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High Himalaya – Gokyo Ri Dear Trekkers, With only a few months before the adventure begins, we wanted to send you a few details concerning the trip. Health: The bottom line is to visit with your doctor and dentist and have even minor problems dealt with before departure, as even the simplest issues can prove to be a major handicap in the Nepal countryside. A very good travel doctor in Indianapolis is: For a normal active person in good physical condition, trekking in Nepal should pose no undue health risk. Once you enter Nepal, medical care is generally minimal at best. There are a few hospitals in Kathmandu that have western doctors. One of the best is the CIWEC Clinic located near the Yak and Yeti Hotel. The phone number is 228531. Your most common ailments in third world countries will be of the intestinal variety. Staying healthy in Nepal is mostly common sense. Wash your hands, don’t drink the water unless it is bottled, boiled or treated and don’t eat uncooked foods. Other issues we may encounter are those, which stem from exposure to altitude. We will spend some time discussing this with you both prior to and during our trek. I would also recommend you purchase a Medical Evacuation Service for this trip. Medical evacuation from Nepal is very costly. MedjetAssist Global Rescue provides another very thorough coverage (www.globalrescue.com).
It is slightly pricey, but very complete. Everest – A Trekker’s Guide - Kev Reynolds *This is my favorite. Small size, fits in your backpack. Everest - Mountain Without Mercy - Broughton Coburn-National Geographic Society (Chapters 1 & 2). Seven Summits - Dick Bass (Gets you in the mountain mood). Medicine For Mountaineering - James Wilkerson-The Mountaineers (read chapters, Medical Problems at High Altitude and Diseases of the Respiratory System). *There will be plenty of time spent in planes to allow for a good read, but if you forget something, there are also some very good bookstores in the Thamel area of Katmandu. Pilgrims Bookstore is the best. Arrival Details, Kathmandu, Nepal You will need a visa for entry into Nepal. A 60-day entry visa may be purchased upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport. I will probably have Washington Passport and Visa Service Incorporated
get my visa for me so I do not have to wait in lines at the airport.
They charge approximately $70 total for this service. You will need to bring four extra passport photos. The extra photos will be used for your Trekking permit. Our trekking agent, Ram Prasads Tamang will get the permits for us upon arrival in Kathmandu. After you clear customs and walk into the sea of humanity at the airport concourse, you will see a lot of locals wanting to take care of you (cabbies, beggars, etc), don’t panic. Look for Bill or for Ram’s sign. Someone specific will take you to our hotel. While in Kathmandu we will be staying at the Courtyard Hotel
in Thamel. *Thamel is VERY confusing for the first-time traveler, but should
not have a problem finding a cab driver to take you to the hotel.
Always negotiate a fare BEFORE taking a cab ride. We will discuss
this and all other types of negotiating at another time. The company that will be handling our reservations, domestic
air travel, emergencies, porters, and trekking leadership while
on the trip is Ram Tamang. He goes by the name Ram. He has been
in the business for a long time and he is a very good man. He
speaks very good English and has a great sense of humor. He is
trustworthy and is politically connected in the corrupt world
of Nepali government. For any type of emergency, his company will
be your main contact. The cost for Ram’s services, transportation and lodging
while in Nepal is $1600 per person which includes the following
services: Cost does not include: Extra Cash: I will probably bring approximately $500 in cash. I don’t expect to spend more than half of it. Most of my spending money will be used for expenses on the trek such as beer, snacks and tips once the trek is over in Lukla. You will be able to exchange your money at the hotel, bureaus de change or the numerous black market money exchangers in Kathmandu. Credit cards will be accepted at most major stores, restaurants and hotels in Kathmandu (though often at a slightly increased cost). Once you are on the trek, Nepal currency will be how we pay for our extra expenses. The Trek: Each day we will walk 4-6 hours at a casual pace along a well-traveled path. We will stay in lodges/tea houses every night which have mattresses and will most likely be in dormitories or rooms with two beds. We will eat in lodges along the way and you will most likely be given an allowance for daytime meals. You will need to pack your personal gear into a duffle. This duffle will contain clothes such as jeans, tennis shoes and other travel attire for the airplane and days in Kathmandu. This bag will be left at the hotel while we trek. This bag should have a lock on it. If you wish to have a porter, one can be hired for you for about $150 for this trek. A porter will carry your gear in a duffle bag on the trek. This bag will have your overnight gear, extra camp shoes, extra film, book, extra warm clothing, etc., and should be approximately 30-35 lbs or LESS. Your duffle should be waterproof or should be lined with trash bags to keep water out of your gear. If you opt for a porter, you will still carry a daypack. (The list of items you’ll want to carry yourself are listed below). If you’re carrying your own gear, use a backpack that fits you well and measures about 3500-4500 cubic inches. We recommend bringing a rain fly for that pack…just in case. While trekking, you will be carrying a backpack or small daypack (I will carry an internal frame backpack). You should allow for quick access to accommodate the following: • Two-quart water bottles. You will only be able to access duffle bag from your porter at the end of each day. You will have the same porter for the duration of our trek. As we move up in altitude, you will be packing warmer clothing in your pack. The porters will always carry the bulk of your equipment for you. The weather can dramatically change during the day. There will be days when you will start off trekking in shorts and you could end up wearing your Gore-Tex pants and jacket while trekking during a blizzard. Equipment List: • Lightweight hiking shoes or boots. First Aid Kit: • Sun Cream SPF+30
For info on Nepal 2007 trips, click here. |
