Ensuring a safe trekking vacation in Nepal
The purpose of the Trekking safety in Nepal blog post is to make trekkers aware of their options. Safety is always the main consideration for travelers in Nepal. It has grown even more crucial during the corona epidemic. When it comes to the majestic Himalayas, safety is a two-fold relationship. The first concerns safety when traveling in the Himalayas, and the second is connected to cleanliness, sanitation, and social isolation in the event of a covid-19 epidemic.
Is it safe to travel to Nepal after COVID-10?
The safety concern after the Corona Virus pandemic is definitely is the major aspect to travel Nepal. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, globally there is a controlled transfer border travel and also inside the country. Coronavirus is still a problem all over the world. This has hampered travel plans all throughout the world. Many nations have imposed travel restrictions during this period.
Now, the campaign of Corona Vaccination has brought new hopes to the world. Slowly, domestic tourism has been starting and people choose to travel by following the safety measures. Eventually, it’s time for planning international tours and travels. It’s the time to explore your dream and further plan for a memorable trip after a year of the lockdown. It’s time to rehearsal your travel plan in the new destination. The moment comes to enjoy with your loved ones as well as family members together in the new land. So, don’t do late to choose your new destination by following all the safety measures.
If you are planning for the trek, Nepal would be your ideal choice. Nepal is the right place to quench your thrust of trekking with all kinds of the Himalayas available as per your interest and skills.
Preparation for the trekking in Nepal
Nepal offers all kinds of Himalayas for the trekkers and you have a choice for the basic to challenging trekking in Nepal. The first thing you have to prepare for a trek is to identify the challenges you are up for the trek before you leave. In order to avoid trekking accidents in Nepal, you must have to be aware of the good weather and the safety of altitude sickness.
Weather-related trekking safety in Nepal
Nepal has predictable weather if you choose the right time of the year for trekking. However, sometimes sudden snowfall can occur in some areas throughout the year. This demands you to make sure you check the right weather and weather conditions before trekking. There are some tips for you to follow so that you will not be trapped in the bad weather situation during trekking.
- Escape with the off-season for trekking especially during the monsoon months of May, June, July, and August
- Check the weather forecasts frequently which save you from the bad weather condition
- Always look and observe the heavy clouds and fog
Avalanches
Avalanches can occur at any time in the higher altitudes throughout the year. You must be careful and informed that there is a high risk of an avalanche after heavy snowfall. Therefore, in order to avoid the risk of avalanches, you must stay in a safe place when the weather forecast predicts the heavy snowfall of the earthquake. Also, you must be extra careful with the uneven ground and watch for the falling rocks.
Altitude Sickness related trekking safety in Nepal
Another thing the trekkers must be informed about is Altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is a real danger if you are trekking in the high-altitude mountains of Nepal. Altitude sickness occurs when your body could not adjust to the environment without getting a sufficient amount of oxygen from the air. When you are trekking at a high altitude, please do not rush but walk very slowly. Stay hydrated and cut back on sugar. When you are walking towards the uphill, you should consult with the guide and also find out how high is the trekking point. Furthermore, you should acclimatize with the travel safety expert team.
Types of Trekking in Nepal
The popular trekking routes of Nepal have all the amenities and facilities and it is relatively safer than the off-the-beaten-path trek. However, we recommend doing the trek with a guide even on the popular routes. If you are trekking for the first time, we recommend you to be sticking to the given routes and always go trekking with a guide. But if you are planning to take different experiences in the off-the-beaten trail, we recommend you to have an experienced guide and also research densely about the trek you are planning to do.
The trail route mostly consists of rocks and flags. However, there might have snowfall sometimes. If snowfall erases the route, you can follow the rocks.
Trekker’s group size
An accompanying guide and a partner would help you to explore the trek easily. Having a guide within the trek helps you during hard situations. The guide is aware of all the possible safety during the hard times since the guide is experienced in tackling the situations in the Himalayas. The single traveler mostly chooses the trekking routes like Ghandruk, Ghorepani, Poon Hill, ABC, and Annapurna Circuit trek. As per the guide’s experience, the ideal group size is 4 to 10 people.
What should be on the Packing list?
When you are planning to do trekking in Nepal, you must pack some of the items necessary. The items are as follows:
- Trekking Poles
- Good quality trekking shoes, trekking bag
- Sunglasses with UV protection and above 40 SPF sunscreen
- Water purification tablets
- Ear Muffs or ear-covering caps
- Oral rehydration solution
- Pain Balm
- Insect repellent
- Instant heating pad (If you are trekking in very cold and snow-covered areas)
Interaction with the Locals
Guest are valued as God in the Nepalese culture. Most Nepali people in the local village are very friendly and hospitable. Some people are very frank and want to talk with the guest as they are very happy and anxious to please you as their guests. Since the hotels are run by the local people in the trekking destinations, you can trust the hotel owners, shopkeepers as well as travel agents. However, we suggest you not disclose the valuable goods you are carrying with anyone in the hotel, lodge, and guest house.
Trekking and Associated Risks
1. High Altitude Sickness (Acute mountain sickness)
Trekking in the high altitude is always adventurous and it always associates the risk of altitude sickness. However, mild cases of headache, breathing difficulty, and nausea are the normal symptoms of altitude sickness. But neglecting minor symptoms may cause serious problems. Therefore, you must share everything you feel with the guide and take a precaution as soon as possible. You must be careful with your health and the differences you feel about yourself while trekking and take a further step. That saves you from the possible physical harm and seriousness.
2. Alert with Animal
Yaks are commonly seen when trekking in the Himalayan area. In the Himalayas, it’s largely utilized for moving commodities. Also, you may have encountered dogs and sheep along the route, and a lack of knowledge about how to deal with these animals might result in hurt and place you in dangerous circumstances. As a result, if you come across animals while hiking, you should confer with a guide.
The walk also exposes you to bug bites and leeches. Leeches are generally linked to humans and suck blood until they are full. The leaches are not harmful, but they can cause anxiety and fear.
3. Overexertion
Trekking offers a broad range of opportunities to learn about the flora and animals of the Himalayas. However, you must walk for multiple days in a row, which is not an easy chore for everyone. When the days are too hot or too cold, hiking can be challenging, especially if the paths are steep. During the walk, you used a lot of energy. As a result, you must replenish yourself with nutrient-dense meals and get enough rest. However, do not push your body to do anything it does not want to do if it is uncomfortable with you and hesitant to put your body at risk of overexertion.
4. Injuries due to slippery trail
Some trails are steep in nature but we can walk them easily if there is no rain and snow-covered. But during the rainfall and the trail is covered by the snow, there might have chances of falling slipping, and injuring yourself. Therefore, you must be careful of the slippery road.
5. GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) as a factor of trekking safety in Nepal
Although there is a probability of a glacial lake outburst, the odds are extremely low and infrequent. GLOF occurs when glacial water is discharged quickly owing to high water pressure. If this happens, it will be a cataclysmic tragedy and the most destructive one yet. However, the chances are quite slim.
6. Food Poisoning and Dehydration
The purpose of this page is to make trekkers aware of their options. Safety is always the main consideration for travelers in Nepal. It has grown even more crucial during the corona epidemic. When it comes to the majestic Himalayas, safety is a two-fold relationship. The first concerns safety when traveling in the Himalayas, and the second is connected to cleanliness, sanitation, and social isolation in the event of a covid-19 epidemic.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the globe remained under lockdown for a long time. Coronavirus is still a problem all over the world. This has hampered travel plans all throughout the world. Many nations have imposed travel restrictions during this period. The lockdown and border restrictions have resulted in a significant increase in crime.
7. Other Risk factors to consider as trekking safety in Nepal
Besides this, there are other risks associated with trekking. They are frostbiting, snow blindness, emotional exhaustion. Therefore, you must be physically and mentally fit for trekking.
Risk minimizing Asset
- A well-trained guide and porters who are professionals in dealing with altitude sickness will accompany you. As a result, hiring guides and porters can assist to reduce danger.
While the guides are experienced with the animals along the road, there is a chance of a Yak attack while hiking. However, following the instructions will assist you in avoiding this danger. This attack can sometimes affect the guide and porter as well. However, this is not a major or hazardous situation. - Another danger is a slick track on the hiking routes, which makes trekkers vulnerable because they are unfamiliar with the route and trail. As a result, they must proceed with caution down this path.
- There is a risk of GLOF on occasion, although it is quite unlikely. When this occurs, though, it causes severe trauma and harms everyone.
- Also, because the trekkers are unfamiliar with the local cuisine and are unable to maintain sanitation during the hike, there is a risk of food illness. They may get food poisoning as a result of this. As a result, trekkers must understand what foods suit them and what foods do not, as well as avoid items that are not suitable for them.
Trekking Safety in Nepal: Necessary Measures
- You must set your own vehicle criteria and consult with the operator for a comfortable and safe vehicle that will make your trekking enjoyable and relaxing. We encourage you not to sacrifice your safety for a lower price.
- As an operator, we give you the necessary packing instructions before departure. So that you may make your own packing list based on the operator’s and guide’s recommendations. There may be some items that are essential to you, and bringing such items makes your vacation easier and more enjoyable while also protecting you from potential danger and injury.
- Prior to the journey, we also offer you information on what to do and what not to do. This will help you get the most out of your mountain hiking experience. In addition, the guides will assist you in avoiding animal assaults and their behavior, lowering the possible risk involved with hiking.
- We are really concerned about hikers’ safety, thus we are always wary of weather conditions and their possible danger. If there is any threat, we will notify you and change our strategy. We’ll adjust our plans and go forward whenever the weather improves.
- If you find yourself in an emergency scenario, our knowledgeable guide and porter will assist you in reducing danger and dealing with the problem. They’ll deftly handle the problem before causing any harm.
- Our guides will urge you to drink water regularly, which will help you prevent dehydration. They are familiar with the local culture, traditions, and way of life. If you follow the advice in the handbook, you will have fewer risks and issues.
Trekking in Nepal: Safety Tips
Preparing for your adventure by planning ahead of time.
A well-planned trip never goes bad. Because you have a strategy for the trek, you will be able to keep up with all the details. You’ll have figured out what to do and what not to do by now. You’ll know when the best time is to go, what resources you’ll need, and how to prepare for the journey. Furthermore, you will be one step ahead of the challenges if you have a strategy to implement.
Train yourself for the terrain.
In this case, preparation entails physical exercise. The majority of Nepal’s treks are high-altitude, difficult, steep, and exhausting. You must plan adequately for Nepalese mountain trails. It’s even more important to prepare if this is your first hike. Allow yourself to indulge and devote yourself to various cardio exercises such as jogging, swimming, cycling, and so on. Those actions will assist you in achieving the essential level of pain endurance for the journey.
Do some research about the place you want to go
Getting all of the relevant information on the journey you’re planning can assist you in better comprehending where you’re going. Basic knowledge about the people, culture and tourist attractions may include in the information. Furthermore, knowing a few phrases of the local language will help you relax when you arrive at your location. Furthermore, learning the region’s dos and don’ts is highly recommended. This will not only keep you out of danger, but it will also allow you to properly investigate the region.
Travel in a group or with a trusted travel service
When traveling alone, one can enjoy personal independence. A single trekker, on the other hand, may incur several difficulties and issues. It is not a good idea to put one’s own safety at risk. Traveling alone in an unfamiliar place has a number of risks that you may have to deal with on your own.
Purchase travel insurance
All of your injuries and evacuation expenses are insured by travel insurance. To go on a challenging hike, you must have travel insurance that covers accidental, medical, and evacuation. If something goes wrong, the insurance will cover all treatment costs.
Learn everything there is to know about altitude Sickness
Nepal is nestled in the Himalayas, the world’s tallest mountain range. And the majority of the hike takes place in the highlands around the mountains. Mountain sickness might strike you while on any of the high-altitude climbs. So, learn about the sign and symptoms of the sickness and cure measures for it.
Avoid ingesting alcoholic beverages.
We highly advise against drinking alcoholic beverages when trekking at high altitudes. You will sweat profusely when mountain walking. In addition to losing bodily fluids, alcohol dehydrates the body in a unique way. A dehydrated body is more susceptible to illness. To avoid this danger, avoid consuming alcohol or engaging in other intoxicating activities. Rather, drink plenty of water to keep hydrated all of the time.
If you’re feeling anxious, don’t continue ascending
Increasing your elevation while feeling unpleasant is the most dangerous thing you can do. If you don’t feel well, get down as soon as possible; else, you might suffer catastrophic repercussions.
When you leave a rest stop, double-check your belongings
Naturally, you may become overly enthusiastic in your new surroundings, neglecting to bring crucial items with you. Keep an eye on your valuables at all times.
Respect for the people and values of the area
Do not act in a way that is insulting to the natives. When their dignity is on the line, Nepalese are the sweetest people on the planet, but they can also be furious. Wear a grin on your face at all times, and they will return the greeting.
Follow the advice of your trek guide
You’ll be given an activity and tour briefing schedule; pay attention to it. You should constantly follow your guide’s direction or keep close to his sight. You can become lost in an unfamiliar environment if you are not in sight of your guide. There’s a risk you’ll be discovered by nearby danger. Even if you wish to explore or travel on your own, inform your guide.