How to Select a Trek? Which Trip Suits for me?
There are number of options to choose trekking trips in Nepal. Besides searching and reading on the websites and guides books, you can put forward your questions and concerns regarding where, when and how to go in a trek with us. Depending on your interest, time, fitness and expectations, we will try to suggest you best possible trekking trip. You can put different views together talking with our previous visitors as well. Please, ask for the reference of our previous clients.
How to be prepared for a trekking trip? Can I trek?
You do not need to be a mountaineer or athlete to enjoy trekking in the Himalayas. It is for people of any age. If you are reasonably fit, have courage for outdoor activities to look something different and able to walk on your own pace, each day 5 to 7 hours comprises ups and downs; you qualify! However, good physical condition helps for the maximum enjoyment of treks. For most treks, we recommend couple hours walk involving ups and downs or regular exercise (i.e bicycling, etc) daily, couple of months before participating in a trek in Nepal.
When to Trek?
Mostly busy trekking times are Mid-September to November (autumn) and March to May (spring). But it’s possible to trek at any time of the year depending on where you are interested to trek. December, January and February are the coldest months, when the temperature above altitude line (3000mtr /9600ft) drops below 0 degree Celsius, so trekking is risky up high. June, July and August are the rainy months when the snow melts in the mountains and the days are usually cloudy. The rainy season in the valleys and lowlands bring warm and nice weather in the trans-Himalayan areas. So, July-August, September becomes better for trekking in these areas like Mustang, Dolpo, Manaslu and Tibet. Shorter Treks that doesn’t go beyond 3000mtr can be done any time of the year.
Trekking Permit, Climbing Permit and Nepal Tourist Visa
Trekking Permit and Documentation: While trekking in common trekking areas of Mt. Everest region, Makalu Region, Langtang National Park, Annapurna Region you don’t need a special ‘Trekking Permit’. However, the document you need is called ‘TIMS Card’ which stands for Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS). TIMS is issued by your trekking agency (i.e. Three Jewels Adventures) on behalf of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) as TAAN is the monitoring body of TIMS. Besides TIMS you also need to obtain national park or conservation entry permit which also will be obtained by the trekking agency you are trekking through.
‘Special Trekking Permit’ is needed to trek in ‘restricted trekking areas’ such as Manaslu Circuit, Kanchenjunga, Upper and Lower Dolpo, Humla, etc. The Special Trekking Permit is also obtained through ‘registered trekking agency for example Three Jewels Adventures’.
Fees and procedure of the trekking permit and national park fees will be provided up on request.
Proper Climbing permit is needed to do any climbing activity in Nepal. Climbing permit is obtained through registered trekking agency. We will provide fee and other regulations related to ‘climbing permit in Nepal Himalaya’ up on request.
FOR TREKKING PERMIT, TIMS CARD, CLIMBING PERMIT, NATIONAL PARK ENTRY FEE AND VISA TO NEPAL, PLEASE KEEP FEW COPIES OF PASSPORT SIZE PHOTO WHILE YOU TRAVEL TO NEPAL.
Nepal Tourist Visa: It’s quite easy to obtain tourist visa to Nepal which is provided up on arrival at ‘Kathamndu’s Tribhuvan International Airport’ immigration counter or embassy, diplomatic mission abroad of Nepal. The fee structure for the visa is following:
15 Days – 30 USD
30 Days – 50 USD
90 Days – 125 USD
You can stay up to 120 days in Nepal as a tourist at a time. Visa renewal fee and any other information related to visa will be provided up on request.
For online form fill-up can be found at this link. At the end you will get printed document that can be used to get quicker visa at the Kathmandu airport up on arrival. http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa
What are Camping and Teahouse Treks?
CAMPING TREK: Camping Treks are organized to the less explored areas where lodges (tea houses) are yet to set and facilities of food and accommodation are not available. Camping Trek is the traditional style of trekking; clients are led by a guide accompanied by a team of cook staffs and porters or livestock carriers (i.e. horses, yaks) with all camping plus kitchen equipment and food. You should carry only your day pack with camera, water bottle, journal, batteries, etc. and your luggage with all your cloths, sleeping bag, etc. will be carried by porters to the camp. You spend night single or shared in roomy double tent on a sleeping pad. Your day begins with wake-up call (usually between 6.30 and 7.30) with a cup of hot drinks followed by warm water for washing and breakfast. Breakfast will be served at table set by staffs and hot lunch will be served at noon picnic style, eat your dinner at private dinning tent and have the facility of toilet tent and camp area. Sherpa staffs accompany you on the trail, set up camp and are ready to help at any moment to cross the bridge or find right way. Your guide takes you to show monuments, temples, villages view points and shares fascinating encounters. The cook staffs take every precaution to assure clean, tasty and healthy food to the clients and staffs.
TEAHOUSE TREK: Tea house treks are for well trekked routes like Everest, Annapurna, Langtang and Manaslu Circuit. Though you can make it camping if you wish. In Teahouse trek, you will be accompanied by a guide and porter staffs, you carry only a day pack. Most popular trekking trails offer excellent teahouses along the route you trek. Your guide chooses the best lodge available where you spend night. You will share the family environment of the people eating local and continental food prepared in home kitchen and making friends along the way with locals and fellow trekkers.
What does the trip cost include?
Our price mentioned in the trip information section includes most of the everyday expenditure of your trip related to food and accommodation. Trip cost coverage and extra details are given in each Trip page in this website. However following are the major items that’s included.
· Accommodation of at least 3 nights at a well recommended guest house / hotel on bed and breakfast basis (hotel with hot shower, double bed, breakfast, wifi, A/C. etc)
· Welcome Dinner
· All inland transport by private bus or Jeep or car as per group size and as per your itinerary
· Flight fare within Nepal, if listed in your itinerary
· Orientation Documentation
· Full service trekking or climbing and other trips (if attached with) listed in the itinerary including duffle bag to sleeping bag to support staff and to accommodation and meals.
· National Park Entry Fee and Permits
· All group camping and trekking equipment in the case of camping trek / climb.
· Comprehensive Medical Kit handled by trained guide
· Staff’s Insurance, and equipment and wages.
Health Precautions in the Trek?
Check with your doctor and make sure that you are as fit as possible before you leave home. Do not forget to bring enough medication for any health issues (i.e. blood pressure, etc) if you have. The most common health problem in trekking is diarrhea. We minimize the risks by providing all of our meals in camp (except on the teahouse treks). In tea house trek, we use and promote the lodges which have clean kitchen, dining and healthy food. The services of medical services are severely limited or non-existent in remote areas. However a well-equipped first- aid kit will be carried and the trip leaders or guides are trained in emergency first aid. We also recommend to bring small first aid kit if possible for longer treks with yourself.
High Altitude Sickness (AMS)
Altitude sickness is not a disease, it’s the reaction of our body when our body is reached in higher elevation where the oxygen level (pressure of oxygen) is less than where we live. It’s like a reaction by our body system at the unfriendly situation caused by less oxygen level.
Altitude sickness has three forms. Mild altitude sickness is called acute mountain sickness (AMS) and is quite similar to a hangover – it causes headache, nausea, and fatigue. This is very common: some people are only slightly affected, others feel awful. However, if you have AMS, you should take this as a warning sign that you are at risk of the serious forms of altitude sickness: HAPE and HACE. Both HAPE and HACE can be fatal if not taken care properly.
The best way suggested by experts to avoid altitude sickness is to take enough rest, drink plenty (water, non-alcoholic drinks) and gain limited elevation while going into high altitude in trekking. Itineraries of Three Jewels Adventures which goes into higher elevation is designed allowing enough rest, going slowly to the higher altitude. Adequate information is provided about AMS by the guides before the trek during pre-trip briefing. Please write us to know more about AMS.
Accommodation options in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has wide range of hotels. There are 4 and 5 star hotels, nice cozy middle class hotels, guesthouses, budget guesthouses and even nice home stays. In general, our package program cost covers a few (3-4) nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu in 2 star level hotels or guesthouses. However we can arrange any standard accommodation in specific hotels in reasonable price on request.
Who looks after me and what are their designations?
In teahouse treks we have guideand porters. Sometime we employ trip leaderbesides guide. In camping trek, we employ other staff to support the group, kitchen and carrying. The Sirdaris the word for guide and cookobviously does the cooking and food management. Kitchen boycarries the kitchen dishes and Spare boycarries the kerosene fuel. The Sherpa staffare for setting tents and helping guides and porters in big groups. Sherpa is also responsible setting ropes and tents during climbing Some time we also employ Yaks, Jopkyos(yak-cow cross breed, animal) , Horseswith Yakman orHorseman for carrying our supplies.
How to Book a Trekking or Climbing Trip?
Please, contact us in well advance (at least 1 month before you expect a trip) when you wish to join for a trek with us. For climbing we need booking before 3 months. If it’s possible, it’s wise to book trip about 6 moth before to secure good guides, early flights to mountain areas like Lukla or Jomsom. We forward you the trip booking form and payment information on request.
Food and Drinking Water on the Trek?
On the teahouse treks, food is prepared by teahouse owner / cook as per your choice on the menu given. In the camping trek it’s prepared by our cook staff. Either cases food is available in adequate in range from vegetarian to non-vegetarian with local meals like Dahl Bhat (nepali common meal) to noodles, breads, soups and curries.
For drinking water purpose, our guide will be carrying UV treatment system the best brand is known as steri pen. Boiled water is provided in camping trek.
What Kind of Equipment Do I need to Bring With?
Equipment needed depends largely upon where, when and how one has chosen to trek. We provide 4 season tent for camping trek along with other necessary equipment. We send you a complete list of equipment and other accessories which will need to bring, but generally you need to be well equipped for cold weather with sleeping bag, warm jacket, rain suit, T-shirt, hiking boots, sunglasses and toiletries. Most of the equipment are available for rent or sell in Kathmandu.
Personal hygiene:
A limited amount of warm water will be served each morning for washing (on camping trek). Teahouses usually have showers. On rest days trekkers may want to wash clothes, bath from streams or rivers with biodegradable soap.
Toilet Facility on the Trek:
In Camping trek, a toilet tent is provided. In teahouse trek there will be flushable toilets. During the day time, it’s recommended to go off the trail behind the trees or something to hide behind so that people won’t see you. The day time toilet walk is known as ‘bush walk’. Human waste is recommended to be covered by soil as long as it’s possible.
What do you see in a trek day?
As mentioned under trekking category (camping / teahouse), your day proceeds with wake up tea, breakfast and trekking starts at around 7.30-8.30 AM. Trekking takes places in remote places, villages valleys and mountains. So you will see landscape, people, culture and daily life of the local people. Our guide will share fascinating experiences with you. You will meet fellow trekkers as well. Short rest or break is made every hour or so when you can use toilet, take photos, drink water or have snacks. Lunch stop is between noon and one o clock. After lunch it’s another 2-3 hours trek and you reach in a camp or the lodge where you spend the night by 5 PM latest.
Is Three Jewels Adventures Eco-Friendly Company?
We are very conscious and determined to protect our environment and develop environmentally friendly tourism in Nepal. Thus we encourage to local lodges to use kerosene or gas and we only use such lodges for lodging and food during the trek. In camping treks we take sufficient fuel to cook our own food. Our general rule is leaving no trash in the mountain trails. Any litter produced during the trip is properly disposed and any non-biodegradable wastes are carried back to the point where it’s properly disposed. We know that our clients are also equally concerned on these issues. So we request them to share their knowledge of protecting environment and work together to help keep mountain trails clean and pristine.
For further information please mail at office@threejewelsadv.com
whatsApp / Mobile number +977 9851084961