Namaste! The kingdom of Nepal, enclosed within the lofty peaks of the Himilaya, provides immense enjoyment to all travelers. Trekking, hiking, climbing, and rafting along the main links between Nepal's isolated villages and settlements are some of the country's main attractions. Trekking is the best way of getting to know the people and experiencing the cultural diversity while enjoying the scenic grandeur of Nepal -- a unique and unforgettable experience. The journey includes breathtaking scenery, safety (of course), diversity in cultures, and the most friendly people in the world. Eight of the ten highest mountains in the world are in Nepal. If you want to see them up close, you will have to trek.
While trekking, you'll see more than mountains. You can walk from tropical lowlands to alpine meadows to glaciers. If you are interested and want to travel in this Kingdom of the Himalaya, I can offer you the best in trekking and mountaineering service. With my experience behind you, your holiday in Nepal will be a most enjoyable experience. I can save you time and temper in coping with the inexplicable complications of an unfamiliar culture. Come and join us for an exciting holiday in Nepal! Enjoy the adventure of your life and create your own memories of this special corner of the world. Few areas capture people's hearts and imaginations like the Himilaya.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Culture and customs in Nepal run deep. Some of them you will find interesting, some strange, and others beyond logic. But as long as you show respect and sensitivity to local traditions, willingness to learn and adapt to Nepali ways and values, you will be fine. For a people so deeply rooted in traditions and culture, Nepali people are remarkably open-minded and easy-going. If at any time you have doubts, ask or simply do what other Nepali do.
:Namaste" is a common greeting done by putting the palms together in a prayer-like gesture to greet another person in Nepal. Don't take it seriously if any Nepali person hesitates to shake hands, because it really hasn't been very long since western traditions crept into the Nepali way of life.
What Equipment to Bring for the Trek
- Kit bag or rugsack
- Down jacket
- Lightweight walking boots
- Down sleeping bag
- 2 pairs of thin + 2-4 pairs thick woolen socks
- Pair of lightweight/heavyweight trousers
- 1-2 pair of lose-fitting long shorts/skirts
- 2-4 cotton T-shirts
- Lightweight long-sleeved shirt
- Sun glasses
- Sunblock
- Sandals
- Underwear
- Swimsuit
- Watter bottle
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Walking stick
- Spare batteries
- Personal medical supplies
- Band-aids
- Tweezers
- Army knife
- Sewing kit
There are many criteria which might influence your choice of a trek. If you have the time and are in reasonably good condition, the Everest walk-in trek, which allows you a glimpse of both lowland villages as well as the high Himalaya, is the best choice. If time is a constraint, consider the various treks that are less than a week long, or if you don't want to trek to a high elevation, look at the various low-altitude treks. If you are an experienced trekker and want to go to one of the newly-opened regions of Nepal, such as Mustang, look at restricted-area treks.
The Khumbu or Everest region is one of the most popular trekking areas in Nepal. It would probably be the most popular destination, but it is more difficult toget to Solu Khumbu than to the Annapurna area. To get near Everest, you must either walk for 10 days or fly to Lukla, a remote mountain airstrip where flights are notoriously unreliable.
Solu Khumbu is justifiably famous, not only for its proximity to the world's highest mountain (8848 meters), but also for its Sherpa villages and monasteries. The primary goal of an Everest trek is the Everest base camp at an elevation of 5340 meters. But you cannot see Everest from the base camp, so most trekkers climb Kala Pattar, an unassuming 5545-meter bump on the southern flank of Pumori (7145 meters).
Other than the problem of access, the other major complication to an Everest trek is the high likelihood of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). This potentially deadly illness, commonly known as altitude sickness, is caused by climbing too quickly to a high elevation. If you suffer symptoms of altitude sickness and cannot go to the base camp, you can still make a worthwhile trek to less ambitious destinations such as Namche Bazaar, the administrative headquarters of the Khumbu region; Khumjung or Thami, more typical Sherpa villages; or Tengpoche Monastery. From Tengpoche you will have an excellent view of Everest and its more spectacular neighbor Ama Dablam (6856 meters).
8 Days of Trekking to Dingboche
Maximum Elevation 4410 meters (14,500 feet)
If your time is limited, you can fly in to the remote mountain airstrip at Lukla and trek to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar, the monastery at Tengpoche, and the high yak pasture of Dingboche. This trek provides an overview of Sherpa culture and excellent views of the high Himalaya.
Day 1: Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding
Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Day 3: Namche Bazaar rest day and visit Everest View Hotel and Khumjung
Day 4: Namche to Tengboche
Day 5: Tengboche - visit the monasteries and acclimatization and back to Namche
Day 6: Namche to Phakding
Day 7: Phakding to Lukla
Day 8: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
22 Days of Trekking
Maximum Elevation 5545 meters (18,250 feet)
This is the best way to do an Everest trek. It follows much of the old approach route followed by Everest expeditions from the 1950's through the 1970's. It provides a good opportunity to see the densly populated middle hills and the high altitude splendour of the Khumbu, or Everest, region. The portion of the trek from Jiri to Lukla is often uncrowded, and therefore much better trekking country. From Namche the trek follows the Lukla to Everest base camp route and then flies out from Lukla.
Day 2: Jiri to Bhandar
Day 3: Bhandar to Sete
Day 4: Sete to Junbesi
Day 5: Junbesi to Nuntala
Day 6: Nuntala to Khari Khola
Day 7: Khari Khola to Puiyan
Day 8: Puiyan to Phakding
Day 9: Phakding to Namche
Day 10: Acclimatization Day in Namche
Day 11: Namche Bazaar to Tengpoche
Day 13: Tengpoche to Dingboche
Day 14: Acclimatization Day in Dingboche
Day 15: Pheriche to Lobuje
Day 16: Lobuje to Gorak Shep visit Kalapather (5545m)
Day 17: Gorak Shep back to Lobuje
Day 18: Lobuje to Pangboche
Day 19: Pangboche to Khumjung
Day 20: Khumjung to Monju/Phakding
Day 21: Phakding to Lukla
Day 22: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
For the more adventurous traveler, there are many minor peaks open for alpine climbing under the Nepal Mountaineering Association. The climbing of these peaks is controlled under the rules and regulations formulated by this association.
Most of these peaks require snow and ice climbing experience. Trekking agents provide qualified and trained climbing guides to take non-climbers for convenience, safety, and expected success. By Himalayan standards, these are considered minor peaks, but in fact some of them provide relatively challenging snow and ice climbing of high standards, and more so in winter. The royalty for these peaks ranges from US$150 to US$350, depending on the particular peak for member climbing team. Ice-land peak is one of the most beautiful and popular peaks of the Everest region.
Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Day 3: Namche Bazaar acclimatization day
Day 4: Namche to Phortse Thanga
Day 5: Phortse Thanga to Dole
Day 6: Dole to Machhermo
Day 7: Machhermo to Gokyo
Day 8: Gokyo
Day 9: Gokyo to Nha
Day 10: Nha to Jongla
Day 11: Jongla to Lobuche
Day 13: Lobuche to Dinboche
Day 14: Dingboche to Chhukung
Day 15: Chhukung to Ice-land peak base camp
Day 16: Climb to Ice-land peak and Chhukung
Day 17: Chhukung to Tengboche
Day 18: Tengboche to Khumjung
Day 19: Khumjung to Monju or Phkading
Day 20: Phkading to Luklha
Day 21: Fly from Luklha to Kathmandu,