WHY TREK?
Trekking gives you the chance to develop relationship with people, cultural and environment dramatically different from your own. You travel at modest pace absorbing a continuity of nature, communities and high mountains in way that gives a much better perspective then rapid, vehicle-based travel. The guide, cooks and other staff that make your trip possible become part of your experience through their service, cultural insights, and hospitality. You will return from a JOURNEYS trek with a new perspective on your own life as well as a better understanding of how the other you have met live their lives.

WHAT KIND OF TERRAIN DO I CROSS ON A TREK?
Many trekkers confront the longest and steepest hills of their hiking experience soon after beginning a trek. The unique characteristics of cultural and natural environment in the Himalayas result from the diversity created by altitudinal variation. You can be crossing snowfields in the morning and be bathing in sub-tropical streams by mid-afternoon. For most part, trekking routes are well traveled by local people, but completely unmarked with sign. Except in the case of ridge top trails and path along river courses, trails tend to follow the contours of the land and the land is seldom level. Typically, a trek will pass through one or two villages each day. You will cross and re-cross rivers, by foot and by suspension or long bridge. Above 6,000 feet in Nepal trails often pass through thick forest of rhododendron, bamboo, oak and hemlock. Above 12,000 feet, the alpine meadows are usually barren. Generally, trekking does not require any special skills or mountaineering equipment.

WHERE DO I SLEEP?
Typically, each pair of trekkers will sleep in a spacious, 4 person mountain tent with a durable rainfly and full insect netting. We supply foam mattresses. You may be invited to sleep in the homes of local people. Sometime our campsites are near villages or  local lodges, but having our own tents and equipment gives us the flexibility to camp where we wish for a good view or proximity to interesting natural features. We try to avoid large group camp ground.

WHEN I CAN GO TREKKING?
The best season for trekking in Nepal is October through May. Summers are wet and sometimes trails become impossible, but it is possible to charter helicopter to reach the high and relatively dry valleys where trekking is at its bast from June through August. The fall is clear and pleasant. November is known for the clearest skies and least rainfall. December and January are cooler and there may be some snow at high altitudes. February through March is a period of generally clear and worm weather. April and May hold excellent weather for trekkers, particularly at high altitudes. Bird and flowers are best observed in the spring. Harvest activities and festivals occur in September, October and November. In Tibet and Ladakh, the best season for trekking is May through September when the weather is worm and the winds are moderate.

 WHAT KIND OF FOOD WILL I EAT?

We think we have the best cooks in the Himalayas. Your meals in Nepal will be mostly local food with a few American and European-style touches. Mornings begin with a hot drink in your tent. Breakfast usually includes cereal, porridge, eggs in different style, coffee, tea, bread with jam and butter. Lunch typically includes Indian-style bread (chapati) vegetable salads, french fries, fruits, beverages and local snack food. On other occasion lunch may be fried rice, chowmein, macaroni, or sandwiches. We have afternoon snack such as trail mix, popcorn, or cookies and tea. Dinner includes soup and a full hot meal including rice or potatoes, cooked fresh vegetables, and a lentil or other sauce followed by dessert.

 WHO WILL GUIDE OR ACCOMPANY MY GROUP?

Our trips are always accompanied by a senior Nepalese leader (or sirdar) with at least 8 years of guiding experience. Your sirdar speaks in local language and English. He or she will be experienced in group leadership and knowledgeable about the cultures and natural history you will encounter on your trek. Over the past 22 years that we have been doing Himalayan treks and we have developed a leadership capability among our Nepalese staff that we believe exceeds the qualifications of any expatriate leader.

HOW PHYSICALLY FIT MUST I BE?
It is in your own interest to be as fit as you possible. Trekkers should have had some previous hiking or camping experience. We recommend a physical conditioning program such as swimming, cycling, or jogging, but most trekkers are not athletes. Many people find trekking to be a some what luxurious from backpacking. You will carry a lighter pack and do fewer camp chores then you would do on backpacking trips. Trekking is a physical and emotional experience. Each day present new challenges. Some hills are long and steep. The newness of the culture, lack of modern amenities, and on some treks, travel to high altitude, may discourage some people who know they do not enjoy such circumstances. Mountaineering or climbing experience are not required for grade I, II and III trip. Age is no bar for trekking trip, though most of our trekkers are under 70 years of age. All trips begin from Kathmandu. Choose any of the following trip.