Tips for First-time Trekkers in Nepal
Nepal the home to the mighty Himalayas and the tallest peak in the world is an unforgettable dream destination for trekkers. Whether it is the legendary Everest Base Camp Trek, scenic Annapurna Circuit Trek, off-beaten Manaslu Circuit Trek, or the culturally rich Langtang Valley Trek, this Himalayan nation offers something for every trekking enthusiast. However, if you are a first-time trekker, preparation is the key to making your journey a life-long memory.
Trekking in Nepal isn’t just about walking on the mountain route, it is also about adapting to the high altitudes, embracing the standard teahouses, respecting local culture and managing unpredictable weather. To make your first trekking experience to the Himalayas safe and enjoyable follow the following essential tips.
Choose the Right Trek
Not all the trekking adventures that lead to the Himalayas are on an equal level. Some of the adventures take multiple weeks and demand serious endurance. Meanwhile, there are other short and relatively easy treks. So, if you are completely new to the high-altitude treks, it is better to build your Himalayan prospects from the easier treks. Langtang Valley Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and Mardi Himal Trek are considered the best-suited Himalayan explorations for beginners.
In case if you do have some prior experience in high-altitude journeys, you can also go for the moderate-level major routes. Popular routes like Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek and Manaslu Circuit Trek are moderate-level explorations that require a good level of preparation.
Understand Physical Preparation
Just because you are going for a relatively easy trek doesn’t mean that you can neglect the physical preparation. Exploring the rugged part of the Himalayas is nothing like a hike in the backyard. You will need to walk on the diverse terrain for multiple hours. There are also high altitude-related challenges that you need to overcome during your trek. To make sure that your journey remains enjoyable and memorable, you should consider training around 3 to 6 weeks before the trek.
Remember that your strength, endurance and stamina will be put to the test while traversing the mountain route. So, you will need to work on these aspects to make sure that you can match the physical demands of the trails. You may not need a good level of fitness and training for mildly elevated routes like Langtang Valley Trek and Poon Hill Trek. But, in the context of high-altitude trips like Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit Trek and Manaslu Circuit Trek, lack of preparation can significantly affect the overall experience.
Pick an Ideal Season
Choosing the right season is very crucial as it determines your comfort and enjoyment scale. Similarly, within the right timeframe, you also won’t have to deal with any additional set of challenges. The best seasons for high-altitude treks in Nepal are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). In this period the weather conditions are stable, temperatures are comfortable, visibility is epic and the trekking trails are comfortable.
The major trekking destinations in Nepal like Langtang Valley Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek and Manaslu Circuit Trek are ideal for the peak seasons. If you want to explore the off-season beauty of the Himalayas, Everest View Trek, Annapurna Base Camp, Upper Mustang Trek and Helambu Trek are the best alternatives.
Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness Awareness
Even if the trekking route you have chosen is labeled as a relatively easy journey, it is very important to be aware of the need of acclimatization and the risk of altitude sickness. Normally, after crossing an elevation of about 3,000 meters (9,842ft), there is a chance for trekkers to suffer from the symptoms of altitude sickness. This mostly happens if the trekkers don’t follow a well-planned acclimatization schedule.
The key step to avoid altitude sickness during your high-altitude trek is to hire a well-paced itinerary plan and be careful with the acclimatization schedule. There is a very low probability of altitude sickness on easy-grade routes like Mardi Himal, Ghorepani Poon Hill and Langtang Valley Trek. However, if you are joining high-altitude routes like Everest Base Camp Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek, it is important to learn in-depth about the preventive measures, symptoms and treatments of altitude sickness.
Packing Essential
In the Himalayan trekking, it is sad that packing can make or break your trek. Pack too and you will regret the extra weight. Likewise, if you pack too little, you will miss the essential gear which can make the experience uncomfortable. Thus, finding the right balance is the key to securing an enjoyable and memorable trip. For the high-altitude journey that stretches across different climatic zones, you will need sturdy trekking boots, properly layers clothes, sleeping bags, personal care products and hygiene and sanitization items.
Also, don’t forget to carry sufficient cash for the journey. There aren’t reliable ATMs in most regions and payment cards are not acceptable at the local teahouses. Furthermore, it will be best if you shop for the necessary products as well as snacks at the city areas, rates can be unfair in the remote mountain regions.
Hire Guide and Porter
Obviously, if this is your first time trekking to the Himalayas, it can be difficult to manage everything on your own. That’s why it is best to hire a guide and porter who will provide assistance with the journey as well as manage the logistic details. Do you know what’s even better? You can take part in your Himalayan journey through a reputable agency like Marvel Adventure. Overseeing everything, especially on the major routes like Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek and Langtang Valley Trek can be challenging especially due to the trek demand and popularity.
So, going through an agency with a suitable package will help you make the most out of your journey. This way, you can just focus on the experience without worrying about anything.
