Trekking Nepal 2013 Season - Himalaya | Trekking | Volunteer | Kathmandu Nepal

Trekking Nepal 2013 Season - Himalaya | Trekking | Volunteer | Kathmandu Nepal

Our trekking season is already getting underway early this year, and I am glad to see it!  Already we have seen more tourism than previous years -  Nepal has become a nice short break trip for expats traveling from Dubai, Qatar and other places in the Middle East when they have Eid and Ramadan holidays.  It's also increasing in popularity as a summer break destination for families and university students.

For 2013 - Himalayan Kingdom of Mustang Trek with Karma Mustangi!

We found Karma through a New York Times article written by Jason Wong (NYT Asia Correspondent), and we are excited to have him on board with us at TREKT Himalaya. We are taking private bookings for Mustang Trek with Karma for Spring 2013, and will have public treks starting in September 2013. Mustang is a good alternative for those who wanted to visit Tibet, but can not due to border closure. Karma will show you his unique Himalayan culture steeped in Tibetan Buddhist traditions and often hailed as the lost Shangri-La.

Everest Base Camp and EBC Mini-Trek

A trek to Everest Base Camp has become a "must-do" adventure for most travelers to Nepal.  But for those who want to see the Solu Khumbu region and do not have a lot of time, many companies (like us) have started offering an Everest short trek that starts at Lukla and does a quick 4 day circuit.   It's great for Himalayan views, Sherpa culture and a visit to Himalayan Buddhist monasteries.  Prices vary, but it is usually under $1000 including the Lukla Flight.    Our Everest expert guide is Tashi Sherpa - if you want to know more about Tashi and his homeland, send us an email at info@trekthimalaya.com.

High altitude trek - Solu Khumbu region - Everest Base Camp Nepal

Off Season Trekking In Nepal

I have always been a big fan of trekking in Nepal's off season because you get to enjoy things at a less crowded pace.    This year, we are kicking off Annapurna Circuit trek in the first week of April, but for less crowds, try June or September.   For Monsoon time, it's better to stick to Langtang, Poon Hill, or Helambu Treks.

Here are some common things to think about when trekking "off-season" in Nepal:

1) Ask for discounts.  Many trekking agents in Nepal have really slow times during our monsoon, and they offer activities at a discounted price.  So always ask!

2) Watch out for leaches and landslides!   The downside of trekking while the monsoon is on or at the tail end is that Nepal has been deluged with water for 2 months.   This creates landslides that block roads leading to many of the popular trekking routes.  Also, I'd like to say, "watch out for leeches," but you really can't.  You just have to deal with them.    Here's a couple web sites that give ideas for leech repellent.   The only real option is anything but eco-friendly.  I have tried insecticides all over my sock and pants, but those leeches will find you.  I even got one in between my fingers once.  Gross!

http://www.traveldudes.org/travel-tips/5-simple-steps-how-avoid-leeches-borneo/10036

http://www.ehow.com/how_8732438_repel-leeches.html

3) Take a longer (or shorter) trek.   I encourage you to take as long as you can on any trek.  I have never understood the whole rush to get to Everest Base Camp or around the Annapurna Circuit... although the 14 Day Everest Trek is our most popular.  I guess many tourist only have a couple weeks holiday from work to spend in Nepal, and they are trying to take in all the sites.   Well, I then, try a trek that is traditionally 8 - 10 days and extend it to 14 days.   The Tamang Heritage Trail is awesome.   The benefit of trekking slowly is you get to meet people and experience the "real Nepal."   Running from teahouse to teahouse is like running the Rock-n-Roll Marathon and forgetting to listen to the music.    Our Nepal Himalaya are so beautiful, please enjoy them slowly.

4) Take a language class.  There are many "Monsoon Language" course that have sprung up.  I LOVE that idea.  You will get a lot more out of your stay in Nepal if you take at least one week of language class before you head out on your trek.  Just enjoy Kathmandu, take you class and then head to the Himalaya!

KEEP offers one of the many summer language classes.

Everest Trek and Altitude Sickness

This week we had to send a helicopter to Tangbuche to rescue a trekker with altitude sickness, or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).  I have always thought "mountain sickness" is a bit of misnomer, so I prefer to call it Altitude Sickness.

Every year thousands of people head for the trekking route that leads to Everest Base Camp. The majority of them take the hike of a lifetime, but for some the journey becomes uncomfortable and leads to unbearable.

We don't know why certain people are affected by Altitude Sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), and others are not.   But here's what we DO know: You can take certain measures to help prevent it's onset.

1) Drink Plenty of Water

2) Try Cocoa - pure dark chocolate.  (Mountaineers do not carry chocolate just to pass out to kids; it was a long held Native American cure to chew Coca leaves to relieve altitude sickness.)

3) ACCLIMATIZE  - In our 14 day Everest Base Camp trek, we have two very important days to rest and acclimatize to altitude, but if you are not in a hurry, why not do a 16 day trek and go at a leisurely pace?   If you get AMS, you will not make it at all, so you might as well take it easy.

Trekker in Distress
So, what happens if you have done all of that, and you still get AMS?  This happened to us this week with a couple who were on our EBC trek.  Both were very physically fit thirty-somethings and enjoyed on outdoor lifestyle in their home country.  (And can I just digress for a second, I don't care where you live and how outdoorsy you are, unless you have been living in the Hindu Kush or similar, nothing Western style "outdoorsy" is like the Himalaya.   For some, it is complete and utter culture shock.)  Anyway, on the 3rd day into their Everest trek, the husband started having symptoms of AMS.  He was vomiting continuously, had a headache, and was severely constipated (this is not an official symptom, but can make the others just that much worse).

Experienced Guide Makes a Difference
Our guide, Maila, knew he had to get him to lower altitude, so he reversed the group and took them down from 5000 meters to a lodge at 2600 meters.    By now, our client, let's call him Dan, had been very uncomfortable for about 2 days.  The lower altitude should have relieved his symptoms, but it did not.   Dan took his altitude meds, saw a doctor at the lodge, and still continued to feel bad.

Helicopter to the Rescue
For many trekkers, the lower altitude helps them feel better, and sometimes they continue on with their trek.  But Dan's wife made the call, she had travelers insurance and she wanted a helicopter.   We had one at her lodge by the next morning.  I am happy to report that Dan is in Kathmandu and feeling much better.  There are still a lot of cool things for him to do in Kathmandu that are NOT high altitude and he has joined a rock climbing and kayaking trip with Hardcore Nepal, our extreme adventure team.

The Good News...
But here's what is good about this whole thing.  First, that Dan and his wife, Sara, were smart enough to have insurance, the bill for a helicopter evacuation from that area starts at $5000 USD.    There are NO trekking agencies that pay this for you; all of them (including us) have an agreement clause that clearly states you understand that you are on an extreme adventure and you are responsible for your own medical care.  And let's be honest, in a country where most of the citizens have very limited access to even basic health care, this is fair.    So, if you are coming to Nepal, just pay the bit extra for travel insurance.  I have known several tourists to our region who have benefited from it.

Second, Dan and Sara, booked with a trekking company (ours) that was knowledgeable, well-connected and customer service oriented.   Aren't they all, you ask?   No, they are not.  Remember, this is a developing country.   Business ethics and standards can be very different than what you are used to.  Some companies are great, but others may not even have the idea of what type of service is expected from clients from the west.  So, choose wisely traveler!  You don't have to trek with TREKT Himalaya; there are a lot of good companies (of course I think ours is the best), but just try to establish a rapport early to be sure they got your back when you need them.

Contact me at TREKThimalaya.com

Chhewang Nima Sherpa (43), 19 Time Everest Summiter Lost in Avalanche

The search is on for veteran Everest climber Chhewang Nima Sherpa.  Sherpa is reported lost in an avalanche on Mt. Baruntse on Oct. 23, 2010.   As of this report the search is continuing for Chhewang Nima Sherpa.  Sherpa was on an expedition for Sherpa Shangila Treks.  To read more go to http://www.everestnews.com/.