Trekking Season Is On... Are you there?

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We are at the height of trekking season in Nepal.  If you are there, you know flights are packed, buses are jammed with people (and goats) riding inside outside and on the roof!  There are ups and downs to trekking to Everest Base Camp during the Dashain/Tihar (Oct/Nov) Season in Nepal.   I'll start with the downs, so we can end on a good note... 

Happy trekkers set out for Lukla

The downside is that the trekking paths can be overcrowded (like the buses and flights) with tourists.  And of course, you have the supply and demand effect when it comes to pricing.   When it is off season, you can do an organized trek for under $1000 (USD), but in peak season you will pay likely upward of $1300.  That's because everyone is working, and everything from yaks to Yeti Airlines seats are already booked.   And if you were looking to be a sole Westerner on the Himalayan highland routes, forget it!  There are enough people that you could just follow the foreigners ahead of you... forget the guide.   Just kidding, you will need him to help you navigate and get a decent rate for room and food at your teahouse stops.  

BUT here's the plus -- the upside of this busy season...



Dashain tika in family home.

 October and November are handsdown the best weather months in Nepal.  Not just for the mild temperatures, but also for the clear skies.  This is really the best time to view the Himalayas from almost any place in the nation.  If you are into photography, the sun seems to be your great golden ally this time of year.  With all the colorful festivals happening, this is your chance for those dream shots!  Plus, you will likely have the opportunity to participate in local puja (tika) and other celebrations for the Dashian.  Tihar is really special.  Also called Dipawali, this is the festival of lights, and villages will have fires, lights and candles burning.  Dipawali is more of a Hindu holiday, but you will find variations in some Sherpa villages. 

So, if you don't mind the hustle of the airports and busses, this is a good time to trek and after experience the lively nightlife of Kathmandu or Pokhara (I recommend the latter).  But if you want a quieter trek, consider later in the season (December) or March.   The only time I do not recommend is July - August, unless full-on Monsoon adventures sound like a challenge you'd enjoy.

p.s. -- early season (Sep.-Oct.) trekkers - watch out for leeches!

Want to know more?  Visit http://www.mounteveresttreks.com/ or email me and the team at sandra@hardcorenepal.com