Trekking Information

Trekking Information

Overview

Trekking is like a multi-day adventure into nature's rugged beauty. It's a different kind of travel, where weather and terrain shape your journey more than fixed schedules. Despite what you might think, trekking is for everyone, whether you're new to it or a seasoned mountain enthusiast.

At Adventure Advisor Nepal, we define trekking as exploring natural trails and rocky paths in untouched environments. Our Himalayan treks offer various options, from easy family adventures to challenging experiences for thrill-seekers. With our skilled guides, your well-being is taken care of every step of the way. Many trekkers come back for more, excitedly looking forward to their next expedition!

 

Routine on the Trail

A typical day with Adventure Advisor Nepal starts early. Our friendly crew wakes you up at dawn with a warm cup of tea. After freshening up and enjoying breakfast, you pack your bags and gather in the dining hall before starting the day's trek. After 2-3 hours of trekking, we pause for a satisfying lunch along the trail. The afternoon includes another 2-3 hours or more of trekking before reaching the next rest point. Throughout the day, there are breaks to rest and soak in the breathtaking mountain views. Capture the beauty with plenty of photos from panoramic mountains, meandering rivers, landscapes, prayer flags, temples, shrines, cairns, and monasteries.

Upon reaching the tea house, take a brief rest, shower, and enjoy a light snack with tea or coffee. If possible, explore the village and surrounding areas. After checking into your room, you can unwind by reading or chatting with fellow trekkers and Adventure Advisor Nepal crew members. A warm dinner is served in a cozy dining hall, followed by a briefing from the chief guide about the next day's plan. Pre-ordered breakfast ensures a smooth start the next morning. Use any extra time for reading, enjoying drinks, or playing cards before heading to bed for a well-deserved night's rest, ready to begin anew the next day.

 

Key Points to Understand
Physical and Skill Prerequisites: 

At Adventure Advisor Nepal, our treks are perfect for enthusiastic walkers who can comfortably walk for about 6 to 8 hours a day with a light backpack. While trekking at higher altitudes is more challenging, being in good health with average fitness, a positive attitude, self-confidence, and determination can lead to a successful trek. It's a good idea to exercise and jog regularly a few weeks before the trip to boost strength and stability. While past hiking experience is beneficial, no technical skills are generally required.

 

Medical Status:

If you have any special medical conditions, it's a good idea to check with your family doctor to ensure you're fit for trekking. If your doctor advises against it, we recommend not trekking to avoid unnecessary risks, as evacuations can be costly. Don't worry, though; there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayas without compromising your health, such as Helicopter tour, Mt Everest flights, Ultra-light aircraft rides, relaxing in Sarangkot or witnessing the beautiful sunrise from Nagarkot. If you have pre-existing medical conditions like heart, lungs, or blood diseases, please inform Adventure Advisor Nepal before booking your trek.

 

Travel Insurance: 
All clients must have insurance coverage for potential medical issues or accidents, including air ambulance evacuation, helicopter rescue, and treatment expenses. Please be aware that Adventure Advisor Nepal does not facilitate insurance arrangements.

Acclimatization:

Ascending rapidly to higher altitudes can lead to a severe medical condition, potentially fatal. As you climb higher, the air becomes thinner, containing less oxygen. For instance, at altitudes above 5000m, there's a 50% reduction in oxygen compared to sea level. Our bodies require several days to adapt to this oxygen-depleted environment. Adventure Advisor Nepal plans itineraries with sufficient time for acclimatization, a crucial factor for a safe trek. Adequate acclimatization time is essential, and careful planning is necessary to minimize the risk of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). While AAN’s itineraries aim to prevent AMS, it's important to recognize that some trekkers may be more susceptible than others.

 

Trek Grading:

Trek grading is a system used to categorize and communicate the difficulty level of different trekking routes. The grading typically involves assigning a level, such as Easy, Moderate, or Challenging, to help trekkers understand the anticipated challenges and requirements of a particular trek. The grading considers factors like altitude, terrain difficulty, technicality, and overall physical demands.

Easy Treks: Suitable for beginners and those looking for a more relaxed experience. These treks often involve shorter durations, lower altitudes, and less challenging terrain.

Moderate Treks: A step up in difficulty, moderate treks are suitable for individuals with some trekking experience. They may involve longer durations, higher altitudes, and moderately challenging terrain.

Challenging Treks: Reserved for experienced trekkers, challenging treks present more difficult terrain, higher altitudes, and may require technical skills. These treks demand a higher level of physical fitness and trekking experience.

The grading system provides trekkers with a guide to choose routes that align with their capabilities and preferences. It's important to note that individual experiences may vary, and factors like weather conditions can impact the difficulty of a trek. Therefore, trek grading serves as a helpful, but generalized, framework for trek selection.

 

Trek Logistics

Trekking Squad:                          

Trekking in Nepal offers a remarkably comfortable experience compared to other destinations. Every trek package comes complete with guides and porters taking care of all the logistical details. The key to our successful, enjoyable, and memorable treks lies in our adept, experienced, polite, and supportive trek leaders, along with a capable crew ensuring seamless days in the mountains. Rest assured, our treks are guided by the best and most professional leaders in the field.

Roles of Each Team Member:

Chief Guide: Leads the way, makes safety and accommodation decisions.

Assistant Guide: Supports the Chief Guide, assists with trekkers' needs. In larger groups, aids slower members, books lodges, or sets up campsites in advance. (Only if the number of trekkers is 8 or above)

Porter: Carries your main backpack while you manage a smaller daypack. Typically, one porter handles two bags, unless a personal porter is requested and paid for in your booking.

Chef and Assistants: Uses their professional cooking skills to satisfy your appetites. This is only in Exclusive Camping treks.

 

Accommodation

Lodge:

Lodges are arranged on a twin-sharing basis and usually without heating facilities. But you will be provided sleeping bags with fleece inner liners for added comfort. The rooms typically include a bed and limited space for your belongings. Certain lodges feature a central fireplace where trekkers come together to stay warm and exchange stories about their adventures.

 

Camping:                                         

During camping treks, you rest in high-quality tents designed to shield you from the cold. We provide sleeping bags with fleece inner liners for added comfort on both types of treks.

 

Bathroom Facilities:

There are Western-style toilets and solar hot shower at lower elevations. As you ascend, most toilets become communal, although a rare few have attached facilities. Typically, there is a squat toilet and a pail of water provided. Some toilets are equipped with a bowl and flush. Please remember to bring your own toilet paper. Showers may feature proper fittings or a basic tap and bucket system. You enjoy bucket showering.
 

Lodge Meals                        

All meals are provided by the lodge. It's recommended to order your meals after arriving and settling down, as it may take at least 30 minutes for preparation. Plan to pack your belongings and shower after placing your order.

The menu at teahouses usually includes a range of options such as rice, noodles, pasta, soups, vegetables, meat, and more. Local specialties like dal bhat (rice with lentil soup), and momos (dumplings), are commonly available and are nutritious choices for energy during the trek. Breakfast options often include porridge, eggs, bread, and tea or coffee.

Vegetarian and Dietary Preferences: Teahouses are accustomed to catering to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

(It's advisable to communicate any specific dietary requirements or preferences to the teahouse staff in advance.)

Breakfast: Typically includes bread or pastries along with a hot beverage.

Lunch & Dinner: Options often include chicken when available. You can also order soup, rice, and a variety of vegetables such as potato, lentil, egg, pancake, fried rice, and fried noodles, among others.

 

Camping:

The cooking team will come along only for camping treks and all meals will be cooked by them. You will be amazed what they can make out of the limited resources in the mountain! Food is never a problem with most trekkers – from children, adults to the seniors as the cooks can be creative with their menus and cuisines. A glimpse of what you may get: rice, noodle, egg, sardine, tuna, luncheon meat, cake, potato, range of vegetables, pancake, pasta, cookies, bread etc. The cooking team will boil water during lunch and dinner daily for your consumption.

 

Drinking Water:

There are different options for obtaining drinking water along the trails. One option is purchasing mineral water bottles from shops situated on the trails. Another approach is to carry reusable water bottles and various water purification tablets or liquid, allowing you to purify tap or stream water before consumption. You can refill your bottles at teahouses or use the abundant streams and rivers along the trail. While at your lodge, it is advisable to consume boiled water. Charges may start from Rs100 onwards depending on the location. For those who prefer mineral water, be prepared to pay a higher price as the cost of bottled water increases at higher elevations.