Prepare a Trek
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Paperwork
VISA
To visit Nepal, a tourist visa is required . To get it, the easiest way is to apply directly to Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu. A photo ID is required.
There are two kinds of visa (tourist) payable at the airport :
- Visa 15 days, 15 dollars
- Visa 30 days, 40 dollars
- Visa 90 days, 100 dollars
It is also possible to renew it once at the Department of Immigration ( Pokhara or Kathmandu ) to a maximum of 150 days per calendar year (1st January to 31 December ) .
Alternatively, you can make the request before your arrival in Nepal with the Nepalese consulate in Country.
If you arrive by land (from India for example), you will be able to obtain a visa at the border with the office of the Nepalese immigration.
TIMS Card
All trekker wishing to travel to different regions of Nepal shall be provided with the Card TIMS ( Trekkers Information Management System) .
This card is designed to ensure your safety during your trek accident for example. Some information are required ( arrival date , departure date , itinerary, contact number) when establishing the board. Be as specific as possible for the authorities to organize themselves better in case of accident , loss or natural disaster.
The TIMS card may be issued by agencies or trek through the Tourism Board in Kathmandu ( Thamel 10 minutes ) . The cost is about 15 euros. A photo ID will be required.
THE TREKKING LICENCE
Be carefull not to be confused with TIMS card mentioned above. The trekking Licence is no longer required in some areas , especially the most tourist ( eg the Annapurna and Kathmandu Valley ) .
If you are traveling in a group and are planning to go in the following regions : Dolpo , Mustang , Nar , The NAGPA , Jumla , Kangchenjunga , you must obtain a permit. Costs vary depending on the route chosen and used for environmental protection ( for example , for the Mustang , it will cost 700 USD per person for 10 days trek ) . The permit can be obtained at the office of Immigration in Kathmandu.
National Parks and Conservation Areas Permits
If Annapurna , Langtang and Everest region do not require permits treks , these are national parks for which it will pay an entrance fee . For the Langtang region , it takes 3,000 Nepalese rupees (about 25 euros) .
You will have to provide a photo ID and do not forget to bring with you your passport. You can pay at the entrance to national parks.
Physical training
WHAT IS IT NECESSARY TO BE PREPARED FOR A TREK IN NEPAL?
Before questioning the circuit even the trek , you should think about your training . Do you have the physical ability to go on a trek in the mountains?
Pas d’inquiétude, car malgré les idées reçues, dîtes-vous que la pratique du trek demande un niveau normal de forme physique. Après tout, marcher est à la portée de tous. A part l’ascension de sommets à plus de 4000 mètres, il n’y a pas vraiment de difficulté technique. La durée de la marche est d’environ 6 heures par jour.
Do not worry, because despite conventional wisdom , tell you that the practice of trek requires a normal level of fitness. After all, walking is within reach of all. Apart from the rise of peaks over 4000 meters , there is no real technical difficulty. The walking time is about 6 hours per day.
If you are 45 years old or more, a medical examination by your doctor is recommended for high altitude trek.
WALKING IN HIGH – ALTITUDE
Walking in the countryside and in the high mountains does not require the same physical effort. That is why we must take into account the altitude will run your trek. For even if some are considered fairly easy trek ( Annapurna , Tamang Heritage Trail , Kathmandu valley ) , there is still quite significant elevation changes and difficult passes to cross in some parts of Nepal.
Beyond 3000 meters , the agency must make an effort to acclimate to a decline in the amount of oxygen absorbed into the body with each breath (see MAM) .
These two factors will help determine the choice of your trek so that you be as comfortable as possible .
Equipment
STUFF
To start a trek , a minimum of equipment is required for your safety and well-being.
From my experience , I recommend you take only the bare minimum in order not to charge you unnecessarily. If however, you find your bag too heavy to the point where you feel unable to bear the time of the trek , do not hesitate to let me know , I could call on holders of the region.
For me, the essential are:
- Hiking or sports shoes, not new
- Thermal underwear
- Special hiking socks
- A good sleeping bag ( it can be cold at altitude depending on the season )
- A jacket and pants “Gore -Tex” in case of bad weather
- A pair of flip flops
- A headlamp
- Baby wipes (for your toilet)
- Toilet paper ( we do not in all lodges )
- A pair of sunglasses
- A cap and a pair of gloves
PHARMACY
- Dressings ( preventive treatment of bulbs)
- Water purification tablets (such Aquatabs )
- Lip Stick
- A good sunscreen
- Broad spectrum antibiotic , anti- nausea, anti-diarrheal
Health
Nepal is a beautiful country. But as beautiful as it is, the hygiene standards are not those of the West. Before coming to visit us , do not forget to take some precautions to minimize the risks and how to deal with discomfort and / or inconvenience that might occur during your stay.
VACCINES
You have to know that no vaccinations are required to come to Nepal but some are highly recommended :
- Hepatitis A
- the typhoid
- Tetanus and Polio
As for meningitis , hepatitis B , rabies and Japanese encephalitis, opinions are divided . There is probably no right or wrong answer on the matter, but this may be a good time to take stock of your immunizations ( reminders ) and get information in case of doubts in your prescriber or centers vaccination.
WATER
Unfortunately , given the sanitary conditions of the country , it is best not to drink water straight from the tap , you are in Kathmandu or in the high mountains , although the high altitude villages are less affected by the pollution. Would there mineral water bottles that you will find no difficulty in most villages and lodges.
Alternatively, the cleansing tablets diluted in a liter of water. They destroy viruses, bacteria and amoebae . We must wait 30 minutes before drinking purified water. Foresee sufficient ( depending on the chosen trek ) .
ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS (AMS)
It’s simple: The main factor for the development is due to a too rapid rise in altitude that makes the body has not had time to acclimatize. The first symptoms usually appear within 6-24 hours at your altitude limit. If the trekker continues to rise, death or serious complications can occur.
How to avoid it?
If you do not feel well, you have to allow your body to acclimatize to the altitude remaining for 2 to 4 days at an altitude between 2,500 and 3,000 meters. It is only later that you can go progressively to a higher altitude.
At the slightest symptom of MAM, we must immediately descend to a lower altitude.
Signs of MAM: If you have a bad headache, this may be due to the altitude. Other signs include:
- Fatigue, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, nausea, mood changes (irritability, feeling of being drunk).
- difficulty breathing, sleeping or walking.
- What if MMA?
- simply must stop the climb. Stop climbing, relax, and spend time at the same altitude.
- It is even stoop so advise rest and time spent at the same altitude do not relieve you and / or if your condition worsens. Indeed, down at least 500 meters below, your condition should improve gradually.
- Remember to hydrate yourself and eat foods low in protein, fat and salt.
- You can take painkillers for headaches.
- If you are above 3600 meters, the MAM may take a more severe form (pulmonary edema, cerebral edema). We must then immediately notify the emergency and stop at a lower altitude (2500 meters minimum).
When to go?
WHAT TIME OF THE YEAR GO? (SEASONS)
In Nepal, there are three distinct seasons:
- The winter season from October to February
- The summer season from March to May
- The monsoon period from June to September
The season has its importance on various treks offered. Know that the spring (March-May) and autumn (September to November) are the most propitious time to make a trek.
In regions of Annapurna and Langtang for example, you will pass through rhododendron forests in bloom.
Generally the monsoon period is not a good time to make a trek because of warm temperatures and rain, and consequently, poor visibility on the peaks, except for the northern region Dhaulagiri where you can enjoy magnificent views.
The temperatures are very low and frequent snow in winter, it is not advisable to make a trek during the months of December and January.
