Trekking is simply walking; it is not mountaineering or climbing. You walk mostly on reasonable trails and will only occasionally encounter snow. We trek to enjoy, so the walking days are not long and we stop frequently, most days involve 3-6 hours actual walking, so you don’t need to be an athlete.

“On the map each day’s march looked pitifully short. But in such country there is no monotony. Up to the ridge ahead or down to the next river there is always something to go for and something fresh to see. Let the saddle-sore cyclist caper joyfully across the flat, but for the man on foot, the more broken the country the better. He sees not whither he must go nor whence he has come; neither far enough ahead, nor behind, to modify his cheerful estimate of the distance run or to be done.

[But] however reasonable and true such ideas are to a man seated in a chair, they take on a different hue when the same man is ‘bummelling’ along the tracks of Nepal. Witness the notes made of one march: ‘up a steep narrow track, like walking in a sewer, 500 stone steps up to Samri – no view – 2000 ft. down – hellish steep and rough track – porters slow – no view – no bananas – no raksi.” HW Tilman

The Trekking Day.One of the great joys of trekking in our country is to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and relax with the simple day to day routine of life on the trail.

Each morning after packing our bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the day’s walk. All you need to carry is a small day pack containing water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain jacket and warm jacket, just in case. The porters will carry the rest of our gear for us. After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon’s walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunch time and the entire afternoon will be free for side walk or some religious/cultural sites. After dinner, the evening will often be spent reliving the day’s adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.

Previous Clients Experience.Hiking and Trekking in Nepal, for the first time trekker the prospect of trekking in the Himalaya can be daunting as well as thrilling. Trekking in Nepal is an altogether different experience. Rather than jumping into the wilderness to get away from it all, you walk into countryside free from roads. Villages caught in a time warp abound, terraced fields stacked up huge hillsides.

The paths are timeless pilgrimage routes, trails between villages or tracks to high grazing pastures. It is by no means wilderness, but it is an incredibly beautiful natural world. Only higher up in the alpine valleys are the villages left behind, to be replaced by herder’s huts and higher still, the ice castles of the lofty Himalaya.

The practical aspects of trekking are surprisingly easy. In the villages and along the way are lodges and teahouses where meals are ordered from menus in English. Alternatively, on a trekking tour 3 course meals are served. Without the need to carry food and camping equipment backpacks are light. You end up only with a daypack. So trekking is really little more than a pleasurable ramble through quaint villages, gazing in wonder at the terraced hillsides and wandering amid incredible mountain scenery.

The satisfaction of trekking is in the process. Following this most standard trekking days are not particularly long. There is time enough for spotting wildlife, photography, chatting along the way and relaxing over lunch or a reviving cup of tea.

But there are challenges; for the unwarned the first is the physical effort required. Accompanying the inspiring mountains are huge hills, some of which must be climbed. Although hopefully lightly laden, hill-climbing still means plenty of heavy breathing and sweat. Pleasure can be had from frequent rests; admiring the scenery which, even after a mere 10 minutes uphill battle, alters satisfyingly and often dramatically. Taking comfort too in the frequent teahouses which are often strategically placed.

The second discomfort is sickness. It is South Asia and no matter how careful you are, count on some usually minor bowel problems or even a day you wish to forget. Luckily, these seem trivial compared to the whole wonderful experience.

To enjoy the Himalaya you don’t have to be the tough outdoorsy type. Like rucksacks and cameras, trekkers come in all shapes and sizes, and with widely differing aspirations. Trekking is physical but certainly not beyond the majority of people. Most important knows that you enjoy the concept. Bring along a traveler’s curiosity and a sense of humor, and before you know it you will relish the thought of another trek.

Fitness Capacity

Fitness required varies from trek to trek but for standard departures you should be at least moderately fit, used to some regular exercise. It is most important that you know you enjoy walking in the great outdoors but you certainly don’t need to be an experienced hiker. For some people this is their first real trek. The older you are the more important prior fitness and training is.

What is a typical day like?

In the morning at around six, coffee or tea is served at your tent if you are in tented treks. Hot water is provided for washing and shaving. Breakfast is ready by 8 am; meanwhile the bags are packed and all set to move along trails for 3-4 hours. We stop for a lunch break for about 1-2 hours. Again, we move ahead along the mountain trails for another 2-3 hours and finally reach campsite or lodge. Hot water for washing along with refreshment is served. You will have 1-2 hours to explore around the campsite area or visit a nearby village, meet local people and learn about their tradition, culture and lifestyle. Alternatively, you can write your diary, take photographs, laze around or even meditate in the fresh Himalayan air. Full course dinner is served which usually starts around 7 pm; you can enjoy your meal with your co-trekkers. In some occasions, you may be invited to local folk music or dance programs in the evenings if we can find some of the village or local ceremony.

What about altitude and medical problems?

Yes, altitude does affect in normal physical performance but provided you are ascending in a safe pace, minimizes the risk of altitude sickness. It is important to get acclimatized as we climb higher. Our treks are designed to help you acclimatize along the way where necessary. We usually do not have medical doctor during the trek but we are quite trained in first aid.

Dates

The start date is the day you must arrive in Katmandu and on the end date you are free to fly out of Katmandu. Normally there are no other activities planned on those days. You can of course arrive earlier or leave later.

Time, the ultimate luxury… Most of My trips are compact, but a day or two longer than comparable itineraries, and for a good reason. You need time to adjust after a long flight so an extra day is no luxury or waste. Also I am serious about following sound acclimatization programs and I really do allow for an untimely day or two of bad weather. If you can take or make extra time for relaxin