your trekking guide. He will advise you do deal with your problem. Generally over exertion and dehydration contribute to altitude sickness. So drink at least 3-4 liters of water every day besides tea and coffee which act as diuretics. Click here for more information about altitudes sickness (Add link of Altitude sickness of left banner)
Accommodation In Kathmandu
We have chosen accommodation options based on the following criteria: standard of hygiene, standard of service, location, food standards and cost. Normally for trekkers we give three star level hotels in Kathmandu as well as in Pokhara (For Annapurna Trekking). All accommodation is based on twin sharing with breakfast.
