Nepal Trekking FAQ’s

Trekking Holiday in Nepal
Trekking is one of the most popular activities in the Himalayan country of Nepal. Typical trekking holidays in Nepal involve 4 – 9 hours of hiking per day. The trails vary from easy walking at lower elevations to strenuous hiking at over 5000 meters in the Himalayas. It’s not only the stunning landscapes on the trail that hypnotize the trekkers but also the people from different ethnic groups whom they meet on the way – a rare opportunity to experience Nepal’s rich cultural diversity.

Camping Trek
Blossom Expeditions supplies all camping equipment: two-man tents, mattresses, tables, chairs, dining, and toilet tents, and all cooking and eating utensils. Each group is accompanied by a guide, assistant guides, cook, cook’s assistants, and porters. The guide employs the appropriate numbers of porters to carry all the food, equipment, and your personal gear. The day normally starts at 6 A.M. with a cup of tea brought to your tent and a bowl of warm wash water. Next, you have to pack your kit bag, and then breakfast is served. While you are eating your breakfast, the staff strikes camp and moves out. After three or four hours of walking, we will stop for lunch. This is usually a light-cooked meal followed by rest during the hottest part of the day. You will walk two to three hours after lunch and tea and biscuits will be waiting for you on arrival at camp. Our staff will soon erect the tents. Shortly after sunset, a hot three-course dinner is served. The food supply is the best available and is a mixture of Nepali and Western food. Some tinned food is provided but the staples are rice, noodles, potatoes, fresh vegetables, cheese, and eggs.

Lodge Trek
Lodge treks, which are also known as tea house treks, accommodate a small group of people plus one or two guides and the porters they hire to carry your personal gear. The guide pays for your food and lodging throughout the trek. You will stay at small tea shops or guest houses, which provide all the basic needs. Some lodges have a long menu, bottled drinking water, a hot shower, and an attached bathroom. Some are just primitive huts with a communal sleeping room and only Dal Bhat on the menu. Lodge treks are possible only where there are suitable accommodations, so you must be prepared to see the range of accommodations. A willingness to rough it a little may allow us to take you to spots that the typical trekker will never get to.

Trekking Grades
The following grading system explains carefully which level of tour suits you best for your level of fitness and physical capabilities. Use these grades to help select the trip that is best for you.

Mild: A short trek at lower altitudes in the foothills. The days’ hikes are usually four to six hours long and end at comparatively comfortable accommodations throughout the trek.

Moderate: You typically trek an average of four to seven hours a day hike into mountain valleys and reach higher altitudes. Accommodations can consist of either tent camping or evenings spent at guesthouses along the trail.

Strenuous: Crossing high passes and mountain valleys above 4500m or climbing peaks as high as 5545m or higher. These trips are also longer in overall duration and are designed for experienced hikers who want to be challenged.

Strenuous Plus: Extremely demanding treks, the path goes through rough terrain, over high passes, or climb snow-covered peaks that require mountain climbing gear. Participants should have at least a basic knowledge of the use of crampons and ice axes and be very physically fit.

Accommodation
On the Trek: In lodges in most trekking areas, you will have a double room with separate platform beds with foam mattresses. Usually, rooms are small but with plenty of space for you to move around. As you go higher lodges typically have a heated group room to keep you warm in the evening. Lodge owners always provide a lock to your room but you are welcome to bring your own. Combination locks are recommended since you don’t want to lose the key out on your hike.

In the City: In Kathmandu and other cities, the range of accommodations is larger. There are internationally recommended 4 and 5-star hotels to budget guesthouses. According to our service plan, the cost includes a few nights’ accommodations in Kathmandu and Pokhara in 2 to 3-star hotels. However, we can arrange any standard accommodation in specific hotels on request.

Payments
We require a 20% deposit of the total trip cost two months before your trip starts to confirm your reservation. The remainder of the payment must be made on your arrival in Kathmandu.

Travel Insurance Policy
We highly recommend that you should take a comprehensive Personal Travel Insurance Policy before leaving home. This should cover you for trip cancellation/interruption, loss of baggage, airline delays, accident, theft, and including helicopter evacuation as well as overseas medical treatment. Travel insurance is very reasonable and a great value. Evacuation by helicopter is very expensive and prices are rising steeply. A typical evacuation costs U.S. $7500 minimum and the money must be deposited before the chopper leaves Kathmandu or the insurance company ensures the payment. For your safety and peace of mind make sure you buy the insurance and give us a copy of your policy before heading out on your trek.

Staff Welfare
We are committed to the welfare of our staff, including trip leaders/guides, assistance guides, cooks, and porters. We ensure good wages, proper insurance, and the necessary clothing for all associated staff. They are the backbone of the adventure industry in Nepal. In Nepal, it is customary to tip field staff at the end trip as a token of gratitude for their hard work, and they also anticipate tips from clients.

In case of emergency
Blossom Expeditions has recognized that a responsibility to ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken to provide work and travel conditions that are safe. From our choice of equipment and leaders trained in handling emergency procedures to carefully planned itineraries ensure that nothing is left to chance. Our field staff ensures that you are on safe trails and are especially watchful of camp security and your personal belongings. Our guides are all trained in wilderness first-aid and crisis management, so if something does go wrong, you are in good hands and we always carry a comprehensive first-aid kit. All though, in the case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we believe will not happen; you will be rescued by a helicopter. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back in Kathmandu.

Important Note and Optional Activities
Your safety is of paramount concern while traveling with Blossom Expeditions. Please note that your Guide has the authority to adjust or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the safe trekking trip itinerary; however, as this is adventure travel in remote mountain regions, we cannot guarantee it! Weather conditions, the health condition of a member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The guide will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

I’m a slow walker, and I’m concerned that I might hold the group back
This is a common misconception, but it’s not so. The day group members often string out and there will usually be a gap between the first to arrive and the last. Meal breaks are planned to take into account this variation in walking speed so that everyone has time to catch up and regroup. You walk at your own pace and stop to rest when you feel like it. There will be always someone from the staff nearby to ensure your safety and guide you to your destination. We have designed the trekking days so that your walking is enjoyable and safe. The companionship of other trekkers and staff provides great company and many memorable events. Be prepared to make friends!

Food will you be eating on the trek
Most tea houses along the trails are run by families in the trekking areas. Lodges offer a menu with diverse western and local foods like Dal Bhat, MOMO, yak steak, and many potatoes-based items. Most lodge owners have been in the business for a long time and have mastered the preparation of surprisingly good meals that will make a trekker happy after long hours on the trail. Whenever possible they use fresh vegetables packed in from the lowlands or from the local area farmers.

The safe water to drink
All water along the trail needs purification. This can be done several ways and you will likely see them all during your trek. Boiled water is the most common form of treatment, but you will see filtration units. It is a good recommendation that you also bring your own water treatment if you have concerns. Iodine tablets are tried and true but some people find they can cause mild stomach upset. A great option is to bring your own filter such as the First Need. This unit is fast and easy and can handle virtually anything you put through it and turn out a perfect cup of water. It has the advantage that if you want a cold drink along the trail that you can pump out of any of the clear mountain streams. These days Steripen is becoming popular for easy and safe to use. Bottled water is available everywhere but the environmental issue this is creating is becoming a serious issue.
In large cities such as Kathmandu or Pokhara, you will also need to treat your water or use bottled water. Most hotels supply bottled water in your room.

Communication facility on the trek
In most trekking areas, you can find landline or satellite phones, and sometimes, if the weather is stable, cell phones might receive the network too. Internet is usually accessible in well-known trekking areas unless there’s unusual weather affecting the connection. If you stay in hotels or lodges, you can use their wifi by purchasing a pre-paid card from the internet provider. Keep in mind that phone and internet expenses are extra. Also, lodges charge an additional fee for charging your devices.

How do I select the right trip?
Blossom Expeditions has developed various trips in the Nepal Himalayas. You can also build a custom trip according to your time, interests, fitness, and experience. We are always ready and happy to discuss the options and help you ensure the trip of a lifetime. Feel free to send questions at any time. We will try to answer all your questions and explain the options available to you. We actually, prefer to design custom trips to meet your desires.

How fit do I need to be?
You don’t have to be a mountaineer or athletic to come to Nepal. As long as you are in average physical shape or reasonably fit and have a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination can achieve the goal of trekking in the Himalayas. If you are planning a trek longer than a week that involves going to high altitudes, exercising and jogging, or climbing stairs regularly before coming to Nepal definitely be rewarded.

When is the best time to trek?

Spring: March-May
The spring season is considered to be the second-best Trekking season in Nepal. As the temperature warms up and plenty of colorful flowers bloom including Rhododendron. Usually, in the morning, the sky is clear, clouds begin to appear later in the afternoon, and sometimes light rain with lightning. Therefore, it is best to trek in the morning and provide the magnificent scenery of the Himalayas. The early days of the spring season tend to be a bit cold, and May is the hottest month of the Year. But it also depends, on how high you are going to trek. If you are going to trek above 4000-4500 hundred, the temperature falls below zero at night. Therefore, good gear is recommended to carry all-around year trekking in the Nepal Himalayas.

Summer (Monsoon): June-August
The summer season (June to September) brings lots of rainfall to Nepal. And that restricts the many trek trails due to rising water levels in the rivers, landslides, and less visibility. During the monsoon season, the mountainous areas are often getting cloudy, and raining. The trekking trails are muddy and appear Leaches. But, it also brings amazing greenery, freshness, and plenty of wildflowers. If you have a bit of courage and have an interest, nature definitely offers a different experience and opportunity.

Autumn: September-November
Generally, the autumn season is settled, and clear weather and pure blue sky. Autumn is right after the monsoon. The dust and pollution clear from the atmosphere and provides a spectacular view with warm and comfortable temperatures. The autumn season is the best season for trekking in Nepal. December’s weather is colder and mainly higher in the mountains. Always need warm and good-condition gears.

Winter: December-February
Many people do not like to trek in the high mountainous areas during the winter months. From December to the end of February, the temperature falls below -20 degrees centigrade. Many tourists hesitate to trek during these months due to heavy snowfall, extreme weather conditions, and the high mountain passes are closed. But, if you have a bit of courage and can handle the cold weather then trekking in the winter season can be very enjoyable. Comparatively very few trekkers on the road than in the main trekking season. Relatively weather is also a clear and awe-inspiring view of the majestic Himalayas.

What will the weather be like?
It is hard to predict the weather conditions in the Himalayas. Generally, the days are warm and nights are cool or quite cold depending on altitude. There can be snow or rain storms at any time so you are most prepared. Between 1000 and 3500 meters the temperature could be as high as 29C to -5C low depending on the season. At higher altitudes, the temperature ranges from 20C to -15C.

What will happen in the event of a flight delay/cancellation?
There is a possibility of flight delay or postponement due to weather in the Himalayan. Trekking in remote areas, especially during the off-season, you’re highly recommended to reserve extra days to prepare with some delays and avoid frustrating consequences. In case of flight cancellation pre-tour/post-tour, you need to pay for your accommodation and food yourself.