How to be prepared for trekking in Nepal?

Nepal is an exciting, rewarding as well as challenging destination for adventure activities like trekking. Even though it is small in size, Nepal has a lot to offer when it comes for trekking and adventure activities. You have varieties of options to choose from. Regardless of your experience, time and budget you have an option to trek that suits your needs.

Nepal’s altitude and diverse terrain makes it more difficult for trekking. Preparing ahead is very essential for trekking in Nepal. It makes sure that you have a smooth journey. It also helps you to avoid any physical discomfort during the trekking. Therefore, you need to be well prepared before trekking in Nepal.

Being prepared ensures that you have a safe, enjoyable and memorable experience. In this informative guide we’ll share everything to know how to be prepared for trekking in Nepal.

Planning your trekking

It is a first step for preparing for trekking in Nepal. It includes researching the destination, route, weather and climate, creating an itinerary, hiring guides and porters, etc.. You can do it by yourself. Another option is to  go with trekking agencies which will do all these works for you. 

There are various trekking destinations in Nepal. Choosing the right destinations can be overwhelming for you. Best trek in Nepal contains the list of top 10 trekking destinations of Nepal. It can make it easy for you to choose a destination as per your interest and budget.

Know about the weather

Nepal has a diverse weather and climatic condition. You should know about the different weather and climatic conditions before arriving in Nepal. In general, there are mainly four seasons in Nepal. They are winter, summer (monsoon), autumn and spring.

Nepal’s winter is very cold, especially in high altitude areas. You need to be extra prepared if you are trekking in winter. Similarly, in summer there is also monsoon. The heavy rainfall makes it more difficult for trekking.

For most people spring (march-may)  and autumn (sep-nov) months are suitable time for trekking in Nepal. They offer clear sky, dry trails and beautiful mountain views. If you want to learn more about weather and climate, you can get a detailed guide on the best time to trek in Nepal and plan your trip accordingly.

Know your limit

It is essential to know our limits. We can sometimes try to accomplish things that are far from our limit. You should set realistic goals and listen to your body. It is important to be honest about yourself about the things that you can and cannot do.

You should not push yourself too hard. You always have an option to choose an alternative. For example: Annapurna circuit trek can be an alternative to treks in Everest region. Both offer spectacular mountain views and have well maintained trekking trails.

Nepal offers a wide variety of trekking destinations. If you feel like you are not ready for extreme trekking and want some easy and short treks, we have got you covered. In a meanwhile, you can check some of our short treks in Nepal that are especially designed for beginners.

Physical preparation

After you choose the destination another important step is to be physically prepared for trekking in Nepal. Trekking in Nepal is not as easy and also not that difficult if you are physically fit. Nevertheless, you need to prepare for trekking in Nepal.

The difficulty of the trekking varies upon the destination you choose. For example, Everest Base Camp trek will need you to trek on the steeve mountains on a high altitude, 5-7 hours a day with a weight of your backpack. Therefore it is essential to maintain strong physical fitness before trekking in Nepal.

You can start preparing physically for the trekking as soon as you start planning for your trip. It is not that difficult, but you need to give commitment. Some of the activities that you can do to stay physically fit are:

• Go out for a walk,
• Exercise regularly,
• Take stairs instead of lift,
• Cardio exercise,
• Cycling, etc.

Training for Everest Base Camp trek covers all the information that you need about preparing physically for high altitude treks.

Tip: You can also add a certain weight while preparing physically.

Mental preparation

It is also equally important to be mentally prepared for trekking in Nepal. You should never keep unrealistic expectations. In addition to that, you should be aware of potential stressors, such as homesickness, boredom and others. 

You should not feel overwhelmed and stressed. You can also bring fun activities and entertainment to cope up with your down time. Take a deep breath and move on. 

Altitude sickness

Most of Nepal’s trekking route goes through mountains and hills at high altitude. While doing high altitude trek like Manaslu circuit trek (5,160m/16,930ft), you have a higher chance of experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness. While acute mountain sickness is a normal response of the body to high altitude, it is NOT a joke. Altitude Sickness can even lead to death if the symptoms are ignored. 

You should be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness. Some of the symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, etc.. You need to be prepared for altitude sickness. 

You should drink plenty of water. It is essential to acclimate properly. You should avoid drinking alcohol and cigarettes. It is also important that you carry medications for the treatment of altitude sickness. Being prepared for altitude sickness in himalayas is very important. 

NOTE : You should always consult with your doctor for the medicine. 

Himalayan Glacier Adventures, LLC ® is the #1 guiding adventure travel company on Mount Everest Base Camp and beyond with 98% success rate. Plan your trip with us to ensure you have safe and hassle free trekking experience in Nepal.

Passport and Visa

Before coming for trekking in Nepal, you need to ensure that you have a valid passport and visa. You need to have at least 6 months of valid time remaining before the time of entry. You should also make sure to renew your passport if you don’t have time remaining. 

Insurance

In addition to visa and passport, insurance is also required to do trekking in Nepal. The insurance should cover emergency search, rescue and treatment. Insurance ensures protection of you. Travel insurance is also essential to get permission for trekking in Nepal and for obtaining the TIMS Card.

Trekking permit and TIMS card

When trekking in Nepal, it is essential to have a TIMS card. TIMS Card is mandatory to ensure the safety and security of trekkers in the general trekking areas of Nepal.

You can obtain it in Kathmandu or you can contact a trekking agency. Furthermore to get more information on a permit you can visit Nepal Tourism Board website. 

Packing for trip to Nepal

Packing is another essential thing to be prepared before your trip to Nepal. You should ONLY pack essentials. Some of the essentials include: waterproof clothes, bag, warm jackets, sleeping bag,etc.

It is also important to avoid overpacking. You should research properly, be prepared and know about what to pack trekking in Nepal.

Learn some Nepali

You can learn some Nepali words before coming for your trip to Nepal. You can have a lot of fun learning some new language. In addition to that, you will be able to communicate with the locals who might not know English. You can also impress the locals by speaking some Nepali words. Here are some Nepali words that you can start learning right away:

Hi / Hello (greeting)	Namaste 🙏
Good Morning	Subha bihani
How are you?	K cha?
Are you fine?	Sanchai hununcha?
What’s your name?	Hajur ko naam k ho?
My name is (your name)	Mero naam (your name) ho
Thankyou	Dhanyabad
Let’s go!	Jam
I am feeling tired	Malai thakai lagyo
I’m hungry	Bhok lagyo
Good Night	Subha ratri

Stay hydrated

Being hydrated is very essential. Being hydrated helps in regulating body temperature as well as to deliver nutrients throughout your body. Therefore, it is very important to drink enough water.

It is also good practice to carry your own water bottle coupled with a purification system with you. We don’t recommend buying mineral water bottles since it makes the environment polluted.

Avoid trekking alone

We don’t recommend trekking alone, especially if it is your first time trekking in Nepal. We suggest you hire professional guides and porters since it will make your trekking much easier. They can also give information about local people and their traditions. 

Unless you are an experienced trekker and you know what you are doing, trekking alone in Nepal is not recommended. 

Join our upcoming group for trekking in Nepal
If you are solo and looking to join a group of like-minded people to trek along, connect with our expert to find out the best trip that fits you and the departure date for your next adventure.

Keep the environment clean

It is equally important to be concerned about the environment. You should be responsible towards the environment. Try to minimize plastic usage as much as possible. 

Make the habit to practice the ‘Leave No Trace’ principle by packing out all trash, staying on designated trails, and respecting wildlife.

You shouldn’t leave traces other than your own footprint.

Carry local cash

It is also important to know that cards might not be accepted in the remote areas of Nepal. Therefore, you should make sure to carry cash before you leave Kathmandu.

There are many places to exchange currency in Kathmandu. You can get Nepalese currency in exchange for your currency.

Get plenty of sleep

During trekking, you need to have enough sleep in order to rejuvenate your energy for the next day trip. You should firstly know the time difference in Nepal to your local time. Most importantly, you should try to make a proper sleep schedule. 

Sleep can help your body to recover from the physical demands of trekking. It will also make you feel better and prepared for the next day. Good sleep can also improve your mood and reduce the risk of injury or illness.

Toilet condition

Toilet conditions can be challenging in Nepal, especially if you are traveling from Europe and America. Even though, you can find modern toilets in the city areas, squat toilets are still common in remote areas. You can also practice using the squat toilet before coming to Nepal.

You should also not forget to take toilet papers and sanitizers while traveling in Nepal. Remember to properly dispose of the toilet papers.

Cultural Awareness

Being culturally aware is essential for traveling to Nepal. It is best practice to know do and don’ts. You should dress appropriately. Furthermore you should avoid wearing tight and short clothes in remote and traditional local villages.

You should also respect religious places like temples, stupas and monasteries. Moreover remember to avoid wearing leather items in temples.

Being culturally aware ensures that your trek in Nepal is a positive experience for both you and the local communities.

Conclusion

Trekking in Nepal can be fun and exciting. However, it is also important to be prepared for trekking so that you can have safe and enjoyable trekking trips. You should research and make plans, maintain your fitness levels and be well prepared for trekking in Nepal. In conclusion, being well prepared before embarking on the trekking in Nepal can make the difference to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and memorable adventure.

Whether you had already chosen a destination or you want help choosing one, we at Himalayan Glacier are here for you. Himalayan Glacier has around 30 years of experience and is an expert in the adventure travel industry.

If you are ready for a thrilling adventure, let us know!!! Don’t hesitate to call or text us at Whatsapp (+1-410-307-0007). Also, don’t forget to follow our Facebook page to be in touch with us.

Pack your bags, lace up your boots, and get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure in the heart of the Himalayas.
Your next great adventure in Nepal awaits!!!!!