Trekking FAQs

Trekking is an outdoor activity of walking for more than a day, which may or may not involve camping outdoors. Trekking is a series of ascents and descents walking through forests of rhododendron, bamboo, oak, and hemlock, visiting one or two villages each day from 5 to 7 hours which is 9 to 14 km per day on average with a guide, cook and porters. Trekkers primarily achieve three things knowledge, pleasure, and good health. When they walk from place to place, they can observe the multiple components of nature that provide knowledge and pleasure.

Hiking refers to a long walk on trails and is quite easy. Trekking refers to a long,difficult, and tiring uphill journey typically on foot which could last several days. On the other hand, mountaineering means the sport or activity of climbing mountains which needs special equipment, skills, and training. We, Raj Bala Treks & Expedition organize hiking, trekking, climbing and expedition in Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet & India.

The best time to trek is from October to May. The first two months of the dry season –October and November, when it is still comfortably warm – are ideal for trekking in Nepal. December, January and February are still good months for trekking, but it can be bitterly cold at high altitudes.

The trekking in Nepal is one of the most interesting things that the visitors in Nepal want to do.The trekking will take the visitors of Nepal to different parts of Nepal. Generally,trekking in Nepal will go for about 5 to 7 hours per day in every trekking but the toughness of the trekking will differ from its grade. There are different types of trekking grading from the easy, medium, challenging and demanding. Normally in Trekking covers 3000 meters to 8848 meters which has categories in various stage of grade. Expedition is challenging but trekking is normal and easy.

Teahouse trekking means staying at local tea houses (mountain hut) during your trek.Tea house treks are more convenient and affordable than Camping treks. They are also more responsible due to the use of less resources and energy compared to camping trekking. You will also get the opportunity to connect with locals directly as teahouses are run by locals and located in villages.

A camping trek involves camping in tents along the trekking routes with a cook and assistants along to set up camp and make meals. A camping trek is a more elaborate journey than a Teahouse-trek. Everything needed for the trek is taken with us including food, tents, and other necessary gear. The equipment is carried by our porters and sometimes pack animals are used. Day by day, our overnight camp is set up in scenic natural locations, and meals are prepared by our skilled chef and his crew.

Pricewise, a camping trek involves more preparation and staff and is comparatively more expensive than the Teahouse-trek style.

Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 tallest mountains, including Mount Everest,which stands at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet). Trekking to high altitudes comes with the risk of altitude sickness (acute mountain sickness). It is vital to acclimatize properly, stay hydrated, and listen to your body when trekking at high elevations.

As long as you are in good physical shape, you do not require any hiking experience for short treks. However, if you are planning a trek longer than a week, some physical fitness programs such as running,swimming, hiking is recommended beforeyou embark on a trek.

Unlike walking on a treadmill or paved path hiking involves more which is sometimes unpredictable. That is what makes it so enjoyable, some essential tips to make your treks successful are:

• Start small and chose the right trail for your fitness level
• Walk at a slow but steady pace
• Check the weather
• Keep yourself hydrated
• Keep the backpack light; will all your necessities
• Leave no trace; Take time to read the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and follow them
  
  
  
  
  
  

You will need to be moderately fit for most of our treks. But for the trips that take longer days and takes higher altitude like in Everest Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek, you will need extra fitness. It all depends on the trip you choose.

You need travel insurance prior to booking the trek which must cover medical and emergency repatriation inclusive of helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses at high altitude for trekking members, which should be provided to us before you start your trekking. Raj Bala Treks & Expedition will help you to get travel insurance which will help you in potential altitude sickness and unforeseen events due to sudden climate change.

Yes, of course! We usually have single trekkers on each and every one of our group departures. It is a great way to get to know fellow travelers and most people find that the group dynamics are very friendly and comforting. Logistically, single trekkers will share rooms and tents with other single trekkers of the same sex on our group journeys.Though single supplement can also be available.

Your guide will be a local Nepali, but a good English speaker. Most of our guides come from the mountainous regions of Nepal, above 3000m. We carefully select them based on their appropriate experience, leadership skills, and personal aptitude. To sustain local communities, Raj Bala Treks & Expedition uses staff from the different Nepal & diverse ethnic communities; including Sherpas, Gurung, Magar, Rai, and Brahmin who have adequate knowledge about the culture, ecosystem, flora, fauna, geography, and history of Nepal.We provide the guides who have gone through special training package program like Intensive Wilderness First Aid, Trekking Guide Training, Eco Trekking Workshop & Adventure Meet, Rock climbing, Ice Climbing, and Mountaineering (for expedition leaders), etc, which are certified and approved by the government of Nepal.

Upon arrival, you will be met by our Tour officer and escorted to the hotel. He / She will then give you time for a trek brief where you will meet your Guide. Your guide will then be with you till the end of the trek/tour.

We provide porters to carry your luggage, one porter for two persons. You will only be carrying your backpack with valuable things.

You will carry your daily essentials (sunblock, water, hat, light jacket, and camera) but your porter will carry the bulk of your gear, such as extra clothing and overnight essentials. Porters are especially helpful for longer treks where you will be carrying more gear. For shorter treks (2-3 days), you may opt just to have a guide if you & are comfortable carrying your gear, but hiring a porter is a great way to support the local economy and is affordable.

There is normally one guide for every five people, for more than five an assistant guide will be assigned to the group and will stay back with slower walkers in case the group splits up during the day. For porters, there is one porter for every two trekkers.

Yes, Raj Bala Treks & Expedition ensures the expenses for insurance of its guides,porters, and all the crews along with meals, salary, lodging, transportation, and other necessary equipment.

Security of our clients is the most important concern for us. All our guides and other support crew are carefully chosen for your trips. Our guides hold licenses issued by the Government of Nepal.They are very honest and reliable. But we would also advise you to take care of your own personal belongings. If you are on ‘Tea house” arrangement, you will be sleeping in local tea houses. You have to take sensible precautions yourself at all times. Never leave your baggage unattended and keep your lodge room locked when you go out. If you are on ‘camping trek’ please do not leave your bags unattended at any time for your own safety. Take your main bag inside the tent once you reach campsite. At night, put all the bags and belongings in the middle of the tent. Your guide assigns a Sherpa on turn wise basis to guard the campsite throughout the night.

A TIMS (Trekker  & Information Management Systems) card is necessary for any trekking activity in Nepal. Besides that, you will need area specific trekking permits based on the region.

In cities like Kathmandu or Pokhara, accommodation will be in hotels of your preference. We have a pool of hotels that ranges from luxury deluxe to budget hotels. While on a trek, accommodation will be at local teahouses. Whilst weendeavor to stay in comfortable teahouses along the way, you should be aware that most teahouses, particularly in the smaller villages, are quite basic. The bedrooms are usually very small, the shared bathroom facilities are often outside and meals are served in a communal dining hall. Although simple, the teahouses do provide shelter and warmth and are normally run by friendly local families.Tea house treks are less expensive than Camping trek and are largely suitable for small groups. Usually during busy seasons if private rooms in smaller villages are fully occupied you might have to sleep in a dormitory. If you are taking a camping trek then you will be
sleeping in tents.

For any items that you don’t need while on trips, you can leave your spare luggage at the hotel in Kathmandu. The hotel will provide you with a tag which you have to present while collecting your luggage on your return. You can also leave the items in our office, which we can store safely for you.

If you are flying from a remote mountain airstrip like Lukla, Jomsom, Simikot, Taplejung and Dolpo, we should keep at least two spare days before your departure for home.

You will be served freshly cooked food during trekking. In all tea houses/ lodges along trekking trail Western, Continental and Nepali dishes are available. Three meals a day will be provided you in full board package.

The Himalayan region can get normal free tap water, for this water you have to use purification medicine. bottled water or boiled water also available to buy at lodges and teahouse. Per day you have to drink about 4-6 liters water for your health.

The average trek duration is 7- 8 hours per day including an hour for lunch. But on major days where you will be visiting the highlights like visiting Everest Base Camp,Annapurna Base Camp or Climbing Kala Patthar you will have to walk a couple of hours more. Similarly, on the descent in most of the trips, one will have to walk 9-10 hours including lunch.

You need to submit the following documents after the advance payment deposit and all the documents should be sent via email

A copy of passport,
Passport size photos,
Flight details,
Copy of travel insurance (it has to cover heli rescue and medical evacuation).

You can find Western-style toilets in city areas. However, lodges and teahouses provide ceramics squat toilets or wooden plants as walls and holes in the ground,generally, outside the room. You may or may not find the toilet papers. So, it’s better to take your own. The option along the trail is to get in touch with nature. Please respect the environment, by taking any toilet paper you use and placing it in a plastic bag, so you can dispose of it later.

Normally, Raj Bala Treks & Expedition arrange accommodation with proper shower facilities. It is very difficult to find a running shower and hot water in the mountain region. So, it will cost you a little extra for a shower. Usually, a bucket of water will be enough to take a shower for a person. One thing is for sure; your first shower after a trek is going to feel out of this world.

There are three plug types, types C, D and M used in Nepal (all round pronged not flat pronged). If your appliance’s plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Nepal operates on a 220-240 V and 50Hz.If you are planning on taking electrical appliances like hair dryer, electric shaver, laptop or other electrical devices and the outlet voltage in your country is lower than 220V-240V, you will need a voltage converter. Please check the small print in your device or plug adapter to find the voltage range it can work with.

When selecting your personal items, keep in mind the number of days you’ll be camping, the time of year and the altitude. We advise our clients to bring these items:

• Down Sleeping Bag
• Down Jacket
• Long sleeved shirt
• Jumper or fleecy jacket
• T – shirts
• Trekking shoes or boots
• Comfy shoes for around the camp
• Mountain trekking boots
• Polypropylene/wool socks
• Light cotton socks for under wool socks
• Rucksack
• Sun hat
• Woolen hat
• Gloves
• Sun block for lips
• Goggles or sunglasses
• Long underwear
• Insulated pants Nylon windbreaker
• Nylon wind pants
• Water bottle
• Sewing kit
• Medical & first aid kit
• Flash light
• Batteries and bulbs
• Swiss army knife
• Towel and toiletries
  
  

Yes, you can. Raj Bala Treks & Expedition will help you in buying or hiring all the necessary trekking equipment around Thamel in Kathmandu.

In case of sickness or accident (which is least expected), you will be rescued by a helicopter. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred for the use of such emergency services, please make sure that your travel insurance covers you for both- medical as well as emergency evacuation costs.

Our Guides carry a comprehensive medical kit. But you should bring your own personal kit and carry it with you when on the trek. It should contain antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, headache pills, diarrhea treatment, re-hydration salts eg Dioralite, Lemsip,plasters and Compede for blisters.

Most of the areas will not have internet facility but will have telephone facility. Our guides will also be carrying cell phones in case you need to reach out to someone.

This is a difficult question to answer, and varies from person to person and how well you have been looked after. In general, we recommend that you leave a pooled tip for all the hotel staff with the manager or in the tipping box, so as not to forget those behind the scenes, of about £5 per person, per day. If you feel one person looked after you particularly well, you can always tip them individually.