Edits for format. It seems to me, "trekking agent" and "trekking peak" are not proper nouns
← Older revision
Revision as of 02:35, 13 October 2016
Line 14:
Line 14:
===Experience & Fitness===
===Experience & Fitness===
−
There are treks suitable for a wide range of experience and physical fitness. If you can walk uphill for a few hours each day, then you can find a suitable trek in Nepal. An easy trek with Nepali support (guide/porter) and teahouse accommodation is quite attainable for anyone who is reasonably fit. Longer treks, crossing high passes and into remote regions demand a higher degree of endurance. For
Trekking
Peaks
, i.e. summitting a mountain of
5650
-
6500m
, it is desirable to have some alpine climbing experience.
+
There are treks suitable for a wide range of experience and physical fitness. If you can walk uphill for a few hours each day, then you can find a suitable trek in Nepal. An easy trek with Nepali support (guide/porter) and teahouse accommodation is quite attainable for anyone who is reasonably fit. Longer treks, crossing high passes and into remote regions demand a higher degree of endurance. For
trekking
peaks
, i.e. summitting a mountain of
5,650
-
6,500m
, it is desirable to have some alpine climbing experience.
===Equipment and Supplies===
===Equipment and Supplies===
Line 46:
Line 46:
====Treks in Annapurna, Khumbu, and Langtang/Helambu====
====Treks in Annapurna, Khumbu, and Langtang/Helambu====
−
Treks in these areas only require national park entry tickets (NPR2000 for a single entry) and a "TIMS (Trekker Information Management System) card", but do not require "special permits". There are two types of TIMS cards: green (for independent trekkers, NPR2,000) and blue (for trekkers who are part of a group with a guide, NPR1,000). Individual TIMS (green cards) are obtainable only from Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara and from the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal office. Not even
Trekking
Agents
are legally authorized to obtain individual TIMS (even though some small
Trekking
Agents
may offer the individual TIMS). For information on how to get a TIMS card, see [http://www.timsnepal.com/ TIMS Nepal]. Make sure that you bring the required insurance documentation and passport-sized photographs when applying.
+
Treks in these areas only require national park entry tickets (NPR2000 for a single entry) and a "TIMS (Trekker Information Management System) card", but do not require "special permits". There are two types of TIMS cards: green (for independent trekkers, NPR2,000) and blue (for trekkers who are part of a group with a guide, NPR1,000). Individual TIMS (green cards) are obtainable only from Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara and from the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal office. Not even
trekking
agents
are legally authorized to obtain individual TIMS (even though some small
trekking
agents
may offer the individual TIMS). For information on how to get a TIMS card, see [http://www.timsnepal.com/ TIMS Nepal]. Make sure that you bring the required insurance documentation and passport-sized photographs when applying.
====Treks in Restricted areas====
====Treks in Restricted areas====
Restricted areas such as Dolpo, Mustang, Manaslu, and Kanchenjunga require "trekking permits" (but not the TIMS card), which are obtainable only through trekking agents.
Restricted areas such as Dolpo, Mustang, Manaslu, and Kanchenjunga require "trekking permits" (but not the TIMS card), which are obtainable only through trekking agents.
−
====Trekking
Peaks
====
+
====Trekking
peaks
====
There are 33 mountain peaks in Nepal of 5,650-6,500m height classified as trekking peaks. Climbing permits for these peaks cost $350 USD for one to four members, an additional $40 USD each for the next four members and $25 USD each for the final four members. Trekking peaks require a qualified "climbing guide", permits and deposits to cover camp waste disposal.
There are 33 mountain peaks in Nepal of 5,650-6,500m height classified as trekking peaks. Climbing permits for these peaks cost $350 USD for one to four members, an additional $40 USD each for the next four members and $25 USD each for the final four members. Trekking peaks require a qualified "climbing guide", permits and deposits to cover camp waste disposal.
−
===
Accommodation
===
+
===
Sleep
===
Be sure to research the type of accommodation available on your trek before embarking.
Be sure to research the type of accommodation available on your trek before embarking.
Line 63:
Line 63:
'''Homestays''' in local villages can be organized.
'''Homestays''' in local villages can be organized.
−
===Trekking
Themes
===
+
===Trekking
themes
===
Treks can be customized based on your desires. Some treks are designed to see the best mountainous views, some are designed to expose life in the villages, some are designed based around detox/healthy living programs, while others include daily yoga and meditation classes. Ask around and consult with local guides to find a trek that best suits your interests.
Treks can be customized based on your desires. Some treks are designed to see the best mountainous views, some are designed to expose life in the villages, some are designed based around detox/healthy living programs, while others include daily yoga and meditation classes. Ask around and consult with local guides to find a trek that best suits your interests.
===Responsible trekking===
===Responsible trekking===
−
*Trek legally. If you trek independently, you are not allowed to take any staff by law. For this you need a
Trekking
Agency, the sole
authorized to employ staff for foreign trekkers. Do not hire staff or "independent guides" through hotels, unless they have a
Trekking
Agent
licence or offer this service through an affiliated
Trekking
Agent
.
+
*Trek legally. If you trek independently, you are not allowed to take any staff by law. For this you need a
trekking
agency
authorized to employ staff for foreign trekkers. Do not hire staff or "independent guides" through hotels, unless they have a
'''trekking
agent
licence
'''
or offer this service through an affiliated
trekking
agent
.
−
*Please make sure you take all of your trash, including bottles and cans from goods consumed in restaurants, to the nearest truck-accessible road for the most proper disposal available. You may note pollution and lack of trash management in villages on treks—including trash-clogged rivers and mounds of discarded beer bottles. Nepal is struggling with its rapid
Westernization
and hasn't yet figured out how to dispose of its waste. Don't contribute to the problem any more than necessary!
+
*Please make sure you take all of your trash, including bottles and cans from goods consumed in restaurants, to the nearest truck-accessible road for the most proper disposal available. You may note pollution and lack of trash management in villages on treks—including trash-clogged rivers and mounds of discarded beer bottles. Nepal is struggling with its rapid
development
and hasn't yet figured out how to dispose of its waste. Don't contribute to the problem any more than necessary!
*Plastic water bottle use is increasing around the Himalayas. Try to use locally available water; you can use purification tablets, which are easily available, and most tablets make water drinkable within 30 minutes.
*Plastic water bottle use is increasing around the Himalayas. Try to use locally available water; you can use purification tablets, which are easily available, and most tablets make water drinkable within 30 minutes.
Line 102:
Line 102:
* '''[[Nagarkot]]''' (2 days) - offers a great spot for watching surrounding mountain ranges at sunrise or sunset from atop the hill.
* '''[[Nagarkot]]''' (2 days) - offers a great spot for watching surrounding mountain ranges at sunrise or sunset from atop the hill.
* '''[http://www.netif-nepal.org/itineraries.htm The Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail]''' (5 days), includes treks to [[Nagarkot]] and [[Dhulikhel]]
* '''[http://www.netif-nepal.org/itineraries.htm The Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail]''' (5 days), includes treks to [[Nagarkot]] and [[Dhulikhel]]
−
* '''[http://www.netif-nepal.org/shivapuri_hiking_treks.htm Shivapuri Hiking Trek]''' (5 days) displays the best of Nepal’s rural culture, biodiversity and stunning Himalayan views. Trekking
Routes
to [[Nagarkot]], Gosainkunda, Helambu and the Langtang National Park.
+
* '''[http://www.netif-nepal.org/shivapuri_hiking_treks.htm Shivapuri Hiking Trek]''' (5 days) displays the best of Nepal’s rural culture, biodiversity and stunning Himalayan views. Trekking
routes
to [[Nagarkot]], Gosainkunda, Helambu and the Langtang National Park.
* '''[[Indigenous Peoples Trail]]''' - a cultural delight with marvelous viewpoints through the [[Ramechhap]] district, just east of [[Kathmandu]]
* '''[[Indigenous Peoples Trail]]''' - a cultural delight with marvelous viewpoints through the [[Ramechhap]] district, just east of [[Kathmandu]]
−
===Mount Everest
Region
===
+
===Mount Everest
region
===
* '''[[Khumbu]]''' - Take the bus to [[Jiri]] or fly to [[Lukla]] then hike up to [[Namche]], capital of the Sherpa lands at the foot of Everest.
* '''[[Khumbu]]''' - Take the bus to [[Jiri]] or fly to [[Lukla]] then hike up to [[Namche]], capital of the Sherpa lands at the foot of Everest.
* '''[[Everest Base Camp Trek]] / ascent of Kalar Patar''' - Visit the Buddhist [[Tengboche]] monastery for the Mani Rimdu festival in November. Explore the [[Gokyo]] valley with its sacred lakes and stupendous views of four 8000m peaks. Or a circuit of the region crossing the high passes or Cho La and Renjo La.
* '''[[Everest Base Camp Trek]] / ascent of Kalar Patar''' - Visit the Buddhist [[Tengboche]] monastery for the Mani Rimdu festival in November. Explore the [[Gokyo]] valley with its sacred lakes and stupendous views of four 8000m peaks. Or a circuit of the region crossing the high passes or Cho La and Renjo La.
−
* '''[[Island Peak Trek]] (
Trekking
Peak
)''' - takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in the Himalayas.
+
* '''[[Island Peak Trek]] (
trekking
peak
)''' - takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in the Himalayas.
−
* '''Mera Peak (
Trekking
Peak
)''' - During the ascent of Mera Peak (6461m), enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Everest (8,848m), Cho-Oyu (8,201 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,463 m), Kangchenjunga (8,586 m), Nuptse (7,855m), and Chamlang (7,319m).
+
* '''Mera Peak (
trekking
peak
)''' - During the ascent of Mera Peak (6461m), enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Everest (8,848m), Cho-Oyu (8,201 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,463 m), Kangchenjunga (8,586 m), Nuptse (7,855m), and Chamlang (7,319m).
* '''[http://thegreathimalayatrail.org/trail-sections/makalu-barun/ Makalu Barun]''' is the 5th highest mountain in the world at 8,481 meters above sea level. Makalu Base Camp, at 5,000 meters, can be reached using tea-house accommodation. This trek gives the opportunity to see rhododendrons, orchids, snow leopards, red panda, musk deer, wild boar, wild yak, and Himalayan thar.
* '''[http://thegreathimalayatrail.org/trail-sections/makalu-barun/ Makalu Barun]''' is the 5th highest mountain in the world at 8,481 meters above sea level. Makalu Base Camp, at 5,000 meters, can be reached using tea-house accommodation. This trek gives the opportunity to see rhododendrons, orchids, snow leopards, red panda, musk deer, wild boar, wild yak, and Himalayan thar.
Line 135:
Line 135:
===Safety considerations===
===Safety considerations===
−
Always carry a head torch/lamp, water, some food, and a mobile phone with helicopter evacuation number (on
Trekking
Profile
) in case of emergencies.
+
Always carry a head torch/lamp, water, some food, and a mobile phone with helicopter evacuation number (on
'''trekking
profile'''
) in case of emergencies.
===Criminal activity===
===Criminal activity===