The Benefits of Having a Trekking Guide
Your guide is your ambassador to Nepal, providing helpful and necessary information concerning arrangements to and from your destination, offering commentary en route regarding culture, religion, geography, flora-fauna, history, and the environment, and competently handling any problems such as accidents or lost items that may arise during the trek.
Getting To and From Your Destination
Once you arrive in Kathmandu or Pokhara, I can arrange your transportation. There are plenty of means of transportation that are available to get you to your starting and finishing points. It is advisable to take a taxi to/from the trekking point, which is not expensive. Local buses are available, but they are not reliable and take a longtime to get to most destinations.
Cultural Hints
- In Nepal it is culturally acceptable to hire a guide/porter, so there is no need to feel like you are “hiring a servant.” By hiring a guide/porter, you are contributing to the local economy.
- Respect local people, their customs and culture. Don’ t wear revealing clothes and avoid public displays of affection.
- Namasté is the general Nepali greeting and parting gesture, which literally means,“I bow to the God in you.” It is used at any time of day and with all people.
- It is illegal to buy religious or historical items/artifacts. Buddhist maniwalls and chortens should be passed on the left (clockwise).
Safety Hints
- It is best to trek with others so that you can get help in case of an emergency.
- Stand on the inside of the trail if an animal passes you so that you don’ t get forced off the path.
- Use iodine tablets or other water purification methods to kill water borne bugs. It saves money as well as controls unnecessary pollution with plastic water bottles.
Accommodation and Food
On tea house treks you sleep and eat in small lodges, sometimes called guest houses or inns. Food may vary from local Dal Bhat and Tarkari to international cuisines. The taste and amount of food will vary from place to place. The higher you trek, the higher the price of food, because all the goods are supplied by porters or mules. Beds and bedding are provided, but you are encouraged to carry a sleeping bag so that you will be comfortable during the night.
On camping treks, you must be very self-sufficient in terms of food, water and camping gear. On a typical organized trek, porters carry all the food, with experienced assistants and cooks who prepare delicious hearty meals. The trekking crew sets up the tent for you every night at the camp site. All you have to do is eat, drink and be happy.
Trail Conditions
The trails are well maintained. Many trails have steep slopes and are often paved with stones. Most treks go through areas between 1,000-3,000 meters, although the Everest Base Camp Trek, Round Annapurna Trek and Round Manaslu Trek reach over 5,000 meters.
Is Nepal Safe?
As we know, there are different political problems and conflicts everywhere around the world. Nepal has also been suffering from violent activities for the past ten years. In April 2006, however, the situation changed completely. After weeks of peaceful demonstrations all over the country against the absolute power of the king, a new parliament was installed and the army came under its supervision. The Maoists announced a ceasefire and joined peace talks with the political parties which very soon led to the creation a Maoist’ political party in its own right. They have joined the parliament and in November 2007, Constituent Assembly Elections will be held throughout the whole country. The power of the king has also been reduced to a minimum.
Guests are honored as God in our tradition. Even at the height of Nepal’s political conflict, everybody in our country followed this tradition and tourists were not affected.
Welcome to safe Nepal! Feel completely free to make plans to visit us and to make your valued contribution to our tourism industry, as Nepal still remains one of the poorest countries in the world.
Trekking Packages
A guide can provide the following services if you purchase a trekking package.This does not include expenses of a personal nature, such as soft drinks, rescue in case of emergency, travel insurance, personal medical kit, airfares (if any), monastery/temple/museums entrance fees, etc.
Tea House Trek Package
- Transportation to/from the trekking starting/ending points by bus or taxi
- Guide/Porter
- Accommodation during trek
- Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Permits and park fees
Camping Trek Package
- Transportation to/from the trekking starting/ending points by bus or taxi
- Guide/Sherpa/Cook/Porter(s)
- Sleeping bags/mattresses
- Two man tents (need to share with a friend)
- Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Permits and park fees
Trekking Permits/Fees
Trekking permits and park fees vary in price, especially for protected areas. Some of the prices are indicated below. Specific information about the fees will be discussed when planning your trekking experience.
- Annapurna Conservation Area 2000.00 Rs
- Langtang National Park 1000.00 Rs.
- Manaslu Conservation Area 2000.00 Rs. (US $75 December-August) or (US $90 September- November) per person per week
- Sagarmatha National Park 1000.00 Rs.
- Shivapuri Watershed Conservation Area 250.00 Rs.
- Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa- US $500 per person for the first 10 days and US $50 per person per day there after.
