Nepal?

[countrygirl99]

I've always wanted to do a trek in Nepal and, now I'm in mid 60s I know if I don't do it in the next couple of years it won't happen and I keep browsing websites. I'm not looking for 3 weeks ultra challenging, more like up to 10 days, preferably about a week, at the less challenging end of the scale (aware it's not exactly a stroll even for the easiest treks 😂).
Anyone got any experience they can share. I'd need a group trip as DH is definitely not up to it these days, 8 miles in the Yorkshire Dales nearly killed him.

Intrepid and G Adventures are both good international companies with a range of itineraries, who utilise local travel companies.

I’ve travelled with; and recommend, both! I went to Nepal with G but that was on a longer trip through India and Nepal, so no trekking, but loved Chitwan and Pokhara!

I looked at those and Explore but they don't have quite the right trip. They either took challenging or not enough trekking. There's a few specialist companies but I don't know enough about them yet. I'm off to Destinations on Friday and there are a couple there I can chat with.

I've found one I like the look of 😄. Keeping an eye on the website for when the 2027 dates come out ⛰️

OP, if you have any specific questions please let me know. I know someone who used to be a guide in Nepal. Please post your questions on this thread and I will have a chat with them.

Following this as I'm wanting to do this for a big birthday coming up in 2 years. I'm just finding it hard to work out what level to pitch it at - moderate / challenging etc means different things to different people. Also, I get a bit panicky if I feel really remote and I'm worried about this too, although having a guide would help. The whole point is to get to some remote places so I realise that's a conundrum 🤦🏻‍♀️😅 . Apologies for jumping on but I don't even know anyone who has done it so I'm really interested. I guess my biggest question is what is the emergency back up like? I seriously doubt I'd need it (I'm fit and used to hill walking) but just knowing it was there would make a huge difference.

Are you looking at a group trek? How many people? I'd love to know more details, thank you 😊

https://www.mountainkingdoms.com/holiday/gentle-trekking-luxury-lodges-annapurna-foothills

I'm looking at this one. Fits my timeline and although I'm tempted by Annapurna base camp etc I worry that it would be too much for a first timer. I'm looking at spring next year and I'll be nearly 68.

Looks ideal OP! I've done Annapurna Base Camp - fantastic but hard work, and I was 20+ years younger than you are.

@Midlifecrisisaverted Long shot, Are you any where near Twickenham? Somehow I could put you in touch with this person.

I recommend Exodus! I did Everest Base Camp with them. This was quite a while ago but they were market leaders in Nepal, seemed to have good ethical credentials and had a wide age range in the groups. When I did G Adventures (the Annapurna Circuit), it was mainly youngsters in fact at 31 I was one of the older ones!

Annapurna base camp is a route up hundreds and hundreds of steps I think . Everest base camp is not actually all that hard if you’re reasonably fit but for anything in the Himalayas bear in mind altitude makes it so much harder. That said, due to altitude sickness you have regular breaks and don’t ascend that quickly so I doubt you walk anything like 8 miles per day on these treks!

please do it if you can! The Himalayas are spectacular. I remember on the trip home thinking if I die tomorrow I will die happy because of what I just got to experience

I just flew to Kathmandu, went to an agent and booked a group trip. It was fantastic. Don’t overthink it.

I'm not, unfortunately 😔 but thank you. Got to do a bit more research I guess, it just feels scary but isn't that the idea, I suppose! 🤩

We used earthbound expedition to do the Annapurna sanctuary with Ghorpani and Poon hill. Their website is appalling the the trek was amazing and they were lovely and very professional.

It’s this website not the one with the same name but a UK domain

https://enepaltrekking.com/?fbclid=IwVERDUAQFilVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEehgbdSOcVsJboNC0fjpIdraKsC49229HodQEu5wrezZGQDM21FVIGf6ECt74_aem_DuunyJjsXPRdan5DOetu_g

We did the Mountain Kingdoms Gentle trekking luxury lodges a few years ago. Luxury Lodge means you get a reasonable lodge room with bathroom rather than a shared squat toilet in a tea house. Everyone eats together. It was hot and I found the walking hard, it was many steps, but I did it, and the sherpas were great, but it personally didnt feel gentle as such! Don't overestimate now much you can do especially if its hot, and look into the accommodation you're happy with carefully. It was an amazing experience, a great group of people, we had such a laugh in the evening around the pre dinner gin and tonic! (Then an early night, starts are soon after dawn because that is when you get the mountain views).

That sounds pretty much what I'm expecting so good to hear

Anyone used World Expeditions? I'm also tempted by their over 55s trip. I was happy to have found one that looked suitable now I have a choice. Decisions, decisions 🤔

Just beware, the trek my (teenage) son did claimed it was "easy" and ""suitable for young and old" but he walked 70km in four days and almost all of it was rock steps either up or down! What is called a hill over there is like Snowdon. It was an amazing experience for him though. He ate a lot of rice, lentils and eggs. It was either really hot or really cold. He found the temperature in England really odd for a few days when he got back (was there 2.5 weeks in total).

My brothers always use Karakoram experience to trek as they say they are much more professional set up. My brothers are mid seventies and are about to do their second Nepal base camp trek.

I went on Everest Base Camp Trek with Himalayan Wonders. I was on my own and joined a group which had people ranging from 22-70 years old. You can book a call with them to discuss options, they also have other routes available.

I really enjoyed it and I would like to do another one (Mustang Valley which is quite off the beaten track), but I have small kids so that needs to wait.

https://worldexpeditions.com/Nepal/Trekking-Walking/Over-55s-Annapurna-Rhododendron-Trek

I've chosen this one. Waiting for them to get the minimum before I book the flights. If the ME is still in a state I can fly via Istanbul from Stansted with decent layovers and it's a more convenient airport than Heathrow for me.