When and Where

Hi

I am able to take time off work in March 09 to trek to base camp. Is this an OK time of year?

Also what route is best. Ace travel offer 3 different trips; Lobuche East peak, Everest base camp

and Everest circuit trek.

Thanks Heaps

Bec

When and Where

Early spring: average March temperatures at Namche by day maximum 9 centigrade, but that%26#39;s a shade temperature - should be very tolerable on sunny days, and you are quite likely to get some of those as you are well before the monsoon. Nightime temperatures may be below freezing - a down jacket and good sleeping bag will make staying in lodges a lot more comfortable.

Don%26#39;t know Ace Travel - are they based in Nepal ? If not you%26#39;ll find it cheaper, and better to use a Kathmandu-based firm: it%26#39;s better that the money goes to Nepalese-owned firms rather than to pay for expensive advertising, offices, western salaries outside Nepal. I%26#39;ve used a firm called Spirit of the Himalayas (email: nepshol@mos.com.np, website www.spiritofthehimalayas.com/ ) several times and found them to be excellent particularly if you want a trip tailor-made for you rather than to join a group of strangers.

As to where - it depends on what you want (and how many there are of you). The trek up to Everest base Camp - though once you are near there Kala Pattar, the hill above Base Camp, offers much better views than base camp itself - is a good trek through superb scenery. Have you been to Nepal before ? If not, this would probably offer you a magical introductory experience. You will travel in moderately short stages (as you can%26#39;t rush it as you%26#39;ll need to acclimatise) to over 5000 metres.

Lobuche East is a trekking Peak that calls for some experience of climbing.

Not certain which %26#39;Everest Circuit%26#39; you are referring to: if it means Namche- Gokyo - Cho La pass to Lobuche, Base Camp / Kala Pattar then that%26#39;s a great route, but I imagine that as it would need to be a camping, rather than Lodge, trek camping either side of the Cho La, at around 5000 metres, would be a particularly cold experience in March

When and Where

Thanks for all the advice. Yes Ace travel is based in locally which is great.

I will have 2 more weeks in Napal after the trek. I have never been before so I am really excited and want to make the best of the opportunity. I thought about doing a tour after the trek but love to travel indepandly as well.

What would you advise I do with the time?

Thanks heaps

Bec

After the trek !

How about rafting ? The Trisuli river is a fairly gentlwe (Grade 3) 2 day trip, the Kali Gandaki a grade 4 3 day trip, both are great fun (and that%26#39;s from a non-swimmer who is afraid of water !)

Either would give you a chance to visit Pokhara - well worth visiting for a couple of chill-out days.

Perhaps on from there to Chitwan, a bit of relative luxury and a chance to explore a totally different environment.

From kathmandu the 1 hour car trip to Nagarkot for a night, watching sunset and sunrise over the Himalaya, is well worth it, as are a couple of days spent in Bhaktapur, a magical city (well, particularly its ancient core), laid-back, traffic-free, and far more Nepalese than Thamel, kathmandu.

Hello, this is Frand

I use Ace the Himalaya twice and they are great, I saw many guides in my trek but found their guides speak much better English plus they offer really high stander service and also support local schools and village.

Himalayas - Everest Base Camp

We are looking at doing a trekking holiday to Everest Base Camp in November and have searched various websites. Has anyone used ACE the Himalaya company as they appear about half the price of Peregrine or World Expeditions and just wondering why? We are mature age late 50s and would appreciate if anyone similar age has undertaken the trek for the first time and what fitness level did you have?

Does anyone have any suggested alternative travel companies they have used successfully? We prefer staying in lodges than camping.

Himalayas - Everest Base Camp

Hello Adelaide,

Greetings from Nepal..

That would be the best time to do the trek up to Everest Base Camp and if you are in search of various websites once we like to request you to check at wwwdotcorsanepaldotcom which is still based company in Nepal and well professional and experience mountain leaders and ofcourse compare with those company upstair you will rather get much reliable and acceptable offer please check once thank you.

Similarly, If you people are on the age of 50s and if you have some practice of walk,that would be much worth support to hike up to mountain and as you know that if you are doing the trek up to EBC there are few options let%26#39;s say start your journey by walk and fly back,fly in and fly back and trek up and trek down.

So,for the first timer we could advice that please do some exercise before head to trek and you should know that you are going to encounter with EBC(5,545m) which is pretty challenge for newer one right?

Yeah you will get lodges along the way and we are sure that you will have wonderful time up on the mountains.Please write her for further assistance at nakulnpatgmaildotcom

cheers

Himalayas - Everest Base Camp

Hello there,

This is Fran, I did trekked with ATH (Ace the Himalaya) in October 2007, they are wonderful and offer better service than any international companies (I saw many of them in the field), they are much cheaper than Peregrine or World Expeditions because they are Nepal based and run by locals. They also support local charity in remote part of Nepal.

It鈥檚 really hard walk and common to experience some discomfort before being fully acclimatized, you should do some training before you departure the actual trek, such as hiking, walking, running etc are recommended.....

Hello there,

This is Fran, I did trekked with ATH (Ace the Himalaya) in October 2007, they are wonderful and offer better service than any international companies (I saw many of them in the field), they are much cheaper than Peregrine or World Expeditions because they are Nepal based and run by locals. They also support local charity in remote part of Nepal.

It鈥檚 really hard walk and common to experience some discomfort before being fully acclimatized, you should do some training before you departure the actual trek, such as hiking, walking, running etc are recommended.....

Hi Adelaid

Its great you are going to do trek in Everest Base Camp in November . its not matter this time would be great for you and be sure you can do it easiely .we had also did this trek before some times we were also like your age . You know Adelaid in Nepal there are many trekking agencies you may choose any familier company . Ok you know many more about that i will give idea about that as friendly you can mail me pdl_krish@yahoo.com

.. cheers........

Krish ( simon)

Don%26#39;t know this particular company, but I%26#39;ve used %26#39;Spirit of the Himalayas%26#39; several times to organise trips. Very professional and competent, relatively inexpensive, and Nepalese-owned.

Worth dropping them an email at nepshol@mos.com.np or checking them out at www.spiritofthehimalayas.com/

You will not be paying for glossy brochures, advertising, UK or US offices, or western guides (though you will have an english-speakng Nepalese guide) which is why Nepal-owned firms will be cheaper

It%26#39;s a moderately strenuous trek with a couple of long quite steep ascents, though the need to acclimatise dictates a slow pace, rest days, and relatively short days. When I first went that way (in my mid fifties) I%26#39;d spent three months back home in the UK walking at least once a week for a day, and including 300 metre ascents. It still hurt at times, but not unbearably: I consoled myself with the thought that I was having more tea-drinking and scenery-looking opportunities than younger and fitter trekkers !

Go for it, and enjoy !

If you can hike five miles with thirty pounds in your pack, you can handle a trek. Just take it easy the first few days.

You don%26#39;t even need a guide for the base camp. Just get to Lukla by plane or chopper, and follow the trail. Spend as much time in the teahouses as you please- there are a range of accommodations to suit your level of comfort.

Try the Annapurna Sanctuary trek if you have the time- Fishtail mountain is amazing. Then hang at Polkhara if you have the time. If you don%26#39;t, then make time!

My Husband and I went with Safe Journeys in December 2007 for our Honeymoon.

The trip was fantastic and very well organised. The owner (Richard - based in Scotland) came on the trek with you and has such a passion for the Nepalese you just can%26#39;t help but fall in love with the place and the people.

Throughout the guides were great and all hand picked by Richard. He has been using the same guides for a few years so they are reliable. His Company was used by Ben Fogle for his Adventure programme and the porters/guides you saw were the ones we had. we used great lodges and as he%26#39;s been going personally for years he knows the lodge owners very well. The Namche lodge was at the top looking down over the whole of Namche. One of the other lodges was owned by a 6 time summiter who was so gracious and unassuming I wanted to hug him.

He also organises free treking in Scotland so you can meet the group you will be going with. Now you can%26#39;t get better than that although that will be a bit of a trek for you from Australia!

Although this company is based in Scotland there was a group member from America with us and she said she received good advice and help from Richard when booking the trip. Australia will probably be no problem. He was also very competative in his prices as well.

As for age there were 2 gentlemen with us in their 60%26#39;s - both made it with support from everyone and encouragement from the porters who also came up the last bit (Kala Pathar) with us just because they could and they were so nice. That was the feeling of this trip - one for all and all for one... We all made it with tender loving care from Richard and his team.

100% recommended.... Next trip the Annapurna%26#39;s with him.

Hi

I am able to take time off work in March 09 to trek to base camp. Is this an OK time of year?

Also what route is best. Ace travel offer 3 different trips; Lobuche East peak, Everest base camp

and Everest circuit trek.

Thanks Heaps

Bec

I CAN%26#39;T AGREE THAT THERE%26#39;S THERE%26#39;S ANY GREAT VIRTUE IN CARTING A THIRTY POUND PACK AROUND.

1. It%26#39;s hard work !

2. Hiring a guide and a porter inputs into the local economy

3. Your Nepalese guide will be a source of useful information about the landscape, culture, and people. Nepalese trekking is not merely a macho test, it%26#39;s about seeing, enjoying, and respecting a unique culture and landscape.

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4how can i get my ex back

Wanted: partner/partners for trek to Everest Base Camp.....

I am planning a trek to Base Camp and Kala Patar next March/April 2009 with a highly recommended Nepali guide. To make the trip worthwhile for the guide and cost-effective for me, I would be interested in joining with one or two people (or more) who are in good shape, upbeat, adventurous, enjoy the beauty of Nature, and are generally fun to be around. To acclimatize properly and do it right, plan on at least 3 weeks leaving sometime between March 15-20. Approximate cost for the trek $1500.

Wanted: partner/partners for trek to Everest Base Camp.....

Please email me the itinerary as well - I have just climbed kilimanjaro in Africa and am looking for antoher adventure for 2009. Please send any info to kristin.allen72@hotmail.com From Ontario Canada

Wanted: partner/partners for trek to Everest Base Camp.....

Hello, this is Frand

I use Ace the Himalaya twice and they are great, I saw many guides in my trek but found their guides speak much better English plus they offer really high stander service and also support local schools and village.

currency

can i use english currency in nepal

currency

Yes - but it%26#39;s easier to use rupees ! Many hotels have change desks, and there are numerous banks / change bureaux in Kathmandu and Pokhara that will accept £, $US, and travellers cheques.

Increasing numbers of up-markey shops and hotels also accept credit cards, and there are a few ATMs as well

Budget Everest Trek

Hi.

I%26#39;m looking into trekking around the Everest region, but it all seems very expensive on the internet.

Does anybody know how cheap you could get a two week or so trek, near Everest, if you hire a guide directly instead of using a company?

Thanks

Budget Everest Trek

For what help it may be, this autumn a group of 5 of us are paying US$1190 per head for a %26#39;package%26#39; including:

transfer from airport to hotel on arrival in Kathmandu

Overnight in hotel in Kathmandu

Transfer to airport for light to Lukhla

Flight

15 days trekking to EBC, with Nepali team of guide, sherpa, 3 porters, staying in lodges. Flights, food and accommodation on tek (for us and for Nepali team) included (as is insurance and equipment for Nepalese)

Flight back to Kathmandu

Transfer to hotel

2 nights hotel in Kathmandu

Transfer to airport for homeward flight

Obviously a bit cheaper if you exclude the Kathmandu bits !

We arrange it by using a Nepali-owned, Kathmandu-based firm called %26#39;Spirit of the Himalayas%26#39; who wiull create a package to do exactly what you want. They are very efficient (I%26#39;ve used themn half a dozen times).

If you want to contact them email them on nepshol@mos.com.np

Alan

Annapurna Concern

Hi All,

I%26#39;m hoping to trek the Annapurna Sanctuary in mid-late November and have one concern...My fear of heights. I do realise that this is a low altitude trek and all, but I have a serious vertigo problem. Are there any parts of the trek that you%26#39;ll have to go through ledges, cross high bridges or the like. I know it sounds sad, but I even get concerned on a 2-3 storey building.

Please reassure me,

Regards

CTMole

Annapurna Concern

Hello CTMole,

I%26#39;m sorry to say that you will encounter a few bridges and some ledge walking. What I%26#39;d suggest is to have someone that you can hold onto while crossing bridges with your eyes closed, same with ledges.

I hope this was helpful,

kathmandulady

Annapurna Concern

I considering a trek through Annapurna Sanctuary this fall and also have a fear of heights.

How did you find the trip?

Hi! Just returned from ABC. Beautiful trek, worth trying. As for your question: tHere are a few bridges, all are the same model: serios metal work, and not too high(can send you a picture if needed). Once-twice there are ledges,not looks serious. If you%26#39;re planning to take a guide (what I did and was very pleased with it), he definitely can handle the situation and help if needeD.

Hello CTMole,

Greetings from Nepal..

First of all I here would like to reminds all of fellow travellers that please don%26#39;t take my answers as an advertisement and this also true that I am affiliated with tourism trade since pretty long,that%26#39;s why some time it may goes my message as sparm but as I am the member of this informative sites this could be my rights to let people know about Nepal and the trekking route of each mountain.

Well, CTmole concerning about Annapurna Sanctuary in Nov would be worth and the best time you will get ever and ofcourse while you are in mountain there won%26#39;t be the same road as you have thought and should go ascent and descent. But I would like to inform you in advance that before head to Nepal please keep doing some exercise and after wards there won%26#39;t be problem having high altitude sickness and easily acclimatized.

I don%26#39;t know how you have been informed by people who have done this trek hardly but I can say this is much more easier trek compare with Annapurna Circuit and maximum elevation you are trekking at 4,010mt which is Annapurna Base Camp. And I am sure you will definitely enjoy your trip in Nepal.

And please do write here for further assistance or try to log on at nakulnpatgmaildotcom..cheers

Hi CT Mole

I just been back from Annapurna Sanctuary this spring and am again back with two of my friends on Nov. 4 to 14, because this is an excellent trek, perhaps in the world.There is no nigh passes enroute, but a gradual climb from river valley to hill top settlements along terraced farms, rhof\dodendron/ bamboo forests. Very interesting landscapes. Without feeling of height one gets to Machhapuchhare base camp at 3,700 meters and Annapurna Base Camp at 4,200 meters at flat valley. There are several small bt\ridges to cross streams and there is one suspension bridge to cross Modi river on retun trek at low altitude.

Should you be interested to know more about the trek or see some pictures, please write back to me. If interested, you are welcome to join our small group leaving Kathmandu on Novemer 4 for a 11 day trek.

Regards

Maheswor B. Shrestha, Nepal

Email: atmconsult@wlink.com.np Contact (++977)98510 94345, (9771) 555 4100

Generally the trails are fairly wide, and though along the sides of valleys they don%26#39;t cling to the edges of steep slopes. The route as far as Chhomrong and beyond is mainly through well-terraced farmland (when it%26#39;s not in woodland, where again there will be no feeling of exposure to big drops)

Beyond Khuldigar / Bamboo Lodge you are again in forest until you reach Hinku cave. Beyond there you are beyond the gorge section, and much of the trail is along the side of the wide glacial valley floor.This is particularly true of the final leg up to Annapurna Base Camp in the Sanctuary.

Bridges are generally fairly low structures over tributary streams apart from the suspension bridge below Chhomrong, which is a modern steel structure. The floor is close-spaced steel slats, and the sides have wire mesh as well as the suspension cables. the whole thing being no higher than a two/three storey building: I suggest that you follow closely behind someone, and keep your eyes focussed on the back of their neck !

Hopefully these isolated instances willl not put you off the idea of the trek: it%26#39;s a magical trip!

howtodealwithlongdistancerelati

Independent trekking guide In Nepal

I could highly recommend The and our guide Kabiraj. I didn鈥檛 realize when we signed up to have a guide that we would actually get a waiter and servants as well!! He did everything to make me comfortable and happy, making sure that I had everything that I needed. His Knowledge of Annapurna range was extensive, when asked about the name of the particular mountains, he replied by starting the names and exact heights of all the visible mountains in the range. On top of this, he is friendly guy, 鈥︹€︹€︹€︹€?.about own culture more than willing to talk about his. Fantastic trek!

Ed Gashick, Cambridge, UK. 13/september2008

email.goonrat@gmail.com

you can visit my website

www.geocities.com/kabiraj100

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