tipping trekking staff

Hi! Can anyone provide a guideline for tipping staff on a private (2 person) trek. We%26#39;ll be trekking for two weeks with a guide, cook and porters. Any thoughts on how much they should be tipped?

Thanks, in advance, Holly

tipping trekking staff

Hi Holly,

For me it would depend on how well they preformed!

If the guide does little but walk ahead, and does not show or tell you about the area through out the two weeks then I would not tip at all.

Porters and cooks usually keep to themselves so unless they do something spectacular likewise.

Tipping in Nepal is not common amongst themselves. The New government has just added a 10% service charge on hotels etc.

It%26#39;s mainly tourist who come in and feel they have to tip. Personally I have tipped a guide. But only because he actually saved me money during the trek and went out of his way on several occasions.

Hope this helps a little. You might find some more information here www.thelongestwayhome.com helpful too.

All the best

Dave

tipping trekking staff

Many thanks for this helpful response, Dave! (Great website, btw!)

-Holly

hi, for our short 4 day trek (me + 1 friend), our local friend suggested max Rp 1000 for guide and Rp 500 for porter.

up to your own preference of course! ;)

need help

Interested to know the best time of the year to go. We are over 50. Whats the best place. to stay, happy to rough it. How long is long enough. How did you get there. This is the place we want to go to, anywhere else in India and Nepal is just the topping on the cake.

need help

We went end of March 2005. It was absolutley brilliant. we were there for 4 days as it was an add on after our Everest trek, and that was sufficient. However I suppose that an extra few days could be added on but you wouldn%26#39;t need more than a week though.

We went through the same company that arranged our trek, they are called CATREKS, they have offices in london and nepal check www.catreks.com absolutley brilliant service. They might be able to give you some pointers. Stay inside the National park, the surroundings are great and things are at walking distance.

Whatever you do don%26#39;t miss bathing with the elephants, best time of my life I have never laughed and screamed so much.

need help

hi, we just got back from nepal.went to chitwan for 3 days 2 nights.

stayed at tiger camp hotel there. it%26#39;s very resort style and very nice, a lot of families and older people stayed there.

bathing the elephants is definitely a must do over there!

people do jungle trekking, boating, elephant rides into jungles as well.

i thought i liked our stay there cos the time was just short and sweet :)

regarding the time of the yr:

when we went in oct, grass was long but we could still sight the one horn rhinos during the elephant ride. weather was just nice as well.

our guide did mention that when the grass is cut in spring, it%26#39;s easier to see the animals. hope it helps.

going to chitwan is usually a package which includes transport, lodging, all meals, elephant ride, boat ride. we paid usd120 each.

cheers, hamster03

fish

budget hotel in nepal

any good budget hotel in nepal , plz send me if any useful information.

budget hotel in nepal

lhasa guesthouse in thamel Rp 600 per night for double room.

giri guesthouse in pokhara usd10 per night for double room.

you can definitely get even cheaper rooms cos i felt that these are mid range and above.

kathmandu and pokhara for a 70 yr old,who thinks hes 40

Obviously im not going for the trekking but am keem to experience the country and customs. I enjoy the odd drink or 20 and would appreciate any tips on good restaurants or bars in either location.Any hints ot tips most appreciated, with greetings from Scotland

kathmandu and pokhara for a 70 yr old,who thinks hes 40

If you are staying near Thamel in Kathmandu and at Central Lakeside in Pokhara, you will have a huge selection of food and drink. In fact, b/c Pokhara is the starting and ending point of the Annapurna trek, restaurants seem to cater to all the before and after trekking crowds with various treats and booz!! :)

Just be a little careful of the food and water as you can get a tummy bug pretty easily there... Just be sure to eat cooked food and bottled water. And don%26#39;t worry, antibiotics are easy to get and very cheap there if needed!

In both places, it is possible to do some nice walks without trekking for miles at high altitudes. For instance, from Pokhara take a taxi to Sarangkot for the sunrise and hike up to the viewing point and all the way down through some nice little villages along an easy to walk, dirt track... Or rent a bike and head off around the lake for a bit. From Kathmandu, take a bus to Bhaktapur, which is a must see, and then a taxi up to Nagarkot for the night. In the morning, you can see the sunrise of the Himalayas and then hike down from Nagarkot through the countryside from the viewing tower and then take a bus back into Kathmandu. You could also do a walk to or from Godavari from Kathmandu.

In Kathmandu, I would also recommend trips to Bodhanath and Patan. I lived in Jawalakhel, just a few minutes walk from Patan Durbar Square for 6 months. I liked Patan Durbar Square better than the more well known one near Thamel, but that is worth a visit too. In fact, the walk from Thamel to Freak St is interesting.

Okay, there%26#39;s a good start anyways!! Have fun! It is festival time there at the moment... I was lucky and got to experience it with Nepalis. If you get an opportunity to eat dinner with a Nepal family, take it!

Take care... :)

kathmandu and pokhara for a 70 yr old,who thinks hes 40

Hi There,

On the bar side of things I would say make a beeline for RumDoodle. It%26#39;s got giant cut outs from all the Everest treks etc, was Hillary%26#39;s bar and offers free life time meals to anyone who%26#39;s climbed Everest!

After that it%26#39;s an open fire at night, and you can meet up with some interesting folk there.

In Pokhara you could try the Busy Bee on Lakeside. They have live music every night, it%26#39;s a bit touch and go as its cover songs etc, some times good, some times more whiskey is needed to enjoy it.

Have a look at www.thelongestwayhome.com there are some recommendations on how to save money in Nepal that might help. And I think the Kathmandu Garden House in Kathmandu sounds like a good place for you to hang out. Very nice owners, Nepalese French. Gas fire at night, beer in the fridge and good food with rooftop to sit in the sun. Also just out of range of tech music and cluster of thamel.

Hope this helps

Dave

I agree with KPT: Bhaktapur is a must - and I suggest spending at least one night there as the evening atmosphere in the traffic-free central area is quite magical, and a lot less Westernised than the synthetic delights of Thamel. Similarly strolling around Nagarkot, walking the streets and squares of Kathmandu and Pathan, seeing the Annapurnas from Sarangkot whilst at Pokhara are all well worth leaving the bar for.

I didn%26#39;t realise that being 70 means you aren%26#39;t allowed to trek . . . .

Thank you guys for your informative prompt replies.unfortunately i suffer from planter fascitis which makes long hike most painful hence the no trekking, but ur tips il certainly explore with many thanks and greetings from Scotland

makeup

Kathmandu and Pokhara, Safety and Health

Hi all,

we%26#39;re planning to visit Nepal in December but we have some concerns:

1.there are no clear information about the safety in Nepal, as there are some inner conflicts, how dangerous can these conflicts reach? also from health wise, do we have to take vaccinations before going or the country to to some extend clean?

2. we%26#39;ll go up to the poon hill, i was wondering if it%26#39;s going to be too cold at this time of the year.

3. we%26#39;ll stay like 2 days xtra in Pokhara, does anyone have intresting places to visit near pokhara?

thank you, appreciate your help.

Kathmandu and Pokhara, Safety and Health

Hello Doudy,

Greeting from Nepal..

Please here you go to have all the informations according to your questions and being as nepalese if some words become wrong please try to understand on your way thank you.

You Wrote:

1.there are no clear information about the safety in Nepal, as there are some inner conflicts, how dangerous can these conflicts reach? also from health wise, do we have to take vaccinations before going or the country to to some extend clean?

I write:

Well, inner conflicts are happening every country and this is the matter between government and people but we assure that you won%26#39;t have any kind of trouble during your holiday in Nepal. There fore you may travel Nepal without any feeling of scareness.

Secondly concerning about health protection,here in capital of Nepal(Kathmandu) you can find lots of different medicine shops and even though not to be worry for any kind of diseases and you may have some vaccinations if necessary here in Kathmandu.

You Wrote:

2. we%26#39;ll go up to the poon hill, i was wondering if it%26#39;s going to be too cold at this time of the year.

I Write:

Yeah, you will get cold in the morning and evening at Poon Hill because that is most colder time in nepal. But during the day and while you are walking through mountain t-shirts are enough. Similarly don%26#39;t forget to bring sleeping bag and down jacket together.

You Wrote:

3. we%26#39;ll stay like 2 days x-tra in Pokhara, does anyone have interesting places to visit near pokhara?

I Write:

If you are staying 2 extra days in Pokhara then please don%26#39;t miss to visit Devi%26#39;s Fall,Gupteshwore Mahadev Cave,Tibetan Refugee Camp,Sarankot,Seti River,Old Pokhara Village, Bat Cave and take boat ride near your hotel and it%26#39;s call Fewa Lake. There are even extra adventure trip such as para gliding trip.

So, I hope this small notes are acceptable for you and you may put some more if necessary.Thanking you and please apologize for anything mistaken on my words.

Regards

N.D

Kathmandu and Pokhara, Safety and Health

Hi D0udy,

Since the elections there has been little in the way of any safety concerns. Even before this nothing was targeted at tourists before, nor after.

The recent airplane crash was unfortunate as are all. However recently the news has been full of airline problems not just in Nepal but around the world. I have never had, nor seen a problem.

Vaccinations are recommended on www.who.com. There is nothing contagious nor overwhelmingly dangerous in Nepal. However Malaria is present. I have yet to meet a tourist to contract Malaria in Nepal.

Poon hill at night will be cold, but there will be open fires at all the guesthouses, and big thick blankets are always around. It%26#39;s not so high up to feel the true cold, so don%26#39;t worry.

There%26#39;s lots to do around pokhara as the above poster has mentioned. Certainly a 45 minute trek up to the world peace stupa and a boat trip on the lake are highlights. I found Pokhara itself to be a real paradise of Nepal and indeed Asia. You might find the following personal blog helpful www.thelongestwayhome.com

I hope this helps

All the best

Dave

they are more than enough thank you but i have one more question, near Pokhara there are some other regions like Bheri and Rapti, are they worth visiting or stick to only Pokhara?

thank you very much for your assitance.

Straight Talk Needed

OK folks, I%26#39;m not going to mince any words here because I need some honet answers.

I have a bunch of Hyatt hotel rewards to use and one of the places I can use them is Kathmandu. Hotel looks beautiful, reviews were all pretty good...

but...

I%26#39;m a fat person. Am I totally crazy to even think about going to Nepal? Will I be miserable? I%26#39;m not dumb enough to try trekking or anything like that but coming from the middle of the US, pretty near sea level, will I be able to breathe?

Straight Talk Needed

Well that%26#39;s pretty straight talking ;-)

I don%26#39;t think you are crazy in thinking of going. And yes you will still breath, although in KTM it might involve some smog.

First up, trekking. There%26#39;s more to Nepal than climbing to base camp. If someone has spotted a hotel worthy of a 1 star on the treks do please let me know.

The types of hotels you are mainly going tome perusing will be in KTM and Pokhara cities. Or, more likely again the outskirts of said cities where the more plush of the hotelier%26#39;s wait for the big spenders to arrive.

Hiring a taxi will zip you around to most of these quite quickly. And avoid the 1001 tour touts who each are part owner of a local 5 star hotel. Ahem.

Yep, most hotel give themselves strange awards and wonderful reviews. And in truth many are very nice. Nepalese tourism is some of the best in the world that I have come across.

Anyway, I hope this helps you in going along to hand out the Hyatt awards. If not I can hop along for you ;-)

Enjoy

Dave

Straight Talk Needed

Great, honest post!

KTM sits at 4500%26#39; so less than Denver. Altitude will not pose a problem. Kathmandu is a wonderful city to spend some time in. I would even consider a short trek in the Kathmandu valley, perhaps to Nagarkot. It is an easy, short trek which will give you a glimpse into rural Nepalese life as well as great views of the Himalaya. Don%26#39;t sell yourself short, you can do the trek with just a little training before hand, maybe join a walking club or something. Being a ';fat'; person doesn%26#39;t matter, you really can do it.

Some other ideas while in Nepal to look into include Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, Bhaktapur, Patan or an Everest flight.

Superfro:

I second Kerouard%26#39;s message. There%26#39;s a lot to do right in the Kathmandu Valley. We stayed at the Hyatt a couple of years ago and you%26#39;ll enjoy it. get a room on the Club Floor.

lol....excuze me.....but people do live here....dude

It%26#39;s been 13 years since I was in Nepal. But I will say this , yes you can breathe there... Just don%26#39;t go up to the peaks.

You would enjoy Chitwan. I traveled there alone and had a fantastic time.

I also spent 12 days in the western part of Nepal, rafting and kayaking the Karnli river.

I am not exactly physically fit either...!

There is a lot to do that does not require being fit. or even thin.

The Hyatt in KTM is stunning as far as Hyatt hotels go. There is a magnificent fountain with statues in the foyer - and they serve a great high tea!! Also it is close to Boudhnath Stupa which is probably my fav place in KTM valley.

I have been many times to Nepal butthe last time (in May 2008) was with my son in wet season which ruled out trekking. We went to Pokhara - you can catch a taxi to a nearby %26#39;hill%26#39; to see the mountains at sunrise, Chitwan - elephants, as well as heaps of places in and around KTM valley to see, all accessible by taxi.

I have had more problems with the pollution than the altitude so I wouldn%26#39;t worry about that. Have fun!

trip report oct 2008

just came back from nepal last night for a 11 day trip so sharing my experience here!

our route:

KTM (1 night) -%26gt; Pokhara where we started our 4 day trek (dhanpus %26gt; landruk %26gt; gandruk %26gt; nayapul) -%26gt; Sarangkot in Pokhara (1 night) -%26gt; chitwan national park (2 nights) -%26gt; KTM (2 nights)

we stayed at lhasa guesthouse in Thamel, location was good, costed Rp 600 per night for a double room. ard 10-15 minutes walk to downtown thamel where bulk of the food and shopping area was at. 5 min walk from the local market.

the 4 day trek was very manageable for someone like me who doesn%26#39;t exercise very often. of cos the initial thigh and calves aches would come in but you%26#39;ll get used to it! ;) i really enjoyed the trek and talking to the guesthouse people.

at dhanpus we stayed at laligurans guesthouse.

at landruk we stayed at laligurans guesthouse (not related to above).

at gandruk we stayed at annapurna guesthouse. highly recommend this guesthouse cos it has really great views of the mountains and the facilities were good - there%26#39;s laundry service if you need it.

chitwan was a very good experience where we could bathe the elephants (they come ard 11am and stay there for ard 1 hr with their mahouts - give a small tip to the mahout). very close contact with the elephants and the mahouts would invite you to sit on the elephants and get the elephants to spray water on you! i definitely enjoyed this! we stayed at tiger camp hotel in chitwan, best views. to get to chitwan, it%26#39;s usually a tour package, we paid USD 120. this includes lodging, all meals (it%26#39;s a buffet, all beverages except tea you%26#39;ll have to pay), 1 boat ride, 1 elephant ride to the jungle (where we were very lucky to see the one horned rhino 3 times!)

sarangkot was where my friend did the paragliding. views were really good!

then in KTM we did a mt everst flight in the morning followed by a full day tour of the temples.

according to the locals, full day rental of the taxi shd cost ard Rp 1500-2000 (we were ripped off for this - lesson: pls fix the price properly before going).

we did boddha nat, pashnupati nat, monkey temple, bhaktaphur, patan. we definitely preferred bhaktaphur over patan cos it%26#39;s more ancient and more beautiful. patan was really crowded and smaller. although entrance fee to bhaktaphur is more expensive and it%26#39;s further, it%26#39;s definitely worth it all! i would give patan a miss.

the other temples mentioned above are very worth going, it%26#39;s very interesting. i would suggest to visit monkey temple in the evening cos you can get a bird%26#39;s eye view of KTM valley from there and u can enjoy the sunset in the meantime!

things that will be good to have when you%26#39;re there:

-toilet paper

-tissue paper

-wet wipes

-antibacterial gel

-motion sickness pills (bus rides were q jerky but i was ok)

-chocs/chips/biscuits/nuts for the trekking

-rope/string (useful for people with specs when the elephant throws u into the water haha)

-insect repellant

-warm clothing (clothing rated for 5oC and above is gd enuf for me)

any other questions just feel free to ask me!

cheers,hamster03

trip report oct 2008

Hi hamster03,

Glad to hear about your enjoyable trip to Nepal. Thank you for taking the time to post this very informative trip report.

Best regards,

TA_MikeW

transfer file