Trekking in Nepal

The Ganesh Himal is one of the major groups of Himalayan peaks located between the Langland and Annapurna ranges. It is named by “Ganesh Himal” after the elephant headed God of Good Fortune because the south faces of Pabil (Ganesh IV). Slightly resembles an elephant with a ridge that looks like an elephant’s trunk. The Ganesh range peaks (Ganesh I, II, III and IV) stand out like crystal that is the Great Himalayan chain, forming in the skyline. Ganesh Himal can be easily seen from Kathmandu.

The Ganesh Himal Trek has unique features such as the magnificent views of rare plants berbesis, primula, orchids, ferns, jasmine, oak, blue pine and rhododendron (in spring). The trek offers dense forests, glaciers, gorges, hot natural spas and unforgettable scenes. Through Shing La Pass (4,600m) you can take beautiful glacier of Langtang and Annapurna Massifs.

Our Ganesh Himal trek starts from Kathmandu with 4 -5 hours drive that takes you at the trekking starting point, named Betrawati, through the Trishuli River. During the trek, the trekkers get acquainted by rick culture of Tamang community and their peculiarities. The great massif Ganesh Himal is located between the valley of the Budhi Gandaki in the west and Bhote koshi in the east which is known Trishuli Khola at the lover section. This central eastern region of Nepal (Ganesh Himal) offers the trekkers with spectacular views of snowcapped massifs and rich wildlife, are main rewards of your great efforts.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 02: Trek Preparation and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 03: Drive to Pairo Bensi (approx.800m) 6 hrs. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 04: Trek to Kispang- (1900m) 5 hrs. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 05: Trek to Gonga- (2800m) 6-7 hrs. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 06: Trek to Rupchet- (3635m) 5 hrs. Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D

Day 07: Rest day in Rupchet for acclimatize- explore around Rupchet. B.L.D

Day 08: Trek to Shing la pass 4100m - Larkap- (3700m) 4 hrs. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 09: Trek to Pangsang la (3800m) - Somdan 3200m- 7 hrs. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 10: Trek to Gatlang (2500m) 5 hrs.Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 11: Trek to Sano Haku- (2300m) 6 hrs. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 12: Trek to Mailung- (1200m) 6 hrs. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 13: Trek to Pairo bensi- (800m) 4 hrs. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu- (1337m) 6 hrs. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 15: Free day in Kathmandu for your independent activities. Overnight at Hotel. B.L.D

Day 16: Leisure day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 17: Transfer to the International Airport for your home departure. B. “Farewell”

Note: B = Breakfast, B.B = Bed & Breakfast, B.L.D = Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

1. Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & transfer by private car / van
2. Four nights accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
3. Kathmandu city tour as per the above itinerary
4. Meals on full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) prepared by our expert cook
5. Twin sharing tented accommodation during the trek
6. An experience guide (trained by Ministry of tourism), required number of porters, their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipments
7. All necessary permits and TIMS fees
8. Trekking equipment (two men tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, table with chairs, kitchen utensils, and other necessary equipments during the trek)
9. All surface transfer to/from Kathmandu by bus/jeep
10. Nepal Hiking Team duffle bag, down jacket and sleeping bag during Manaslu Trek
11. Nepal Hiking Team T - Shirt (yours to keep)
12. Safe drinking water, boiled/iodine tablets.
    
13. First aid medical kit bag.
    
14. All government and local taxes.
    
15. Office service charge.

OUR SERVICES EXCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

1. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
2. Travel insurance
3. International airfare
4. Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
5. All cold drinks such as: alcoholic beverages, mineral water, Coke, Fanta, juice, etc.
6. Hot and cold showers during the trek
7. Personal shopping and laundry
8. Personal trekking equipments
9. Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is appreciated but it is not mandatory)

Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu.
You are welcomed by hospitable meeting and then you will be transferred to hotel. Our airport representative will explain briefly the program upon arrival. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 02: Trek Preparation and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour.
Sightseeing of world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley including, Kathmandu Darbar square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Pasupatinath Temple. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 03: Drive to Pairo Bensi (800m) 6 hrs.
It takes about 6 hrs scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pairo Bensi. Pairo Bensi is a small Village next to Trisuli River. Enjoy the first overnight in tent under the glooming stars and moreover near to river bank. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 04: Trek to Kispang- (1900m) 5 hrs.
Wake up under the sky and get ready for the first walking day of your trek. It's up hill walk for about 3 hrs to the village called satdobato and then gradual uphill walk for another 2 hrs to our camping site call Kispang. Enjoy your walk through the mixed villages on this day. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 05: Trek to Gonga- (2800m) 6-7 hrs.
It is steady uphill through rhododendron forest which is the national flower of Nepal all the way to Gonga, which is our camp site. You could see Langtang Lirung and Gosainkunda mountain ranges from here. Overnight at tented camp. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 06: Trek to Rupchet- (3635m) 5 hrs.
Another uphill walk for about 5 hrs through rhododendron forest takes you to Rupchet. Overnight at tented camp, alpine area looking at the Langtang mountain range.

Day 07: Rest day in Rupchet for acclimatize- explore around Rupchet. B.L.D

Day 08: Trek to Shing la pass (4100m) - Larkap- (approx. 3700m) 4 hrs.
Get your camera ready for the spectacular mountain views from Shing la pass which offers some over eight thousand meters mountains. From Rupchet we trek steep uphill walk for 2 hrs to Shing La pass from where you could have great Mountain View of Ganesh himal, Manaslu, Annapurna range, fishtail, Langtang range, Gosainkunda range, Tibetan range and more. After the pass it is downhill walk for one hour to Larkap. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 09: Trek to Pangsang la - (3800m) - Somdan 3200m- 7 hrs.
It's up hill and ridge walk to Pangsang la and from here plan walk through rhododendron forest and enjoy full day of great Mountain View while you are walking from Larkap to Somdan. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 10: Trek to Gatlang (2500m) 5 hrs.
First it’s flat walk and then after uphill walk though khupi bangyang pass (3600m) and then downhill walk to Gatlang. In Gatlang there is a small holy lake. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 11: Trek to Sano Haku- (2300m) 6 hrs.
It’s about 1 hrs uphill through forest and gradual downhill all through villages to Sanu Haku. Mountain View could be seen as well. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 12: Trek to Mailung- (1200m) 6 hrs.
Downhill walk through forest and fields takes us to Mailung, a small Tamang village at the river bank. Be in touch with local Tamang people with their typical life style and customs. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 13: Trek to Pairo bensi- (800m) 4 hrs.
Gradual walk for about 4 hrs following the Trisuli River takes us to Peirobensi which is out last camp in mixed village of Pairobensi. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu- (1337m) 6 hrs. Overnight tented camp. B.L.D

Day 15: Free day in Kathmandu for your independent activities. Overnight at Hotel. B.L.D

Day 16: Leisure day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 17: Transfer to the International Airport for your home departure. B. “Farewell”

Private tours are available with minimum number of two people; our trek departs every day upon your request throughout March to May and September to November. Please let us know your convenient tour dates.

Upon Arrival

When you arrive at Tribhuban International Airport, our staff will greet you and transport you to your accomodations. After resting, the next day you will have a sightseeing tour of the city's most influential cultural landmarks. Before departing for your trek, we will review your itinerary, introduce you to your guide and help with the final preparations for your journey.

Accommodation

You will be spending four nights at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast, normally from Samsara Resort, Hotel Vajra or Thamel Eco Resort. During the Ganesh Himal Trek , we provide comfortable two men camping tent, foam mattress, 4 season sleeping bag will be provided. We maintain standard comfort in every matter based on the enforceable conditions such as weather calamities. All hotels accommodations & tent is based on twin share, and will provide you single supplement if there is different gender; without extra charge.

Toilet Facilities - On trek, toilet facilities are available nearby your tent is an optimum distance in a toilet tent. After use of such facilities, wastes will be cover with necessary natural preservation

 

Meals During the Trek

Freshly cook Meals on full board basis will be provided by our experienced and trained cook during the trek with high level of balance diet, hygiene and safety. Three meals (Nepali, Sherpa, and Tibetan, Continental, Italian and Indian cousins) will be provided from the camp according to our menu. You can buy bottled mineral water from local lodges and shops en route or you can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat with water purification pills.

 

Our Trekking Guides and Staff

Your guide's role is to ensure that all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He will share his local knowledge, and provide advice on how to fill your free time as well as co-ordinate the day-to-day running of the tour - although occasionally he may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your guide know so that steps can be taken to correct the situation.

We are a well-established adventure company and we employ professional trekking guides with comprehensive knowledge of English and all required supplementary crew members (everyone has basic communication skills). We also provide training for our staff, thus enhancing their work efficiency. Our guides are intimately familiar with all local castes and customs along the trails and will share with you many cultural insights that are not covered in any guide book. You will have many chances to learn Nepali phrases and other cultural aspects throughout your trek. All of Nepal Hiking Team’s guides receive training in the following courses.

1. Trekking Guide Training &licensed- Government of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation department of Hotel Management & Tourism Training Centre
2. Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
3. Intensive Wilderness First Aid KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)
4. English Language KEEP
5. Conservation and Biodiversity TAAN
6. Rock, Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (Climbing leaders) Nepal Mountaineering Association

 

Acclimatization

We are experts in operations at high-altitude. Every trip we run has a sound acclimatization program. We created the Ganesh Himal Trek itinerary to allow for gradual height gain spread over a number of days. There is no way of predicting who will suffer from altitude, but for the vast majority of people, a slow ascent will produce minimal effects. Acclimatizing takes time and there are no safe shortcuts. For all trips to altitudes in excess of 3,000 meters, our guides carry medicines essential to the treatment of altitude illness; they are trained to track symptoms as well as administer medications.

 

Travel Insurance

To be adequately protected in terms of insurance, you will need specialized travel insurance for participation in hazardous activities. A travel insurance policy that covers emergency evacuation, trip injury, lost baggage, theft, liability, medical treatment and expenses is strongly recommended. Make sure the insurance covers all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal such as trekking and climbing. Our agency can arrange for the appropriate policy based on your trek.

 

Climate and Weather

The climate of Nepal is as varied as its geography. The low-lying Terai has a sub-tropical monsoonal climate. The Himalayan foothills, where most of our treks take place, are best in the cool dry season from September to May. The traditional trekking season in Nepal is late September to December, with October and November generally recognized as having the best weather. Spring is also a popular time of year with warmer weather and the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom. The visibility is good and days are pleasantly warm, although nights can be cold, and snow is possible above 3,000 meters.

The Ganesh Himal Trek is likely to have a wide range of temperatures depending on the altitude and the time of day. In the mountains up to 3,500m the nights will be cool, normally around 5 degree C, and during the day temperatures sometimes rise to 25 degree C. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 15 degree C to -10 degree C.

 

Group Size

We bring together a small group of likeminded people to give them a memorable and insightful travel experience with an invaluable opportunity to interact in a fun-filled environment. Our travel group generally comprises a maximum of 12 members. We need a minimum of 2 participants to run our fixed departure dates. For individualized trips, no minimum or maximum applies. If you would like to travel independently or with your friends, families and colleagues, you are invited to choose any of the trips at your convenient time frame for any number of people.

 

Responsible Travel

The beautiful environment of the Himalaya is also an extremely fragile one. At Nepal Hiking Team, we are extremely conscious about the environment and aim to minimize the detrimental impact as much as possible. As deforestation is one of the greatest environmental threats, we do not have campfires and we use kerosene as cooking fuel. We also discourage trekkers from using wood-fuelled hot showers in lodges along the way. Many lodges, however, now provide solar energy, a far more eco-friendly alternative.

Garbage disposal is another major problem. Some of the busier trails are at times strewn with litter and garbage thrown by irresponsible trekking groups. Our staff members are well motivated towards eco-friendly practices. We carry the non-biodegradable garbage, apart from that which can be safely and easily burned at the campsite. Our aim is to help protect and preserve this beautiful environment for future generations of trekkers to enjoy.