Walking the Annapurna Foothills

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.

Please note: for all excursions the minimum number of participants is 4 in order for it to operate.
Kurintar - Whitewater rafting on Trisuli River - $70 USD pp (includes all equipment, guiding and lunch)
Kathmandu :- Bhaktapur Medieval city - $45 USD pp, Swayambunath 'Monkey' Temple $25 USD, Patan old royal city $35 USD

Clothing

While you are trekking, daytime temperatures will generally be warm. On this trek you do not go above 2500m, so although you will need a sweater or fleece for the evenings, weather will generally be mild. However it can be chilly in the evenings, particularly between November and February, and at those times you will need warm weather clothing including a woolly hat and gloves, and a warm down jacket.

Long Trousers - For everyday walking, light cotton trousers are the most suitable. Knee length shorts are also acceptable Although comfortable, leggings are not recommended as they may cause offence to local people. Jeans are also not recommended as they are often difficult to walk in over longer distances and become cumbersome when wet.

Waterproofs - Breathable waterproofs not only protect against rain and wind but also stop you from overheating. They breathe and avoid condensation which you will experience from nylon waterproofs. Rain during the trekking season is fairly rare but can be heavy if it does happen.

Gloves - Especially useful around camp in the morning and in the evening in the winter months (December/January). Thermals or similar types are most suitable.

Socks - It is best to wear a pair of reasonably thick loop stitch socks. These help to protect your feet against blisters. Avoid nylon socks, they are abrasive, don't breathe well and can cause blisters.

Fleece pullover/jacket - You will need a fleece pullover/jacket for the evenings. Make sure that your waterproof jacket is loose enough to wear over your pullover or fleece.

Thin Shirts/T-Shirts

Laundry - Clothing may be left at the hotel in Pokhara to be washed and ironed ready for your return from trek.

Footwear

We strongly recommend you bring walking boots with ankle support- leather or fabric are both fine. Make sure that your boots are worn-in and comfortable before the start of the trip. Trainers and tennis shoes do not give the ankle support afforded by a decent pair of walking boots. Ideally, visit a specialist outdoor pursuits shop who will offer advice. Trainers or sandals are fine for relaxing and general wear. We suggest that on international flights you either carry your walking boots in your hand luggage or wear them - should your luggage be lost or delayed, your own boots are the one thing that will be irreplaceable.

Luggage

20kg

Luggage: On tour

Your luggage should consist of three main pieces:

Main Baggage: The item of luggage used to carry all your belongings in the hold of the plane and used to store all of the items you don't need on trek. This can be left behind at the group hotel used prior to the trek.

Trek Kitbag: Customer on all of our treks in Nepal receive a free Explore kitbag on the tour prior to the start of the trek which is yours to keep. Approximately 80 litres in size it's ideal for all items you need to take on trek and the luggage preferred by our porters. The weight limit for this is 10kg but you will probably find that you do not need this much.

Daysac/Rucksack: 30-35 litres recommended. During the course of a trekking day, you do not have access to the luggage which is being carried for you by the porters. In any mountain region the weather can change rapidly and you must be equipped for this eventuality. Your daysac should therefore be large enough to carry waterproofs, fleece jacketweater, long trousers (if walking in shorts), warm hat and gloves, sun hat, sun cream, water bottle (minimum 1 litre) and your camera. Most people normally find that this adds up to about 2 to 3kg. Other optional items in a daysac might be a diary or a book to read at lunch time. On a few occasions it is also necessary to carry your own packed lunch. We advise you to take a waterproof rucksack cover or alternatively line the sack with a large plastic bag to keep the contents dry.

Advice on how and what to pack for the trek will be given at the tour briefing but it may be useful to do a trial pack before you leave home.

Equipment

We recommend taking the following items:

Sleeping Bag- The teahouses we use on trek all provide bedding and blankets however you will need a 4-season sleeping bag.

Water Bottles or Platypus/CamelBak style hydration system - Water along the trail must never be considered as drinkable. Boiled water will be provided in the morning during the trek to fill your water bottles and this should be either filtered by you (see below) or sterilised with chlorine dioxide tablets. If you dislike the taste of sterilised water, it is a good idea to add some powdered fruit juice. For environmental reasons, we do not encourage the purchase of bottled mineral.

Explore have partnered with Water-To-Go who supply 75cl personal water bottles with an in-built filter that eliminates 99.99% of all microbiological contaminants including viruses, bacteria, chemicals and heavy metals. https://watertogo.eu/partnerships/explore. You can drink direct from the bottle which has a drinking spout and fill these either from the tap or with the boiled water provided on trek. Your Water-To-Go bottle can then be topped up during the day from your standard water bottle.

Dry Bags - If you pack bits and pieces in a selection of bags inside your bag they will stay dry in case of rain and be easier for you to sort through in camp. Remember, the less you have to unpack in the evening, the less you have to repack each morning! A liner to pack inside your daysack is also a good idea.

Torch/Batteries/Bulb - A small torch is essential. Head torches are particularly useful. Only a limited selection of batteries may be available locally so bring spare batteries and bulb.

Toiletries - Try to keep heavy cosmetics etc to a minimum. Essentials are toothbrush/paste, bio-degradable soap, small towel, small nail brush and toilet rolls.

Binoculars - Useful for game viewing in Chitwan.

Sunglasses - A good pair of sunglasses is essential for protection against UV rays and glare.

Sun Hat, Sun Cream/Block and Lip Salve - Choose a high factor suncream (Factor 15 or more) to protect your skin against the sun at higher altitudes. A combination sunblock/ lipsalve is ideal for facial protection.

Personal First Aid Kit - Each trek carries an extensive first aid kit but no prescription medicines. You should have your own supply of plasters, aspirin, diarrhoea tablets and also a comprehensive blister kit, plus any other items you or your doctor feels advisable. (Please do not give medicines to local people without consulting the trek leader.)

Trekking poles - Trekking poles with rubber points are recommended. Swimsuit Spare Laces Chlorine Dioxide for water purification Anti-bacterial handwash

Ear Plugs- some may find it more comfortable to bring ear plugs with them so that while in hotels and teahouses they are not disturbed at night.

Insect repellent

Equipment Hire in Nepal - Almost every item required for a trek can be purchased or hired in Kathmandu and your Tour Leader can advise on the best shops to visit at your tour briefing. The costs of hiring are as follows: Please note: each item has a minimum charge of 7 days and then an additional per day charge added every after that if longer than 7 days: Sleeping Bag (4 season)- Rs.60 per day (Rs.420 for 7 days- minimum) Cotton sleeping bag inner liner (new)- Rs.150 per day (Rs.1050 for 7 days- minimum) Down Jacket- Rs.50 per day (Rs.350 for 7 days- minimum)

Equipment Hire and Trek Training Days in the UK - Trek Hire UK hire out a wide range of kit including quality sleeping bags, down jackets, therm-a-rest sleeping mats and walking poles http://www.trekhireuk.com. They also run regular trek training and preparation days from their base in the Surrey Hills, ideal for getting an indication of your overall fitness level and also covering advice on kit and altitude.

Tipping