Small Group Trips scheduled for 2009
April 11 to 25, 2009 Annapurna Sanctuary to Base Camp
A limited number of openings are still available at a special price of $2,080.
Our Favorite Trekking Itineraries
Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar Summit
Gokyo Valley and Gokyo Ri Summit
The Khumbu Circuit via the Cho La Pass
Island Peak (Imja Tse) by way of Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar
Annapurna Base Camp
The Annapurna Circuit
The Mustang Region
Makalu Base Camp
Tengboche Monastery & Sherpa Culture
Kathmandu Valley Bus/Walking Tour
Click here for more information on Nepal.
Trip Costs
The Asia itineraries listed above are usually $1,900 to $3,000 per person for a 2-3 week trip, depending on the specific itinerary. Some of the longer trips such as Island Peak or the Khumbu Circuit run a bit more. Trips for less than four people also have a higher cost per trekker due to the ratio of guide staff to trekkers. We can arrange single rooms for a single supplement of about $150. We can also book your airfare. Please email us for the latest rates on any of the treks that you see promoted on this site. Alternatively simply tell us exactly what you want to see and do and we will customize a trek or climb to suit you.
Kathmandu
Our Nepal trips always include some time at the start and end of each trek to see the sights of Kathmandu. Typically, our Nepal trekking adventures begin and end with about a day and a half of “free and easy” time in Kathmandu. As a result, most of our Nepal treks are about three weeks long with 15-18 days in the mountains. We can easily arrange tours of the City and surrounding area during your stay in Kathmandu. Our 1 to 3 day tours give trekkers a chance to visit locations such as Durbar Square, the palace of the Newar kings, Swayambhunath Temple (a.k.a. the monkey temple) or Bhaktapur with its incredible temples and variety of shops that are known for thier pottery and Thanka art. You can also spend some time in the Thamel District where you will be able to purchase souvenirs of your trip, custom t-shirts, jewelry, and many handmade items such as rugs and carvings. The Thamel district also has many restaurants offering local food and cuisine from around the world. If you are able to extend your trip for several days, we recommend going to Ngarkot for the spectacular views of the Himalayas. Sunrise at Ngarkot is unforgettable.
Accommodations in Kathmandu are in the best hotels. Our trip prices include four star hotel accommodations, unless stated otherwise. We usually use hotels near the Thamel district – the older part of the city where most of the shops that serve the trekking business are located. Accommodations in Kathmandu include breakfast.
Trekking Options
ASA Adventure Travel offers two trekking options in Asia, camping and tea houses. Lodges in Nepal are referred to as “tea houses” and you may encounter the phrase “tea house trekking”. We prefer to book trips in tea houses whenever possible since the accommodations are generally more comfortable and this type of trek is usually cheaper than camping. However, good tea houses are not available on some routes. Additional details are provided below.
Tea House Trekking
Our Tea House Treks provide lodging and meals at the best available Tea House in the trek area. Trekkers carry a small amount of personal gear, such as camera and water, while your porters carry up to 20 kilograms (maximum of 44 pounds) of gear for each trekker. The route is led by professional guides who have many years of experience on these routes. Our small group treks are often accompanied by an ASA trip leader who typically joins the group in the U.S. (sometimes in Asia) and handles all trip logistics and coordination. Three meals a day, eaten at Tea Houses, are included in the trip fee. All food preparation is supervised by the guides to ensure that food is cooked to our high standard of quality with proper hygiene. Showers are often available at the Tea House as part of the lodging or for an extra fee. However, trekkers must remember to use as little hot water as possible to conserve fuel.
Camping Trekking
Camping can be arranged for most routes, and camping is required in some areas where Tea Houses are very primitive or not available. We provide camping equipment such as tents, tables and cooking gear. Meals are cooked by our professional cooks at the campsite. Food, camping gear, and up to 20 kg of gear per trekker are carried by porters and/or yaks. The guide services are comparable to those in Tea House Trekking – a local guide will lead the route and large groups may have an ASA trip leader. Due to the increased amount of gear required for camping and cooking, a camping trek is typically more expensive than the same route in tea houses.
Seasons and Weather
Although the Himalayas are at about the same latitude as Florida, the temperature can vary over a wide range depending on the altitude. More importantly for trekking, the weather has a distinct seasonal pattern that depends on the monsoon. June through mid-September is typically too rainy to enjoy the mountains. The mountain trekking seasons are described below:
AUTUMN: Sept - Nov.
The monsoon normally ends by mid-September. The sky is generally clear in the morning, the best time to hike, but clouds and occasional showers may come in the afternoon. This weather pattern ends in October, when clear dry air sets in for the winter. Great high altitude trips are possible through November, although the days get shorter and colder. At high elevations the chance of snow decreases through the fall – fall and winter are very dry and there are actually few snowstorms in the high mountains. Fall temperatures may fall below freezing at night and rise close to 70 (over 20 degrees C) during the day.
WINTER: December - January.
Winter is a beautiful time to travel in areas below about 10,000ft (3000m). At high altitude, the dry clear air provides spectacular views, but the very low temperatures are only for the most hardy souls. In addition, most high altitude Tea Houses are closed during the coldest months which means that camping trips are required. At mid-altitudes, temperatures may fall below freezing during the night, with daytime high temperatures in the low 60’s (over 15 degrees C).
EARLY SPRING: February - March
The rhododendron begin to bloom at altitudes over 6000 ft in the early spring. This is a great time to travel Nepal, especially for the adventurous traveler. Expeditions to Everest and many other mountains begin to stage their trips at this time, moving gear and climbers up to base camps to acclimate. Temperatures in the mountains are typically below freezing in the morning and may exceed 70 (over 20 degrees C) in the afternoon.
SPRING: April - May
This is the best time to travel in high altitude areas. The days are long and relatively warm. At low altitude it starts to get hot and the sky is a little hazy. Temperatures in the mountain trekking areas are generally 15 to 20 degrees (60’s F), but may reach 25 to 28 degrees (80’s F) in the afternoon.
SUMMER: Jun - Aug
The monsoon rains last from mid June through the end of August. The rainy season is characterized by cloudy, humid weather and it is usually quite hot at lower altitude. However, rainfall does not last throughout the monsoon period and Nepal does have occasional sunny days in the summer. Travel in Nepal at this time of the year is still possible. Temperatures reach 30 to 32 degrees C maximum.
Currency
The currency is Nepalese Rupees which are obtainable only in Nepal. The exchange rate is about 64 rupees per American dollar. American dollars are readily accepted by merchants and Traveler’s Checks may be cashed at any bank or Money Exchange. Credit cards may be used to make purchases and obtain cash. There are no ATM’s in Nepal. We recommend that you exchange currency in Kathmandu before departing for the mountains.
Travel Insurance
We advise trekkers to purchase an insurance policy for the full duration of your holiday to cover against accident, sickness, loss of baggage, cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. Some health insurance will cover you while you are overseas although a high altitude rider, often called a “sports rider” may be required to cover any health issues in the mountains.
Visa and Airport Tax
ASA coordinates visas through the appropriate embassy or consulate (typically the New York Consulate for U.S. citizens). Currently, a 60 day single entry visa is $30 US. Although a visa may be obtained at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, we generally obtain visas ahead of time to ensure that there are no delays upon arrival. An exit fee of 1100 Nepalese Rupees must be paid at Kathmandu airport upon departure.
Vaccinations and Medication
There are no vaccination requirements for entry into Nepal. However, we recommend vaccination against Typhoid, Tetanus and Hepatitis A. If you will be traveling in the elevations below 1200m, such as the Terai, then we also recommend taking antimalarial pills while you are in Nepal. Check with your doctor or consult with a travel clinic at least four months before traveling to Nepal. Of course, it is your responsibility to bring sufficient medicine for your personal usage. Please advise us of any serious side effects of your medication or any dietary requirements related to taking them and be sure to let your group leader or Guide know if you are allergic to any food or medicine.
Altitude Sickness
For treks above 10,000ft (3000m) acclimation is necessary. Our trekking itineraries have been carefully designed to minimize the effects of altitude. We ascend slowly and ensure that we have an adequate number of rest days to safely acclimate while trekking. However, it is still possible for mountain sickness to occur, so our guides and trip leaders keep a close watch throughout the trip. See our AMS page for more information.
Personal Medical Kit
We suggest you bring the following personal medical items:
Trekking Gear
Bring gear suitable for day hiking, such as good boots, trekking poles, a hydration pack, a warm jacket, rain gear, and plan on putting it all in a day pack. Your porters will carry your sleeping bag, extra clothes, toiletries, and such. On camping trips, additional porters or yaks, will carry all the camping gear and food. You will be allowed up to 15-20 kilograms of gear for the porters to carry.
Contact us for a detailed gear list for your specific trip.
Water
Drink only bottled water or water you have treated. We recommend treating water with iodine or using a filter. It is even a good idea to be extra cautious and use a filter followed by iodine to ensure that you do not become sick from contaminated water. Your guides will typically provide you with the best available water. Do not ask lodges or the cooks for boiled water! This is an unnecessary use of precious fuel. Spring water may be relatively safe, but assume rivers and streams are contaminated from unsanitary practices further upstream. Bring several water bottles or a hydration pack. At high altitude, you will lose a lot of water through respiration. It is critical to drink 4-5 liters per day while trekking!
Electricity
220v American plug.
Time and Communication
Nepal time is GMT +5 Hours 45 Minutes. International phone service is available in most Nepal cities. Satellite phone service is available in many mountain areas, although it is very expensive. Internet services are available in the cities and some mountain villages (e.g., Namche Bazaar) at reasonable cost.
Food around Kathmandu
Continental, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, and Nepalese Cuisine. Vegetarian meals at local cafes are a very reasonable option. Avoid uncooked vegetables and make sure meats are well cooked.
Religion
Nepal is a Hindu Kingdom. The mountain regions are primarily Buddhist.
Clothing
Light weight clothes in Kathmandu, Chitwan National Park and Pokhara. Warm clothes are necessary for trekking, particularly in the Fall. Although it is not appropriate to wear revealing clothing such as shorts, the Nepalese are very forgiving of western customs.
Things to Buy
Tibetan carpets, jewelry, woolen clothing, genuine Tibetan art pieces, semi- precious stones, and high quality Darjeeling Tea. Remember, whatever you buy in the mountains must be carried by your porters, so show some restraint until you are back in the city.
Etiquette
It is customary to remove one’s shoes before entering a temple or shrine or any scared places. Always pass to left of Buddhist monuments and turn prayer wheels clockwise. It is considered rude to show exposed skin, eat with your left hand, or touch someone's plate. However, the Nepali people are very gracious and accept western customs without offense.
Photography
Ask permission before taking photos – many Nepali’s do not like to have their picture taken. This is particularly true of many mountain people, such as the Sherpa. Respect people’s privacy when taking photographs.
Security
Security in Nepal is considerably safer than many cities in the West. Beware of pickpockets in crowded places. Keep your bags, backpack and camera close to you while in crowded places and inside buses. If you are stopped on trails by local political or military groups, simply pay their fees and follow their orders without complaint. Westerners may be asked to pay unauthorized fees, but are never harmed.
