Nepal Travel Information

Trekking in the Himalaya…

 

 

The best way to experience Nepal’s unbeatable combination of natural beauty and cultural riches is to walk through them. The immense contrasts in altitudes and climates found here supports an equally spectacular mix of lifestyles, vegetation types and wildlife. One-fourth of all visitors to Nepal go trekking.

 

Where to trek:

 

 

The entire length and breadth of the kingdom is a paradise for trekkers. There are easy walks lasting a few days and there are strenuous expeditions that takes several weeks. All of them have great scenery.

 

Annapurna

The most popular trekking route in Nepal, you will be walking through rhododendron forest over the foothills of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest in the world, and Lake Tilicho (4919m.) the heights lake, are located here. Treks to the Annapurna region start from the Lakeside resort town of Pokhara.

 

Everest

The highest mountain in the world continues to lure adventures as ever. A hair-rising flight lands you at the airstrip of Lukla. From where you begin walking to the famous Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar and on to Tengboche Monastery with the mesmerizing peak of Amadablam hovering in the sky. Then it’s over the glaciers to the foot of Everest for the view of a lifetime.

 

Langtang

The third most popular trekking region in the kingdom lies directly to the north of Kathmandu. The Gosaikunda Lakes situated here are a much-revered Hindu pilgrimage site. Langtang offers baffling extremes in topography and climate conditions. In just one day you can traverse five different vegetation zones trekking from the subtropics to timberline.

 

Other Areas

For these who want to get off the beaten track, there is the trail to Mustang (maximum elevation 5,400m.) north of Annapurna Range, which offers mind-boggling landscape and mystical cultures. Dhaulagiri Round and Manaslu in west central Nepal (maximum elevation 5,213m.) offer divers range of pristine eco-system. Makalu, Rolwaling and Kanchanjunga in the eastern part of the country (maximum elevation 5,500m.) takes you through isolated valleys and high mountain passes to the base of the highest peaks on earth. Dolpo and Rara Lake in eastern Nepal (maximum elevation 4,500m.) captivate visitors with its Phoksundo Lake and unparalleled scenery.

 

You'll pass jungle-covered mountains, rhododendron forests, high yak pastures, turquoise lakes, snow capped peaks, beautiful temples, and rustic villages nestled in the mountains among shimmering, terraced rice fields. Playful children love to skip along beside you for an hour or so as you walk through the dizzy heights of their beautiful homeland. Nepal has only been open to the outside world for 50 years so there are still very few roads in Nepal and only a few are paved, but there are innumerable foot routes winding through the mountainous, yet pastoral countryside. For most Nepalese, trekking is the only way to go and they say you haven't visited Nepal until you've gone trekking! So join us for a trek of a lifetime.

 

Preparations

You do not need to be a mountaineer with rippling muscles to enjoy trekking. If you are reasonably fit, have adventurous spirit and not afraid of walking - you qualify. Trek Nepal Int’l. will fully take care of all the details. All you have to do on the trails is concentrate on putting one foot before the other. On many popular trekking trails, you can also trek in what is known as ‘teahouse style’ eating and staying in the many lodges and teahouse on the way instead of camping in tents. Teahouse treks are run only in the popular areas. If you are looking “into the wild” or “off the beaten track” then you will have to choose fully supported camping treks.

 

Equipment

In our fully supported wilderness treks we provide the following equipment: tents, sleeping mats, excellent food, extensive first aid kit, toilet paper, private transport To & From the trek, conservation fees, trek permit, and other goodies. For complete information regarding the equipment necessary please click the following link.

 

Season

Trekking is possible at anytime of the year depending on where you are going. The most popular seasons are spring (February-May) and autumn (September-December). Winter is very cold above 4000m and high mountain passes may be snowbound, but it is good for trekking at lower altitudes. During the monsoon season (June-August), you can trek in the rain-shadow areas north of the Himalayan like Mustang, upper Manang and Dolpo. These places are out of reach of the rain clouds because of the high mountains and are unaffected by the monsoon. For more information regarding Weather and Seasons click the following link.

 

Precautions

You trek to enjoy the scenery on the trail, not to get on any place in a hurry. The main precaution to be taken while trekking is not to go up too high too fast. The body should be given plenty of time to acclimatize. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) refers to the effects of the thin air at high altitudes, which can be very dangerous and may even result in death. If you get initial symptoms like nausea, dizziness, swelling in the face and breathlessness, descend to a lower elevation immediately and seek medical help. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is advised to cover emergency like helicopter evacuation and medical treatment in case of accidents on the trail.

 

Trekking Permit

All visitors require a trekking permit to visit Nepal’s interior regions i.e. Annapurna, Everest and Langtang. Trekking permits (TIMS) are available from any legally Registered Trekking companies or from Nepal Tourism Board for individual travellers or from the Department of Immigration (For the restricted areas). For detailed price information regarding trekking permits and entry fees click the following link.

 

National Park fee

You need to pay a park fee of RS. 1000 to enter a National Park or wildlife reserve. The fee is payable at the park entrance. Trekkers going to the Annapurna Region, however, must pay a fee of RS. 2000 (RS 100 for SAARC nationals) which is payable only in Kathmandu or in Pokhara. The fee is utilised for environmental conservation and maintenance of the area.

 

Accommodation in Kathmandu

A wide variety of accommodations are available both in Kathmandu and in Pokhara. Prices range from US$ 10 for lodges (depending on season i.e. high & low), and goes all the way above US$ 300 or more for deluxe rooms in luxury hotels. There are more than a hundred hotels in Kathmandu, and more are coming up as well. Almost every form of business around Thamel (the main tourist area of Kathmandu) thrives on tourism. If you have the desire to stay amongst fellow tourists, Thamel is the choice. But for those wanting to stay away from crowed, there is the option of selecting hotels in one or the other of the many quiet and attractive spots around Kathmandu.

 

Your passport must contain at least 1 clear and completely unstamped page for Nepali visa and passport valid at least for 6 months. Entry tourist visa can be obtained from all open entry points of Nepal or from the Royal Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad. For more information regarding the Visa click the following link.

 

	Buget	Middle	3 star
Single:	US$ 15 to 20	US$ 40 to 45	US$ 50 to 55
Double:	US$ 25 to 30	US$ 45 to 50	US$ 55 to 60

 

Passport & Visa:

Your passport must contain at least 1 clear and completely unstamped page for Nepali visa and passport valid at least for 6 months. Entry tourist visa can be obtained from all open entry points of Nepal or from the Royal Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad. For more information regarding the Visa click the following link.