Organized Treks in Nepal

During an organized trek most things are arranged by the tour company. Trekkers just have to walk. They do not have to carry anything, nor put up their tents. The only concern in reference for food is just eating it, as everything is cooked and served for them.

An organized trek can vary greatly in quality. If a trek is organized through a big international travel agency in your own country everything may be arrange including your flight to and from Kathmandu and accommodation before and after the trek. The trek will have a first-class English speaking (or the language you speak) guide and a western trek leader. Even though there is a western trek leaders on one of these treks, usually everything else is arrange by a Nepali company.
If you are doing a trek off the main routes, you will often have to be totally self sufficient, which means you have to carry everything, including food and fuel for cooking. Also there may be little facilities to purchase food or fuel along the trail. There may be no teahouses, and if there are they are usually at a very low standard.

On an organized trek, often sleeping bags will be supplies. Often they will be sub-stand and may be dirty. It pays to check if they have any bugs in them.

Organized treks range from $20 to $150 per day, depending on the quality of the trek, size of the group, where the trek goes, and whether the trip is arranged in Kathmandu or your own country. The price should include food, porters, a guide, and a place to stay. On the less expensive treks you may have to pay extra for the trekking permits, national park entry fee, and transportation, usually the more expensive place these come as part of the tour. You should make sure you know what is included in the trek.

Overseas agencies often arrange everything from the time you leave your country to when you return. They may have their own company in Kathmandu, or may work with an established independent agency from Nepal. They will make sure everything is up to standard in Nepal. The price will be from $75 to $200.

The budget companies charge from $15 to $30 per day. Often they are not very competent and can not handle anything too complicated. Standard often change, so it is a good idea to ask around and get recommendations.

More established Kathmandu companies usually arrange trips for overseas companies, but they often allow people to join the treks at a reduced price. They also arrange their own treks, which cost from $35 to $70. If you want them to organize a customized trek, you should contact them months in advance. If you arrange it in Kathmandu it may take a week or two for them to arrange it.

On an organized trek you most likely be staying in a tent. They are quieter than a teahouse, but they are usually colder. The food will usually be quite good, a latrine tent, and hot water for bathing. You may have a Western trek leader or a sirdir (guide leader), who speak good English (or the language you speak). Sometime having to follow a set schedule is not for everyone. Also you may not get much contact with the local people

A major advantage of an organized tour is it gives you a chance to get off the beaten trek. Many companies organize trek out into the wilderness, avoiding villages and the teahouse routes. There are also special interest tours specializing in bird-watching, Tibetan Buddhism, etc. Treks can also be combined with other activities such as rafting, visiting a wildlife park, or mountain biking.
Some questions you may want to ask a trekking company are: Do your guides have first-aid training?

Nepal Trekking Agencies
It is possible to arrange or join a trek when you arrive in Nepal, which will greatly reduce the cost of the same trek arranged through a trekking agency in your own country. If you are organizing a trek with a large group you should give some time to arrange a trek. Many companies can arrange a fully self-sufficient trek in under a week. There are more than 300 trekking agencies in Nepal. A high quality trek will costs $60 to $80 per person each day.

Some established high-end trekking agencies are:

Ama Dablam Trekking
PO Box 3035, Lazimpat
(415-372, fax 416-029)
Mainly does main route, but also goes to remote areas and trekking peaks. Can do custom treks.

Above the Clouds Trekking (416-909; email: atct@wlink.com.np), north Thamel,

Equator Expeditions (415-782; equator@mos.com.np)
Guiding and Trekking Expedition Services (GATES) (41—417), Gairidhara, gates@dendi.mos.com.np)

Himalaya Expeditions (226-622; himalaya@mos.com.np), Kantipath,

International Trekkers
PO Box 1273, Chabahil
(371-397, fax 371-561)

Journeys Mountaineering & Trekking (412-898; email: journeys@mos.com.np)

Malla Treks
PO Box 5227, Lainchaur
(410-089; fax 423-143; email: trekinfo@mallatrk.mos.com.np)

Mountain Travel Nepal
PO Box 170, Kathmandu
(411-225; fax 414-075; email: info@tigermountain.com)

Thamserku Trekking
PO Box 3124, Kamal Pokhari
(420-044; fax 412-323)
Sherpa Co-operative Trekking (224-068; sherpaco@trekk.mos.com.np). A well-established company that does scheduled treks to normal and remote areas.

More lower-end agencies can arrange smaller treks. They can usually arrange an individual guide or porter. Treks arranged by middle-class travel agencies will cost $30 to $60 a day per person. A trek where tents are not used, where you stay in lodges is usually cheaper than one where tents are carried. The cost can be $25 a day per person, which includes food, porters and a guide. Middle cost trekking agencies are:

Asian Trekking
PO Box 3022, Thamel, Kathmandu
(415-506; fax 411-878; email: asiant@asian-trekking.com)
Himalayan Hill Treks & River Tours
PO Box 1066, Kathmandu
(520-609; fax 521-057; email: brian@hilltrek.mos.com.np)
Lama Excursions
PO Box 2485, Chanddol, Maharaganj, Kathmandu
(425-812; fax 425-813)
Lucky Trek & Expedition Nepal
PO Box 6632, Thahity Chowk, Kathmandu
(259-415; fax 258-950)
Nepal Himal Treks
PO Box 4528, Baluwater, Kathmandu
(413-305)
Sherpa Co-operative Trekking
PO Box 1338, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
(224-068; fax 227-983)

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides