The Full Monty!

[Lee & Vicki]

In previous posts i have been advised to use Nepalese Guides/Porters and not large agencies that exploit their staff which i certainly shall do. What i need to know is how to organise the trip. Nepal will be the last stop our or RTW trip and we aim to be in Nepal from the end of April until the beginning of June.

Which trek should we do - ABC or circuit or EBC? (tea house not camping)
If EBC how easy is it to fit the lakes on to the trek?
If Annapurna is there a quick way to see Everest as well?
Do we need a guide and a porter or two porters etc? (we would liketo only carry a day pack each)
Should we book the Guide or Porter before we arrive in Nepal?
What is the going daily rate and what is included?
Do we need insurance for them?
Should we join a group or stick to my wife and I and the guides?
Do we need to aclimatise before we trek, if so for how long?
Is May a bad time to trek?

If there is anything else you could advise us in planning our Nepal stage please let me know.

Thank you very much.

[Sharon]

If EBC how easy is it to fit the lakes on to the trek?
I assume you mean Gokyo when you say lakes. It is easy, just add another week or so to the trek.

If Annapurna is there a quick way to see Everest as well? Take the sightseeing flight from Kathamndu to see Everst. Book early in the am as they never leave on time and the skies get clouds as it get later in the morning.

Do we need a guide and a porter or two porters etc? (we would liketo only carry a day pack each) Depends on the weight . If the packs are no greater than 30 kilo you have one porter, more weight two porters. I typically take 2 and we have packs of 23 kilo eacgh. Let the porters enjoy the work rather than abusing them. Visit www.hec.org for porter info.

Should we book the Guide or Porter before we arrive in Nepal? If you use the link on this site to the guide/porter refernces or a guide recommended by the site book ahead. If not book there. Then you know you are comfortable with him or her and their English.
What is the going daily rate and what is included? You can pay about $30 US a day for a guide and 2 porters. That includes their foodm, accommmodation, insurance etc. Depending on altitude I paid about 15 to 20 a day for my food and accommodation.
Do we need insurance for them? Yes, it will be included in their daily rate.

Should we join a group or stick to my wife and I and the guides? I would just go with them. Then if you want a another day to acclimatise at namche say, you can. No worries about others in your group. You'll meet loads of others on the trails.
Do we need to aclimatise before we trek, if so for how long? You acclimatize on the trek. The itinerary it set to allow it.

Is May a bad time to trek? No I trekked last May and loved it! I have been to Nepal 4 times. I can hardly wait to go back!

[Lee & Vicki]

Thank you very much for your answers.