Nepal trekking holidays: How to plan?
- 03-Oct-2016
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Make your holidays more exciting, adventurous and full of fun filled activities. Don’t limit yourself to beaches or touring around a particular city. Trekking and exploring around the remote areas at foothills of Himalayas are great ways to see, learn and make the most out of holidays, according to Mr. Hari Kumar Shrestha, says director of operations at Icicles Adventure Treks and Tours in Kathmandu, Nepal., who is veteran trekking leader and tourism entrepreneur. “When you join Nepal Trekking holidays, you will get lost in the beauty of nature, experience diversity in culture, traditions and get a true meaning of adventure holidays that others don’t. Also, you will be fit, healthy and enjoy delicious meals without adding calories,” he said.
But he warns that all Nepal trekking holidays are not equal and here are few tips that will come handy:
1. Choose legally registered, reputed and recommended trekking company
You can trek on your own, but it is discouraged. But Mr. Shrestha points out that trekking with local trekking company is the wise and smart way to travel. “Adventurous holidays at remote areas can be difficult to organize, and local trekking companies have ground root experience with close connection to local inhabitants and they help you choose the right gears, equipments and even help you take the right decision at right time which can be a life saver,” he said.
To check either the local trekking company is government registered or not, you must first check either it is listed on TAAN (Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal) or not? Most of those companies offers trekking holidays and can tailor made according to your budget, time, fitness level and interest.
2. What do you mean by Nepal trekking holidays?
Your understanding of trekking could be waking up before sunrise, walking all day around off the beaten trails. Whereas, for other adventure lovers, camping at nights with fully organized porter, guide and other team, which is quite similar to expedition team. You need to pick the trekking trip that suits you best.
Mr. Shrestha also recommends joining the trip according to your physical fitness. If you are planning for strenuous peak climbing adventure for couple of weeks or looking for short and easy moderate type trekking holidays. “If you join on too strenuous or too easy trekking trips then you might feel you have just wasted both time and money,” he added.
3. First know what type of trekking holidays you are looking for then choose the destination
You love teahouse trekking, camping, pilgrimage or homestay? You should know what type of trekking holidays are you joining in the first hand and remember all destinations are not suited to all trekking types. Jomsom Mukinath Trek or Annapurna Circuit Trek is heaven for all pilgrimage and tea house adventure lovers, where camping is not so suitable. Similarly, Rara Lake Trek, Kanchenjunga Trek is more suitable as camping and home stay.
4. Don’t limit yourself to trekking only
Nepal is multi adventure destination offering variety of adventures other than trekking and peak climbing. “Travelers can feel the thrill of bungee jumping, zip flying and paragliding at Pokhara while rafting, kayaking on whitewaters is an awesome way to feel the water adventures,”Mr. Shrestha said. Other example is of course relaxing jungle adventures at Chitwan National Park that offers jungle safari, cannoning and bird watching etc.
