Ever wondered how would it feel while trekking alone in Nepal? In this article today, we are going to discuss how to trek solo in Nepal.
Nepal is visited more often for trekking. Trekking in the lap of the Himalayas is the biggest achievement one can have in life.
There are different popular trek trails in Nepal including the highest peak of the world Mount Everest. Many free individual trekkers and trekkers from agencies trek around Nepal every year.
Solo Trekking In Nepal:
There are various agencies in Nepal that help you through your trekking and city tours in Nepal. However, free trekkers are still found in large numbers every year. Any tourist who wants to trek freely without taking a professional guide with them can trek on their own. Once in 2012/2013, there was a talk about prohibiting solo trekkers in Nepal by the Nepal government because of security issues.
But, now there is not any that kind of issues and you can trek the route of your choice legally. Solo trekking is not a new topic regarding the trek trails of Nepal. You would meet many free individual trekkers on your way during the trek. Not only trekking but city tours or jungle safari also can be done freely. The main point is you should have detailed information on what you are doing on which day and you should have overall knowledge regarding your itinerary.
Legal Permission:
Nepal Tourism Board has the system of issuing TIMS (trekker’s information management system) for every individual trekker. Either the trekker is going through an agency or is a Free individual trekker, he/she must have TIM’S issued before starting the trek.
You can issue your TIMS card from Kathmandu. Since you are a FIT the TIMS card you use is green. Other trekkers use blue TIMS card. NTB charges a higher amount in the TIMS card of free individual trekker.
The next one is the Permit. There are many places in Nepal which are forbidden. The government of Nepal has restricted those places without special permission. That special permission is ‘permit’. You need to have permit cards to travel in restricted areas of Nepal. The rule is at least there should be two individuals for trekking in restricted areas. For entering the national parks and wildlife conservation areas, you should have a permit too.
Solo Trekking As a Female:
It is hardly heard Nepal is not safe for a solo female trekker. Every year, there are various solo trekkers and many of them are female. Just because you are a female, your trekking would not be unfair. Still, the recommendation will be to get a guide or just a friend to trek with.
Trekking means normally going towards the rough road of high altitude and you never know where and what is going to be wrong with your health. Having a friend beside can be fun. You can talk during your walk. Trekking solo as a female is not insecure but trekking with a partner can be better.
Less Expense:
Once you read this you would not want to take a tourist guide or a porter with you. Trekking alone, you can save a lot in Nepal. Nepal is not an expensive country. The fewer estimation of your budget will run throughout your trek.
If you trek alone, You will be paying only for TIMS, permit, and your food and accommodation. When you trek with the agency or when you take a personal guide or porter, you expense doubles. Paying for the hotels and tea houses during your trek and paying for the food and accommodation of your guide is included in your bills. Trekking alone can help you save a lot of money.
Safety:
Though you have less expensive when you travel all alone, a guide is highly recommended. The trek trails are very rocky and rough. You would not have the internet there. You have a high chance of forgetting your way to the top or either back to the city.
There would be rarely any kind of sign in your way. The guides in Nepal have a lot of work experience. They can guide you even if the weather is very poor. For the first time trekkers, the trail is going to be harsh and confusing. If you have already trekked once in the same trek trail, you may be able to trek it next time.
However, the scariest part of solo traveling is there have been many incidents with solo trekkers in the past. They forgot the route, they got lost and some of them were found to be dead long after.
These have not happened frequently but they have happened for sure. You have a high chance of forgetting your trek trail as they all look similar and you have no good internet there. According to your safety, You should have a professional trekking guide with you.
Fun in Nature:
Trekking is an interesting term itself. When you trek towards the mountains it is way more fun. And, when you are alone, in nature nothing can beat that happiness.
Life these days has been very busy. Nobody is free. Work, pressure family and all make a human tired.
When you forget about all of them and take short leisure in nature, you definitely feel relaxed. Hiking alone through the rocky and rough trek trails and ascending up to the altitude towards the mountains gives heavenly feelings.
Slowly and noticing every aspect of nature you can ascent towards your destination. If you have good knowledge about your trials and itinerary and if you are well prepared for altitude, nothing in the whole world can give an as good feeling as trek gives.
Equipment and Gears:
If you are a free individual trekker, you should be very careful about your gear and equipment. Do not forget you will have nobody with you to ask for help with. Gears and equipment can be bought or can be rent in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
You should not carry them all along from your country only because you are trekking in Nepal. You should be careful with the selection of your gears. The point to be noted is you must have all the important gears and equipment you need without making your backpack heavy.
DO not forget you will be trekking all alone and you would have nobody to help with your luggage. You can get equipment and gears at a reasonable price in Nepal of reasonable quality.
Clothing:
FIT should be very careful regarding your clothing. Make sure you are carrying every piece of cloth you need. The next thing is you should have a comfortable boot. You must carry all the perfect clothes without making your luggage heavy. Since in case you get tired or you want help there will be no one else.
Seasons for the trek:
In the meantime of September and October, you will find many trekkers in your route. You have a high chance of finding other free individual trekkers who can be your companion. These seasons are autumn in Nepal. It is neither hot nor cold. The monsoon would have just come to the end in these months.
This is the best time for trekking that’s why. If you trek in December or January there will be freezing cold in mountains. If you trek through June or July there will be monsoon this time. The weather may be completely bad and you have a high chance of forgetting the route. Also, you will have less chance of finding other trekkers in your way.
Regions for Trek:
You should have detailed knowledge and information in your trekking region. It includes the weather of the region, people, food, and culture. It will help you a lot during your trek.
The region you want to trek also matters if it is going to be safe for you.
Some trekking trails are at high altitudes above 5000 meters. These are the altitudes beyond a human can handle. In those areas, you will have high chances of having altitude sickness or any other sorts of problems.
The weather there is acute cold and if it happens to be in the winter season, you will freeze. There are some other trekking routes of around 3000m. They may be way easier to trek. If you are going alone, you can choose these kinds of trekking routes which are going to be easier for free individual trekkers.
Personal Experience:
Every year lots of free individual trekkers trek around the altitudes and trekking routes of Nepal. They return back with good memories. This also depends on your personal experience. If you have been to that trekking point through that trekking trail earlier, it would not be very difficult for you. At least, you can go alone next time.
Since you have already hiked the altitude before, you will have a good idea of ascending, food, culture, and weather of the place. The proper schedule is also a vital thing for FIT. For the trekkers of the agency, they manage the schedule. But, if you are the one to trek freely you should be very careful regarding your trekking days, acclimatization, and trekking hours. This will help you to prevent altitude sickness.
However, FIT is not new in terms of Nepal. If you have a proper schedule, proper knowledge of the trekking route you are physically and mentally fit and you have the guts to trek freely to the highest peaks of the world you will surely make it. Still, having a well-experienced guide is a better option.
In conclusion, the above-mentioned guidelines will help you to know how to trek solo in Nepal.
