Hi
I'm just back from 3 months in Italy, and my feet have started to itch already. I've checked the threads for Nepal, and have looked at the Friendship Nepal and Peregrine Adventures tours. I really need a little input from those who have been there, to know when and where to go. I'm in my early 70s, healthy and fit. I don't think I'd really want to go too high up those mountains, but would love to see the country and meet the people. So, what should I be looking for, or should I just pose these questions to one of the tour companies?

I am going to Nepal this December, as I am a little younger (50) and very fit I am doing a extensive hike in the Khumbu region. Only a few ST'ers have bben to Nepal.

Try posting your question on Trek Info. The board is not as active as the Italy board here but its all about Nepal/tibet etc. RR

Thanks for posting the link Robert. You are one of the few regulars on the board that have any experience in this region.

I was also going to suggest checking out Fodors and Lonely Planets Thorn Tree boards.

Thank you, Robert. I had noticed you seem to be an intrepid traveler! I'll certainly check those sites.

And, thank you Marta; I had not heard of those sites before. Live and learn, eh?

Yvonne,
I have no info to contribute.
I just want to say to you a big Bravo !

Yvonne, Have you made plans yet?

What is the highest elevation you have been in the last 5 years?

RR

Hi, Rob

Thanks for your interest. Nope, no firm plans as yet. I've just been reading Lonely Planet, and internet sites. I've been up in The Rockies, in Canada, but probably wouldn't do any serious treking ... not in your league, that's for sure. However, that darned Italy keeps whispering to me ... come back, there's so much more to see.
When do you go on your trek?
Yvonne

If you do make plans to go to Nepal and haven't acclimated to a high elevation prior to your departure, I suggest that you plan a few days upon arrival to just rest, even if you do not plan on hiking. Even if you are in great shape, the elevation can still affect you.

I hadn't been at elevations higher than the lower Rockies when I went to Jammu and Kashmir (was in Nepal only overnight). I wasn't super physically fit, although I was a serious practioner of yoga and yogic breathing at the time. I had been warned about the elevations. I'll tell you, 15,000 feet knocked me for a loop just walking around. I was in my 30s at the time, but I felt 90. Even rolling over in bed was a workout.

I take my hat off to you Robert.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Yvonne:
Hi, Rob

Thanks for your interest. Nope, no firm plans as yet. I've just been reading Lonely Planet, and internet sites. I've been up in The Rockies, in Canada, but probably wouldn't do any serious treking ... not in your league, that's for sure. However, that darned Italy keeps whispering to me ... come back, there's so much more to see.
When do you go on your trek? Yvonne

A trek to consider?

Max elevation of 3800 meters or so.

A quick search shows this as a possibility, not suggesting this company specifically but a itinerary similar to this, then you could go to chitwan and stay someplace nice and see the tigers and one horned rhino!

Thanks for that, which I have bookmarked and moved to the Nepal folder.

We were in Nepal about 10 years ago, which means we would have been 65. We loved Katmandu, got out of the smallish, crowded tourist area and wandered the streets for hours. We had not planned to trek, but a friend who lives there talked us into it. We took a bus to Pokhara and flew to Jomson, which is on the Annapurna trek. We hired a porter, no guide, and hiked 2 days south and 2 days back. Just a small taste of trekking, but it was fun. And not too strenuous --we were in tennis shoes!

Brenda, that's the sort of thing I want to do; be independent, but still get some exposure to the beauty of the country, as well as the scenery. So, you've helped me to decide, no tours! What time of year were you there? How did you find the reliable porter you needed? Thank you.

We were there in Oct. or Nov. which is a good time to go. Our son and daughter-in-law will be there next month, which is the worst time, but they are on a trip around the world and that's what fits their schedule. If I remember correctly, there were lots of guides and porters asking for our business right at the airport. We went to a nearby hotel and interviewed them and picked one. As I said, he was just a porter and gave no advice on the routes, etc. Somewhere we had picked up a small book that described where to go and where to stop. There are nice little guest houses along the way. Our room with bath cost $4.50 back then.

quote:

Originally posted by Yvonne:
Brenda, that's the sort of thing I want to do; be independent, but still get some exposure to the beauty of the country, as well as the scenery. So, you've helped me to decide, no tours! What time of year were you there? How did you find the reliable porter you needed? Thank you.

I don't like group tours that is why I always hire my own guide. It inhances the experience to have someone tell you about the culture etc. also I will be glad to have a porter carry My bag.

It is not too expensive to hire a local company. But I would never do it based on desperate pitches from people at the airport or the hotel. they will promise you everything. I would rely on a recommendation from someone who has been multiple times.

I am using Santaman RR