Annapurna Circuit

Altitude
How altitude affects people is never black and white. Different people will feel it (or not) at different stages, and some will have differing symptoms. The basic rule is that, if someone is showing signs of altitude sickness, they will be taken down as quickly as possible. The walk itself is done in such a way that everyone, insofar as their bodies will be able to, should have the chance to becoime acclimatised.
 
However, some people are more sensitive to altitude and may never become fully acclimatised. If this happens, they will begin to show signs of AMS or similar, which the leaders and guides look out for all the time. If they judge that someone is not well placed to carry on, or if the passenger wants to turn back themselves, they will assign someone to take them back down, or get someone to come and collect them. They would never be allowed to go back down themselves.
 
Where specifically they go to is usually worked out with the leader, dpending on where exactly you are or how long is left on the trip. So if it's close to the start, you may go back the way you came. If it's further on, you may take a short cut down or make it to the nearest road where you will be driven out potentially. If someone cannot walk, there are donkeys and mules for transport. If it is very serious, a helicopter will be called in.
 
You could wait in a village further down the track for the group to catch you up, or back in the nearest town or even back in Kathmandu, depending on what is discussed with the leader.
 
 
Medication is down to individuals and not carried or given out by Exodus staff. Some people do take Diamox, and it can help. It can also have some side effects, which I saw first hand in Turkey in June, when a client was taking it and had to finish the trip early, it made him so ill. It's a personal thing, but it's not something I would take personally.
 

You can buy bottled water lots of places, or almost all teahouses will have boiled water you fill from in the morning, or there are also water tanks being set up where larger amounts of water are treated and available to buy - but there is never a shortage.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Yes. There are dozens of trekking shops in the Thamel area of Kathmandu. Depending on how good your bartering skills are, you can usually pick up items for about one third of the price that you'll pay in the UK...and its more fun to bargain! However, please note we cannot guarantee the quaility of anything you may purchase so buyer beware.

David Richardson - Sales

On camping treks we provide safe boiled water for drinking 3 times a day.
On lodge based treks we advise against buying mineral water in plastic bottles. You can buy boiled water which is safe to drink or you can ask your leader for cold water which you then must treat with chlorine dioxide. On the Annapurna Circuit trek there are safe drinking water stations in many villages. In the Everest region a couple of lodges have UV treated water for sale.

Emma Garrick - Product Manager

Staff member Dan Cockburn travelled to Nepal with Exodus and you can read his article to get a personal viewpoint of the holiday. Olly Townsend also trekked in the Himalaya and you can read his thoughts here.

Head down to the Everest Steak House in southern Thamel for a mouth watering steak and chips, well earned if you’re just back from trek. Finish it off with a cocktail in the legendary Tom & Jerry bar up the road!

You can also head to Fire and Ice Pizzeria in Thamel, a great place with casual indoor and outdoor eating which is popular amongst travellers, and locals alike. This restaurant is a great place to meet for a morning cup of Italian espresso, or a hearty meal of delicious pizzas, pastas, ice cream and even a Grappa!

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

You will be packing your kitbag for the trek before you leave Kathmandu, and can leave your main luggage at the Royal Singhi hotel in Kathmandu, where it will be stored securely free of charge. However, as with any destination, we recommend you keep valuables with you at all times.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

If you are used to walking with trekking poles then take them with you, as you will probably find them useful especially on the way down. They are not essential though and the walk is manageable without them. It is mostly a personal preference but do remember to pack them as part of your main luggage to be stowed in the hold. If you decide later you'd like to have some, they are available to buy in Kathmandu.

Olly Leicester - Sales

When walking in the mountains, the distance you cover each day can vary greatly due to gradient, terrain and altitude. As such it is very hard to give specific distances on each day.

For example, you might walk 7 miles one day and it takes 5 hours. The next day the trail might be very steep , rocky and gain substantial altitude and such factors mean you cover just 2 miles in 5 hours!

In the Himalaya, even the local people only ever talk about distances in the mountains in terms of how long it will take, i.e. 5 hours walk. On most trekking trips, you will walk for 3-4 hours in the morning and another couple after lunch.

Olly Leicester - Sales

You can find a comprehensive article covering this matter here: http://www.himalayanrescue.org/hra/article.php?sno=9

Alex Doaga - Exodus leader

Dal Bhat
Dal Bhat is the Nepali staple food. It consists of rice and lentils and a spicy vegetable or meat curry. Nepalis will eat this twice a day. A good lunchtime Dal Bhat is served at Nanglos restaurant 5 minutes walk from the Royal Singi Hotel, or try the Royal Dal Bhat at Kilroys.

Momos

This Nepalese version of dumplings/ wantons is a traditional delicacy and a must try local dish while you are in Nepal. Momo dumplings are either steamed or  fried with chicken/or buff (water buffalo) as well as stuffed with vegetables for vegetarians and have become the most famous fast food amongst Nepalese and can be found on the menus of most restaurants serving locals and tourists alike.   

Kwanti soup

This mixed bean soup is usually served during festivals and gatherings and now has made its way in many of restaurant menus. Goes well with Naan or roti bread. 

Choela

This is a typical Newari dish smoked meat (chicken; lamb or buffalo meat) tossed with spices and mustard oil. Easily available in most Nepalese and local restaurants in Kathmandu around Hotel Royal Singi and in sightseeing spots.

Niraj Chand Shrestha - Customer Operations

£20 - £25 per day is ample, but it is possible to spend less (and more!). Meals are usually pretty cheap but extras such as sweets or snacks will add a bit more to your budget. There are plenty of ATMs in Kathmandu, so you can withdraw more Nepalese currency if you are running short towards the end of your trip.

Mike James - Operations director

Available at nearly all lodges, but for a fee - usually about £2 per hour of charging.

Olly Leicester - Sales

Most of our clients choose to get their visas at Kathmadu airport. This may mean some time queuing, but the transfer bus won't leave for the hotel until all arriving passengers are through Immigration and have collected their bags. So if you have your visa in advance, you will avoid the visa queue but you wont get to the hotel any earlier. If you'd like to get your visa in advance, please contact Travcour or the Nepalese embassy direct.

It costs $25 for a 15 days visa and $40 for a 30 days visa. You will need a passport photograph if getting a visa on arrival. Please note if you are staying in Nepal longer than 15 days, you will need to ask for a 30 day visa.

Emma Garrick - Product Manager

The 12kg is only the weight limit for your kit bag (checked in luggage) on the flight. It does NOT include hand luggage, which is not weighed but must fit in the overhead compartments.

Joanna Zubr - Nepal Operations

Our Kathmandu base manager, Valerie Parkinson, has produced a detailed guide to what you can expect in the lodges or teahouses of Nepal.

Please read it carefully, and if you have any further questions, please contact the Exodus Executive in charge of Nepal, Joanna Zubr on jzubr@exodus.co.uk.

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Nepal where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

You can view the Grading System for our Walking & Trekking programme online.

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!