Himalayan Odyssey

 

TREKS FOR ALLL

 

We offer a full range of Himalayan treks of varying lengths and difficulty levels to suit all preferences, age groups and levels of experience. We also offer a wide selection of treks that are guaranteed for departure, which anybody can join, and which operate on pre-selected dates throughout the season. We can take you on an easy trek of a few days’ duration to a full-scale mountaineering expedition.

We have organized adventure trips for filming groups, students, botanists, bird watchers, individuals, groups of friends, and families with small children. Those with special needs have also enjoyed our customized treks.

TREK GRADES

 

Our treks have been graded on the basis of challenge and difficulty level to help you choose the item you want. The classification is determined according to a variety of factors like altitudes covered, length of trek, degree of difficulty, and the number of hours of walking required each day.

Easy Treks: 

 

These treks are like an extended nature walk and anyone can enjoy them. You won’t be walking for more than four to five hours each day and the trails don’t reach very high altitudes. The treks are short and do not require much strenuous physical exertion. The temperature is generally pleasant. Ordinary physical preparation is enough.

Vigorous treks: 

These treks involve walking about six hours each day. Maximum altitudes traversed are 3,000m in the Annapurna region and 4,000m in the Everest region. These treks are designed for the people of average fitness. A moderate program of physical preparation is recommended.

Strenuous treks:  

On these treks, you will be walking about six to seven hours each day. The altitude will occasionally reach above 5,000m and the treks may be of several weeks’ duration. You have to be in very good physical shape and there will be some really arduous days on the trail. A strong program of physical preparation is recommended.

Climbing/ Alpine treks: 

  These extremely demanding treks are for weathered veterans and hard-core adventurers. You will be travelling in very remote mountainous areas and the trails sometimes reach altitude in excess of 5,400m. The treks will involve crossing high mountain passes and even include climbing a "trekking peak".

There are 18 summits in the Himalayan between 5,587m and 6,854m known as trekking peaks. They can be climbed with permission from the Nepal Mountaineering Association and the payment of a peak fee. Participants should know how to use an ice axe, crampons and other climbing equipment, and must produce a health certificate. Climbers should bring their own climbing equipment such as fixed and climbing ropes, ice axe, crampon, ice pitons, harness, and other items.

 

Tented Treks

 

On a tented, we take along all the necessary food and camping equipment. This way we are able to set our own pace and travel through places untouched by mass tourism. Porters, yaks of ponies carry all camping equipment, food and personal baggage. All you have to carry is a small daypack with a water bottle, camera, pullover, and whatever you think you might need during the day. When you reach camp, efficient support staffs pitch the tents, the cooks fix delicious semi-Western type meals, and the trek leader acquaints you with the local culture and customs. You sit back and enjoy your holiday.

 

Tea house treks:  

 

On some very popular trekking routes, where there are tea houses and small lodges all along the trails, we also offer treks with modest accommodation and a reasonable standard of food. These treks are known as "tea house treks" because trekkers stay at the teahouses on the trails. These lodges are quite basic, but they offer foam mattresses in twin-share as well as dormitory-style accommodation. Tea house trekking is done in the Everest and Annapurna regions because of the abundance of accommodation here, and since camping in the open no longer makes much sense. These treks are operated with a leader, guides and porters to carry your personal items. Meals are not included, leaving you free to choose from the great variety of local menus available.

 

A day on the Trail;  

 

A trekking day usually keeps to a pattern. But this may vary drastically on days when you are crossing a pass or climbing a peak or when local conditions force changes in the itinerary.

 

6-6.30 am: A typical day on the trail begins with a hot cup of tea and a bowl of warm water for washing.
7 am: Time for breakfast. It generator consists of local bread of toast, biscuits, musli, granola, cereal, eggs, and tea of coffee.
7.30-8.00 am: We hit the trail and walk for three to four hours. The pace is leisurely, no rush, and there will be plenty of time to explore local villages and take photographs on the way.
12noon: We break for lunch, which generally consists of local breads with butter, cheese, potatoes, a hot vegetables dish, meat, and drinks. Lunchtime is spent beside a river or in a peaceful mountain meadow.
1.30-2pm: We resume walking and reach our campsite by mid-after-noon. The rest of the day is free to wander around, fill in your diary or visit a nearby village of monastery. Meanwhile, the staff will be setting up camp and preparing dinner.
6-6.30: Dinner is served in the mess tent. After a delicious three-course meal, the sun goes down and so does the temperature. Some retire to the warmth of the sleeping bag while others hang around the mess tent to recount tales of the day.

 

Trekking seasons:  

 

The best time of the trek in Nepal is during spring (February through May) and autumn (September through November). Warm days and clear skies make this season for trekking. December and January are also good but the air can be quite cold at high altitudes. The monsoon season lasts from June through August. These three rainy months are characterized by clouds, humid heat at lower altitudes, an abundance of leeches, and slippery trails. Monsoon does not mean a period of continuous rain, however, and there are sunny days now and then. Even though travel during this season is not entirely impossible, the mountains are hidden behind the clouds most of the time and, therefore, not as preferable as spring or autumn for trekking.
But this time of the year is perfect for trekking in the rain-shadow regions north of the Himalayan-like Mustang, Dolpo, Humla, and the Jumla-Rara Lake regions of Nepal, dry mountain country of Ladakh in northwest India, the Karakoram mountains in Pakistan, and the high plateau country of Tibet. These regions are out of reach of the rain clouds because of the massive Himalayan barrier, and thus they are largely unaffected by the monsoon.

 

Trekking Group: 

 

Our long experience has shown us that a small group with international mix of members makes for a harmonious company on the trail. Our trekking groups have a maximum of 15 members resulting in a very enjoyable trip. Often we take fewer members, which allows greater flexibility and attention to personal interests so that there is no rigidity of any kind.

 

Pre-Trek preparation

 

There are a few preparations you need to make before you leave on your trek so that the trip is enjoyable and comfortable.

You have to bring the following items of clothing:

  1. Boots/sandshoes: A pair of walking boots that are comfortable and give good ankle support. The boots must be broken in well before the trek starts. Sandshoes should be comfortable for wearing around the camp.
  2. Anorak/parka jacket: A water and wind proof jacket is essential for those going on high-altitude treks. Woolen shirts, T-shirts and thick pullover: T-shirts are best as everyday wear for lower altitudes. You will need around two or three of them. One light and warm shirt is necessary for high altitudes and a light long sleeved shirt are good protection against sunburn.
  3. Shorts/skirts/trousers/track suit: They are ideal for wearing during the day. Knee length and woolen trousers are better than jeans. Thermal underwear is advised for high altitudes and cottons for lower ands warmer altitudes. It is necessary to wear a woolen cap at high altitudes, as a lot of body heat is lost through the head. Also bring a cotton sun hat for protection against sunburn. A pair of woolen gloves and the three pairs of cotton and woolen socks are required.

 

The following equipment will be provided to you be Himalayan Odyssey Pvt. Ltd.:

1.Sleeping bag/foam mattress: High quality, down sleeping bags along with cotton inner sheet as well as foam mattresses are provided on all trek.

2.Tents: Two-man, high quality, and expedition grade tents are provided for sleeping in. The tents have sewn-in ground sheets and Zipper openings. They provide ample space for two persons. A latrine tent and toilet paper are also provided.

3.Mess tent: All meals on the trek are served in the mess tent. Chairs and tables are provided.

Competitive Rates: Our rates are competitive since our overhead expenses are low. We are locally based and operate all the trips ourselves. This helps us to keep costs to a minimum. We offer all-inclusive trips, and the rates include everything from the most expensive items like tents, sleeping bags, warm jackets, and sleeping mats to the ordinary city map.