The Nepal Himalaya is governed by the Southerly Monsoon which brings heavy precipitation between the months of June and September, i.e. it rains a lot. There are great treks available in the rain shadow during these months but if you are planning a more popular trek it is best to avoid the monsoon months. Autumn through to Spring is the best time to fully experience Nepal.

If you are reasonably fit and enjoy walking you will find a trek in the brochure to suit you. Normally the shorter treks tend to be easier whilst the longer ones often require a better standard of fitness. All treks in the brochure have been graded. It is also worth remembering if we are tailoring your tour, you can choose the pace and direction of your experience.

In the more popular trails (Annapurna Everest and Langtang) there are well-established Mountain lodges providing sleeping accommodation and meals. Gone are the days when trekkers had to share dormitories, almost all lodges nowadays provide private rooms and many also have solar showers and clean toilet facilities. You can of course opt for a camping trek in these regions but as many campsites are connected to lodges it is debatable whether there is real benefit being under canvas.

Trekking in more remote areas necessitates transporting in all the needs for the group tents food etc. Food is prepared by our cook team and drinking water is adequately treated.

Hygiene when trekking generally has improved considerably over the last ten years, Our guides have the local knowledge to choose the lodges which maintain a high standard of hygiene. If you are under canvas all meals are prepared to high standards, fruit and vegetables are soaked in iodine before preparation. Most lodges serve boiled and filtered water, which is generally safe, we suggest a drop of iodine to be totally sure. We discourage the purchase of bottled water for the obvious environmental reasons

Often this is about getting the balance right, you need to have enough gear to be warm and comfortable but without overloading. Usually you will experience warm days and cold nights depending on altitude and the time of year. Most treks to around 3000 m. are really quite comfortable especially in springtime. Please refer to our web site for a suggested list of items to bring or e-mail us for our equipment list. It is worth remembering you can buy or hire a lot of what you will need in Kathmandu before your trek at very reasonable prices, we can also provide our own hire pack to you. Footwear is best purchased at home before your arrival to ensure they are comfortable and worn in.

Altitude sickness often known as acute mountain sickness (A.M.S.) in general may occur when people ascend too quickly normally in altitudes of over 3000 m. We ensure minimal risk by building in rest days into our trekking itineraries. Most people will feel some affect of altitude, shortness of breath and possibly light headed, this is fairly common. Acute mountain sickness is very different and normally involves a severe headache, sickness and loss of awareness. In almost every potential case there are enough warning signs to take appropriate action. Descending to a lower altitude will generally be enough to prevent any further problems.

All of our guides are trained in basic first aid and can deal with the basic ailments that may occur on trek. In the event of an emergency Nature Trail Trekking will cover initial expenses of any rescue operation. It is a condition of booking that you are adequately insured for such an event as these expenses will need to be recovered from your insurance company. In the more frequented regions there are health posts, which have been established by foreign doctors and many are staffed by overseas personnel. Nature Trails & Expeditions are associated members of The Himalayan Rescue Association.

Respect local traditions, customs, values and sentiments to help them protect local culture and maintain local pride.

Respect privacy when taking photographs
Respect holy places
Refrain from giving money to children as it encourages begging
Respect for the local etiquette earns you respect
Let the Himalayas change you - Do not change them
Protect the natural environment
Leave the campsite cleaner than you found it
Limit deforestation - make no open fires
Burn dry paper and packets in a safe place
Keep local water clean and avoid using pollutants
Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment

If you have more questions, please mail us.