Continue reading »]]> Our trekking season is already getting underway early this year, and I am glad to see it!  Already we have seen more tourism than previous years –  Nepal has become a nice short break trip for expats traveling from Dubai, Qatar and other places in the Middle East when they have Eid and Ramadan holidays.  It’s also increasing in popularity as a summer break destination for families and university students.

For 2013 – Himalayan Kingdom of Mustang Trek with Karma Mustangi!

We found Karma through a New York Times article written by Jason Wong (NYT Asia Correspondent), and we are excited to have him on board with us at TREKT Himalaya. We are taking private bookings for Mustang Trek with Karma for Spring 2013, and will have public treks starting in September 2013. Mustang is a good alternative for those who wanted to visit Tibet, but can not due to border closure. Karma will show you his unique Himalayan culture steeped in Tibetan Buddhist traditions and often hailed as the lost Shangri-La.

Everest Base Camp and EBC Mini-Trek

A trek to Everest Base Camp has become a “must-do” adventure for most travelers to Nepal.  But for those who want to see the Solu Khumbu region and do not have a lot of time, many companies (like us) have started offering an Everest short trek that starts at Lukla and does a quick 4 day circuit.   It’s great for Himalayan views, Sherpa culture and a visit to Himalayan Buddhist monasteries.  Prices vary, but it is usually under $1000 including the Lukla Flight.    Our Everest expert guide is Tashi Sherpa – if you want to know more about Tashi and his homeland, send us an email at info@trekthimalaya.com.

High altitude trek – Solu Khumbu region – Everest Base Camp Nepal

Off Season Trekking In Nepal

I have always been a big fan of trekking in Nepal’s off season because you get to enjoy things at a less crowded pace.    This year, we are kicking off Annapurna Circuit trek in the first week of April, but for less crowds, try June or September.   For Monsoon time, it’s better to stick to Langtang, Poon Hill, or Helambu Treks.

Here are some common things to think about when trekking “off-season” in Nepal:

1) Ask for discounts.  Many trekking agents in Nepal have really slow times during our monsoon, and they offer activities at a discounted price.  So always ask!

2) Watch out for leaches and landslides!   The downside of trekking while the monsoon is on or at the tail end is that Nepal has been deluged with water for 2 months.   This creates landslides that block roads leading to many of the popular trekking routes.  Also, I’d like to say, “watch out for leeches,” but you really can’t.  You just have to deal with them.    Here’s a couple web sites that give ideas for leech repellent.   The only real option is anything but eco-friendly.  I have tried insecticides all over my sock and pants, but those leeches will find you.  I even got one in between my fingers once.  Gross!

http://www.traveldudes.org/travel-tips/5-simple-steps-how-avoid-leeches-borneo/10036

http://www.ehow.com/how_8732438_repel-leeches.html

3) Take a longer (or shorter) trek.   I encourage you to take as long as you can on any trek.  I have never understood the whole rush to get to Everest Base Camp or around the Annapurna Circuit… although the 14 Day Everest Trek is our most popular.  I guess many tourist only have a couple weeks holiday from work to spend in Nepal, and they are trying to take in all the sites.   Well, I then, try a trek that is traditionally 8 – 10 days and extend it to 14 days.   The Tamang Heritage Trail is awesome.   The benefit of trekking slowly is you get to meet people and experience the “real Nepal.”   Running from teahouse to teahouse is like running the Rock-n-Roll Marathon and forgetting to listen to the music.    Our Nepal Himalaya are so beautiful, please enjoy them slowly.

4) Take a language class.  There are many “Monsoon Language” course that have sprung up.  I LOVE that idea.  You will get a lot more out of your stay in Nepal if you take at least one week of language class before you head out on your trek.  Just enjoy Kathmandu, take you class and then head to the Himalaya!

KEEP offers one of the many summer language classes.

Continue reading »]]> For our 2013 season TREKT Himalaya is proud to sponsor two new Nepal charities.   Part of proceeds from each trek will go to the Dalit Welfare Organization, or Prison Assistance Nepal.

Trekt Himalaya has chosen these two organizations for their leadership and real help in the most needed parts of Nepal.   As Trekt Himalaya continues to grow, we have the good fortune of reaching out to new organizations that help Nepal in unique ways.  Neither of these is your typical NGO.  Both focus on a very specific under-served group.  Trekt Himalaya volunteers will visit each of these organizations on their first two days of orientation in Kathmandu, as well as take a tour of KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project).

Dalit Welfare Organization

Although caste discrimination has been outlawed in Nepal, the reality is that most in the remote villages do not know about these laws, or they have no way to enforce them.  Today, Dalits are still being beaten, sometimes to death, because they went into someone’s house, a young boy dared to like a girl from another caste, or a young girl was walking alone and abducted and trafficked.

Trekt Himalaya is working closely with DWO to reach out to Dalit communities by bringing healthcare, education and training.

Prisoner Assistance Nepal

Image courtesy of PA Nepal – volunteer dental help for children at Sankhu, Nepal

PA Nepal was founded in 2000 by Indira Ranamagar an intrepid advocate of Nepali children whose parents are incarcerated.  Her assistance program is the only one that focuses on family integration and help for children who are either in prison or have parents in prison.

PA Nepal is a grass roots organisation that seeks to provide basic needs and human rights to prisoners and their children; one of the most vulnerable groups in Nepal. In particular, we work within poor rural communities where our support creates new opportunities for women who have been released from prison. Within this role, one of our greatest responsibilities is the complete care of children whose parents have been imprisoned.

In 2013, Trekt Himalaya will include PA Nepal in its initial training for all volunteers.   Proceeds from Medical Treks and Journalism Volunteer Placements will benefit PA Nepal and DWO.

KEEP

In 2012, TREKT became a member of KEEP, Kathmandu Environmental Education Project, as a way of maintaining excellence and environmental awareness on our treks.   KEEP also helps train porters and guides with English classes, environmental awareness and nature preservation training.

Continue reading »]]> New Hiker Alert Helps Trekkers Keep in Touch

Trekker in Remote Annapurna Region of Nepal. Annapurna is just one of several regions that can quickly go from busy to remote, easy to extreme for trekkers.

There’s a new app on the market that you might want to check out if you’re planning a trek in Nepal.  Hiker Alert is a web application that provides web based check-ins and emergency alerts; and acts as a sort of cyber ranger station for hikers, runners, and outdoor athletes.

Here’s how it works – You sign-up online for $4.99 per year.  Then each time you go off for a run, hike, trek or bike ride you put in your expected time and place of check-in.   If you do not check-in at the designated time, Hiker Alert notifies your designated emergency contacts.    Hiker Alerts text messaging system (SMS) is available in over 150 countries, including Nepal.  So, it’s perfect for those Himalayan trekkers who want to adventure out with little or no support*

Here’s why it’s important for Nepal – Each year trekkers go missing in the Himalaya.  Some are lost in avalanches, some are victims of violent crime, some just vanish.  In 2010, American Aubrey Sacco was one of those trekkers who, sadly, has not been found.    Aubrey was due to check in with her family at the end of April 2010 when she finished the Langtang trek in Nepal.   Several weeks went by, and her family in the USA did not hear from Aubrey.  Finally, after contacting the USA Embassy in Kathmandu and the Nepal Police and still receiving no information, the family flew to Nepal to conduct their own search.  By the time they arrived, Aubrey had been missing for over a month.   She is still missing and there is no trace of exactly where, when or how she disappeared.

Similarly in 2012, at least five different trekkers were lost while trekking in Nepal.   Lost Japanese trekker Makiko Iwafuchi wandered for two weeks in the Himalaya  surviving on Bamboo leaves before she was found.  But others were not so lucky.  British bagpacker  Zisimos Alexander Souflas’ family did not realize he  was missing until he did not get off the plane in England where they were waiting to pick him up.  Like Aubrey Sacco, Zisimos Alexander Souflas has still not been found.

In both of these cases, had someone known these trekkers were missing, authorities could have been alerted early.  In cases of missing persons, the first 24 hours is the most crucial.   A device like Hiker Alert could work in conjunction with your TIMS card in Nepal, to help keep trekkers informed of each other ‘s posted check-ins, as well as give peace of mind to family back home.

The freedom of the trail is a choice. Everyone has a different level of comfort when it comes to trekking in the Himalaya and the opportunity for self-sufficiency and self-discovery, but it’s good to know there are options like Hiker Alert to help us journey more safely.

Resources: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19311122

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18950982

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/15/aubrey-sacco-missing_n_1347938.html#slide=940576

*TAAN passed a rule on September 1, 2012 that solo trekking was no longer permitted in Nepal, however, as of this post the Nepal Ministry of Tourism has not enforced this rule.

Continue reading »]]> New Nepal Eco-Treks Announced by TAAN – Should some of Nepal be left “untouched?”

Do we want a Pizza Hut, German Bread and Massage in Nepal? On every trekking route?

Any trekking enthusiast who has been to Nepal a couple times will know that the new trekking areas being promoted by TAAN are not exactly new.  But until now they have not been trekking hot-spots.   It leaves this blogger with mixed feelings… On the one hand, yeah, you want to show people “unspoiled” Nepal, but on the other hand, in doing so …  Are we spoiling Nepal?

Right now our country has pockets of “tourist” areas.  They are places where you can find a “Starbucks coffee” or “German Bread.”   In some ways, that is great.  Give people the comforts of home and get to try something a little new and different from our Nepali tea and daal bhat.   But what is happening is what Bhutan has been trying to protect itself from for the last 50 or so years — Westernization of an Eastern culture.   Maybe it can not be helped… after all the internet leaves nothing to the imagination.   BUT if Nepal starts to look like the home country of our guests, will they still want to come?  Don’t you want to trek here because it is a little different than home?  Perhaps it can not be help.   Afterall, Thailand has become hugely commercialized, and they seem to be doing fine.  Maybe it will give Nepal a much needed boost.

I love seeing tourists LOVE Nepal.  So, in that sense, maybe the new routes will attract those who have already been to Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit and give them a reason to come back and do some different treks in Nepal.    Namaste to all and welcome to Nepal!

TAAN holds 34th AGM

TAAN Promotes New Trekking Routes for Nepal

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Posta Bahadur Bogati said the government was aware of the problems facing the tourism industry and that it would address the problems on priority basis. Inaugurating the 34th annual general meeting of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) in Kathmandu, Bogati said, “If not addressed on time, these problems might hamper Nepal’s tourism image.” On the occasion, Minister Bogati unveiled ‘TAAN Member Directory 2012’, ‘TAAN Discovering Tourism Destinations & Trekking Trails in Nepal’ and promotional DVDs of Ruby Valley Trek, Dhading and Lower Manaslu Eco Trek, Gorkha. Minister Bogati also awarded top five trekking agencies on the basis of issuance of TIMS cards. Royal High Mountain Treks received the top position followed by Thamserku Trekking, Himalayan Encounter Treks, Swissa’s Mountain Way Treks and Exodus Treks and Expeditions. Bogati also awarded Best Employee Award to Sona Bogati and Best Checkpoint Award to Nanda Raj Bhata and Meena Gurung, the members of Besishahar Checkpoint. The award carried purse of Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively. Speaking on the occasion, TAAN President Mahendra Singh Thapa urged the government to control illegal operation of trekking business. “NGOs and INGOs are openly operating large number of trekkers via Internet. They are doing business without making any contribution to the national exchequer,” Thapa said. He also said TAAN honored top agencies to discourage illegal trekking operation and encourage its member agencies. Delivering his welcome speech, TAAN’s 1st Vice President Rana Bahadur Khadka said illegal trekking operation was becoming a chronic problem in the trekking industry. “Foreign exchange earnings from tourism sector could be affected if illegal operation of trekking business continued unabated,” Khadka said, adding: “The government must take some concrete steps to address this issue.” Earlier, the closed session approved annual progress report for fiscal year 2068/69 presented by General Secretary Mohan Lamsal and annual financial report 2068/69 presented by Treasurer Anjan Kumar Thapa. Similarly, the AGM also approved the proposed programs and estimated budget for fiscal 2069/70.

Continue reading »]]>

DIY Trekking in Nepal Everest region 2011 – trekker checks her map. Trekking alone, without a guide, in Nepal will be prohibited as of Sep. 1, 2012.

We have seen a big response to our last blog post about the new trekking rule in Nepal that states trekkers must now be escorted by at least a guide or a porter who is registered.    The new trekking rule was issued by TAAN  (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal), but it is unclear who is enforcing the rule.   According to their own report on their meeting with Tourism Secretary Yagya Prasad Gautam,  TAAN is asking for “Supported treks to be mandatory.”  So, it begs the question, is the new rule actually enforceable and by whom?

Usually the Army check post soldiers check your TIMS card and identification at the National Parks.  They write down your name to verify you have passed that check point and you are now on government property.   So, it is likely that without a porter or guide, you will get turned back.  They are very serious about this, and we have seen it in other strictly controlled areas like Nagarjun Forest where our Hardcore Nepal Rock Climbing Team takes tourist groups.   So, if you are trekking, as far as we know, you will have to have a licensed guide or agency get your TIMS permit.

We will keep you posted on this blog if the rule changes, but as of now, as far as all of us in the Nepal Trekking world know, you must take a guide or porter on trek after September 1, 2012.

If you were hoping to find yourself alone on a trek in Nepal, it may not happen this year.    And based on the recent disappearance of trekkers in Langtang and Solukhumbu regions, it is not a good idea to be completely alone, but understandably, some have come to experience the Himalaya on their own, maybe on a spiritual or personal quest… so “ke garne?”  What to do?   Well, plan your trek as you would have, but become comfortable with using a porter/guide and carry your own pack if you like.

Check back before you go on your trek.   Things are in flux in Nepal as the nation develops.  The new trekking rule was in response to foreign media reports that Nepal is unsafe (not exactly true; not less safe than any other destination in the world), so it is likely that the rule could change again in the near future.   For example, they may not allow someone to trek absolutely alone, but perhaps in small groups.

Where to find a porter?  First, agreeing to pay/work with someone who approaches you on the street is NOT a good idea no matter how friendly he/she seems.   If you go through an organization or agency then there is accountability for your guide or porter.  I understand, you WANTED to go solo, so going through a trekking agency is not what you feel comfortable with,  so here are a couple options where you can find some entirely freelance porters or guides:

KEEP – Helps with Porter Awareness Projects 

TAAN – Trekking Agents Association of Nepal

As always, feel free to contact us for any trekking advice.   We love to help you love your stay in Nepal.  You need not trek with us, we are always happy to help visitors.  sandra@trekthimalaya.com

FROM TAAN Website News

A delegation of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) led by President Mahendra Singh Thapa on August 19 paid a courtesy call on newly appointed tourism secretary Yagya Prasad Gautam.

The delegation also handed over a 29-point memorandum to secretary Gautam that draws the attention of the government on different problems facing the tourism industry, particularly the trekking sector.
Thapa, on behalf of TAAN, congratulated secretary Gautam on being appointed secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and expressed best wishes for his successful tenure. Among others, TAAN asked the government to immediately address technical problems seen in garbage deposits. Similarly, the delegation asked secretary Gautam to do the needful in making support staff compulsory for independent trekkers to ensure their safety. Saying that international media has been portraying Nepal as an unsafe destination, the association also asked the government to counter such negative publicities and enhance Nepal’s destination image in international arena.
Responding to TAAN’s demands, secretary Gautam has said he has authorized the Tourism Industry Division to address technical difficulties in garbage deposits collection and management.  He also asked TAAN to take the initiative in installing sign posts on major trekking routes so that it will be easier for trekkers. Gautam also asked TAAN to focus on quality tourism rather than quantity. Along with President Thapa, general secretary Mohan Lamsal, treasurer Anjan Kumar Thapa, TAAN CEO Gangasagar Pant and staffers Machhindra Acharya and Raju Chitrakar were also present in the meeting.

Continue reading »]]> Volunteering in Nepal can go one of two ways.  Either you will totally love it and will be ready to come back before you get home, or you will be disappointed and feel that you basically paid a lot of money to stay at someone’s home, eat mediocre food and make little impact on the people you wanted to help.

This may sound harsh,  but I do not think regurgitating the hard sell ads that convince you to spend thousands of dollars, euro, and yen to come help and then not really help would be worth me writing about.     Get the facts up front before you go.  Do your research, and ask lots of questions.   Here are some things you should look for before you commit to volunteer in Nepal:

1)      What is the goal of the organization overall?  The more focused volunteer programs tend to be the most effective.   So, if a volunteer program tells you they can give you ANY kind of placement… be wary, they probably have a huge overhead and most of your volunteer fee is going to support people who run the organization, advertising, etc.   Pick a program that focuses on what you really want to do to help, and maybe 2 – 3 other related activities.

2)      Is the organization affiliated with an orphanage?  If so, check it out and then check again.  Do your research on orphanages in Nepal.   It’s fun to play with the kids and teach them English, but how do you feel when the kids go back to their village for Dasain to be with their parents?  Huh? But you thought they were “orphans” right?  Not all, but some, of the orphanages are rather exploitative, so be careful about which ones you get involved with.  I agree with the idea of helping children, especially when it comes to education; however, I don’t agree with some of the questionable practices involved with some of the orphanages

3)      Are the books open for the charity?  Most reputable charities in Nepal are proud to show where the money goes, and often provide an annual report, so check for these things.   Of course, they need to use some money to keep things running, pay for staff, transportation and any activities you participate in, but you should see some type of benefit to the community.    Some charities use all the actual cash money for providing activities that benefit a village or community, they do not and should not give out cash, but those benefits will be obvious.    And let’s be fair, the people running the organization have to eat and live, it is their job to run the place, organize things, hire a staff, etc. and they deserve to be paid.  Most volunteer organizations have a director and staff who deserve to be paid, but their salary is usually modest compared to those doing similar work in the “for profit” sector.

4)      Where will you stay? – This is very important.  Get all the details of what exactly you get with your volunteer assignment.  In Nepal it can range from nice volunteer house sharing with other volunteers, to village home-stay, to tents (if you’re on trek), to just about anything.   This I mention because just as I have seen volunteers coming from volunteer houses who have become great friends and roommates, I have also heard of the volunteer who paid $500 USD per week, to stay in a family home, and share a bed with one of the children.   She had no privacy, and rather uncomfortable conditions.    Staying in Nepal is often more Spartan than Westerners are used to, but for $500 a week, she could have stayed at on upscale hotel in Thamel.

5)      Will your work be meaningful?   I met a Australian nurse once who volunteered to work at a clinic in Chitwan.  Only after she arrived in Nepal did she learn her “license was not recognized” in Nepal, or so she was told, and she was relegated to “observing” people who were less qualified.    On the other hand, I knew an American nurse who worked for 2 months at a hospital in Kathmandu and ended up training the doctors on the latest technology he had just learned in the USA.   There was no reason one should have been allowed to work as opposed to the other, it’s just the American guy was better informed and chose a placement where he would be useful.    Licensing and rules in general are shifty here, so check and double check.    I could tell you many, many stories of volunteers who came here and did NOT get the volunteer experience they expected; and I could tell you an equal amount of those who had the best experience of their life volunteering in Nepal.  So, choose wisely.

6)      How large is the organization?  I find the happiest volunteers are working with small to medium organizations that have been around 5-10 years.   There are a few reasons I think.   First, the organization is small enough that you feel like you are part of a volunteer family; you get to know everyone involved.   Second, as mentioned before, these organizations are usually very focused, they do a handful of community projects that improve the lives of others; starting with one group at a time.   Three, smaller volunteer organizations are usually run by a passionate individual who just has the drive to help, they have invested their heart and soul into what they do and they never want to get so big they feel like they are running a business.    If you don’t think volunteering is a business, do some research on the business of volunteering in Nepal.  It will help you sort out who you want to work with.

So, you may be asking at this point, what about you?  Do you have a volunteer trek at TREKT Himalaya. Yes! We do!  And we are happy to offer it.  We hope to have more, similar things in the future.   So, what TREKT has done is team up with an organizations we respect and coordinate mutual support for the charities, Nepal communities and volunteers.  Benefits from our treks go directly to one of our chosen charities.

We provide a volunteer trekking experience.  Our idea when creating this is to combine two things that people want when they come to Nepal: helping the community and trekking.   A lot of volunteer organizations will allow you to add on a trek to your experience with one of the hundreds of trekking companies in Kathmandu, but it is at an extra cost, in addition to your volunteer fee.   Our Medical Trek is a volunteer adventure all rolled into one!  And it’s awesome!  (But don’t take our word for it — DO YOUR RESEARCH!)

Having said that, whether it is our “Voluntourism” treks or anything else, I encourage you to do your research, ask questions and then volunteer in Nepal.   And be sure to schedule in time for day trips and treks.

Have Volunteer questions?  Ask me Sandra@trekthimalaya.com  Also, read this post Know Before You Go to Nepal: How to Avoid Scams and Jams in Shangri-La

Here are some volunteer organizations I like, but there are many other good ones out there too:

The Mountain Fund

PA Nepal

Dalit Welfare Organization

Continue reading »]]> On the 28^th of July, the first day of the 2012 Olympic Games, Sneha Rana was the first of five Nepali athletes to represent the country this year, in her chosen sport of Shooting. She competed in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle event. The 19 year old athlete’s official personal best of 386 points was recorded at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.

While training in Kathmandu for the selection of women shooters for the Olympics, Rana broke the national Nepal women’s shooting record at 389 points, just ahead of the previous record of 388 points. She was expected by her coach to surpass this and reach 390 points at the Olympic games. While her coach expresses concerns about her lack of international exposure, her performance at the Asian Games was impressive, and is the start to a fulfilling career as a shooter – Rana has been shooting since the age of twelve, and her family is made up of shooters as well. Her uncle was at one point the national champion.

Rana’s final score in the qualification round was 383 points.

Her coach also believes that regardless of her performance at the 2012 Olympics, the competition will be valuable experience for the upcoming South Asian Games in India, and is confident she will begin to collect medals for her talent.

Continue reading »]]> Note from TREKT Founder Sandra BK:

As of Sep. 2012 – Trekkers in Nepal must hire at least a porter to take on trek.

I feel a personal victory with the announcement of the Nepal governments decision to not allow solo trekking in Nepal.  I have been on a “never trek alone” crusade since the disappearance of American Aubrey Sacco in 2010.  Our team at Hardcore Nepal  (TREKT’s parent company in Kathmandu) led a rock and rope search and rescue mission scaling cliffs in Langtang to try to help find her.   The search continues, but Aubrey is still missing, and no one is sure where, why or what happened to her.

Nepal is a beautiful place to travel.  You will experience a culture and landscape like no where else.  But going to remote areas of any country alone is never a wise idea.   Nepal is no more dangerous than France, America, or Australia – but would you go off into the Outback alone for a few weeks?  Probably not.

Be wise, take a guide… it’s now the law if you want to trek in Nepal Himalaya.   The Trekking Agents Association of Nepal can help tourists find a guide that meets any budget.

Reposted from Trekking Agents Association Nepal

Author:  Media Center

Continue reading »]]> The best time to travel in Nepal is up to you… that’s the true answer!  But I get this question a lot and so I thought I would share some insights into the seasons of the year and why you may choose one over the other.   Guidebooks like the Lonely Planet Nepal (which we LOVE) will tell you October and November are hands-down the best months for travel… and that might be true, but I’ll let you decide.

Let’s Ask the Question: What if I travel to Nepal in….

January & February - If you don’t mind the cold,  this is a great time to visit Nepal and get good deals.   You will also find less crowds in the tourist areas.   Can you trek in January?  You can, but I don’t recommend anything that involves high passes, particularly in the Annapurna and Langtang regions as they may be un-passable with ice and snow.

Boat ride in Chitwan Jungle Nepal

So what can you do?  How about Chitwan Jungle Safari or a trip to the Birthplace of the Buddha to Lumbini?  The areas are in the lower sub-tropical climate of Nepal, and really enjoyable at this time of the year.   For Himalayan views you could go to Gorkha or Pokhara or Nagarkot, but be sure to get up early as clouds may come in later to limit your peak viewing.

Don’t miss the holy festivals of this time of year – especially Shivaratri.  Usually in February this celebration of Lord Shiva attracts throngs of pilgrims to the Pashupatinath temples, many of who “take” an offering of prasad – a.k.a – they smoke ganga!

March & April – This is my favorite time of year!  Not sure if it’s Spring or something else in the air, but I just love April in Nepal.   My favorite thing is to hit the outdoor cafes at the Durbar Marq, Lazimpat, Patan Durbar Square or even Bouddha where I sit at the rooftop restaurants and drink beer and sprite mixed together (you know, a shandy or penache or Radler or spritzer – whatever they call it in your country).

Rooftop viewing is especially good for the color bash also know as Holi!  Be prepared during the Holi week for boys to bomb you with water balloons, and general color-filled hooliganism.  It’s fun, so just wear old clothes and join in!

This is also a good time for trekking, especially Everest Base Camp Trek and Langtang Trek.   You’ll find it less crowded then the Autumn season, but still lively.   Plus, you will see the splendor of the Rhododendron forests in full bloom.   Annapurna is possible, but prone to avalanches later in the Spring, so be aware of that.

May & June – Things heat up at this time of the year, and June can be downright miserable with heat (remember there is no air conditioning here) in Chitwan and farther south, but this is a great time to volunteer in Nepal  because you can still do some fun stuff before the monsoon rains come.

Climbing with Hardcore Nepal Team in Kathmandu

May is usually the final window for Himalayan peak climbing expeditions, so you will see lots of mountaineers descending on Kathmandu as they celebrate their climbing victories (or not) in the Nepal Himalaya.

This is also a great time for college students, high school students and families to visit Nepal.   It’s school break time and the weather will be hot and somewhat rainy, but you can still have fun adventures.  I recommend rafting, rock climbing lessons or one of the many kayaking clinics available.    Or how about Poon Hill Trek?  It’s a short trek and great for family or those who do not want such a strenuous trek.

July & August – Do you like rain?  Do you LOVE it?  If so, this is your time!  I love the monsoon.  Some people don’t, but rain is awesome and by this time of year, we need it.    There are some draw backs though, like – landslides, swollen rivers, flooded streets.  But hey, we get 24 hours electricity — they only time of year we don’t have some type of daily power outages.

If you like Buddhism, this would be a great time to go for a meditation retreats at one of the Buddhist monasteries like Kopan or Namo Bouddha.

August is also the time of Tij Festival (Women’s Festival) in Nepal and it’s a great chance to experience a beautiful family ritual and honor Nepali Women.   Try to do a village home stay during this time to get the most out of Tij.

September –  I like September because it’s my birthday month!  Birthdays are only catching on in Nepal. Most people don’t know their real birth date, so sometimes they make it up or just guess.    Many babies are still born at home in Nepal, so birth records are established whenever a person is required to get an ID card or passport.

Anyway, at the end of September we are starting the holiest of holy seasons in Nepal – Dasain.   You will see buses loaded inside and out (rooftop riding is the seat of choice for most) with people returning to their home villages to celebrate for the month long festivities.  Children are off school for 3 – 4 weeks as well.

If you are traveling in Nepal this time of year, be sure to reserve any local transportation like the Tourist Bus well in advance, or you will get left out!

If you are trekking in September — watch out for leeches!  They are all out after the monsoon rain, and will be until mid to late October.

Dipawali in Nepal – Puja for Laxmi

October & November – If you want to come in October and November, you will be one of thousands on the popular trekking routes in Nepal, as well as the might Himalayan Whitewater rapids which carry raft after raft of tourist down the rivers.    All the routes are crowded, but the BUZZ is so fun!  And Thamel is hopping – one big party every night.   This is trekking season!  Why? Because the weather in Nepal is nearly perfect, and the Himalayan views are majestic… no clouds, mist, fog or anything to spoil your photo ops.

In late October you get to experience the wonder of our Dipawali – Lights Festival.   All the building are lit with butter lamps and lights, mandala are made from tiki powder or grains and flowers and placed in front of doors as an offering to Laxmi Goddess of Prosperity.

December — This is a great time for trekking if you don’t mind a little cold, well sometimes freezing cold.  But I really like December.  It’s sunny and cold and not crowded.  You can get great bargains from the tourist shops in Thamel and usually a discount on treks or tours as things slow down.   Don’t expect the discount in the off season, but in December, I would definitely ask for a few dollars off my hotel room or a multi-day trip.

The downside of December in Nepal is there tends to be shortages of basic necessities like water and electricity. Expect 8-12 hours without power each day, and if you are at a home stay, hostel or apartment, expect limited water.

If your time off is not in the high seasons of October and November or March and April, there are still a million ways to enjoy Nepal.   So, what is the best time to travel in Nepal?  Whenever you can get here!