Nepal 1999

Useful Resources and Links for Planning a Trip to Nepal

Guidebooks

Trekking in Nepal: A Traveler's Guide by Stephen Bezruchka

This is the definitive guide on Nepal in general.  It goes into great detail about Nepali culture and preparations every traveler should make before hand.  Contains most of the common treks throughout Nepal.  A great book which I brought with but opted to leave behind during the treks because of its size - one less thing to heft around.

Trekking in the Everest Region by Jamie McGuinness

I stumbled upon the website for Himalaya Jamie's trekking agency a few weeks before leaving and I sent him email asking about rafting.  He was incredibly helpful but unfortunately was going to be out on a trek while I was in Nepal.  He directed me to his guidebook, which  was the last title I ordered.  Had it been the first I wouldn't have had to look any further.  He was also nice enough to send me info about a few other companies running river trips and the very latest info about the permit policy when it was updated in 1999.  Very up to date, great maps, full of good info and much smaller than the Bezruchka book.  It introduced me to the Trailblazer guidebook series which is top

Trekking in the Annapurna Region by Bryn Thomas

I was so impressed with the format of the Trailblazer guidebooks and the content in the Everest guide I purchased the guide for Annapurna immediately upon returning to Kathmandu.  The sequence of the book was a little difficult to follow but only because my chosen route is fairly uncommon.

Maps

With Rajendra as my guide I really didn't need a map or even a guide book for that matter.  I had both more for the fun of looking at where I'd been and how far I had to go each night.  I originally bought the Schneider maps figuring I might not be able to purchase a decent map in Kathmandu.  However, the Nepa maps can be found everywhere, are cheaper and better suited for the trail unless you need added detail for reaching a trekking summit or going completely off the trail.

Trekking from Lukla to Everest Base Camp 1:50,000 (Nepa Maps)

 Covers the trails from Lukla to Kala Pattar in great detail.  Also includes the Gokyo valley.  Ivy and I definitely used this map the most on the Everest Trek. (300Rs)

Khumbu from Jiri to Everest Base Camp 1:100,000 (Nepa Maps)

Covers every trail on the Everest trek which I did.  Because it covers so much more area the detail is not as nice as the map listed above. (250Rs)

Trekking Routes Around Annapurna 1:125,000 (Himalays Kartographisches Institute)

More than adequate for Annapurna where so much of the trail has been practically paved with flat stone.  For being such a common trek I had a difficult time finding a map for Annapurna which I liked.  This was the best one I could find. (349Rs)

Schneider Maps - These are of mountaineering quality and I decided to nice to take out on the trail to get beat up.  I'd prefer to depict my route on them and hang them on the wall.  Extremely detailed and pricier than the rest.

Dudh Kosi (1:50,000), Shorong/Hinku (1:50,000), Tamba Kosi-Likhu Khola (1:50,000) and Khumbu Himal (1:50,000).  Also (Annapurna 1:100,000) (849Rs each)

Rafting and Kayaking on the Sun Kosi, Bhote Kosi, Balephi Khola

The friendly people at adventuroustraveler knew me well by the time I left for Nepal.  I ordered every book about Nepal in their catalog.  Forget about amazon.com -- I'll choose adventuroustraveler everytime.

Holiday Adventure Treks

Look for a new website to be coming soon!

When I arrived in Kathmandu I was lucky enough to meet a girl named Lyssia who had been to Nepal before.  She guided me through the chaos of the airport and to the quiet and moderately priced Potala guest house.  The people at Potala GH directed me to Holiday Adventure when I asked about a trekking agency.  There I met Bhuwan Dhungana who made every effort to insure I enjoyed my stay in Nepal. We started with a cup of Nepali tea and I told Bhuwan I wanted to trek to Everest Base Camp and that I had to be in Lukla in eight days to meet my girlfriend Ivy.  He promised me it would not be a problem and told me to come back the following morning and he would provide a guide to show me around Kathmandu for the day.  He assured me I would like the guide I had chosen but that if I did not he had plenty of other guides I could choose from.  But he was right, the next day I met Rajendra Thapa who would be my traveling companion for the next two months or so.  I can't recommend Bhuwan's trekking agency enough and I have nothing but the highest praise for the great job Rajendra did.  On the trail everyone else even commented on how lucky I was to have stumbled across such a great guide.

If you are planning a trip to Nepal definitely consider using Holiday Adventure Treks.

P.O. Box: 20037, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal

Telephone: 266320 Fax: 00977-1-256211

Email: hventure@wlink.com.np

WWW Links

Scott Yost's Nepal Trip: The first site I found by someone detailing their trek.

Don Meredith's Nepal Page: I met Don and his two trekking partners, Jack and Liam, on the Thai Air flight from Bangkok to Kathmandu.  If there is anyone I've met who rivaled me in there excitement to visit Nepal, trek to base camp and just see Everest from the plane it would be Don.  He has put together a great page with his photos and the details of how unfortunately he suffered severe symptoms of altitude sickness at Pheriche and wisely turned around.

MountainZone: The definitive site for the armchair mountaineer with daily status reports from trekkers and climbers each season as they travel to Nepal.

Info-Nepal: Decent general guide to Nepal

Project Himalaya: Jamie McGuiness' homepage for his trekking agency and they trips they are currently running.  Plus information about the Great Himalayan Trail: the Himalyan equivalent to the the Appalachian Trail.