Trekking in Nepal can be undertaken throughout the year. There are four seasons in Nepal. Each season has distinct attractions to offer. The seasons are classified as follows:

Trekking Seasons: – The best seasons for trekking are autumn, from mid September until end November, and spring from mid March to mid May but winter and summer are also more suitable for some tours (for example summer is the best season for the Upper Mustang Trekking).

1. Autumn : – Weather is clear and dry with mild to warm days and cold nights. In the higher altitude the nights drop into freezing temperatures. At this season the views are magnificent.
2. Winter : – Beginning December until mid March: This is the coldest time, day time temperatures will be cooler and nights very cold (below 0 degree), days are generally clear but occasional winter storms can bring snow as low as 2500m. During this season trekking in high altitude is more challenging but on the very popular trails (Everest or Annapurnas) you will enjoy a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
3. Spring : – From mid March to mid May: mornings are clear but afternoons are cloudy and occasional showers can occur. A typical day during this season is thus a mix of warmth and rain which gives life to beautiful wild flowers such as rhododendrons, it is also at that time of the year that rice is planted.
4. Summer (monsoon) : – Trekking is difficult at that time of the year and uncomfortable considering that temperatures are high and it rains almost every day. The trails become muddy and mountains are obscured by clouds. However, there are still some nice trekking to do even in the summer (Upper and Lower Mustang, Ghorepani Poon Hill).

Medical Matters and Advice: – Trekking in Nepal need not be considered a risky affair as far as your health is concerned. Nevertheless, preventive measures such as a thorough medical check up and inoculations before you start trekking can save you from unexpected hazards. Since the remote places of Nepal are not supplied with necessities that are essential for modern medical facilities, and as the rescue and evacuation are measured in days, it is imperative to make a comprehensive First Aid Box consisting of basic drugs and accessories as part of the paraphernalia for trekking. Modern dentistry is unknown in the hills of Nepal, so it is advised to have a checkup before departure from home. Tooth fillings sometimes loosen in cold temperatures and at high altitudes, so it is recommended to have them checked.

Physical Fitness: – All trekking demands a level of fitness that will enable one to put in a good day’s walking, uphill and down. Most treks should not be taken to gain more than 500 meters in one day above 3,000 meters. There should be plenty of time during the day to cover this distance, so the physical exertion though quite strenuous at times, is not sustained. The best preparation for trekking is cycling, swimming, and jogging, squash, tennis and long walks involving up and down hills. Good physical conditioning will certainly help maximize your enjoyment of your trek.

Altitude Sickness: – Altitude Sickness, often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a particularly important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal. Altitude Sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend *too rapidly to elevations above 3,000 meters. The initial symptoms of AMS are as following: –

• Nausea/Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia/Sleeplessness
• Persistent headache
• Dizziness, light heaviness, confusion, disorientation, drunken gait
• Weakness, fatigue, lassitude, heavy legs
• Slight swelling of hands and face
• Breathlessness and breathing irregularity
• Reduced urine output

These symptoms are to be taken very seriously. In case of appearance of any of the above symptoms any further ascent should be reconsidered. More serious problems can occur which can even cause death sometimes within a few hours. The only cure for the Altitude Sickness is to descend to lower elevations immediately. Acclimatization by ascending to no more than 300 to 500 meters per day above 3,000 meters and the proper amount of rest are the best methods for prevention of AMS.

Clothing, Equipment and Personal Effects:

• Kit bag to carry gear while trekking.
• Day pack. This is a small rucksack to carry personal requirement for the day.
• Camera, film, towel, soap, a book etc.
• Camel bag or 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 notes.
• Toiletries with large and small towels. Toilet paper can be bought in Kathmandu and some village in the mountains.
• Small headlamp and/or flashlight/torch with spare batteries and bulbs.
• Snow gaiters essential during winter and all treks going over at other times.
• An umbrella (optional) which is quite useful to ward of the dogs, suitable as a walking stick, to use as a sunshade, and useful when it rains.
• Reading materials, camera and film, game items (optional), note book, rubber band, pen and pencil envelopes, a diary, a calendar, a pocketknife, binoculars (optional), a small pillow or headrest (optional)
• Thermarest (optional) – adequate quantities of passport photographs.
• Personal medical supplies.

Note: All of the above mentioned items can be purchased/rented Kathmandu and Pokhara. Shoes are the one item that may be best to bring so that break-in time and size are not an issue.

Personal Baggage: – You are allowed to carry a maximum of 20 kg. Baggage on most domestic and International flights and for the trekking we allow you to take 15 kg. of personal gear with the kit bag on lock system. Other gears not needed during the trek can be stored in the hotel or in our Company in Kathmandu. You are also advised to be responsible for your own baggage while you are traveling or trekking to avoid disappointment of loss of personal items.

Trip Reports and Tips: – In order to upgrade our services, we request you to fill up the trip report forms provided by our crew. If you are satisfied with our staffs’ performances, we suggest you a tip of US$ 1 per staff per day for soft treks and US$ 2 for strenuous Treks. This is not compulsory. As you prefer.

Luguage during Trekking: – During the trek your main luguage will be carried by porter. According our companies role and system, mainly you have to carry a day bag with water bottle, Camera, Sun-cream, spare jacket, etc. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave hotel lock of room/safe deposit box in kathmandu for free of charge. Weight allowance at Nepal’s domestic airlines is 15Kg, excess weight is chargeable will be USD 1$ or more per kg. It will be depended region and sector.

Care for Porter and all Staff: – We ensure that all porters and all staff going to high altitude conditions are provide with adequate clothing and equipment. We run trek according to the guideline of the international porter protection group.

Accommodation in Town and During the Trek: – In City or Town you spend nights in 2 / 3 star Hotel. We have specially negotiated rates a range of hotels, we can offer the best deal to suit your every budget and preference. We can arrange also your stay in a higher class hotel depending you budget. During the trek you could sleep in Lodge every trekking camp. Which popular in Annapurna , Langtang, Helambu, Everest etc sector now a days well developed mountain lodge. The lodge is for the most part, owned and managed by a sniggle family. As long as you don’t expect start quality facilities you should be pleasantly surprised and happy with both the food and bathroom facilities often outside and meals are served in a communal dining.

Food on the trek:

• Breakfast: – Eggs, Omelet, Toast, Jam, Honey, Butter, Tibetan Bread, Porridge, Muesli, Cornflakes, Tea, Coffee etc.
• Lunch / Dinner: Typical Nepali food Dal bhat set, Continental food, Indian food and Chinese food.

Pick up you in Nepal at Airport: – When you will leave from your country to Nepal visit and there at the Airport many people will try to offer you service and facilities politely. Please be polite and refuse them. See our board “Icecap Adventure”Because, we will wait for you outside of the airport near the exit gate than you will drive to hotel by private transportation.  In Kathmandu you can withdraw money everywhere with your bank card (cash machine). You will change money (cash or traveler cheque) easily in the exchange counters everywhere in KTM or Pokhara and also Lukla or Namche (however the rate will be much lower in Namche or Lukla ). In Kathmandu and Pokhara, the price does not include your lunch and diner (between 6 and 10 euros/day/pers), outside the cities everything is included in the cost of the trip excepted extra expenses like fresh beverage (beer, coke…) and sweet (mars, snicker…) Try not to change money at the airport where the rate is lower than in Kathmandu. Keep at least one receipt if you want to convert your rupees when you leave the country. To calculate your budget as well as possible don’t hesitate to talk with us.

Thank you !