FAQ

Cloud and turbulent weather along the Himalayan ranges are common and may lead to internal mountain flight delays or cancellations. We suggest you add at least one extra day after your trek before flying out of Nepal.

This only applies to treks in the Dolpo, Mustang /Annapurna, Everest, Makalu, and Kangchenjunga regions.

Who can Trek?

You will need to bring two water bottles (for 2-3 liters). We will provide you with iodine or chlorine drops and safe drinking water as you need it.

In cities, conventional “western toilets” will be found in most hotels. On the trek, squat toilets are universal; and easy to use. Bring your own toilet paper (expect to place it in a separate bucket). Water and a ladle will be on hand for flushing. [If toilets become frozen in winter, holes will be dug out of doors!]

Teahouses will have at least a tap outdoors and metal basins on request. “Showers” are often available – (possibly just a high pipe) and can be hot, warm or not. At high altitudes, ask for a bowl of hot water. Facilities are better on the popular trekking routes.

Use a good rain jacket with hood and a pair of waterproof trousers (overlapping your boots). A cap under the hood will keep rain out of your eyes. However, ‘good’ raingear can also be hot and clammy to wear.

For the kit, inner plastic bags in your daypack will solve the problem. A waterproof cover over your daypack can help.

Pack kit in your duffle bag in (quiet) plastic bags. Your porters will also, effectively, shield your bag with plastic sheeting during rain or snow.

With the range in altitudes in the Himalaya, weather prediction is notoriously difficult: expect the unexpected. Beautiful days, warm in the sun, are followed by colder nights.  From 1 000-3 500m temperatures may be 5o to 20oC; higher up they may be -10o to 20oC and above 5 000m -15o to 20oC. Wind chill causes temperatures to plummet. Winter temperatures (December – February) are commonly 10oC lower. Rain or snow can arrive without warning, throughout the year.

Be forewarned and pack sufficient warm wind or rainproof gear in your pack each day.

The porters in Nepal are the backbone of the transport industry along mountain trails away from the southern roads. They come from all corners of the land. They carry their head-supported loads in baskets (dokos) or tied to the strap that goes around the head. 25–30kg is the recommended mass for trek porterage. However, porters will be seen cheerfully carrying immense loads up to their body mass or more and over great distances. Research has shown that the Nepalese have adapted to be able to do this with a minimal increase in their metabolism.

The Sherpa people are of Tibetan origin and moved into the Khumbu (Everest), Solu and Helambu regions some 500 years ago. They became involved in the early mountaineering explorations of the late 19th and 20th centuries: and proved to be highly resourceful and successful. Today, many Sherpas continue to work as Mountaineers, Hoteliers – and porters.

So while some Sherpas may be porters, it is incorrect to call all porters Sherpas. Porters carry goods. Please honor, care for and support your porters.

You may get shaken by the ground, but the cities, villages, and trails are everywhere safe. Kathmandu’s streets are seething with people and vehicles and progress is slow. But courtesy and kindness are universal. Take the normal precautions with wallets and cameras and be more vigilant at night.

Your EBC trek began at over 2 000m. Consider a trek that begins low and takes you through Middle Hill Hindu and Buddhist farming communities before rising towards the giants. A great trail with an exhilarating mix of scenery is the 140km Manaslu Circuit Trek that begins at 700m. Its topography is demanding and the trails are often exposed; but if offers some of the best scenery in the Himalaya. Add in the seven-day Tsum Valley trek. The Annapurna Circuit would be an easier (and more crowded) circuit trek option.

Other great options include the Kangchenjunga Trek on Nepal’s eastern border or the sparsely populated high Dolpo camping trek in western Nepal behind the Dhaulagiri Range.

In many ways, Nepal is unique. Its gentle and friendly people offer visitors a warm and sincere welcome. Its scenery changes from humid lowland jungles and farmland through forested hills to the ice capped giants of the High Himalaya in a distance of only 200km. Once away from the roads, the village trails are quiet: the only sounds being water, wind and birdsong or the quiet conversations of villagers going about their business. The further into the mountains you trek, the more dramatic the scenery becomes and a sense of awe is often the only response possible.

So listen to your friends and contact us to design your first trek: for few people are satisfied with only one visit.

Congratulations! Depending on your time and sense of adventure you could consider an overland tour from Kathmandu to explore Pokhara and then continue south to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha before continuing to the Chitwan National Park with elephant rides, a canoe trip and jungle walks.

If you are both fit and looking to trek, then consider a trek with luxury accommodation to Everest Base Camp, or a shorter trek to the Annapurna Base Camp: both with spectacular and ‘close up’ glacial scenery.

It will be our pleasure to offer you a private tour on whichever route you choose. A car with chauffeur (and a guide?) could take you on the overland route. A flight to Lukla or Pokhara with your guide and then the addition of a porter would complete your trekking party.

Garbage, Litter and Water Control: Don’t litter, don’t pollute

The official governmental guide to trekking states:
Let the Himalayas change you – Do not change them, so remember, while you are trekking to:

• • Leave campsites and resting places cleaner than you have found them.
  • No open fires are permitted.
  • Burn dry papers and packets in a safe place.
  • Carry all plastic out with you.
  • Keep local water clean and avoid using pollutants.
  • Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment.
  • Help your guides and porters to follow conservation measures

We at Landmark Discovery Treks believe wholeheartedly in these rules and request that you join us in our efforts to improve our trekking routes and landmarks in every possible way.

Thus, we ask you not to:

Drop tissues, sweet papers, packets or plastic items: carry them to our next destination for correct disposal.

Do not discard cigarette ends or matches and be very conscious of the dangers of fire.

Do not throw items into Teahouse fires or ovens: it may be offensive on religious grounds

Do not squat behind bushes or rocks anywhere near a stream.

Dig a hole and cover it properly before leaving. Preferably burn the paper, carefully.