Makalu Base Camp Trekking

You can find good places to trek somewhere in the Himalayas at anytime of the year. However, for most regions, the best time is from October to May, with October to November having the best weather for trekking. During the autumn, nights are cold in the high Himalaya, but the bright sun makes for a pleasant daytime temperature (20 degrees centigrade to 5 degrees centigrade in the night). Above 3500m, the temperature range goes down to -10 degrees centigrade, and in winter (Dec-Jan), it is about 10 degrees colder.

While you do not need to be super-fit, you need to be fit enough to comfortably walk for 5–6 hours per day in the mountains on reasonable trails. Most of our customers have an interest in walking in the hills or countryside of their homeland and are used to similar daily trips.

We pride ourselves on our small group approach to adventure travel. Small groups allow you to share great company without crowding your experience. Our typical groups range in size from 2 up to 8. One of the attractions of such a trip is the chance to meet people with different backgrounds and personalities.

If this is the case, we can organize a personalized trek for you. Additionally, if you want to spend more time in Kathmandu before or after a trek, we can organize the hotels and quote you a price.

If you are a group of four or more, the trip is guaranteed to run.

Usually, our clients simply bring their existing clothing and equipment and, if necessary, supplement this with some extra items purchased cheaply in Kathmandu.

What gear to bring?

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Photos for Nepal visa on arrival:
• Travel insurance (with photocopies)
• flight tickets (photocopies)
• Daypack for daily personal items

For Trekking:

• Walking boots
• Light sandals or plimsolls to wear in the lodges
• 2 pairs of underwear.
• 2 pairs of walking socks.
• 2 thick fleece or warm shirts
• 1 pair thin thermal underwear
• Long trousers for walking (or a long skirt for women)
• T-shirt
• Shorts
• Gloves (it’s cold on the Thorung La, Laurebina Pass and Cho La)
• A warm hat which covers your ears (for the Kali Gandaki and Thorung La – it’s windy)
• Base ball caps or broad brim hats to keep the sun off (Australian Barmah recommended)
• Sunglasses (vital)
• Sun cream
• Soap dish and soap
• small towel
• Toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Wet wipes or moist towelettes
• Hand sanitizing lotion
• Head torch
• Moisturizer, Lip balm
• Tampons are hard to buy in rural areas.
• Ear plugs for light sleepers
• Toiletries
• Sheet of plastic (use as a poncho if it rains)
• 1 toilet paper roll. You can buy more on the way.
• 2 large plastic bags. One for smelly clothes, one for things that must be kept dry.
• A small, good quality padlock
• Water bottle
• Iodine tablets for water purification
• Protein bars, chocolate, dried fruits, candies, and snack foods.

Notes: All of the trekking items are available in Kathmandu at nominal prices. However, we suggest you bring hiking boots from your home country if you decide to purchase these items in Kathmandu.

Yes, all hotels provide storage facilities for free.

Personal travel insurance is not included in the tour price. It is a condition of booking a tour with Green Lotus Trekking, and your responsibility to ensure that the type of tour you are undertaking, the policy must include satisfactory cover for repatriation, high altitudes, trekking and climbing, and helicopter rescue. Please forward your insurance details (e.g. policy number, 24-hour emergency telephone number, and name of insurance company) to Green Lotus Trekking when available.

Yes. You can apply in your home country through the Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or obtain it at the airport on arrival by paying a fee as below:

• Multiple entries for 15 days: $25 USD
• Multiple entries for 30 days: $40 USD
• Multiple entries within 90 days: US $100

Notes: We suggest you bring the exact change. You also need to bring two passport-size photos.

Tourist Visa Extension

The visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency, and the visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day.

A tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January–December).

Gratis (Free) Visa

A gratis visa for 30 days is available only for tourists from SAARC countries.

Indian nationals do not require a visa to enter Nepal.

I am a single traveler. How does this work?

Normally, single trekkers have no problems fitting in with a group. Normally single trekkers share rooms or lodges with other trekkers of the same sex, but if we have an odd-number we ensure that a room or lodge is organised accordingly.

To confirm your booking, we will require a deposit of $250 for treks and $300 for peak climbing, which can be made by bank transfer or online through paypal.com (the leading transaction site). The balance is payable on arrival in Kathmandu with cash or traveler’s cheque. Alternatively, the balance can be paid by bank transfer or PayPal shortly before arriving in Kathmandu.

The following details are needed to process your trekking permit, national park permit, flight booking etc.

1. Gender:
2. First Name:
3. Last Name:
4. Passport number:
5. Expiry date:
6. Issue location:
7. Nationality:
8. Year of birth:
9. Occupation:
10. Your arrival details (time, date, flight number, airline):

All the above info can be sent electronically via email.

You will typically walk 4–9 miles (5-8 hours) each day. Some days may be rest days for impromptu exploration. In high and steep areas, you may move more slowly. Most people begin to feel the effects of high altitude over about 2000 meters, and your trekking pace is always adjusted to permit safe acclimatization. Our treks follow established trails used by local people. You will probably carry only a light daypack.

You can hike at your own pace, stopping when you wish. There is ample time to cover the necessary hiking distance each day with lots of stops. If you are on a private trek, you may wish to take more or fewer days to cover a given distance, or add in rest days. If you like to hike fast, your guide will be concerned that you acclimatize to high altitude effectively. You may wish to reach camp at a measured pace, but take a side hike after arriving at camp. Your guide is always interested in learning about your personal interests and accommodating those interests as the trip permits.

Altitude sickness, often known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a particularly important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3000 meters. The initial symptoms of AMS are as follows:

• nausea, vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia or sleeplessness
• Persistent headaches
• Dizziness, light headaches, confusion,
• Disorientation, drunken gait
• Weakness, fatigue, lassitude, heavy legs, slight swelling of hands and face.
• Breathlessness and breathing irregularly
• Reduced urine output

These symptoms are to be taken very seriously. In the event of the appearance of any of the above symptoms, any further ascent should be reconsidered; otherwise more serious problems can occur, which can cause death, sometimes within a few hours. The only cure for altitude sickness is to descend to lower elevations immediately. Acclimatization by ascending to no more than 300 to 500 meters per day above 3000 meters and the proper amount of rest are the best methods for prevention of AMS.

Our itineraries are designed so that our clients ascend at a sensible and safe rate. The effects of altitude are felt by everyone, even the Sherpas, but most people find that gentle acclimatization allows them to reach their high point without any problems.

Accommodation: There are a number of lodges along the popular trekking routes in the Annapurna, Everest, and Langtang regions. These lodges are called “Tea House Lodges” and are managed by local people. Private rooms, dormitories, toilets, shower rooms with hot and cold water, and one attached restaurant are among the basic requirements for overnight accommodation at these lodges.The quality of food offered might vary from lodge to lodge, but most serve simple and hygienic meals. The teahouse trek provides you an opportunity to feel the warm hospitality of friendly Nepali hosts. The money you spend goes to the local community.

Camping Trekking

In a typical camping trip, each pair of trekkers will sleep in a spacious mountain tent with a durable rain fly and full insect netting. The tent is fitted with foam mattresses. When your campsite is near villages or lodges, you may be invited to sleep in the lodges or homes of local people.

Breakfast options include oatmeal,French toast,Chapatti, Tibetan bread, eggs, pancakes, muesli, and for lunch or dinner you can have sandwiches, soups, momo (dumplings), macaroni dishes, pizzas, noodles, steak, dal bhat (rice, lentil, veg platter), pasta, etc.

Our trekking guides are carefully selected for their ability and are generally from Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, Magar, and other communities from remote mountain villages. Each guide is trained in eco-friendly trekking methods and safety measures. They help to maintain your health and your happiness as well as the crew members. Our guides are committed to making sure that all our trekkers have an enjoyable trek, come back safe and are overwhelmed by their experience. Your guide will be a friend and companion, who takes pleasure in showing you his country’s specialties and, perhaps, meeting his home and family too.

The majority of the fees our clients pay go directly into the community where you trek.

Tipping is at your discretion and always appreciated. A good rule of thumb is anywhere from $2–5 dollars per day for the guide and $1.5–3 dollars per day per porter. The total amount can then be divided among the group.

Please have them contact us at any of the following numbers:

Cells: +977-9841250258, +977-9841269376

We check email frequently throughout the day, so you could also write to our email: info@green-lotus-trekking.com if it’s not urgent.