Things we should know before traveling Nepal or Trekking Information:
1. How Hiking, Trekking, and Mountain Climbing differ from each other?
– Although trekking, hiking, and mountain climbing sound kind of similar activities, they differ a lot when extracting the exact meaning. Hiking primarily involves half-day to one-day activity, walking for a couple of hours. Most hiking tours can last for 8 hours at most and 2 hours at least. For a hiking tour, the equipment required is minimal as compared to trekking and mountain climbing. Trekking involves multi-day activity and is strenuous as compared to hiking. It lies in between hiking and mountain climbing. It differs from hiking with regard to duration and difficulty. Mountain climbing is the most challenging of all. It involves activity to soar high mountains and trekking in off-the-beaten-path. One must be experienced, physically fit, and a bit concerned about mountain climbing.
2. Why trekking in Nepal?
– Well, the fact that eight of the 14 eight-thousanders of the world and 1310 peaks over 6000 meters are found in Nepal, answers your question. You can trek to more than 300 peaks of Nepal including the world's tallest mountain. Trekking in Nepal offers you an undeniable opportunity to have an insight into the heavenly kingdom. Besides, Nepal being the land of the Himalayas justifies merely the queries regarding trekking in Nepal.
3. How difficult is it to trek?
– It is not that difficult to trek if you are physically fit and can adhere to walking for a couple of hours each day. On top of it, if you really into trekking, you can go for it with necessary walking or exercise every day before a week of trekking in Nepal.
4. How many hours do we need to walk every day while trekking?
– Strenuous trekking can lead with 6 to 8 hours of walking per day on very high altitudes with tough daily ascends and descends of about 500-1000m. On a moderate trek, you are likely to walk 6-7 hours each day over steep hilly terrain on usually rough trails. And easy trek necessarily involves 4-6 hours of walking a day on generally good weather, well-maintained paths and with easy access to local amenities.
5. Will it be cold?
– The coldness is reliant on the place and season of your trek. It is entirely subjected to the altitudes; the higher the elevation, the higher the possibility of coldness. Not every trek demands to ascend and descend on high altitude. However, you can always prepare yourself to trek despite the coldness as you can wear warm thick clothes above your skin.
6. Is a guide compulsory or I can go on my own?
No, a guide is not a compulsion. You can go on your own. But if you go on your own, you may face particular problems and end up agitated. Meanwhile, if you hire a guide, you need not literally worry about anything and enjoy your trek to the fullest.
7. Do I need to carry my stuff?
– If you trek on your own, for sure you need to carry yourself, but if you book your trek from a travel company, then you will be accompanied with a porter who will carry your stuff.
8. How expensive is it to trek in Nepal?
For your kind information, trekking in Nepal can be expensive as well as affordable. Those treks which have upscale itineraries are comparatively expensive than those of usual itinerary. You can opt which best suits you. However, AID Journeys & Adventure provides you with customizable trips to adjust your budget and plans.
9. Where will I stay?
– You will be accommodated in preferred hotels, lodges or home-stays. Sometime you might be staying in tents, but it is likely to happen only in the remotest areas where there are no hotels and inns. You can also opt for lavish hotels under availability.
10. What will I eat?
– You will be served with authentic Nepalese food as well as Tibetan, Indian and the more common continental cuisines. Most of hotels and lodges will provide you with a menu that includes local food-items like momo, Dal-Bhat, noodles, and others.
11. Will I get altitude sickness?
– Once you reach a higher altitude or above 3000 meters, you are likely to get altitude sickness. Therefore most itinerary of the trip contains acclimatization days which provide proper rest days to ascend higher elevation. You are suggested not to climb more than 500-600 meters in a day. Due to the lack of oxygen, your body might dehydrate, and it is, therefore, better to drink enough water every day while trekking.
12. How long will be trekking in Nepal?
– This entirely depends on the trips you opt. Some trips are entitled as less as a week or 9 days, while some are as long as 20 days or more. Annapurna Poon Hill Sunrise Trek is nine days trekking and hiking whereas Annapurna Circuit Trek is 21 days trekking and hiking. Well if you wish for an option, you can choose a Cultural or Historical tour which is less than a week tour.
13. How badly earthquake 2015 affected the trekking routes?
– Not every trekking route was damaged by the devastating 2015 earthquake. However, some of them were badly affected. An avalanche at Everest Base Camp and damage at Langtang valley were limelight of earthquake 2015 halting lucrative climbing season. As of now, every trekking route has been reconstructed and fully functioning. That said, Government of Nepal is preparing to reconstruct and mandatorily build infrastructures for the Visit Nepal 2020.
14. Which are the best trekking destinations in Nepal?
– The two famous trekking destinations in Nepal are Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit. Besides these two, you will find several other fascinating packages like Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking, Manaslu Circuit Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, Upper Mustang, Kanchenjunga BaseCamp Trek, and many more. All these places offer splendid views of mountains, rivers, green forest, and wildlife.
15. What is the source of drinking water during trekking in Nepal?
– Nepal being the second richest country in the world there is water available everywhere, but being careful of which is drinkable is most important. Make sure you drink locally purified drinking water or else drink it after boiling in the local lodge, or hotel in trekking routes.
16. Where will we be eating our meal?
There are comfy and cozy lodges, teahouses and guest houses on the popular trails where one can enjoy the continental menu. On some routes of the remote areas, one will have a limited choice where you will be provided with Nepali Dal Bhat and Curry or instant noodle soups.
17. Is there any communication possible while we trek?
Communication while trekking in significant trekking routes is possible as most of the trekking routes have local VHF Phones and mobile coverage. Most popular trekking routes of Nepal like Everest Base Camp has 3G connectivity throughout the entire Everest Base Camp due to cell phones masts installed at Gorakshep. So yes, there is communication possible while trekking.
18. What types of shoes or boots are preferable?
You need comfortable trekking shoes preferably with Gore-Tex style lining for ultimate comfort and thick soles to have a pleasant walk on rocky paths. If you are climbing, crampon is highly recommended; indeed a must-have for climbing.
19. Is it safe for solo woman traveler in Nepal?
Nepal is a haven for travel and adventures, befitting for a solo traveler or group traveler/hikers. It is undoubtedly safe and welcoming to foreign tourists who opt solo or group traveling. When it comes to solo woman traveler, Yes, Nepal is safe as you will enjoy the camaraderie among solo woman travelers along the path who shares the same enthusiasm for traveling.
20. What are the risks is at higher altitudes?
At high altitude, the human body might have a problem in functioning properly as you are likely to suffer Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), starting with the symptom of a headache. The oxygen density is very low at an altitude above 1820 m (6000 ft). You need not worry because most of the itineraries at higher elevation are accompanied by acclimatization day. And our guide will adequately assist you throughout trekking for preventing such problems at higher altitude.
21. Do I need to bring extra money for the trek?
Most trekking and climbing trips are inclusive of overall charges and are not liable to surcharges. All tours cover accommodation, foods, and necessary expenses. However, it will not include your personal costs. There might be an instance when you would love to buy stuff for yourself or a loved one. So we recommend you to bring money for yourself.
22. What does accommodation look like during the trek?
Most of the trekking will be done with the designated lodges and guest houses where we will have prearranged and confirmed facilities. Some of the trekking routes do not have facilities of accommodation; in that case, we will be camping.
23. Does a porter carry enough? How much a porter carries?
– It depends on the trekking routes. In General, a trekking porter will carry a load of 15kg to 25kg whereas a camping porter will carry 40kg of weights.
24. What is the physical fitness standard to trek in Nepal?
– You should at least be in a good level of physical fitness, which implies to be able to walk at least 3-4 hours a day. You must have general hiking experience, and prior to that, you must not have any chronic issues with your health. Novice travelers can be fit for a trek in Nepal, but he or she must be used to daily exercise to adapt to trekking in Nepal.
25. Is it good to trek in the Himalayas of Nepal without prior trekking experience?
Yes, you can trek in Nepal without prior trekking experience. But you must exercise on a daily basis for some months before trekking in Nepal; this will help you trek. Make sure you are adjusted to cardiovascular capacity which will help you adapt to high elevations without a problem.
26. What stuff do I need to bring for trekking in Nepal?
– For trekking above 4000m you might require necessary things like water bottle , flashlight, medical first-aid kit, warm socks, sun lotion, sleeping bag(heavy), waterproof jacket, trekking shoes, hiking pants and shirts, T-shirts, thermal wears, poncho, glove, woolen hats, gaiters, insulated pants, down jacket, head torch, sun hat, day backpack, and a trekking stick.
27. How am I getting help if I suffer from altitude sickness or an accident?
– This is a vital question if you are trekking in Nepal. If you suffer from altitude sickness, you will be taken to the lower altitude immediately, assisted with first aid treatment. If it goes severe, you will be evacuated to Kathmandu or Pokhara on a rescue helicopter.
28. Is it mandatory to use a trekking agency?
– No, but if you go on your own, you will be carrying a lot of burden and trekking would be troublesome as you have to prepare yourself with permits (TIMS, ACAP, GCAP, local permits, national park permits, special trekking permits, peak climbing and mountaineering permits, and filming and shooting permits). But if you use a trekking agency, they will manage everything on your behalf.
29. What will be the dress code while trekking?
– To be exact, there is no dress code while trekking. But remember your dress code can have an impact on the people. Nepali people are highly concerned about westernization especially on rural and remote areas. So, you better wear decent clothes, covering your body as much as possible. Besides, while trekking, you must wear thick clothes because of the cold climatic condition in the Himalayas.
30. What precaution should I consider regarding health during my trek?
– You are well aware that prevention is better than cure. So it is best when you take necessary precaution regarding health. You must avoid alcohol or tobacco while trekking. Altitude sickness is imminent while trekking above 3000m, so try to acclimatize. Drinking enough water is highly recommended. Remember to use boiled or locally purified drinking water.
31. Will it be too cold while trekking?
– The degree of coldness varies with altitude, the higher the elevation, the coldness is likely to get more freezing. It also depends on where you go and the season.
32. What is a Tea House Trek? What can I expect from Tea House Trek?
– A Tea House Trek is a trek in which you will be staying overnight in Tea Houses which offers you a place to sleep and home-cooked meals. It is the combination of Guest House, restaurant, and social hang out. A Tea House will provide you with the facility of 24 hours running water facility, hot water bathing, and communal areas. Not to mention, Tea Houses have a clean and friendly environment.
35. What experience do your guides have?
– Guides of AID Journeys & Adventure have many years of guiding experience in the Himalayas. Most of them have more than a decade of experience in trekking and climbing in Nepal. All our guides are friendly
enough to share an in-depth knowledge of the local beauty and experiences. They speak English fluently and are obliged to make sure you enjoy the fullest of trekking in Nepal.
