Nepal

• More about your oliver guide: Megan Harvey
• Trip type: Family, Mountains
• Activity level: high
• Ideal length of trip: 15-18 NIGHTS. 2 NIGHTS IN KATHMANDU, 2 NIGHTS IN POKHARA, 10 NIGHTS TREKKING AND THEN 1-2 DAYS IN POKHARA AND 1-2 NIGHT IN KATHMANDU.

to & from

Kathmandu is the international airport. From the west coast fly via Singapore, Hong Kong. From the east coast fly via Dubai.

Where to Stay

• We booked our trip through Nepal Independent Trekking Guide Cooperative. I HIGHLY recommend this trekking outfitter.
• I worked with Jagat Lama (jbl_20022003@yahoo.co.uk) to customize the perfect family 10 day trek. Jagat handled our ground transportation, hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, accommodations at tea houses, porters, and trekking permits. Our guide, Chandra Tamang was absolutely amazing. He was very kind, knowledgeable and flexible.
• We hiked 4-6 hours a day, stopping for lunch and sleeping in simple tea houses along the way.

Where to Eat and Drink

• In Kathmandu and Pokhara there are lots of restaurants to choose from serving western food as well as Nepali food. After our trek we were able to find pizza and frozen yogurt.
• Lots and lots of Dal Bat along the trail. Dal Bat is traditional Nepali food -- lentils and veggies.

What to Do

• Trek to ABC Annapurna Base Camp 14,000 feet
• Visit the sites of Kathmandu and the Thamel District.
• Visit NOH - Nepals Orphans Home (Family read; Little Princes by Conor Grennan for a better understanding)
• Play basketball with local children along the trek.
• Pet horses, bunnies, and baby goats along the trail.
• Sip tea or hot cocoa in a warm and cozy tea house.
• Soak in the Hot Spring at Jhniu.
• Watch the sunrise at Poon Hill.
• Remember your first glimpse of Machapuchare (Mount Fishtail)
• Mountain bike ride

inside scoop

• You need to use a trekking outfitter and highly recommend our outfitter and guide.
• Bring money with you on the trail. Your guide/porter will cover major expenses, (meals and lodging) but you will pay for water, snacks etc. There are ATMs in Pokhara.
• Pack layers, shorts/t-shirts to puffy coats and long underwear, baseball hats and warm hats. Its really cold at night and can get pretty warm during the day.
• Pack a comprehensive medical kit. Your outfitter will provide a good checklist in advance.
• There is no bottled water for sale. Each tea house has a filtration system from which you can purchase water for your own bottle/ camel bak. We added water purification tablets on top of that as an extra precaution.
• Nepal is a very poor country and they have had more then their fair share of hardship. Now more then ever they need our tourist dollars. We felt safe the entire time we were there and had every thing that we needed. The Nepali people are so friendly and welcoming. The tourism structure is very much intact. Sadly, the lack of resources effects the Nepali people, NOT the tourists.