While Nepal offers some of the best trekking experiences thanks to the diverse landscapes, water bodies, mountains, forests, and wildlife, it is always prudent to take precautions before you set off for your adventure. That is because a small mistake can easily ruin your entire trip.
Luckily for you, many people have made the trip and warned about some of the mistakes that ruined or almost ruined their experience. Here are some of the most common hiking mistakes to avoid.
1. Early Preparation Mistakes
Simply waking up one day and booking a ticket to the Himalayas may sound exciting but can easily turn out to be a big mistake. Instead of leaving things to chance, prepare by getting in touch with a reputable travel agency in Nepal like Places Nepal.
Such a company is likely to handle many things on your behalf. These can include travel logistics, accommodation, food, and cultural activities. The company may also offer insurance cover to ensure you do not have to deal with things like canceled flights, misplaced luggage, or medical emergencies.
The good news is that you can easily find a travel agency with different packages to suit your budget and personality. Some even offer customizable packages so you can get exactly what you want.
2. Training Related Mistakes
There are different categories of trekking routes in Nepal. This can range from easy to moderate and finally difficult. The category of any trail depends on some factors including altitude, terrain, weather, and length. Regardless of the trail category you pick, you must avoid the mistake of trekking while unfit.
For example, Manaslu Circuit Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek are considered moderate trek. Similarly, Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Langtang Trek are considered easy treks of Nepal
A few weeks or days before you travel, start physical exercise. Taking morning and evening walks can be an excellent way to get your body in shape.
The amount and type of exercise you take should be relative to the trek you choose. Cardio training, running, swimming, and cycling are good options to consider because they strengthen the muscles. Failure to get the right exercise will leave your body weak and can easily compromise your adventure through Nepal.
3. Packing Mistakes
Poor packing decisions are among the most common hiking mistakes for beginners. On the one hand, you have those who want to carry everything. On the other hand, some want to leave out everything. Pack too lightly and you risk running out of essentials. Likewise, pack too heavily, and you will be completely exhausted before you get to your destination.
To avoid any mishaps, it is crucial to strike a balance in packing. To do this, learn about the conditions of the trek you are going to take. A steep trek on a hot day requires you to prioritize water so you can lose some clothing. Hiking on a cold day may require that you prioritize clothing over water.
Speak to your travel agency or tour guide in case you are unsure what to bring along. Some hiking gear options are available for hire within local establishments so don't let it stress you. In case you need to carry a significant amount of luggage, you can always hire a porter to help you out.
4. Bad Pacing on the Hike
Bad pacing is a common mistake young trekkers make especially when they travel in groups. They often walk fast to reach their destination as soon as possible.
As you go from lower to higher altitudes, the oxygen available in the air reduces. This makes it necessary for your body to adjust how it functions.
But if you are moving too fast, you are not allowing your body to adapt to the changing conditions and that can cause altitude sickness. Some of the symptoms associated with this condition include,
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Heavy breathing
In some cases, the symptoms can be extremely severe and may require immediate medical attention. To avoid such unpleasant experiences, be sure to hike at the pace recommended by your tour guide.
5. Trekking Without a Guide
If you are an experienced trekker with solo trekking experience, then you probably know how to find your way when lost and how to overcome unforeseen challenges. However, if you are just getting started, there are plenty of things you don't know and will probably only find out when you start trekking in Nepal.
This is why it is a good idea to hire a guide. Your travel agency will be more than happy to provide one.
Such a guide knows the region like the back of his hand so he will take you through the trail smoothly. The guide also knows the local language so he can make your interactions with locals much easier and help you avoid making cultural mistakes.
Another thing to keep in mind is that local guides are quite knowledgeable about the history and culture of the region. This can be an added advantage because you will get to learn a lot as you make your way to the destination. Hiring a guide is optional so you can assess the situation and decide on what's best.
6. Water and Food-Related Mistakes
Many rookie trekkers make a lot of food and water-related mistakes which is why you should be aware of them. For starters, trekking in the Himalayas can be a calorie-intensive affair depending on the type of trail you choose. That means your body will require double the amount of calories. That is why you should pick foods that are rich in calories without necessarily being your favorites.
Noodles, chips, and cookies may seem quite appealing but ill only end up causing problems especially if you are going to destinations with high altitudes. It is also crucial to avoid consuming meat when hiking in some of the remotest places in Nepal. Non-vegetarian dishes are quite hard to get by in the Himalayas of Nepal one of the reasons being religious belief. Most people who run businesses in the region follow Buddhism and it si forbidden to kill. However, the food they provide is highly nutritional and comes with a guarantee of a good trip.
You can opt for things like eggs and vegetables as they are often retrieved from the farm or garden every morning. If you have any food allergies, let the hotel, restaurant, or tea house know so they prepare food that will not cause any complications. Another mistake to avoid is eating too little.
Make sure you have enough to last the entire trek. When it comes to water, do not be tempted to drink from unknown sources. Your stomach is probably used to a certain type of water and introducing something different can lead to complications. As you continue your trekking journey, be sure to sip enough water. This should be done whether you are feeling thirsty or not.
7. Safety Mistakes
Your safety and the safety of those in your group should always be prioritized. That is why you are advised to stay away from anything that may pose a potential danger.
For instance, some parts of Nepal are home to black bears. In case you encounter one, do not try to be slick or pet it. Keep your distance and enjoy the show from afar no matter how cute the wild animal may look. While going off the official trail may seem exciting, it is not always a good idea. You may end up losing your bearing and causing panic to your loved ones. It may also take you to unpleasant destinations.
Whether you are a solo trekker or are part of a group, be sure to bring along a first aid kit. This can come in handy when you need to deal with things like cuts and bruises.
8. Ignoring the Sunscreen
While women generally tend to be more conscious of their skin health, men can be quite stubborn about applying sunscreen. Some even consider it a cosmetic meant for the ladies only.
Some trails have long spells with no shelter so you’ll be exposed to the sun for a considerable amount of time. That is why you should apply sunscreen to protect you from ultraviolet rays. Keep in mind that as you move to higher altitudes the sun's rays are inevitably going to get more intense due to the thin atmosphere. That is even made worse because the sun is reflected from the snow as well.
Brimmed hats and caps can also make for excellent sun protection gear.
9. Environmental Mistakes
Nepal in the Himalayas is a wonderful place to go trekking because of its natural environment. The mountain peaks, the large trees, the thick vegetation, the calming water bodies, and the animals all make for a sight to behold.
Unfortunately, some people forget about this beauty and treat the environment as if it is a dumping site. As a trekker in the region, be sure to leave very little to no traces of your presence. That means you should pick up your trash, avoid interfering with the fauna, and cause as little disturbance to the wild animals as possible. This ensures that the natural beauty is preserved for the next generations.
10. Cultural Mistakes
For many people, some of the beliefs and cultural practices of the people of Nepal may seem different. You might realize they are eating something strange or crudely preserving their food.
Do not be tempted to judge them for any of that. Understand that has been their way of life for many centuries and they are still here. Their cultural practices are their heritage and their religious beliefs are part of what makes many people choose the destination. Be respectful to the locals and they will no doubt reciprocate the gesture.
