Last Updated on June 13, 2022 by Treks Planner Nepal
Top 5 Tips: High Altitude Trekking in Nepal. Check out the list and plan your next high-altitude trekking trip to Nepal.
Do you want to step out of your comfort zone and embark on high-altitude treks? If your answer is yes, then Nepal is one of the places to go. The magnificent beauty of the massive Himalayas and surrounding hills is the major attraction of this country. Nepal has some of the world’s top high-altitude trekking trails. Nepal’s high-altitude hikes take you to some of the world’s tallest mountains and provide extraordinary thrills.
If you’re planning a long hike trek in the Himalayas, you’ll need to undertake some high-altitude hiking training. We need to make sure you’re well prepared for your hiking adventure. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 key hiking training tips to help you adequately prepare for your trip!
Table of Contents
1. Preparation is the Key
Prepare yourself for the trek ahead of time. Your trip can be ruined by many things such as muscle cramps, hamstrings, and altitude sickness symptoms. To hike at higher elevations successfully, you must be physically and mentally healthy.
Mental Preparation:
Once you’ve decided to go to the mountains, embrace it! A positive mindset is very crucial during the trip. Be confident in your ability to accomplish the hike. Practicing yogic breathing is a great technique to keep your mind in check. The more you know about being in control, the less panicked you’ll be if something goes wrong on your trip.
Physical Preparation:
If you do not travel much, you may want to begin strength training for trekking. Practice hiking at slightly higher altitudes than you’re used to. You can also work out at the gym. One of the best hiking training workouts is to go for a 30-minute run at least 4-5 times each week.
Even if you are an avid hiker, we recommend that you warm up with some physical activity before embarking on your adventure.
2. Proper Acclimatization
In a long high-altitude trek, acclimatization or a rest day is necessary to acclimate your body to the altitude difference and replenish your energies. Shortening the route is another common mistake connected with walking swiftly at high altitudes.
Acute mountain sickness is always a possibility at high altitudes. This is due to the thinner air at higher elevations. As a result, taking it gently is the best approach.
In a single day, you should not gain more than 500-700 meters of height. This equates to approximately 5-6 hours of hiking every day. Slowly moving allows your body to adjust to the greater altitude. Plan your journey so that your body has time to acclimate to the thin air of the highlands.
Trekking in Nepal’s Himalayas and hills bring us closer to nature, grants us tranquility, and provides us with new experiences. Mountains aren’t going anywhere so take it easy and acclimatize well.
3. Choosing Local Experienced High Altitude Trekking Guide
It’s impossible to entirely prevent the risk of catching acute mountain sickness. As a result, we recommend that you spend the entire trek with a resident experienced guide. The locals are used to living at high altitudes and might be a lifesaver if you suffer from AMS.
An experienced guide can make your journey not only fun but also safe. Our Sherpa guide is well-versed in high-altitude trekking and has years of experience. They will undoubtedly be a helpful companion throughout your trip, ensuring your safety and maintaining a certain amount of comfort.
4. Keep Yourself Hydrated
Water keeps the body hydrated and aids in the prevention of mountain sickness. Many trekkers, caught up in the thrill, forget to stay hydrated and go for hours on end without drinking a drop of water. It’s a good idea to avoid drinking water from unknown sources, but it doesn’t imply you shouldn’t drink. Keeping yourself hydrated is critical during hikes. Dehydration leads us to walk even slower and also causes constipation. Headache, dizziness, weakness, and disorientation are all signs of dehydration. Daily water consumption of 3 to 4 liters is recommended.
5. Eating the right food
Food is the fuel that keeps you going. However, eating inappropriate foods can induce stomach problems. We may be tempted to eat junk food such as noodles, chips, and cookies, which can cause unwanted digestive problems.
Don’t be tempted to eat something you don’t like, and make sure to ask about the contents of the meal to avoid food allergies. Furthermore, it is better to avoid eating meat at higher elevations because, in remote areas, there isn’t always adequate storage, meat may be days old, and high-fat meals are more difficult to digest. The greatest option is to eat locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Sometimes hikers are unaware that they are in the mountains and are continually burning calories. Therefore, it is crucial to eat snacks and water regularly. When trekking in the mountains, missing meals like breakfast, lunch, and dinner is also a bad decision. Do not miss a single meal. It’s recommended to have three meals each day: a hearty breakfast in the morning, a light lunch in the afternoon, and a light dinner. Take all of the meals, as well as energy bars and chocolates regularly.