Imformation About Nepal:
Nepal is the home of 20
million people with language and customs as diverse as the terrain. From mountains to
valley, plateaus to plains, ethnic groups vary as the climate. This mountainous rugged
land contains 8 of the highest peaks in the world, the most famous peaks being the
Everest, Kanchanjunga, Manaslu & Annapurna.
With few roads extending into
hills and interiors, the country offers exceptional range of hikes and mountaineering
tours from west to east. Journey in Nepal will take you through a country that has been
explored by famous explores such as Hillary, Tenzing, Shipton for the last 100 years.
KINGDOM OF NEPAL:
Capital : Kathmandu.
Population: 22 million.
Area : 56,629.83 Sq. Miles.
GEOGRAPHICAL RELIEF:
Consists of northern
two-third dominated by the Himalayan mountain range, and the southern third by the Ganges
plain. There are about 240 peaks higher then 600m. Including Everest, the world’s
highest at 8850m.
PEOPLE: Tribal groups including Gurung, Limbu, Mangar,
Tamang, Newar, Tharu, Sherpa, Limbu and Rai. Major caste groups are Brahmins and Chetris.
Large number of Indians and some Tibetans has made their home in Nepal.
LANGUAGE: Nepal 58% (Official Language), Newari 3% (Mainly in
Kathmandu), Indian Language. (Mainly in Tarai) and other dozen or so languages dialects.
RELIGION: Officially 70% Hindu, 25% Buddhist, 3% Islamic.
However Hinduism and Buddhism overlap great deal.
CLIMATE: Tropical and temperate depending on the altitude
and time of the year. The cold season starts from October to March and is also the best
time to visit the country. The night temperature drops to freezing point while the day
temperature has a comfortable average 25-28 0 C. The sky is generally very clear and
bright; air is dry and warm. In April, May and early June, the weather, becomes hot and
stuffy, with occasional evening thunder-`storms. Nature is in full bloom though the
landscapes are hidden in heat mist with temperature between 30-38 0 C. By end of June the
monsoon arrives and lasts almost 3 months.
The Himalayas remains hidden
behind the rain and clouds. The downpours create floods and landslides occasionally at
lowlands. The monsoon ends by mid September and immediately the crispy air brings in
autumn with clear blue skies.
CLOTHING: From Mid September-March: Light is fine in
Kathmandu valley. For evening and morning, heavy woolen sweater or a padded anorak/jacket
will be needed. Special gear required for Trekking can be hired or bought in Kathmandu or
Pokhara. From April to September, only light clothes, preferably cotton are needed in
Nepal.
Time: 5hrs. 45min. Ahead of
GMT.
ECONOMY: Nepal is predominantly an agricultural country.
The agricultural sector absorbs more then 80% of the total labor force of the country and
18% of the total land area has been brought under agricultural operation. The contribution
to GDP at current price from this sector in 1998/99 to be only 46%.
NEPAL TREKKING SEASON AND REGIONS:
MONSOON SUMMER: (Mid June-Mid September) From mid June till mid September
trails are slippery, with heavy overcast sky, humid heat and leeches. Only areas which
fall under rain shadow i.e. Manang, Mustang, Northern Dolpa are recommended during this
period.
EARLY AUTUMN: (September 15-15 Oct), The monsoon ends with very
bright sky. The countryside is fresh and lush green. Khumbu, Rolwaling, Hongu Valley,
Dhaulagiri, Annapurna Regions are best at this time of the year.
AUTUMN: (15 Oct- 20 Nov), The very best season for treks
to all parts of Nepal. Perhaps little crowded due to high season. But the weather is
climatic factor makes it the best time to visit Nepal.
WINTER: (Nov-Feb) Winter arrives in Kathmandu by mid Nov.
Low –level treks within elevation of 3500m.are best at this time of the year due to
good sunny weather and very little rain. But one should avoid crossing high passes after
first week of Dec due to snow. Khumbu, north of Kathamndu (both Helambu and Langtang),
Pokhara valleys Trek, Ghorepani Circuit are all good trips to be considered at this time
of the year.
SPRING: (March) spring arrives when we reach the month of
March. Little early for crossing high passes, but excellent time for Helambu, (not
crossing Gosaikkunda Pass) Langtang Khumbu, Pokhara Valley and Ghorepani area.
2nd HALF
SPRING (April): Excellent time to trek
to Milk Danda and Makalu base camp for rhododendron and varieties of wild flowers in full
bloom. The temperature starts getting warm and afternoon clouds and shower in most places.
Low elevation of Pokhara starts getting hotter and quite hazy day by day, Khumhu offers
excellent area for the hikes. It would be better to fly to Lukla as the walk from Jiri can
be disappointing due to haze.
PRE-MONSOON: (May & June) The two pre-monsoon months are
heavy with heat and haze at lower elevation. The trek at this time of the year should be
at higher altitude to avoid the heat. The areas that are recommendable at this time of the
year would be Khumbu (both way fly in and fly out) Rolwaling, Hongu, Langtang with Ganja
La Pass and Annapurna Circuit.
DAILY
TREK ROUTINE:
You will be woken with a cup
hot of tea brought to your tent at round 6 am, followed by a small bowl of warm water for
washing. Then, before breakfast, you will pack up your belongings bearing in mind that
your sleeping bag will also have to fit into your Duffel bag. Roll up your sleeping mat
and it in its stuff sack and ensure that your tent is free of rubbish and ready for next
camp. Your duffel bag will then to taken and tied up with other gear into a load, which
head off early with the porters and will not be available to you until camp that evening.
We are usually on a trial by 7:30am latest and, following a good morning’s walk we
stop for lunch around 11am. Lunch is usually a 2hour break to allow for the group meal
followed by the staff meal. This also enables you to do your washing in the warmest part
of the day and catch up on your diary or reading. The afternoon walk is little shorter and
camp is usually struck by around 4 P.M. Please keep in mind that these timings are general
trial conditions Weather availability of suitable campsites and water supply may affect
them greatly at any time.
LONGER TREK/CLIMBS:
For people on our longer and
more remote treks we feel we must reiterate that walking times and indeed the general trek
routine may alter at any time. Trial and weather conditions in these high altitudes and
inaccessible areas are extremely difficult to predict and trekkers often have to feel
their ways, asking locals as they go and making decision on routine and pitching camps as
the moment dictate.
Our Sardar are very
experienced in these areas and will always err on the side of safety and whilst this may
occasionally be frustrating we are sure that you will understand and offer them your
co-operation. The high altitude and remote Himalayan region should never be underestimate.
Similarly, it should be realized that on longer treks. In many areas we must rely totally
on what we can carry with us, as there are no villages at all and we are far from any
fresh food supplies. However we are confident that, having chosen one of these treks, you
will be prepared for uncertainties and challenges.
STAFF:
Himalayan Culture treks
office in Kathmandu co-ordinates the whole operation in Nepal and is responsible for
ensuring that your tri
Himalayan Culture Trek has
devised a policy of using local people as sardars as we believe that this is the best way
for you to again an insight into the area and culture. With the exception of some high
altitude and remote area treks, which will generally be led by a westerner, most treks
Will be led by a Nepal for
whom the mountains are there home and with years of experience and sound first-aid
training, who better than a local to show you the Himalayan region?
Trekking staff will generally
consist of your Sardar, Cook and Kitchen staff, Sherpa guides and Porters. This self
contained em can take you safely to the remotes regions of Nepal and offer an opportunity
to spend time with the Nepalese on a daily basis. They can be a little shy at first but a
smile and a joke will soon open them up. After that, you will find them excellent company
and a great fun!
CULTURE CONSIDERATIONS:
Nepal
has only been opened to the West since 1950 and despite the veneer of Westenisation it is
still a very traditional and religious society. As guests we must respect this and respond
sensitively. Whilst the Nepalese will never rebuke you for unknowingly them it is always
desirable to try to respect as many of their customs and beliefs as you can.
During
your stay in Nepal the following, at least, should be observed:
1.
acceptable to local people and we advice women to wear lightweight skirts or trousers.
Tops, which expose the shoulders, are similarly unacceptable.
2.
Nudity is totally unacceptable, so please wear a swimsuit when bathing.
3.
Over public displays of affection are discouraged.
4.
When entering any Nepalese home, monastery or temples always remove your shoes.
5.
Most Hindus will hesitate to eat food that has been touched by a foreigner.
6.
It is extremely offensive to throw rubbish into any cooking fire.
7.
For religious reason Nepalese people are offended by being touched on the head and
similarly never direct the soles of your feet a person or a religious shrine.
8.
Many Hindu temples may not allow entry for non-Hindus, so always ask permission.
9.
Begging is a harsh reality of life in the third World but it is something, which the
Nepalese believe should not be encouraged, especially by Westerners who do not understand
when it is appropriate to give. Giving money to street beggars should always be avoided.
Handing out pens, balloons and sweets to children in the villages, albeit with the best of
intention by. Tourists/trekkers only decrease their respect for us and is to be strongly
discouraged.
10.
Last but least, remember that in Nepal punctuality has little meaning and patience and a
sense of humor are great assets. Leave your watch at home and take things as they come!
Once you have become accustomed to the pace of Nepal you are likely to reassess your
frantic Western schedule!
DISPOSAL OF
RUBBISH:
We all recommended that each trekker keep a small bag in their daypack and in camp to
collect personal
rubbish during the day. Each morning a small fore will be made
ornon-biodegradable-e.g. Batteries
and plastics bottles should be kept and taken back to Kathmandu.
