TREKKING IN NEPAL

Nepal, the land of the Himalaya is full of living legends and festive occasions. The warm and friendly traditional greeting of "Namaste" that welcomes each visitor to Nepal is a prelude to a visit full of very memorable moments. It is only here that Living Goddesses are still worshipped and temples and monasteries reverberate with songs of chanting and prayers. To visit Nepal is an experience of a lifetime.

The first visitors came in 1951 and Nepal's exotic reputation comes from its incomparable blend of high mountains and rich cultures. With Mount Everest towering over the rest of the Himalaya, it is certainly Nepal's crown jewel. From the high snow peaks of the Himalaya to the sub-tropical lowland jungles of the "terai" plains, it is home to diverse ethnic groups each with their own language, customs and beliefs living together in Kathmandu Valley, the mid hill farming communities of the valiant Gurkha soldiers, the world famous Sherpa climbers of the high alpine pastures, the colorful traditions of the southern Tharu and Maithili people; Nepal has the distinction of being among the destinations with the highest repeat visitors.

For those seeking real adventure, Nepal is the definite destination as trekking trails and areas cater from the easy to the strenuous. The awe inspiring mountain views, remote village cultures, the excitement of crossing crystal clear snow melt rivers, the warmth and welcoming smiles of the local inhabitants, all add up to an unforgettable experience.

Who can go trekking?

Almost anybody, depending on where you choose to go! Trekking requires that you be in good health and reasonably well conditioned. A regular regimen of balanced exercise such as walking, running or bicycle riding is all that is needed to achieve a level of fitness to maintain a comfortable trekking pace without feeling overly tired. Trek itineraries are designed so that a person in moderately good shape will have little difficulty achieving each day's goals. It is good to bear in mind, however, that the better your fitness condition, the more you will enjoy from your trekking experience.

How to rate yourself?

Treks are carefully graded "easy", "moderate", "challenging" and "strenuous". If you require any assistance in choosing an appropriate trek, we will be more than happy to recommend one that is best suited to your physical condition. Rest days are built in when the trail is particularly demanding and make for good cultural breaks.

"Easy" grade involves walking for up to 5 hours each day, and generally do not exceed 3000 metres. The pace is relaxed and very much in holiday mode. The majority of people can take these treks without arduous pre-trek preparation.

"Moderate" grade is hiking over varied terrain for up to six hours per day at elevations usually exceeding 4000 metres for part of the trek. For these treks it is advisable to undertake some pre-trek training so that one can commence with a good fitness level.

"Challenging" is a grade higher and often requiring 7 hours walking per day. Undulating walks through high passes up to 5000 metres.

"Strenuous" grade is trekking through high altitude terrain, longer hours, calling for exerting oneself, often needing basic mountaineering skills like use of crampons and ice axe.

A Day on an Organised Trek

A trek is similar to a day hike only of longer duration and all you carry is what you need on the trail - water, camera and light jacket. All overnight and camping gear is carried by porters or pack animals and they can normally carry two duffle bags of 15 kg. each. You need only to enjoy the hike from camp to camp at your own pace with a sherpa guide at the head of the group, one in the middle, and one in the rear. Distances covered from camp to camp average 7 to 12 kms. per day. All routine cooking, cleaning and dismantling the camp is attended to by the trek crew and porters. Rest days in between are chosen to give a respite, or pause at an interesting village or catch up with the washing. The day begins early for breakfast with a lunch stop between and ends with camp and dinner.

Costs

As an indication of the costs involved in trekking, 2-4 persons undertaking a trek of less that seven days should expect to pay from HK$430-580 per person per day depending upon the nature of the route taken. The daily cost will decrease as the number of days increase.

The trek tariff includes the following:- staff: one guide, one cook, auxiliary staff (one extra sherpa for every 4 guests), porters or pack animals required to carry all the guests baggage; local staff insurance to cover accidents and injuries, etc.; all kitchen and serving equipment; all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) using kerosene; two person camping tent, mattresses; toilet tent, dining tent and camping stool.

There may be extra charges such as park fees, but these depend on the regions visited.