Different Type of Treks that we operate
We operate two different kinds of trek these two styles offer quite a different experiences.

1.) Organize Lodge Treks (also known as Tea House Trek)

In a popular areas like Annapurna, Everest and Langtang, we opt for a Tea house Trek (Lodge Trek) as they have got some of the finest lodges in Nepal, so its more ideal trekking in tea houses. Normally many of the tea houses have running water and hot water available for bathing, plus they serve good food. (But surely not like in the west) Also organized tea house trek takes care of entire trek arrangements like accommodation, food, conservation park fee, guide to lead the trip and porters to help carry your gear. In the end Tea House trek are less expensive then camping trek. Tea House trek also helps generate income to the local people.

2.) Camping Treks

The other approach is mostly in the remote terrain of Nepal where the facilities of tea houses are not available, we entirely have to depend on an organized trip where all the camping facilities, food and kitchen utensils will have to be carried. You will have whole bunch of staff and porters to support the trip. Sherpa’s to set up the camp, cook to make and serve food whereas porters to carry the load, you just need to carry a backpack with only a water bottle, camera and jacket. Also there will be facilities of tables, chairs, dinning, bath and toilet tent If you've never camped before, you don't need to worry: the tents we provide are roomy, the sleeping pads/ mattresses are comfortable. We make sure that on all of our treks there is a bathroom tent and a dining tent with tables and camp stools, providing a cozy, comfortable atmosphere to eat and chat with fellow trekkers during the evening.

Typical Day In A Organized Trek

Tea House (Organized Lodge Trek)

Usually day begins around 6 am with wake up tea or coffee and then hot water is provided for washing and shaving.  You need to get back in your room and pack your gears, followed by breakfast in the restaurant which will be as per your choice. Then we start our trek which will be around 3 hours then have a lunch break  -  our guide will choose a good place to eat and also will see that you get an opportunity to enjoy the view of mountains.  We again start our trek for around three to four hours and then we end our night in the Lodge.  Dinner will be in the restaurant/lodge and you get a menu to choose your meal.

Camping Trek

Normally a trek day starts around 6 a.m. with a mug of coffee or tea served through your tent flap. Hot water is provided for washing and shaving, followed by healthy breakfast. Our staff will provide boiled waters for your water containers. We pack our gears and begin walking in the pleasant cool of the morning for 2-4 hours before stopping for lunch. This break offers an opportunity to relax. Lunch is normally begins with fruit juice, fresh fruit, tinned meat, cheese, rice, chapatis or biscuits, cooked vegetables, and tea or coffee. We usually reach our campsite by 4 p.m. and have tea and biscuits shortly afterwards. There is time to rest or explore before our evening meal at 6 p.m. This is the social event of the day. It begins with an appetizer and soup, followed by the main course and dessert with tea or coffee. The variety and quality of our "camp" food will delight you. As we mainly camp near villages, there is usually plenty of time to visit with the locals before or after dinner and sample their home brews. As night approaches, most people retire to their warm sleeping bags and are fast asleep by 9:30 p.m

During the Trek ‘FAR OUT’ provides

Tea House (Organized Lodge Trek)

We have the most friendly and experienced staff to assist your trip, porters to help carry your bag, we provide a  simple and basic accommodation during the trip; foods in the lodges i.e. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; for high altitude treks (above 3,500 m) we carry PAC (PORTABLE ALTITUDE CHAMBER), hot water bottle; basic medical kits and conservation ticket.

Camping Trek

We will have a bunch of staff for camping trip, Guide to take care of the clients, Assistant Sherpa to fix tent, good cook and kitchen staff to prepare a healthy and tasty food.  To carry the load you will have porters normally they have a limit of around 15 kg.  Also there will be facilities of tables, chairs, dinning, bath and toilet tent. If you've never camped before, you don't need to worry: the tents we provide are roomy, the sleeping pads/ mattresses are comfortable. We make sure that on all of our treks there is a bathroom tent and a dining tent with tables and camp stools, providing a cozy, comfortable atmosphere to eat and chat with fellow trekkers during the evening.

FOOD

Food safety is always a big concern when you are traveling especially in the hilly regions of Nepal, it can make a lot of difference. Normally if you are on a tea house trek the menus are extensive i.e noodles, potatoes, vegetables and soup, some hotel cooks can turn out some surprisingly good western-style meals. Apple Pie appears in many menus, and most hotels can produce something resembling a pizza. This is why we do our best to choose tea houses and restaurants with clean and sanitary kitchens. Almost every tea house serves the traditional Nepali meal Dal  Bhat (rice and curried lentils)in case if you are interested to try. The choice is yours. Sodas and beer are available at most of the tea houses and of course Nepalese milk tea is served every where.

It is advisable to drink plenty of water during your trek especially if you are approaching higher elevation. Though mineral water can be purchase in most of the tea houses but it has become an environmental problem as it is difficult to dispose off. So we discourage using it, our guide will assist you to have a boiled water from the tea house trek.  Iodine is an effective way in killing the bacteria so it is advisable carrying it during the trip.

Whereas if you are on a camping trip, we will have our experience cook who takes care of the food.  He makes sure that we serve excellent and completely safe food. If you are wondering about the drinking water, we normally boil the water in the morning and you will have enough boiled water to fill your bottle for the day.

Equipment

Having the right equipments is very essential. You need to have enough clothes to stay warm or cool yet not over pack. Usually days are warm couple of T-shirts, loose shorts/pants  can take care of it, whereas  nights are cold a warm jacket either fleece or down can be nice for the evening. Long under wear and woolen socks are good for warmth too. For your convenient light pair of pants and shorts for hiking are encourage. Sun cream and glasses are also advisable to protect from the heat. Sometimes rain and hail can appear on a trek so we suggest a Gore-Tex jacket. Most gear can be purchased in Kathmandu or Pokhara at one of the many outdoor gear shops. The proper foot wear depends on the trek. Shorter treks can be done in comfortable running shoes while longer ones require sturdy but light weight hiking boots. Shoes and boots are best purchased before arriving in Nepal. Proper fit is a must for boots and we encourage wearing your boots before the trek to wear them in.

Duration of trek as well as a walking distance/time each day of travel

Trek duration can last anywhere from 1 to an entire month or longer depending on your time schedule and your interest.  The choice of areas and routes is bewildering. You can write to us and we can help you to make the perfect choice.

Generally walking hour is fixed according to the trail you choose which is mentioned in all our trekking program but difficult to be precise. On average we cover around 10/15 km per day  - Walking time, including rests, ranges from anywhere three to eight hours but there is no hard and fast rule.

Trek Difficulties

Depends on individual and which area you want to undertake.  Most of  the shorter treks  is categorize as an easy trek  while the longer ones takes you to higher altitude involves crossing high passes and are demanding – this means one has to be mentally and physical fit to undertake such treks. But going higher means exploring the wild and  also get a spectacular view mountains.

Trek Grading

Grading system has been developed to help you match your level of fitness and aspirations with a trip that will complement both. The descriptions mentioned below are meant to serve as a rough guide only. Trip grades are based on length, altitude, remoteness, walking conditions, weather and other factors. It is impossible to be precise about how hard a trek is: grading provides a way for you to compare different treks. Remember that all trekking trips are physically demanding even if it is graded easy. 

EASY ....... tours and treks are suitable for most people in good health as they only include a short element of trekking which is always on good paths and predominately at low altitudes.

MEDIUM ....... suitable for most hill-walkers as they involve relatively short days, on paths, tracks or glaciers. However, a reasonable level of fitness is required as these trips can involve a considerable amount of ascent and descent and the occasional difficult day.

DEMANDING ....... physically very challenging and more suited to regular hill-walkers who are used to extended days and who are competent over difficult terrain. These treks may also involve lengthy periods at high altitudes.

STRENUOUS....... reserved for our most difficult treks which contain many long days, often in isolated areas and usually at extreme altitudes. These treks might also include difficult pass crossings, using ropes, for which basic mountaineering skills and equipment are required. A high level of fitness and previous trekking experience is essential.

Ideal Time For Trekking

Depending on the area, trekking in Nepal can be done throughout the year.  Normally autumn (October & November) is considered to be the best time for trekking in most of the part of Nepal. Visibility is then superb, and the weather mostly settled and fine. The onset of winter in December/February brings bitterly cold nights and biting winds at altitude – this is a good time for lowland treks.  Spring (March till May) is considered to be another good time for trekking, rhododendrons bloom, bringing a riot of color to the hills.  However, after the long, dry winter there is dust in the air and this, combined with the increasing humidity and cloud build-up as the monsoon approaches, conspires to reduce visibility even at higher altitudes. The summer/monsoon period is generally unsuitable in most part of the countries but this is a time for trekking up in Mustang, Simikot and Dolpo as they are in the Himalayan rain shadow area.

Dealing With Emergency

Trekkers should be aware that there is very little in the way of rescue organization for handling trekker’s emergencies in Nepal. Though our guides are trained in first aid and can deal with most of the basic ailments that occurs during a trek but in case of serious problem one has to be helicopter out to the nearest place where there are adequate medical facilities. One needs to have a proper Insurance coverage i.e. helicopter rescue, medical and accidental policy as the cost of rescuing can go very high.  If the landing site is far away then we will have to use  either porters or yak/mule to transport it to a place where you could be rescued. You must be aware that you are traveling in a very remote part of the world where there are difficulties of communication and getting an instant medical attention.

Our Crew

We have some of the most dependable and experienced guides who have spent several years exploring the mountains and countryside of Nepal. All of our guides can communicate in English and have intense knowledge of the various trekking routes in Nepal. Our guides have first aid knowledge and know how to react in any situation. The best quality they possessed is they are friendly, enjoyable and will make your trip superb.

 

Trekking with Far Out !

FAR OUT will provide you an exciting and enjoyable holiday that concentrates on the lifestyle, culture, history, wildlife, wilderness and landscapes of the Himalayan region. We stress operating trips in small groups, to minimize the impact on the fragile Himalayan environment and the local people, and also to maximize the enjoyment of the group. It has careful balance between exploration and relaxation, comfort and adventure. Also it is well organized, led by professionals and are good value for money.

Organized Trip

There is no restriction in Nepal for trekking individually with exception to some restricted areas where you need to get a special permit through a Govt. Registered Trekking Companies. But trekking individually means exposing to lot of risk and hassle. Although Nepal is relatively safe for trek but times are changing some crime, theft have been directed to trekkers traveling individually, also since trekking areas in Nepal are quite remote you might get lost , get hurt or become ill with nobody to help you.

Whereas in an organized trek you will have an experience guide to lead the trip and everything is organized. You will not have to take a hassle finding the trials or spending time to look for a good accommodation and food. In order to help you with your load we will have porter so that so that you are completely free with just a small duffle bag, camera and water bottle. Guide can also help you interact with locals so that you can learn more about their culture, religion and the place. In case if you are serious ill or hurt yourself our guide can communicate with the office in Kathmandu and evacuate you immediately. This will allow you to explore the beauty of the country with a free mind and with safety.

Altitude Related Problem

When trekking in the Himalayas there is always a real danger of mild to serious problems related to altitude.  The complaints are collectively known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

It is important that trekkers understand that they will be affected to a greater or lesser extent when they ascend to altitudes over about 3,000 m.  As you climb higher the atmospheric pressure falls and the amount of available oxygen also falls.  The body will adjust to cope with this by altering the characteristics of your blood in order to utilize better the lower oxygen levels available to it.  This process takes time and can vary from individual to individual.  Indeed, individuals can experience different rates of acclimatization on separate visits. So, having acclimatized well on a previous visit is no guarantee of quick acclimatization subsequently.

The mechanics of acclimatization are not well understood but it has been proved that a number of factors have a positive effect.  By far the most important is regulating your rate of ascent when traveling in excess of 3000 m above sea level.  As a general rule you should not gain more than 400-500 meters a day and have a rest day every fifth day.  Maintaining a good fluid intake and urine output has also been proved to be effective in combating the effects of altitude.  The dry air of the mountains tends to dehydrate you so an increased fluid intake is necessary.  Try to drink at least four liters of water a day.  Prophylactic medication should not be required to aid acclimatization unless specifically prescribed by a physician skilled in the treatment and prevention of altitude sickness.  Fitness may have some effect on speedy acclimatization but being young and fit does not guarantee immunity.  The only age concern is for the very young who may not be able to describe their symptoms to their parents.  For this reason it is unwise to take very young children to altitudes above 3,500-4000 meters.  Symptoms of  AMS may be mild or severe and the victim can develop severe symptoms very rapidly if the mild effects are ignored.  The most commonly reported complaints are as follow:

1. Headache that may responds to pain killers but then returns
2. Loss of appetite
3. Swelling of the limbs
4. Dizziness/light-headedness
5. Difficulty in sleeping
6. Irregular breathing
7. Nausea
8. Unusual weariness

Poor coordination and slurring of speech all or some of these symptoms may be present in mild cases of AMS but they can rapidly worsen and become dangerously debilitating.  In particular, as the symptoms worsen the victim will often become irrational and difficult to reason with.  Their ability to make sensible decisions for themselves is increasingly impaired and their companions may be their only hope of survival.  This is a compelling reason for never trekking alone at altitude.

In the final stages of altitude sickness severe problems start to appear which can rapidly lead to loss of consciousness and death if untreated.  Two forms of AMS are generally recognized.  One or both may be present and either is extremely serious.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

This is caused by an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.  As the complaint progresses more and more fluid builds up until the victim literally drowns.  The symptoms include difficulty breathing and rapid pulse rate even at rest, coughing pink, frothy sputum and, occasionally blueness around the lips. 

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

This, the most serious of the forms of AMS, is caused by a build up of fluid around the brain.  The previously mentioned symptoms of mild AMS rapidly worsen, particularly the headache along with slurring of speech and ultimately unconsciousness and death.  The advance of the problem can be very rapid and death can occur in twelve hours if treatment is not given.

Treatnemt of AMS

There is one simple treatment for AMS and that is DESCENT. Stopping the ascent for a day can treat very mild symptoms of AMS.  After this the symptoms will disappear and the trek can be resumed.  If the symptoms are such that the victim is obviously suffering then descent, to a point at least 500 meters lower.  The descent should not be delayed even if it means going down in the dark.  If the victim is still able to walk it makes the treatment easier but if necessary they may have to be carried either by a companion or by horse or yak.

If it is available, bottled oxygen can help the patient but descent should still not be delayed.  A portable Hyperbaric Chamber (Gamow Bag or PAC bag), if available, can be used to raise the atmospheric pressure experienced by the victim and can temporarily ease the symptoms of AMS. The relief will only be temporary and descent is still necessary.

On the Everest Base Camp route and on the Annapurna circuit route there are clinics, operated by the Himalayan Rescue Association, that specialize in treating trekker’s health problems, particularly  AMS.  In the Everest region the clinic is at Pheriche while the one on the Annapurna Circuit is at Manang.  Skilled western doctors who can help treat and advise victims of AMS staff both of these clinics.  It must be remembered that these clinics are only open during the main trekking seasons of 01st October to 14th December and 07th March to 20th May.

Far Out staff are fully aware of this problem so our program are designed in such a way that the clients gets sufficient time to acclimatize before proceeding to higher altitude, we normally carry Portable altitude chamber for trip above 3,500 m, basic medical kit and have got a good connection with the helicopter service to rescue you out. In spite of all these preparation AMS could be sometime fatal and beyond our control.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you insured yourself before taking a trekking trip to Nepal.  Your insurance policy should cover travel insurance, medical, accidental and helicopter rescue in case of emergency.

Climbing peaks in Nepal is governed by rules and regulation. The Nepal Mountaineering Association has produced a small booklet containing the regulations governing the ascent of trekking peaks. There are certain requirements governing trekking peaks, such as the need for a registered sirdar and for a recognized agency to get your peak permit.

Peak Permit Fee :

Group “A”
1-7 pax - US $ 500.- net per permit
7+1 pax - US $ 500.- + 100 = US $ 600.-
7+2 pax - US $ 500.- + 200 = US $ 700.-
7+3 pax - US $ 500.- + 300 = US $ 800.-
7+4 pax - US $ 500.- + 400 = US $ 900.-
7+5 pax - US $ 500.- + 500 = US $1,000.-

Group “B”
1 to 4 - US $ 350.-
5 pax - US $ 390.-
6 pax - US $ 430.-
7 pax - US $ 470.-
8 pax - US $ 510.-
9 pax - US $ 535.-
10 pax - US $ 560.-
11 pax - US $ 585.-
12 pax - US $ 610.-

Garbage Deposit :

An amount of US $ 250.- per peak should be deposited to NMA as garbage deposit fee to obtain the climbing permit for all 33 NMA Peaks.  The refund shall be made as per the provisions made by NMA.

Climbing Styles :

Although there are straightforward routes on many of these peaks, they certainly should not be underestimated.  All peak climbing in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal requires the use of rope, axe and crampons; ice screws, snow stakes (pickets) and often a small selection of nuts and pegs (pitons) may be useful. Many of the climbs cross seriously crevassed ground and should not be attempted without a firm grounding in the fundamentals of glacier rope-work and crevasse rescue.

Climate :

Well climbing in Nepal can be done almost all the year round between October and May but the best time will be from October to November, the high season for climbing and trekking, the conditions are usually ideal with clear skies and stable weather, although you might experience the unconsolidated remains of heavy snowfall left over from the monsoon.

Climbing Grade

This is intended to give an indication of the overall difficulty of a climb - and we have taken into account a combination of factors such as technical difficulty, the length or duration of the climb, altitude - since this has a significant influence on the grade of the climb, and also objective dangers such as the route's exposure. The difficulty of climbing any Himalayan peak can vary from year to year according to the prevailing conditions, thus the given grades for our climbing trips are only intended as a rough guide.

F - Easy scree or gentle snow or short slopes up to 30d
AD - Some pitched climbing on rock, snow/ice 45-50d
D - Sustained pitched climbing on rock, ice up to 50-60d
ED - Expect sustained vertical or overhanging sections
ED2 - The ED series is open ended, and gets harder with each generation

Climbing Equipments :
Please check our Equipment List

Insurance

Dealing With Emergency

Climbers should be aware that there is very little in the way of rescue organization for handling trekker’s/climbing emergencies in Nepal. Though our guides are trained in first aid and can deal with most of the basic ailments that occurs during a trek but in case of serious problem one has to be helicopter out to the nearest place where there are adequate medical facilities. One needs to have a proper Insurance coverage i.e. helicopter rescue, medical and accidental policy as the cost of rescuing can go very high.  If the landing site is far away then we will have to use  either porters or yak/mule to transport it to a place where you could be rescued. You must be aware that you are traveling in a very remote part of the world where there are difficulties of communication and getting an instant medical attention.

Altitude Related Problem

When trekking/climbing in the Himalayas there is always a real danger of mild to serious problems related to altitude.  The complaints are collectively known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

It is important that trekkers understand that they will be affected to a greater or lesser extent when they ascend to altitudes over about 3,000 m.  As you climb higher the atmospheric pressure falls and the amount of available oxygen also falls.  The body will adjust to cope with this by altering the characteristics of your blood in order to utilize better the lower oxygen levels available to it.  This process takes time and can vary from individual to individual.  Indeed, individuals can experience different rates of acclimatization on separate visits. So, having acclimatized well on a previous visit is no guarantee of quick acclimatization subsequently.

The mechanics of acclimatization are not well understood but it has been proved that a number of factors have a positive effect.  By far the most important is regulating your rate of ascent when traveling in excess of 3000 m above sea level.  As a general rule you should not gain more than 400-500 meters a day and have a rest day every fifth day.  Maintaining a good fluid intake and urine output has also been proved to be effective in combating the effects of altitude.  The dry air of the mountains tends to dehydrate you so an increased fluid intake is necessary.  Try to drink at least four liters of water a day.  Prophylactic medication should not be required to aid acclimatization unless specifically prescribed by a physician skilled in the treatment and prevention of altitude sickness.  Fitness may have some effect on speedy acclimatization but being young and fit does not guarantee immunity.  The only age concern is for the very young who may not be able to describe their symptoms to their parents.  For this reason it is unwise to take very young children to altitudes above 3,500-4000 meters.  Symptoms of  AMS may be mild or severe and the victim can develop severe symptoms very rapidly if the mild effects are ignored.  The most commonly reported complaints are as follow:

1. Headache that may responds to pain killers but then returns
2. Loss of appetite
3. Swelling of the limbs
4. Dizziness/light-headedness
5. Difficulty in sleeping
6. Irregular breathing
7. Nausea
8. Unusual weariness

Poor coordination and slurring of speech all or some of these symptoms may be present in mild cases of AMS but they can rapidly worsen and become dangerously debilitating.  In particular, as the symptoms worsen the victim will often become irrational and difficult to reason with.  Their ability to make sensible decisions for themselves is increasingly impaired and their companions may be their only hope of survival.  This is a compelling reason for never trekking alone at altitude.

In the final stages of altitude sickness severe problems start to appear which can rapidly lead to loss of consciousness and death if untreated.  Two forms of AMS are generally recognized.  One or both may be present and either is extremely serious.

HIGH ALTITUDE PULMONARY Edema (HAPE)

This is caused by an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.  As the complaint progresses more and more fluid builds up until the victim literally drowns.  The symptoms include difficulty breathing and rapid pulse rate even at rest, coughing pink, frothy sputum and, occasionally blueness around the lips. 

HIGH ALTITUDE CEREBRAL Edema (HACE)

This, the most serious of the forms of AMS, is caused by a build up of fluid around the brain.  The previously mentioned symptoms of mild AMS rapidly worsen, particularly the headache along with slurring of speech and ultimately unconsciousness and death.  The advance of the problem can be very rapid and death can occur in twelve hours if treatment is not given.

TREATMENT OF AMS

There is one simple treatment for AMS and that is DESCENT. Stopping the ascent for a day can treat very mild symptoms of AMS.  After this the symptoms will disappear and the trek can be resumed.  If the symptoms are such that the victim is obviously suffering then descent, to a point at least 500 meters lower.  The descent should not be delayed even if it means going down in the dark.  If the victim is still able to walk it makes the treatment easier but if necessary they may have to be carried either by a companion or by horse or yak.

If it is available, bottled oxygen can help the patient but descent should still not be delayed.  A portable Hyperbaric Chamber (Gamow Bag or PAC bag), if available, can be used to raise the atmospheric pressure experienced by the victim and can temporarily ease the symptoms of AMS. The relief will only be temporary and descent is still necessary.

On the Everest Base Camp route and on the Annapurna circuit route there are clinics, operated by the Himalayan Rescue Association, that specialize in treating trekker’s health problems, particularly  AMS.  In the Everest region the clinic is at Pheriche while the one on the Annapurna Circuit is at Manang.  Skilled western doctors who can help treat and advise victims of AMS staff both of these clinics.  It must be remembered that these clinics are only open during the main trekking seasons of 01st October to 14th December and 07th March to 20th May.

Far Out staff are fully aware of this problem so our program are designed in such a way that the clients gets sufficient time to acclimatize before proceeding to higher altitude, we normally carry Portable altitude chamber for trip above 3,500 m, basic medical kit and have got a good connection with the helicopter service to rescue you out. In spite of all these preparation AMS could be sometime fatal and beyond our control.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you insured yourself before taking a trekking trip to Nepal.  Your insurance policy should cover travel insurance, medical, accidental and helicopter rescue in case of emergency.