Informations

Remote settlements can run out of sleeping space in high season. You meet many other trekkers on the way.

The "off-season" (summer) offers bad views and rain. It should not be considered as a good time for trekking. If you trek in the "shoulder seasons" (Sept or late March) though you'll avoid the crowds and still stand a good chance to enjoy pleasant weather and clear mountain views.

Sight: Depending on the weather the mountain sceneries can appear very different. In humid summer months clouds overcast the ranges, often peaks can only be seen in the morning while the rest of the day clouds obstruct the views. In the fall and winter months skies are mostly clear. The enormous mountains stand out against a blue firmament and can be seen the whole day.

Vegetation: Through summer/fall, close to monsoon time, the vegetation gets lush and green due to the humidity and warmth. Rice fields stand in a bright green and flowers and trees bloom. The richness of nature is impressive. In winter and spring months the vegetation vanishes as it gets cold. Fields are harvested and flowers wither. The mountains show a different kind of beauty.

If you want to see different face of the Himalaya, make a 2nd trek at a different time of the year – you'll be surprised!

Nepal is a small, landlocked country: 800 km long and only 200 km wide. From the flats of the Terrain in the south to the high Himalayan ranges in the north the formation of the country rises in a series of east-west hill chains.

Widely understood as a few months of rain the term monsoon derives from the Arabic word mausim, meaning season. The monsoon in the Bay of Bengal governs the weather pattern, creating a rainy season from mid-June to mid-September. During the monsoon it's hot and it rains almost every day, mostly limited to the nights. During this period clouds hide the mountains and trails are muddy and infested with leaches.

Only very few people, ready to face constant humidity and bad views, trek in this special time of the year.

The southwest monsoon is the most important climatic determinant of agricultural production. It enables and supports life and plays a key role in the economic and cultural landscape of the region. Countless festivals are held in this period to celebrate the rainy season, whether planting or harvesting.
But the rains also bring a great hardship to the people: rivers burst their banks, bridges get swept away and floods and landslides threaten and kill people every year. Also the health risk increases due to stagnant waters.

For those who would like a more detailed discussion of these issues we ask you to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The following is a list of clothing and accessories that we recommend that you take with you. This is not intended to be a comprehensive clothing and equipment list, rather it is intended to act as a reminder of those items that we feel are essential for your comfort and convenience. However we recommend that you may have your own personal preferences for clothing which may be equally as suitable
Footwear

• Walking boots with suitable ankle support that have been worn-in prior to the trek, and which are waterproof
• Trainer or casual shoes, for trekking and/or for traveling
• Warm socks for colder areas
• Gaiters, in case of rain or snow

Leg wear

• Loose, casual trousers for trekking
• Thermal leggings for colder areas
• Long skirt for women as an alternative to trousers
• Waterproof trousers

Body

• Selection of T-shirts, and long sleeved shirts, preferably not cotton
• Thermal shirt for colder areas
• Warm shirt, possibly fleece, for colder areas
• Fleece jacket or warm wool jumper
• Windproof, waterproof outer shell garment for higher altitudes
• Down jacket (optional for cold nights & mornings; can be hired in Kathmandu cheaply)

Head/Hands

• Wool or fleece hat, or balaclava
• Hat or cap for sun protection while trekking
• Sunglasses or goggles
• Warm gloves

Other items

• Strong rucksack or large hold all to be carried by porters
• Day sack to be carried personally
• Plastic bags or stuff sacks to store/separate trekking gear inside your main bag
• One liter water bottle
• Personal first aid kit to include essential items
• Sleeping bag, 4 season
• Torch, ideally head torch
• Camera and film! - For those not to be forgotten shots of the Himalaya
• Toilet items and towel
• Large handkerchief/bandana for neck

Optional items

• Binoculars
• Books (see Recommended Reading)
• Altimeter
• Compass
• Playing cards / backgammon / chess set

Recommended Mountaineering Kit
In addition to the items mentioned above for trekking, the following is a list of the additional specialist items which are required for the trekking peaks.
Plastic or leather mountaineering boots, with gaiters and crampons that have been tested for a good fit.
Peak Climbing

• Fleece trousers
• Additional mitts and gloves suitable for climbing
• Ice axe, and ski poles (note - ice axe can be hired in Kathmandu)
• Climbing harness
• 2 x tape slings
• 2 x screw gate karabiners
• Descended/abseil device
• Ascender

And finally
The most important things that you must take with you are a sense of humor, an open mind, and an understanding that a trip to Nepal is an adventure to a land which is very different to your own.

It is bordered by China to the north and by India to the south, east and west. The Himalayan mountain range runs across Nepal's northern and western parts, and eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Mount Everest, are within its territory.

Historically, Nepal had many small kingdoms and the modern state was formed with the Unification of Nepal byPrithvi Narayan Shah on December 21, 1768. Prior to 2006, Nepal was a kingdom. Nepal is now a federal democratic republic. Its recent history has involved struggles for democratic government with periods of direct monarchic rule. From 1996 until 2006, Nepal suffered from a Civil War between government forces and guerrillas of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).
On December 28, 2007, the Interim Parliament passed a bill and declared Nepal to become a Federal Democratic Republic.The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly officially implemented that declaration on May 28, 2008.
Nepal is a multi-cultural, multi-linguistic and multi religious country. For a relatively small country, Nepal has a diverse landscape, ranging from the humid Terrain plains in the south to the mountainous Himalayas in the north, which makes it a major tourist destination. Hinduism is practiced by a huge majority of the people, but the country also has a strong Buddhist tradition; Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama is located in the Terrain, one of the three regions of Nepal.
The capital Kathmandu is the largest city in the country. The official language is Nepali and the state currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Nepal's Flag is the only national flag in the world that is non-quadrilateral in shape. The blue border on the flag of Nepal signifies peace, red stands for the rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal.

Facts About Nepal

1. Wikipedia:
Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India. With an area of 147,181 square kilometers (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 30 million, Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by land mass and the 41st most populous country. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and the country's largest metropolis.
For more details: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal

2. World Heritage Sites:
The small mountain Nation of Nepal is blessed with such astonishing and unique sites that within the area of 140,800 sq km Nepal hold a considerably high number of places recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization) as 'World Heritage Sites'. There are altogether ten World Heritage Sites in Nepal, seven of which are in Kathmandu itself. The list includes both natural as well as cultural sites.
colorfulnepal.com
World Heritage Sites in Nepal www.worldheritagesite.org

1. Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation | Government of Nepal

Ministry of Tourism first came into existence in 2035 BS (1978 AD). In 2039 (1982 AD), Civil Aviation was also merged into the Ministry of Tourism and it became the Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation.
More on: www.tourism.gov.np

2. Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS):
With the distinction of Nepal as a trekking destination and its growing charm, a provision of the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) has been implemented to ensure safety and security of the trekkers and to control illegal trekking operations.
More on: www.timsnepal.com

3. Yentra:
Government of Nepal has reduced mountaineering royalty fee in a bid to make it more competitive amongst the neighboring countries, promote mountains lying in remote and less privileged areas, and create environment to transform the seasonal mountaineering business operational round the year and materialize the concept of ‘Nepal for all Seasons’. The government has decided to Implement Incremental.
More on: www.yentra.com

4. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA):
Nepal Mountaineering Association is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-political organization working as a National Alpine Association of Nepal to promote mountain tourism, climbing sports, protect mountain environments and preserve and promote cultural heritage of mountain people.
More on: www.nepalmountaineering.org