How to Book Your Trek in Nepal

Booking Online vs. In-Person

Whether you book your trek online or in-person depends on how much time you have in Nepal and the kind of traveller you are – whether you prefer to have things arranged in advance or if you like to leave your options open. If you have a few days in Kathmandu or Pokhara, you’ll have no problem arranging any of the more popular treks on short notice. But if time’s an issue, booking online can save you valuable time and ensure that your departure is confirmed. On TrekkingPartners.com, we guarantee the same price whether you book online or in-person, so you don’t have to worry about paying more your trek online.

Advantages of Booking Online

The main advantage of booking online is having everything pre-arranged before you get to Nepal. Someone will be waiting to pick you up at the airport and bring you to your hotel, and you’ll know the dates of your trek so you can plan around it. If you book far enough in advance, you can also start finding people to join you by searching the partner forums to lower the price of your trek. Most trekking agencies offer a group rate.

Advantages of Booking In-Person

The main advantage of booking your trek in-person is getting a more personal feel for your guide and trekking agency. Spend a few days visiting trekking agencies and talking with your potential guide. Ask the right questions, go out for lunch together and get to know them. Visiting the agency’s office, meeting their staff and seeing how they communicate important details of the trek are things that are best done in person.

Finding the Best Right Price

If you’re booking your local trekking agencies in Nepal, it’s tempting to go with the lowest price. Keep in mind, a lower price is often not worth the savings. Too often (especially if you get lured in by a guide on the street), travellers return dissatisfied – or worse – with a story of being left in precarious situation or abandoned by a guide who wasn’t properly trained. Trekking at high-altitude carries significant risks, often life-threatening, and even as budget travellers we can’t afford to abandon our better judgment for a lower price. On the other hand, there are trekking agencies that offer the same service or less but at higher price. Finding the right price from a reliable agency for an experienced guide should be your main focus – not simply trying to find the lowest price. This is where guide reviews on TrekkingPartners come in handy, and why word-of-mouth is the best form of recommendation.

What To Expect From Your Booking

Once you’ve booked your trek, you’ll meet your guide the day before to go over the route, the details and collect any information they require of you, such as your travel insurance policy. During the trek, your guide will lead the way, arrange all the meals and accommodation, and explain the geological and cultural significance of the landscape. As they’ve done the trek many times before, you’ll be treated to certain advantages depending on the friendliness of your guide. Almost all trek bookings include airport pick-up which avoids having to negotiate for a taxi your first day. You’re in for an adventure. Nepal is an amazing country, packed full of diverse cultures and religions against the backdrop of the tallest mountains on earth. Anything we missed? Feel free to share your experience booking a trek in Nepal and any advice you have for fellow travellers.