Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board trekking in Nepal

I just got back from a 3 week trekking trip in Nepal. We went on the very popular Everest Base Camp Trek for our honeymoon. One word-AWSOME! We went with the REI guide service and were very pleased. Every day we saw mountains that dwarfed the Sierras, Cascades, and Rockies.

If you are thinking of going on this trip I have some advice:
1) Expect to get sick. Almost everybody in the group had a sinus infection or cough. A few people had GI problems at the end of the trip. They are caused by a combination of physical activity each day, altitude, chilly temps at night (teens-twenties), windy conditions, and dust. Basically don't get too sick to complete the trip.

2)With the REI service, the food was awsome! There were 14 people and 22 staff members (sherpa guides, cooks, porters, yak drivers). I felt the conditions were more sanitary during the trek than in Kathmandu.

3) It will be crowded in certain areas. About half the time we did not use the primary trail so it was not too bad. Our trail followed the same vallies, but we were up in the hills.

4)Don't rely on lodges or tea houses to be available in every town or village. Many guide agencies will reserve the entire lodge for clients. Most of the nights we camped in tents.

5) Use sanitary wipes a few times a day to wash your hands. The natives do not use toilet paper.

6) The large towns and villages do have internet access, but it may not be reliable. Our guides had cell phone service every day in specific areas.

7) Shops and stores prefer rupees over US$.

I'm not sure how to post pics on this post?

Yup on the sick part. Almost imposible to avoid.

Fantastic! Don't you think everyone should do the trek?

Only time I got sick was in Kathmandhu

Notice you never saw a Nepali man take a wiz?
I was told that because of the maternally-oriented family structure that both girls and boys all are taught to squat to pee, and out of sight. Not like us 'Texas Petes'.

There, aren't you glad about this trivia?

Like Cindy, I dream about going back every day.

Would you do the Everest basecamp trek again, or a different trek? A Nepal trek is on my bucket list, and I am wondering what folks recommend re: basecamp vs. other semi-popular routes.

Also on my bucket list
JMT
Kilimanjaro
Wonder Trail (Mt. Ranier)
[gotta add some South America destinations]

The only reason I would not do this again is because I did it...does that make sense? If you are thinking about it, do it. Annapurna would be on my list also.

I strongly suggest using a guide service. REI was great.