TREKKING IN NEPAL 4

 The route north to Everest intersects many of the traditional trade routes to Tibet and China and immerses the traveler into Sherpa culture and their Buddhist religion.

The trek, though strenuous, will be comfortable enough for someone who has worked on their conditioning prior to this adventure. As I said before, AMS can strike anyone at these altitudes, and your final destination of Everest base camp (17,500') requires professional guides to help you through the acclimatization process. The views of mountains, glaciers, villages, and monasteries changed daily.

Wayne Hoskins

TREKKING IN NEPAL 3 Lukla

It isn't that different from other experiences in third world countries, but it is overwhelming when you have just emerged from an airplane after being in transit for 23 hours. After a taxi ride (hair-raising) to our hotel, Kathmandu Guest House, we were pleasantly surprised by a beautiful, quiet garden in the centre of the hotel well away from the wild street scene.

Our trekking trips were arranged, we met our traveling companions, and two days later we were off on our adventures. With nine fellow trekkers, four porters and three guides, we flew to Lukla (9,400') to start our journey to Everest base camp.

Wayne Hoskins

TREKKING IN NEPAL 2 Kathmandu

 The trip is exhilarating and dangerous. The elevation change going up can start to have serious effects at 10,000 feet. The speed of ascent and individual susceptibility to Acute Mountain Sickness are the major reasons trekkers can't complete this high altitude hike. Acclimatization to altitude (low oxygen cont) before and during your climb is essential to a successful holiday in Nepal.

Our first stop in Nepal was its capital city of Kathmandu. This is the hub for all tourist activities in Nepal and it is certainly reflected by the chaotic traffic, dust, diesel fumes, taxis, rickshaws, cows, dogs, pedestrians, lousy infrastructure, and general indifference by the traffic police. Our Western attitudes are assaulted on all sides by this city.

Wayne Hoskins

TREKKING IN NEPAL

 Nepal is a small country, 130 miles north to south, and 500 miles east to west. It is bordered on the south by India and on the north by Tibet. Its most amazing feature is the rise in elevation from the south (300 feet) to the north (29,000 feet); and this is what attracts tourists to this country half way around the world. The Himalaya range of mountains run the entire length of Nepal and include 10 of the world's 14 tallest mountains.

Two of the most popular treks in Nepal include the route from Lukla to Everest base camp (12 days return) and the Annapurna circuit (16-21 days). Both of these trips may include guides, porters, yak transport for supplies and the possibility of emergency evacuation for health reasons.

Wayne Hoskins