FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)Q: What is Trekking?
A:Trekking is simply walking at your own pace through established trails whereby you will enjoy Nature and people in the remote mountain villages. You will have "Trekking Guide" to lead your way and "Porter" to carry your luggage. Q:Why should I Trek?
A: Trekking gives you the chance to develop relationship with people, cultural and environment dramatically different from your own. You travel at modest pace absorbing a continuity of nature, communities and high mountains in way that gives a much better perspective then rapid, vehicle-based travel. The guide, Porters and other staff that make your trip possible become part of your experience through their service, cultural insights, and hospitality. You will return from a Mountain Zones trek with a new perspective on your own life as well as a better understanding of how the other you have met live their lives.
Q: What kind of terrain do I cross on a Trek?
A: Many trekkers confront the longest and steepest hills of their hiking experience soon after beginning a trek. The unique characteristics of cultural and natural environment in the Himalayas result from the diversity created by altitudinal variation. You can be crossing snowfields in the morning and be bathing in sub-tropical streams by mid-afternoon. For most part, trekking routes are well traveled by local people, but completely unmarked with sign. Except in the case of ridge top trails and path along river courses, trails tend to follow the contours of the land and the land is seldom level. Typically, a trek will pass through one or two villages each day. You will cross and re-cross rivers, by foot and by suspension or long bridge. Above 6,000 feet in Nepal trails often pass through thick forest of rhododendron, bamboo, oak and hemlock. Above 12,000 feet, the alpine meadows are usually barren. Generally, trekking does not require any special skills or mountaineering equipment.
Q: What is the trek duration?
A: The duration of the trek depends on the region of the trek and on interests which you have. Normally your trek can range from 2-3 days to month time or longer periods if you wish. Even the same trek can be of a different duration for different trekkers depending on their wishes and interests on the route.
Q: How difficult is the trekking? Do I need to be physically strong?
A: Trekking is just a simply walking for pleasure off-the-beaten-track, where you will enjoy extreme wilderness untouched by modern development. Yet it demands a physically fitness. But don't be afraid! You need not develop knotted muscles to be fit for trekking. To trek, you have to be neither a mountaineer nor athlete. Anyone with pair of strong legs, a will for adventure to explore the exotic nature will enjoy the thrill of trekking.
We only ask you take a walk to the stairs instead of escalator in your office and apartment several months prior to starting trek. Regular bicycling, swimming, jogging, cross-country skiing, aerobic exercise would be greatly beneficial for you. If you do not have time to do all this then just do a jogging for few months. Don't tell yourself that you will get in good shape after a few days of walking. When you climb toward a high pass of 5000m after 3-4 days trekking, you will be a lot happier if you have taken regular exercise before set off.
Q: When is the best time for trek?
A: Mid of February to mid of June:
The best seasons for the trek are from mid of February until the mid of June temperatures are relatively warm, 10 to 15 degree warmer then in the fall. Mornings are bright and clear with the air slowly becoming hazier as the day progresses. The rhododendron forests in spring time are spectacular, with color displays that are Himalayan in beauty. June is warm and green with many fewer people-the sense of solitude is much greater then other seasons.
September to December:
September to December is an ideal time for the best mountains views. The days are typically sunny and clear with moderate temperatures and the evenings are usually quite and cold.
July to August:
This is Monsoon period in Nepal. However, it is possible to do trekking in rain shadow area like Mustang, Rara, Dolpo, Annapurna circuit, Langtang Valley, Everest Base Camp and Gokyo valley respectively.
Q: What happens in case of emergency?
A: We are active members of Himalayan Rescue Association, getting any help to our clients is rapid. Mountain Zoe prides itself on being prepared for any emergency situation. Our guides are trained in first aid and can deal with most of the basic ailments that occur during a trek. But if a serous emergency occurs, then outside help is needed. Every client should have his or her own insurance before coming to Nepal or any of the other countries we trek in. If an emergency occurs, Mountain Zone Trekking will initially cover the cost of an evacuation until your insurance company delivers payment.
Q: Where do we eat our meals and what kind of food is available?
A: During a Tea House trek you will have breakfast and dinner in the Tea House, lunch will be eaten at one of the trail side restaurants. During a Camping Trek all food will be cooked by our experienced cook. Every Tea House serves the traditional Nepali meal Dal Bhat (rice and lentil soup). All Tea Houses of our routs have variety of different food items, such as rice, vegetables, noodles, potatoes and soup. Many of them have western food on menu. Soft drinks, snacks and beer are available in most of the Tea Houses and trail side restaurants.
