Trekking in Nepal

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First of all, you couldn’t have picked a more perfect location for trekking than Nepal. Trekking in Nepal is the best decision you can ever make while challenging yourself, and also the Himalayas.

A wise mountaineer once said, “Every mountain looks big and huge when you are heading towards the top, but as soon as you touch the highest point, you will realize that all this way I was dreaming of achieving something big when from here I can see the reality through the magical eyes of nature, that all our desires and ambitions are so tiny, and that everything is a dancing perspective. The same Himalayas which look astonishingly huge from a distance will end up looking like tiny, white igloos from above. A new set of emotions kick-in, like, it adds a feeling of nothingness into mountaineers- a whiff of reincarnation!”

Let go of all your limited visions, and build up your spiritual energy to look beyond what your eyes can’t touch! To reach that surface, one must be fully equipped with all the safety precautions, to really enjoy the trek, rather than being concerned about the basic requirements of treks in Nepal. We have found out top7 tips for trekking in Nepal, which will help you appreciate the sanity in you.

What are the problems you face while trekking in Nepal?

  1. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
  2. Trekking Gear.

These tips are more beneficial for beginners or first-time trekkers who are planning to explore Nepal.

1. Local Guides and Porters

It is important to take local guides and porters when you are going for a trek. This is extremely important for long treks as you may drift off the trail, clueless, into the forests or snow-covered mountains. Also, hiring local porters and guides means that, you are contributing towards their livelihood. Also, you can take advantage of local jet charters to reach isolated base camps, more comfortably.

2. AMS

When the body is not adaptive to the lower oxygen levels then this situation of altitude sickness or AMS occurs. This condition is fatal when it reaches higher stages and if not taken care of at the right moment. To prevent yourself from choking, take proper rest, stay hydrated and warm, and do consult a doctor before you take the decision of trekking to the base camps of the highest peaks in the world.

  • Carry Diamox medicines.
  • Trek High, but Sleep Low!

3. Trekking Gear

Choose proper clothing, gear, and equipment to prepare yourself for the voyage. A pair of strong trekking boots with proper ankle support is suggested. Collaborate with a travel company to get easier access to tents and camping essentials, but a more reasonable idea would be to rent it out from the shops before your start a trek, to cut down on your expenses (if you are carrying light). Do carry fleece, down jacket, beanie, thermals, etc.

Pack light!

4. Stay Hydrated

Keep drinking water to avoid dehydration and headaches. Try not to drink all at once, rather keep moving forward with 1-2 sips to remain careful about chest-pains and also the quantity of water.

Nepal is a beautiful place for treks surrounded by turquoise lakes, teahouses in between panoramic landscapes. You’ll get food, water and accommodation in these tea-houses. However, if you have to collect water from the streams or waterfalls, to be on the safer side, purify your water by boiling it.

5. Bring some money

Since there are no ATM’s in Namche Bazaar and Lukla, you might have to store some of your cash at a safe place. Make sure you take out the required money only, and not too much.

ATM’s are easily accessible in the cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara in Nepal.

6. Permits

Get your papers signed; take all the permissions you need to walk the stunning mountains. You are misunderstood if you think that money or a friendly laugh will get you through to the mountains. Escaping from the formalities of permits is not a good idea in Nepal, as all your gear, workout, training will go down the lane if you don’t keep the permits handy.

Visit Nepal Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu to get these permits.

1. TIMS Permit: 1000 NPR.
2. Annapurna Base Camp: 2000 NPR (foreigners) , 200 NPR (SAARC members)

7. Have a Backup plan

Things would probably go right, but what if they don’t show you the results that you are expecting? Nature is unpredictable; it controls us, while we wrongly assume the situation to be the other way round.

Check on the weather updates, stay close to the sherpas, and keep the idea of a delayed flight or an early flight open. At high altitudes, it’s pretty hard to keep up with the atmosphere, and sometimes trekkers need time to adjust to the alien environment above the base camps.

One extra tip: Do bring your camera, as the best moments/phases need to be captured.

Lift your energy levels, see the world from a different angle, and listen to the message which nature whispers in your ear!