Whose Highlighting Nepal this October

Hi, yes we (myself & my sister) are on this trip, Have you done one of these before?. This is our fourth. We have done Thailand twice & Cubs (escambray mountain) these were for charoity though. This one is for leisure. Are you travelling alone?.

 

Dee61 

Hi Dee

I trust you are both well. I think we've two chains of conversation going on at the same time.

We're the couple that responed to your query about the sleeping bags. This our third holiday with Exodus, our second trek with them. We've previously walked the Inca Trail.

Hopefully this should be a little easier then last time, but the variety will make this an experience.

Keep in touch

Nick (& Lesley) 

 

 

HI, 

Thanks for that, i'm not usually this dippy lol... Time is passing and October will be with us soon... We are spending our time in the gym at the moment as the weather is so awful. we have usually got at least 6 weekends of good walking by now... Lets hope it picks up so we can get out and about.

regards

Dee 

Hi

We have two different styles of training for these holidays, Lesley's starting going down the gym, whilst I walk most Sunday's usually about 12 miles of fairly flat walks.

We plan to get at least a weekend in Snowdonia for a bit of cycling & walking, before we go, but that may depend on the weather.

Good luck with your training. 

Keep in touch.

Nick (& Lesley) 

 

Hi Nick/Lesley

Have you heard off anyone else from our trek ?

Dee 

 

Hi Dee

Nobody yet, there's got to be at least 4 other people booked on our trip. I'm sure we'll find out in due course.

How's the training going, have you managed to get any walking in this weekend?

Keep in touch and maybe we'll pick somebody else up along the way.

Nick/Lesley 

 

 

Hi Guys.

I went to Wales a few weeks ago in the hope to do one of the coastal paths... Hay ho it rained & rained and we had to come home.. just before those awful floods. Karen & I are upping the ante a bit now as we havn't done much big hikes (again awful weather) therefore spending lots of time in the gym. it's not the same as getting your boots on though. we are hoping to go to Ireland in early September , then we hope to get some serious hikking done. How are you two doing? It will be upon us before we know it... yikes !!! 

 

Hiya

Only 17 weeks to go now, We're off to Snowdonia next month, hopefully we'll have better we'll have better weather then you. I'm off to the Lake District for a long weekends hikking before then, Lesley's going to stick with the gym.

Have you given any thoughts to the innoculations we need ?

S W Connor

Hi. Thought I would post this thread to see if anybody out there is going on the Annapurna, Chitwan and Everest trek in October. Would appreciate any comments from fellow travellers, especially anybody perhaps going direct from Manchester to Kathmandu. Been to Wales and Lake District recently despite the appalling weather and looking forward to the trip of a lifetime, one of which is on my 'bucket list.'

Hi

I'm not sure if we're on the same holiday, we're on the Highlights of Nepal Trip (ref ANT) which covers Kathmandu, Annapurna foothills and Chitwan. Our plan at the moment is to fly from Heathrow rather than Manchester to Kathmandu.

As time is getting nearer, we really need to get some serious training in so lets hope we have some better weather in Wales in July.

Keep in touch

 

Hi Guys.

I work in a GP surgery, so i'm lucky to get good straightforward advice. Rabies, only done private and it's around £50 a jab and the course is 3. that doent include the private consultaion fee. The advice i was given was... If we are within 24 hours of a hospital/medical centre we are within thr time scale to get treated sould anything untoward happen.  I am certain we are so i'm not having them.  However it is of course personal choice.  Malaria.... again you can get the Prescription from your Gp but it's £11.50 fro the script then approx £2/3 per tablet, you have to take it before you go, then for the whole time your there, then when you get home so i think its about 21 tablets. I'm up to date with other jabs. Oh it's a good idea to ask your GP for a prescription for A broad spectrum antibiotic in case of bites + one for ciprofloxin (infective napalise tummy) or the trots lol. the later are very very good. i had to have some last year.  The Lakes are great training grounds, We have done lots in previous years up there.   Have fun .....Dee

Hiya

The trainings going very went, plus we were so lucky with the weather. Nothing to high level but 3 days of four or five hundred metre climbs followed by some ridge walking.

Next stop the two of us are of to Snowdonia, for some gentle climbs (weather dependant).

Have you looked into booking your seats on the flights

Nick 

 

 

 

Hi Nick.

Have you booked your own flights? We have booked everything with exodus.... i assume they book a block of seats (as other companies do ) .  

Hi Nick.

Have you booked your own flights? We have booked everything with exodus.... i assume they book a block of seats (as other companies do ) .  

Hi Dee

Just back from a rather wet Wales, not much walking but a few days of sightseeing.

We've also booked everything through Exodus, they do normally blockbook the seats, but it does depend on the airlines policy regarding seat reservations. I was going to email them shortly to see what airline we are using and to see if we can reserve seats in advance. 

I'll let you know what information I can find out.

 

 

 

 

Hi All

Well it's nearly time to pay for this trip, all that's left after that is to collect all the bits and pieces we need for this experience of a lifetime. 

Really looking forward to it now, as usual the wife's a bit more apprehensive.

How's everyone else feeling ??? 

 

 

Hi Guys, all paid up. and just started to up the gym a bit. Not long now .... ekkk!!!

Well that's at least 4 of us going now.

As for the training Lesley's thinking about her gym work, whilst I'll stick to the walking. I suppose it's time to look at the kit list and find out what we don't have.

Just in case your curious we're a slightly unfit couple in their mid 50's who love this sense of safe adventure. 

Nick 

 

Had my typhoid, Hep A and B and got the malaria tablets. What a job gettiing the vaccine for typhoid on the NHS but got there in the end!. Thinking seriously of rabies jab too. What do others think? Not long now. Is anybody going direct from Manchester like myself?

Been doing some serious walking in Wales and Lakes and hoping to see some stunning scenery.

Steve 

 

 

 

S W Connor

 

 

Hi Steve

We looked at rabies injections and it depends on how risk adverse you are. The injections give you a head start if you are bitten by a rabid animal, which means you have longer to reach medical help and require less further injections.

also they cost and can only be done privately.

Hope this helps

Nick 

Reading the posts and getting nervous that I haven't trained!!! Must start... But it's easy to moderate so shouldn't be that hard??? But I do have all my jabs and malaria tablets... Getting all the extra bits and pieces bit by bit... Visa applied for... And am definitely excited to meet everyone and see this amazing country :))) So who is everyone? I know there are two couples, two sisters and then five solo travellers (me being one). Seems like a good spread age wise and a steady balance in terms of gender... And some have travelled with exodus before and some haven't...

Hi - it's good to hear from somebody else whose on this trip. We can confirm we are one of the couples and we have travelled with Exodus before. Lesley also has the same problem with the training but she's going to start sometime.

We've had all or jabs, but are trying to work out which malaria tablets to take, anybody got any advice.

The next 7 weeks will fly by, can't wait to meet everybody and get going.

 

I got paludrine and avloclor. But took one beginning with L before (cant remember name) and they suited me grand. But didn't suit friends of mine. Not sure why. Lesley, you and I might just get on brilliantly!!! I've started a little bit - yoga and walking home from work... Friend of mine did this trip and said its amazing. And the trekking is challenging but very doable. So we'll be grand. It's the steep descend that I'm worried about :| Oh and I haven't been on this before as I only booked the trip two wks ago :))) Last minute decision. Soooo excited though. I've travelled solo many times (mostly volunteering) and have had the best time and I know loads of ple who have done exodus before and they highly recommend it. So I'm just ecstatic with excitement...

This our 3rd trip with Exodus, Vietnam & Peru before, they're a great outfit we've survived flooded lakes on an elephant and strikes in Cusco so what does Nepal hold for us. We would highly recommend them.

As for the exercise we managed a 5 mile walk yesterday, might take a few walks around the town before we go.

Thanks for the notes on the Malaria pills

 

 

Hi Guy's

Boy it's getting close..... Don't worry NIck i'll be 51 when we travel my sister is younger and as mad as a hatter i can gaurentee you'll have lots of laughs if your up for it.  I'm still unsure of the kit list i have found in previous years that you dont need half the stuff. ... I usually travel pretty light anyway. Maybe i'm thinking more for the cooler evenings. 

Dee 

Hi all

So far we have 5 out of the 11 of us chatting on this chain. Most of us are sort of reasonably fit, but also game for a laugh (we must be to do this trip).

The truth will come out in about 6 weeks time.

Having been with Exodus before I can say you will probably most of the things on their "recommended kit list", the important thing will be to stay dry and warm on the trek. So my guess is it'll be warmduring the days and cold at nights.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

N & L 

Having never trekked before (I'm the unfit one) I'm so glad ur all helping prepare for this trip... 6 weeks... Whoop whoop!!! Anyone else from Ireland on the trip?

Don't worry about the fitness the trekking bit is no problem, it's just the time it takes to get from A to B.

I may not be from Ireland but I do spend a couple of days a month in Dublin, wonderful country shame about the economy at present.

I'm sure there must be an Irish bar somewhere in Nepal. 

I'm leaving my visa until i get there..... 

Hi

We're also leaving our visas until we get to Kathmandu, however we'll probably download and fill in the Visa Form beforehand.

Does anyone know how fussy Jet Airways are about hand luggage ? 

 

Im not sure what to do about visa. Going to Vienna end month and so need passport for that. Also don't know if getting a visa for Irish is different? Must check. No clue about jet airways and whether they're fussy or not. What's in the kit bag btw? Was told we get sent that two wks before departure. Dont wana buy anything that's in it...

Hi OJK

The visa requirements are the same for all EU Countries, which means we are all in the same boat. The form and requirements can be downloaded from the Nepalese Embassy website. We're getting ours at Kathmandu airport.

Not sure exactly what the "btw" bit is, but the kit bags we received from Exodus on our last trek were just a large soft sided bag (with nothing in) for use on the trek. Hope this helps.

How's everyone's training going on ? 

Btw is by the way. That's super info. Thank u. And the bag has nothing in it? Ok... Well, I'll go shopping this weekend. Again, thanks for info :))) Training going ok. Yoga and long walk (dunno how long or distance). Yours?

Hi, good idea about down loading the visa form (never crossed my mind) don't forget your extra pictures for trekking permit. (says we need them). Not sure about jet Airways & hand luggage,  but most are more relaxed with trekkers as long as the bag fits overhead. (iv'e never had a bag weighed yet) but always a first time ay !!!  Also i was looking at a past review i noticed there was one that said "this trek is tough in parts!! 

Dee 

HI Guys, i just had a look on jet airways website, they state 7kg's for hand baggage & 30kg's for hold luggage. best wait till tickets arrive though!! The customer reviews for jet airways don't look that good though for those who have flown with thai airways and been lovingly spoilt by the crew!! Hay ho it's all an adventure !

Hi, I certainly think the trek is not going to be easy, particularly given that it's either going to be up or down (not much flat walking). It's certainly an idea to bring some trekking poles (preferably 2) they do take some of the strain.

It's the gym for Lesley and a long walk for me this weekend, then hopefully two days walking (with some hills) next weekend.

Don't forget were all in the same boat, so let's enjoy it.

Are you flying from Heathrow ??? 

Hi folks,

Not long now. I am flying direct from Manchester to Doha and then on to Kathmandu. Shall hopefully meet up with everyone at the Royal Singhi hotel. Shall have some spare time in Kathmandu before the trekking and if fit enough at the end of the trek. Have decided to have the rabies jab and shall have the final jab on the 27th September. See you all soon!

Steve 

 

 

Hi,  yep if you've read the itenary it clearly says lots of steps... i usually only use one pole but i'm taking two this trek... I did a good 15k hike on Saturday & in the gym twice a week.

It will be here before we know it... We also fly from LHR/

 

Dee 

Message for Steve, 

you seem to have a different trip code to Us & Nick & Lesley. Are you on the HIghlights of Napal code ANT, as you refer to yours as Code TNC? just curious .

Dee 

 

Yes, only 5 weeks to go now. Lesley are planning to do a coupleof shortish day walks this weekend, hopefully involving some hills (not that there's many in this part of the country).

One tip I have gathered learnt from some people who have been before is to take a small lightweight umbrella. Apparently these are far more effective then waterproofs, as the rain come straight down for an hour or so in torrents and then nothing.

Looking forward to meeting everybody.

Nick 

 

Ok guys it's the 1st October,  it will fly by now. We are trying to get some extre leg work in at the gym to cope with the steps.... oh how i hate steps !!!

I guess we have all heard the sad news of the awful air crash in kathmandu. sadly one of the trekkers was from my home town of Macclesfield. I'll be thinking of all those who lost their life whilst trekking this time.

On a light note..... keep up all the training and see you soon ;-) 

Hi N&L

I think the other person chatting was on a different trek that departs 13th October. Not heard off anyone else . but there has to be at least 6/8 for it to run.  

Dee 

Hi All

Only 3 weeks to go, just the Visa photos and money to get now.

It certainly was a shame about the plane crash, most of journeys are by bus if that's any safer.

Looking at booking site there are 12 people on this trip (4 spaces left), 5 of us have been using this forum (Dee + 1,  OJK & us) that leaves 7 others.

We should out most of whose who at Heathrow.

Keep up the training and we'll see you on the 21st.

N&L 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi all. Unfortunately I have had to cancel my trip. I had a bad fall three weeks ago while on my way to work. A&E, GP x2, and most recently a physio (last night). All have recommended that I don't travel as would do more damage. I'm obviously gutted as was so looking forward to meeting everyone and seeing Nepal but working now with insurance company to sort this all out! Wishing u all the very best and hoping u all have an amazing time. Maybe our paths will cross a different time!

By the way, I never realised I didn't introduce myself. OJK stands for Olga Jane Kelly. Olga (or any form of it)...

Sorry to hear about your fall, it's a shame you won't be able to make we'll miss that Irish wit.

We were trying to work out what the OJK stood for.

Take care of yourself, fate sometimes works in strange ways.

Lesley & Nick 

Hi all,

My wife and I are late additions to this trip, but for various reasons we will miss the first day and catch up with you all at Bandipur.

 Just off into town now to (hopefully) pick up the last of the gear!

Cheers,

Roddy 

Hi Olga sorry to hear you have had to cancel, hope your better soon , and can re book.

Hello to Roddy and wife.

 Hi N&L managed a 16k hike yesterday... felt great at the time, legs a little rough today. 

Dee 

Ok , my kit bag arrived today..... are they really big enough, i was supposed to be bringing a clothes parcel for a Nepalese child my friend knows... not sure that's possible now !!

See you all next week

 8 sleeps 

Dee 

Ok , my kit bag arrived today..... are they really big enough, i was supposed to be bringing a clothes parcel for a Nepalese child my friend knows... not sure that's possible now !!

See you all next week

 8 sleeps 

Dee