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OTHER USEFUL TREKKING INFO
Learn more about what to expect on a trek with us!
TREKKING AND FITNESS
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We can plan treks for all ages and varying fitness levels and according to how gentle (3-4 hours walking a day) or arduous (6 or more hours a day) you would like to make it . The days will vary in length on most itineraries anyway to allow for steep accents and altitude and to ensure you have the chance to acclimatise. Your guide will be watching to see how you cope and to ensure there are no signs of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), and will adjust the itinerary accordingly (or make medical arrangements if needed!) .
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All our standard treks give an indication of difficulty which is at least in part associated with the highest elevation you will reach - walking at high altitude is not the same as at lower elevations and requires a higher level of fitness. There can be long days, lots of steps (up and down!), some difficult terrain and wide changes in temperature. But some of our lower altitude treks can be comfortable walking for those who don’t regularly walk up mountains but like the outdoors, fresh air and spectacular scenery! We want to make sure that the trek you choose is appropriate to your fitness level so that you fully enjoy your trek with us, so letting us know a bit about your fitness and requirements in our trekking request form will allow us to recommend the right itinerary.
Obviously it is a good idea to improve your fitness in advance of your trip so you can make the most of the time available. A trek can be life enhancing, especially if you get fitter and healthier as part of the experience, so regular walking, cycling or running and the odd trip to the gym in the months or weeks before your trip will really help!
Related Articles
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https://www.mountainiq.com/resources/altitude-sickness/
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http://www.fitzmagictravels.com/trekking-nepal-fitness-ams/
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http://www.chaptertravel.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-trek-in-nepal-a-9-step-guide/
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PORTERS AND GUIDES
Our company specialises in guided trekking in Nepal. Having a guide means you can enjoy your trek without worry and benefit from their local knowledge and experience. You can have confidence that you will be well looked after and enjoy the best of your itinerary, even if that needs to change though weather, health problems or other eventualities. Our guides have good English and are highly trained and experienced, honest and friendly and will quickly become your friend for your time in Nepal and often long after!
Your guide can arrange all your food and accommodation during your trek, your transport and permits and all your other needs, but if you would like someone to carry your luggage (highly recommended unless you are an experienced and fit trekker!), then you will also need a porter. A porter is able to carry up to 20kg of your luggage and usually that means one porter for two people who have packed fairly lightly!
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Our guides and porters are fully insured and your trip costs include an allowance for their food, accommodation and travel - we treat them well (as I’m sure you would expect) because they are valued employees!
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HOTELS AND TEA HOUSES
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When you are staying in cities such as Kathmandu and Pokhara there are are wide range of hotels of different standards and prices. We can help you book these or you may prefer to book them directly yourself (Booking.com, AirBnb, TripAdvisor and various other websites can all provide recommendations and direct booking).
When out on the treks, on the trail or in small villages, guesthouses known as ‘tea houses’ are the normal accommodation. These are run by local villagers and are simple but cheap (though how cheap varies on location and altitude) and very much part of the trekking experience, where you will usually meet other trekkers and share experiences over dinner. Rooms may have an ensuite but often not, hot water is solar heated so limited and electricity and wifi may be unreliable. Blankets, pillow, and a mattress are provided but it is recommended to bring a sleeping bag and/or a sleeping bag liner as it can be cold at altitude and there is no heating other than a fire in the dining room and little insulation.
Meals in the tea houses are generally good, wholesome and filling and you will generally eat dinner and breakfast at the tea house where you are staying for the night.
Your guide will find a good tea house each night and arrange your accommodation and meals within the budget for your trek (unless you prefer to do this yourself). Usually there is an early start in the morning after breakfast, a stop at a cafe or tea house for lunch, and you reach your next tea house mid or late afternoon with time to relax before dinner and an early night!
TRANSPORT
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Transport is included in the itineraries at the beginning and end of treks assuming you start and finish in Kathmandu. Depending on the trek this may involve local or tourist buses, private jeep/car and/or flights, with different options possible depending on your budget and time available.
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INSURANCE
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It is essential to arrange the right travel insurance for your trip to Nepal before you arrive. Please note that standard travel insurance is often limited to low altitude trekking, and it is usually necessary to take out specialist trekking insurance for treks that go above 3,000m. You should also ensure that your travel and trekking insurance covers the cost of emergency evacuation or medical assistance and provide us with the necessary information and telephone numbers for these eventualities. We will need to see proof of insurance before departing on the trek.
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