TREKKING ARRANGEMENTS

There are different approaches to trekking in Nepal and the choice depends on time available, budget, experience and personal preference. Some of the travel agencies abroad in collaboration with the Nepalese trekking agencies book trekking packages for Nepal in advance. Trekkers who are alone or who do not have much time can book with these overseas agencies. One can also contact trekking agencies by mail, or contact them personally on arrival in Nepal. There are quite a few government recognised trekking agencies which have professional staff to handle trekking activities. A fully equipped trek primarily consists of essential logistical arrangements including porters, guide, cook, food, tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, transport to and from trekking starting points, flight arrangement, permits, staff insurance and so on. These agents also provide a choice of itineraries and necessary information on trekking health care etc. The cost of an all inclusive trek ranges from about US$ 25.00 to US$ 100.00 per person per day depending upon the quality of service, number of days and number of persons in the package. This style of trekking is relatively expensive compared to that of backpacking but a few extra dollars guarantees comfort and security, eliminates time consuming ordeal of organisation and ensure a trouble free holiday. There are limited areas where a back packing type of trek can be undertaken by an individual. A companion guide is helpful in the remote wilderness and is enjoyable to talk to on the trail. It is strongly advised not to employ freelance guides or the services of any agency not recognised by the government.

LIST OF CLOTHING EQUIPMENT & PERSONAL EFFECTS

- Lightweight walking boots. If new one is being bought, "walk then in" to avoid blisters. Also bring spare laces.
- A pair of track shoes. To wear in the camp at night and when the boot is wet.
- Warm jacket. Fibrefill or down should be adequate. This is especially necessary during winter from December to February.
- A rainproof jacket with hood or a puncho. Get the one that is guaranteed waterproof.
- Woollen shirts and thick sweaters. During winter months, December through February, these items are essential. Thick sweaters can be purchased in Kathmandu.
- A pair of lightweight/heavyweight trousers. Jeans are unsuitable to wear on treks. Cheap loose cotton pants are available in Kathmandu.
- Heavyweight trousers are useful higher up in the mountains in the morning and at night.
- Windproof/waterproof trousers are necessary on all treks going above 10,000 ft.
- Thermal underwear These are excellent to sleep in at night. In the winter months thermal underwear are quite invaluable.
- A tracksuit. Useful for wearing in camp and in the tent.
- 2 pair of loose fitting long shorts/skirts.
- 2 cotton T-shirts
- 1 lightweight long sleeved-shirt is particularly suitable for avoiding sun burn.
- A woollen hat to wear in the morning and at night. During winter, it is an essential item. A sun hat and ensure it has a wide brim to cover the face and neck.
- A pair of gloves. Leather with lining and woolen are best.
- 1 pair of sandals to wear in the cities and in camp.
- 2 pairs of thin and 2 pairs of thick woolen socks.
- Underwear normal quantity and swimming costume.

EQUIPMENT
- Duffel bag or kit bag to carry to gear while trekking.
- Day pack This is a small rucksack to carry personal requirement for the day e.g., toilet items, camera film, towel, soap, a boot etc.
- Water bottle.
- Snow glasses and sunglasses.
- 2-4 large plastic bags to separate clean clothes from dirty ones. 6-10 smaller plastic bags to dispose garbage.
- Wallet and / or money belt with compartment for coins.
- Toiletries with large and smaller towels. Toilet paper can be bought in Kathmandu and some villages in the mountains.
- Small headlamp and / or torch with spare batteries and bulbs, candles and lighter to burn toilet paper.
- Snow gaiters essential during winter and all treks going over at other times.
- An umbrella (optional) which is quite useful to ward off the dogs, suitable as a walking stick, to use as a sunshade and useful when its rains.
- Reading materials, camera and film, game items (optional), note book, rubber band, pen and pencil, envelopes, a diary, a calendar, a pocket knife, binoculars (optional), a small pillow or headrest (optional). Thermarest (optional) - an inflatable sleeping mat, trekking map, adequate quantities of passport photograph. - Personal medical supplies.

If you don't already have these good equipment, it can be bought or rented from trekking shops in Nepal. The equipment is often top quality. Although daily rental charges are reasonable, a large deposit may be required. A good down sleeping bag, a rucksack, down pants and down jacket can each be rented for around US $ 1 each per day. On the other hand, the total deposit can easily come to over US $ 100. It is advisable to have your own strong comfortable shoes. They can be rented but people with large feet may have trouble finding suitable foot wear. If a rented sleeping bag does not look perfectly clean, have it dry cleaned. There are now a large number of shops selling as well as renting trekking equipment in Thamel in Kathmandu and between Damside and the Airport in Pokhara and in such places as Namche Bazar on the Everest trek.

Incidentals

The food available along the trail is normally limited in its variety so bring along some cheese, dried fruit and canned food. However, it is not needed in the Annapurna area north of Pokhara as beer or even apple pies are available along the trail. On the other hand some of the recently opened treks may have only limited kind of food available.It is generally not possible to change foreign currency, traveller's cheques ( except in Namche Bazar, Jomsom, Salleri, Okhaldhunga, Pokhara etc.) in the mountains one must therefore change required money in Kathmandu before the trek starts. When cashing money for the trek always ask for small denominations ( ones, twos, fives, tens, twenties and some in fifties and hundreds - never in five hundreds and thousands ) and be careful of torn banknotes. The people in the villages will not accept them and only banks will do so.

FLIGHT TO REMOTE AREAS

Royal Nepal Airlines, the national flag carrier, offers extensive domestic air services to almost all parts of the country; Taplejung, Bhojpur, Meghauli, Pokhara, Jomsom, Manang, Jumla, Dolpa, Sanphebagar are the remote destinations where one can take a flight from Kathmandu. The other domestic airlines such as Nepal Airways, Everest Air, Necon Air, Asian Helicopter and Lumbini Airways also provide regular and charter services to different popular domestic destinations. Please contact your trekking or travel agencies for more detail. Flight into and out of the remote areas and airports are sometimes prone to cancellation and delays due to inclement weather it is advisable to allow some layovers day while planning a flight out of airports like Lukla, Jumla, Taplejung and Jomsom. When these flights are considered in the itinerary it is also recommended to carry extra money to buy food and accommodation in case of delays.