which trek to take in Nepal
 

Hi Everyone, would appreicate some suggestions for first time in Nepal. 30 year old, reasonable fitness but have suffered mild altitude sickness before. Would like to do a 7 day trek not too challenging but still beautiful. Would like to take many photos not just nature but also people scenery.

Season is early 2008 February.

Thank you!!

I researched treks many years ago and thought the ones out of Pokara sounded most interesting to me. And the altitude wasn't that bad. Take a look at the Lonely Planet guide. (we ended up not doing the trek, so I don't have any more detailed info.)

You can find plenty of agencies offering the Annapurna route once you get into Ktm. It is a beautiful route and you can choose the level of difficulty by the number of days you want to go. You may have seen it on those Michael Palin TV series - highly photogenic. Curiously he stayed in exactly the same places I did.

Thanks everyone for your input!

Just wondering if it is necessary to go with an agency arranged trek? I seem to read that many people go on their own. Is it unsafe to go without guide/porter for the Annapurna trek?

You can undoubtedly stumble along the Annap. rte alone, but don't do it. #1 the guides are cheap. #2. The ascents are often demanding and your porter will carry everything much better than you. #3 Things happen - you could fall, become ill etc., (I am NOT a worrier - I do 1,000 things others will not do, but) if you do have a problem, help is right there are they are great people, and finally #4, they really need the money. It is a kindness you can do that will be good for you as well.

What's the best way to find a good guide? It sounds like most hotels help to find guides for their guests. Do guides speak good english or are mainly walking guides?

Go to Thamel (an area of Kathmandu) and ask around. Talk with prospective guides (many do speak English). As you mentioned, you can also ask at your hotel, as they likely have guides they recommend.

We didn't trek, but we did want a driver and guide for some places we wanted to go, and located ours through our hotel.

Hello there,

Yeah I am agree with Kathie that you may able to find the agency in Thamel and if you are looking for well professional guide and porter try once at Corsa Nepal Adventure Pvt.Ltd which is located at Thamel and try to check their page at www.corsanepal.com
Have a great journey to Nepal...

Back from the trip! Just to say thanks to everyone who helped out with suggestions and conclude: Yes hire a porter!!! They are absolutely necessary!

I am a first time trekker (though quite fit in general) and found the landscape very demanding, would not have made it without help. Also there are certain roads that don't look like they are roads so you need someone who knows to point them out. During this shoulder season there are not always people or other visitors around.

http://www.nepal-dia.de/int__England...ev_porter.html

is a good site for finding reputable guides/porters. I found it was not necessary to hire an extra guide, unless you really want to chat at the same time all day. I was way out of breath most of the time and did not want to talk!

Maybe this comes too late for you and you've already gone on your trek, but there is a GREAT group of people doing a 7 day trek that isn't too challenging but still beautiful. Check out:

http://www.scape-nepal.com