First trip to Nepal

[Fred Runkel]

Yakshaver,

Thanks for the tips - They will give me a good start. The more I get into the organization, the more I think one or two days in KTM before the trek starts are important as well. That would leave us time for only a shorter trek of nine days or so with hopefully enough ACM stops to keep this from being a problem. With these prerequisites, would we be able to work in a leisurely trek to Annapurna Sanctuary? I am now convinced ( and your recommenation confirmed) that ABC and AC would be too much.

The other option we have in mind is the Everest region. Namche, Tengboche Monastery and a possible hike up Waboche Hill, on a day trip. Again, and you confirmed, Gokyo would be too far.

Would need to choose something that will leave a great impression of Nepal for a first trip so as to ensure further trips (mostly an issue for my partner at present)

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Fred

[jessica]

Adventure Thirdpole is the reliable agency I receommend you to do your terk with Thirdpole. Contact to Mr Raj or Deepak.at thirdpole@wlink.com.np

If you need to ask any question please contact me at jessica@australiamail.com

Regards, Jessica

[Fred Runkel]

Dear Yakshaver and Chris,
Have been away for about one week and just got back today. Many thanks for the replies. In short we are narrowing ourselves down to a trip where we can trek about four hours or so per day, allowing the trip to be leisurely and not at all stressful. Have an itinerary of two choices:

Trip one:
Monday - Arrive KTM
Tuesday - KTM
WEd - Ktm - Lukla - Phadking (sp)
Thurs - Phakding - Monse
Fri - Monse - Namche Basaar
Sat - Namche
Sunday - Namche - Tengboche
Monday Tengboche
Tuesday - tengboche to Namche
Wed. Namche - Phakding
Thurs - Phadking - Lukla and flight
Friday - Reserve day
Saturday - Day in KTM
Sunday Flight

Does this sound doable?

Second option is still ABC. Received an email at home from someone warning that people were killed last year on the ABC trek. I believe it was someone who wanted to offer their services as a guide, but am not sure. He (posing as a she) suggested also that ABC is a much cleaner area than Khumbu. Is there any truth to this statement?

Any comments or suggestions on the above trek. Also is there a way to get from Namche to Lukla without having to retrace steps?

Many thanks again.

Fred

[Chris]

Fred, once again Yakshaver is right. The second night in Monjo is not necessary. I beleive a couple of the larger adventure companies actually own lodges there so it is in their best interest to have clients stay. Alternatively you can opt to stay at Monjo instrad of Phakding as it is only a further 2 1/2 hours up the trail.

Safety risks? Do you mean avalanches? If you do then they would be of no concern on your proposed Khumbu trek.

[yakshaver]

Chris,

Do you mind giving me the contact/email for your friends in Nepal? As there are many people asking me for advice and reliable guides or agencies (ahmmm! yakshaver looking smug here...) I would not mind contacting them, maybe meeting them when I am there in April or early May.

[yakshaver]

sorry Chris, above is my email

[Chris]

Hi Fred,

This is one thing that is really out of your control. The main reason flights are cancelled is due to bad weather which in the mountains we all know can occur at any time. Sometimes a flight can be cancelled by the airline for no apparent reason (Nepal Air seem to be the main culprit here so avoid them) All the airlines have an office in Lukla, which open for only a couple of hours each afternoon. When you arrive back in Lukla you must confirm your seats. All you can do then is sit back, relax and pray the weather gods will shine for you.

The lodge owner at the Eco-Paradise where we have stayed a couple of times, does all the running around to each airline office for all his guests just as an additional service. The Eco-Paradise Lodge is comfy, has great food and is right next to the runway.

This is why it is advisable to have a couple of days up your sleeve to spend in ktm after the trek. They can cover this contingency in need.

To describe the flights as "extremely unreliable" in my opinion is exaggerated, but I suppose it depends on the time of year. I have flown out from Lukla twice, both in mid April without a problem.

Cheers

[Fred Runkel]

Dear Chris and Yakshaver,

We are just a few days from departure. Thanks so much for all of your help. We are very much looking forward to the experience and hope we will be able to smile back upon it when it is all over.

Yakshaver, I hope you have a great trek as well. We are doing Monjo, Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche and Chhukung and return. May see you there.

Fred

[Chris]

Hi Fred,

Have a great trek, let us know your thoughts and experiences when you get back.

Chris