Booking Advice
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We are not a trekking agency, but if you want to book a trek now with a Nepali trekking guide from Gurja Khani village, we can highly recommend Lal Prasad Chhantyal (that's him above). Lal has a professional guide's license, 30 years experience guiding trekkers all over Nepal, and shares our "Fair Tread" ethical values. If you want to book now, check out the advice below and then contact Lal and tell him what you would like to do.
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LATEST! Homestay Trek to Gurja Himal & Hidden Village
Departure dates: 24th October, and 7th November 2019 7 days. Min. 4 persons; max 8 persons. Cost: £295 for 7 days trekking. Price includes qualified guide plus shared porter (10 kg per person). Price does not include accomodation in Pokhara or transfers to/from Kathmandu. Average fitness required, but some days are long. No need for previous experience at altitude; no need to carry sleeping bag. For those who feel unable to attempt the 3850m Pass, arrangements will be made for them to return via Gurja Pass. (Full detailed itinerary, see Trek 2, on our Treks page). Very few tourists trek to Gurja Khani (Hidden Village), thus it has preserved its traditional architecture and mentality. It is a fascinating place to explore, situated at the foot of Gurja Himal (7130m) with glorious mountain views. |
best season
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October – November. Best months. Sunny and dry, clear views. Harvest season.
December – January. Mostly sunny, but cold. Some rain/snow possible February – Mostly good. Snow remaining on high passes March – April. Good months. Mostly sunny and dry, but distant views more hazy. Rhododendron forests in flower. May – mid June. Heat, dust, dramatic thunderstorms Mid June – September. Monsoon. Few tourists! Non-stop festivals and landslides! Vibrant green fields but mountains mostly hidden by cloud. Be prepared. Get local advice before you go. Some years deep snow remains on high passes into June. With climate change the weather pattern is becoming less predictable. Some years monsoon rain continues into early October bringing heavy snow on passes with avalanche risk. Even in the best season snow peaks may become cloud-covered by midday. For impregnable views, time your departure to reach viewpoints in the morning. |
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AccomModation
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Accommodation on the treks is either in family-run homestays, local lodges or camping (high altitudes only). There are no tourist lodges on our treks.
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Homestay
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The best thing about O-T-B Homestays, are the close encounter they provide with a Nepali family. Without exception they are friendly and hospitable. Homestay hosts are usually farmers, so they are unable to provide food at all hours of the day like a Teashop Lodge.
Sleeping arrangements:-
Food:-
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local Lodges
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Local lodges -sometimes referred to as ‘teashops’ but locally they use the word ‘hotel’ - exist to serve Nepali travelers. Be warned: standards are rather different. Most are family-run and similar to Homestays except for the following:-
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camping
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If you hire an independent guide to organize your camping, this is what you can expect:-
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What to take
Homestay treks
Clothing
Nepal has continental climate, hot in the day, cold at nights. October day time temperatures reach 30°C (86°F) at low altitudes (Pokhara/Beni/Baglung). November nights will be 0°C in Gurja village (2650 m)
Bring snacks as desired. Village shops sell a limited selection of cold drinks, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, and tea. If you are a coffee addict, carry a tin of instant.
Other equipment
Nepal has continental climate, hot in the day, cold at nights. October day time temperatures reach 30°C (86°F) at low altitudes (Pokhara/Beni/Baglung). November nights will be 0°C in Gurja village (2650 m)
- Light waterproof jacket, in case.
- Comfortable footwear with non-slip sole. Boots not essential – strong trainers will do, but may get wet in snow or rain. Useful to carry flip-flops for the homestays.
- No need for sleeping bag, warm covers provided in Homestays/Lodges.
Bring snacks as desired. Village shops sell a limited selection of cold drinks, sweets, biscuits, chocolate, and tea. If you are a coffee addict, carry a tin of instant.
Other equipment
- Torch
- Toilet paper
- Towel
- Water purification tablets
- Basic first aid
- Charging cords for phones and cameras
- Alcohol gel or wet wipes are useful for quick hand-clean
camping treks
In addition to personal clothing and other items for homestay trekking, you will need:
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Gaz burner + cannisters (high-altitude only)
Arranging your trek
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It is easy to organize your trek after your arrival in Nepal. However, in the peak tourist season if you want to hire a specific named Guide (list below), or a particular Trekking Agency, it is wise to book the slot ahead of time.
As we ourselves do not organize treks, you have 3 options: trekking agencies, hiring independent guide/porters, or going it alone. |
trekking agencies
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Avoid booking with foreign companies,; besides being more expensive, most of that expenditure does not help Nepal. There are many local Trekking Agencies in Kathmandu and Pokhara, most of them have a website. They offer group treks at fixed dates and rates, but they will all be happy to arrange a bespoke trek or provide a guide and porter if you wish to strike out independently.
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Hiring independent guide/porters
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By side-stepping Agencies, more of your money goes to grass-roots. Some guides work exclusively for a particular trekking agency, but most work for any agency or person who hires them. If you cannot reach those on our recommended list below, then inquire at a Trekking Agency.
One advantage of hiring a guide is that they speak some English and can translate for you, enhancing your encounter with the homestay families. For Rugachaur Pass (Route 2), and Dhaula Canyon trails (Route 4), a ‘local’ guide is absolutely essential or you will get lost! Such guides are informal, and can be hired by the day. Your homestay host can arrange if asked. A professional Guide carries his/her personal belongings, not yours. But you can also hire a porter-guide who speaks broken English and carries most of your stuff. The following are guides and porters we know and recommend from the communities along Off-the-Beaten routes:- |
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going it alone
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Go for it! Single women unable to speak the local lingo have trekked to Hidden village unaccompanied. Download and print the relevant pdf Trail Guide, and purchase the map: Gurja Himal & Hidden Village. Make sure you hire a local guide where it is advised, and for the camping treks. Remember – losing your way at high-altitude can mean losing your life!
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How Much will it cost?
homestays and local lodges
Calculate on 1000-1200 Rs per day for essential food and accommodation (it may be less, and will be more if you binge on beer and meat). Five teaspoons of meat will cost you the same as a huge vegetarian meal, and a beer might cost you double that.
- Food: 150-300 Rs per meal. Prices rise the further the rice has to be portered or muled.
- Bed: 100-250 Rs per person. Some homestays offer inclusive package with food. Lodges may not charge for sleeping.
guides and porters
Rates are going up all the time. It is easiest to pay a daily rate plus pay for their food and accommodation. Otherwise, expect to pay a higher daily rate. Give a small advance at the start, and pay the remainder at the end.
In 2017, approximate daily rates (include their return journey home in your calculations)
In 2017, approximate daily rates (include their return journey home in your calculations)
- Porter or local ‘guide’ hired on the spot: 1000- 1200 Rs + food
- Porter-guide hired for the whole trek: 1500 Rs + food
- Licensed guide 2500-3500 Rs (normally covers own food)
in an emergency
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Permits
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